Infergen

Dosage Forms And Strengths

INFERGEN is provided in single-use vials containing:

• 9 mcg/0.3 mL INFERGEN in sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free liquid
• 15 mcg/0.5 mL INFERGEN in sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free liquid

Storage And Handling

Use only one vial per dose; do not re-enter the vial. Discard unused portions. Do not save unused drug for later administration.

Single-use, preservative-free vials containing 9 mcg (0.3 mL) of interferon alfacon-1 are available in dispensing packs of 6 vials (NDC 66435-202-09).

Single-use, preservative-free vials containing 15 mcg (0.5 mL) of interferon alfacon-1 are available in dispensing packs of 6 vials (NDC 66435-201-15).

INFERGEN should be stored in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze. Avoid vigorous shaking and exposure to direct sunlight.

Manufactured by: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. Biberach, Germany. Manufactured for: Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, LLC Warrendale, PA 15086, USA (877) 377-7862. Revised: May 2013

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Infergen, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

INFERGEN alone or in combination with ribavirin causes a broad range of serious adverse reactions [see BOXED WARNING and 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.

During clinical development, more than 560 subjects were exposed to 9 mcg or 15 mcg of INFERGEN monotherapy administered three times per week over a range of 24 to 48 weeks, and more than 480 subjects were exposed to 9 mcg or 15 mcg of INFERGEN, in combination with ribavirin, administered daily up to 48 weeks.

Adverse reactions that were reported, regardless of attribution to treatment, in ≥ 10% of subjects in INFERGEN monotherapy studies are presented in Table 4.

Flu-like symptoms (i.e., headache, fatigue, fever, rigors, myalgia, arthralgia, and sweating increased) were the most frequently reported treatment-related adverse reactions. In most cases, these events could be treated symptomatically.

Depression of any severity was reported in 26% of subjects who received 9 mcg INFERGEN monotherapy and was the most common adverse reaction resulting in study drug discontinuation.

INFERGEN 15 mcg three times a week monotherapy as subsequent treatment was associated with a greater incidence of leukopenia and granulocytopenia. One or more dose reductions for any causes were required in up to 36% of subjects.

Table 4: Treatment Emergent Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 10% of Subjects in INFERGEN Monotherapy Trials

The most common adverse reactions in the combination treatment with INFERGEN/ribavirin trial are listed in Table 5 and included fatigue (76%), nausea (45%), flu-like symptoms (40%), headache (42%), arthralgia (31%), and myalgia (29%), neutropenia (40%), leukopenia (29%), insomnia (39%), and depression (26%).

Adverse reactions led to early study discontinuation in 104 (21%) of subjects; more subjects discontinued from the 15 mcg INFERGEN group (64 versus 40). Fatigue, anemia, and depression were the most common adverse reactions resulting in study drug discontinuation. A higher proportion of subjects who received the recommended starting dose of 15 mcg (52%) than the 9 mcg dose group (40%) required INFERGEN dose modifications due to adverse reactions, primarily due to neutropenia/leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and fatigue/weakness. A total of 14% of subjects experienced serious adverse reactions, the most common of which were neutropenia (2%), suicidal ideation (1%), and hyperuricemia (1%).

Table 5: Treatment Emergent Adverse Reactions Occurring in the > 10% of Subjects in Combination Treatment with INFERGEN/Ribavirin Phase 3 Trial

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit: Treatment with INFERGEN alone and in combination with ribavirin is associated with decreases in mean values for hemoglobin and hematocrit. In the INFERGEN monotherapy trials, 4% and 5% of subjects had decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Decreases from baseline of 20% or more in hemoglobin or hematocrit were seen in ≤ 1% of subjects.

In the combination INFERGEN/ribavirin trial, 88% of subjects had decreases in hemoglobin levels of ≥ 2 g/dL from baseline. Of these, 27% had hemoglobin levels decrease to ≤ 10 g/dL, and underwent dose reductions of ribavirin. Anemia or hemolytic anemia led to study drug discontinuation in 10 subjects.

White Blood Cells: INFERGEN treatment is associated with decreases in mean values for both total white blood cell (WBC) count and ANC. By the end of initial monotherapy treatment, mean decreases from baseline of 19% for WBCs and 23% for ANC were observed. These effects reversed during the post treatment observation period. In two INFERGEN-monotherapy treated subjects ANC levels decreased to below 500 � 106 cells/L. In both cases, the ANC values returned to clinically acceptable levels with INFERGEN dose reductions and were not associated with infections.

Mean decreases from baseline up to 23% for WBCs and up to 27% for ANC were observed for subjects subsequently retreated with INFERGEN monotherapy. Two subjects experienced reversible reductions in ANC to less than 500 � 106 cells/L.

In the combination INFERGEN/ribavirin trial, leukopenia was reported in 24% and 34% of 9 mcg and 15 mcg treated subjects, respectively. More subjects treated with 15 mcg experienced lymphopenia than did those treated with 9 mcg: 14% versus 7%. ANC levels < 0.75 x 109/L were observed in 21% of subjects treated with 9 mcg and 27% of those treated with 15 mcg; no subjects experienced significant infections associated with low ANC levels.

Platelets: INFERGEN treatment is associated with alterations in platelet count. Decreases in mean platelet count of 16% compared to baseline were seen by the end of INFERGEN monotherapy treatment. These decreases were reversed during the post treatment observation period. Three percent of subjects had platelets decrease to less than 50 � 109 cells/L, which necessitated dose reduction.

More subjects treated with 15 mcg in the INFERGEN/ribavirin combination trial experienced a decrease in platelet counts < 40 � 109/L, 3% versus 1% in the 9 mcg dose group. None of the subjects had platelet counts < 25 � 109/L. One subject in the 15 mcg group had Grade 4 thrombocytopenia 127 days after the start of treatment, was hospitalized for this event, and treatment with both study drugs was discontinued; the event resolved 8 days later.

Triglycerides: Mean values for serum triglyceride increased shortly after the start of administration of INFERGEN monotherapy, with increases of 41%, compared with baseline, at the end of the treatment period. Seven percent of the subjects developed values which were at least 3 times above pretreatment levels during treatment. This effect was reversed after discontinuation of treatment.

In the INFERGEN/ribavirin combination trial, 7% of subjects in the 15 mcg dose group experienced increases in triglyceride levels over baseline levels at week 48 compared to 2% in the 9 mcg dose group. There were no differences in the proportion of subjects who had ≥ Grade 3 triglyceride elevations: 2% in both dose groups.

Thyroid Function: INFERGEN monotherapy treatment was associated with biochemical changes consistent with hypothyroidism including increases in TSH and decreases in T4 mean values. Increases in TSH to greater than 7 mU/L were seen in 10% of 9 mcg INFERGEN-treated subjects either during the treatment period or the 24-week post treatment observation period. Thyroid supplements were instituted in approximately one-third of these subjects.

In the combination INFERGEN/Ribavirin trial, mean increases in TSH levels from baseline were greater for the 15 mcg group compared with the 9 mcg group; 14% and 3%, respectively, at Week 12 and 54% and 0% at Week 48. No serious adverse events, discontinuations or dose modifications were related to abnormalities in thyroid function.

Uric Acid: Grade 4 ( > 10 mg/dL) uric acid levels were commonly observed in both INFERGEN/ribavirin treatment groups: 23 in the 9 mcg and 26 in the 15 mcg group. One subject in the 9 mcg group and three in the 15 mcg group experienced serious adverse events related to elevated uric acid levels. Four subjects in the 15 mcg had INFERGEN/ribavirin temporarily interrupted due to elevated uric acid levels.

Immunogenicity

The number of subjects developing positive binding antibody responses was similar in the 9 mcg INFERGEN (11%) and 3 MIU IFN α-2b groups (15%) in monotherapy studies. The titer of neutralizing antibodies to interferon was not measured. Following cessation of interferon therapy, the number of subjects with a positive antibody response declined.

In the INFERGEN/ribavirin combination study, approximately 13% of subjects in the 15 mcg and 18% in the 9 mcg arms developed low-titer neutralizing antibodies to INFERGEN. The clinical and pathological significance of the appearance of serum neutralizing antibodies is unknown. No apparent correlation of antibody development to clinical response was observed. The incidence of binding antibody was approximately 31%.

The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies for INFERGEN with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified and reported during post-approval use of INFERGEN. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily and from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate the frequency of the reaction or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

injection site reaction, including injection site necrosis ulcer, and bruising

hearing loss, hearing impairment

abdominal distention, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastritis

hepatic enzyme elevations, including ALT and AST elevation, abnormal hepatic function, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy

sepsis

dehydration

rhabdomyolysis, arthritis, bone pain

speech disorder, ataxia, gait abnormal, convulsions, loss of consciousness, memory impairment, tremors, visual field defect

delusions, hallucinations

bruising, pyoderma gangrenosum, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Hemorrhage

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Infergen (Interferon Alfacon-1)

• If you have an allergy to this medicine or any part of Infergen.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have liver disease.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Infergen with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Tell your doctor if you have signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Have an eye exam as you have been told by your doctor.
• You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• It is not known if Infergen will prevent liver failure or other liver problems like cancer. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through blood or having sex. Do not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. Do not share needles or other things like toothbrushes or razors. Talk with your doctor.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly lung problems have happened with this medicine. Call your doctor right away if you have lung or breathing problems like trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or a cough that is new or worse.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with Infergen. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly bowel problems (colitis) have happened within 12 weeks of treatment with alpha interferons like this medicine. Call your doctor right away if you have very bad belly pain, bloody loose stools, throwing up blood, or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with Infergen. Call your doctor right away if you have very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very upset stomach or throwing up.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Do not give to a child younger than 18 years of age.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Infergen while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Infergen alone or in combination with ribavirin causes a broad range of serious adverse reactions [see BOXED WARNING and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5)].

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.

During clinical development, more than 560 subjects were exposed to 9 mcg or 15 mcg of Infergen monotherapy administered three times per week over a range of 24 to 48 weeks, and more than 480 subjects were exposed to 9 mcg or 15 mcg of Infergen, in combination with ribavirin, administered daily up to 48 weeks.

Infergen Monotherapy Clinical Trials

Adverse reactions that were reported, regardless of attribution to treatment, in ≥ 10% of subjects in Infergen monotherapy studies are presented in Table 4.

Flu-like symptoms (i.e., headache, fatigue, fever, rigors, myalgia, arthralgia, and sweating increased) were the most frequently reported treatment-related adverse reactions. In most cases, these events could be treated symptomatically.

Depression of any severity was reported in 26% of subjects who received 9 mcg Infergen monotherapy and was the most common adverse reaction resulting in study drug discontinuation.

Infergen 15 mcg three times a week monotherapy as subsequent treatment was associated with a greater incidence of leukopenia and granulocytopenia. One or more dose reductions for any causes were required in up to 36% of subjects.

Combination Treatment with Infergen/Ribavirin Clinical Trials

The most common adverse reactions in the combination treatment with Infergen/ribavirin trial are listed in Table 5 and included fatigue (76%), nausea (45%), flu-like symptoms (40%), headache (42%), arthralgia (31%), and myalgia (29%), neutropenia (40%), leukopenia (29%), insomnia (39%), and depression (26%).

Adverse reactions led to early study discontinuation in 104 (21%) of subjects; more subjects discontinued from the 15 mcg Infergen group (64 versus 40). Fatigue, anemia, and depression were the most common adverse reactions resulting in study drug discontinuation. A higher proportion of subjects who received the recommended starting dose of 15 mcg (52%) than the 9 mcg dose group (40%) required Infergen dose modifications due to adverse reactions, primarily due to neutropenia/leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and fatigue/weakness. A total of 14% of subjects experienced serious adverse reactions, the most common of which were neutropenia (2%), suicidal ideation (1%), and hyperuricemia (1%).

Laboratory Values

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit: Treatment with Infergen alone and in combination with ribavirin is associated with decreases in mean values for hemoglobin and hematocrit. In the Infergen monotherapy trials, 4% and 5% of subjects had decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Decreases from baseline of 20% or more in hemoglobin or hematocrit were seen in ≤1% of subjects.

In the combination Infergen/ribavirin trial, 88% of subjects had decreases in hemoglobin levels of ≥2 g/dL from baseline. Of these, 27% had hemoglobin levels decrease to ≤10 g/dL, and underwent dose reductions of ribavirin. Anemia or hemolytic anemia led to study drug discontinuation in 10 subjects.

White Blood Cells: Infergen treatment is associated with decreases in mean values for both total white blood cell (WBC) count and ANC. By the end of initial monotherapy treatment, mean decreases from baseline of 19% for WBCs and 23% for ANC were observed. These effects reversed during the post treatment observation period. In two Infergen-monotherapy treated subjects ANC levels decreased to below 500 × 106 cells/L. In both cases, the ANC values returned to clinically acceptable levels with Infergen dose reductions and were not associated with infections.

Mean decreases from baseline up to 23% for WBCs and up to 27% for ANC were observed for subjects subsequently retreated with Infergen monotherapy. Two subjects experienced reversible reductions in ANC to less than 500 × 106 cells/L.

In the combination Infergen/ribavirin trial, leukopenia was reported in 24% and 34% of 9 mcg and 15 mcg treated subjects, respectively. More subjects treated with 15 mcg experienced lymphopenia than did those treated with 9 mcg: 14% versus 7%. ANC levels <0.75 x 109/L were observed in 21% of subjects treated with 9 mcg and 27% of those treated with 15 mcg; no subjects experienced significant infections associated with low ANC levels.

Platelets: Infergen treatment is associated with alterations in platelet count. Decreases in mean platelet count of 16% compared to baseline were seen by the end of Infergen monotherapy treatment. These decreases were reversed during the post treatment observation period. Three percent of subjects had platelets decrease to less than 50 × 109 cells/L, which necessitated dose reduction.

More subjects treated with 15 mcg in the Infergen/ribavirin combination trial experienced a decrease in platelet counts <40 × 109/L, 3% versus 1% in the 9 mcg dose group. None of the subjects had platelet counts <25 × 109/L. One subject in the 15 mcg group had Grade 4 thrombocytopenia 127 days after the start of treatment, was hospitalized for this event, and treatment with both study drugs was discontinued; the event resolved 8 days later.

Triglycerides: Mean values for serum triglyceride increased shortly after the start of administration of Infergen monotherapy, with increases of 41%, compared with baseline, at the end of the treatment period. Seven percent of the subjects developed values which were at least 3 times above pretreatment levels during treatment. This effect was reversed after discontinuation of treatment.

In the Infergen/ribavirin combination trial, 7% of subjects in the 15 mcg dose group experienced increases in triglyceride levels over baseline levels at week 48 compared to 2% in the 9 mcg dose group. There were no differences in the proportion of subjects who had ≥Grade 3 triglyceride elevations: 2% in both dose groups.

Thyroid Function: Infergen monotherapy treatment was associated with biochemical changes consistent with hypothyroidism including increases in TSH and decreases in T4 mean values. Increases in TSH to greater than 7 mU/L were seen in 10% of 9 mcg Infergen-treated subjects either during the treatment period or the 24-week post treatment observation period. Thyroid supplements were instituted in approximately one-third of these subjects.

In the combination Infergen/Ribavirin trial, mean increases in TSH levels from baseline were greater for the 15 mcg group compared with the 9 mcg group; 14% and 3%, respectively, at Week 12 and 54% and 0% at Week 48. No serious adverse events, discontinuations or dose modifications were related to abnormalities in thyroid function.

Uric Acid: Grade 4 (>10 mg/dL) uric acid levels were commonly observed in both Infergen/ribavirin treatment groups: 23 in the 9 mcg and 26 in the 15 mcg group. One subject in the 9 mcg group and three in the 15 mcg group experienced serious adverse events related to elevated uric acid levels. Four subjects in the 15 mcg had Infergen/ribavirin temporarily interrupted due to elevated uric acid levels.

Immunogenicity

The number of subjects developing positive binding antibody responses was similar in the 9 mcg Infergen (11%) and 3 MIU IFN α-2b groups (15%) in monotherapy studies. The titer of neutralizing antibodies to interferon was not measured. Following cessation of interferon therapy, the number of subjects with a positive antibody response declined.

In the Infergen/ribavirin combination study, approximately 13% of subjects in the 15 mcg and 18% in the 9 mcg arms developed low-titer neutralizing antibodies to Infergen. The clinical and pathological significance of the appearance of serum neutralizing antibodies is unknown. No apparent correlation of antibody development to clinical response was observed. The incidence of binding antibody was approximately 31%.

The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies for Infergen with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified and reported during post-approval use of Infergen. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily and from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate the frequency of the reaction or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Application site

injection site reaction, including injection site necrosis ulcer, and bruising

Ear and Labyrinth

hearing loss, hearing impairment

Gastrointestinal

abdominal distention, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastritis

Hepatobiliary

hepatic enzyme elevations, including ALT and AST elevation, abnormal hepatic function, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy

Infections

sepsis

Metabolism and Nutritional

dehydration

Musculoskeletal

rhabdomyolysis, arthritis, bone pain

Nervous

speech disorder, ataxia, gait abnormal, convulsions, loss of consciousness, memory impairment, tremors, visual field defect

Psychiatric

delusions, hallucinations

Skin and Subcutaneous

bruising, pyoderma gangrenosum, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Vascular Disorders

Hemorrhage

In Infergen trials, the maximum overdose reported was a dose of 150 mcg Infergen administered subcutaneously in a subject enrolled in a phase 1 advanced malignancy trial. The subject received 10 times the prescribed dosage for three days and experienced a mild increase in anorexia, chills, fever, and myalgia. Increases in ALT (15 IU/L to 127 IU/L), aspartate transaminase (AST) (15 to 164 IU/L), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) (183 IU/L to 281 IU/L) were reported. These laboratory values returned to normal or to the subjects baseline values within 30 days.

Interferon alfacon-1 is a wholly synthetic type-I interferon. The 166-amino acid sequence of interferon alfacon-1 was derived by scanning the sequences of several natural interferon alpha subtypes and assigning the most frequently observed amino acid in each corresponding position resulting in a consensus sequence. Four additional amino acid changes were made to facilitate the molecular construction, and a corresponding synthetic DNA sequence was constructed using chemical synthesis methodology. Interferon alfacon-1 differs from interferon alfa-2b at 19/166 amino acids (88% homology), and with Interferon alfa-2a at 18/166 amino acids (88% homology). Comparison with interferon-beta shows identity at over 30% of the amino acid positions. Interferon alfacon-1 is produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells that have been genetically altered by insertion of a synthetically constructed sequence that codes for interferon alfacon-1. Prior to final purification, interferon alfacon-1 is allowed to oxidize to its native state, and its final purity is achieved by sequential passage over a series of chromatography columns. This protein has a molecular weight of 19,434 daltons.

Infergen is a sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free liquid formulated with 100 mM sodium chloride and 27 mM sodium phosphate at pH 7.0 ± 0.2. The product is available in single-use vials containing 9 mcg and 15 mcg interferon alfacon-1 at a fill volume of 0.3 mL and 0.5 mL, respectively. Infergen vials contain 0.03 mg/mL interferon alfacon-1, sodium chloride (5.9 mg/mL), and sodium phosphate (3.8 mg/mL) in Water for Injection, USP. Infergen is to be administered undiluted by subcutaneous injection.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenesis: No carcinogenicity data for Infergen are available in animals or humans.

Mutagenesis: Infergen was not mutagenic when tested in several in vitro assays, including the Ames bacterial mutagenicity assay and an in vitro cytogenetic assay in human lymphocytes, either in the presence or absence of metabolic activation.

Use with Ribavirin: See ribavirin labeling for additional warnings relevant to Infergen therapy in combination with ribavirin.

Impairment of Fertility: Infergen at doses as high as 100 mcg/kg did not selectively affect reproductive performance or the development of the offspring when administered subcutaneous injection to male and female golden Syrian hamsters for 70 and 14 days before mating, respectively, and then through mating and to day 7 of pregnancy.

Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology

Animal Toxicology

In preclinical toxicology studies in golden Syrian hamsters and rhesus monkeys, administration of Infergen at doses of up to 100 mcg/kg/day was associated with decreased body weight, decreased food consumption, and bone marrow suppression. High-dose chronic exposure at doses of 10 mcg/kg/day to 100 mcg/kg/day (50-fold to 500-fold higher than the maximum clinical dose given daily) in rhesus monkeys was not tolerated for greater than 1 month, due to the development of vascular leak syndrome.

Vial - 15 mcg

NDC 66435-201-96          Refrigerate at 2 ° to 8 °C
Rx only

Infergen®
(Interferon alfacon-1)

0.5 mL Single-Use Vial     15 mcg/0.5 mL

Kadmon

Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
Warrendale, PA 15086

U.S. License No. 1802

C002.00025

72602-02

Lot
Exp.

Common side effects of Infergen include: abnormality in thinking, agitation, anxiety, chest pain, depression, fever, flu-like symptoms, nervousness, thrombocytopenia, and emotional lability. Other side effects include: apathy, hypersensitivity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and palpitations. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Memory problems or loss.
• Not able to focus.
• Not able to handle heat or cold.
• A change in weight without trying.
• Skin irritation.
• This drug may cause eye problems that may lead to loss of eyesight or blindness. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had eye problems. Call your doctor right away if you have any changes in eyesight.

Applies to interferon alfacon-1: injectable solution

General

A broad range of serious side effects have been reported with interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) alone or in combination with ribavirin. During clinical trials, more than 560 and 480 patients were exposed to monotherapy and combination therapy, respectively. In monotherapy studies, influenza-like symptoms (i.e., headache, fatigue, fever, rigors, myalgia, arthralgia, and increased sweating) were reported most often and depression was the most common side effect resulting in drug discontinuation. In the interferon alfacon-1 plus ribavirin combination therapy study, fatigue, nausea, influenza-like symptoms, headache, arthralgia, myalgia, neutropenia, leukopenia, insomnia, and depression were the most commonly reported side effects and fatigue, anemia, and depression were the most common side effects resulting in drug discontinuation. The most common serious adverse reactions reported with combination therapy were neutropenia, suicidal ideation, and hyperuricemia.[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included fatigue (up to 77%), rigors (up to 66%), fever/pyrexia (up to 61%), body pain (up to 54%), influenza-like illness/symptoms (up to 42%), chest pain (up to 13%), malaise (up to 11%), asthenia (up to 10%), hot flushes, peripheral edema, access pain, earache, taste perversion, and otitis.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache (up to 82%), insomnia (up to 39%), dizziness (up to 25%), paresthesia (up to 13%), hypoesthesia (up to 10%), amnesia (up to 10%), hypertonia, somnolence, taste perversion, confusion, tinnitus, and hyperesthesia. Ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events have been reported. Vestibular side effects associated with interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) have been mild and infrequent. Hearing loss, hearing impairment, speech disorder, ataxia, gait abnormal, convulsions, loss of consciousness, memory impairment, and tremors have been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea (up to 45%), abdominal pain (up to 41%), diarrhea (up to 29%), anorexia (up to 24%), dyspepsia (up to 21%), vomiting (up to 19%), decreased appetite (up to 18%), constipation (up to 10%), flatulence, toothache, decreased saliva output, ulcerative stomatitis, hemorrhoids, and gingivitis. Hemorrhagic/ischemic colitis (sometimes fatal) and pancreatitis (sometimes fatal) have been reported. Abdominal distention, gastrointestinal bleeding, and gastritis have been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Hematologic

Higher doses of interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) were associated with a greater incidence of leukopenia and granulocytopenia and required dose reductions in 33% of patients receiving secondary therapy.

Decreases from baseline of 20% or more in hemoglobin or hematocrit were reported in less than or equal to 1% of patients during monotherapy trials. During the combination interferon alfacon-1 plus ribavirin trial, decreases in hemoglobin levels of greater than or equal to 2 g/dL from baseline were reported in 88% of patients. Of these, 27% had hemoglobin levels decrease to less than or equal to 10 g/dL, and underwent dose reductions of ribavirin.

By the end of initial monotherapy treatment, mean decreases from baseline of 19% for white blood cells (WBCs) and 23% for absolute neutrophil count (ANC) were reported. In patients subsequently retreated with monotherapy, mean decreases from baseline up to 23% for WBCs and up to 27% for ANC were reported.

Decreases in mean platelet count of 16% compared to baseline were observed by the end of monotherapy. Grade 4 thrombocytopenia was reported in one patient during the alfacon-1 plus ribavirin combination trial.[Ref]

Hematologic side effects have included leukopenia (up to 34%), neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia, anemia, lymphocytosis, ecchymosis, lymphadenopathy, and increased prothrombin time. Decreases in hemoglobin (monotherapy: 4%; combination therapy: 88%), hematocrit (monotherapy: 5%), total white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and platelet count have been reported. Hemolytic anemia (30%), ANC levels less than 0.75 x 10(9)/L (up to 27%), and lymphopenia (up to 14%) have been reported during combination therapy with ribavirin. Platelets decreased to less than 50 x 10(9) cells/L in 3% of patients during monotherapy and to less than 40 x 10(9)/L (but not less than 25 x 10(9)/L) in up to 3% of patients during combination therapy with ribavirin. Hemorrhage has been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included nervousness (up to 31%), depression (up to 27%), irritability (up to 21%), abnormal thinking (up to 20%), anxiety (up to 19%), emotional lability (up to 12%), agitation, decreased libido, and apathy. Delusions and hallucinations have been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Depression was usually mild to moderate in severity in patients receiving interferon alfacon-1 therapy during clinical studies.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included myalgia (up to 58%), arthralgia (up to 51%), back pain (up to 42%), limb pain (up to 26%), skeletal pain (up to 14%), neck pain (up to 14%), and musculoskeletal disorder. Rhabdomyolysis, arthritis, and bone pain have been reported during postmarketing experience.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypotension, arrhythmia, tachycardia, cardiomyopathy, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction. Palpitation and hypertension have been reported. At least one case of irreversible pulmonary artery hypertension has been reported.[Ref]

A 36-year-old male with a history of intravenous drug use and alcoholism experienced irreversible pulmonary artery hypertension coincident with interferon alfacon-1 therapy. He was treated with interferon alfa-2a (3 million units/day) after he was found to have cirrhosis from Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol use. His viral load was 100,000 copies of stage IV fibrosis on liver biopsy. He was cleared of virus and received a liver transplant. Subsequently, he again became HCV positive (greater than 85,000 copies/mL) and was treated with interferon alfacon-1 (15 mcg/kg). Eight months into therapy, he developed progressive dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, and edema. He was found to have severe pulmonary hypertension on echocardiogram (PAP 81/30) with right heart failure. Other thromboembolic, inflammatory, and intrinsic cardiopulmonary causes were ruled out and interferon treatment was discontinued. He continues to experience severe refractory pulmonary hypertension.[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included conjunctivitis, abnormal vision, and eye pain. Decrease or loss of vision, retinopathy (including macular edema, retinal artery or vein thrombosis, retinal hemorrhages, cotton wool spots), optic neuritis, papilledema, and serous retinal detachment have been induced or aggravated by treatment with interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) Retinal artery or vein obstruction has been reported rarely. Visual field defect has been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects have included development of positive binding antibody responses (up to about 31%), development of low-titer neutralizing antibodies to interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) (up to 18%), and infection. Development or exacerbation of autoimmune disorders (e.g., autoimmune thrombocytopenia, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, interstitial nephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus) has been reported. Sepsis has been reported during postmarketing experience.

Local

Local side effects have included injection site erythema (up to 23%), injection site reaction (up to 15%), pain, and ecchymosis. Injection site reaction, including injection site necrosis ulcer, and bruising have been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included decreased weight (up to 22%), increased triglyceride levels (up to 7%), hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetes mellitus. Grade 4 uric acid levels (greater than 10 mg/dL) were reported in 49 patients during combination therapy with ribavirin. Dehydration has been reported during postmarketing experience.

Increases in serum triglyceride of 41% compared to baseline were observed at the end of monotherapy. During monotherapy treatment, 7% of patients developed values at least 3 times above pretreatment levels. Grade 3 or higher triglyceride elevations were reported in 2% of patients during the alfacon-1 plus ribavirin combination trial.

Serious adverse events related to elevated uric acid levels were reported in 4 patients during the alfacon-1 plus ribavirin combination trial.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included pharyngitis (up to 34%), cough (up to 22%), dyspnea (up to 20%), sinusitis (up to 17%), upper respiratory infection, rhinitis, respiratory tract congestion, upper respiratory tract congestion, epistaxis, and bronchitis.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rash (up to 17%), pruritus (up to 15%), alopecia (up to 14%), increased sweating (up to 13%), erythema, dry skin, and wound. Bruising, pyoderma gangrenosum, and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported during postmarketing experience.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included the occurrence or aggravation of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Abnormal thyroid function tests with increases in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and decreases in thyroxine (T4) mean values have been reported. Increased TSH to greater than 7 mU/L was reported in 10% of patients treated with monotherapy during the treatment period or during the 24-week posttreatment period. During the interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) plus ribavirin combination trial, increased TSH levels were reported in up to 14% of patients at Week 12 and up to 54% at Week 48.[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects have included increases in serum creatinine levels (including renal failure).

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included liver tenderness and hepatomegaly. Hepatic enzyme elevations (including ALT and AST elevations), abnormal hepatic function, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy have been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included allergic reactions. Urticaria, angioedema, bronchoconstriction, and anaphylaxis have been rarely reported.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included dysmenorrhea, vaginitis, menstrual disorder, menorrhagia, genital moniliasis, breast mass, and breast pain.

Some side effects of Infergen may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.