Hypersensitivity Reactions
Anaphylactoid and anaphylactic reactions, with cardiovascular, respiratory and/or cutaneous manifestations, resulting in death have occurred. If such a reaction occurs, stop OMNISCAN Injection and immediately begin appropriate therapy. Observe patients closely, particularly those with a history of drug reactions, asthma, allergy or other hypersensitivity disorders, during and up to several hours after OMNISCAN Injection.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis
[see BOXED WARNING] Gadolinium-based contrast
agents increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients
with acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate
< 30 mL/min/1.73m2) and in patients with acute renal insufficiency
of any severity due to the hepato-renal syndrome or in the perioperative liver
transplantation period. In these patients, avoid use of gadolinium-based contrast
agents unless the diagnostic information is essential and not available with
non-contrast enhanced MRI. For patients receiving hemodialysis, physicians may
consider the prompt initiation of hemodialysis following the administration
of a gadolinium-based contrast agent in order to enhance the contrast agent's
elimination. The usefulness of hemodialysis in the prevention of NSF is unknown.
Among the factors that may increase the risk for NSF are repeated or higher than recommended doses of a gadolinium-based contrast agent and the degree of renal function impairment at the time of exposure.
Postmarketing reports have identified the development of NSF following single and multiple administrations of gadolinium-based contrast agents. These reports have not always identified a specific agent. Where a specific agent was identified, the most commonly reported agent was gadodiamide (Omniscan™), followed by gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist®) and gadoversetamide (OptiMARK®). NSF has also developed following sequential administrations of gadodiamide with gadobenate dimeglumine (MultiHance®) or gadoteridol (ProHance®). The number of postmarketing reports is subject to change over time and may not reflect the true proportion of cases associated with any specific gadolinium-based contrast agent.
The extent of risk for NSF following exposure to any specific gadolinium- based contrast agent is unknown and may vary among the agents. Published reports are limited and predominantly estimate NSF risks with gadodiamide. In one retrospective study of 370 patients with severe renal insufficiency who received gadodiamide, the estimated risk for development of NSF was 4% (J Am Soc Nephrol 2006;17:2359). The risk, if any, for the development of NSF among patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency or normal renal function is unknown.
Screen all patients for renal dysfunction by obtaining a history and/or laboratory
tests. When administering a gadolinium-based contrast agent, do not exceed the
recommended dose and allow a sufficient period of time for elimination of the
agent prior to any readministration [see CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Acute Renal Failure
In patients with renal insufficiency, acute renal failure requiring dialysis
or worsening renal function have occurred, mostly within 48 hours of OMNISCAN
Injection. The risk of renal failure may increase with increasing dose of gadolinium
contrast. Use the lowest necessary dose of contrast and evaluate renal function
in patients with renal insufficiency. Acute renal failure was observed in <
1% of patients in OMNISCAN clinical studies [see ADVERSE
REACTIONS].
OMNISCAN is cleared by glomerular filtration. Hemodialysis also enhances OMNISCAN
clearance [see Use in Specific Populations].
Not for Intrathecal Use
Inadvertent intrathecal use of OMNISCAN has occurred and caused convulsions, coma, sensory and motor neurologic deficits.
Impaired Visualization of Lesions Detectable with Non-contrast MRI
Paramagnetic contrast agents such as OMNISCAN might impair the visualization of lesions which are seen on the non-contrast MRI. This may be due to effects of the paramagnetic contrast agent, or imaging parameters. Exercise caution when OMNISCAN MRI scans are interpreted in the absence of a companion non-contrast MRI.
Laboratory Test Findings
Asymptomatic, transitory changes in serum iron have been observed. The clinical significance is unknown.
OMNISCAN interferes with serum calcium measurements with some colorimetric (complexometric) methods commonly used in hospitals, resulting in serum calcium concentrations lower than the true values. In patients with normal renal function, this effect lasts for 12-24 hours. In patients with decreased renal function, the interference with calcium measurements is expected to last during the prolonged elimination of OMNISCAN. After patients receive OMNISCAN, careful attention should be used in selecting the type of method used to measure calcium.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Long term animal studies have not been performed to evaluate'the carcinogenic potential of gadodiamide. The results of the following genotoxicity assays were negative; in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay, in vitro Chinese Hampster Ovary (CHO)/Hypoxanthine Guanine Phosphoribosyl Transferase (HGPT) forward mutation assay, in vitro CHO chromosome aberration assay, and the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay at intravenous doses of 27 mmol/kg (approximately 7 times the maximum human dose based on a body surface area comparison). Impairment of male or female fertility was not observed in rats after intravenous administration three times per week at the maximum dose tested of 1.0 mmol/kg (approximately 0.5 times the maximum human dose based on a body surface area comparison).
Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C: OMNISCAN has been shown to have an adverse effect on embryo-fetal development in rabbits at dosages as low as 0.5 mmol/kg/day for 13 days during gestation (approximately 0.6 times the human dose based on a body surface area comparison). These adverse effects are observed as an increased incidence of flexed appendages and skeletal malformations which may be due to maternal toxicity since the body weight of the dams was reduced in response to OMNISCAN administration during pregnancy. In rat studies, fetal abnormalities were not observed at doses up to 2.5 mmol/kg/day for 10 days during gestation (1.3 times the maximum human dose based on a bod,y surface area comparison); however, maternal toxicity was not achieved in these studies and a definitive conclusion about teratogenicity in rats at doses above 2.5 mmol/kg/day cannot be made. Adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women have not been conducted. OMNISCAN should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, exercise caution when administering OMNISCAN to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
The safety and efficacy of OMNISCAN at a single dose of 0.05 to 0.1 mmol/kg have been established in pediatric patients over 2 years of age based on adequate and well controlled studies of OMNISCAN in adults, a pediatric CNS imaging study, and safety data in the scientific literature. However, the safety and efficacy of doses greater than 0.1 mmol/kg and of repeated doses have not been studied in pediatric patients.
Pharmacokinetics of OMNISCAN have not been studied in pediatrics. The glomerular filtration rate of neonates and infants is much lower than that of adults. The pharmacokinetics volume of distribution is also different. Therefore, the optimal dosing regimen and imaging times in patients under 2 years of age have not been established.
Geriatric Use
In clinical studies of OMNISCAN, 243 patients were between 65 and 80 years of age while 15 were over 80. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in response between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity in the elderly cannot be ruled out. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
OMNISCAN is excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to OMNISCAN
may be greater in patients with impaired renal function [see Warnings
and PRECAUTIONS]. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased
renal function, select dose carefully and consider assessment of renal function
before OMNISCAN use.
Renal/Hepatic Impairment
Dose adjustments in renal or hepatic impairment have not been studied.
Caution should be exercised in patients with impaired renal insufficiency [see
Warnings and PRECAUTIONS].