Bexxar
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Bexxar
Bexxar Side Effects Center
Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Bexxar (tositumomab and iodine I 131 tositumomab) is a monoclonal antibody used to treat certain forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is not available in generic form. Common side effects of Bexxar include decreased energy, weight gain, headache, joint or muscle pain, increased thirst, dry skin, nausea, loss of appetite, skin rash, and runny or stuffy nose.
Doses of Bexxar are usually given in a two-step treatment. The first dose is 450 mg of tositumomab, 5 mCi of I-13, and 35 mg of protein. The second dose is usually 450 mg of tositumomab and 35 mg of I-131 tositumomab given 7 to 14 days later. Talk to your doctor about your individual dosage recommendation. Avoid being near others who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses as Bexxar can lower your body's ability to fight infections. Before taking Bexxar tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or bone marrow problems. After taking Bexxar you may need to have regular blood tests to check your thyroid function on an ongoing basis. Bexxar may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Do not take Bexxar if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Our Bexxar (tositumomab and iodine I 131 tositumomab) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is Patient Information in Detail?
Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.
Bexxar in Detail - Patient Information: Side Effects
Some people receiving tositumomab have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregivers right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, or short of breath, or if you have fever or chills during the injection.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
- black, bloody, or tarry stools;
- blood in your urine;
- fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;
- cough with yellow or green mucus; or
- stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath.
Less serious side effects may include:
- decreased energy;
- weight gain;
- headache;
- joint or muscle pain;
- feeling weak or irritable;
- increased thirst and hot, dry skin;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
- loss of appetite;
- mild itching or skin rash;
- runny or stuffy nose; or
- pain, itching, swelling, or redness around your IV needle.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Bexxar (Tositumomab and Iodine 1131 Tositumomab) »
What is Prescribing information?
The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.
Bexxar FDA Prescribing Information: Side Effects
(Adverse Reactions)
SIDE EFFECTS
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label:
- Serious Allergic Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis [see BOXED WARNING, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ]
- Prolonged and Severe Cytopenias [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ]
- Secondary malignancies [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Hypothyroidism [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
The most common adverse reactions in patients receiving the BEXXAR therapeutic regimen (per-patient incidence greater than 25%) were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, infections (including pneumonia, bacteremia, septicemia, bronchitis, and skin infections), infusion reactions, asthenia, fever, and nausea [see BOXED WARNING, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
The most common serious adverse reactions in patients receiving the BEXXAR therapeutic regimen were severe and prolonged cytopenias, infections (including pneumonia, bacteremia, septicemia, bronchitis, and skin infections), serious allergic reactions (including bronchospasm and angioedema), infusion reactions, and secondary leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome [see BOXED WARNING, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
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 clinical practice.
The reported safety data reflects exposure to the BEXXAR therapeutic regimen in 230 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma enrolled in 5 clinical trials using the recommended dose and schedule. Patients were followed for a median of 39 months; 79% were followed for at least 12 months for survival and selected adverse reactions. Patients had a median of 3 prior chemotherapy regimens, a median age of 55 years, and 60% were male. Twenty-seven percent (27%) had transformation to a higher grade histology; 29% had intermediate-grade histology, and 2% had high-grade histology (IWF); 68% had Ann Arbor stage IV disease. Patients enrolled in these studies were not permitted to have prior hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or irradiation to more than 25% of the marrow space.
Data on serious adverse reactions and human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) and TSH levels were obtained from an additional 765 patients enrolled in the expanded access program and used to supplement the characterization of delayed adverse reactions. Patients in the expanded access program had fewer prior chemotherapy regimens (2 versus 3) and a higher proportion had low-grade histology (77% versus 70%) compared to patients in clinical trials.
Table 2: Incidence of Non-Hematologic Adverse Reactions
Occurring in ≥ 5% of Patients Treated With the BEXXAR Therapeutic Regimen
(N = 230)
| Body System Preferred Term | All Grades | Grade 3/4 |
| Total | 96% | 48% |
| Body as a Whole | 81% | 12% |
| Asthenia | 46% | 2% |
| Fever | 37% | 2% |
| Infectiona | 21% | < 1% |
| Pain | 19% | 1% |
| Chills | 18% | 1% |
| Headache | 16% | 0% |
| Abdominal pain | 15% | 3% |
| Back pain | 8% | 1% |
| Chest pain | 7% | 0% |
| Neck pain | 6% | 1% |
| Cardiovascular System | 26% | 3% |
| Hypotension | 7% | 1% |
| Vasodilatation | 5% | 0% |
| Digestive System | 56% | 9% |
| Nausea | 36% | 3% |
| Vomiting | 15% | 1% |
| Anorexia | 14% | 0% |
| Diarrhea | 12% | 0% |
| Constipation | 6% | 1% |
| Dyspepsia | 6% | < 1% |
| Endocrine System | 7% | 0% |
| Hypothyroidism | 7% | 0% |
| Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders | 21% | 3% |
| Peripheral edema | 9% | 0% |
| Weight loss | 6% | < 1% |
| Musculoskeletal System | 23% | 3% |
| Myalgia | 13% | < 1% |
| Arthralgia | 10% | 1% |
| Nervous System | 26% | 3% |
| Dizziness | 5% | 0% |
| Somnolence | 5% | 0% |
| Respiratory System | 44% | 8% |
| Cough increased | 21% | 1% |
| Pharyngitis | 12% | 0% |
| Dyspnea | 11% | 3% |
| Rhinitis | 10% | 0% |
| Pneumonia | 6% | 0% |
| Skin and Appendages | 44% | 5% |
| Rash | 17% | < 1% |
| Pruritus | 10% | 0% |
| Sweating | 8% | < 1% |
| a The COSTART term for infection includes a subset of infections (e.g., upper respiratory infection). Other types of infections are mapped to preferred terms (e.g., pneumonia and sepsis). | ||
Table 3: Hematologic Toxicitya (N = 230)
| Parameter | Values |
| Platelets | |
| Median nadir (cells/mm³) | 43,000 |
| Per patient incidencea platelets < 50,000/mm³ | 53% (n = 123) |
| Medianb duration of platelets < 50,000/mm³ | 32 days |
| Grade 3/4 without recovery to Grade 2, N (%) | 16 (7%) |
| Per patient incidencec platelets < 25,000/mm³ | 21% (n = 47) |
| Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) | |
| Median nadir (cells/mm³) | 690 |
| Per patient incidencea ANC < 1,000 cells/mm³ | 63% (n = 145) |
| Medianb duration of ANC < 1,000 cells/mm³ | 31 days |
| Grade 3/4 without recovery to Grade 2, N (%) | 15 (7%) |
| Per patient incidencec ANC < 500 cells/mm³ | 25% (n = 57) |
| Hemoglobin | |
| Median nadir (gm/dL) | 10 |
| Per patient incidencea < 8 gm/dL | 29% (n = 66) |
| Medianb duration of hemoglobin < 8.0 gm/dL | 23 days |
| Grade 3/4 without recovery to Grade 2, N (%) | 12 (5%) |
| Per patient incidencec hemoglobin < 6.5 gm/dL | 5% (n = 11) |
| a Grade 3/4 toxicity was assumed if patient was
missing 2 or more weeks of hematology data between Week 5 and Week 9. b Duration of Grade 3/4 of 1,000+ days (censored) was assumed for those patients with undocumented Grade 3/4 and no hematologic data on or after Week 9. c Grade 4 toxicity was assumed if patient had documented Grade 3 toxicity and was missing 2 or more weeks of hematology data between Week 5 and Week 9. |
|
Prolonged and Severe Cytopenias
The incidence and duration of severe cytopenias are shown in Table 3. Sixty-three (27%) patients received one or more hematologic supportive care measures following the therapeutic dose including G-CSF, epoetin alfa, platelet transfusions, and packed red blood cell transfusions. Twenty-eight (12%) patients experienced hemorrhagic adverse reactions.
Infections
One hundred and four patients (45%) patients experienced one or more infections. Twenty (9%) experienced serious infections including pneumonia, bacteremia, septicemia, bronchitis, and skin infections.
Allergic (Hypersensitivity) Reactions
Fourteen patients (6%) experienced one or more of the following adverse reactions: allergic reaction, facial edema, injection site hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reaction, laryngismus, and serum sickness.
Infusion-related Adverse Reactions
Infusion reactions including fever, rigors or chills, sweating, hypotension, dyspnea, bronchospasm, and nausea occurred during or within 48 hours of infusion. Sixty-seven patients (29%) experienced fever, rigors/chills, or sweating within 14 days following the dosimetric dose. All patients in the clinical studies received pretreatment with acetaminophen and an antihistamine.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)/Secondary Leukemia
The incidence of MDS/secondary leukemia among the 230 patients included in the clinical studies was 10% (24/230), with a median follow-up of 39 months and a median time to development of 34 months. The cumulative incidence of MDS/secondary leukemia was 4.7% at 2 years and 15% at 5 years. The incidence of MDS/secondary leukemia among the 765 patients in the expanded access program was 3% (20/765), with a median follow-up of 27 months and a median time to development of 31 months. The cumulative incidence of MDS/secondary leukemia in this patient population was 1.6% at 2 years and 6% at 5 years.
Secondary Malignancies
Of the 995 patients in clinical studies and the expanded access programs, there were 65 secondary malignancies reported in 54 patients (5%) in clinical studies and the expanded access program. These included non-melanoma skin cancers (26), colorectal cancer (7), head and neck cancer (6), breast cancer (5), lung cancer (4), bladder cancer (4), melanoma (3), and gastric cancer (2).
Hypothyroidism
Of the 230 patients in the clinical studies, 203 patients did not have elevated TSH at study entry. Of these, 137 patients had at least one post-treatment TSH value available and were not taking thyroid hormonal treatment at study entry. With a median follow- up period of 46 months, the incidence of hypothyroidism (elevated TSH or initiation of thyroid replacement therapy) was 18% with a median time to development of 16 months. The cumulative incidences of hypothyroidism at 2 and 5 years in these 137 patients were 11% and 19%, respectively. Onset of hypothyroidism has occurred up to 90 months post-treatment. The cumulative incidence and median time to development of hypothyroidism were similar in the expanded access program.
Immunogenicity
There is a potential for immunogenicity with therapeutic proteins such as tositumomab. Serum samples from 989 chemotherapy-relapsed or refractory patients included in the clinical studies or the expanded access program were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects antibodies to the Fc portion of IgG1 murine immunoglobulin. One percent of the patients (11/989) had a positive serology for HAMA prior to treatment. The post-treatment incidence of HAMA seropositivity is summarized in Table 4.
Table 4: Incidence of HAMA Seropositivity Among Patients
With Chemotherapy- refractory or Relapsed Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Receiving the
BEXXAR Therapeutic Regimen
| Chemotherapy-refractory or relapsed patients | Percent HAMA positive | Kaplan-Meier estimate of HAMA positivity | ||
| 6 months | 12 months | 18 months | ||
| In clinical trials | 23/219 (11%) | 6% | 17% | 21% |
| In expanded-access program | 57/569 (10%) | 7% | 12% | 13% |
In a study of 76 previously untreated patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who received the BEXXAR therapeutic regimen, the incidence of conversion to HAMA seropositivity was 70%, with a median time to development of 27 days.
Immunogenicity assay results are highly dependent on several factors including assay sensitivity and specificity, assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of incidence of antibodies to BEXXAR with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of the BEXXAR therapeutic regimen. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions including fatal anaphylaxis.
Nervous system disorders: Axonal neuropathy leading to quadriparesis.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Bexxar (Tositumomab and Iodine 1131 Tositumomab) »
Additional Bexxar Information
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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