FDA MedWatch – Vivitrol (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension): Medication Guide Required for Patients

Alkermes and FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients of an update to the Warnings, Information for Patients, and Dosage and Administration sections of the Prescribing Information to strengthen language regarding the risk of injection site reactions based on postmarketing reports that had been received prior to June 2009.

FDA requires that a Medication Guide, which communicates this and other important information about treatment be provided to all patients. Healthcare professionals should also counsel patients about the risks and benefits of Vivitrol before an initial prescription, including those risks and benefits set forth in the new Medication Guide and Prescribing Information, and should ensure that patients understand these risks.

Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including links to the Dear HCP letter, the revised Prescribing Information and the new Medication Guide.

FDA MedWatch – July 2009 Drug Safety Labeling Changes

The MedWatch July 2009 Drug Safety Labeling Changes posting includes 38 drug products with safety labeling changes to the following sections: BOXED WARNING, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS, PATIENT PACKAGE INSERT, and MEDICATION GUIDE.

The Summary Page provides a listing of drug names and safety labeling sections revised.

Clicking on a drug product name in the Summary View will take you to the “detailed view” page, which identifies safety labeling sections and subsections revised, along with a brief summary of new or modified safety information to the BOXED WARNING, CONTRAINDICATIONS, and/or WARNINGS sections.

The following drugs had modifications to the BOXED WARNING, CONTRAINDICATIONS, and WARNINGS sections:

Chantix (varenicline), Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride), Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride), Diabeta (glyburide), Lopid (gemfibrozil), Ortho Evra (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol) transdermal system, Veramyst (fluticasone furoate), Actonel (risedronate sodium), Gardasil (Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine, Letairis (ambrisentan), Myfortic (mycophenolic acid), Rilutek (riluzole), Soliris (eculizumab)