ABRILADA

1 INDICATIONS

Indications have been granted on the basis of similarity between Abrilada and the reference biologic drug Humira.

Abrilada (adalimumab injection) treatment should be initiated and supervised by specialist physicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), adult and pediatric (13 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 40 kg) Crohn’s disease (CD), adult and pediatric (5 to 17 years of age) ulcerative colitis (UC), adult and adolescent (12 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 30 kg) hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), psoriasis (Ps) or adult and pediatric uveitis, and familiar with the Abrilada efficacy and safety profile.

Abrilada (adalimumab injection) is indicated for:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• reducing the signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response and clinical remission, inhibiting the progression of structural damage and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. Abrilada can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

When used as first-line treatment in recently diagnosed patients who have not been previously treated with methotrexate, Abrilada should be given in combination with methotrexate.

Abrilada can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when treatment with methotrexate is contraindicated.

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

• in combination with methotrexate, reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients, 2 years of age and older who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Abrilada can be used as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is not appropriate (see 5 Clinical Trials – Reference Biologic Drug, Pediatric, Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Study Results). Adalimumab has not been studied in pediatric patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis aged less than 2 years.

Psoriatic Arthritis

• reducing the signs and symptoms of active arthritis and inhibiting the progression of structural damage and improving the physical function in adult psoriatic arthritis patients. Abrilada can be used in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in patients who do not respond adequately to methotrexate alone.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

• reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.

Adult Crohn’s Disease

• reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy, including corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants. Abrilada is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing clinical remission in these patients if they have also lost response to or are intolerant to infliximab.

Pediatric Crohn’s Disease

• reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 13 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 40 kg with severely active Crohn’s disease and/or who have had an inadequate response or were intolerant to conventional therapy (a corticosteroid and/or aminosalicylate and/or an immunosuppressant) and/or a tumour necrosis factor alpha antagonist.

Adult Ulcerative Colitis

• treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and/or azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) or who are intolerant to such therapies. The efficacy of adalimumab in patients who have lost response to or were intolerant to TNF blockers has not been established.

Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

• inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 5 years of age and older with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and/or azathioprine or 6 -mercaptopurine (6-MP) or who are intolerant to such therapies.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

• treatment of active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in adult and adolescent patients (12 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 30 kg) who have not responded to conventional therapy (including systemic antibiotics).

Plaque Psoriasis

• treatment of adult patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy. For patients with chronic moderate plaque psoriasis, Abrilada should be used after phototherapy has been shown to be ineffective or inappropriate.

Adult Uveitis

• treatment of non-infectious uveitis (intermediate, posterior and panuveitis) in adult patients with inadequate response to corticosteroids or as corticosteroid sparing treatment in corticosteroid-dependent patients.

Pediatric Uveitis

• treatment of chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis in pediatric patients from 2 years of age who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant to conventional therapy, or in whom conventional therapy is inappropriate.

1.1 Pediatrics

Polyarticular JIA

Adalimumab has not been studied in pediatric patients with polyarticular JIA less than 2 years of age or in pediatric patients with a weight below 10 kg.

Pediatric Crohn’s Disease

The safety and efficacy of adalimumab were authorised in pediatric patients 13 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 40 kg with severely active Crohn’s disease and/or who have had an inadequate response or were intolerant to conventional therapy (see 14.5 Clinical Trials – Reference Biologic Drug, Pediatric, Pediatric Crohn’s Disease).

Adolescent Hidradenitis Suppurativa

There are no clinical trials with adalimumab in adolescent patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The dosage of adalimumab in these patients has been determined based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling and simulation (see 14.5 Clinical Trials – Reference Biologic Drug, Pediatric, Adolescent Hidradenitis Suppurativa).

Pediatric Uveitis

Adalimumab has not been studied in pediatric patients with uveitis less than 2 years of age. Very limited data are available for pediatric patients with uveitis between 2 and < 3 years of age.

Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

Adalimumab has not been studied in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis less than 5 years of age.

1.2 Geriatrics

Evidence from clinical studies and experience suggests that use of adalimumab in the geriatric population is not associated with differences in effectiveness. A brief discussion can be found under (7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, 7.1 Special Populations, 7.1.4 Geriatrics).

Abrilada is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to this drug or to any ingredient in the formulation, including any non-medicinal ingredient, or component of the container. For a complete listing, see 6 DOSAGE FORMS, STRENGTHS, COMPOSITION AND PACKAGING.

• Patients with severe infections such as sepsis, tuberculosis and opportunistic infections. See (3 SERIOUS WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS BOX, Serious Warnings and Precautions, Infections).
• Patients with moderate to severe heart failure (NYHA class III/IV). See (7 WARNINGS ANDPRECAUTIONS, Cardiovascular, Patients with Congestive Heart Failure).

4.1 Dosing Considerations

Pediatrics

Polyarticular JIA

See 4.2 Recommended Dosage and Dosage Adjustment, Pediatrics, Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients with polyarticular JIA less than 2 years of age or in patients with a weight below 10 kg have not been established.

Pediatric Crohn’s Disease.

See 4.2 Recommended Dosage and Dosage Adjustment, Pediatrics, Pediatric Crohn’s Disease.

The majority (102/192) of pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease studied were 13 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 40 kg.

Adolescent Hidradenitis Suppurativa

See 4.2 Recommended Dosage and Dosage Adjustment, Pediatrics,

Adolescent Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

There are no clinical trials with adalimumab in adolescent patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The dosage of Abrilada in these patients has been determined based on pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic modeling and simulation.

Pediatric Uveitis

See 4.2 Recommended Dosage and Dosage Adjustment, Pediatrics, Pediatric Uveitis.

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients with uveitis less than 2 years of age have not been established. Very limited data are available for pediatric patients with uveitis between 2 and < 3 years of age.

Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

See 4.2 Recommended Dosage and Dosage Adjustment, Pediatrics, Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis.

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis less than 5 years of age have not been established.

Geriatrics

Evidence from clinical studies and experience suggests that use of adalimumab in the geriatric population is not associated with differences in effectiveness. No dose adjustment is needed for this population. A brief discussion can be found under (7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, 7.1 Special Populations, 7.1.4 Geriatrics). 

Sex

No sex-related pharmacokinetic differences were observed after correction for a patient’s body weight. Healthy volunteers and patients with rheumatoid arthritis displayed similar adalimumab pharmacokinetics.

Ethnic Origin

No differences in immunoglobulin clearance would be expected among ethnicities. From limited data in non-Caucasians, no important kinetic differences were observed for adalimumab.

Dosage adjustment is not required.

Hepatic Insufficiency

No pharmacokinetic data are available in patients with hepatic impairment. No dose recommendation can be made.

Renal Insufficiency

No pharmacokinetic data are available in patients with renal impairment. No dose recommendation can be made.

Disease States

Healthy volunteers and patients with rheumatoid arthritis displayed similar adalimumab pharmacokinetics. See (10 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Special Populations and Conditions, Disease States).

Concomitant Medications

Methotrexate, glucocorticoids, salicylates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics or other DMARDs may be continued during treatment with adalimumab. When treated with adalimumab as monotherapy, some rheumatoid arthritis patients who experience a decrease in their response to adalimumab 40 mg every other week may benefit from an increase in dose intensity to adalimumab 40 mg every week.

4.2 Recommended Dose and Dosage Adjustment

Pediatrics

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

The recommended dose of Abrilada for patients with polyarticular JIA from 2 years of age is based on body weight (Table 1). Abrilada is administered every other week via subcutaneous injection. Abrilada can be used in combination with methotrexate or as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is not appropriate.

Available data suggest that clinical response is usually achieved within 12 weeks of treatment. Efficacy and safety in patients who do not respond by Week 16 have not been established.

There is no relevant use of adalimumab in children aged < 2 years in this indication.

Pediatric Crohn’s Disease

The recommended Abrilada induction dose regimen for pediatric patients with severely active Crohn’s disease and moderately active Crohn’s disease with no response to conventional therapy is 160 mg at Week 0, followed by 80 mg at Week 2 administered by subcutaneous injection. The first dose of 160 mg can be given in one day (four 40 mg injections) or split over two consecutive days (two 40 mg injections each day). The second dose of 80 mg at Week 2 is given as two 40 mg injections in one day.

The recommended Abrilada maintenance dose regimen is 20 mg every other week beginning at Week 4.

For pediatric patients who experience a disease flare or non-response, dose escalation to 40 mg every other week may be considered. See 14.5 Clinical Trials – Reference Biologic Drug.

The use of adalimumab in pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease ages 13 to 17 has been evaluated up to one year in clinical studies.

If a patient has not responded by Week 12, continued therapy should be carefully reconsidered.

Adolescent Hidradenitis Suppurativa

The recommended Abrilada dose regimen for adolescent patients with HS (12 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 30 kg) is 80 mg at Week 0 followed by 40 mg every other week starting at Week 1 via subcutaneous injection.

In adolescent patients with inadequate response to Abrilada 40 mg every other week, an increase in dosing frequency to 40 mg every week may be considered. See (14.5 Clinical Trials – Reference Biologic Drug, Pediatric, Adolescent Hidradenitis Suppurativa).

Antibiotics may be continued during treatment with Abrilada if necessary.

Continued therapy beyond 12 weeks should be carefully reconsidered in a patient with no improvement within this time period.

Pediatric Uveitis

The recommended dose of Abrilada in combination with methotrexate for pediatric patients with chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis 2 years of age and older is based on body weight (Table 2). In pediatric uveitis, there is no experience in the treatment with adalimumab without concomitant treatment with methotrexate.

When Abrilada is initiated in patients ≥ 6 years of age, an optional loading dose of 40 mg for patients < 30 kg or 80 mg for patients ≥ 30 kg may be administered one week prior to the start of maintenance therapy. No clinical data are available on the use of a loading dose for adalimumab in children < 6 years of age.

There are no data in the use of adalimumab in children aged less than 2 years for this indication. 

Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

The recommended dose of Abrilada for patients from 5 to 17 years of age with ulcerative colitis is based on body weight (Table 3). Abrilada is administered via subcutaneous injection. Abrilada may be available in different strengths and/or presentations.

Doses of 160 mg can be given as four 40 mg injections. Doses of 80 mg can be given as two 40 mg injections. Doses of 40 mg can be given as two 20 mg injections or one 40 mg injection.

Continued therapy beyond 8 weeks should be carefully considered in patients not showing signs of response within this time period.

There is no relevant use of Abrilada in children aged less than 5 years in this indication.

Adults

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The recommended dose of Abrilada for adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 40 mg administered every other week as a subcutaneous injection.

Psoriatic Arthritis

The recommended dose of Abrilada for adult patients with psoriatic arthritis is 40 mg administered every other week as a subcutaneous injection.

For the rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis indications, available data suggest that the clinical response is usually achieved within 12 weeks of treatment. Continued therapy should be carefully reconsidered in a patient not responding within this time period.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

The recommended dose of Abrilada for patients with ankylosing spondylitis is Abrilada 40 mg administered every other week as a single dose via subcutaneous injection. Glucocorticoids, salicylates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs can be continued during treatment with Abrilada. 

Crohn’s Disease

The recommended Abrilada induction dose regimen for adult patients with Crohn’s disease is 160 mg at Week 0, followed by 80 mg at Week 2 administered by subcutaneous injection. The first dose of 160 mg can be given in one day (four 40 mg injections) or split over two consecutive days (two 40 mg injections each day). The second dose of 80 mg at Week 2 is given as two 40 mg injections in one day.

The recommended Abrilada maintenance dose regimen for adult patients with Crohn’s disease is 40 mg every other week beginning at Week 4.

During treatment with Abrilada, other concomitant therapies (e.g., corticosteroids and/or immunomodulatory agents) should be optimized.

For patients who experience a disease flare, dose escalation may be considered. See (14.5 Clinical Trials – Reference Biologic Drug – Crohn’s Disease).

Some patients who have not responded by Week 4 (induction period) may benefit from continued maintenance therapy through Week 12. Available data suggest that the clinical response is usually achieved at Week 4 of treatment. Continued therapy should be carefully reconsidered in a patient not responding within this time period.

The use of adalimumab in Crohn’s disease has been evaluated up to one year in controlled clinical studies. In open-label studies, 510/1,594 patients were evaluated for three years, and 118/1,594 patients for at least five years.

Ulcerative Colitis

The recommended Abrilada induction dose regimen for adult patients with ulcerative colitis is 160 mg at Week 0, followed by 80 mg at Week 2 administered by subcutaneous injection. The first dose of 160 mg can be given in one day (four 40 mg injections) or split over two consecutive days (two 40 mg injections each day). The second dose of 80 mg at Week 2 is given as two 40 mg injections in one day. Beginning at Week 4, continue with a dose of 40 mg every other week. Abrilada should only be continued in patients who have responded during the first 8 weeks of therapy.

Aminosalicylates and/or corticosteroids may be continued during treatment with Abrilada. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) may be continued during treatment with Abrilada if necessary (see 3 SERIOUS WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS BOX, Serious Warnings and Precautions).

During maintenance treatment, corticosteroids may be tapered in accordance with clinical practice guidelines.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

The recommended Abrilada initial dose for adult patients with hidradenitis suppurativa is 160 mg, followed by 80 mg two weeks later administered by subcutaneous injection. The first dose of 160 mg at Week 0 can be given in one day (four 40 mg injections) or split over two consecutive days (two 40 mg injections each day). The second dose of 80 mg at Week 2 is given as two 40 mg injections in one day.

The recommended Abrilada maintenance dose regimen for adult patients with hidradenitis suppurativa is 40 mg every week beginning four weeks after the initial dose.

Antibiotics may be continued during treatment with Abrilada if necessary.

In patients without any benefit after 12 weeks of treatment, continued therapy should be reconsidered. 

Plaque Psoriasis

The recommended dose of Abrilada for adult patients with psoriasis is an initial dose of 80 mg administered subcutaneously (two 40 mg injections), followed by 40 mg subcutaneously given every other week starting one week after the initial dose.

Continued therapy beyond 16 weeks should be carefully reconsidered in a patient not responding within this time period.

Uveitis

The recommended dose of Abrilada for adult patients with non-infectious uveitis is an initial dose of 80 mg administered subcutaneously (two 40 mg injections), followed by 40 mg subcutaneously given every other week starting one week after the initial dose.

Abrilada can be initiated in combination with corticosteroids and/or other non-biologic immunomodulatory agents. Corticosteroids may be tapered in accordance with clinical practice starting two weeks after initiating treatment with Abrilada. There is limited experience with the initiation of treatment with adalimumab alone.

It is recommended that the benefit and risk of continued long-term treatment should be evaluated on a yearly basis.

4.4 Administration

Abrilada is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a physician. Patients may self-inject Abrilada if their physician determines that it is appropriate and with medical follow-up, as necessary, after proper training in subcutaneous injection technique.

Vial

The solution in the Abrilada single-dose 2 mL clear glass vial should be carefully inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to subcutaneous administration. If particulates and discolorations are noted, the product should not be used. Abrilada does not contain preservatives; therefore, unused portions of drug remaining in the vial should be discarded.

Pediatric patients using the vial should be instructed to withdraw only the prescribed amount of solution from the vial according to the directions provided in the PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION. Each 0.8 mL of adalimumab provides 40 mg of Abrilada. The required amount should be injected according to the directions provided in the PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION. Any unused product in the vial should be discarded.

Injection sites should be rotated, and injections should never be given into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red or hard (see PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION).

Prefilled Syringe or Prefilled Pen

The solution in the Abrilada prefilled syringe or prefilled pen should be carefully inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to subcutaneous administration. If particulates and discolorations are noted, the product should not be used. Abrilada does not contain preservatives; therefore, unused portions of drug remaining in the syringe should be discarded.

• Prefilled Syringe

Injection: 40 mg/0.8 mL, 20 mg/0.4 mL or 10 mg/0.2 mL of Abrilada is provided by a single-dose 1 mL prefilled glass syringe with a fixed thin wall, 29 gauge, ½ inch needle.

• Prefilled Pen

Injection: 40 mg/0.8 mL of Abrilada is provided by a single-dose auto-injector, containing a 1 mL prefilled glass syringe with a fixed thin wall, 29 gauge, ½ inch needle.

Patients using the prefilled syringes should be instructed to inject the full amount in the syringe, which provides 10 mg, 20 mg or 40 mg of Abrilada, according to the directions provided in the PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION.

Injection sites should be rotated, and injections should never be given into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red or hard (see PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION).

4.5 Missed Dose

Patients who miss a dose of Abrilada should be advised to inject this missed dose as soon as they become aware of it, and then follow with their next scheduled dose.

The maximum tolerated dose of adalimumab has not been established in humans. Multiple doses up to 10 mg/kg have been administered to patients in clinical trials without evidence of dose-limiting toxicities. In case of overdosage, it is recommended that the patient be monitored for any signs or symptoms of adverse reactions or effects and appropriate symptomatic treatment instituted immediately.

To help ensure the traceability of biologic products, including biosimilars, health professionals should recognise the importance of recording both the brand name and the non-proprietary (active ingredient) name as well as other product-specific identifiers such as the Drug Identification Number (DIN) and the batch/lot number of the product supplied.

Abrilada (adalimumab injection) is supplied as a preservative-free, sterile solution for subcutaneous administration in the following packaging configurations:

Prefilled Pen – 40 mg / 0.8 mL

Abrilada is available in a carton containing two single-dose pens. Each single-dose pen contains a 1 mL prefilled glass syringe with a fixed thin wall, 29 gauge, ½ inch needle and a needle cover providing 40 mg of adalimumab dissolved in 0.8 mL sterile solution (50 mg/mL). The syringe plunger stopper and needle cover are not made with natural rubber latex.

Prefilled Syringe – 40 mg / 0.8 mL

Abrilada is available as a prefilled syringe in a carton containing two dose trays. The dose tray contains a single-dose, 1 mL prefilled glass syringe with a fixed thin wall, 29 gauge, ½ inch needle and a needle cover providing 40 mg of adalimumab dissolved in 0.8 mL sterile solution (50 mg/mL). The syringe plunger stopper and needle cover are not made with natural rubber latex.

Prefilled Syringe – 20 mg / 0.4 mL (for pediatric use only)

Abrilada is also available as a prefilled syringe in a carton containing two dose trays. Each dose tray contains a single-dose, 1 mL prefilled glass syringe with a fixed thin wall, 29 gauge, ½ inch needle and a needle cover providing 20 mg of adalimumab dissolved in 0.4 mL sterile solution (50 mg/mL). The syringe plunger stopper and needle cover are not made with natural rubber latex.

Prefilled Syringe – 10 mg / 0.2 mL (for pediatric use only)

Abrilada is also available as a prefilled syringe in a carton containing two dose trays. Each dose tray contains a single-dose, 1 mL prefilled glass syringe with a fixed thin wall, 29 gauge, ½ inch needle and a needle cover providing 10 mg of adalimumab dissolved in 0.2 mL sterile solution (50 mg/mL). The syringe plunger stopper and needle cover are not made with natural rubber latex.

Vial – 40 mg / 0.8 mL (for pediatric use only)

Abrilada vial is available in a carton containing two boxes. Each box contains one empty sterile injection syringe, one sterile needle, one sterile vial adapter and one single-dose 2 mL clear glass vial with a 13 mm stopper and seal with a flip-off cap providing 40 mg of adalimumab dissolved in 0.8 mL sterile solution (50 mg/mL). The vial stopper is not made with natural rubber latex.

Description

Abrilada (adalimumab injection) is an IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody (mAb) with two identical heavy (H) chains and two identical light (L) chains, covalently linked with four inter-chain disulfide bonds.  It is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), capable of binding to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α or TNF) and blocking its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors, thereby neutralizing the effect of TNF found in inflammatory conditions.

Please see 3 SERIOUS WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS BOX.

General

Concurrent Administration of Biologic DMARDs or TNF-Antagonists

Serious infections were seen in clinical studies with concurrent use of anakinra (an interleukin-1 antagonist) and another TNF-blocking agent, etanercept, with no added benefit compared to etanercept alone. Because of the nature of the adverse events seen with the combination of etanercept and anakinra, similar toxicities may also result from the combination of anakinra and other TNF-blocking agents. Therefore, the combination of Abrilada and anakinra is not recommended. See (9 DRUG INTERACTIONS, 9.4 Drug-Drug Interactions injection).

Concomitant administration of Abrilada with other biologic DMARDs (e.g., anakinra and abatacept) or other TNF antagonists is not recommended based upon the increased risk for infections and other potential pharmacological interactions. See (9 DRUG INTERACTIONS, 9.4 Drug-Drug Interactions).

Switching Between Biological DMARDs

When switching from one biologic to another, patients should continue to be monitored for signs of infection.

Surgery

There is limited safety experience of surgical procedures in patients treated with adalimumab. The long half-life of adalimumab should be taken into consideration if a surgical procedure is planned. A patient who requires surgery while on Abrilada should be closely monitored for infections, and appropriate actions should be taken. There is limited safety experience in patients undergoing arthroplasty while receiving adalimumab.

Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis

Long-term animal studies of adalimumab have not been conducted to evaluate the carcinogenic potential or its effect on fertility. No clastogenic or mutagenic effects of adalimumab were observed in the in vivo mouse micronucleus test or the Salmonella-Escherichia coli (Ames) assay, respectively. See (16 NON-CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY, Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity, In vitro Genotoxicity).

Cardiovascular

Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

Cases of worsening congestive heart failure (CHF) and new onset CHF have been reported with TNF-blockers. Cases of worsening CHF have also been observed with adalimumab. Adalimumab has not been formally studied in patients with CHF; however, in clinical trials of another TNF-blocker, a higher rate of serious CHF-related adverse events was observed. Physicians should exercise caution when using Abrilada in patients who have heart failure and monitor them carefully. Abrilada is contraindicated in moderate to severe heart failure (see 2 CONTRAINDICATIONS).

Gastrointestinal

Small Bowel Obstruction

Failure to respond to treatment for Crohn’s disease may indicate the presence of fixed fibrotic stricture that may require surgical treatment. Available data suggest that adalimumab does not worsen or cause strictures.

Hematologic

Rare reports of pancytopenia, including aplastic anemia, have been reported with TNF-blocking agents. Adverse events of the hematologic system, including medically significant cytopenia (e.g., thrombocytopenia, leukopenia) have been infrequently reported with adalimumab. The causal relationship of these reports to adalimumab remains unclear. All patients should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop signs and symptoms suggestive of blood dyscrasias (e.g., persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, pallor) while on Abrilada. Discontinuation of Abrilada therapy should be considered in patients with confirmed significant hematologic abnormalities.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Allergic reactions (e.g., allergic rash, anaphylactoid reaction, fixed drug reaction, non-specified drug reaction, urticaria) have been observed in approximately 1% of patients receiving adalimumab in clinical trials. See (8 ADVERSE REACTIONS). Reports of serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been received following adalimumab administration. If an anaphylactic reaction or other serious allergic reactions occur, administration of Abrilada should be discontinued immediately and appropriate therapy initiated.

Immune

Autoimmunity

Treatment with adalimumab may result in the formation of autoantibodies and rarely, in the development of a lupus-like syndrome. If a patient develops symptoms suggestive of a lupus-like syndrome following treatment with Abrilada, treatment should be discontinued. See (8 ADVERSE REACTIONS, 8.1 Adverse Reaction Overview, Autoantibodies).

Immunosuppression

The possibility exists for TNF-blocking agents, including adalimumab, to affect host defenses against infections and malignancies since TNF mediates inflammation and modulates cellular immune responses. In a study of 64 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with adalimumab, there was no evidence of depression of delayed-type hypersensitivity, depression of immunoglobulin levels, or change in enumeration of effector T-and B-cells and NK-cells, monocyte/macrophages, and neutrophils. The impact of treatment with adalimumab on the development and course of malignancies, as well as active and/or chronic infections, is not fully understood. See (7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Infections and Malignancies) and (8 ADVERSE REACTIONS, 8.1 Adverse Reaction Overview, Infections and Malignancies).

Immunizations

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 226 adult rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with adalimumab, antibody responses to concomitant pneumococcal and influenza vaccines were assessed. Protective antibody levels to the pneumococcal antigens were achieved by 86% of patients in the adalimumab group compared to 82% in the placebo group. A total of 37% of adalimumab-treated patients and 40% of placebo-treated patients achieved at least a 2-fold increase in antibody titer to at least three out of five pneumococcal antigens. In the same study, 98% of patients in the adalimumab group and 95% in the placebo group achieved protective antibody levels to the influenza antigens. A total of 52% of adalimumab-treated patients and 63% of placebo-treated patients achieved at least a 4-fold increase in antibody titer to at least two out of three influenza antigens.

It is recommended that pediatric patients, if possible, be brought up to date with all immunizations in agreement with current immunization guidelines prior to initiating Abrilada therapy.

Patients on Abrilada may receive concurrent vaccinations, except for live vaccines. No data are available on the secondary transmission of infection by live vaccines in patients receiving adalimumab.

Administration of live vaccines to infants exposed to adalimumab in utero is not recommended for five months following the mother’s last Abrilada injection during pregnancy. See (7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, 7.1 Special Populations, 7.1.1 Pregnant Women).

Infections

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, including reactivation and new onset of tuberculosis, has been reported in patients receiving adalimumab. Reports included cases of pulmonary and extrapulmonary (i.e., disseminated) tuberculosis. Before initiation, during and after treatment with Abrilada, patients should be evaluated for active and inactive (“latent”) tuberculosis infection with a tuberculin skin test. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infections should be initiated prior to therapy with Abrilada. When tuberculin skin testing is performed for latent tuberculosis infection, an induration size of 5 mm or greater should be considered positive, even if vaccinated previously with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG).

If active tuberculosis is diagnosed, Abrilada therapy must not be initiated.

The possibility of undetected latent tuberculosis should be considered, especially in patients who have immigrated from or travelled to countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis or who had close contact with a person with active tuberculosis. If latent infection is diagnosed, appropriate treatment must be started with anti-tuberculosis prophylactic treatment, in accordance with the Canadian Tuberculosis Standards and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, before the initiation of Abrilada. Use of anti-tuberculosis prophylactic treatment should also be considered before the initiation of Abrilada in patients with several or significant risk factors for tuberculosis despite a negative test for tuberculosis and in patients with a past history of latent or active tuberculosis in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed. The decision to initiate anti-tuberculosis therapy in these patients should only be made after taking into account both the risk for latent tuberculosis infection and the risks of anti-tuberculosis therapy. If necessary, consultation should occur with a physician with expertise in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Despite prophylactic treatment for tuberculosis, cases of reactivated tuberculosis have occurred in patients receiving adalimumab. Also, active tuberculosis has developed in patients receiving adalimumab whose screening for latent tuberculosis infection was negative, and some patients who have been successfully treated for active tuberculosis have redeveloped active tuberculosis while being treated with TNF-blocking agents.

Patients receiving Abrilada should be monitored for signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis, particularly because tests for latent tuberculosis infection may be falsely negative. The risk of false negative tuberculin skin test results should be considered, especially in patients who are severely ill or immunocompromised. Patients should be instructed to seek medical advice if signs/symptoms suggestive of a tuberculosis infection (e.g., persistent cough, wasting/weight loss, low grade fever, listlessness) occur during or after therapy with Abrilada, and physicians should monitor for signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis, including patients who are tuberculosis skin test negative.

Other Opportunistic Infections

Opportunistic infections, including invasive fungal infections, have been observed in patients receiving adalimumab. These infections are not consistently recognized in patients taking TNF-blockers and this has resulted in delays in appropriate treatment, sometimes resulting in fatal outcomes.

Patients taking TNF-blockers are more susceptible to serious fungal infections such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, aspergillosis, candidiasis, and other opportunistic infections. Those who develop fever, malaise, weight loss, sweats, cough, dyspnea, and/or pulmonary infiltrates, or other serious systemic illness with or without concomitant shock should promptly seek medical attention for a diagnostic evaluation.

For patients who reside or travel in regions where mycoses are endemic, invasive fungal infections should be suspected if they develop the signs and symptoms of possible systemic fungal infection. Patients are at risk of histoplasmosis and other invasive fungal infections and hence clinicians should consider empiric antifungal treatment until the pathogen(s) are identified. Antigen and antibody testing for histoplasmosis may be negative in some patients with active infection. When feasible, the decision to administer empiric antifungal therapy in these patients should be made in consultation with a physician with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal infections and should take into account both the risk for severe fungal infection and the risks of antifungal therapy. Patients who develop a severe fungal infection are also advised to stop the TNF-blocker until infections are controlled.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation

Very rare cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation have been associated with anti-TNF therapy. Clinically active HBV infection occurred following a latency period ranging from 3 to 20 months after initiation of therapy. In the majority of cases, patients were also taking other immunosuppressive drugs, including methotrexate, azathioprine, and/or corticosteroids. Hence, establishing a causal relationship to anti-TNF agents is confounded by the presence of these other medications. Where outcome information was provided, most patients were reported to have improved after antiviral treatment and/or discontinuation of the anti-TNF agent. However, fatal outcomes have also occurred in reported cases. Patients at risk of HBV infection should be evaluated for prior evidence of HBV infection before initiating anti-TNF therapy. Those identified as chronic carriers (i.e., surface antigen positive) should be monitored for signs and symptoms of active HBV infection throughout the course of therapy and for several months following discontinuation of therapy. Reactivation of HBV is not unique to anti-TNF-alpha agents and has been reported with other immunosuppressive drugs.

Malignancies

In the controlled portions of clinical trials of some TNF-blocking agents, including adalimumab, more cases of malignancies have been observed among patients receiving those TNF-blockers compared to control patients.

In the controlled and uncontrolled open-label portions of clinical trials of adalimumab, the more frequently observed malignancies, other than lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, were breast, colon, prostate, lung, and melanoma.

Cases of acute and chronic leukemia have been reported in association with post-marketing TNF-blocker use in rheumatoid arthritis and other indications. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may be at a higher risk (up to 2-fold) than the general population for the development of leukemia, even in the absence of TNF-blocking therapy.

Malignancies in Pediatric Patients and Young Adults

Malignancies, some fatal, have been reported among children, adolescents and young adults who received treatment with TNF-blocking agents (i.e., including adalimumab). Approximately half the cases were lymphomas, including Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The other cases represented a variety of different malignancies and included rare malignancies usually associated with immunosuppression and malignancies that are not usually observed in children and adolescents. The malignancies occurred after a median of 30 months of therapy (range 1 to 84 months). Most of the patients were receiving concomitant immunosuppressants. These cases were reported post-marketing and are derived from a variety of sources including registries and spontaneous post-marketing reports.

Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have been reported in patients treated with TNF-blockers including adalimumab. These cases have had a very aggressive disease course and have been fatal. The majority of reported TNF-blocker cases have occurred in patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and the majority were in adolescent and young adult males. Almost all of these patients had received treatment with the immunosuppressants azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) concomitantly with a TNF-blocker at or prior to diagnosis. It is uncertain whether the occurrence of HSTCL is related to use of a TNF-blocker or a TNF-blocker in combination with these other immunosuppressants. The potential risk with the combination of azathioprine or 6- mercaptopurine and Abrilada should be carefully considered.

No malignancies were observed in the indicated pediatric patient population with Crohn’s disease treated with adalimumab (n=102) for 52 weeks in a clinical trial.

No malignancies were observed in pediatric patients aged 3 to 17 years with active JIA-associated chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis who were treated with adalimumab (n=90, randomized 2:1 to adalimumab:placebo) for up to18 months in a clinical trial.

Treatment-emergent malignancies occurred in 2/480 adalimumab-treated UC patients in the double-blind controlled portion of two clinical trials (range of treatment duration from Weeks 0 to 52). The malignancies were squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cancer. Gastric cancer was considered serious and the patient discontinued as a result.

With current data it is not known if adalimumab treatment influences the risk for developing dysplasia or colon cancer. All patients with ulcerative colitis who are at risk for dysplasia or colon carcinoma (for example, patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis), or who had a prior history of dysplasia or colon carcinoma should be screened for dysplasia at regular intervals before therapy and throughout their disease course. This evaluation should include colonoscopy and biopsies per local recommendations.

Lymphoma

In the controlled portions of clinical trials of all the TNF-blocking agents, more cases of lymphoma have been observed among patients receiving TNF-blockers compared to control patients.

However, for adalimumab, the occurrence of lymphoma was rare, and the follow-up period of placebo patients was shorter than for patients receiving TNF-antagonist therapy. The size of the control group and limited duration of the controlled portions of studies precludes the ability to draw firm conclusions. Furthermore, there is an increased background lymphoma risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients with long-standing, highly active, inflammatory disease, which complicates the risk estimation.

In combining the controlled and uncontrolled open-label portions of the 23 clinical trials in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and uveitis, with a median duration of approximately 2.4 years, including 8764 patients and 27,196 patient-years of therapy, the observed rate of lymphomas (95% CI) is 1.2 [0.9, 1.7] per 1000 patient-years. This is approximately 3-fold higher than expected in the general population.

During the controlled and open-label periods of 14 trials with adalimumab, the overall standard incidence ratio (SIR) of malignancies was 0.99 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.81 to 1.20]. With current knowledge in this area, a possible risk for development of lymphomas or other malignancies in patients treated with a TNF-antagonist cannot be excluded.

No studies have been conducted that include patients with a history of malignancy or that continue treatment in patients who develop malignancy while receiving adalimumab. Additional caution should be exercised when considering Abrilada treatment in these patients.

Non-Lymphoma Malignancy

During the controlled portions of 21 adalimumab trials in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and uveitis, malignancies, other than lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, were observed at a rate (95% CI) of 6.9 (4.4, 10.6) per 1,000 patient-years among 5196 adalimumab-treated patients versus a rate of 6.4 (3.5, 11.9) per 1,000 patient-years among 3347 control patients (median duration of treatment of 4.0 months for adalimumab-treated patients and 3.9 months for control-treated patients).

During the controlled portions of 21 adalimumab rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and uveitis trials, the rate (95% CI) of non-melanoma skin cancers was 8.9 (6.1, 13.1) per 1,000 patient-years among adalimumab-treated patients and 3.2 (1.3, 7.7) per 1,000 patient-years among control patients. Of these skin cancers, squamous cell carcinomas occurred at rates (95% CI) of 2.7 (1.4, 5.5) per 1,000 patient-years among adalimumab-treated patients and 0.6 (0.1, 4.6) per 1,000 patient-years among control patients. The rate (95% CI) of lymphomas was 0.7 (0.2, 2.7) per 1,000 patient-years among adalimumab-treated patients and 0.6 (0.1, 4.6) per 1,000 patient-years among control patients.

The observed rate of malignancies, other than lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, is approximately (95% CI) 8.5 (7.4, 9.7) per 1,000 patient years in the controlled portion of clinical trials and in ongoing and completed open-label extension studies. The observed rate of non- melanoma skin cancers is (95% CI) approximately 9.6 (8.5, 10.9) per 1,000 patient years, and the observed rate of lymphomas is (95% CI) approximately 1.3 (0.9, 1.8) per 1,000 patient years. The median duration of these studies is approximately 3.3 years and included 6276 adult patients who were on adalimumab for at least one year or who developed a malignancy within a year of starting therapy, representing over 26,044 patient years of therapy.

All patients, and in particular psoriasis patients with a medical history of extensive immunosuppressant therapy or psoriasis patients with a history of Psoralen Ultra-Violet A (PUVA) treatment should be examined for the presence of non-melanoma skin cancer prior to and during treatment with Abrilada.

Monitoring and Laboratory Tests

There is no known interference between adalimumab and laboratory tests. 

Neurologic

Use of TNF-blocking agents, including adalimumab, has been associated with rare cases of new onset or exacerbation of clinical symptoms and/or radiographic evidence of demyelinating disease, including multiple sclerosis, and optic neuritis, and peripheral demyelinating disease, including Guillain-Barré syndrome. Prescribers should exercise caution in considering the use of Abrilada in patients with preexisting or recent onset central nervous system demyelinating disorders; discontinuation of Abrilada should be considered if any of these disorders develop.

There is a known association between intermediate uveitis and central demyelinating disorders. Neurologic evaluation should be performed in patients with non-infectious intermediate uveitis prior to the initiation of Abrilada therapy to assess for pre-existing central demyelinating disorders.

7.1 Special Populations

7.1.1 Pregnant Women

The extent of exposure in pregnancy during clinical trials is very limited, consisting only of individual cases.

An embryo-fetal perinatal developmental toxicity study has been performed in cynomolgus monkeys at dosages up to 100 mg/kg (266 times human area under the curve (AUC) when given 40 mg adalimumab subcutaneously with methotrexate every week, or 373 times human AUC when given 40 mg adalimumab subcutaneously without methotrexate) and has revealed no evidence of harm to the fetuses due to adalimumab. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction and developmental studies are not always predictive of human response, Abrilada should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

In a prospective cohort pregnancy exposure registry, conducted by the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS)/MotherToBaby in the U.S. and Canada between 2004 and 2016, the risk of major birth defects in live-born infants was compared in 69 women with RA and 152 women with CD treated with adalimumab at least during the first trimester with 74 women with RA and 32 women with CD not treated with adalimumab during pregnancy. The proportion of major birth defects among live-born infants in the adalimumab-treated and untreated cohorts was 10% (8.7% RA, 10.5% CD) and 7.5% (6.8% RA, 9.4% CD), respectively.

No pattern of major birth defects was observed. This study cannot reliably establish whether there is an association between adalimumab and the risk for major birth defects because of methodological limitations of the registry, including small sample size, the voluntary nature of the study, and the non-randomized design.

Adalimumab may cross the placenta into the serum of infants born to women treated with adalimumab during pregnancy. Consequently, these infants may be at increased risk for infection. Administration of live vaccines to infants exposed to adalimumab in utero is not recommended for five months following the mother’s last adalimumab injection during pregnancy.

Labor and Delivery

There are no known effects of adalimumab on labor or delivery.

7.1.2 Breast-feeding

Limited information from case reports in the published literature indicates the presence of adalimumab in human milk at concentrations of 0.1% to 1% of the maternal serum level. Published data suggest that the systemic exposure of adalimumab to a breastfed infant is expected to be low because adalimumab is a large molecule and is degraded in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the effects of local exposure in the gastrointestinal tract are unknown. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for adalimumab and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from adalimumab or from the underlying maternal condition.

7.1.3 Pediatrics

Polyarticular JIA

The efficacy and safety of adalimumab have been studied in pediatric patients aged 4 to 17 years (n=171) and 2 to 4 years (n=32). No overall differences were observed in the efficacy and safety between the two age groups. Adalimumab has not been studied in pediatric patients with polyarticular JIA less than 2 years of age or in pediatric patients with a weight below 10 kg.

Pediatric Crohn’s Disease

The majority (102/192) of pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease studied were 13 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 40 kg.

Pediatric Uveitis

The efficacy and safety of adalimumab have been studied in pediatric patients with uveitis aged 2 to 17 years (n=90, randomized 2:1 to adalimumab: placebo). Very limited data are available for pediatric patients with uveitis between 2 and < 3 years of age. Serious adverse events were more frequent in children 4 years of age and younger.

Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

The efficacy and safety of adalimumab has been studied in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis aged 5 to 17 years (N = 93).

7.1.4 Geriatrics

A total of 519 rheumatoid arthritis patients 65 years of age and older, including 107 patients 75 years and older, received adalimumab in clinical Studies DE009, DE011, DE019 and DE031. No overall differences in effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients. The frequency of serious infection and malignancy among adalimumab-treated patients over age 65 was higher than for those under the age of 65. Because there is a higher incidence of infections and malignancies in the elderly population in general, caution should be used when treating the elderly.

The adverse drug reaction profiles reported in clinical studies that compared Abrilada to the reference biologic drug were comparable. The description of adverse reactions in this section is based on clinical experience with the reference biologic drug.

8.1 Adverse Reaction Overview

The most serious adverse reactions were [see (7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS)]:

• serious infections
• neurologic events
• malignancies

The most common adverse reaction in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with adalimumab was injection site reactions. In controlled trials for rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular JIA, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult and pediatric Crohn’s disease, adult and pediatric ulcerative colitis, adult hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and adult uveitis, 13% of patients treated with adalimumab developed injection site reactions (erythema and/or itching, hemorrhage, pain or swelling), compared to 7% of patients receiving control treatment. Most injection site reactions were described as mild and generally did not necessitate drug discontinuation.

The proportion of rheumatoid arthritis patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse events during the double-blind, placebo-controlled portion of rheumatoid arthritis Studies DE009, DE011, DE019 and DE031 was 7.0% for patients taking adalimumab, and 4.0% for placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse events leading to discontinuation of adalimumab were clinical flare reaction (0.7%), rash (0.3%) and pneumonia (0.3%).

Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in placebo-controlled studies, deaths occurred in 8 of 1,380 (0.58%) adalimumab-treated patients compared to 1 of 690 (0.14%) placebo-treated patients. The rate of deaths in both treatment arms is less than expected in the normal population with a standard mortality ratio (SMR) of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.38, 1.72) in the adalimumab group and 0.25 (95% CI, 0.00, 1.37) in the placebo group.

In Study DE019, 553 patients were exposed to at least one dose of adalimumab and 202 patients completed 10 years of study. A total of 24 patients died during the 10-year exposure period to adalimumab (4 during the double-blind phase, 14 during the open-label extension phase and an additional 6 after study drug termination). Among the treatment-emergent deaths, the most common reasons were: 4 sepsis, 3 cancers and 3 respiratory system events. However, the total number of deaths was not higher than that calculated according to age-adjusted Standardized Mortality Rates.

Of the 553 patients, 23.0% discontinued due to an adverse event. The most common adverse events associated with discontinuation of study drug were pneumonia and breast cancer (n = 5 each). Fatigue, pneumonia, cellulitis, and histoplasmosis (n = 3 each) were the most common treatment-related adverse events leading to discontinuation of study drug.

In total, 49% of patients treated with adalimumab experienced a serious adverse event; 15.7% were considered at least possibly related to study drug. The most common serious adverse events were rheumatoid arthritis disease flare (n = 35, 6.3%), pneumonia (n = 26, 4.7%) and myocardial infarction (n = 10, 1.8%); of these, only pneumonia was considered to be at least possibly related to study drug.

The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events were infections (total n = 448, 81%; serious n = 85, 15.4%) and injection site reactions (n = 115, 20.8%).

Adverse events of special interest among the 553 patients included 35 patients with malignancies other than non-melanoma skin cancer (including 5 cases of lymphoma); and 3 patients with tuberculosis. Serious adverse events of special interest included 5 patients each with pulmonary embolism and diverticulitis; 2 patients with multiple sclerosis; and 1 patient with hypersensitivity reaction.

Adalimumab has also been studied in 542 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (disease duration less than three years) who were methotrexate naïve (Study DE013). No new safety signals were seen in this patient population compared to the safety profile seen in adalimumab Studies DE009, DE011, DE019 and DE031. In this study, deaths occurred in 5 of 542 (0.92%) adalimumab-treated patients compared to 1 of 257 (0.39%) methotrexate-treated patients. The rate of deaths in both treatment arms is less than expected in the normal population with a standard mortality ratio (SMR) of 0.57 (95% CI, 0.18, 1.32) in the adalimumab group and 0.22 (95% CI, 0.00, 1.23) in the methotrexate group.

Adalimumab has also been studied in 395 patients with psoriatic arthritis in two placebo-controlled studies and in an open-label extension study, in 393 patients with ankylosing spondylitis in two placebo-controlled studies and in over 1,500 patients with Crohn’s disease in five placebo-controlled and two open-label extension studies. The safety profile for patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with adalimumab 40 mg every other week was similar to the safety profile seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, adalimumab Studies DE009, DE011, DE019, DE031 and DE013. During the controlled period of the psoriatic arthritis studies, no deaths occurred in the adalimumab-treated or placebo-treated patients. During the psoriatic arthritis open-label study, two deaths occurred in 382 patients with 795.7 patient-years of exposure. The rate of deaths is less than expected in the normal population with a standard mortality ratio (SMR) of 0.39 (95% CI, 0.04, 1.43). Among patients enrolled in the psoriasis open-label study, 5 deaths occurred in 1,468 patients with 4,068.6 patient-years of exposure.

Adalimumab has also been studied in 1,010 adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (M06-826, 8 weeks and M06-827, 52 weeks) and an open-label extension study. No new safety signals were seen in the adult ulcerative colitis patient population. During the controlled period of the adult ulcerative colitis studies, no deaths occurred in the adalimumab-treated or placebo-treated patients. In the overall adalimumab adult ulcerative colitis development program of 1,010 patients with 2007.4 patient years of exposure (622 patients were treated for >1 year), 2 treatment-emergent deaths occurred during the long-term open-label extension study (cardio-respiratory arrest and right ventricular failure). There were no new safety signals compared to the known safety profile of adalimumab in the double-blind controlled portion of adult ulcerative colitis studies.

Adalimumab has also been studied in 727 adult patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies and an open-label extension study. No deaths were reported during the placebo-control periods. In the overall adalimumab hidradenitis suppurativa development program of 727 patients with 635.7 patient years of exposure (281 patients were treated for >1 year), 2 treatment-emergent deaths occurred (cardio-respiratory arrest and autoimmune pancreatitis). No new safety signals were seen in the hidradenitis suppurativa adult patient population.

Adalimumab has also been studied in 464 adult patients with uveitis in two randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled studies (M10-877 and M10-880) and an open-label extension study (M11-327). No new safety signals for adalimumab were identified in the uveitis adult patient population. In the overall adult adalimumab uveitis development program of 464 adalimumab adult patients with 1308.2 patient-years of exposure, 6 treatment-emergent deaths were reported (chronic renal failure, aortic dissection/acute tamponade, B-cell lymphoma, brain abscess, pancreatic carcinoma, and accident). Two deaths occurred during the controlled period of the adult uveitis studies and 4 during the open-label extension study.

Autoantibodies

Patients had serum samples tested for autoantibodies at multiple time points in Studies DE009, DE011, DE019, DE031 and DE013. In those rheumatoid arthritis controlled trials, 11.9% of patients treated with adalimumab and 8.1% of placebo- or active control-treated patients who had negative baseline antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers, developed positive titers at Week 24. Two patients out of 3441 treated with adalimumab developed clinical signs suggestive of new onset lupus-like syndrome. The patients improved following discontinuation of therapy. No patients developed lupus nephritis or central nervous system symptoms. The impact of long-term treatment with adalimumab on the development of autoimmune diseases is unknown.

Immunogenicity

Formation of anti-adalimumab antibodies is associated with increased clearance and reduced efficacy of adalimumab. There is no apparent correlation between the presence of anti-adalimumab antibodies and adverse events.

Pediatrics

In clinical trials with adalimumab therapy for polyarticular JIA, the proportion of patients achieving PedACR response was lower in anti-adalimumab antibody (AAA)-positive patients compared with AAA-negative patients.

In patients with polyarticular JIA who were 4 to 17 years (Study DE038), anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 27/171 subjects (15.8%) treated with adalimumab. In patients not given concomitant MTX, the incidence was 22/86 (25.6%), compared to 5/85 (5.9%) when adalimumab was used as add-on to MTX. In patients with polyarticular JIA who were 2 to <4 years of age or 4 years of age and older weighing <15 kg (Study M10-444), anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 7% (1/15) of patients, and the one patient was receiving concomitant MTX.

In patients 13 to 17 years of age with severely active Crohn’s disease, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 3.5% (4/114) of patients receiving adalimumab.

In patients 5 to 17 years of age with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 3% (3/100) of patients receiving adalimumab.

Adults

Rheumatoid arthritis patients in Studies DE009, DE011, and DE019 were tested at multiple time points for antibodies to adalimumab during the 6- to 12-month period. Approximately 5% (58/1062) of adult rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving adalimumab developed low-titer antibodies to adalimumab at least once during treatment, which were neutralizing in vitro. Patients treated with concomitant methotrexate had a lower rate of antibody development than patients on adalimumab monotherapy (1% versus 12%). With monotherapy, patients receiving every other week dosing may develop antibodies more frequently than those receiving weekly dosing. In patients receiving the recommended dosage of 40 mg every other week as monotherapy, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR 20) response was lower among antibody-positive patients than among antibody-negative patients. The long-term immunogenicity of adalimumab is unknown.

In patients with psoriatic arthritis, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 38/376 patients (10%) treated with adalimumab. In patients not given concomitant methotrexate, the incidence was 13.5% (24/178 patients), compared to 7% (14/198 patients) when adalimumab was used as add-on to methotrexate.

In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 17/204 patients (8.3%) treated with adalimumab. In patients not given concomitant methotrexate, the incidence was 16/185 (8.6%), compared to 1/19 (5.3%) when adalimumab was used as add-on to methotrexate.

In patients with Crohn’s disease, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 2.6% (7/269) of patients receiving adalimumab.

In patients with ulcerative colitis, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 5.0% (19/379) of patients receiving adalimumab. The clinical significance of this is unknown.

In patients with moderate to severe HS, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 10/99 patients (10.1%) treated with adalimumab.

In patients with psoriasis, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 77/920 patients (8.4%) treated with adalimumab monotherapy.

In patients with plaque psoriasis, the rate of antibody development with adalimumab monotherapy was 8%. However, due to the limitation of the assay conditions, antibodies to adalimumab could be detected only when serum adalimumab levels were < 2 mcg/mL. Among these patients whose serum adalimumab levels were < 2 mcg/mL (approximately 40% of total patients studied), the immunogenicity rate was 20.7%. In patients with plaque psoriasis on long-term adalimumab monotherapy who participated in a withdrawal and retreatment study and whose serum adalimumab levels were < 2 mcg/mL (approximately 12% of total patients studied), the immunogenicity rate was 16%; the overall rate of antibody development prior to withdrawal was 1.9%, and 2.3% after retreatment.

In patients with non-infectious uveitis, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 4.8% (12/249) of patients treated with adalimumab. However, due to the limitation of the assay conditions, antibodies to adalimumab could be detected only when serum adalimumab levels were < 2 mcg/mL. Among the patients whose serum adalimumab levels were < 2 mcg/mL (approximately 23% of total patients studied), the immunogenicity rate was 21.1%.

The data reflect the percentage of patients whose test results were considered positive for antibodies to adalimumab in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and are highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to adalimumab with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.

Infections

Adults

In 23 controlled trials for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and uveitis, the rate of infection was 147.4 per 100 patient-years in 5630 adalimumab-treated patients and 142.7 per 100 patient-years in 3587 control-treated patients. The infections consisted primarily of nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and sinusitis. Most patients continued on adalimumab after the infection resolved.

The incidence of serious infections was 3.4 per 100 patient-years in adalimumab-treated patients and 3.2 per 100 patient-years in placebo and active control-treated patients.

In controlled and open-label studies with adalimumab, serious infections such as legionellosis (0.02 per 100 patient-years) have been reported. No cases of listeriosis have been reported and therefore, an estimated rate of 0.01 per 100 patient-years was calculated. Both infections have been reported spontaneously during the post-marketing period.

In controlled and open-label studies with adalimumab, serious infections (including fatal infections, which occurred rarely) have been reported, which include reports of tuberculosis (including miliary and extra-pulmonary locations) and invasive opportunistic infections (e.g., disseminated histoplasmosis, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and aspergillosis). Most of the cases of tuberculosis occurred within the first eight months after initiation of therapy and may reflect recrudescence of latent disease.

In the double-blind controlled portion of two clinical trials with adalimumab in patients with UC, serious infections occurred in 4/480 patients treated with adalimumab; they were appendicitis (n=1), anal abscess (n=1), catheter sepsis (n=1) and salmonellosis (n=1). Serious infections occurred in 8 placebo patients. Opportunistic infections occurred in 7/480 patients treated with adalimumab; they were candidiasis (n=3), oesophageal candidiasis (n=1) and oral candidiasis (n=3). Opportunistic infections occurred in 3 placebo patients.

In the double-blind controlled portion of three clinical trials with adalimumab in patients with HS, serious infections occurred in 4/419 patients treated with adalimumab; they were Escherichia infection (n=1), genital infection bacterial (n=1), infection (n=1), pilonidal cyst (n=1) and pyelonephritis (n=1). Serious infections occurred in 2/366 placebo patients.

In the double-masked controlled portion of two clinical trials with adalimumab in patients with uveitis, serious infections occurred in 7/250 (2.8%) patients treated with adalimumab; they were pneumonia (n = 2), and 1 each of bronchitis, pilonidal cyst, pneumonia Legionella, tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract infection and urinary tract infection. Serious infections occurred in 4/250 (1.6%) placebo patients. Opportunistic infections occurred in 7/250 patients treated with adalimumab; they were active tuberculosis (n = 1), latent tuberculosis (n = 4) and oral candidiasis (n = 2). Latent tuberculosis occurred in 1 placebo-treated patient. In the open-label extension study (M11-327), the exposure-adjusted incidence rate of serious infections was increased in patients who received concomitant systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants in addition to treatment with adalimumab.

Pediatrics

In a controlled trial for polyarticular JIA (Study DE038), the rate of adverse events of infections was 238.5 per 100 patient-years in the adalimumab-treated JIA patients compared to 269.5 per 100 patient-years in control (placebo) treated patients, and the rate of serious infections was 6.1 per 100 patient-years in the adalimumab-treated JIA patients compared to 0 events in control (placebo) treated patients.

In an open-label trial for polyarticular JIA (Study M10-444), the rate of adverse events of infections was 206.2 per 100 patient-years while receiving adalimumab and the rate of serious infections was 6.7 per 100 patient-years while receiving adalimumab.

In a randomized double-blind trial (M06-806) for the indicated pediatric patient population with Crohn’s disease, the rate of infections was 161.4 per 100 patient-years for the High-Dose group and 225.9 per 100 patient-years for the Low-Dose group. The rates of serious infections were 9.5 per 100 patient-years for the High-Dose group and 3.7 per 100 patient-years for the Low-Dose group. The rates of infections were 55.8% (29/52) and 52.0% (26/50) for High-Dose and Low-Dose groups, respectively. The rates of serious infections were 5.8% (3/52) and 2.0% (1/50) for High-Dose and Low-Dose groups, respectively and included anal abscess, gastroenteritis, and histoplasmosis disseminated in the High-Dose group and Bartholin’s abscess in the Low-Dose group.

In a randomized controlled trial (SYCAMORE) for pediatric patients with active JIA-associated chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis, the rate of adverse events of infections was 236.4 per 100 patient-years (77%) for the adalimumab-treated group compared to 164.5 per 100 patient-years (40%) for the control (placebo) group. The rate of serious infections was 17.1 per 100 patient-years (13%) in the adalimumab-treated uveitis patients compared to 0 events in control (placebo) treated patients.

In a randomized controlled trial for pediatric patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, the rate of adalimumab treatment-emergent adverse events of infections was 117.9 per 100 patient-years of overall adalimumab exposure in the trial, occurring in 47.3% of patients. The rate of adalimumab treatment-emergent serious infections was 7.7 per 100 patient-years of overall adalimumab exposure, occurring in 5.4% of patients.

Injection Site Reactions

In controlled trials in adults and children, 13% of patients treated with adalimumab developed injection site reactions (erythema and/or itching, hemorrhage, pain or swelling), compared to 7% of patients receiving placebo or active control. Injection site reactions generally did not necessitate discontinuation of the medicinal product.

Malignancies

More cases of malignancy have been observed in adalimumab-treated patients compared to control-treated patients in clinical trials. See (7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Malignancies).

Neurologic Events

In 21 controlled trials for adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and psoriasis the rate of new onset or exacerbation of central nervous system demyelinating disease (including multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis) and peripheral demyelinating disease (including Guillain-Barre syndrome) was less than 0.4 per 1000 patient-years in 5,380 adalimumab-treated patients and 0.7 per 1000 patient-years in 3,337 control-treated patients. In controlled and open-label studies for adult patients treated with adalimumab, the rate (95% CI) of demyelinating diseases was 0.7 (0.4, 1.1) per 1000 patient-years. Demyelinating diseases were reported spontaneously during the post-marketing period.

In the double-masked controlled portion of two clinical trials with adalimumab in adult patients with uveitis, 1 (0.4%) case of multiple sclerosis was reported in 250 patients treated with adalimumab. In the adult uveitis development program including the open-label study, the rate (95% CI) of demyelinating diseases (i.e., multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis) was 5.4 (2.0, 11.0) per 1000 patient-years.

See (7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Neurologic Events).

Psoriasis: New Onset and Worsening

Cases of new onset psoriasis, including pustular psoriasis and palmoplantar psoriasis, and cases of worsening of pre-existing psoriasis have been reported with the use of TNF-blockers, including adalimumab. Many of these patients were taking concomitant immunosuppressants (e.g., methotrexate, corticosteroids). Some of these patients required hospitalization. Most patients had improvement of their psoriasis following discontinuation of their TNF-blocker. Some patients have had recurrences of the psoriasis when they were re- challenged with a different TNF-blocker. Discontinuation of Abrilada should be considered for severe cases and those that do not improve or that worsen despite topical treatments.

Liver Enzyme Elevations

In controlled Phase 3 trials of adalimumab (40 mg subcutaneous every other week), in patients with RA and PsA with a control period duration ranging from 4 to 104 weeks, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations ≥ 3 x ULN occurred in 3.7% of adalimumab-treated patients and 1.6% of control-treated patients. Since many of the patients in these trials were also taking medications that cause liver enzyme elevations (e.g., NSAIDS, MTX), the relationship between adalimumab and the liver enzyme elevations is not clear.

In controlled Phase 3 trials of adalimumab (initial doses of 160 mg and 80 mg, or 80 mg and 40 mg on Days 1 and 15, respectively, followed by 40 mg every other week), in adult patients with Crohn’s disease with a control period duration ranging from 4 to 52 weeks, ALT elevations ≥ 3 x ULN occurred in 0.9% of adalimumab-treated patients and 0.9% of control-treated patients.

In controlled Phase 3 trials of adalimumab (initial doses of 160 mg and 80 mg on Days 1 and 15, respectively, followed by 40 mg every other week), in adult patients with UC with a control period duration ranging from 1 to 52 weeks, ALT elevations ≥ 3 x ULN occurred in 1.5% of adalimumab-treated patients and 1.0% of control-treated patients. The incidence of ALT elevations ≥5 x ULN was 0.5% in adalimumab-treated patients and 0.2% in control-treated patients.

In controlled Phase 3 trials of adalimumab (initial dose of 80 mg then 40 mg every other week), in patients with plaque psoriasis with a control period duration ranging from 12 to 24 weeks, ALT elevations ≥ 3 x ULN occurred in 1.8% of adalimumab-treated patients and 1.8% of control-treated patients.

In controlled Phase 3 trials of adalimumab (40 mg every other week), in patients with ankylosing spondylitis with a control period of 12 to 24 weeks, ALT elevations ≥ 3 x ULN occurred in 2.4% of adalimumab-treated patients and 0.7% of control-treated patients.

In controlled trials of adalimumab (initial doses of 160 mg at Week 0 and 80 mg at Week 2, followed by 40 mg every week starting at Week 4), in adult patients with hidradenitis suppurativa with a control period duration ranging from 12 to 16 weeks, ALT elevations ≥ 3 x ULN occurred in 0.3% of adalimumab-treated patients and 0.6% of control-treated patients.

In controlled Phase 3 trials of adalimumab (initial doses of 80 mg at Week 0 followed by 40 mg every other week starting at Week 1) in patients with uveitis with an exposure of 165.4 patient-years and 119.8 patient-years in adalimumab-treated and control-treated patients, respectively, ALT elevations ≥ 3 x ULN occurred in 2.4% of adalimumab-treated patients and 2.4% of control-treated patients.

In the controlled Phase 3 trial of adalimumab in patients with pediatric ulcerative colitis (N = 93) which evaluated efficacy and safety of a maintenance dose of 0.6 mg/kg (maximum of 40 mg) every other week (N = 31) and a maintenance dose of 0.6 mg/kg (maximum of 40 mg) every week (N = 32), following body weight adjusted induction dosing of 2.4 mg/kg (maximum of 160 mg) at Week 0 and Week 1, and 1.2 mg/kg (maximum of 80 mg) at Week 2 (N = 63), or an induction dose of 2.4 mg/kg (maximum of 160 mg) at Week 0, placebo at Week 1, and 1.2 mg/kg (maximum of 80 mg) at Week 2 (N = 30), ALT elevations ≥ 3 X ULN occurred in 1.1% (1/93) of patients.

Across all adult indications in clinical trials, patients with raised ALT were asymptomatic and in most cases elevations were transient and resolved on continued treatment. However, there have been very rare postmarketing reports of severe hepatic reactions including liver failure as well as less severe liver disorders that may precede liver failure, such as hepatitis including autoimmune hepatitis, in patients receiving TNF blockers, including adalimumab. The causal relationship to adalimumab treatment remains unclear.

Concurrent treatment with azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine

In adult Crohn’s disease studies, higher incidences of malignant and serious infection-related adverse events were seen with the combination of adalimumab and azathioprine/6- mercaptopurine compared with adalimumab alone.

8.2 Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions

Clinical trials are conducted under very specific conditions.  The adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials; therefore, may not reflect the rates observed in practice and should not be compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug. Adverse reaction information from clinical trials may be useful in identifying and approximating rates of adverse drug reactions in real-world use.

Adults

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Description of Data Sources

The data described below reflect exposure to adalimumab in 3,046 patients, including more than 2,000 patients exposed for six months, and more than 1,500 exposed for more than one year (Studies DE009, DE011, DE019, DE031 and DE013). Adalimumab was studied in placebo- controlled trials and in long-term follow-up studies for up to 60 months duration in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who had failed previous DMARD therapy; the mean age was 54 years, 77% were female and 91% Caucasian (Studies DE009, DE011, DE019, DE031). A further study (Study DE013) was in patients with recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis who had not previously been treated with methotrexate. Most patients received adalimumab 40 mg every other week.

Relative Frequency of Adverse Drug Reactions

Table 5 summarizes adverse drug reactions reported at a rate of at least 1% in patients treated with adalimumab 40 mg every other week, as well as all doses of adalimumab tested, compared to placebo or methotrexate (Study DE013). Adverse reaction rates in patients treated with adalimumab 40 mg weekly were similar to rates in patients treated with adalimumab every other week. In Study DE019, the types and frequencies of adverse drug reactions in the 10-year open-label extension were similar to those observed in the one-year double-blind portion.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Table 6 summarizes adverse drug reactions reported in placebo-controlled and open-label studies at a rate of at least 1% in psoriatic arthritis patients treated with adalimumab 40 mg every other week.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Adalimumab has been studied in 393 patients with ankylosing spondylitis in two placebo-controlled studies. The safety profile for patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with adalimumab 40 mg every other week was similar to the safety profile seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, adalimumab Studies DE009, DE011, DE019, and DE031. Table 7 summarizes adverse drug reactions reported at a rate of at least 1% in ankylosing spondylitis patients treated with adalimumab 40 mg every other week compared to placebo.

Crohn’s Disease

Adalimumab has been studied in over 1,500 patients with Crohn’s disease in five placebo-controlled and two open-label extension studies. The safety profile for patients with Crohn’s disease treated with adalimumab was similar to the safety profile seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis including the safety profile for patients in placebo-controlled Study M05-769. No new safety signals occurred during the open-label long-term studies with adalimumab exposure up to five years. The safety profile of adalimumab in Crohn’s disease remains unaltered.

Table 8 and Table 9 summarize adverse drug reactions reported at a rate of at least 1% in Crohn’s disease patients treated with adalimumab in induction and maintenance studies, respectively.

Ulcerative Colitis

Adalimumab has been studied in 1,010 adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in two placebo-controlled studies and one open-label extension study. The safety profile for adult patients with UC treated with adalimumab was similar to the safety profile observed in patients with Crohn’s Disease.

Table 10 and Table 11 summarize adverse drug reactions reported at a rate of at least 1% in adult ulcerative colitis disease patients treated with adalimumab during induction and maintenance periods, respectively.

Serious adverse events resulting in hospitalizations were reported by 18% (67/379) in the adalimumab-treated patients compared to 26% (56/214) in the placebo group adjusted for patient years at risk.

During the double-blind controlled clinical trials, the most common (≥5%) adverse drug reactions in adult subjects receiving adalimumab 160/80 during induction were ulcerative colitis (n=35, 7.3%) and nasopharyngitis (n=26, 5.4%), and during maintenance were ulcerative colitis (n=38, 16.2 %), nasopharyngitis (n=26, 11.1%), abdominal pain (n=17, 7.3%), and arthralgia (n=17, 7.3%). There were 2/480 adalimumab-treated patients who experienced severe leukopenia of which one case was serious. The patient with serious leukopenia, which was considered secondary to 6-MP, had an associated viral infection.

During the double-blind controlled clinical trials, the most common serious adverse event occurring in >1 patient more often in the adalimumab-treated patients compared to placebo when adjusted for exposure was deep vein thrombosis reported in 2 patients (4%, 1.12 events/100 patient-years).

During the double-blind controlled clinical trials, severe adverse events reported in >1 patient occurring more often in the adalimumab-treated patients compared to placebo when adjusted for exposure were deep vein thrombosis reported in 3 patients (0.6%, 1.68 events/100 patient-years), and constipation, leukopenia and fatigue, which were reported in 2 patients (0.4%, 1.12 events/100 patients-years).

The most common adverse event associated with discontinuation reported in >1 subject during induction and maintenance was ulcerative colitis [n=18 (3.8%) and n=8 (3.4%), respectively].

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Adalimumab has been studied in 727 adult patients with hidradenitis suppurativa in three placebo-controlled studies and one open-label extension study.

Table 12 summarizes adverse drug reactions reported at a rate of at least 1% in hidradenitis suppurativa patients treated with adalimumab during the placebo-controlled portion of the studies.

Psoriasis

Adalimumab has been studied in 1,696 patients with psoriasis in placebo-controlled and open-label extension studies. The safety profile for patients with psoriasis treated with adalimumab was similar to the safety profile seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Safety results of the long-term open-label study are consistent with the known safety profile of adalimumab in other psoriasis studies. Table 13 summarizes adverse drug reactions reported at a rate of at least 1% in psoriasis patients treated with an initial dose of adalimumab 80 mg followed by adalimumab 40 mg every other week compared to placebo or methotrexate.

Uveitis

Adalimumab has been studied in 500 adult patients with uveitis in two placebo-controlled studies and one open-label extension study. The safety profile for adult patients with uveitis treated with adalimumab was consistent with the known safety profile of adalimumab. Safety results of the long-term open-label study are generally consistent with the known safety profile of adalimumab in the controlled uveitis studies; the exposure-adjusted incidence rates of severe and serious adverse events (including serious infections) were higher in patients who received concomitant systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Table 14 summarizes adverse drug reactions reported at a rate of at least 1% in adult patients with uveitis treated with an initial dose of adalimumab 80 mg followed by adalimumab 40 mg every other week compared to placebo.

During the double-masked controlled clinical trials, the most common (≥ 5%) adverse drug reactions in adult subjects receiving adalimumab were nasopharyngitis (n = 44, 17.6%), arthralgia (n = 38, 15.2%), headache (n = 30, 12.0%), fatigue (n = 26, 10.4%), urinary tract infection (n = 21, 8.4%), uveitis (n = 20, 8.0%), back pain (n = 19, 7.6%), insomnia (n = 18, 7.2%), cough (n = 18, 7.2%), eye pain (n = 18, 7.2%), and upper respiratory tract infection (n = 15, 6.0%).

During the double-masked controlled clinical trials, the most common serious adverse event occurring in >1 patient more often in the adalimumab-treated patients compared to placebo was pneumonia (n = 2). During the overall adalimumab uveitis development program, including the double-masked controlled, and open-label extension trials, the most frequently reported serious adverse event was cataract (n = 7 patients).

During the double-masked controlled clinical trials, severe adverse events reported in >1 patient occurring more often in the adalimumab-treated patients compared to placebo were diarrhea (n = 2) and pneumonia (n = 2). During the overall adalimumab uveitis development program, including the double-masked controlled, and open-label extension trials, the most common severe adverse events reported were hypertension (n = 5 patients), pneumonia, urinary tract infection, reduced visual acuity and severe vision loss (n = 4 patients each).

Other Common Clinical Trial Adverse Drug Reactions

Other clinical trial adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of ≥ 1% that were observed among the various indications include:

Eye Disorders:                                  conjunctivitis, visual impairment

Renal and Urinary Disorders:      hematuria, renal impairment

8.2.1 Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions – Pediatrics

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis 

In Study DE038, adalimumab was studied in 171 patients aged 4 to 17 years with polyarticular JIA. Serious adverse events were observed in 28% of patients treated with adalimumab and included neutropenia, streptococcal pharyngitis, increased aminotransferases, herpes zoster, myositis, metrorrhagia and appendicitis. Serious infections were observed in 6.4% of patients treated with adalimumab and included cases of herpes zoster, appendicitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, streptococcal pharyngitis, viral infection and cervicitis. A total of 45% of patients experienced an infection while receiving adalimumab with or without concomitant MTX in the first 16 weeks of treatment (see 7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Infections). Granuloma annulare was reported in two patients (see 7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Malignancies).

During the double-blind phase of Study DE038, the most common (≥5%) adverse reactions occurring in the JIA population treated with adalimumab were viral infection (18%), injection site pain (18%), upper respiratory tract infection (16%), injection site reaction (15%), contusion (13%), excoriation (10%), rhinitis (7%), vomiting (6%) and drug hypersensitivity (6%).

Throughout Study DE038, 6% of patients had mild to moderate allergic reaction adverse events primarily localized allergic hypersensitivity reactions and urticaria (see 7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Hypersensitivity Reactions).

In the JIA trial, 10% of patients treated with adalimumab who were negative at baseline for anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies developed positive titers after 48 weeks of treatment (see 8 ADVERSE REACTIONS, 8.1 Adverse Reaction Overview, Immunogenicity, Pediatrics).

In Study M10-444, adalimumab was studied in 32 patients who were 2 to <4 years of age or 4 years of age and older weighing <15 kg with polyarticular JIA. The safety profile for this patient population was similar to the safety profile seen in Study DE038.

In Study M10-444, 78% of patients experienced an infection while receiving adalimumab. These included nasopharyngitis, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection, otitis media, and were mostly mild to moderate in severity. Serious infections were observed in 9% of patients receiving adalimumab in the study and included dental caries, rotavirus gastroenteritis, and varicella.

In Study M10-444, non-serious allergic reactions were observed in 6% of patients and included intermittent urticaria and rash, which were all mild in severity.

Pediatric Crohn’s Disease

Table 16 summarizes adverse drug reactions reported in Study M06-806 at a rate of at least 1% in the indicated pediatric patient population with Crohn’s disease treated with adalimumab.

All treatment-emergent serious adverse events were observed in 21% (11/52) of patients receiving High-Dose and 20% (10/50) of patients receiving Low-Dose. Serious infections were observed in 6% (3/52) of patients receiving High-Dose and 2% (1/50) of patients receiving Low-Dose. The serious adverse events in the High-Dose group included anaemia, Crohn’s disease, anal abscess, gastroenteritis, and histoplasmosis disseminated. The serious adverse events in the Low-Dose group included Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis acute, Bartholin’s abscess, and facial bones fracture.

A total of 56% (29/52) of patients receiving High-Dose and 52% (26/50) of patients receiving Low-Dose experienced an infection (see 7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Infections). Overall adverse events were observed in 96% (50/52) of patients receiving High-Dose and 86% (43/50) of patients receiving Low-Dose.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

There are no clinical trials conducted to evaluate the safety of adalimumab in adolescents with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

Pediatric Uveitis

Table 17 summarizes adverse drug reactions reported in the SYCAMORE study at a rate of at least 1% in the indicated pediatric patient population with active JIA-associated chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis treated with adalimumab in combination with methotrexate.

In the SYCAMORE study, adalimumab was studied in 90 pediatric patients (randomized 2:1 to adalimumab:placebo) with active JIA-associated chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis. Overall, serious adverse events were observed in 22% of patients treated with adalimumab in combination with MTX and included varicella, streptococcal infections, viral infection, diarrhea, syncope, scarlet fever, cellulitis, infected bites, lower respiratory tract infection, cataract, testes exploration, antiviral prophylaxis, food poisoning, and tonsillar hypertrophy. Serious infections were observed in 13% of patients with adalimumab. Serious adverse events were more frequent in children 4 years of age and younger.

Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

Table 18 summarizes adverse drug reactions reported in the M11 -290 study at a rate of at least 1% in the indicated pediatric patient population.

8.3 Less Common Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions

Infrequent serious adverse drug reactions occurring at an incidence of less than 1% in patients treated with adalimumab in RA Studies DE009, DE011, DE019, DE031 and DE013, JIA Study DE038, PsA Studies M02-518 and M02-570, AS Studies M03-607 and M03-606, CD Maintenance Studies M02-404 and M02-433, adult UC Studies M06-826 and M06-827, HS Studies M10-467, M11-313 and M11-810, Ps Studies M03-656, M04-716, and M02-528, and adult uveitis Studies M10-877 and M10-880:

8.4 Abnormal Laboratory Findings: Hematologic, Clinical Chemistry and Other Quantitative Data

There are no known laboratory tests that may be helpful in following the patient’s response or in identifying possible adverse reactions.

Pediatrics

In the polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis trial (Study DE038), 10/171 (5.8%) and 5/171 (2.9%) of patients treated with adalimumab developed severe elevations of ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (exceeding > 3 times the upper limit of normal [ULN] of ALT and AST, respectively). Forty-two (42)/171 (25%) developed elevations of creatine phosphokinase (CPK); with 10/171 (5.8%) patients with severe elevations.

Liver enzyme elevations were more frequent among those treated with the combination of adalimumab and MTX than treated with adalimumab alone (ALT: 9.5% vs. 2.3%; AST: 5.9% vs. 0%).

No ALT or AST elevations ≥ 3 x ULN occurred in the open-label study of adalimumab in patients with polyarticular JIA who were 2 to <4 years of age (Study M10-444).

In the Phase 3 trial of adalimumab in patients with pediatric Crohn’s disease which evaluated efficacy and safety of two body weight adjusted maintenance dose regimens following body weight adjusted induction therapy up to 52 weeks of treatment, ALT elevations ≥ 3 X ULN occurred in 2.9% of patients all of whom were exposed to concomitant immunosuppressants at baseline.

The rates of hepatic adverse events were 7.7% (4/52) in the High-Dose group and 8.0% (4/50) in the Low-Dose group for pediatric patients 13 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 40 kg with Crohn’s disease. 

Adults

In controlled rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials (Studies DE009, DE011, DE019, and DE031), elevations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were similar in patients receiving adalimumab or placebo. In patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (disease duration of less than three years) (Study DE013), elevations of ALT were more common in the combination arm (adalimumab + methotrexate) compared to the methotrexate monotherapy arm or the adalimumab monotherapy arm.

In psoriatic arthritis clinical trials, elevations in ALT were more common in psoriatic arthritis patients compared with patients in rheumatoid arthritis clinical studies.

In controlled Crohn’s disease clinical trials and ulcerative colitis, elevations of ALT were similar in patients receiving adalimumab or placebo.

In all indications, patients with raised ALT were asymptomatic and, in most cases, elevations were transient and resolved on continued treatment.

8.5 Post-Market Adverse Reactions

The following post-market adverse drug reactions have been reported:

9.1 Serious Drug Interactions

9.2 Drug Interactions Overview

Population pharmacokinetic analyses with data from over 1,200 rheumatoid arthritis patients revealed that co-administration of methotrexate had an intrinsic effect on the apparent clearance of adalimumab (CL/F). See (9 DRUG INTERACTIONS, Drug-Drug Interactions). As expected, there was a trend toward higher apparent clearance of adalimumab with increasing body weight and in the presence of anti-adalimumab antibodies.

Other more minor factors were also identified: higher apparent clearance was predicted in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving doses lower than the recommended dose, and in rheumatoid arthritis patients with high rheumatoid factor or C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. These factors are not likely to be clinically important.

Adalimumab has been studied in rheumatoid arthritis patients taking concomitant methotrexate. (See 14.5 Clinical Trials – Reference Biologic Drug). The data do not suggest the need for dose adjustment of either adalimumab or methotrexate.

9.3 Drug-Behavioural Interactions

Adalimumab may have a minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Dizziness (including vertigo, vision disorder and fatigue) may occur following administration of adalimumab.

9.4 Drug-Drug Interactions

9.5 Drug-Food Interactions

Adalimumab is administered as a subcutaneous injection. Interactions with food are therefore not applicable.

9.6 Drug-Herb Interactions

Interactions with herbal products have not been established.

9.7 Drug-Laboratory Test Interactions

There are no known laboratory tests that may be helpful in following the patient’s response or in identifying possible adverse reactions.

10.1 Mechanism of Action

Adalimumab binds specifically to TNF-alpha and blocks its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors. Adalimumab also lyses surface TNF-expressing cells in vitro in the presence of complement. Adalimumab does not bind or inactivate lymphotoxin (TNF-beta). TNF is a naturally-occurring cytokine that is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses. Elevated levels of TNF are found in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis, including polyarticular JIA, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients and play an important role in both pathologic inflammation and joint destruction that are hallmarks of these diseases. Increased levels of TNF are also found in psoriasis plaques, which contribute to the inflammatory response, to the proliferation and decreased maturation of keratinocytes and to the associated vascular damages that are characteristic of the disease. Increased levels of TNF are also found in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions.

Adalimumab also modulates biological responses that are induced or regulated by TNF, including changes in the levels of adhesion molecules responsible for leukocyte migration [ELAM-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1 to 2 x 10^-10M].

10.2 Pharmacodynamics

After treatment with adalimumab, a rapid decrease in levels of acute phase reactants of inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] and serum cytokines (IL-6) was observed compared to baseline in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A rapid decrease in CRP levels was also observed in patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and hidradenitis suppurativa. Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-3) that produce tissue remodeling responsible for cartilage destruction were also decreased after adalimumab administration.

The serum adalimumab concentration-efficacy relationship as measured by the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR 20) appears to follow the Hill E_max equation as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Serum Adalimumab Concentration-Efficacy Relationship as Measured by the American College of Rheumatology Response Criteria (ACR 20)

The half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) estimates ranging from 0.8 to 1.4 mcg/mL were obtained through pharmacokinetic / pharmacodynamic modelling of swollen joint count, tender joint count and ACR 20 response from patients participating in Phase 2 and 3 trials.

10.3 Pharmacokinetics

Pediatrics

Following the administration of 24 mg/m² (up to a maximum of 40 mg) subcutaneously every other week to patients with polyarticular JIA who were 4 to 17 years, the mean trough steady-state (values measured from Week 20 to 48) serum adalimumab concentration was 5.5 ± 5.6 mcg/mL (102% CV) adalimumab monotherapy and 10.9 ± 5.2 mcg/mL (47.7% CV) with concomitant MTX. In patients with polyarticular JIA who were 2 to <4 years old or aged 4 and above weighing <15 kg dosed with adalimumab 24 mg/m², the mean trough steady-state serum adalimumab concentrations was 6.0 ± 6.1 µg/mL (101% CV) adalimumab monotherapy and 7.9 ± 5.6 µg/mL (71.2% CV) with concomitant MTX.

In pediatric patients 13 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 40 kg with severely active Crohn’s disease and/or who have had an inadequate response or were intolerant to conventional therapy, the mean ± SD serum adalimumab trough concentration achieved at Week 4 was 15.7 ± 6.64 mcg/mL following administration of 160 mg adalimumab at Week 0 and 80 mg adalimumab at Week 2. The mean ± SD adalimumab trough concentrations at Week 4 were 17.2 ± 6.67 mcg/mL (n=45) for patients who were naïve to infliximab. The mean ± SD adalimumab trough concentrations at Week 4 were 14.4 ± 6.40 mcg/mL (n=51) for patients who were infliximab-experienced.

For patients who stayed on their randomized double-blind therapy, the mean ± SD adalimumab trough concentration at Week 52 was 9.43 ± 4.98 mcg/mL following administration of 40 mg adalimumab every other week and 3.59 ± 2.91 mcg/mL following administration of 20 mg adalimumab every other week. For patients who stayed on their randomized double-blind therapy and were naïve to infliximab, the mean ± SD adalimumab trough concentrations at Week 52 were 12.0 ± 3.89 mcg/mL (n=11) and 3.06 ± 2.02 mcg/mL (n=10) for the High-Dose and Low-Dose groups, respectively. For patients who stayed on their randomized double-blind therapy and were infliximab-experienced, the mean ± SD adalimumab trough concentrations at Week 52 were 6.85 ± 4.72 mcg/mL (n=11) and 4.27 ± 2.82 mcg/mL (n=8) for the High-Dose and Low-Dose groups, respectively.

Adalimumab exposure in adolescent hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) patients was predicted using population pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation based on cross-indication pharmacokinetics in other pediatric patients (pediatric psoriasis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, pediatric Crohn’s disease, and enthesitis-related arthritis). Serum adalimumab concentrations in adolescent patients with HS receiving the recommended dosage regimen are predicted to be similar to those observed in adult subjects with HS (steady-state trough concentration of approximately 8 to 10 mcg/mL).

Adalimumab exposure in pediatric uveitis patients was predicted using population pharmacokinetic modelling and simulation based on cross-indication pharmacokinetics in other pediatric patients (N = 524) (pediatric psoriasis [age 5 to 18 years, n = 109], juvenile idiopathic arthritis [age 2 to 17 years, n = 181], pediatric Crohn’s disease [age 6 to 17 years, n = 189], and enthesitis-related arthritis [age 6 to 18 years, n = 45]). No clinical exposure data are available on the use of a loading dose in children < 6 years. The predicted exposures indicate that in the absence of methotrexate, a loading dose may lead to an initial increase in systemic exposure.

Following the subcutaneous administration of body weight-based dosing of 0.6 mg/kg (maximum dose of 40 mg) every other week to pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis, the mean trough steady-state serum adalimumab concentrations was 5.01 ± 3.28 mcg/mL at Week 52. For patients who received 0.6 mg/kg (maximum dose of 40 mg) every week, the mean (± SD) trough steady-state serum adalimumab concentrations were 15.7 ± 5.60 mcg/mL at Week 52.

Adults

The single-dose pharmacokinetics of adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis patients were determined in several studies with intravenous doses ranging from 0.25 to 10.0 mg/kg. The distribution volume (Vss) ranged from 4.7 to 6.0 L. The systemic clearance of adalimumab is approximately 12 mL/h. The mean terminal half-life was approximately two weeks, ranging from 10 to 20 days across studies. The pharmacokinetics of adalimumab were linear over the dose range of 0.5 to 10.0 mg/kg following a single intravenous dose.

Adalimumab mean steady-state trough concentrations of approximately 5 mcg/mL and 8 to 9 mcg/mL, were observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without methotrexate, respectively. The serum adalimumab trough levels at steady-state increased approximately proportionally with dose following 20, 40 and 80 mg every other week and every week subcutaneous dosing. In long-term studies with dosing more than two years, there was no evidence of changes in clearance over time.

Population pharmacokinetic analyses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis revealed that there was a trend toward higher apparent clearance of adalimumab in the presence of anti- adalimumab antibodies.

In patients with psoriatic arthritis, adalimumab mean steady-state trough concentrations of 8.5 to 12 mcg/mL and 6 to 10 mcg/mL were observed in patients with and without methotrexate, respectively.

In patients with Crohn’s disease, the loading dose of 160 mg adalimumab on Week 0 followed by 80 mg adalimumab on Week 2 achieves mean serum adalimumab trough concentrations of approximately 12 mcg/mL at Week 2 and Week 4. Mean steady-state trough levels of approximately 7 mcg/mL were observed at Week 24 and Week 56 in Crohn’s disease patients who received a maintenance dose of adalimumab 40 mg every other week.

Population pharmacokinetic analysis in patients with Crohn’s disease revealed a lower apparent clearance of adalimumab as compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

In patients with ulcerative colitis, a loading dose of 160 mg adalimumab on Week 0 followed by 80 mg adalimumab on Week 2 achieved serum adalimumab trough concentrations of 11.8 ± 4.0 mcg/mL at Week 2 (n=167) and 12.3 ± 5.4 mcg/mL at Week 4 (n=160). At Week 52, trough levels of 8.0 ± 6.1 mcg/mL were observed in UC patients who received a maintenance dose of 40 mg adalimumab every other week (n=101). Trough levels at Week 52 were 10.8 ± 7.5 mcg/mL in UC patients achieving remission (n=39) and 6.2± 4.2 mcg/mL in UC patients not achieving remission (n=62).

In patients with HS, a dose of 160 mg adalimumab on Week 0 followed by 80 mg adalimumab on Week 2 achieved serum adalimumab trough concentrations of approximately 7 to 8 mcg/mL at Week 2 and Week 4. The mean steady-state trough concentration at Week 12 through Week 36 were approximately 8 to 10 mcg/mL during adalimumab 40 mg every week treatment.

In patients with psoriasis, the mean steady-state trough concentration was 5 mcg/mL during adalimumab 40 mg every other week monotherapy treatment.

In patients with uveitis, a loading dose of 80 mg adalimumab on Week 0 followed by 40 mg adalimumab every other week starting at Week 1, resulted in mean steady-state concentrations of approximately 8 to 10 mcg/mL.

Absorption

The maximum serum concentration (C_max) and the time to reach the maximum concentration (T_max) were 4.7 ± 1.6 mcg/mL and 131 ± 56 hours respectively, following a single 40 mg subcutaneous administration of adalimumab to healthy adult subjects. The average absolute bioavailability of adalimumab estimated from three studies following a single 40 mg subcutaneous dose was 64%. The pharmacokinetics of adalimumab were linear over the dose range of 0.5 to 10.0 mg/kg following a single intravenous dose.

Distribution:

Adalimumab concentrations in the synovial fluid from five rheumatoid arthritis patients ranged from 31 to 96% of those in serum.

Metabolism:

No formal studies have been conducted to evaluate the metabolism of adalimumab. However, as adalimumab is an IgG1 antibody of entirely human sequences, it is expected that its metabolism would follow the course of other IgG molecules. 

Elimination

No formal studies have been conducted to evaluate the excretion of adalimumab. However, as adalimumab is an IgG1 antibody of entirely human sequences, it is expected that its excretion would follow the course of other IgG molecules.

Special Populations and Conditions

• Pediatrics: Adalimumab has not been studied in pediatric patients with polyarticular JIA less than 2 years of age or in patients with a weight <10 kg.

  The majority (102/192) of pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease studied were 13 to 17 years of age weighing ≥ 40 kg.

  There are no clinical trials with adalimumab in adolescent patients (12 to 17 years of age) with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Use of adalimumab in adolescent patients is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of adalimumab in adult HS patients with supplemental pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation. The use of adalimumab has not been established in patients younger than 12 years of age with HS.

  Adalimumab has not been studied in pediatric patients with uveitis less than 2 years of age. Very limited data are available for pediatric patients with uveitis between 2 and < 3 years of age.

  Adalimumab has not been studied in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis less than 5 years of age.

• Geriatrics: Population pharmacokinetic analyses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis revealed that there was a trend toward lower clearance with increasing age in patients aged 40 to > 75 years of age.
• Sex: Population pharmacokinetic analyses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis revealed that no sex-related pharmacokinetic differences were observed after correction for a patient’s body weight.
• Ethnic Origin: No differences in immunoglobulin clearance would be expected among ethnicities. From limited data in non-Caucasians, no important kinetic differences were observed for adalimumab.
• Hepatic Insufficiency: No pharmacokinetic data are available in patients with hepatic impairment.
• Renal Insufficiency: No pharmacokinetic data are available in patients with renal impairment.
• Disease States: Healthy volunteers and patients with rheumatoid arthritis displayed similar adalimumab pharmacokinetics. Population pharmacokinetic analyses predicted minor increases in apparent clearance in patients receiving doses lower than the recommended dose and in patients with high rheumatoid factor or C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. These increases are not likely to be clinically important. See (DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Dosing Considerations, Disease States).

Store Abrilada prefilled syringe, prefilled pen and vial in a refrigerator (2°C-8°C). DO NOT FREEZE. Do not use beyond the expiration date stamped on the carton. Keep in its outer carton in order to protect from light.

A single Abrilada prefilled syringe, prefilled pen or vial may be stored at temperatures up to a maximum of 30°C for a single period of up to 30 days protected from light. The syringe, pen or vial must be stored at temperatures up to a maximum of 30°C and must be discarded if not used within the 30-day period.

Abrilada does not contain preservatives; therefore, unused portions should be discarded.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

A puncture-resistant container for disposal of needles, vials and syringes (including the prefilled pen) should be used. Patients or caregivers should be instructed in the handling technique as well as proper syringe and needle disposal, and be cautioned against reuse of these items.

A healthcare professional (e.g., doctor, nurse or pharmacist) should be consulted for instructions on how to properly dispose of used needles, vials and syringes (including the prefilled pen). Special provincial or local laws regarding the proper disposal of needles, vials and syringes should be followed. Needles, vials or syringes (including the prefilled pen) should NEVER be thrown in the household trash or recycling bin.

• Used needles, vials and syringes (including the prefilled pen) should be placed in a container made especially for this purpose (sharps container), or a hard plastic container with a screw-on cap or metal container with a plastic lid labelled “Used Syringes”. Glass or clear plastic containers should not be used.
• The container should always be kept out of the sight and reach of children.
• When the container is about two-thirds full, the cap or lid should be taped down so that it does not come off. The container should be disposed of as instructed by a healthcare professional. CONTAINERS SHOULD NEVER BE THROWN IN THE HOUSEHOLD TRASH OR RECYCLING BIN.

Unless otherwise instructed by a healthcare professional, used alcohol swabs (not included in Abrilada carton) may be placed in the trash. Dose trays and covers may be recycled.

Control #: 259979
NOV 14, 2022