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Bleeding-related events: There have been reports of bleeding events in patients treated with IMBRUVICA, both with and without thrombocytopenia. These include minor bleeding events such as contusion, epistaxis, and petechiae; and major bleeding events, some fatal, including gastrointestinal bleeding, intracranial haemorrhage, and haematuria.
Warfarin or other vitamin K antagonists should not be administered concomitantly with IMBRUVICA. Use of either anticoagulants or medicinal products that inhibit platelet function (antiplatelet agents) concomitantly with IMBRUVICA increases the risk of major bleeding. A higher risk for major bleeding was observed with anticoagulant than with antiplatelet agents. Consider the risks and benefits of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy when co-administered with IMBRUVICA. Monitor for signs and symptoms of bleeding.
Supplements such as fish oil and vitamin E preparations should be avoided.
IMBRUVICA should be held at least 3 to 7 days pre- and post-surgery depending upon the type of surgery and the risk of bleeding.
The mechanism for the bleeding-related events is not fully understood. Patients with congenital bleeding diathesis have not been studied.
Leukostasis: Cases of leukostasis have been reported in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. A high number of circulating lymphocytes (> 400,000/mcL) may confer increased risk. Consider temporarily withholding IMBRUVICA. Patients should be closely monitored. Administer supportive care including hydration and/or cytoreduction as indicated.
Splenic rupture: Cases of splenic rupture have been reported following discontinuation of IMBRUVICA treatment. Disease status and spleen size should be carefully monitored (e.g. clinical examination, ultrasound) when IMBRUVICA treatment is interrupted or ceased. Patients who develop left upper abdominal or shoulder tip pain should be evaluated and a diagnosis of splenic rupture should be considered.
Infections: Infections (including sepsis, neutropenic sepsis, bacterial, viral, or fungal infections) were observed in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. Some of these infections have been associated with hospitalisation and death. Most patients with fatal infections also had neutropenia. Patients should be monitored for fever, abnormal liver function tests, neutropenia and infections and appropriate anti-infective therapy should be instituted as indicated. Consider prophylaxis according to standard of care in patients who are at increased risk for opportunistic infections.
Cases of invasive fungal infections, including cases of Aspergillosis, Cryptococcosis and Pneumocystis jiroveci infections have been reported following the use of ibrutinib. Reported cases of invasive fungal infections have been associated with fatal outcomes.
Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) including fatal ones have been reported following the use of ibrutinib within the context of a prior or concomitant immunosuppressive therapy. Physicians should consider PML in the differential diagnosis in patients with new or worsening neurological, cognitive or behavioral signs or symptoms. If PML is suspected then appropriate diagnostic evaluations should be undertaken and treatment suspended until PML is excluded. If any doubt exists, referral to a neurologist and appropriate diagnostic measures for PML including MRI scan preferably with contrast, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing for JC Viral DNA and repeat neurological assessments should be considered.
Hepatic events: Cases of hepatotoxicity, hepatitis B reactivation, and cases of hepatitis E, which may be chronic, have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. Hepatic failure, including fatal events, has occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. Liver function and viral hepatitis status should be assessed before initiating treatment with IMBRUVICA. Patients should be periodically monitored for changes in liver function parameters during treatment. As clinically indicated, viral load and serological testing for infectious hepatitis should be performed per local medical guidelines. For patients diagnosed with hepatic events, consider consulting a liver disease expert for management.
Cytopenias: Treatment-emergent grade 3 or 4 cytopenias (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anaemia) were reported in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. Monitor complete blood counts monthly.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): Cases of ILD have been reported in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. Monitor patients for pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD. If symptoms develop, interrupt IMBRUVICA and manage ILD appropriately. If symptoms persist, consider the risks and benefits of IMBRUVICA treatment and follow the dose modification guidelines.
Cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac failure: Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and cases of ventricular tachyarrhythmia and cardiac failure have been reported in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. Cases of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter have been reported particularly in patients with cardiac risk factors, hypertension, acute infections, and a previous history of atrial fibrillation. Periodically monitor all patients clinically for cardiac manifestations, including cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac failure. Patients who develop arrhythmic symptoms or new onset of dyspnoea, dizziness or fainting should be evaluated clinically and if indicated have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed.
In patients who develop signs and/or symptoms of ventricular tachyarrhythmia, IMBRUVICA should be temporarily discontinued and a thorough clinical benefit/risk assessment should be performed before possibly restarting therapy.
In patients with preexisting atrial fibrillation requiring anticoagulant therapy, alternative treatment options to IMBRUVICA should be considered. In patients who develop atrial fibrillation on therapy with IMBRUVICA a thorough assessment of the risk for thromboembolic disease should be undertaken. In patients at high risk and where alternatives to IMBRUVICA are non-suitable, tightly controlled treatment with anticoagulants should be considered.
Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of cardiac failure during IMBRUVICA treatment. In some of these cases cardiac failure resolved or improved after IMBRUVICA withdrawal or dose reduction.
Cerebrovascular accidents: Cases of cerebrovascular accident, transient ischaemic attack and ischaemic stroke including fatalities have been reported in patients treated with IMBRUVICA , with and without concomitant atrial fibrillation and/or hypertension. Among cases with reported latency, the initiation of treatment with IMBRUVICA to the onset of ischaemic central nervous vascular conditions was in the most cases after several months (more than 1 month in 78% and more than 6 months in 44% of cases) emphasising the need for regular monitoring of patients (see Cardiac arrhythmia as previously mentioned and Hypertension as follows and Adverse Reactions).
Tumour lysis syndrome: Tumour lysis syndrome has been reported with IMBRUVICA therapy. Patients at risk of tumour lysis syndrome are those with high tumour burden prior to treatment. Monitor patients closely and take appropriate precautions.
Non-melanoma skin cancer: Non-melanoma skin cancers were reported more frequently in patients treated with IMBRUVICA than in patients treated with comparators in pooled comparative randomised phase 3 studies. Monitor patients for the appearance of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Hypertension: Hypertension has occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA (see Adverse Reactions). Regularly monitor blood pressure in patients treated with IMBRUVICA and initiate or adjust antihypertensive medication throughout treatment with IMBRUVICA as appropriate.
Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH): Cases of HLH (including fatal cases) have been reported in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. HLH is a life-threatening syndrome of pathologic immune activation characterised by clinical signs and symptoms of extreme systemic inflammation. HLH is characterised by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, hypertriglyceridaemia, high serum ferritin and cytopenias. Patients should be informed about symptoms of HLH. Patients who develop early manifestations of pathologic immune activation should be evaluated immediately, and a diagnosis of HLH should be considered.
Drug-drug interactions: Co-administration of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors with IMBRUVICA may lead to increased ibrutinib exposure and consequently a higher risk for toxicity. On the contrary, co-administration of CYP3A4 inducers may lead to decreased IMBRUVICA exposure and consequently a risk for lack of efficacy. Therefore, concomitant use of IMBRUVICA with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers should be avoided whenever possible and co-administration should only be considered when the potential benefits clearly outweigh the potential risks. Patients should be closely monitored for signs of IMBRUVICA toxicity if a CYP3A4 inhibitor must be used (see Dosage & Administration and Interactions). If a CYP3A4 inducer must be used, closely monitor patients for signs of IMBRUVICA lack of efficacy.
Women of childbearing potential: Women of childbearing potential must use a highly effective method of contraception while taking IMBRUVICA (see Use in Pregnancy & Lactation).
Excipients with known effect: Capsules: Each capsule contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg), and is essentially sodium-free.
Tablets: Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.
Each film coated tablet contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg), and is essentially sodium free.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: IMBRUVICA has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Fatigue, dizziness and asthenia have been reported in some patients taking IMBRUVICA and should be considered when assessing a patient's ability to drive or operate machines.
