Zinplava

Patient Information

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).

Concurrent Antibacterial Therapy

Inform patients that ZINPLAVA does not take the place of their antibacterial treatment for their CDI infection. They must continue their antibacterial treatment as directed [see INDICATIONS AND USAGE and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Description

Bezlotoxumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to C. difficile toxin B and neutralizes its effects. Bezlotoxumab is an IgG1 immunoglobulin with an approximate molecular weight of 148.2 kDa.

ZINPLAVA (bezlotoxumab) Injection is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to moderately opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solution that requires dilution for intravenous infusion. The product is provided in a 50 mL vial that contains 1000 mg of bezlotoxumab in 40 mL of solution. Each mL of solution contains bezlotoxumab (25 mg), citric acid monohydrate (0.8 mg), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (0.0078 mg), polysorbate 80 (0.25 mg), sodium chloride (8.77 mg), sodium citrate dihydrate (4.75 mg), and Water for Injection, USP. The vial may contain sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH to 6.0.

Indications

ZINPLAVA™ is indicated to reduce recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients 18 years of age or older who are receiving antibacterial drug treatment of CDI and are at a high risk for CDI recurrence.

Limitation Of Use

ZINPLAVA is not indicated for the treatment of CDI. ZINPLAVA is not an antibacterial drug. ZINPLAVA should only be used in conjunction with antibacterial drug treatment of CDI. [See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]

Dosage And Administration

Important Administration Instructions

Administer ZINPLAVA during antibacterial drug treatment for CDI.

Dosing Recommendations In Adults

The recommended dose of ZINPLAVA is a single dose of 10 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes. The safety and efficacy of repeat administration of ZINPLAVA in patients with CDI have not been studied.

Preparation And Administration

Preparation Of Diluted Solution

• ZINPLAVA must be diluted prior to intravenous infusion.
• Prepare the diluted solution immediately after removal of the vial(s) from refrigerated storage, or the vial(s) may be stored at room temperature protected from light for up to 24 hours prior to preparation of the diluted solution.
• Inspect vial contents for discoloration and particulate matter prior to dilution. ZINPLAVA is a clear to moderately opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solution. Do not use the vial if the solution is discolored or contains visible particles.
• Do not shake the vial.
• Withdraw the required volume from the vial(s) based on the patient’s weight (in kg) and transfer into an intravenous bag containing either 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP to prepare a diluted solution with a final concentration ranging from 1 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL. Mix diluted solution by gentle inversion. Do not shake.
• Discard vial(s) and all unused contents.

Storage Of Diluted Solution

• The product does not contain preservative. The diluted solution of ZINPLAVA may be stored either at room temperature for up to 16 hours or under refrigeration at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 24 hours. If refrigerated, allow the intravenous bag to come to room temperature prior to use.
• These time limits include storage of the infusion solution in the intravenous bag through the duration of infusion.
• Do not freeze the diluted solution.

Administration

• Administer the diluted solution as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes using a sterile, nonpyrogenic, low-protein binding 0.2 micron to 5 micron in-line or add-on filter.
• The diluted solution can be infused via a central line or peripheral catheter. Do not administer ZINPLAVA as an intravenous push or bolus.
• Do not co-administer other drugs simultaneously through the same infusion line.

How Supplied

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Injection: 1,000 mg/40 mL (25 mg/mL) clear to moderately opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solution in a single-dose vial.

Storage And Handling

ZINPLAVA Injection: is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to moderately opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solution and is supplied in the following packaging configuration:

Carton (NDC 0006-3025-00) containing one (1) single-dose vial of ZINPLAVA 1,000 mg/40 mL (25 mg/mL).

Store in a refrigerator, 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in original carton to protect from light. Do Not Freeze. Do Not Shake.

Manufactured by: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of MERCK & CO., INC., Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889,USA.U.S. License No. 0002. At: MSD Ireland (Carlow), County Carlow, Ireland, For patent information: www.merck.com/product/patent/home.html. Revised: Oct 2016

Side Effects

Clinical Trials Experience

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

The safety of ZINPLAVA was evaluated in two placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trials (Trial 1 n= 390 and Trial 2 n= 396). Patients received a single 10 mg/kg intravenous infusion of ZINPLAVA and concomitant standard of care antibacterial drugs (metronidazole, vancomycin or fidaxomicin) for CDI (SoC). Adverse reactions reported within the first 4 weeks after ZINPLAVA was administered are described for the pooled Phase 3 trial population of 786 patients. The median age of patients receiving ZINPLAVA was 65 years (range 18 to 100), 50% were age 65 years or older, 56% were female, and 83% were white.

The most common adverse reactions following treatment with ZINPLAVA (reported in ≥ 4% of patients within the first 4 weeks of infusion and with a frequency greater than placebo) were nausea, pyrexia, and headache (see Table 1).

Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 4% of ZINPLAVA-Treated Patients with CDI and at a Frequency Greater than Placebo in Trial 1 and Trial 2*,†

Serious adverse reactions occurring within 12 weeks following infusion were reported in 29% of ZINPLAVA-treated patients and 33% of placebo-treated patients. Heart failure was reported as a serious adverse reaction in 2.3% of the ZINPLAVA-treated patients and 1.0% of the placebo-treated patients [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

One patient discontinued the ZINPLAVA infusion due to ventricular tachyarrhythmia that occurred 30 minutes after the start of the infusion.

Mortality rates were 7.1% and 7.6% in ZINPLAVA-treated patients and placebo-treated patients, respectively, during the 12-week follow-up period.

Infusion Related Reactions

Overall, 10% of ZINPLAVA-treated patients experienced one or more infusion specific adverse reactions on the day of, or the day after, the infusion compared to 8% of placebo-treated patients. Infusion specific adverse reactions reported in ≥ 0.5% of patients receiving ZINPLAVA and at a frequency greater than placebo were nausea (3%), fatigue (1%), pyrexia (1%), dizziness (1%), headache (2%), dyspnea (1%) and hypertension (1%). Of these patients, 78% and 20% of patients experienced mild and moderate adverse reactions, respectively. These reactions resolved within 24 hours following onset.

Immunogenicity

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity following administration of ZINPLAVA. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to bezlotoxumab in the studies described below with the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other products may be misleading.

Following treatment with ZINPLAVA in Trial 1 and Trial 2, none of the 710 evaluable patients tested positive for treatment-emergent anti-bezlotoxumab antibodies.

Drug Interactions

Since ZINPLAVA is eliminated by catabolism, no metabolic drug-drug interactions are expected [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

WarningS

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

Precautions

Heart Failure

Heart failure was reported more commonly in the two Phase 3 clinical trials in ZINPLAVA-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients. These adverse reactions occurred primarily in patients with underlying congestive heart failure (CHF). In patients with a history of CHF, 12.7% (15/118) of ZINPLAVA-treated patients and 4.8% (5/104) of placebo-treated patients had the serious adverse reaction of heart failure during the 12-week study period [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Additionally, in patients with a history of CHF, there were more deaths in ZINPLAVA-treated patients, 19.5% (23/118) than in placebo-treated patients, 12.5% (13/104) during the 12-week study period. The causes of death varied and included cardiac failure, infections, and respiratory failure.

In patients with a history of CHF, ZINPLAVA should be reserved for use when the benefit outweighs the risk.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

No studies have been performed to test the potential of bezlotoxumab for carcinogenicity or genotoxicity.

Fertility studies have not been conducted with bezlotoxumab.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Adequate and well controlled studies with ZINPLAVA have not been conducted in pregnant women. No animal reproductive and developmental studies have been conducted with bezlotoxumab.

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown; however, the background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2-4% and of miscarriage is 15-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There is no information regarding the presence of bezlotoxumab in human milk, the effects on the breast-fed infant, or the effects on milk production.

The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ZINPLAVA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from ZINPLAVA or from the underlying maternal condition.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy of ZINPLAVA in patients below 18 years of age have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Of the 786 patients treated with ZINPLAVA, 50% were 65 years of age and over, and 27% were 75 years of age and over. No overall differences in safety and efficacy were observed between these subjects and younger subjects [see Clinical Studies]. No dose adjustment is necessary for patients ≥ 65 years of age [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Overdose

There is no clinical experience with overdosage of ZINPLAVA. In case of overdose, patients should be closely monitored for signs or symptoms of adverse reactions, and appropriate symptomatic treatment should be instituted.

Contraindications

None.

Clinical Pharmacology

Mechanism Of Action

ZINPLAVA (bezlotoxumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to C. difficile toxin B and neutralizes its effects [see Microbiology].

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of bezlotoxumab were studied in 1515 CDI patients in two Phase 3 trials (Trial 1 and Trial 2). Based on a population PK analysis, the geometric mean (%CV) clearance of bezlotoxumab was 0.317 L/day (41%), with a mean volume of distribution of 7.33 L (16%), and elimination half-life (t½) of approximately 19 days (28%). After a single intravenous dose of 10 mg/kg bezlotoxumab, geometric mean AUC0-INF and Cmax were 53000 mcg•h/mL and 185 mcg/mL, respectively, in the patients with CDI. The clearance of bezlotoxumab increased with increasing body weight; the resulting exposure differences are adequately addressed by the administration of a weight-based dose. Bezlotoxumab is eliminated by catabolism.

Specific Populations

Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Co-Morbid Conditions

The following factors had no clinically meaningful effect on the exposure of bezlotoxumab: gender, race, ethnicity, and presence of co-morbid conditions.

Patients with Renal Impairment

The effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of bezlotoxumab was evaluated in patients with mild (eGFR 60 to < 90 mL/min/1.73 m²), moderate (eGFR 30 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²), or severe (eGFR 15 to < 30 mL/min/1.73 m²) renal impairment, or with end stage renal disease (Egfr < 15 mL/min/1.73 m²), as compared to patients with normal (eGFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m²) renal function. No clinically meaningful differences in the exposure of bezlotoxumab were found between patients with renal impairment and patients with normal renal function.

Patients With Hepatic Impairment

The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of bezlotoxumab was evaluated in patients with hepatic impairment (defined as having two or more of the following: [1] albumin ≤ 3.1 g/dL; [2] ALT ≥ 2X ULN; [3] total bilirubin ≥ 1.3X ULN; or [4] mild, moderate or severe liver disease as reported by the Charlson Co-morbidity Index), as compared to patients with normal hepatic function. No clinically meaningful differences in the exposure of bezlotoxumab were found between patients with hepatic impairment and patients with normal hepatic function.

Geriatric Patients

The effect of age on the pharmacokinetics of bezlotoxumab was evaluated in patients ranging from 18 to 100 years of age. No clinically meaningful differences in the exposure of bezlotoxumab were found between patients 65 years and older and patients under 65 years of age.

Drug Interaction Studies

Because bezlotoxumab is eliminated by catabolism, no metabolic drug-drug interactions are expected.

Microbiology

Mechanism Of Action

Bezlotoxumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds C. difficile toxin B with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of < 1×10-9M. Bezlotoxumab inhibits the binding of toxin B and prevents its effects on mammalian cells. Bezlotoxumab does not bind to C. difficile toxin A.

Activity In Vitro

Bezlotoxumab binds to an epitope on toxin B that is conserved across reported strains of C. difficile, although amino acid sequence variation within the epitope does occur. In vitro studies in cell-based assays using Vero cells or Caco-2 cells, suggest that bezlotoxumab neutralizes the toxic effects of toxin B.

Clinical Studies

The safety and efficacy of ZINPLAVA were investigated in two randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled, multicenter, Phase 3 trials (Trial 1 and Trial 2) in patients receiving Standard of Care antibacterial drugs for treatment of CDI (SoC). Randomization was stratified by SoC (metronidazole, vancomycin, or fidaxomicin) and hospitalization status (inpatient vs. outpatient) at the time of study entry.

Enrolled patients were 18 years of age or older and had a confirmed diagnosis of CDI, which was defined as diarrhea (passage of 3 or more loose bowel movements in 24 or fewer hours) and a positive stool test for toxigenic C. difficile from a stool sample collected no more than 7 days before study entry. Patients were excluded if surgery for CDI was planned, or if they had uncontrolled chronic diarrheal illness. Patients received a 10- to 14-day course of oral SoC and a single infusion of ZINPLAVA or placebo was administered during the course of SoC. Patients on oral vancomycin or oral fidaxomicin could have also received intravenous metronidazole. Choice of SoC was at the discretion of the health care provider. The day of the infusion of ZINPLAVA or placebo in relation to the start of SoC ranged from the day prior to the start of SoC to 14 days after the start of SoC with the median being day 3 of SoC.

In Trial 1, 403 patients were randomized to receive ZINPLAVA and 404 patients were randomized to receive placebo. In Trial 2, 407 subjects were randomized to receive ZINPLAVA and 399 patients were randomized to receive placebo. The Full Analysis Set (FAS) was a subset of all randomized subjects with exclusions for: (i) not receiving infusion of study medication; (ii) not having a positive local stool test for toxigenic C. difficile; (iii) not receiving protocol defined standard of care therapy within a 1 day window of the infusion. The baseline characteristics of the 1554 patients randomized to ZINPLAVA or placebo in the FAS were similar across treatment arms and in Trial 1 and Trial 2. The median age was 65 years, 85% were white, 57% were female, and 68% were inpatients. A similar proportion of patients received oral metronidazole (48%) or oral vancomycin (48%) and 4% of the patients received oral fidaxomicin as their SoC.

The following risk factors associated with a high risk of CDI recurrence or CDI-related adverse outcomes were present in the study population: 51% were ≥ 65 years of age, 39% received one or more systemic antibacterial drugs (during the 12-week follow-up period), 28% had one or more episodes of CDI within the six months prior to the episode under treatment (15% had two or more episodes prior to the episode under treatment), 21% were immunocompromised and 16% presented at study entry with clinically severe CDI (as defined by a Zar score of ≥ 2¹). A hypervirulent strain (ribotypes 027, 078 or 244) was isolated in 22% of patients who had a positive baseline culture, of which 87% (189 of 217 strains) were ribotype 027.

Patients were assessed for clinical cure of the presenting CDI episode, defined as no diarrhea for 2 consecutive days following the completion of a ≤ 14 day SoC regimen. Patients who achieved clinical cure were then assessed for recurrence of CDI through 12 weeks following administration of the infusion of ZINPLAVA or placebo. CDI recurrence was defined as the development of a new episode of diarrhea associated with a positive stool test for toxigenic C. difficile following clinical cure of the presenting CDI episode. Sustained clinical response was defined as clinical cure of the presenting CDI episode and no CDI recurrence through 12 weeks after infusion. Table 2 contains the results for Trial 1 and Trial 2.

Table 2: Efficacy Results Through 12 Weeks After Infusion (Trial 1 and Trial 2, Full Analysis Set*)

In Trial 1, the clinical cure rate of the presenting CDI episode was lower in the ZINPLAVA arm as compared to the placebo arm and in Trial 2, the clinical cure rate was lower in the placebo arm compared to the ZINPLAVA arm. Patients in the ZINPLAVA and placebo arms who did not achieve clinical cure of the presenting CDI episode (no diarrhea for 2 consecutive days following the completion of a ≤ 14 day SoC regimen) received a mean of 18 to 19 days of SoC and had a mean of 4 additional days of diarrhea following completion of SoC. Additional analyses showed that by 3 weeks post study drug infusion the clinical cure rates of the presenting CDI episode were similar between treatment arms.Efficacy results in patients at high risk for CDI recurrence (i.e., patients aged 65 years and older, with a history of CDI in the past 6 months, immunocompromised state, severe CDI at presentation, or C. difficile ribotype 027) were consistent with the efficacy results in the overall trial population in Trials 1 and 2.

REFERENCES

1. Zar FA, Bakkanagari SR, Moorthi KM, Davis MB. A comparison of vancomycin and metronidazole for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, stratified by disease severity. Clin Infect Dis 2007;45(3):302-7.