Specialty Pharmacy Overview of ONUREG^® (azacitidine) tablets

Important Safety Information

CONTRAINDICATIONS

ONUREG^® is contraindicated in patients with known severe hypersensitivity to azacitidine or its components.

Warnings and Precautions

Risks of Substitution with Other Azacitidine Products

Due to substantial differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters, the recommended dose and schedule for ONUREG^® are different from those for the intravenous or subcutaneous azacitidine products. Treatment of patients using intravenous or subcutaneous azacitidine at the recommended dosage of ONUREG^® may result in a fatal adverse reaction. Treatment with ONUREG^® at the doses recommended for intravenous or subcutaneous azacitidine may not be effective. Do not substitute ONUREG^® for intravenous or subcutaneous azacitidine.

Myelosuppression

New or worsening Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 49% and 22% of patients who received ONUREG^®. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 12%. A dose reduction was required for 7% and 2% of patients due to neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Less than 1% of patients discontinued ONUREG^® due to either neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Monitor complete blood counts and modify the dosage as recommended. Provide standard supportive care, including hematopoietic growth factors, if myelosuppression occurs.

Increased Early Mortality in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

In AZA-MDS-003, 216 patients with red blood cell transfusion-dependent anemia and thrombocytopenia due to MDS were randomized to ONUREG^® or placebo. 107 received a median of 5 cycles of ONUREG^® 300 mg daily for 21 days of a 28-day cycle. Enrollment was discontinued early due to a higher incidence of early fatal and/or serious adverse reactions in the ONUREG^® arm compared with placebo. The most frequent fatal adverse reaction was sepsis. Safety and effectiveness of ONUREG^® for MDS have not been established. Treatment of MDS with ONUREG^® is not recommended outside of controlled trials.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

ONUREG^® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Azacitidine caused fetal death and anomalies in pregnant rats via a single intraperitoneal dose less than the recommended human daily dose of oral azacitidine on a mg/m² basis. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ONUREG^® and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ONUREG^® and for at least 3 months after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 15% of patients who received ONUREG^®. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% included pneumonia (8%) and febrile neutropenia (7%). One fatal adverse reaction (sepsis) occurred in a patient who received ONUREG^®.

Most common (≥10%) adverse reactions with ONUREG^® vs placebo were nausea (65%, 24%), vomiting (60%, 10%), diarrhea (50%, 21%), fatigue/asthenia (44%, 25%), constipation (39%, 24%), pneumonia (27%, 17%), abdominal pain (22%, 13%), arthralgia (14%, 10%), decreased appetite (13%, 6%), febrile neutropenia (12%, 8%), dizziness (11%, 9%), pain in extremity (11%, 5%).

LACTATION

There are no data regarding the presence of azacitidine in human milk or the effects on the breastfed child or milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ONUREG^® and for 1 week after the last dose.