Overview
11 DESCRIPTION Defibrotide sodium is an oligonucleotide mixture with profibrinolytic properties. The chemical name of defibrotide sodium is polydeoxyribonucleotide, sodium salt. Defibrotide sodium is a polydisperse mixture of predominantly single-stranded (ss) polydeoxyribonucleotide sodium salts derived from porcine intestinal tissue having a mean weighted molecular weight of 14-19 kDa, and a...
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action of defibrotide sodium has not been fully elucidated. In vitro , defibrotide sodium enhances the enzymatic activity of plasmin to hydrolyze fibrin clots. Studies evaluating the pharmacological effects of defibrotide sodium on endothelial cells (ECs) were conducted primarily in the human microvascular endothelial cell line. In vitro , defibrotide sodium increased tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and thrombomodulin expression, and decreased von Willebrand factor (vWF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor‑1 (PAI-1) expression, thereby reducing EC activation and increasing EC‑mediated fibrinolysis.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE DEFITELIO is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), with renal or pulmonary dysfunction following hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). DEFITELIO is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), with renal or pulmonary dysfunction following hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). ( 1 )
Common Doses
- 6.25 mg
- 4 mg
- 20 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Administer DEFITELIO 6.25 mg/kg every 6 hours given as a 2-hour intravenous infusion. ( 2.1 ) • Treat for a minimum of 21 days. If after 21 days signs and symptoms of VOD have not resolved, continue treatment until resolution. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of DEFITELIO for adult and pediatric patients is 6.25 mg/kg every 6 hours given as a 2‑hour intravenous infusion. The dose should be based on patient’s baseline body weight, defined as the patient’s weight prior to the preparative regimen for HSCT.
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS The use of DEFITELIO is contraindicated in the following conditions: • Concomitant administration with systemic anticoagulant or fibrinolytic therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Known hypersensitivity to DEFITELIO or to any of its excipients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Concomitant administration with systemic anticoagulant or fibrinolytic therapy. ( 4 ) • Known hypersensitivity to DEFITELIO or to any of its excipients. ( 4 )
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and independent of causality) with DEFITELIO treatment were hypotension, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and epistaxis. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-520-5568 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Antithrombotic Agents DEFITELIO may enhance the pharmacodynamic activity of antithrombotic/fibrinolytic drugs such as heparin or alteplase. Concomitant use of DEFITELIO with antithrombotic or fibrinolytic drugs is contraindicated because of an increased risk of hemorrhage [see Contraindications (4) ] . • DEFITELIO may enhance the activity of antithrombotic/fibrinolytic drugs. ( 7 )