Abiraterone Sandoz Adverse Reactions

Summary of the safety profile: In an analysis of adverse reactions of composite Phase 3 studies with abiraterone, adverse reactions that were observed in ≥10% of patients were peripheral oedema, hypokalaemia, hypertension urinary tract infection, and alanine aminotransferase increased and/or aspartate aminotransferase increased. Other important adverse reactions include, cardiac disorders, hepatotoxicity, fractures, and allergic alveolitis.
Abiraterone may cause hypertension, hypokalaemia and fluid retention as a pharmacodynamic consequence of its mechanism of action. In Phase 3 studies, anticipated mineralocorticoid adverse reactions were seen more commonly in patients treated with abiraterone acetate than in patients treated with placebo: hypokalaemia 18% vs. 8%, hypertension 22% vs. 16% and fluid retention (peripheral oedema) 23% vs. 17%, respectively.
In patients treated with abiraterone acetate versus patients treated with placebo: CTCAE (version 4.0) Grades 3 and 4 hypokalaemia were observed in 6% versus 1%, CTCAE (version 4.0) Grades 3 and 4 hypertension were observed in 7% versus 5%, and fluid retention (peripheral oedema) Grades 3 and 4 were observed in 1% versus 1% of patients, respectively. Mineralocorticoid reactions generally were able to be successfully managed medically. Concomitant use of a corticosteroid reduces the incidence and severity of these adverse reactions (see Precautions).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions: In studies of patients with metastatic advanced prostate cancer who were using an LHRH analogue, or were previously treated with orchiectomy, abiraterone was administered at a dose of 1,000 mg daily in combination with low dose prednisone or prednisolone (either 5 or 10 mg daily depending on the indication).
Adverse reactions observed during clinical studies and post-marketing experience are listed as follows by frequency category. Frequency categories are defined as follows: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000) and not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data).
Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. (See table.)

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

The following CTCAE (version 4.0) Grade 3 adverse reactions occurred in patients treated with abiraterone acetate: hypokalaemia 5%; urinary tract infection 2%; alanine aminotransferase increased and/or aspartate aminotransferase increased 4%; hypertension 6%; fractures 2%; peripheral oedema, cardiac failure, and atrial fibrillation 1% each. CTCAE (version 4.0) Grade 3 hypertriglyceridaemia and angina pectoris occurred in < 1% of patients. CTCAE (version 4.0) Grade 4 urinary tract infection, alanine aminotransferase increased and/or aspartate aminotransferase increased, hypokalemia, cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation, and fractures occurred in < 1% of patients.
A higher incidence of hypertension and hypokalemia was observed in the hormone sensitive population (study 3011). Hypertension was reported in 36.7% of patients in the hormone sensitive population (study 3011) compared to 11.8% and 20.2% in studies 301 and 302, respectively. Hypokalemia was observed in 20.4% of patients in the hormone sensitive population (study 3011) compared to 19.2% and 14.9% in 301 and 302, respectively).
The incidence and severity of adverse events was higher in the subgroup of patients with baseline ECOG2 performance status grade and also in elderly patients (≥75 years).
Description of selected adverse reactions: Cardiovascular reactions: The three Phase 3 studies excluded patients with uncontrolled hypertension, clinically significant heart disease as evidenced by myocardial infarction, or arterial thrombotic events in the past 6 months, severe or unstable angina, or NYHA Class III or IV heart failure (study 301) or Class II to IV heart failure (studies 3011 and 302) or cardiac ejection fraction measurement of < 50%. All patients enrolled (both active and placebo-treated patients) were concomitantly treated with androgen deprivation therapy, predominantly with the use of LHRH analogues, which has been associated with diabetes, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident and sudden cardiac death. The incidence of cardiovascular adverse reactions in the Phase 3 studies in patients taking abiraterone acetate versus patients taking placebo were as follows: atrial fibrillation 2.6% vs. 2.0%, tachycardia 1.9% vs. 1.0%, angina pectoris 1.7% vs. 0.8%, cardiac failure 0.7% vs. 0.2%, and arrhythmia 0.7% vs. 0.5%.
Hepatotoxicity: Hepatotoxicity with elevated ALT, AST and total bilirubin has been reported in patients treated with abiraterone acetate. Across Phase 3 clinical studies, hepatotoxicity grades 3 and 4 (e.g., ALT or AST increases of >5 x ULN or bilirubin increases >1.5 x ULN) were reported in approximately 6% of patients who received abiraterone acetate, typically during the first 3 months after starting treatment. In Study 3011, grade 3 or 4 hepatotoxicity was observed in 8.4% of patients treated with abiraterone. Ten patients who received abiraterone were discontinued because of hepatotoxicity; two had Grade 2 hepatotoxicity, six had Grade 3 hepatotoxicity, and two had Grade 4 hepatotoxicity. No patient died of hepatotoxicity in Study 3011. In the Phase 3 clinical studies, patients whose baseline ALT or AST were elevated were more likely to experience liver function test elevations than those beginning with normal values. When elevations of either ALT or AST > 5 x ULN, or elevations in bilirubin > 3 x ULN were observed, abiraterone acetate was withheld or discontinued. In two instances marked increases in liver function tests occurred (see Precautions). These two patients with normal baseline hepatic function, experienced ALT or AST elevations 15 to 40 x ULN and bilirubin elevations 2 to 6 x ULN. Upon discontinuation of treatment, both patients had normalisation of their liver function tests and one patient was re-treated without recurrence of the elevations. In study 302, Grade 3 or 4 ALT or AST elevations were observed in 35 (6.5%) patients treated with abiraterone acetate. Aminotransferase elevations resolved in all but 3 patients (2 with new multiple liver metastases and 1 with AST elevation approximately 3 weeks after the last dose of abiraterone acetate). In Phase 3 clinical studies, treatment discontinuations due to ALT and AST increases or abnormal hepatic function were reported in 1.1% of patients treated with abiraterone acetate and 0.6% of patients treated with placebo; no deaths were reported due to hepatotoxicity events.
In clinical trials, the risk for hepatotoxicity was mitigated by exclusion of patients with baseline hepatitis or significant abnormalities of liver function tests. In the 3011 trial, patients with baseline ALT and AST >2.5 X ULN, bilirubin >1.5 X ULN or those with active or symptomatic viral hepatitis or chronic liver disease; ascites or bleeding disorders secondary to hepatic dysfunction were excluded. In the 301 trial, patients with baseline ALT and AST ≥2.5 x ULN in the absence of liver metastases and >5 x ULN in the presence of liver metastases were excluded. In the 302 trial, patients with liver metastases were not eligible and patients with baseline ALT and AST ≥2.5 x ULN were excluded. Abnormal liver function tests developing in patients participating in clinical trials were vigorously managed by requiring treatment interruption and permitting re-treatment only after return of liver function tests to the patient's baseline (see Dosage & Administration). Patients with elevations of ALT or AST >20 x ULN were not re-treated. The safety of re-treatment in such patients is unknown. The mechanism for hepatotoxicity is not understood.