Pharmacy & Therapeutics - February 2008 - (Page 67)

DORIBAX™ (doripenem for injection) to their seriousness, although it is not possible to estimate their frequency and causality has not been established: Stevens Johnson Syndrome Interstitial pneumonia Toxic epidermal necrolysis Seizure DRUG INTERACTIONS Valproic Acid: A clinically significant reduction in serum valproic acid concentrations has been reported in patients receiving carbapenem antibiotics and may result in loss of seizure control. Although the mechanism of this interaction is not fully understood, data from in vitro and animal studies suggest that carbapenem antibiotics may inhibit valproic acid glucuronide hydrolysis. Serum valproic acid concentrations should be monitored frequently after initiating carbapenem therapy. Alternative antibacterial or anticonvulsant therapy should be considered if serum valproic acid concentrations cannot be maintained in the therapeutic range or a seizure occurs. [see Warnings and Precautions ] Probenecid: Probenecid interferes with the active tubular secretion of doripenem, resulting in increased plasma concentrations of doripenem. [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) in full Prescribing Information] Coadministration of probenecid with DORIBAXTM is not recommended. USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pregnancy: Category B: Doripenem was not teratogenic and did not produce effects on ossification, developmental delays or fetal weight following intravenous administration during organogenesis at doses as high as 1 g/kg/day in rats and 50 mg/kg/day in rabbits (based on AUC, at least 2.4 and 0.8 times the exposure to humans dosed at 500 mg q8h, respectively). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when DORIBAXTM is administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Geriatric Use: Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of DORIBAXTM, 28% were 65 and over, while 12% were 75 and over. Clinical cure rates in complicated intra-abdominal and complicated urinary tract infections were slightly lower in patients ≥65 years of age and also in the subgroup of patients ≥75 years of age versus patients <65. These results were similar between doripenem and comparator treatment groups. No overall differences in safety were observed between older and younger subjects, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Elderly subjects had greater doripenem exposure relative to non-elderly subjects; however, this increase in exposure was mainly attributed to agerelated changes in renal function. [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) in full Prescribing Information] This drug is known to be excreted substantially by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function or pre-renal azotemia. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function or pre-renal azotemia, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. Patients with Renal Impairment: Dosage adjustment is required in patients with moderately or severely impaired renal function. [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) in full Prescribing Information] In such patients, renal function should be monitored. PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION • Patients should be advised that allergic reactions, including serious allergic reactions, could occur and that serious reactions require immediate treatment. They should report any previous hypersensitivity reactions to DORIBAXTM, other carbapenems, beta-lactams or other allergens. • Patients should be counseled that anti-bacterial drugs including DORIBAX™ should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When DORIBAX™ is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by DORIBAX™ or other antibacterial drugs in the future. • Keep out of the reach of children. MINI-BAG Plus is a trademark of Baxter International Inc. Manufactured by: Shionogi & Co. Ltd. Osaka 541-0045, Japan Distributed by: Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. Raritan, NJ 08869 10157600B 10/2007 What’s New on PTcommunity.com? Formulary Kits Visit PTcommunity.com and review the latest formulary kits, including: • Abraxane (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) • Arimidex (anastrozole) • Bystolic (nebivolol) • Boniva (ibandronate sodium) • Campral (acamprosate calcium) • Eraxis (anidulfungin IV) • Faslodex (fulvestrant injection) • Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate) • Gelclair (biadherent oral gel) • Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) • Namenda (memantine HCl) • Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) • Opana (oxymorphone HCl) • Raptiva (efalizumab) • Revlimid (lenalidomide) • Tarceva (erlotinib) • Tev-Tropin [somatropin (rDNA) for injection] • Veramyst (fluticasone furoate) • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) P&T Digest These peer-reviewed publications provide health care providers with up-to-date information about the most efficacious and cost-effective medical treatments. 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Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Pharmacy & Therapeutics - February 2008

Pharmacy & Therapeutics - February 2008 Contents Editorial Medication Errors Prescription: Washington The Language of (Forgive Us) Change, As P&T Enters the Digital Age New Drugs/Drug News/New Medical Devices Drug Forecast Use and Outcomes of Antifibrinolytic Therapy in Patients Undergoing Cardiothoracic Surgery at 20 Academic Medical Centers in the United States Evaluation of the Management of Acute Venous Thromboembolism and Its Outcomes: One Institution's Experience American Society of Hematology, 49th Annual Meeting Pharmaceutical Approval Update

Pharmacy & Therapeutics - February 2008

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