4.1. Therapeutic indications

Replacement therapy in adults, children and adolescents (0-18 years) in:

• Primary immunodeficiency syndromes (PID) with impaired antibody production

• Secondary immunodeficiencies (SID) in patients who suffer from severe or recurrent infections, ineffective antimicrobial treatment and either proven specific antibody failure (PSAF)* or serum IgG level of <4 g/l

* PSAF= failure to mount at least a 2-fold rise in IgG antibody titre to pneumococcal polysaccharide and polypeptide antigen vaccines

Immunomodulation in adults, children and adolescents (0-18 years) in:

• Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), in patients at high risk of bleeding or prior to surgery to correct the platelet count

• Guillain Barré syndrome

• Kawasaki disease (in conjunction with acetylsalicylic acid; see section 4.2)

• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)

• Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN)

4.2. Posology and method of administration

IVIg therapy should be initiated and monitored under the supervision of a physician experienced in the treatment of immune system disorders.

Posology

The dose and dose regimen are dependent on the indication.

The dose may need to be individualised for each patient dependent on the clinical response. Dose based on body weight may require adjustment in underweight or overweight patients.

The following dose regimens are given as guidance.

Replacement therapy in primary immunodeficiency syndromes

The dose regimen should achieve a trough level of IgG (measured before the next infusion) of at least 6 g/l or within the normal reference range for the population age. Three to 6 months are required after the initiation of therapy for equilibration (steady-state IgG levels) to occur. The recommended starting dose is 0.4 - 0.8 g/kg given once, followed by at least 0.2 g/kg given every 3 - 4 weeks.

The dose required to achieve a trough level of IgG of 6 g/l is of the order of 0.2 - 0.8 g/kg/month. The dosage interval when steady state has been reached varies from 3 - 4 weeks.

IgG trough levels should be measured and assessed in conjunction with the incidence of infection. To reduce the rate of bacterial infections, it may be necessary to increase the dosage and aim for higher trough levels.

Replacement therapy in secondary immunodeficiencies (as defined in section 4.1)

The recommended dose is 0.2 - 0.4 g/kg every 3 - 4 weeks.

IgG trough levels should be measured and assessed in conjunction with the incidence of infection. Dose should be adjusted as necessary to achieve optimal protection against infections, an increase may be necessary in patients with persisting infection, a dose decrease can be considered when the patient remains infection free.

Immunomodulation in:

Primary immune thrombocytopenia

There are two alternative treatment schedules:

• 0.8 - 1 g/kg given on day 1; this dose may be repeated once within 3 days.

• 0.4 g/kg given daily for 2 - 5 days. The treatment can be repeated, if relapse occurs.

Guillain Barré syndrome

0.4 g/kg/day over 5 days (possible repeat of dosing in case of relapse).

Kawasaki Disease

2.0 g/kg should be administered as a single dose. Patients should receive concomitant treatment with acetylsalicylic acid.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)

Starting dose: 2 g/kg divided over 2 - 5 consecutive days.

Maintenance doses: 1 g/kg divided over 1-2 consecutive days every 3 weeks.

The treatment effect should be evaluated after each cycle; if no treatment effect is seen after 6 months, the treatment should be discontinued.

If the treatment is effective, long-term treatment should be subject to the physician's discretion based upon the patient response and maintenance response. The dosing and intervals may have to be adapted according to the individual course of the disease.

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN)

Starting dose: 2 g/kg divided over 2-5 consecutive days.

Maintenance dose: 1 g/kg every 2-4 weeks or 2 g/kg every 4-8 weeks.

The treatment effect should be evaluated after each cycle; if no treatment effect is seen after 6 months, the treatment should be discontinued.

If the treatment is effective long-term treatment should be subject to the physician's discretion based upon the patient response and maintenance response. The dosing and intervals may have to be adapted according to the individual course of the disease.

The dosage recommendations are summarised in the following table:

Indication

Dose

Frequency of infusions

Replacement therapy:

Primary immunodeficiency syndromes

Starting dose:

0.4 - 0.8 g/kg

Maintenance dose:

0.2 - 0.8 g/kg

Every 3 - 4 weeks

Secondary immunodeficiencies (as defined in section 4.1)

0.2 - 0.4 g/kg

Every 3 - 4 weeks

Immunomodulation:

Primary immune thrombocytopenia

0.8 - 1 g/kg

Or

On day 1, possibly repeated once within 3 days

0.4 g/kg/d

For 2 - 5 days

Guillain Barré syndrome

0.4 g/kg/d

For 5 days

Kawasaki disease

2 g/kg

In one dose in association with acetylsalicylic acid

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)

Starting dose:

2 g/kg

Maintenance dose: 1 g/kg

In divided doses over 2-5 days

Every 3 weeks in divided doses over 1-2 days

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN)

Starting dose:

2 g/kg

In divided doses 2-5 consecutive days

Maintenance dose: 1 g/kg

Every 2-4 weeks

Or

Or

2 g/kg

Every 4-8 weeks in divided doses over 2-5 days

Paediatric population

The posology in children and adolescents (0-18 years) is not different to that of adults as the posology for each indication is given by body weight and must be adjusted to the clinical outcome of the above-mentioned conditions.

Hepatic impairment

No evidence is available to require a dose adjustment.

Renal impairment

No dose adjustment unless clinically warranted, see section 4.4.

Elderly

No dose adjustment unless clinically warranted, see section 4.4.

Method of administration

For intravenous use.

Human normal immunoglobulin should be infused intravenously at an initial rate of 0.6 - 1.2 ml/kg/hour for 15 minutes (see section 4.4). In case of adverse reaction, either the rate of administration must be reduced or the infusion stopped. If well tolerated, the rate of administration may gradually be increased, every 15 minutes, to a maximum of 4.8 ml/kg/hour.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance (human immunoglobulins) or to any of the excipients (see sections 4.4 and 6.1).

Hereditary fructose intolerance (see section 4.4).

Babies and young children (see section 4.4).

Patients with selective IgA deficiency who developed antibodies to IgA, as administering an IgA-containing product can result in anaphylaxis.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Traceability

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.

Precautions for use

Potential complications can often be avoided by ensuring that patients:

• are not sensitive to human normal immunoglobulin by initially administering the product slowly (0.01 – 0.02 ml/kg/min)

• are carefully monitored for any symptoms throughout the infusion period. In particular, patients naive to human normal immunoglobulin, patients switched from an alternative IVIg product or when there has been a long interval since the previous infusion should be monitored during the first infusion and for the first hour after the first infusion in a controlled healthcare setting in order to detect potential adverse signs and to ensure that emergency treatment can be administered immediately should problems occur. All other patients should be observed for at least 20 minutes after administration.

In all patients, IVIg administration requires:

• adequate hydration prior to the initiation of the IVIg infusion

• monitoring of urine output

• monitoring of serum creatinine levels

• avoidance of concomitant use of loop diuretics (see section 4.5).

In case of adverse reaction, either the infusion rate must be reduced or the infusion stopped. The treatment required depends on the nature and severity of the adverse reaction.

Infusion-related reaction

Certain adverse reactions (e.g. headache, flushing, chills, myalgia, wheezing, tachycardia, lower back pain, nausea, and hypotension) may be related to the rate of infusion. The recommended infusion rate given under section 4.2 must be closely followed. Patients must be closely monitored and carefully observed for any symptoms throughout the infusion period.

Adverse reactions may occur more frequently:

• in patients who receive human normal immunoglobulin for the first time or, in rare cases, when the human normal immunoglobulin product is switched or when there has been a long interval since the previous infusion

• in patients with an active infection or underlying chronic inflammation

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions are rare.

Anaphylaxis can develop in patients:

• with undetectable IgA who have anti-IgA antibodies

• who had tolerated previous treatment with human normal immunoglobulin

In case of shock, standard medical treatment for shock should be implemented.

Thromboembolism

There is clinical evidence of an association between IVIg administration and thromboembolic events such as myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident (including stroke), pulmonary embolism and deep vein thromboses which is assumed to be related to a relative increase in blood viscosity through the high influx of immunoglobulin in at-risk patients. Caution should be exercised in prescribing and infusing IVIg in obese patients and in patients with pre-existing risk factors for thrombotic events (such as advanced age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and a history of vascular disease or thrombotic episodes, patients with acquired or inherited thrombophilic disorders, patients with prolonged periods of immobilisation, severely hypovolaemic patients, patients with diseases which increase blood viscosity).

In patients at risk for thromboembolic adverse reactions, IVIg products should be administered at the minimum rate of infusion and dose practicable.

Acute renal failure

Cases of acute renal failure have been reported in patients receiving IVIg therapy. In most cases, risk factors have been identified, such as pre-existing renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, hypovolaemia, overweight, concomitant nephrotoxic medicinal products or aged over 65.

Renal parameters should be assessed prior to infusion of IVIg, particularly in patients judged to have a potential increased risk for developing acute renal failure, and again at appropriate intervals. In patients at risk for acute renal failure, IVIg products should be administered at the minimum rate of infusion and dose practicable. In case of renal impairment, IVIg discontinuation should be considered.

While reports of renal dysfunction and acute renal failure have been associated with the use of many of the licensed IVIg products containing various excipients such as sucrose, glucose and maltose, those containing sucrose as a stabiliser accounted for a disproportionate share of the total number. In patients at risk, the use of IVIg products that do not contain these excipients may be considered. Gammaplex does not contain sucrose, maltose or glucose.

Aseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS)

AMS has been reported to occur in association with IVIg treatment. The syndrome usually begins within several hours to 2 days following IVIg treatment. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies are frequently positive with pleocytosis up to several thousand cells per mm3, predominantly from the granulocytic series, and elevated protein levels up to several hundred mg/dl.

AMS may occur more frequently in association with high-dose (2 g/kg) IVIg treatment.

Patients exhibiting such signs and symptoms should receive a thorough neurological examination, including CSF studies, to rule out other causes of meningitis.

Discontinuation of IVIg treatment has resulted in remission of AMS within several days without sequelae.

Haemolytic anaemia

IVIg products can contain blood group antibodies which may act as haemolysins and induce in vivo coating of red blood cells (RBC) with immunoglobulin, causing a positive direct antiglobulin reaction (Coombs' test) and, rarely, haemolysis. Haemolytic anaemia can develop subsequent to IVIg therapy due to enhanced RBC sequestration. IVIg recipients should be monitored for clinical signs and symptoms of haemolysis (see section 4.8.).

Neutropenia/Leukopenia

A transient decrease in neutrophil count and/or episodes of neutropenia, sometimes severe, have been reported after treatment with IVIg. This typically occurs within hours or days after IVIg administration and resolves spontaneously within 7 to 14 days.

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)

In patients receiving IVIg, there have been some reports of acute non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema [Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)]. TRALI is characterised by severe hypoxia, dyspnoea, tachypnoea, cyanosis, fever and hypotension. Symptoms of TRALI typically develop during or within 6 hours after a transfusion, often within 1-2 hours. Therefore, IVIg recipients must be monitored for and IVIg infusion must be immediately stopped in case of pulmonary adverse reactions. TRALI is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate intensive-care-unit management.

Interference with serological testing

After the administration of immunoglobulin, the transitory rise of the various passively transferred antibodies in the patient's blood may result in misleading positive results in serological testing.

Passive transmission of antibodies to erythrocyte antigens, e.g. A, B, D may interfere with some serological tests for red cell antibodies for example the direct antiglobulin test (DAT, direct Coombs' test).

Transmissible agents

Standard measures to prevent infections resulting from the use of medicinal products prepared from human blood or plasma include selection of donors, screening of individual donations and plasma pools for specific markers of infection and the inclusion of effective manufacturing steps for the inactivation/removal of viruses. Despite this, when medicinal products prepared from human blood or plasma are administered, the possibility of transmitting infective agents cannot be totally excluded. This also applies to unknown or emerging viruses and other pathogens.

The measures taken are considered effective for enveloped viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and for the non-enveloped hepatitis A (HAV) and parvovirus B19 viruses.

There is reassuring clinical experience regarding the lack of hepatitis A or parvovirus B19 transmission with immunoglobulins and it is also assumed that the antibody content makes an important contribution to the viral safety.

It is strongly recommended that every time that Gammaplex is administered to a patient, the name and batch number of the product are recorded in order to maintain a link between the patient and the batch of the product.

Home therapy

Gammaplex must only be used by patients themselves at home after thorough training in hospital by a qualified health care professional, expert in infusion of IVIg products. The patient should first be stabilised on the product under supervision in hospital.

Excipients

This medicinal product contains 50 mg sorbitol per ml. Patients with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) must not be given this medicine unless strictly necessary.

Babies and young children (below 2 years of age) may not yet be diagnosed with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI). Medicines (containing sorbitol/fructose) given intravenously may be life-threatening and should be contraindicated in this population unless there is an overwhelming clinical need and no alternatives are available.

A detailed history with regard to HFI symptoms has to be taken of each patient prior to being given this medicinal product.

Sodium

This medicinal product contains up to 0.06 mmol (1.29 mg) sodium per ml, which equates to 5.16 – 51.6 mg/kg sodium based on the dose range of 0.2 – 2 g/kg IgG. This is equivalent to 0.26 – 2.6% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.

Polysorbate

Gammaplex 5% 5 g contains 4 mg of polysorbate 80 in each 100 ml which is equivalent to 0.04 mg/ml.

Gammaplex 5% 10 g contains 8 mg of polysorbate 80 in each 200 ml which is equivalent to 0.04 mg/ml.

Gammaplex 5% 20 g contains 16 mg of polysorbate 80 in each 400 ml which is equivalent to 0.04 mg/ml.

Polysorbates may cause allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you have or your child has any known allergies.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Live attenuated virus vaccines

Immunoglobulin administration may impair for a period of at least 6 weeks and up to 3 months the efficacy of live attenuated virus vaccines such as measles, rubella, mumps and varicella. After administration of this medicinal product, an interval of 3 months should elapse before vaccination with live attenuated virus vaccines. In the case of measles, this impairment may persist for up to 1 year. Therefore patients receiving measles vaccine should have their antibody status checked.

Loop diuretics

Avoidance of concomitant use of loop diuretics.

Paediatric population

There are no known interactions that are specific to the paediatric population or any subset of the paediatric population.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

The safety of this medicinal product for use in human pregnancy has not been established in controlled clinical trials and therefore should only be given with caution to pregnant women. IVIg products have been shown to cross the placenta, increasingly during the third trimester.

Clinical experience with immunoglobulins suggests that no harmful effects on the course of pregnancy, or on the foetus and the neonate are expected.

Breast-feeding

The safety of this medicinal product for use in human pregnancy has not been established in controlled clinical trials and therefore should only be given with caution to breast-feeding mothers. Immunoglobulins are excreted into human milk. No negative effects on the breastfed newborns/infants are anticipated.

Fertility

Clinical experience with immunoglobulins suggests that no harmful effects on fertility are to be expected.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

The ability to drive and operate machines may be impaired by some adverse reactions associated with Gammaplex. Patients who experience adverse reactions during treatment should wait for these to resolve before driving or operating machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

Adverse reactions caused by human normal immunoglobulins (in decreasing frequency) encompass (see also section 4.4):

• chills, headache, dizziness, fever, vomiting, allergic reactions, nausea, arthralgia, low blood pressure and moderate low back pain

• reversible haemolytic reactions; especially in those patients with blood groups A, B, and AB and (rarely) haemolytic anaemia requiring transfusion

• (rarely) a sudden fall in blood pressure and, in isolated cases, anaphylactic shock, even when the patient has shown no hypersensitivity to previous administration

• (rarely) transient cutaneous reactions (including cutaneous lupus erythematosus - frequency unknown)

• (very rarely) thromboembolic reactions such as myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thromboses

• cases of reversible aseptic meningitis

• cases of increased serum creatinine level and/or occurrence of acute renal failure

• cases of Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)

For safety information with respect to transmissible agents, see section 4.4.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The table presented below is according to the MedDRA system organ classification (SOC and Preferred Term Level).

Frequencies have been evaluated according to the following convention: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Frequency of Adverse Reactions (ADRs) in clinical studies with Gammaplex.

MedDRA System Organ Class (SOC)

Adverse reaction

Frequency per patient

Frequency per infusion

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Fluid retention, dehydration

Common

Uncommon

Decreased appetite, iron deficiency

Uncommon

Rare

Psychiatric disorders

Insomnia

Uncommon

Rare

Nervous system disorders

Headache

Very common

Common

Dizziness

Common

Uncommon

Migraine, paraesthesia

Uncommon

Uncommon

Hypoesthesia, lethargy

Uncommon

Rare

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Vertigo

Common

Uncommon

Tinnitus

Uncommon

Rare

Cardiac disorders

Palpitations, tachycardia

Common

Uncommon

Vascular disorders

Hypertension

Common

Common

Hypotension

Common

Uncommon

Thrombosis, hot flush

Uncommon

Rare

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Nasal congestion

Common

Uncommon

Bronchospasm

Uncommon

Uncommon

Epistaxis, pharyngolaryngeal pain

Uncommon

Rare

Transfusion related acute lung injuries (TRALI)

Not Known

Not Known

Gastrointestinal disorders

Vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain

Common

Uncommon

Abdominal distension, constipation, stomatitis

Uncommon

Rare

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Urticaria

Uncommon

Uncommon

Erythema multiforme, pruritus

Uncommon

Rare

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Not Known

Not Known

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue disorders and bone disorders

Myalgia

Common

Common

Arthralgia, muscle spasms, back pain, neck pain

Common

Uncommon

Pain in extremity

Uncommon

Uncommon

Musculoskeletal stiffness

Uncommon

Rare

General disorders and administration site conditions

Pyrexia

Very common

Common

Fatigue

Common

Common

Chills, chest discomfort/ pain, asthenia, infusion site reaction, infusion site erythema, pain

Common

Uncommon

Investigations

Coombs' direct test positive, anaemia/ haemoglobin decreased

Common

Uncommon

Anti-erythrocyte antibody positive, white blood cell count increased, urinary haemosiderin positive, gastric pH decreased

Uncommon

Rare

Description of selected adverse reactions

None of the reported adverse reactions to Gammaplex warrant separate description.

Paediatric population

Of the 50 patients in the clinical study of Gammaplex in primary immunodeficiency (GMX01), seven were aged less than 18 years (age range 9 to 17 years). A separate paediatric clinical study of Gammaplex in primary immunodeficiency (GMX04) treated 25 patients aged less than 18 years (age range 3 to 16 years). Of the 35 patients in the clinical study of Gammaplex in chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) (GMX02), three were aged less than 18 years (age range 6 to 17 years). The frequency, type and severity of adverse reactions in children are similar to those in adults.

Other special populations

Certain patient groups may be at increased risk of hypersensitivity reactions, thromboembolism or acute renal failure. Caution should be exercised when infusing IVIg in obese patients or those with advanced age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, history of vascular disease or thrombotic episodes, acquired or inherited thrombophilic disorders, prolonged periods of immobilisation, severe hypovolaemia, diseases which increase blood viscosity, pre-existing renal insufficiency or those receiving concomitant nephrotoxic medicinal products; see section 4.4 for details.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Overdose may lead to fluid overload and hyperviscosity, particularly in patients at risk, including infants, elderly patients or patients with cardiac or renal impairment (see section 4.4).