INFORMATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
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OCTAGAM contains human normal immunoglobulin G (IgG) ≥ 95%, with a broad spectrum of antibodies against infectious agents. The Immunoglobulin A (IgA) content is ≤ 0.2mg/mL. It is composed of the following distribution of IgG subclasses:
| IgG1 | ca. 60% |
| IgG2 | ca. 32% |
| IgG3 | ca. 7% |
| IgG4 | ca.1% |
OCTAGAM contains ≤ 3 % polymers. Monomer and dimer is ≥ 90 %.
OCTAGAM contains all the IgG activities, which are present in the normal population. It is prepared from pooled material from more than 3500 donors.
1 mL of solution contains:
| Protein, of which at least 95% is | |
| Human Normal Immunoglobulin G | 50 mg |
| Maltose | 100 mg |
| Tributyl phosphate | ≤ 1 microgram |
| Octoxinol 9 | ≤ 5 microgram |
| Water for Injections | 1 mL |
| IgA | ≤ 0.2 mg |
ATC code: J06B A02
OCTAGAM has a distribution of IgG subclasses, which are closely proportional to that in native human plasma. Adequate doses of this medicinal product may restore abnormally low IgG levels to the normal range.
The mechanism of action in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is not fully elucidated. The IgG molecules have not been chemically or enzymatically modified.
OCTAGAM has a broad spectrum of antibodies against various infectious agents (e.g. antibody titer for streptococcus and hepatitis B-antigen is established at 3 times the initial plasma pool), corresponding to those pathogens endemic in Australia, Europe and North America.
Human normal immunoglobulin is completely bioavailable in the recipient's circulation after intravenous administration. The steady state pharmacokinetics of OCTAGAM were studied in two open uncontrolled trials in patients with Primary Immunodeficiency. Administration at 3 or 4 weekly intervals for periods of up to 6 months resulted in maintenance of serum total IgG concentrations above 4 g/L. Mean volume of distribution was 3.7 ± 1.4L and mean clearance was measured as 0.073 ± 0.02 L/day. Half-life was measured as 35.9 (± 1.4) and 40.7 (± 17.0) days in the two studies. Half life may vary from patient to patient, in particular in primary immunodeficiency.
IgG and IgG-complexes are broken down in cells of the reticulo-endothelial system.
In an open-labelled, multicentre study, 46 patients with Primary Immune Deficiency (PID) received OCTAGAM individualized doses of 0.3 - 0.6 g/kg every 3 or 4 weeks for 12 months.
For the primary endpoint, which was the number of episodes of serious infections, the observed rate was 0.1 infections per patient per year (5 infections over 43.5 patient-years). On average, 0.4 days of hospitalization per patient were documented, and for 5.2 days patients were absent from work or school. The mean number of visits to a physician or emergency room was also very low (n=2).
Summary of Secondary Efficacy Variables
| Variable | Subjects N % |
Total Days or Visits |
Total Subject Years |
Days or Visits/Subject/Year Estimate |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work/School Days Missed | 30 | 65 | 241 | 43.5 | 5.5 |
| Days in Hospital | 4 | 9 | 16 | 43.5 | 0.4 |
| Visits to Physician/ER | 27 | 59 | 92 | 43.5 | 2.1 |
In an open-labelled single-center study, 17 adolescent patients with PID
received OCTAGAM individualized doses of 0.2 to 0.4 g/kg every 3 weeks for a 6
months period. All patients were previously treated with IGIV preparations.
Trough levels continuously increased under OCTAGAM treatment and reached a plateau after the 4th treatment.
The clinical efficacy was assessed as good, as the number of days with infections or fever, and the number of days out of school were low (mean number of days out of school: 7 per patient; mean no. of days with fever: 3 per patient; mean no. of days with infections: 29 per patient). No severe infections leading to hospitalization were observed.
In an open-labelled single-center study, 19 patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) received OCTAGAM 1 g/kg for 2 consecutive days. At baseline, 13 patients had a platelet count ≤ 20 x 109/L. In 16 patients platelet counts rose above 50 x 109/L. In the remaining patients treatment resulted in arrest of bleeding, although platelet count remained below 50 x 109/L. No excessive bleeding was observed in any of the 7 patients during splenectomy.
In the same study, 22 patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) received OCTAGAM 0.4 g/kg every 4 weeks for 6 consecutive courses. Prior to OCTAGAM treatment, serum IgG levels were < 7 g/L in 17 patients. Monthly infusions resulted in a substantial increase in serum IgG in 13 out of 17 patients. During the treatment period 32 suspected infections were noted (before treatment: 47), most of them mild. Twelve episodes needed aggressive therapy (before treatment: 32). Twelve patients did not report any infections at all.
Replacement therapy
Immunomodulatory effect
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Hypersensitivity to homologous immunoglobulins, especially in very rare cases of IgA deficiency, when the patient has antibodies against IgA. OCTAGAM is contraindicated in any patient who has a history of an allergic reaction to any human immunoglobulin preparation or to any constituent of OCTAGAM.
When medicinal products prepared from human blood or plasma are administered, infectious diseases due to transmission of infective agents cannot be totally excluded. This also applies to pathogens of hiterto unknown nature and theoretically to Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD) agents . The risk of transmission of infective agents is however reduced by:
The manufacturing process for OCTAGAM includes two viral inactivation steps - solvent/detergent treatment followed by an incubation step at low pH at 37°C for 24-26 hours. Viral removal and inactivation procedures performed during the manufacturing process may be of limited value against non-enveloped viruses such as hepatitis A virus or parvovirus B19.
The manufacturing process was investigated for the capacity to decrease the amount of an experimental agent of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), considered as a model for the vCJD and CJD agents. The manufacturing process of OCTAGAM has been shown to decrease the amount of this experimental model agent. The TSE reduction step is the precipitation and separation of fraction I+III.
Vaccination for patients in receipt of medicinal products made from human plasma should be considered where appropriate.
In the interest of patients, it is recommended that, the name and batch number of OCTAGAM is registered before administration.
Certain severe adverse drug reactions may be related to the rate of infusion. The recommended infusion rate must be closely followed (see Administration). Patients must be closely monitored and carefully observed for any symptoms throughout the infusion period. Certain adverse reactions may occur more frequently
True hypersensitivity reactions are rare. They can occur in cases of IgA deficiency with anti-IgA antibodies. Rarely, human normal immunoglobulin can induce a fall in blood pressure with an anaphylactic reaction, even in patients who have tolerated previous treatment with human normal immunoglobulin.
Potential complications can often be avoided by ensuring:
i) that patients are not sensitive to human normal immunoglobulin by first injecting the product slowly (1 mL/kg/hour);
ii) that patients are carefully monitored for any symptoms throughout the infusion period. In particular, patients naive to human normal immunoglobulin, patients switched from an alternative intravenous Immunoglobulin (Human) (IVIg) product or when treatment has been stopped for more than eight weeks, should be monitored during the first infusion and for the first hour after the first infusion, in order to detect potential adverse signs. All other patients should be observed for at least 20 minutes after administration.
Cases of renal dysfunction, acute renal failure, osmotic nephrosis and death have been reported in patients receiving IVIg therapy. In most cases, risk factors have been identified, such as pre-existing renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, hypovolemia, sepsis, overweight, concomitant nephrotoxic medicinal products or age over 65.
For patients judged to be at risk for developing renal dysfunction, it may be prudent to reduce the amount of product infused per unit time by infusing OCTAGAM at a maximum rate less than 0.2 g/kg/hour.
In all patients, intravenous immunglobulin administration requires:
In case of renal impairment, IVIg discontinuation should be considered.
While these reports of renal dysfunction and acute renal failure have been associated with the use of many of the licensed IVIg products, those containing sucrose as a stabiliser accounted for a disproportionate share of the total number. In patients at risk, the use of IVIg products that do not contain sucrose may be considered. In addition, OCTAGAM should be administered at the minimum concentration and infusion-rate practicable.
In case of adverse reaction, either the rate of administration must be reduced or the infusion stopped. The treatment required depends on the nature and severity of the side effect. In case of shock, the current medical standards for shock treatment should be observed.
Thrombotic events have been reported in association with IVIg (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Patients at risk may include those with a history of atherosclerosis, multiple cardiovascular risk factors, advanced age, impaired cardiac output, and/or known or suspected hyperviscosity.
The potential risks and benefits of IVIg should be weighed against those of alternative therapies for all patients for whom IVIg administration is being considered. Baseline assessment of blood viscosity should be considered in patients at risk for hyperviscosity, including those with cryoglobulins, fasting chylomicronaemia/markedly high triacylglycerols (triglycerides), or monoclonal gammopathies.
Aseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS) has been reported to occur infrequently in association with IVIg treatment. Discontinuation of IVIg treatment has resulted in remission of AMS within several days without sequelae. The syndrome usually begins within several hours to two days following IVIg treatment. It is characterized by symptoms and signs including severe headache, nuchal rigidity, drowsiness, fever, photophobia, painful eye movements, and nausea and vomiting. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies are frequently positive with pleocytosis up to several thousand cells per cu.mm., predominantly from the granulocytic series, and elevated protein levels up to several g/L. Patients exhibiting such symptoms and signs should receive a thorough neurological examination, including CSF studies, to rule out other causes of meningitis. It appears that patients with a history of migraine may be more susceptible.
IVIg products can contain blood group antibodies which may act as haemolysins and induce in vivo coating of red blood cells (RBC) with immunoglobulin, causing a positive direct antiglobulin reaction and, rarely, haemolysis. Haemolytic anaemia can develop subsequent to IVIg therapy due to enhanced RBC sequestration (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). IVIg recipients should be monitored for clinical signs and symptoms of haemolysis.
In patients with a normal acid base compensatory mechanism, the acid load delivered by the largest dose of the preparation would be neutralised by the buffering capacity of whole blood alone, even if the dose were to be infused instantaneously. In patients with limited or compromised acid base compensatory mechanisms including neonates, consideration should be given to the effect of the additional acid load that the preparation might present.
Effects of OCTAGAM on the immune system of the newborn have not been studied.
The safety of OCTAGAM in human pregnancy has not been established in controlled clinical trials and therefore it should only be given with caution to pregnant woman and breast-feeding mothers. Clinical experience with immunoglobulins suggests that no harmful effects on the course of pregnancy, or on the foetus and the neonate are to be expected.
Immunoglobulins are excreted into the milk and may contribute to the transfer of protective antibodies to the neonate. (see Use in Pregnancy)
Live attenuated vaccines
Immunoglobulin administration may impair for a period of at least six weeks and up to three months the efficacy of live attenuated virus vaccines such as measles, rubella, mumps and varicella.
After administration of this product, an interval of three months should elapse before vaccination with live attenuated virus vaccines. In the case of measles, this impairment may persist for up to one year.
Therefore patients receiving measles vaccine should have their antibody status checked.
Interference with serological testing
After injection of immunoglobulin, the transitory rise of the various passively transferred antibodies in the patient's blood may result in misleading positive results in serological testing.
Passive transmission of antibodies to erythrocyte antigens, e.g. A, B or D may interfere with some serological tests for red cell allo-antibodies (e.g. Coombs Test), reticulocyte count and haptoglobin.
OCTAGAM contains maltose, which could interfere with blood and urinary glucose tests.
There is no indication that immunoglobulins may impair the ability to drive and use machines.
Adverse reactions such as chills, headache, dizziness, fever, vomiting, allergic reactions, nausea, arthralgia, changes in blood pressure, chest pain, cutaneous reactions and moderate low back pain may occur occasionally.
Rarely human normal immunoglobulins may cause a fall in blood pressure and, in isolated cases, anaphylactic shock, even when the patient has shown no hypersensitivity to previous administration.
Cases of reversible aseptic meningitis, isolated cases of reversible haemolytic anaemia/haemolysis, reversible transient increases in liver transaminases, and rare cases of regressive cutaneous reactions, often eczema-like, have been observed with human normal immunoglobulin.
Increases in creatinine and/or acute renal failure have been observed with IVIg preparations (see PRECAUTIONS).
Thrombotic events have been reported in the elderly, in patients with signs of cerebral or cardiac ischemia, and in overweight and severely hypovolaemic patients with IVIg preparations (see PRECAUTIONS).
For information on viral safety, see WARNINGS.
The dose and dosage regimen is dependent on the indication. In replacement therapy the dosage may need to be individualised for each patient dependent on the pharmacokinetic response. The following dosage regimens are given as a guideline.
The dosage regimen should achieve a trough level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (measured before the next infusion) of at least 4-6 g/L. Three to six months are required after the initiation of therapy for equilibration to occur. The recommended starting dose is 0.4-0.8 g/kg depending on the circumstances (e.g. active infection) followed by 0.2 g/kg every three weeks. The dose required to achieve a trough level of 6 g/L is of the order of 0.2-0.8 g/kg/month. The dosage interval, when steady state has been reached varies from 2-4 weeks. Trough levels should be measured in order to adjust the dose and dosage interval.
The recommended dose is 0.2-0.4 g/kg every three to four weeks.
For the treatment of an acute episode, 0.8-1 g/kg on day one, repeated on day three if necessary, or 0.4 g/kg daily for two to five days. The treatment can be repeated if relapse occurs.
0.4 g/kg/day for 3 to 7 days. Experience in children is limited.
1.6-2.0 g/kg should be administered in divided doses over two to five days. Patients should receive concomitant treatment with acetylsalicylic acid.
Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment may be used as part of the conditioning regimen and after the transplant. For the treatment of infections and prophylaxis of graft versus host disease, dosage is individually tailored. The starting dose is normally 0.5 g/kg/week, starting seven days before transplantation and for up to 3 months after transplantation.
OCTAGAM should be infused intravenously at an initial rate of 1 mL/kg/hour for 30 minutes. If well tolerated, the rate of administration may gradually be increased to a maximum of 5 mL/kg/hour for the remainder of the infusion.
OCTAGAM should be brought to room or body temperature before administration.
Any unused product must be disposed of, since OCTAGAM contains no antimicrobial agent. Product is for single use in one patient only.
Overdose may lead to fluid overload and hyperviscosity, particularly in patients at risk, including elderly patients or patients with renal impairment.
This medicinal product should not be mixed with other medicinal products.
Shelf life is 2 years.
Store below 25°C.
Do not freeze.
Protect from light.
Do not use after expiry date.
OCTAGAM contains no antimicrobial agent. It must, therefore, be used immediately after opening; any remaining contents must be discarded.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not use non-homogenous solutions, or those, which have a deposit. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
The primary container is made of type II glass closed with bromobutyl rubber stopper. Each container contains 50 mg/mL solution for infusion.
1 injection vial with 20 mL
1 infusion bottle with 50 mL
1 infusion bottle with 100 mL
1 infusion bottle with 200 mL
Prescription Medicine
Octapharma New Zealand Ltd
c/- Minter Ellison Rudd Watts
Lumley Centre
88 Shortland St
Auckland
New Zealand
Octapharma Australia Pty. Ltd.
Jones Bay Wharf
42/26-32 Pirrama Road
Pyrmont NSW 2009
Australia
6 March 2006