(tofacitinib)
Risk Summary
The available data with XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets) from a pregnancy exposure registry that enrolled 11 exposed pregnant females, pharmacovigilance, and published literature are insufficient to draw conclusions about a drug‑associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and the fetus associated with RA and UC in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). In animal reproduction studies, fetocidal and teratogenic effects were noted when pregnant rats and rabbits received tofacitinib during the period of organogenesis at exposures multiples of 73-times and 6.3-times the maximum recommended dose of 10 mg twice daily, respectively. Further, in a peri- and post-natal study in rats, tofacitinib resulted in reductions in live litter size, postnatal survival, and pup body weights at exposure multiples of approximately 73-times the recommended dosage of 5 mg twice daily and approximately 36 times the maximum recommended dosage of 10 mg twice daily, respectively (see Data).
The background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. The background risks in the U.S. general population of major birth defects and miscarriages are 2 to 4% and 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies, respectively.
Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk: Published data suggest that increased disease activity is associated with the risk of developing adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with RA or UC. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation), low birth weight (less than 2500 grams) infants, and small for gestational age at birth.
Animal Data: In a rat embryofetal developmental study, in which pregnant rats received tofacitinib during organogenesis, tofacitinib was teratogenic at exposure levels approximately 146 times the recommended dose of 5 mg twice daily, and approximately 73 times the maximum recommended dose of 10 mg twice daily (on an AUC basis at oral doses of 100 mg/kg/day in rats). Teratogenic effects consisted of external and soft tissue malformations of anasarca and membranous ventricular septal defects, respectively; and skeletal malformations or variations (absent cervical arch; bent femur, fibula, humerus, radius, scapula, tibia, and ulna; sternoschisis; absent rib; misshapen femur; branched rib; fused rib; fused sternebra; and hemicentric thoracic centrum). In addition, there was an increase in post-implantation loss, consisting of early and late resorptions, resulting in a reduced number of viable fetuses. Mean fetal body weight was reduced. No developmental toxicity was observed in rats at exposure levels approximately 58 times the recommended dose of 5 mg twice daily, and approximately 29 times the maximum recommended dose of 10 mg twice daily (on an AUC basis at oral doses of 30 mg/kg/day in pregnant rats).
In a rabbit embryofetal developmental study in which pregnant rabbits received tofacitinib during the period of organogenesis, tofacitinib was teratogenic at exposure levels approximately 13 times the recommended dose of 5 mg twice daily, and approximately 6.3 times the maximum recommended dose of 10 mg twice daily (on an AUC basis at oral doses of 30 mg/kg/day in rabbits) in the absence of signs of maternal toxicity. Teratogenic effects included thoracogastroschisis, omphalocele, membranous ventricular septal defects, and cranial/skeletal malformations (microstomia, microphthalmia), mid-line and tail defects. In addition, there was an increase in post-implantation loss associated with late resorptions. No developmental toxicity was observed in rabbits at exposure levels approximately 3 times the recommended dose of 5 mg twice daily, and approximately 1.5 times the maximum recommended dose of 10 mg twice daily (on an AUC basis at oral doses of 10 mg/kg/day in pregnant rabbits).
In a peri- and postnatal development study in pregnant rats that received tofacitinib from gestation day 6 through day 20 of lactation, there were reductions in live litter size, postnatal survival, and pup body weights at exposure levels approximately 73 times the recommended dose of 5 mg twice daily, and approximately 36 times the maximum recommended dose of 10 mg twice daily (on an AUC basis at oral doses of 50 mg/kg/day in rats). There was no effect on behavioral and learning assessments, sexual maturation or the ability of the F1 generation rats to mate and produce viable F2 generation fetuses in rats at exposure levels approximately 17 times the recommended dose of 5 mg twice daily, and approximately 8.3 times the maximum recommended dose of 10 mg twice daily (on an AUC basis at oral doses of 10 mg/kg/day in rats).
Risk Summary
Based on published data, tofacitinib is present in human milk. Data on the effects of tofacitinib on the breastfed infant is limited to a small number of cases with no reported adverse effects. There are no data on the effects on milk production. Given the serious adverse reactions seen in patients treated with XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets), such as increased risk of serious infections, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for at least 18 hours after the last dose of XELJANZ or 36 hours after the last dose of XELJANZ XR (approximately 6 elimination half-lives).
Contraception
Females
In an animal reproduction study, tofacitinib at AUC multiples of 13 times the recommended dosage of 5 mg twice daily and 6.3 times the maximum recommended dosage of 10 mg twice daily demonstrated adverse embryo-fetal findings [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. However, there is uncertainty as to how these animal findings relate to females of reproductive potential treated with the recommended clinical dosage. Consider pregnancy planning and prevention for females of reproductive potential.
Infertility
Females
Based on findings in rats, treatment with XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets) may result in reduced fertility in females of reproductive potential. It is not known if this effect is reversible [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
The safety and effectiveness of XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) in pediatric patients for indications, other than in patients with active pcJIA and PsA, have not been established.
The safety and effectiveness of XELJANZ have not been established in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age.
The safety and effectiveness of XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets) in pediatric patients have not been established.
Polyarticular Course Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pcJIA)
The safety and effectiveness of XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) for the treatment of active pcJIA have been established in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers.
Use of XELJANZ for this indication is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of XELJANZ tablets in adults with RA, pharmacokinetic (PK) data from adult patients with RA, and with additional safety, efficacy, and PK data from a clinical trial of XELJANZ in pediatric patients 2 years and older with active pcJIA (Study pcJIA-I) [see Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3), and Clinical Studies (14.1, 14.4)].
Adverse reactions observed in pediatric patients with pcJIA who received XELJANZ were consistent with those reported in adults with RA [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Psoriatic Arthritis
The safety and effectiveness of XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) for the treatment of active PsA have been established in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers.
Use of XELJANZ for this indication is supported by evidence from well-controlled studies of XELJANZ tablets in adults with PsA, PK data from adults with PsA, and PK data from a clinical trial of XELJANZ in 225 pediatric patients with JIA, and safety data from 280 pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with JIA [see Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3), and Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Following administration of the recommended XELJANZ dosage in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with PsA, tofacitinib plasma exposures are predicted to be comparable to those observed in adults with PsA based on population PK modeling and simulation [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
The safety and effectiveness of XELJANZ for the treatment of pediatric patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) have not been established.
The results from a two-part study (an open-label, run-in phase, followed by a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized event-driven withdrawal phase) in 100 patients 2 years to 17 years of age with sJIA with active systemic features did not demonstrate that XELJANZ (dosed at 5 mg twice daily or body weight-based equivalent twice daily) was efficacious in the treatment of sJIA with active systemic features.
Of the 100 patients enrolled in the open-label run-in phase, 59 (59%) patients achieved a clinical response and were eligible for the double-blind withdrawal phase. There were 28 patients randomized to XELJANZ and 31 patients to placebo. The study data were insufficient to demonstrate efficacy and, therefore, XELJANZ is not recommended for the treatment of sJIA.
Adverse reactions observed in pediatric patients with sJIA receiving XELJANZ/XELJANZ oral solution were consistent with those reported in pcJIA and RA patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Of the 3315 adults who were enrolled in clinical trials with RA (Studies RA-I to V), a total of 505 patients were 65 years of age and older, including 71 patients 75 years and older. The frequency of serious infection among XELJANZ tablets-treated patients 65 years of age and older was higher than among those adults under the age of 65.
Of the 1156 XELJANZ tablet-treated patients in clinical trials of patients with UC, a total of 77 patients (7%) were 65 years of age or older. Clinical studies of XELJANZ in patients with UC did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger adult patients.
Of the 783 XELJANZ tablet-treated patients in clinical trials of patients with PsA, a total of 72 (9.2%) patients were 65 years of age and older, including 2 (0.3%) patients 75 years and older. These clinical studies did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and older with PsA to determine if they respond differently from younger adult patients.
Of the 420 XELJANZ tablet-treated patients in clinical trials of patients with AS, a total of 12 (2.9%) patients were 65 years of age and older, including 1 (0.2%) patient 75 years and older. These clinical studies did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and older with AS to determine if they respond differently from younger adult patients.
Moderate and Severe Renal Impairment
XELJANZ-treated patients with moderate renal impairment (RI) (CLcr ≥30 and ≤50 mL/minute) or severe RI (<30 mL/minute) had greater tofacitinib blood concentrations than XELJANZ-treated patients with normal renal function (CLcr >80 mL/minute). The recommended dosage of XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets) in patients with moderate or severe RI (including those with severe RI who are undergoing hemodialysis) is lower than the recommended dosage in patients with normal renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.3, 2.4, 2.5)].
Mild Renal Impairment
The recommended dosage in patients with mild RI (CLcr >50 and ≤80 mL/minute) is the same as patients with normal renal function.
Severe Hepatic Impairment
XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets) has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (HI) (Child-Pugh C); therefore, use of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR in patients with severe HI is not recommended.
Moderate Hepatic Impairment
XELJANZ-treated patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B) had greater tofacitinib blood concentration than XELJANZ-treated patients with normal hepatic function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Higher blood concentrations may increase the risk of some adverse reactions. The recommended XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets) dosage in patients with moderate HI is lower than the recommended dosage in patients with normal hepatic function [see Dosage and Administration (2.3, 2.4, 2.5)].
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