Can Alemtuzumab cause headache?

ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Cytopenias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Infusion-Related Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Immunosuppression/Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥10%): cytopenias, infusion-related reactions, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other infections, nausea, emesis, diarrhea, and insomnia. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genzyme Corporation at 1-877-4-CAMPATH (1-877-422-6728) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data below reflect exposure to CAMPATH in 296 patients with CLL of whom 147 were previously untreated and 149 received at least 2 prior chemotherapy regimens. The median duration of exposure was 11.7 weeks for previously untreated patients and 8 weeks for previously treated patients. The most common adverse reactions with CAMPATH are: infusion-related reactions (pyrexia, chills, hypotension, urticaria, nausea, rash, tachycardia, dyspnea), cytopenias (neutropenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia), infections (CMV viremia, CMV infection, other infections), gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, emesis, abdominal pain), and neurological symptoms (insomnia, anxiety). The most common serious adverse reactions are cytopenias, infusion-related reactions, and immunosuppression/infections. Lymphopenia Severe lymphopenia and a rapid and sustained decrease in lymphocyte subsets occurred in previously untreated and previously treated patients following administration of CAMPATH. In previously untreated patients, the median CD4+ was 0 cells/μL at one month after treatment and 238 cells/μL [25%–75% interquartile range 115 to 418 cells/μL at 6 months post treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Neutropenia In previously untreated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 42% with a median time to onset of 31 days and a median duration of 37 days. In previously treated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 64% with a median duration of 28 days. Ten percent of previously untreated patients and 17% of previously treated patients received granulocyte colony stimulating factors. Anemia In previously untreated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 anemia was 12% with a median time to onset of 31 days and a median duration of 8 days. In previously treated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 anemia was 38%. Seventeen percent of previously untreated patients and 66% of previously treated patients received either erythropoiesis stimulating agents, transfusions or both. Thrombocytopenia In previously untreated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was 14% with a median time to onset of 9 days and a median duration of 14 days. In previously treated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was 52% with a median duration of 21 days. Autoimmune thrombocytopenia was reported in 2% of previously treated patients with one fatality. Infusion-Related Reactions Infusion-related reactions, which included pyrexia, chills, hypotension, urticaria, and dyspnea, were common. Grade 3 and 4 pyrexia and/or chills occurred in approximately 10% of previously untreated patients and in approximately 35% of previously treated patients. The occurrence of infusion-related reactions was greatest during the initial week of treatment and decreased with subsequent doses of CAMPATH. All patients were pretreated with antipyretics and antihistamines; additionally, 43% of previously untreated patients received glucocorticoid pre-treatment. Infections In the study of previously untreated patients, patients were tested weekly for CMV using a PCR assay from initiation through completion of therapy, and every 2 weeks for the first 2 months following therapy. CMV infection occurred in 16% (23/147) of previously untreated patients; approximately one-third of these infections were serious or life threatening. In studies of previously treated patients in which routine CMV surveillance was not required, CMV infection was documented in 6% (9/149) of patients; nearly all of these infections were serious or life threatening. Other infections were reported in approximately 50% of patients across all studies. Grade 3 to 5 sepsis ranged from 3% to 10% across studies and was higher in previously treated patients. Grade 3 to 4 febrile neutropenia ranged from 5% to 10% across studies and was higher in previously treated patients. Infection-related fatalities occurred in 2% of previously untreated patients and 16% of previously treated patients. There were 198 episodes of other infection in 109 previously untreated patients; 16% were bacterial, 7% were fungal, 4% were other viral, and in 73% the organism was not identified. Cardiac Cardiac dysrhythmias occurred in approximately 14% of previously untreated patients. The majority were tachycardias and were temporally associated with infusion; dysrhythmias were Grade 3 or 4 in 1% of patients. Previously Untreated Patients Table 1 contains selected adverse reactions observed in 294 patients randomized (1:1) to receive CAMPATH or chlorambucil as first line therapy for B-CLL. CAMPATH was administered at a dose of 30 mg intravenously three times weekly for up to 12 weeks. The median duration of therapy was 11.7 weeks with a median weekly dose of 82 mg (25%–75% interquartile range: 69–90 mg). Table 1: Per Patient Incidence of Selected Adverse reactions occurring at a higher relative frequency in the CAMPATH arm Adverse Reactions in Treatment Naive B-CLL Patients CAMPATH (n=147) Chlorambucil (n=147) All Grades NCI CTC version 2.0 for adverse reactions; NCI CTCAE version 3.0 for laboratory values % Grades 3–4 % All Grades % Grades 3–4 % Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Lymphopenia 97 97 9 1 Neutropenia 77 42 51 26 Anemia 76 13 54 18 Thrombocytopenia 71 13 70 14 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Pyrexia 69 10 11 1 Chills 53 3 1 0 Infections and Infestations CMV viremia CMV viremia (without evidence of symptoms) includes both cases of single PCR positive test results and of confirmed CMV viremia (≥2 occasions in consecutive samples 1 week apart). For the latter, ganciclovir (or equivalent) was initiated per protocol. 55 4 8 0 CMV infection 16 5 0 0 Other infections 74 21 65 10 Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Urticaria 16 2 1 0 Rash 13 1 4 0 Erythema 4 0 1 0 Vascular Disorders Hypotension 16 1 0 0 Hypertension 14 5 2 1 Nervous System Disorders Headache 14 1 8 0 Tremor 3 0 1 0 Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders Dyspnea 14 4 7 3 Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 10 1 4 0 Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 10 0 3 0 Anxiety 8 0 1 0 Cardiac Disorders Tachycardia 10 0 1 0 Previously Treated Patients Additional safety information was obtained from 3 single arm studies of 149 previously treated patients with CLL administered 30 mg CAMPATH intravenously three times weekly for 4 to 12 weeks (median cumulative dose 673 mg [range 2–1106 mg]; median duration of therapy 8.0 weeks). Adverse reactions in these studies not listed in Table 1 that occurred at an incidence rate of >5% were fatigue, nausea, emesis, musculoskeletal pain, anorexia, dysesthesia, mucositis, and bronchospasm. 6.2 Immunogenicity As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. The incidence of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling,

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Immune Thrombocytopenia: Obtain complete blood counts (CBCs) with differential prior to initiation of treatment and at monthly intervals thereafter until 48 months after the last infusion. ( 5.6 ) Glomerular Nephropathies: Obtain serum creatinine levels, urinalysis with cell counts and urine protein to creatinine ratio prior to initiation of treatment. Monitor serum creatinine levels and urinalysis with cell counts at monthly intervals thereafter until 48 months after the last infusion. ( 5.7 ) Thyroid Disorders: Obtain thyroid function tests prior to initiation of treatment and every 3 months until 48 months after the last infusion. ( 5.8 ) Other Autoimmune Cytopenias: Monitor CBCs monthly until 48 months after the last infusion. ( 2.6 , 5.9 ) Autoimmune Hepatitis: If signs of hepatic dysfunction occur, promptly measure serum transaminases and total bilirubin and interrupt or discontinue treatment. ( 5.10 ) Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis : Consider this diagnosis and evaluate patients immediately if they develop signs or symptoms of systemic inflammation. Discontinue LEMTRADA if an alternative etiology is not established. ( 5.11 ) Adult Onset Still's Disease (AOSD): If a patient develops AOSD, they require prompt evaluation and treatment. ( 5.12 ) Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP): Evaluate patients immediately if they develop clinical symptoms or laboratory findings consistent with TTP. Discontinue LEMTRADA if TTP is confirmed or if an alternative etiology is not established. ( 5.13 ) Autoimmune Encephalitis (AIE): Evaluate patients if they develop signs and symptoms suggestive of AIE, such as subacute onset of memory impairment, altered mental status, psychiatric symptoms, neurological findings, and seizures. ( 5.14 ) Acquired Hemophilia A: Obtain a coagulopathy panel including aPTT in patients who present with signs such as spontaneous subcutaneous hematomas, extensive bruising, hematuria, epistaxis, or gastrointestinal or other types of bleeding. ( 5.15 ) Immune-Mediated Colitis: Immune-mediated colitis has been reported in the postmarketing setting. Monitor patients for new or persistent diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, and evaluate promptly if colitis is suspected. ( 5.16 ) Infections: Administration is contraindicated in patients with active infection. Do not administer live viral vaccines following a course of LEMTRADA. ( 4 , 5.17 ) Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): Withhold LEMTRADA at the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML. ( 5.18 ) 5.1 Autoimmunity Treatment with LEMTRADA can result in the formation of autoantibodies and increase the risk of serious autoimmune conditions, which may be life threatening. In clinical studies (controlled and open-label extension), the following serious autoimmune conditions were reported in LEMTRADA-treated patients, which are described in separate warnings: thyroid disorders (36.8%) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] immune thrombocytopenia (2%) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] glomerular nephropathies (0.3%) [see Warnings and Precautions 5.7 ] autoimmune hemolytic anemia (0.3%), autoimmune pancytopenia (0.2%), and autoimmune neutropenia (0.1%) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] acquired hemophilia A (anti-Factor VIII antibodies) (0.1%) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15) ] In clinical studies (controlled and open-label extension), vitiligo (0.3%), undifferentiated connective tissue disorders (0.2%), type 1 diabetes (0.2%), rheumatoid arthritis (0.1%), and retinal pigment epitheliopathy (0.1%) were also reported in LEMTRADA-treated patients. In the postmarketing setting, cases of autoimmune hepatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] , hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] , Adult Onset Still's Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] , thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] , autoimmune encephalitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] , immune-mediated colitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16) ], Guillain-Barré syndrome, and vasculitis have been reported. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy has been reported in the treatment of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), as well as other autoimmune disorders, generally at higher and more frequent doses than recommended in MS. Autoantibodies may be transferred from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy. A case of transplacental transfer of anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies resulting in neonatal Graves' disease occurred after alemtuzumab treatment in the mother [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . LEMTRADA may increase the risk of other autoimmune conditions because of the broad range of autoantibody formation with LEMTRADA. Measure the urine protein to creatinine ratio prior to initiation of treatment. Monitor complete blood counts with differential, serum creatinine levels, and urinalysis with urine cell counts before starting treatment and then at monthly intervals until 48 months after the last dose of LEMTRADA to allow for early detection and treatment of autoimmune adverse reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ] . After 48 months, testing should be performed based on clinical findings suggestive of autoimmunity. LEMTRADA is available only through a restricted program under a REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . 5.2 Infusion Reactions LEMTRADA causes cytokine release syndrome resulting in infusion reactions, some of which may be serious and life threatening. In clinical studies, 92% of LEMTRADA-treated patients experienced infusion reactions. In some patients, infusion reactions were reported more than 24 hours after LEMTRADA infusion. Serious reactions occurred in 3% of patients and included anaphylaxis in 2 patients (including anaphylactic shock), angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, chest pain, bradycardia, tachycardia (including atrial fibrillation), transient neurologic symptoms, hypertension, headache, pyrexia, and rash. Other infusion reactions included nausea, urticaria, pruritus, insomnia, chills, flushing, fatigue, dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrates, dysgeusia, dyspepsia, dizziness, and pain. In clinical studies, 0.6% of patients with infusion reactions received epinephrine or atropine. During postmarketing use, cases of pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, stroke (including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke), and cervicocephalic (e.g., vertebral, carotid) arterial dissection have been reported. Reactions may occur following any of the doses during the treatment course. In the majority of cases, time to onset was within 1 to 3 days of LEMTRADA infusion. Patients should be informed about the signs and symptoms and advised to seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms occur. Cases of severe (including fatal) neutropenia have been reported within 2 months of LEMTRADA infusion; some cases resolved with receiving granulocyte-colony stimulating factor treatment. Mild to moderate decreases in platelet counts, starting at the time of alemtuzumab infusion and often resolving without treatment, have been reported. Other serious and sometimes fatal infusion reactions (e.g., hypoxia, syncope, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory arrest, myocardial infarction, acute cardiac insufficiency, cardiac arrest) have been reported in the treatment of patients with B-CLL, as well as other disorders, generally at higher and more frequent doses than recommended in MS. Premedicate patients with corticosteroids immediately prior to LEMTRADA infusion for the first 3 days of each treatment course. In clinical studies, patients received 1,000 mg of methylprednisolone for the first 3 days of each LEMTRADA treatment course. Consider pretreatment with antihistamines and/or antipyretics prior to LEMTRADA administration. Infusion reactions may occur despite pretreatment. Consider ad