For: Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease
Defitelio (defibrotide sodium) is a deoxyribonucleic acid derivative anticoagulant for the treatment of patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) with renal or pulmonary dysfunction following hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). DEFITELIO- defibrotide sodium injection, solution
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
DEFITELIO is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), with renal or pulmonary dysfunction following hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT).
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Recommended Dosage
The recommended dosage of DEFITELIO for adult and pediatric patients is 6.25 mg/kg every 6 hours given as a 2‑hour intravenous infusion. The dose should be based on patient's baseline body weight, defined as the patient's weight prior to the preparative regimen for HSCT.
Administer DEFITELIO for a minimum of 21 days. If after 21 days signs and symptoms of hepatic VOD have not resolved, continue DEFITELIO until resolution of VOD or up to a maximum of 60 days.
DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
Injection: 200 mg/2.5 mL (80 mg/mL) of defibrotide sodium as a clear, light yellow to brown solution in a single-patient-use glass vial.
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS
The use of DEFITELIO is contraindicated in the following conditions:
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Concomitant administration with systemic anticoagulant or fibrinolytic therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
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Known hypersensitivity to DEFITELIO or to any of its excipients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)
DESCRIPTION
Defibrotide sodium is an oligonucleotide mixture with profibrinolytic properties. The chemical name of defibrotide sodium is polydeoxyribonucleotide, sodium salt. Defibrotide sodium is a polydisperse mixture of predominantly single-stranded (ss) polydeoxyribonucleotide sodium salts derived from porcine intestinal tissue having a mean weighted molecular weight of 13-20 kDa, and a potency of 27-39 and 28-38 biological units per mg as determined by two separate assays measuring the release of a product formed by contact between defibrotide sodium, plasmin and a plasmin substrate. The primary structure of defibrotide sodium is shown below.
chemical structure
(click image for full-size original)
DEFITELIO (defibrotide sodium) injection is a clear, light yellow to brown, sterile, preservative-free solution in a single-patient-use vial for intravenous use. Each milliliter of the injection contains 80 mg of defibrotide sodium and 10 mg of Sodium Citrate, USP, in Water for Injection, USP. Hydrochloric Acid, NF, and/or Sodium Hydroxide, NF, may have been used to adjust pH to 6.8-7.8.
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1 Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of action of defibrotide sodium has not been fully elucidated. In vitro , defibrotide sodium enhances the enzymatic activity of plasmin to hydrolyze fibrin clots. Studies evaluating the pharmacological effects of defibrotide sodium on endothelial cells (ECs) were conducted primarily in the human microvascular endothelial cell line. In vitro , defibrotide sodium increased tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and thrombomodulin expression, and decreased von Willebrand factor (vWF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor‑1 (PAI-1) expression, thereby reducing EC activation and increasing EC‑mediated fibrinolysis. Defibrotide sodium protected ECs from damage caused by chemotherapy, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), serum starvation, and perfusion.