Key Data Regarding The Risk

FDA's decision to require a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) and class-labeling changes to the drug labels for Long-Acting Beta Agonists (LABAs) is based on analyses from the Salmeterol Multicenter Asthma Research Trial (SMART), the Salmeterol Nationwide Surveillance study (SNS), and a meta-analysis conducted by FDA in 2008 and discussed at the joint Pulmonary Allergy Drugs, Drug Safety and Risk Management, and Pediatric Advisory Committees, held on December 10-11, 2008 (for complete safety reviews and background information discussed at this meeting see the following link: December 10-11 2008 AC meeting).

SMART was a large, randomized, 28-week, placebo-controlled trial that evaluated a total of 26,355 patients 12 years of age and older receiving standard asthma therapy and the addition of either salmeterol or placebo. Results showed that patients receiving salmeterol were at an increased risk for asthma-related death compared to patients receiving placebo (13/13,176 in patients treated with salmeterol vs. 3/13,179 in patients treated with placebo; RR 4.37, 95% CI 1.25, 15.34). Subgroup analyses were also performed and found that asthma-related death in Caucasians and African Americans occurred at a higher rate in patients using salmeterol compared to placebo. The SNS was a 16-week, double-blind study that compared the addition of salmeterol or albuterol to standard asthma therapy in 25,180 asthma patients who were 12 years of age and older. In this study, there was an increase in the number of respiratory and asthma-related deaths in the salmeterol group compared to the albuterol group (0.07% [12 out of 16,787 patients]) compared to the albuterol group (0.02% [2 out of 8393 patients] relative risk of 3.0, p=0.105]).

Table I. SMART Results

In preparation for the December 2008 Advisory Committee, FDA conducted a meta-analysis of 110 studies evaluating the use of LABAs in 60,954 patients with asthma. The meta-analysis used a composite endpoint to measure severe exacerbation of asthma symptoms (asthma-related death, intubation, and hospitalization). The results of the meta-analysis suggested an increased risk for severe exacerbation of asthma symptoms in patients using LABAs compared to those not using LABAs. The largest risk difference per 1000 treated patients was seen in children 4-11 years of age, see table 2 below. The results of the meta-analysis were primarily driven by asthma-related hospitalizations. Other meta-analyses evaluating the safety of LABAs in the treatment of asthma have not shown a significant increase in the risk for severe asthma exacerbations.

Table 2. Meta-Analysis Results: Number of Patients Experiencing an Event*

At this time, there are insufficient data to conclude whether using LABAs with an inhaled corticosteroid reduces or eliminates the risk of asthma-related death and hospitalizations. FDA is requiring the manufacturers of LABAs to conduct studies evaluating the safety of LABAs when used in conjunction with an inhaled corticosteroid.

Based on the available information, FDA concludes there is an increased risk for severe exacerbation of asthma symptoms, leading to hospitalizations in pediatric and adult patients as well as death in some patients using LABAs for the treatment of asthma. The agency is requiring the REMS and class-labeling changes to improve the safe use of these products.

See February 2010 LABA Drug Safety Communication for more information.

Indication

PERFOROMIST^® (formoterol fumarate) Inhalation Solution is indicated for the long-term, twice-daily (morning and evening) administration in the maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

WARNING: ASTHMA-RELATED DEATH

Long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonists (LABA) increase the risk of asthma-related death. Data from a large placebo-controlled US study that compared the safety of another long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (salmeterol) or placebo added to usual asthma therapy showed an increase in asthma-related deaths in patients receiving salmeterol. This finding with salmeterol is considered a class effect of LABA, including formoterol, the active ingredient in PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution. The safety and efficacy of PERFOROMIST in patients with asthma have not been established. All LABA, including PERFOROMIST, are contraindicated in patients with asthma without use of a long-term asthma control medication (see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS).

Important Safety Information

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be used for the relief of acute symptoms, i.e., as rescue therapy for the treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm.

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be initiated in patients with acutely deteriorating COPD, which may be a life-threatening condition.

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension; in patients with convulsive disorders or thyrotoxicosis; and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Deterioration of Disease and Acute Episodes
PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be initiated in patients with acutely deteriorating COPD, which may be a life-threatening condition. PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be used for the relief of acute symptoms, ie, as rescue therapy for the treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm. Acute symptoms should be treated with an inhaled short-acting beta₂-agonist

Excessive Use of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution and Use With Other Long-Acting Beta₂-Agonists
PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be used more often, at higher doses than recommended, or in conjunction with other inhaled, long-acting beta₂-agonists, as an overdose may result. Clinically significant cardiovascular effects and fatalities have been reported in association with excessive use of inhaled sympathomimetic drugs

Paradoxical Bronchospasm
As with other inhaled beta₂-agonists, PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution can produce paradoxical bronchospasm that may be life-threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted

Cardiovascular Effects
PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, like other beta₂-agonists, can produce a clinically significant cardiovascular effect in some patients as measured by increases in pulse rate, systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure, and/or symptoms.

Coexisting Conditions
PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, like other sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with convulsive disorders or thyrotoxicosis, and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines. Doses of the related beta₂-agonist albuterol, when administered intravenously, have been reported to aggravate preexisting diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis

DRUG INTERACTIONS

MAO Inhibitors, Tricyclic Antidepressants and QTc Prolonging Drugs
PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, as with other beta₂-agonists, should be used with extreme caution in patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, or drugs known to prolong the QTc interval because the action of adrenergic agonists on the cardiovascular system may be potentiated by these agents

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.