Revision Year: 2025
IMAAVY is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity reaction to nipocalimab or any of the excipients in IMAAVY. Reactions have included anaphylaxis and angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
IMAAVY may increase the risk of infection [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In Study 1 [see Clinical Studies (14)], 42 (43%) out of 98 patients treated with IMAAVY reported 71 events of infection. Across Study 1 (double blind period) and its extension study (open label-period), out of 186 patients treated with IMAAVY, 132 (71%) patients reported 360 events of infection. Serious infections were reported in 7% of patients treated with IMAAVY. Delay IMAAVY administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved. During treatment with IMAAVY, monitor for clinical signs and symptoms of infection. If serious infection occurs, administer appropriate treatment and consider withholding IMAAVY until the infection has resolved.
Patients treated with IMAAVY may be at an increased risk of activation of latent viral infections, such as herpes zoster [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In the extension period of Study 1, there were 2 patients with serious adverse reactions related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and 1 of these patients had fatal complications. Patients who screened positive for hepatitis were excluded from Study 1. Follow standard vaccination guidelines [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
The safety of immunization with live vaccines and the immune response to vaccination during treatment with IMAAVY are unknown. Because IMAAVY causes a reduction in IgG levels, vaccination with live vaccines is not recommended during treatment with IMAAVY.
Evaluate the need to administer age-appropriate vaccines according to immunization guidelines before initiation of treatment with IMAAVY.
In clinical trials, hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema, anaphylaxis, rash, urticaria, and eczema were observed in patients treated with IMAAVY. In Study 1, hypersensitivity reactions were mild or moderate, occurred within one hour to 2 weeks of administration [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. One patient experienced a hypersensitivity reaction (urticaria) that led to treatment discontinuation.
Management of hypersensitivity reactions depends on the type and severity of the reaction. Monitor the patient during treatment with IMAAVY and for 30 minutes after the administration is complete for clinical signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs during administration, discontinue IMAAVY infusion and institute appropriate supportive measures if needed. IMAAVY is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity to nipocalimab or any of the excipients of IMAAVY [see Contraindications (4)].
In clinical trials, infusion-related reactions, including headache, influenza-like illness, rash, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, chills, and erythema were observed in patients treated with IMAAVY. In Study 1, infusion-related reactions were mild to moderate in severity and occurred within one hour to 2 days of administration [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Monitor patients during treatment with IMAAVY and for 30 minutes after each infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. If a severe infusion-related reaction occurs, discontinue IMAAVY infusion and initiate appropriate therapy. Consider the risks and benefits of readministering IMAAVY following a severe infusion-related reaction. If a mild to moderate infusion related reaction occurs, patients may be rechallenged with close clinical observation, slower infusion rates, and pre-medication.
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling
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.
In Study 1 and its extension study the safety of IMAAVY was evaluated in 186 patients with gMG who received at least one dose of IMAAVY. Of those patients, 168 patients were exposed to IMAAVY every 2 weeks for at least 6 months, and 140 patients were exposed for at least 12 months.
In Study 1, 98 adult patients with gMG received IMAAVY 15 mg/kg every two weeks (after 30 mg/kg initial dose) [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Of these 98 patients, approximately 67% were female, 67% were White, 29% were Asian, and 10% were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. The mean age at study entry was 53 years (range 20 to 81).
Adverse reactions reported in at least 5% of patients treated with IMAAVY and more frequently than placebo, are summarized in Table 1. The most common adverse reactions (reported in at least 10% of patients treated with IMAAVY) were respiratory tract infection, peripheral edema, and muscle spasms.
Table 1. Adverse Reactions (≥5%) of Patients Treated with IMAAVY and More Frequently than in Placebo in Study 1:
| Adverse Reaction | IMAAVY N=98 % | Placebo N=98 % |
|---|---|---|
| Infection | ||
| Respiratory tract infection* | 18 | 13 |
| Urinary tract infection† | 6 | 3 |
| Herpes zoster and Herpes simplex | 6 | 2 |
| Oral infection‡ | 5 | 3 |
| Peripheral edema | 12 | 2 |
| Muscle spasm | 12 | 3 |
| Hypersensitivity reaction§ | 8 | 7 |
| Abdominal pain | 8 | 3 |
| Back pain | 8 | 5 |
| Pyrexia | 7 | 1 |
| Diarrhea | 7 | 3 |
| Cough | 7 | 3 |
| Anemia ?footnoteRef? | 6 | 4 |
| Dizziness | 5 | 1 |
| Nausea | 5 | 2 |
| Hypertension | 5 | 2 |
| Insomnia | 5 | 2 |
Includes the following reported in patients treated with IMAAVY:
* COVID-19 (and other related terms), pneumonia, bronchitis, pneumonia bacteria
† other related terms
‡ glossitis, oral candidiasis, pericoronitis, pulpitis dental, tooth abscess, tooth infection
§ angioedema, dermatitis atopic, eczema, gingival swelling, rash (and other related terms), urticaria
In Study 1 and its extension study, infections that occurred in patients treated with IMAAVY (n=186) included upper respiratory tract infection (46%), respiratory tract infection (28%; including pneumonia, bronchitis, COVID-19), urinary tract infection (15%), herpes (8%; including herpes simplex, herpes zoster, herpes zoster oticus), influenza (8%), oral infection (8%; including candidiasis and dental infections), and skin infection (7%; including cellulitis). Two (1%) cases of infections (cellulitis and urinary tract infection) led to discontinuation of IMAAVY [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
In Study 1 and its extension study, out of 186 patients treated with IMAAVY, 30 (16%) patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions, which occurred within one hour to two weeks of administration. One patient experienced hypersensitivity reaction (urticaria) that required discontinuation of IMAAVY [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
In Study 1 and its extension study, out of 186 patients treated with IMAAVY, 20 (11%) patients experienced infusion-related reactions, which occurred within one hour to 2 days of administration. No patients experienced infusion-related reaction that required discontinuation of IMAAVY [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
In Study 1 (N=98), patients treated with IMAAVY had elevations from normal to high of fasting total cholesterol (≥240 mg/dL) and LDL cholesterol (≥160 mg/dL) (24% and 11% of patients, respectively). In Study 1, these changes from baseline peaked at Week 4, then decreased and plateaued by Week 24 to mean increases of 14 mg/dL and 7 mg/dL, respectively. Five percent of patients treated with IMAAVY had decreases from normal to low (<40 mg/dL of fasting HDL cholesterol).
In a 24-week, single arm study evaluating the safety of IMAAVY in 7 pediatric patients age 12 to 16 years with gMG who were AChR positive, adverse reactions were consistent with those observed in adult patients with gMG [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
The observed incidence of anti-drug antibodies is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Differences in assay methods preclude meaningful comparisons of the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in other studies, including those of nipocalimab-aahu or of other nipocalimab products.
In clinical trials, antibodies to nipocalimab-aahu were detected in 49/102 (48%) adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older during 24-week treatment period.
Out of the 49 patients who were positive for antibodies to nipocalimab-aahu, 19 (38.8%) patients had neutralizing antibodies to nipocalimab-aahu. There was no identified clinically relevant effect of antibodies, including neutralizing antibodies, to nipocalimab-aahu on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, or effectiveness of IMAAVY.
Concomitant use of IMAAVY with medications that bind to the human neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) (e.g., immunoglobulin products, monoclonal antibodies, or antibody derivates containing the human Fc domain of the IgG subclass) may lower systemic exposures and reduce effectiveness of such medications. Closely monitor for reduced effectiveness of medications that bind to the human neonatal Fc receptor. When concomitant long-term use of such medications is essential for patient care, consider discontinuing IMAAVY, and using alternative therapies [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
There are limited data on the use of IMAAVY in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.
There was no evidence of direct adverse effects on fetal development following administration of nipocalimab-aahu to pregnant monkeys; however, adverse effects on the placenta were associated with fetal loss at both doses tested (see Data).
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background rate of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
There is a pregnancy safety study for IMAAVY. If IMAAVY is administered during pregnancy, or if a patient becomes pregnant while receiving IMAAVY, healthcare providers should report IMAAVY exposure by contacting Janssen at 1-800-526-7736 or www.IMAAVY.com
Monoclonal antibodies are increasingly transported across the placenta as pregnancy progresses, with the largest amount transferred during the third trimester. Because IMAAVY reduces maternal serum IgG concentration and impedes placental IgG transfer to the fetus, passive immunity in the infant may be reduced for 6 months or more; therefore:
Intravenous administration of nipocalimab-aahu (0, 100, or 300 mg/kg) to pregnant monkeys weekly from the end of organogenesis (gestation day 45) through parturition resulted in placental ischemia, associated with fetal loss and decreased levels of IgG in the offspring at both doses tested. IgG levels in offspring returned to normal levels and no adverse effects on immune function were evident by 6 months after birth. The doses tested are 6 and 20 times the recommended human maintenance dose (15 mg/kg) on a mg/kg basis.
Nipocalimab-aahu is excreted in human colostrum and breastmilk based on limited data from an investigational study of 13 pregnant women administered nipocalimab-aahu during pregnancy where colostrum and breastmilk was assessed in the first 8 days after birth. There are insufficient data on the effect of IMAAVY in the breastfed infant. There are no data on the effect of nipocalimab on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for IMAAVY, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from IMAAVY, or from the underlying maternal condition.
The safety and effectiveness of IMAAVY for the treatment of gMG have been established in pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. Use of IMAAVY in pediatric patients for this indication is supported by evidence from an adequate and well-controlled trial in adults with additional pharmacokinetic and safety data in pediatric patients who are 12 years of age and older [see Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3), and Clinical Studies (14)].
Safety and effectiveness of IMAAVY for the treatment of gMG in pediatric patients below the age of 12 years have not been established.
Clinical studies of IMAAVY did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger adult patients.
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