Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

Decreased Vision

A decrease of ≥ 3 line of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was experienced by 5.6% of patients treated with JETREA and 3.2% of patients treated with vehicle in the controlled trials [see Clinical Studies].

The majority of these decreases in vision were due to progression of the condition with traction and many required surgical intervention. Patients should be monitored appropriately [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Intravitreal Injection Procedure Associated Effects

Intravitreal injections are associated with intraocular inflammation / infection, intraocular hemorrhage and increased intraocular pressure (IOP). In the controlled trials, intraocular inflammation occurred in 7.1% of patients injected with JETREA vs. 3.7% of patients injected with vehicle. Most of the post-injection intraocular inflammation events were mild and transient. Intraocular hemorrhage occurred in 2.4% vs. 3.7% of patients injected with JETREA vs. vehicle, respectively. Increased intraocular pressure occurred in 4.1% vs. 5.3% of patients injected with JETREA vs. vehicle, respectively.

Potential for Lens Subluxation

One case of lens subluxation was reported in a patient who received an intravitreal injection of 0.175 mg (1.4 times higher than the recommended dose). Lens subluxation was observed in three animal species (monkey, rabbit, minipig) following a single intravitreal injection that achieved vitreous concentrations of ocriplasmin 1.4 times higher than achieved with the recommended treatment dose. Administration of a second intravitreal dose in monkeys, 28 days apart, produced lens subluxation in 100% of the treated eyes [see Nonclinical Toxicology].

Retinal Breaks

In the controlled trials, the incidence of retinal detachment was 0.9% in the JETREA group and 1.6% in the vehicle group, while the incidence of retinal tear (without detachment) was 1.1% in the JETREA group and 2.7% in the vehicle group. Most of these events occurred during or after vitrectomy in both groups. The incidence of retinal detachment that occurred pre-vitrectomy was 0.4% in the JETREA group and none in the vehicle group, while the incidence of retinal tear (without detachment) that occurred pre-vitrectomy was none in the JETREA group and 0.5% in the vehicle group.

Dyschromatopsia

Dyschromatopsia (generally described as yellowish vision) was reported in 2% of all patients injected with JETREA. In approximately half of these dyschromatopsia cases there were also electroretinographic (ERG) changes reported (a- and b-wave amplitude decrease).

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

No carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or reproductive and developmental toxicity studies were conducted with ocriplasmin.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects - Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with ocriplasmin. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of ocriplasmin in pregnant women. It is not known whether ocriplasmin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. The systemic exposure to ocriplasmin is expected to be low after intravitreal injection of a single 0.125 mg dose. Assuming 100% systemic absorption (and a plasma volume of 2700 mL), the estimated plasma concentration is 46 ng/mL. JETREA should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether ocriplasmin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because the potential for absorption and harm to infant growth and development exists, caution should be exercised when JETREA is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

In the clinical studies, 384 and 145 patients were ≥ 65 years and of these 192 and 73 patients were ≥ 75 years in the JETREA and vehicle groups respectively. No significant differences in efficacy or safety were seen with increasing age in these studies.

Last reviewed on RxList: 10/30/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.