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Asparaginase

Also sold as: Erwinaze, Rylaze

AsparaginasePrescription OnlyGeneric Available

Related Medications

Important: Only drugs listed as "Exact Equivalents" (FDA AB-rated) are confirmed interchangeable. All other listings are for informational reference only and do NOT indicate that drugs can be substituted without a physician's explicit guidance.

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Drug Information

Mechanism of Action

12.1 Mechanism of Action Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of the amino acid L-asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. The pharmacological effect of RYLAZE is based on the killing of leukemic cells due to depletion of plasma asparagine. Leukemic cells with low expression of asparagine synthetase have a reduced ability to synthesize asparagine, and therefore depend on an exogenous source of asparagine for survival.

Indications & Uses

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE RYLAZE is indicated as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) in adult and pediatric patients 1 month or older who have developed hypersensitivity to E. coli -derived asparaginase. RYLAZE is an asparagine specific enzyme indicated as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) in adult and pediatric patients 1 month or older who have developed hypersensitivity to E. coli -derived asparaginase. ( 1 )

Dosage & Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION There are two RYLAZE regimens that can be used to replace a long-acting asparaginase product. The recommended dosages of RYLAZE are: When administered every 48 hours • 25 mg/m 2 intramuscularly every 48 hours; When administered Monday/Wednesday/Friday • 25 mg/m 2 intramuscularly on Monday morning and Wednesday morning and 50 mg/m 2 intramuscularly on Friday afternoon. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage There are two RYLAZE regimens that can be used to replace a long-acting asparaginase product. The recommended dosages of RYLAZE are: When administered every 48 hours: • 25 mg/m 2 administered intramuscularly every 48 hours; When administered on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule: • 25 mg/m 2 intramuscularly on Monday morning and Wednesday morning, and 50 mg/m 2 intramuscularly on Friday afternoon. Administer the Friday afternoon dose 53 to 58 hours after the Wednesday morning dose (e.g., 8:00 am on Monday and Wednesday, and 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ), Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Table 1 shows the number of RYLAZE dosages recommended for the intended duration of treatment for replacement of one dose of calaspargase pegol products (3 weeks of asparaginase coverage) or one dose of pegaspargase products (2 weeks of asparaginase coverage). See the full prescribing information for the long-acting asparaginase product to determine the total duration of administration of RYLAZE as replacement therapy. Table 1: Recommended Duration of RYLAZE Dosing to Replace One Long-Acting Asparaginase Dose When RYLAZE is Administered: Recommended Duration of RYLAZE to Replace Calaspargase Pegol Products Recommended Duration of RYLAZE to Replace Pegaspargase Products 25 mg/m 2 intramuscular every 48 hours Replace one dose of calaspargase pegol products with 11 doses of RYLAZE Replace one dose of pegaspargase products with 7 doses of RYLAZE 25 mg/m 2 intramuscular on Monday morning and Wednesday morning, and 50 mg/m 2 intramuscular on Friday afternoon* Replace one dose of calaspargase pegol products with 9 doses of RYLAZE Replace one dose of pegaspargase products with 6 doses of RYLAZE *See bullet above for timing of 25/25/50 mg/m 2 dosing of RYLAZE. 2.2 Recommended Premedication Premedicate patients with acetaminophen, an H-1 receptor blocker (such as diphenhydramine), and an H-2 receptor blocker (such as famotidine) 30-60 minutes prior to administration of RYLAZE to decrease the risk and severity of hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 2.3 Recommended Monitoring and Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions Monitor patient’s bilirubin, transaminases, glucose, and clinical examinations prior to treatment every 2-3 weeks and as indicated clinically. If results are abnormal, monitor patients until recovery from the cycle of therapy. If an adverse reaction occurs, modify treatment according to Table 2. Table 2: Dosage Modifications Adverse Reaction Severity* Action Hypersensitivity Reaction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Grade 2 • Treat the symptoms. Grade 3 to 4 • Discontinue RYLAZE permanently. Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Grade 2 to 4 • Hold RYLAZE for elevations in lipase or amylase > 2 times the ULN**, or for symptomatic pancreatitis. • Resume treatment when lipase and amylase are < 1.5 times the ULN and symptoms are resolved. • Discontinue RYLAZE permanently if clinical necrotizing or hemorrhagic pancreatitis is confirmed. Thrombosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Uncomplicated thrombosis • Hold RYLAZE. • Treat with appropriate antithrombotic therapy. • Upon resolution of symptoms, consider resuming RYLAZE, while continuing antithrombotic therapy. Severe or life-threatening thrombosis • Discontinue RYLAZE permanently. • Treat with appropriate antithrombotic therapy. Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Grade 3 to 4 • Hold RYLAZE. • Evaluate for coagulopathy and consider clotting factor replacement as needed. • Resume RYLAZE with the next scheduled dose if bleeding is controlled. Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Total bilirubin > 3 times to ≤ 10 times the ULN • Hold RYLAZE until total bilirubin levels decrease to ≤ 1.5 times the ULN. Total bilirubin > 10 times the ULN • Discontinue RYLAZE and do not make up missed doses. * Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. ** Upper limit of normal 2.4 Preparation and Administration Instructions Ensure that medical support is available to appropriately manage anaphylactic reactions when administering RYLAZE [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. If particulate matter, cloudiness, or discoloration are present, discard the vial. • Use aseptic technique. • Determine the dose, total volume of RYLAZE solution required, and the number of RYLAZE via

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Pancreatic Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Thrombosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Hepatotoxicity, including VOD [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence > 20%) are abnormal liver test, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, infection, fatigue, headache, febrile neutropenia, pyrexia, hemorrhage, stomatitis, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, drug hypersensitivity, hyperglycemia, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and hypokalemia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited at 1-800-520-5568 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of RYLAZE described in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflect exposure in 167 patients administered RYLAZE intramuscularly at various dosages when used in combination with chemotherapy in study JZP458-201 [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . These patients received a median of 4 courses of RYLAZE (range: 1-15 courses); 65% of patients received at least four courses. The safety of RYLAZE described below and in Table 3 was evaluated in study JZP458-201, a multi-cohort study. Patients received RYLAZE administered intramuscularly at dosages of 25 mg/m 2 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or 25 mg/m 2 on Monday and Wednesday, and 50 mg/m 2 on Friday, for 6 doses as a replacement for a single dose of pegaspargase as a component of multi-agent chemotherapy [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . The patients had a median age of 11 years (range: 1‑25 years); the majority of patients were male (57%) and White (68%). The patients received a median of 4 courses of RYLAZE (range: 1-14 courses); 65% of patients received at least four courses. A fatal adverse reaction (infection) occurred in 1 patient treated with the RYLAZE 25/25/25 mg/m 2 dosage. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 60% of patients who received the recommended dosages of RYLAZE. The most frequent nonhematological serious adverse reactions (in ≥ 5% of patients) were febrile neutropenia, infection, drug hypersensitivity, pyrexia, nausea, dehydration, stomatitis, acute kidney injury, pancreatitis, diarrhea, and viral infection. Permanent discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 10% of patients who received RYLAZE intramuscularly at the recommended dosages. Adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation included pancreatitis (5%), drug hypersensitivity (4%), and infection (1%). All patients treated with the recommended dosages of RYLAZE as a component of multi-agent chemotherapy experienced neutropenia, anemia, or thrombocytopenia. The most common nonhematological adverse reactions (incidence > 20%) in patients were abnormal liver test, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, infection, fatigue, headache, febrile neutropenia, pyrexia, hemorrhage, stomatitis, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, drug hypersensitivity, hyperglycemia, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and hypokalemia. Table 3 shows the common adverse reactions occurring in at least 15% of the patients. Table 3: Adverse Reactions (≥ 15% Incidence) in Patients Receiving RYLAZE as a Component of Multi-Agent Chemotherapy in Study JZP458-201 Adverse Reaction RYLAZE 25/25/25 mg/m 2 Intramuscular Dosage a (N = 33) RYLAZE 25/25/50 mg/m 2 Intramuscular Dosage a (N = 51) All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 (%) All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 (%) Abnormal liver test* # 70 18 75 27 Musculoskeletal pain* 45 6 35 4 Nausea* 45 9 47 8 Fatigue* 36 18 22 18 Headache 36 0 22 0 Infection* b 36 15 27 17 Febrile neutropenia 30 30 27 27 Pyrexia 30 6 20 0 Hemorrhage* 24 0 27 6 Stomatitis 24 12 27 4 Abdominal pain* 21 0 25 2 Decreased appetite 21 6 27 6 Drug hypersensitivity* 21 6 24 2 Hyperglycemia 21 3 12 4 Diarrhea* 18 6 25 4 Tachycardia* 18 0 16 2 Cough 15 0 14 0 Dehydration 15 9 12 6 Insomnia 15 0 4 0 Peripheral neuropathy* 15 0 6 0 Pancreatitis* # 12 0 22 10 Hypokalemia 9 3 22 8 * Includes grouped terms: Abnormal liver test : alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, blood bilirubin increased, transaminases increased; Musculoskeletal pain : arthralgia, back pain, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, pain in extremity; Nausea : nausea, vomiting; Fatigue : fatigue, asthenia; Infection : sepsis, upper respiratory tract infection, enterocolitis infectious, skin infection, bacteremia, paronychia, pneumonia, otitis externa, soft tissue infection, abdominal infection, conjunctivitis, device related infe

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS RYLAZE is contraindicated in patients with: • History of serious hypersensitivity reactions to Erwinia asparaginase , including anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] ; • History of serious pancreatitis during previous asparaginase therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] ; • History of serious thrombosis during previous asparaginase therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] ; • History of serious hemorrhagic events during previous asparaginase therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] ; • Severe hepatic impairment [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ]. RYLAZE is contraindicated in patients with: • History of serious hypersensitivity reactions to RYLAZE, including anaphylaxis. ( 4 ) • History of serious pancreatitis during previous L-asparaginase therapy. ( 4 ) • History of serious thrombosis during previous L-asparaginase therapy. ( 4 ) • History of serious hemorrhagic events during previous L-asparaginase therapy. ( 4 ) • Severe hepatic impairment. ( 4 )

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