Open menu Close menu Open Search Close search
DRUGS INDEX | MANUFACTURERS INDEX | ANATOMY | GEOGRAPHY | USA STATISTICS | CHINA STATISTICS | RELIGION | JOBS

Femara Tablets (Novartis)



  • Description
  • Chemical Structure
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Indications and Usage
  • Contraindications
  • Warnings
  • Precautions
  • Drug Interactions
  • Adverse Reactions
  • Overdosage
  • Dosage and Administration
  • How Supplied



    - Drugs index
    - Manufacturers
    - Feedback

  • The following prescribing information is based on official labeling in effect July 2005.

    DESCRIPTION

    Femara ® (letrozole tablets) for oral administration contains 2.5 mg of letrozole, a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (inhibitor of estrogen synthesis). It is chemically described as 4,4'-(1H-1,2,4-Triazol-1-ylmethylene)dibenzonitrile, and its structural formula is

    Letrozole is a white to yellowish crystalline powder, practically odorless, freely soluble in dichloromethane, slightly soluble in ethanol, and practically insoluble in water. It has a molecular weight of 285.31, empirical formula C 17 H 11 N 5 , and a melting range of 184°C-185°C.

    Femara ® (letrozole tablets) is available as 2.5 mg tablets for oral administration.

    Inactive Ingredients. Colloidal silicon dioxide, ferric oxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, sodium starch glycolate, talc, and titanium dioxide.

    CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

    Mechanism of Action

    The growth of some cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. Treatment of breast cancer thought to be hormonally responsive (i.e., estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positive or receptor unknown) has included a variety of efforts to decrease estrogen levels (ovar-iectomy, adrenalectomy, hypophysectomy) or inhibit estrogen effects (antiestrogens and progestational agents). These interventions lead to decreased tumor mass or delayed progression of tumor growth in some women.

    In postmenopausal women, estrogens are mainly derived from the action of the aromatase enzyme, which converts adrenal androgens (primarily androstenedione and testosterone) to estrone and estradiol. The suppression of estrogen biosynthesis in peripheral tissues and in the cancer tissue itself can therefore be achieved by specifically inhibiting the aromatase enzyme.

    Letrozole is a nonsteroidal competitive inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme system; it inhibits the conversion of androgens to estrogens. In adult nontumor- and tumor-bearing female animals, letrozole is as effective as ovariectomy in reducing uterine weight, elevating serum LH, and causing the regression of estrogen-dependent tumors. In contrast to ovariectomy, treatment with letrozole does not lead to an increase in serum FSH. Letrozole selectively inhibits gonadal steroidogenesis but has no significant effect on adrenal mineralocorticoid or glucocorticoid synthesis.

    Letrozole inhibits the aromatase enzyme by competitively binding to the heme of the cytochrome P450 subunit of the enzyme, resulting in a reduction of estrogen biosynthesis in all tissues. Treatment of women with letrozole significantly lowers serum estrone, estradiol and estrone sulfate and has not been shown to significantly affect adrenal corticosteroid synthesis, aldosterone synthesis, or synthesis of thyroid hormones.

    Pharmacokinetics

    Letrozole is rapidly and completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and absorption is not affected by food. It is metabolized slowly to an inactive metabolite whose glu-curonide conjugate is excreted renally, representing the major clearance pathway. About 90% of radiolabeled letrozole is recovered in urine. Letrozole's terminal elimination half-life is about 2 days and steady-state plasma concentration after daily 2.5-mg dosing is reached in 2-6 weeks. Plasma concentrations at steady state are 1.5 to 2 times higher than predicted from the concentrations measured after a single dose, indicating a slight non-linearity in the pharmacokinetics of letrozole upon daily administration of 2.5 mg. These steady-state levels are maintained over extended periods, however, and continuous accumulation of letrozole does not occur. Letrozole is weakly protein bound and has a large volume of distribution (approximately 1.9 L/kg).

    Metabolism and Excretion

    Metabolism to a pharmacologically-inactive carbinol metabolite (4,4'-methanol-bisbenzonitrile) and renal excretion of the glucuronide conjugate of this metabolite is the major pathway of letrozole clearance. Of the radiolabel recovered in urine, at least 75% was the glucuronide of the carbinol metabolite, about 9% was two unidentified metabolites, and 6% was unchanged letrozole.

    In human microsomes with specific CYP isozyme activity, CYP3A4 metabolized letrozole to the carbinol metabolite while CYP2A6 formed both this metabolite and its ketone analog. In human liver microsomes, letrozole strongly inhibited CYP2A6 and moderately inhibited CYP2C19.

    Special Populations

    Pediatric, Geriatric and Race

    In the study populations (adults ranging in age from 35 to >80 years), no change in pharmacokinetic parameters was observed with increasing age. Differences in letrozole pharmacokinetics between adult and pediatric populations have not been studied. Differences in letrozole pharmacokinetics due to race have not been studied.

    Renal Insufficiency

    In a study of volunteers with varying renal function (24-hour creatinine clearance: 9-116 mL/min), no effect of renal function on the pharmacokinetics of single doses of 2.5 mg of Femara ® (letrozole tablets) was found. In addition, in a study of 347 patients with advanced breast cancer, about half of whom received 2.5 mg Femara and half 0.5 mg Femara, renal impairment (calculated creatinine clearance: 20-50 mL/min) did not affect steady-state plasma letrozole concentration.

    Hepatic Insufficiency

    In a study of subjects with mild to moderate non-metastatic hepatic dysfunction (e.g., cirrhosis, Child-Pugh classification A and B), the mean AUC values of the volunteers with moderate hepatic impairment were 37% higher than in normal subjects, but still within the range seen in subjects without impaired function. In a pharmacokinetics study, subjects with liver cirrhosis and severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh classification C, which included bilirubins about 2-11 times ULN with minimal to severe ascites) had two-fold increase in exposure (AUC) and 47% reduction in systemic clearance. Breast cancer patients with severe hepatic impairment are thus expected to be exposed to higher levels of letrozole than patients with normal liver function receiving similar doses of this drug. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION , Hepatic Impairment .)

    Drug/Drug Interactions

    A pharmacokinetic interaction study with cimetidine showed no clinically significant effect on letrozole pharmacokinetics. An interaction study with warfarin showed no clinically significant effect of letrozole on warfarin pharmacokinetics. In in-vitro experiments, letrozole showed no significant inhibition in the metabolism of diazepam. Similarly, no significant inhibition of letrozole metabolism by diazepam was observed.

    Coadministration of Femara and tamoxifen 20 mg daily resulted in a reduction of letrozole plasma levels of 38% on average. Clinical experience in the second-line breast cancer pivotal trials indicates that the therapeutic effect of Femara therapy is not impaired if Femara is administered immediately after tamoxifen.

    There is no clinical experience to date on the use of Femara in combination with other anticancer agents.

    Pharmacodynamics

    In postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer, daily doses of 0.1 mg to 5 mg Femara suppress plasma concentrations of estradiol, estrone, and estrone sulfate by 75%-95% from baseline with maximal suppression achieved within two-three days. Suppression is dose-related, with doses of 0.5 mg and higher giving many values of estrone and estrone sulfate that were below the limit of detection in the assays. Estrogen suppression was maintained throughout treatment in all patients treated at 0.5 mg or higher.

    Letrozole is highly specific in inhibiting aromatase activity. There is no impairment of adrenal steroidogenesis. No clinically-relevant changes were found in the plasma concentrations of cortisol, aldosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, 17-hydroxy-progesterone, ACTH or in plasma renin activity among postmenopausal patients treated with a daily dose of Femara 0.1 mg to 5 mg. The ACTH stimulation test performed after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment with daily doses of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 mg did not indicate any attenuation of aldosterone or cortisol production. Glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid supplementation is, therefore, not necessary.

    No changes were noted in plasma concentrations of androgens (androstenedione and testosterone) among healthy postmenopausal women after 0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 mg single doses of Femara or in plasma concentrations of androstenedione among postmenopausal patients treated with daily doses of 0.1 mg to 5 mg. This indicates that the blockade of estrogen biosynthesis does not lead to accumulation of androgenic precursors. Plasma levels of LH and FSH were not affected by letrozole in patients, nor was thyroid function as evaluated by TSH levels, T3 uptake, and T4 levels.

    Clinical Studies

    Extended Adjuvant Treatment of Early Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women After Completion of 5 Years of Adjuvant Tamoxifen Therapy

    A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Femara was performed in over 5100 postmenopausal women with receptor-positive or unknown primary breast cancer who were disease-free after 5 years of adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen. Patients had to be within 3 months of completing the 5 years of tamoxifen.

    The planned duration of treatment for patients in the study was 5 years, but the trial was terminated early because of an interim analysis showing a favorable Femara effect on time without recurrence or contralateral breast cancer. At the time of unblinding, women had been followed for a median of 28 months, 30% of patients had completed 3 or more years of follow-up and less than 1% of patients had completed 5 years of follow-up.

    Selected baseline characteristics for the study population are shown in Table 1.

    Table 1
    Selected Study Population Demographics
    (Modified ITT Population)
    Baseline Status Femara ®
    N=2582
    Placebo
    N=2586
    Hormone Receptor Status   (%)
       ER+ and/or PgR+ 98 98
       Both Unknown   2   2
    Nodal Status (%)
       Node Negative 50 50
       Node Positive 46 46
       Nodal Status Unknown   4   4
    Chemotherapy 46 46

    Table 2 shows the study results. Disease-free survival was measured as the time from randomization to the earliest event of loco-regional or distant recurrence of the primary disease or development of contralateral breast cancer or death. Data were premature for an analysis of survival.

    Table 2
    Extended Adjuvant Study Results
    Letrozole
    N=2582
    Placebo
    N=2586
    Hazard Ratio
    (95% CI )
    P-Value
    Disease-Free Survival (DFS) 122 (4.7%) 193 (7.5%) 0.62 (0.49,0.78) 1 0.00003
    (First event of loco-regional recurrence, distant recurrence, contralateral breast cancer or death from any cause)
    Local Breast Recurrence   9 22
    Local Chest Wall Recurrence   2   8
    Regional Recurrence   7   4
    Distant Recurrence 55 92 0.61 (0.44-0.84) 0.003
    Contralateral Breast Cancer 19 29
    Deaths Without Recurrence
       or Contralateral Breast Cancer
    30 38
    DFS by Stratification
    Receptor Status
      - Positive 117/2527 (4.6%) 190/2530 (7.5%) 0.60 (0.48,0.76)
      - Unknown 5/55     (9.1%) 3/56     (5.4%) 1.78 (0.43,7.5)
    Nodal Status
      - Positive 77/1184 (6.5%) 123/1187 (10.4%) 0.61 (0.46,0.81)
      - Negative 39/1298 (3.0%) 63/1301 (4.8%) 0.61 (0.41,0.91)
      - Unknown 6/100   (6.0%) 7/98     (7.1%) 0.81 (0.27,2.4)
    Adjuvant Chemotherapy
      - Yes 58/1197 (4.8%) 88/1199 (7.3%) 0.64 (0.46,0.90)
      - No 64/1385 (4.6%) 105/1387 (7.6%) 0.60 (0.44,0.81)
    CI = confidence interval for hazard ratio. Hazard ratio of less than 1.0 indicates difference in favor of letrozole (lesser risk of recurrence); hazard ratio greater than 1.0 indicates difference in favor of placebo (higher risk of recurrence with letrozole).
    1 Analysis stratified by receptor status, nodal status and prior adjuvant chemotherapy (stratification factors as at randomiza- tion). P-value based on stratified logrank test.

    First-Line Breast Cancer

    A randomized, double-blind, multinational trial compared Femara 2.5 mg with tamoxifen 20 mg in 916 postmenopausal patients with locally advanced (Stage IIIB or loco-regional recurrence not amenable to treatment with surgery or radiation) or metastatic breast cancer. Time to progression (TTP) was the primary endpoint of the trial. Selected baseline characteristics for this study are shown in Table 3.

    Table 3
    Selected Study Population Demographics
    Baseline Status Femara ®
    N=458
    tamoxifen
    N=458
    Baseline Status Femara ®
    N=458
    tamoxifen
    N=458
    Stage of Disease Previous Antiestrogen Therapy
       IIIB   6%   7%    Adjuvant 19% 18%
       IV 93% 92%    None 81% 82%
    Receptor Status Dominant Site of Disease
       ER and PgR Positive 38% 41%    Soft Tissue 25% 25%
       ER or PgR Positive 26% 26%    Bone 32% 29%
       Both Unknown 34% 33%    Viscera 43% 46%
       ER - or PgR - / Other Unknown <1% 0

    Femara was superior to tamoxifen in TTP and rate of objective tumor response (see Table 4) .

    Table 4 summarizes the results of the trial, with a total median follow-up of approximately 32 months. (All analyses are unadjusted and use 2-sided P-values.)

    Table 4
    Results
    Femara ® 2.5 mg       
    N=453       
    tamoxifen 20 mg      
    N=454       
    Hazard or Odds       
    Ratio (95% CI)      
    P-value (2-Sided)    
    Median Time to Progression 9.4 months 6.0 months 0.72 (0.62, 0.83) 1
    P<0.0001
    Objective Response Rate
        (CR + PR) 145 (32%) 95 (21%) 1.77 (1.31, 2.39) 2
    P=0.0002
        (CR) 42 (9%) 15 (3%) 2.99 (1.63, 5.47) 2
    P=0.0004
    Duration of Objective Response
        
    Median
    18 months 16 months
    (N=145) (N=95)
    Overall Survival 35 months 32 months
    (N=458) (N=458) P=0.5136 3
    1 Hazard ratio
    2 Odds ratio
    3 Overall logrank test

    Figure 1 shows the Kaplan-Meier curves for TTP.

    Table 5 shows results in the subgroup of women who had received prior antiestrogen adjuvant therapy, Table 6, results by disease site and Table 7, the results by receptor status.
    [See table below]

    Table 5
    Efficacy in Patients Who Received Prior Antiestrogen Therapy
    Variable Femara ® 2.5 mg
    N=84
    tamoxifen 20 mg
    N=83
    Median Time to Progression (95% CI) 8.9 months (6.2, 12.5) 5.9 months (3.2, 6.2)
       Hazard Ratio for TTP (95% CI) 0.60 (0.43, 0.84)
    Objective Response Rate
      (CR + PR) 22 (26%) 7 (8%)
       Odds Ratio for Response (95% CI) 3.85 (1.50, 9.60)
    Hazard ratio less than 1 or odds ratio greater than 1 favors letrozole; hazard ratio greater than 1 or odds ratio less than 1 favors tamoxifen.

    Table 6
    Efficacy by Disease Site
    Femara ®       
    2.5 mg       
    tamoxifen     
    20 mg       
    Dominant Disease Site
       Soft Tissue: N=113 N=115
       Median TTP 12.1 months 6.4 months
       Objective Response Rate 50% 34%
       Bone: N=145 N=131
       Median TTP 9.5 months 6.3 months
       Objective Response Rate 23% 15%
       Viscera: N=195 N=208
       Median TTP 8.3 months 4.6 months
       Objective Response Rate 28% 17%
    [See table below]

    Table 7
    Efficacy by Receptor Status
    Variable Femara ® 2.5 mg    tamoxifen 20 mg   
    Receptor Positive N=294 N=305
       Median Time to Progression (95% CI) 9.4 months (8.9, 11.8) 6.0 months (5.1, 8.5)
       Hazard Ratio for TTP (95% CI) 0.69 (0.58, 0.83)
       Objective Response Rate (CR+PR) 97 (33%) 66 (22%)
       Odds Ratio for Response (95% CI) 1.78 (1.20, 2.60)
    Receptor Unknown N=159 N=149
       Median Time to Progression (95% CI) 9.2 months (6.1, 12.3) 6.0 months (4.1, 6.4)
       Hazard Ratio for TTP (95% CI) 0.77 (0.60, 0.99)
       Objective Response Rate (CR+PR) 48 (30%) 29 (20%)
       Odds Ratio for Response (95% CI) 1.79 (1.10, 3.00)
    Hazard ratio less than 1 or odds ratio greater then 1 favors letrozole; hazard ratio greater then 1 or odds ratio less than 1 favors tamoxifen.

    Figure 2 shows the Kaplan-Meier curves for survival.

    Legend: Randomized letrozole: n=458, events 57%, median overall survival 35 months (95% CI 32 to 38 months)

    Randomized tamoxifen: n=458, events 57%, median overall survival 32 months (95% CI 28 to 37 months)

    Overall logrank P=0.5136 (i.e., there was no significant difference between treatment arms in overall survival).

    The median overall survival was 35 months for the letrozole group and 32 months for the tamoxifen group, with a P-value 0.5136.

    Study design allowed patients to cross over upon progression to the other therapy. Approximately 50% of patients crossed over to the opposite treatment arm and almost all patients who crossed over had done so by 36 months. The median time to crossover was 17 months (Femara to tamoxifen) and 13 months (tamoxifen to Femara). In patients who did not cross over to the opposite treatment arm, median survival was 35 months with Femara (n=219, 95% CI 29 to 43 months) vs. 20 months with tamoxifen (n=229, 95% CI 16 to 26 months).

    Second-Line Breast Cancer

    Femara was initially studied at doses of 0.1 mg to 5.0 mg daily in six non-comparative Phase I/II trials in 181 post-menopausal estrogen/progesterone receptor positive or unknown advanced breast cancer patients previously treated with at least antiestrogen therapy. Patients had received other hormonal therapies and also may have received cytotoxic therapy. Eight (20%) of forty patients treated with Femara 2.5 mg daily in Phase I/II trials achieved an objective tumor response (complete or partial response).

    Two large randomized, controlled, multinational (predominantly European) trials were conducted in patients with advanced breast cancer who had progressed despite antiestrogen therapy. Patients were randomized to Femara 0.5 mg daily, Femara 2.5 mg daily, or a comparator (megestrol acetate 160 mg daily in one study; and aminoglutethimide 250 mg b.i.d. with corticosteroid supplementation in the other study). In each study over 60% of the patients had received therapeutic antiestrogens, and about one-fifth of these patients had had an objective response. The megestrol acetate controlled study was double-blind; the other study was open label. Selected baseline characteristics for each study are shown in Table 8.

    Table 8
    Selected Study Population Demographics
    Parameter megestrol
    acetate
    study
    amino-
    glutethimide
    study
    No. of Participants 552 557
    Receptor Status
       ER/PR Positive 57% 56%
       ER/PR Unknown 43% 44%
    Previous Therapy
       Adjuvant Only 33% 38%
       Therapeutic +/- Adj. 66% 62%
    Sites of Disease
       Soft Tissue 56% 50%
       Bone 50% 55%
       Viscera 40% 44%

    Confirmed objective tumor response (complete response plus partial response) was the primary endpoint of the trials. Responses were measured according to the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) criteria and verified by independent, blinded review. All responses were confirmed by a second evaluation 4-12 weeks after the documentation of the initial response.

    Table 9 shows the results for the first trial, with a minimum follow-up of 15 months, that compared Femara 0.5 mg, Femara 2.5 mg, and megestrol acetate 160 mg daily. (All analyses are unadjusted.)
    [See table below]

    Table 9
    Megestrol Acetate Study Results
    Femara ® 0.5 mg
          N=188
    Femara ® 2.5 mg
          N=174
    megestrol acetate
    N=190
    Objective Response (CR + PR) 22 (11.7%) 41 (23.6%) 31 (16.3%)
    Median Duration of Response 552 days (Not reached) 561 days
    Median Time to Progression 154 days 170 days 168 days
    Median Survival 633 days 730 days 659 days
    Odds Ratio for Response Femara 2.5: Femara 0.5 = 2.33 Femara 2.5: megestrol = 1.58
    (95% CI: 1.32, 4.17); P=0.004 * (95% CI: 0.94, 2.66); P=0.08 *
    Relative Risk of Progression Femara 2.5: Femara 0.5 = 0.81 Femara 2.5: megestrol = 0.77
    (95% CI: 0.63, 1.03); P=0.09 * (95% CI: 0.60, 0.98); P=0.03 *
    *two-sided P-value

    The Kaplan-Meier Curve for progression for the megestrol acetate study is shown in Figure 3.

    The results for the study comparing Femara to aminoglutethimide, with a minimum follow-up of 9 months, are shown in Table 10. (Unadjusted analyses are used.)

    Table 10
    Aminoglutethimide Study Results
           Femara ® 0.5
           N=193
    Femara ® 2.5
    N=185
    aminoglutethimide       
    N=179       
    Objective Response (CR + PR) 34 (17.6%) 34 (18.4%) 22 (12.3%)
    Median Duration of Response 619 days 706 days 450 days
    Median Time to Progression 103 days 123 days 112 days
    Median Survival 636 days 792 days 592 days
    Odds Ratio for Response Femara 2.5:
    Femara 0.5 = 1.05
    (95% CI: 0.62, 1.79); P=0.85 *
    Femara 2.5:
    aminoglutethimide = 1.61
    (95% CI: 0.90, 2.87); P=0.11 *
    Relative Risk of Progression Femara 2.5:
    Femara 0.5 = 0.86
    (95% CI: 0.68, 1.11); P=0.25 *
    Femara 2.5:
    aminoglutethimide = 0.74
    (95% CI: 0.57, 0.94); P=0.02 *
    *two-sided P-value

    The Kaplan-Meier Curve for progression for the aminoglutethimide study is shown in Figure 4.

      

    INDICATIONS AND USAGE

    Femara ® (letrozole tablets) is indicated for the extended adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have received 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy (see Clinical Studies ). The effectiveness of Femara in extended adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer is based on an analysis of disease-free survival in patients treated for a median of 24 months (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , Clinical Studies ). Further data will be required to determine long-term outcome.

    Femara is indicated for first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive or hormone receptor unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Femara is also indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following antiestrogen therapy.

    CONTRAINDICATIONS

    Femara ® (letrozole tablets) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Femara or any of its excipients.

    WARNINGS

    Pregnancy

    Letrozole may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Studies in rats at doses equal to or greater than 0.003 mg/kg (about 1/100 the daily maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis) administered during the period of organogenesis, have shown that letrozole is embryotoxic and fetotoxic, as indicated by intrauterine mortality, increased resorption, increased postimplantation loss, decreased numbers of live fetuses and fetal anomalies including absence and shortening of renal papilla, dilation of ureter, edema and incomplete ossification of frontal skull and metatarsals. Letrozole was teratogenic in rats. A 0.03 mg/kg dose (about 1/10 the daily maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis) caused fetal domed head and cervical/centrum vertebral fusion.

    Letrozole is embryotoxic at doses equal to or greater than 0.002 mg/kg and fetotoxic when administered to rabbits at 0.02 mg/kg (about 1/100,000 and 1/10,000 the daily maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis, respectively). Fetal anomalies included incomplete ossification of the skull, sternebrae, and fore- and hindlegs.

    There are no studies in pregnant women. Femara ® (letrozole tablets) is indicated for postmenopausal women. If there is exposure to letrozole during pregnancy, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus and potential risk for loss of the pregnancy.

    PRECAUTIONS

    Since fatigue and dizziness have been observed with the use of Femara ® (letrozole tablets) and somnolence was uncommonly reported, caution is advised when driving or using machinery.

    Laboratory Tests

    No dose-related effect of Femara on any hematologic or clinical chemistry parameter was evident. Moderate decreases in lymphocyte counts, of uncertain clinical significance, were observed in some patients receiving Femara 2.5 mg. This depression was transient in about half of those affected. Two patients on Femara developed thrombocytopenia; relationship to the study drug was unclear. Patient withdrawal due to laboratory abnormalities, whether related to study treatment or not, was infrequent.

    Increases in SGOT, SGPT, and gamma GT >/=5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and of bilirubin >/=1.5 times the ULN were most often associated with metastatic disease in the liver. About 3% of study participants receiving Femara had abnormalities in liver chemistries not associated with documented metastases; these abnormalities may have been related to study drug therapy. In the megestrol acetate comparative study about 8% of patients treated with megestrol acetate had abnormalities in liver chemistries that were not associated with documented liver metastases; in the aminoglutethimide study about 10% of aminoglutethimide-treated patients had abnormalities in liver chemistries not associated with hepatic metastases.

    Bone Effects

    Preliminary results (median duration of follow-up was 20 months) from the bone sub-study (Calcium 500 mg and Vitamin D 400 IU per day mandatory; bisphosphonates not allowed) demonstrated that at 2 years the mean decrease compared to baseline in hip BMD in Femara patients was 3% vs. 0.4% for placebo (P=0.048). The mean decrease from baseline BMD results for the lumbar spine at 2 years was Femara 4.6% decrease and placebo 2.2% (P=0.069). Consideration should be given to monitoring BMD.

    Drug Interactions

    Clinical interaction studies with cimetidine and warfarin indicated that the coadministration of Femara with these drugs does not result in clinically-significant drug interactions. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY .)

    Coadministration of Femara and tamoxifen 20 mg daily resulted in a reduction of letrozole plasma levels by 38% on average. There is no clinical experience to date on the use of Femara in combination with other anticancer agents.

    Hepatic Insufficiency

    Subjects with cirrhosis and severe hepatic dysfunction (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , Special Populations ) who were dosed with 2.5 mg of Femara experienced approximately twice the exposure to letrozole as healthy volunteers with normal liver function. Therefore, a dose reduction is recommended for this patient population. The effect of hepatic impairment on Femara exposure in cancer patients with elevated bilirubin levels has not been determined. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION .)

    Drug/Laboratory Test-Interactions

    None observed.

    Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

    A conventional carcinogenesis study in mice at doses of 0.6 to 60 mg/kg/day (about 1 to 100 times the daily maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis) administered by oral gavage for up to 2 years revealed a dose-related increase in the incidence of benign ovarian stromal tumors. The incidence of combined hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma showed a significant trend in females when the high dose group was excluded due to low survival. In a separate study, plasma AUC 0-12hr levels in mice at 60 mg/kg/day were 55 times higher than the AUC 0-24hr level in breast cancer patients at the recommended dose. The carcinogenicity study in rats at oral doses of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg/day (about 0.4 to 40 times the daily maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis) for up to 2 years also produced an increase in the incidence of benign ovarian stromal tumors at 10 mg/kg/day. Ovarian hyperplasia was observed in females at doses equal to or greater than 0.1 mg/kg/day. At 10 mg/kg/day, plasma AUC 0-24hr levels in rats were 80 times higher than the level in breast cancer patients at the recommended dose.

    Letrozole was not mutagenic in in vitro tests (Ames and E. coli bacterial tests) but was observed to be a potential clastogen in in vitro assays (CHO K1 and CCL 61 Chinese hamster ovary cells). Letrozole was not clastogenic in vivo (micronucleus test in rats).

    Studies to investigate the effect of letrozole on fertility have not been conducted; however, repeated dosing caused sexual inactivity in females and atrophy of the reproductive tract in males and females at doses of 0.6, 0.1 and 0.03 mg/kg in mice, rats and dogs, respectively (about one, 0.4 and 0.4 the daily maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis, respectively).

    Pregnancy

    Pregnancy Category D (See WARNINGS .)

    Nursing Mothers

    It is not known if letrozole is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when letrozole is administered to a nursing woman (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ).

    Pediatric Use

    The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

    Geriatric Use

    The median age of patients in all studies of first-line and second-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer was 64-65 years. About 1/3 of the patients were >/=70 years old. In the first-line study, patients >/=70 years of age experienced longer time to tumor progression and higher response rates than patients <70.

    For the extended adjuvant setting, more than 5100 postmenopausal women were enrolled in the clinical study. In total, 41% of patients were aged 65 years or older at enrollment, while 12% were 75 or older. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between these older patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

    ADVERSE REACTIONS

    Femara ® (letrozole tablets) was generally well tolerated across all studies in first-line and second-line metastatic breast cancer as well as extended adjuvant treatment in women who have received prior standard adjuvant tamoxifen treatment. Generally, the observed adverse reactions are mild or moderate in nature.

    Extended Adjuvant Treatment of Early Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women Who Have Received 5 Years of Adjuvant Tamoxifen Therapy

    The median duration of extended adjuvant treatment was 24 months and the median duration of follow-up for safety was 28 months for patients receiving letrozole and placebo.

    Table 11 describes the adverse events occurring at a frequency of at least 5% in any treatment group during treatment. Most adverse events reported were Grade 1 and Grade 2 based on the Common Toxicity Criteria Version 2.0. In the extended adjuvant setting, the reported drug-related adverse events that were significantly different from placebo were hot flashes, arthralgia/arthritis, and myalgia.

    Table 11
    Percentage of Patients with Adverse Events
    Number (%) of Patients with Grade 1-4 Adverse Event Number (%) of Patients with Grade 3-4 Adverse Event
        Letrozole
        N=2563
        Placebo
        N=2573
        Letrozole
        N=2563
        Placebo
        N=2573
    Any Adverse Event 2232 (87.1) 2174 (84.5) 419 (16.3) 389 (15.1)
    Vascular Disorders 1375 (53.6) 1230 (47.8) 59 (2.3) 74 (2.9)
       Flushing 1273 (49.7) 1114 (43.3) 3 (0.1) 0 (0)
    General Disorders 1154 (45.0) 1090 (42.4) 30 (1.2) 28 (1.1)
       Asthenia 862 (33.6) 826 (32.1) 16 (0.6) 7 (0.3)
       Edema NOS 471 (18.4) 416 (16.2) 4 (0.2) 3 (0.1)
    Musculoskeletal Disorders 978 (38.2) 836 (32.5) 71 (2.8) 50 (1.9)
       Arthralgia 565 (22.0) 465 (18.1) 25 (1.0) 20 (0.8)
       Arthritis NOS 173 (6.7) 124 (4.8) 10 (0.4) 5 (0.2)
       Myalgia 171 (6.7) 122 (4.7) 8 (0.3) 6 (0.2)
       Back Pain 129 (5.0) 112 (4.4) 8 (0.3) 7 (0.3)
    Nervous System Disorders 863 (33.7) 819 (31.8) 65 (2.5) 58 (2.3)
       Headache 516 (20.1) 508 (19.7) 18 (0.7) 17 (0.7)
       Dizziness 363 (14.2) 342 (13.3) 9 (0.4) 6 (0.2)
    Skin Disorders 830 (32.4) 787 (30.6) 17 (0.7) 16 (0.6)
       Sweating Increased 619 (24.2) 577 (22.4) 1 (<0.1) 0 (0)
    Gastrointestinal Disorders 725 (28.3) 731 (28.4) 43 (1.7) 42 (1.6)
       Constipation 290 (11.3) 304 (11.8) 6 (0.2) 2 (<0.1)
       Nausea 221 (8.6) 212 (8.2) 3 (0.1) 10 (0.4)
       Diarrhea NOS 128 (5.0) 143 (5.6) 12 (0.5) 8 (0.3)
    Metabolic Disorders 551 (21.5) 537 (20.9) 24 (0.9) 32 (1.2)
       Hypercholesterolemia 401 (15.6) 398 (15.5) 2 (<0.1) 5 (0.2)
    Reproductive Disorders 303 (11.8) 357 (13.9) 9 (0.4) 8 (0.3)
       Vaginal Hemorrhage 123 (4.8) 171 (6.6) 2 (<0.1) 5 (0.2)
       Vulvovaginal Dryness 137 (5.3) 127 (4.9) 0 (0) 0 (0)
    Psychiatric Disorders 320 (12.5) 276 (10.7) 21 (0.8) 16 (0.6)
       Insomnia 149 (5.8) 120 (4.7) 2 (<0.1) 2 (<0.1)
    Respiratory Disorders 279 (10.9) 260 (10.1) 30 (1.2) 28 (1.1)
       Dyspnea 140 (5.5) 137 (5.3) 21 (0.8) 18 (0.7)
    Investigations 184 (7.2) 147 (5.7) 13 (0.5) 13 (0.5)
    Infections and Infestations 166 (6.5) 163 (6.3) 40 (1.6) 33 (1.3)
    Renal Disorders 130 (5.1) 100 (3.9) 12 (0.5) 6 (0.2)

    The duration of follow-up for both the main clinical study and the bone study were insufficient to assess fracture risk associated with long-term use of letrozole. Based on a median follow-up of patients for 28 months, the incidence of clinical fractures from the core randomized study in patients who received Femara was 5.9% (152) and placebo was 5.5% (142). The incidence of self-reported osteoporosis was higher in patients who received Femara 6.9% (176) than in patients who received placebo 5.5% (141). Bisphosphonates were administered to 21.1% of the patients who received Femara and 18.7% of the patients who received placebo.

    Preliminary results (median duration of follow-up was 20 months) from the bone sub-study (Calcium 500 mg and Vitamin D 400 IU per day mandatory; bisphosphonates not allowed) demonstrated that at 2 years the mean decrease compared to baseline in hip BMD in Femara patients was 3% vs. 0.4% for placebo. The mean decrease from baseline BMD results for the lumbar spine at 2 years were Femara 4.6% decrease and placebo 2.2%.

    The incidence of cardiovascular ischemic events from the core randomized study was comparable between patients who received Femara 6.8% (175) and placebo 6.5% (167).

    Preliminary results (median duration of follow-up was 30 months) from the lipid sub-study did not show significant differences between the Femara and placebo groups. The HDL:LDL ratio decreased after the first 6 months of therapy but the decrease was similar in both groups and no statistically significant differences were detected.

    A patient-reported measure that captures treatment impact on important symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency demonstrated a difference in favor of placebo for vasomotor and sexual symptom domains.

    First-Line Breast Cancer

    A total of 455 patients was treated for a median time of exposure of 11 months. The incidence of adverse experiences was similar for Femara and tamoxifen. The most frequently reported adverse experiences were bone pain, hot flushes, back pain, nausea, arthralgia and dyspnea. Discontinuations for adverse experiences other than progression of tumor occurred in 10/455 (2%) of patients on Femara and in 15/455 (3%) of patients on tamoxifen.

    Adverse events, regardless of relationship to study drug, that were reported in at least 5% of the patients treated with Femara 2.5 mg or tamoxifen 20 mg in the first-line treatment study are shown in Table 12.

    Table 12
    Percentage (%) of Patients with Adverse Events
    Adverse Experience Femara ®
    2.5 mg
    (N=455)
    %
    tamoxifen
    20 mg
    (N=455)
    %
    Adverse Experience Femara ®
    2.5 mg
    (N=455)
    %
    tamoxifen
    20 mg
    (N=455)
    %
    General Disorders Injury, Poisoning and Procedural Complications
       Fatigue 13 13    Post-Mastectomy
       Chest pain   8   9      Lymphedema   7   7
       Edema peripheral   5   6 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders
       Pain NOS   5   7    Anorexia   4   6
       Weakness   6   4 Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders
    Investigations    Bone Pain 22 21
       Weight decreased   7   5    Back Pain 18 19
    Vascular Disorders    Arthralgia 16 15
       Hot flushes 19 16    Pain in Limb 10   8
       Hypertension   8   4 Nervous System Disorders
    Gastrointestinal Disorders    Headache NOS   8   7
       Nausea 17 17 Psychiatric Disorders
       Constipation 10 11    Insomnia   7   4
       Diarrhea   8   4 Reproductive System and Breast Disorders
       Vomiting   7   8    Breast Pain   7   7
    Infections/Infestations Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders
       Influenza   6   4    Dyspnea 18 17
       Urinary Tract Infection NOS   6   3    Cough 13 13
       Chest Wall Pain   6   6

    Other less frequent (</=2%) adverse experiences considered consequential for both treatment groups, included peripheral thromboembolic events, cardiovascular events, and cerebrovascular events. Peripheral thromboembolic events included venous thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, portal vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Cardiovascular events included angina, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, and coronary heart disease. Cerebrovascular events included transient ischemic attacks, thrombotic or hemorrhagic strokes and development of hemiparesis.

    Second-Line Breast Cancer

    Femara was generally well tolerated in two controlled clinical trials.

    Study discontinuations in the megestrol acetate comparison study for adverse events other than progression of tumor occurred in 5/188 (2.7%) of patients on Femara 0.5 mg, in 4/174 (2.3%) of the patients on Femara 2.5 mg, and in 15/190 (7.9%) of patients on megestrol acetate. There were fewer thromboembolic events at both Femara doses than on the megestrol acetate arm (2 of 362 patients or 0.6% vs. 9 of 190 patients or 4.7%). There was also less vaginal bleeding (1 of 362 patients or 0.3% vs. 6 of 190 patients or 3.2%) on letrozole than on megestrol acetate. In the aminoglutethimide comparison study, discontinuations for reasons other than progression occurred in 6/193 (3.1%) of patients on 0.5 mg Femara, 7/185 (3.8%) of patients on 2.5 mg Femara, and 7/178 (3.9%) of patients on aminoglutethimide.

    Comparisons of the incidence of adverse events revealed no significant differences between the high and low dose Femara groups in either study. Most of the adverse events observed in all treatment groups were mild to moderate in severity and it was generally not possible to distinguish adverse reactions due to treatment from the consequences of the patient's metastatic breast cancer, the effects of estrogen deprivation, or intercurrent illness.

    Adverse events, regardless of relationship to study drug, that were reported in at least 5% of the patients treated with Femara 0.5 mg, Femara 2.5 mg, megestrol acetate, or aminoglutethimide in the two controlled trials are shown in Table 13.

    Table 13
    Percentage (%) of Patients with Adverse Events
    Adverse Experience Pooled
    Femara ® 2.5 mg
    (N=359)
    %
    Pooled
    Femara ® 0.5 mg
    (N=380)
    %
    megestrol
    acetate 160 mg
    (N=189)
    %
    aminoglutethimide
    500 mg
    (N=178)
    %
    Body as a Whole
       Fatigue   8   6 11   3
       Chest Pain   6   3   7   3
       Peripheral Edema 1   5   5   8   3
       Asthenia   4   5   4   5
       Weight increase   2   2   9   3
    Cardiovascular
       Hypertension   5   7   5   6
    Digestive System
       Nausea 13 15   9 14
       Vomiting   7   7   5   9
       Constipation   6   7   9   7
       Diarrhea   6   5   3   4
       Pain-Abdominal   6   5   9   8
       Anorexia   5   3   5   5
       Dyspepsia   3   4   6   5
    Infections/Infestations
       Viral Infection   6   5   6   3
    Lab Abnormality
       Hypercholesterolemia   3   3   0   6
    Musculoskeletal System
       Musculoskeletal 2 21 22 30 14
       Arthralgia   8   8   8   3
    Nervous System
       Headache   9 12   9   7
       Somnolence   3   2   2   9
       Dizziness   3   5   7   3
    Respiratory System
       Dyspnea   7   9 16   5
       Coughing   6   5   7   5
    Skin and Appendages
       Hot Flushes   6   5   4   3
       Rash 3   5   4   3 12
       Pruritus   1   2   5   3
    1 Includes peripheral edema, leg edema, dependent edema, edema
    2 Includes musculoskeletal pain, skeletal pain, back pain, arm pain, leg pain
    3 Includes rash, erythematous rash, maculopapular rash, psoriaform rash, vesicular rash

    Other less frequent (<5%) adverse experiences considered consequential and reported in at least 3 patients treated with Femara, included hypercalcemia, fracture, depression, anxiety, pleural effusion, alopecia, increased sweating and vertigo.

    Post-Marketing Experiences

    Cases of blurred vision and increased hepatic enzyme have been uncommonly (<1%) reported since market introduction.

    OVERDOSAGE

    Isolated cases of Femara ® (letrozole tablets) overdose have been reported. In these instances, the highest single dose ingested was 62.5 mg or 25 tablets. While no serious adverse events were reported in these cases, because of the limited data available, no firm recommendations for treatment can be made. However, emesis could be induced if the patient is alert. In general, supportive care and frequent monitoring of vital signs are also appropriate. In single-dose studies, the highest dose used was 30 mg, which was well tolerated; in multiple-dose trials, the largest dose of 10 mg was well tolerated.

    Lethality was observed in mice and rats following single oral doses that were equal to or greater than 2000 mg/kg (about 4000 to 8000 times the daily maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis); death was associated with reduced motor activity, ataxia and dyspnea. Lethality was observed in cats following single IV doses that were equal to or greater than 10 mg/kg (about 50 times the daily maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis); death was preceded by depressed blood pressure and arrhythmias.

    DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

    Adult and Elderly Patients

    The recommended dose of Femara ® (letrozole tablets) is one 2.5 mg tablet administered once a day, without regard to meals. In patients with advanced disease, treatment with Femara should continue until tumor progression is evident. In the extended adjuvant setting, the optimal treatment duration with Femara is not known. The planned duration of treatment in the study was 5 years. However, at the time of the analysis, the median treatment duration was 24 months, 25% of patients were treated for at least 3 years and less than 1% of patients were treated for the planned duration of 5 years. The median duration of follow-up was 28 months. Treatment should be discontinued at tumor relapse (see CLINICAL STUDIES ) .

    No dose adjustment is required for elderly patients. Patients treated with Femara do not require glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid replacement therapy.

    Renal Impairment

    (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY .) No dosage adjustment is required for patients with renal impairment if creatinine clearance is >/=10 mL/min.

    Hepatic Impairment

    No dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, although letrozole blood concentrations were modestly increased in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment due to cirrhosis. The dose of letrozole in patients with cirrhosis and severe hepatic dysfunction should be reduced by 50% (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ) . The recommended dose of Femara for such patients is 2.5 mg administered every other day. The effect of hepatic impairment on Femara exposure in noncirrhotic cancer patients with elevated bilirubin levels has not been determined. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY .)

    HOW SUPPLIED

    2.5 mg tablets - dark yellow, film-coated, round, slightly biconvex, with beveled edges (imprinted with the letters FV on one side and CG on the other side).

    Packaged in HDPE bottles with a safety screw cap.

    Bottles of 30 tablet    sNDC 0078-0249-15

    Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

    T2004-77

    5000157

    5000158

    REV: NOVEMBER 2004        PRINTED IN U.S.A.

    Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

    East Hanover, New Jersey 07936

    ©Novartis








    - To bookmark this page (add it to your favorites), please click the image to the left.
    - If you wish to link to this page, you can do so by referring to the URL address below this line.

    https://theodora.com/drugs/femara_tablets_novartis.html

    This page was last modified 30-JUN-07
    Copyright © 1995-2021 ITA all rights reserved.