sanofi-aventis
ELITEK (rasburicase) Prescribing Information Sanofi Oncology




Elitek® is indicated for the initial management of plasma uric acid levels in pediatric and adult patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor malignancies who are receiving anti-cancer therapy expected to result in tumor lysis and subsequent elevation of plasma uric acid. ELITEK is indicated for only a single course of treatment.




You are about to leave a sanofi-aventis U.S. Web site

Sanofi-aventis U.S. does not review the information contained on this Web site and/or database for content, accuracy or completeness. Use of and access to this information is subject to the terms, limitations and conditions set by the Web site and/or database producer.

Sanofi-aventis U.S. makes no representation as to the accuracy or any other aspect of the information contained on such Web site and/or database, nor does sanofi-aventis U.S. necessarily endorse such Web site and/or database.

Back    Continue




IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION INCLUDING BOXED WARNING

Anaphylaxis: ELITEK can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients who experience a serious hypersensitivity reaction.

Hemolysis: Do not administer ELITEK to patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients developing hemolysis. Screen patients at higher risk for G6PD deficiency (e.g., patients of African or Mediterranean ancestry) prior to starting ELITEK.

Methemoglobinemia: ELITEK can result in methemoglobinemia in some patients. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients developing methemoglobinemia.

Interference With Uric Acid Measurements: ELITEK enzymatically degrades uric acid in blood samples left at room temperature. Collect blood samples in pre-chilled tubes containing heparin and immediately immerse and maintain sample in an ice water bath. Assay plasma samples within 4 hours of collection.

Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNINGS

Anaphylaxis:
ELITEK can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients who experience a serious hypersensitivity reaction.

Hemolysis:
Do not administer ELITEK to patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients developing hemolysis. Screen patients at higher risk for G6PD deficiency (e.g., patients of African or Mediterranean ancestry) prior to starting ELITEK.

Methemoglobinemia:
ELITEK can result in methemoglobinemia in some patients. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients developing methemoglobinemia.

Interference With Uric Acid Measurements:
ELITEK enzymatically degrades uric acid in blood samples left at room temperature. Collect blood samples in pre-chilled tubes containing heparin and immediately immerse and maintain sample in an ice water bath. Assay plasma samples within 4 hours of collection.


Among the 347 (265 pediatric; 82 adult) patients for whom all adverse reactions regardless of severity were assessed in Studies 1, 2 and 3, as well as an uncontrolled safety trial, the most frequently observed adverse reactions (incidence ≥10%) were vomiting (50%), fever (46%), nausea (27%), headache (26%), abdominal pain (20%), constipation (20%), diarrhea (20%), mucositis (15%), and rash (13%).

Among the 275 adult patients in Study 4, hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 4.3% of patients treated with the ELITEK alone and 1.1% of patients treated with the ELITEK/oral allopurinol combination. Hypersensitivity reactions included arthralgia, injection site irritation, peripheral edema, and rash. The most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions regardless of relationship to study drug in the 3 arms of Study 4 (ELITEK alone; ELITEK combined with oral allopurinol; oral allopurinol alone) were sepsis (5.4%; 6.5%; 4.4%), hypophosphatemia (4.3%; 6.5%; 6.6%), anxiety (3.3%; 0%; 0%), abdominal pain (3.3%; 4.3%; 2.2%), hyperbilirubinemia (3.3%; 2.2%; 4.4%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (3.3%; 4.3%; 2.2%), respectively.

The following serious adverse reactions occurred with a difference in incidence of greater than or equal to 2% in patients receiving ELITEK compared to patients receiving oral allopurinol in randomized studies (Study 1 and Study 4): pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory failure, supraventricular arrhythmias, ischemic coronary artery disorders, and abdominal and gastrointestinal infections.

Indication

ELITEK® is indicated for the initial management of plasma uric acid levels in pediatric and adult patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor malignancies who are receiving anticancer therapy expected to result in tumor lysis and subsequent elevation of plasma uric acid. ELITEK is indicated for only a single course of treatment.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.

©2002 - 2010 sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. All rights reserved.
Legal Disclaimer Information and Privacy Policy
Questions or Comments? Click here to contact us.
This site intended for U.S. Healthcare Professionals Only.
US.RAS.10.03.020  Last Update: April 2010