EVKEEZA Concentrate for solution for infusion Ref.[27942] Active ingredients: Evinacumab

Source: European Medicines Agency (EU)  Revision Year: 2022  Publisher: Ultragenyx Germany GmbH, Rahel-Hirsch-Str. 10, 10557 Berlin, Germany

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Traceability

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.

Hypersensitivity and infusion reactions

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, and infusion reactions have been reported with evinacumab (see section 4.8). If signs or symptoms of serious hypersensitivity or serious infusion reactions occur, discontinue treatment with evinacumab, treat according to the standard-of-care and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No interaction studies have been performed. No interacting mechanisms between evinacumab and other lipid-lowering medications have been observed.

4.6. Pregnancy and lactation

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment with evinacumab and for at least 5 months after the last dose of evinacumab.

Pregnancy

There is a limited amount of data from the use of evinacumab in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Human IgG antibodies are known to cross the placenta barrier; therefore, evinacumab has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing foetus. Evinacumab may cause foetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman and it is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using effective contraception unless the expected benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risk to the foetus.

Breast-feeding

It is unknown whether evinacumab is excreted in human milk. Human IgGs are known to be excreted in breast milk during the first few days after birth, which decrease to low concentrations soon afterwards; consequently, a risk to the breast-fed infant cannot be excluded during this short period. Afterwards, Evkeeza could be used during breast-feeding if clinically needed.

Fertility

No human data on the effect of evinacumab on fertility are available. Animal studies do not indicate harmful effects with respect to male and female fertility (see section 5.3).

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Evkeeza has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most frequently occurring adverse reactions are nasopharyngitis (13.7%), influenza like illness (7.7%), dizziness (6.0%), back pain (5.1%) and nausea (5.1%). The most serious adverse reaction is anaphylaxis (0.9%).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Table 1 lists the incidence of adverse reactions in the pooled controlled clinical trials of evinacumab therapy involving 117 patients with HoFH and persistent hypercholesterolaemia. Adverse reactions are listed by system organ class (SOC) and by frequency. Frequencies are defined as: 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); not known (cannot be estimated from available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness.

Table 1. Adverse reactions:

MedDRA System organ classPreferred termFrequency categories
Infections and infestations NasopharyngitisVery Common
Upper respiratory tract infectionCommon
Immune system disorders AnaphylaxisUncommon
Nervous system disorders DizzinessCommon
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders RhinorrhoeaCommon
Gastrointestinal disordersNauseaCommon
Abdominal painCommon
ConstipationCommon
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Back painCommon
Pain in extremityCommon
General disorders and administration site conditions Influenza like illnessCommon
AstheniaCommon
Infusion related reactionCommon
Infusion site reactionsCommon

Description of selected adverse reactions

Hypersensitivity reactions

Anaphylaxis was reported in 1 (0.9%) patient treated with evinacumab (see section 4.4).

Infusion reactions

Infusion reactions (e.g. infusion site pruritus) were reported in 9 (7.7%) patients treated with evinacumab and in 2 (3.7%) patients treated with placebo.

Paediatric population

The safety profile observed in 13 adolescent patients with HoFH aged 12 to 17 years treated with evinacumab 15 mg/kg IV every 4 weeks was consistent with the safety profile of adult patients with HoFH. The safety of evinacumab in paediatric patients aged less than 12 years has not been established (see section 5.1).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V.

6.2. Incompatibilities

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

© All content on this website, including data entry, data processing, decision support tools, "RxReasoner" logo and graphics, is the intellectual property of RxReasoner and is protected by copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of any part of this content without explicit written permission from RxReasoner is strictly prohibited. Any third-party content used on this site is acknowledged and utilized under fair use principles.