Vasovist

Dosage Forms And Strengths

VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) is a sterile solution for intravenous injection containing 244 mg/mL (0.25 mmol/mL) gadofosveset trisodium

Storage And Handling

VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) Injection is a sterile, clear, colorless to pale yellow solution containing 244 mg/mL (0.25 mmol/mL) of gadofosveset trisodium in rubber-stoppered vials with an aluminum seal. VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) Injection is supplied as follows:

NDC 50419-310-01 - 10 mL fills in 10 mL single use vials packages of 10 vials

NDC 50419-310-02 - 15 mL fills in 20 mL single use vials in packages of 10 vials

Store VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) Injection at 25°C (77°F: excursions permitted to 15 to 30°C [59 to 86°F]). Protect from light and freezing.

Distributed by Bayer Healthcare, Inc., Wayne, NJ, Co-Developed by EPIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lexington, MA.

VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) is indicated for use as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to evaluate aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) in adults with known or suspected peripheral vascular disease.

Dosing Guidelines

Administer VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) as an intravenous bolus injection, manually or by power injection, at a dose of 0.12 mL/kg body weight (0.03 mmol/kg) over a period of time up to 30 seconds followed by a 25-30 mL normal saline flush. (See Table 1 for weight-adjusted dose volumes).

TABLE 1: Weight-Adjusted Volumes for the 0.03 mmol/kg Dose

Inspect the VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) vial visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. Do not use the solution if it is discolored or particulate matter is present.

VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) is intended for single use only and should be used immediately upon opening. Discard any unused portion of the VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) vial.

Do not mix intravenous medications or parenteral nutrition solutions with VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use). Do not administer any other medications in the same intravenous line simultaneously with VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use).

Imaging Guidelines

VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) imaging is completed in two stages: the dynamic imaging stage and the steady-state imaging stage. Both stages are essential for adequate evaluation of the arterial system, and dynamic imaging always precedes steady-state imaging. During interpretation of the steady-state images, VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) within the venous system may limit or confound the detection of arterial lesions. To assess the initial distribution of VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) within the arterial system, begin dynamic imaging immediately upon injection. Begin steady state imaging after dynamic imaging has been completed, generally 5 to 7 minutes following VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) administration. At this time point, VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) is generally distributed throughout the blood. In clinical trials, steady-state imaging was completed within approximately one hour following VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) injection.

History of a prior allergic reaction to a gadolinium-based contrast agent.

WARNINGS

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

PRECAUTIONS

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis

Gadolinium-based contrast agents increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73m²) and in patients with acute renal insufficiency of any severity due to the hepato-renal syndrome or in the perioperative liver transplantation period. In these patients, avoid use of gadolinium-based contrast agents unless the diagnostic information is essential and not available with non-contrast enhanced MRA. For patients receiving hemodialysis, physicians may consider the prompt initiation of hemodialysis following the administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent in order to enhance the contrast agent's elimination. VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) binds to blood albumin and use of a high-flux dialysis procedure is essential to optimized VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) elimination in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis. The usefulness of hemodialysis in the prevention of NSF is unknown.

Among the factors that may increase the risk for NSF are repeated or higher than recommended doses of a gadolinium-based contrast agent and the degree of renal function impairment at the time of exposure.

Post-marketing reports have identified the development of NSF following single and multiple administrations of gadolinium-based contrast agents. These reports have not always identified a specific agent. Prior to marketing of Vasovist (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) ®, where a specific agent was identified, the most commonly reported agent was gadodiamide (OmniscanTM), followed by gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist®) and gadoversetamide (OptiMARK®). NSF has also developed following sequential administrations of gadodiamide with gadobenate dimeglumine (MultiHance®) or gadoteridol (ProHance®). The number of post-marketing reports is subject to change over time and may not reflect the true proportion of cases associated with any specific gadolinium-based contrast agent.

The extent of risk for NSF following exposure to any specific gadolinium-based contrast agent is unknown and may vary among the agents. Published reports are limited and predominantly estimate NSF risks with gadodiamide. In one retrospective study of 370 patients with severe renal insufficiency who received gadodiamide, the estimated risk for development of NSF was 4% (J Am Soc Nephrol 2006; 17:2359). The risk, if any, for the development of NSF among patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency or normal renal function is unknown.

Screen all patients for renal dysfunction by obtaining a history and/or laboratory tests. When administering a gadolinium-based contrast agent, do not exceed the recommended dose and allow a sufficient period of time for elimination of the agent prior to any re-administration. NSF was not reported in clinical trials of VASOVIST.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) may cause anaphylactoid and/or anaphylactic reactions, including life-threatening or fatal reactions. In clinical trials, anaphylactoid and/or anaphylactic reactions occurred in two of 1676 subjects. If anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions occur, stop VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) Injection and immediately begin appropriate therapy. Observe patients closely, particularly those with a history of drug reactions, asthma, allergy or other hypersensitivity disorders, during and up to several hours after VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) administration. Have emergency resuscitative equipment available prior to and during VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) administration.

Acute Renal Failure

In patients with renal insufficiency, acute renal failure requiring dialysis or worsening renal function have occurred with the use of other gadolinium agents. The risk of renal failure may increase with increasing dose of gadolinium contrast. Screen all patients for renal dysfunction by obtaining a history and/or laboratory tests. Consider follow-up renal function assessments for patients with a history of renal dysfunction. No reports of acute renal failure were observed in clinical trials of VASOVIST.

QTc Prolongation and Risk for Arrhythmias

In clinical trials, a small increase (2.8 msec) in the average change from baseline in QTc was observed at 45 minutes following VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) administration; no increase was observed at 24 and 72 hours. A QTc change of 30 to 60 msec from baseline was observed in 39/702 (6%) patients at 45 min following VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) administration. At this time point, 3/702 (0.4%) patients experienced a QTc increase of > 60 msec. These QTc prolongations were not associated with arrhythmias or symptoms. In patients at high risk for arrhythmias due to QTc prolongation (e.g., concomitant medications, underlying cardiac conditions) consider obtaining baseline electrocardiograms to help assess the risks for VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) administration. If VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) is administered to these patients, consider follow-up electrocardiograms and risk reduction measures (e.g., patient counseling or intensive electrocardiography monitoring) until most VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) has been eliminated from the blood. In patients with normal renal function, most VASOVIST was eliminated from the blood by 72 hours following injection.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of gadofosveset. Gadofosveset was negative in the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay, in vitro CHO chromosome aberration assay, and the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay. Administration of up to 1.5 mmol/kg (8.3 times the human dose) to female rats for 2 weeks and to male rats for 4 weeks did not impair fertility.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) in pregnant women. In animal studies, pregnant rabbits treated with gadofosveset trisodium at doses 3 times the human dose (based on body surface area) experienced higher rates of fetal loss and resorptions. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, only use VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) during pregnancy if the diagnostic benefit justifies the potential risks to the fetus.

In reproductive studies, pregnant rats and rabbits received gadofosveset trisodium at various doses up to approximately 11 (rats) and 21.5 (rabbits) times the human dose (based on body surface area). The highest dose resulted in maternal toxicity in both species. In rabbits that received gadofosveset trisodium at 3 times the human dose (based on body surface area), increased post-implantation loss, resorptions, and dead fetuses were observed. Fetal anomalies were not observed in the rat or rabbit offspring. Because pregnant animals received repeated daily doses of VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) , their overall exposure was significantly higher than that achieved with a single dose administered to humans.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether gadofosveset is secreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) is administered to a woman who is breastfeeding. The risks associated with exposure of infants to gadolinium-based contrast agents in breast milk are unknown. Limited case reports indicate that 0.01 to 0.04% of the maternal gadolinium dose is excreted in human breast milk. Studies of other gadolinium products have shown limited gastrointestinal absorption. These studies were conducted with gadolinium products with shorter half-lives than VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use). Avoid VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) administration to women who are breastfeeding unless the diagnostic information is essential and not obtainable with non-contrast MRA.

Less than 1% of gadofosveset at doses up to 0.3 mmol/kg was secreted in the milk of lactating rats.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) in patients under 18 years of age have not been established. The risks associated with VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) administration to pediatric patients are unknown and insufficient data are available to establish a dose. Because VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) is eliminated predominantly by the kidneys, pediatric patients with immature renal function may be at particular risk for adverse reactions.

Geriatric Use

In clinical trials, no overall differences in safety and efficacy were observed between subjects 65 years and older and younger subjects. Whereas current clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients, greater susceptibility to adverse experiences of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

SIDE EFFECTS

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Clinical Studies Experience

Anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions were the most common serious reactions observed following VASOVIST injection administration.

In all clinical trials evaluating VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) with MRA, a total of 1,676 (1379 patients and 297 healthy subjects) were exposed to various doses VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use). The mean age of the 1379 patients who received VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) was 63 years (range 18 to 91 years); 66% (903) were men and 34% (476) were women. In this population, there were 80% (1100) Caucasian, 8% (107) Black, 12% (159) Hispanic, 1% (7) Asian, and < 1% (6) patients of other racial or ethnic groups. Table 2 shows the most common adverse reactions ( ≥ 1%) experienced by subjects receiving VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) at a dose of 0.03 mmol/kg.

Table 2 Common Adverse Reactions in 802 Subjects Receiving VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) at 0.03 mmol/kg

Post-marketing Experience

Because post-marketing reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The profile of adverse reactions identified during the post-marketing experience outside the United States was similar to that observed during the clinical studies experience.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Following injection, VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) binds to blood albumin and has the potential to alter the binding of other drugs that also bind to albumin. No drug interaction reactions were observed in clinical trials. Consider the possibility of VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) interaction with concomitantly administered medications that bind to albumin. An interaction may enhance or decrease the activity of the concomitant medication.

Warfarin

In a clinical trial of 10 patients receiving a stable dose of warfarin, a single dose of VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) (0.05 mmol/kg) did not alter the anticoagulant activity of warfarin as measured by the International Normalized Ratio (INR).

Pregnancy Category C

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) in pregnant women. In animal studies, pregnant rabbits treated with gadofosveset trisodium at doses 3 times the human dose (based on body surface area) experienced higher rates of fetal loss and resorptions. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, only use VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) during pregnancy if the diagnostic benefit justifies the potential risks to the fetus.

In reproductive studies, pregnant rats and rabbits received gadofosveset trisodium at various doses up to approximately 11 (rats) and 21.5 (rabbits) times the human dose (based on body surface area). The highest dose resulted in maternal toxicity in both species. In rabbits that received gadofosveset trisodium at 3 times the human dose (based on body surface area), increased post-implantation loss, resorptions, and dead fetuses were observed. Fetal anomalies were not observed in the rat or rabbit offspring. Because pregnant animals received repeated daily doses of VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) , their overall exposure was significantly higher than that achieved with a single dose administered to humans.

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Clinical Studies Experience

Anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions were the most common serious reactions observed following VASOVIST injection administration.

In all clinical trials evaluating VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) with MRA, a total of 1,676 (1379 patients and 297 healthy subjects) were exposed to various doses VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use). The mean age of the 1379 patients who received VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) was 63 years (range 18 to 91 years); 66% (903) were men and 34% (476) were women. In this population, there were 80% (1100) Caucasian, 8% (107) Black, 12% (159) Hispanic, 1% (7) Asian, and < 1% (6) patients of other racial or ethnic groups. Table 2 shows the most common adverse reactions ( ≥ 1%) experienced by subjects receiving VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) at a dose of 0.03 mmol/kg.

Table 2 Common Adverse Reactions in 802 Subjects Receiving VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) at 0.03 mmol/kg

Post-marketing Experience

Because post-marketing reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The profile of adverse reactions identified during the post-marketing experience outside the United States was similar to that observed during the clinical studies experience.

VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) Injection has been administered to humans up to a dose of 0.15 mmol/kg (5 times the clinical dose). No VASOVIST (gadofosveset trisodium injection for intravenous use) overdoses were reported in clinical trials. In the event of an overdose, direct treatment toward the support of all vital functions and prompt institution of symptomatic therapy. Gadofosveset has been shown to be removed by hemodialysis using a high flux dialysis procedure.

In human studies, gadofosveset substantially shortened blood T1 values for up to 4 hours after intravenous bolus injection. Relaxivity in plasma was measured to be 33.4 to 45.7 mM^-1s^-1 (0.47 T) over the dose range of up to 0.05 mmol/kg.

The pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered gadofosveset conforms to a two-compartment open model with mean plasma concentrations (reported as mean ±SD) of 0.43 ± 0.04 mmol/L at 3 minutes post-injection, and 0.24 ± 0.03 mmol/L at one hour post-injection. The mean half-life of the distribution phase is 0.48 ± 0.11 hours and the mean half-life of the elimination phase is 16.3 ± 2.6 hours. The mean total clearance of gadofosveset is 6.57 ± 0.97 mL/h/kg following the administration of 0.03 mmol/kg.

Distribution

The mean volume of distribution at steady state for gadofosveset was 148 ± 16 mL/kg, roughly equivalent to that of extracellular fluid. A significant portion of circulating gadofosveset is bound to plasma proteins. At 0.05, 0.5, 1 and 4 hours after injection of 0.03 mmol/kg the plasma protein binding of gadofosveset ranges from 79.8 to 87.4%.

Metabolism

Gadofosveset does not undergo measurable metabolism in humans.

Excretion

Gadofosveset is eliminated primarily in the urine with approximately 83.5% of an injected dose excreted in the urine over 14 days. Ninety-four percent (94%) of urinary excretion occurs in the first 72 hours. A small portion of gadofosveset dose is recovered in feces (approximately 4.7%).