Hemin

Generic Name: hemin

Over-the-Counter (OTC)

Brand Names:

Panhematin

11 DESCRIPTION PANHEMATIN (hemin for injection) is an enzyme inhibitor derived from processed red blood cells. Hemin for injection was known previously as hematin. The term hematin has been used to describe the chemical reaction product of hemin and sodium carbonate solution. Hemin and hematin are iron containing metalloporphyrin complexes with either bound chloride or hydroxide ions, respectively.

Overview

11 DESCRIPTION PANHEMATIN (hemin for injection) is an enzyme inhibitor derived from processed red blood cells. Hemin for injection was known previously as hematin. The term hematin has been used to describe the chemical reaction product of hemin and sodium carbonate solution. Hemin and hematin are iron containing metalloporphyrin complexes with either bound chloride or hydroxide ions, respectively.

Uses

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE PANHEMATIN is a hemin for injection indicated for the amelioration of recurrent attacks of acute intermittent porphyria temporally related to the menstrual cycle in susceptible women, after initial carbohydrate therapy is known or suspected to be inadequate. Limitations of Use • Before administering PANHEMATIN, consider an appropriate period of carbohydrate loading (i.e., 400 g glucose/day for 1 to 2 days) [ See Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 ) ]. • Attacks of porphyria may progress to a point where irreversible neuronal damage has occurred. PANHEMATIN therapy is intended to prevent an attack from reaching the critical stage of neuronal degeneration. PANHEMATIN is not effective in repairing neuronal damage.

Dosage

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For intravenous infusion only. For intravenous infusion only. Dose ( 2.1 ) 1 to 4 mg/kg/day for 3 to 14 days based on the clinical signs. The standard dose in clinical practice is 3 to 4 mg/kg/day. Repeat dose in more severe cases no earlier than every 12 hours. Do not exceed 6 mg/kg in any 24 hour period. Administration ( 2.2 ) Use sterile 0.45 micron or smaller filter to remove any undissolved particulate matter. The dose may be administered directly from the vial over a period of at least 30 minutes. After the infusion, flush the vein with 100 mL of 0.9% NaCl. 2.1 Dosing • PANHEMATIN should only be used by or in consultation with physicians experienced in the management of porphyrias.

Side Effects

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (occurring in >1% of patients) are: headache, pyrexia, infusion site reactions, and phlebitis. Most common adverse reactions in >1% of patients are headache, pyrexia, infusion site reactions, and phlebitis. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Recordati Rare Diseases Inc. at 1-888-575-8344 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of PANHEMATIN use was evaluated in a compassionate use study.

Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS PANHEMATIN therapy is intended to limit the rate of porphyria/heme biosynthesis possibly by inhibiting the enzyme δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase 1 (ALAS1) [See Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )] . Most of the heme synthesized in liver is used for the production of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Therefore, avoid CYP inducing drugs (such as estrogens, barbituric acid derivatives and steroid metabolites) while on PANHEMATIN therapy, because these drugs increase the activity of ALAS leading to induction of ALAS1 through a feedback mechanism. Avoid CYP inducing drugs such as estrogens, barbituric acid derivatives and steroid metabolites which induce δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase 1 (ALAS1) through a feedback mechanism. ( 7 )

Warnings

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Phlebitis is possible. Utilize a large arm vein or a central venous catheter for administration to minimize the risk of phlebitis. ( 5.1 ) • Elevated iron and serum ferritin may occur. Monitor iron and serum ferritin in patients receiving multiple administrations of PANHEMATIN. ( 5.2 ) • PANHEMATIN has transient and mild anticoagulant effect. Avoid concurrent anticoagulant therapy. ( 5.3 ) • Reversible renal shutdown has been observed with an excessive hematin dose (12.2 mg/kg in a single infusion). Strictly follow recommended dosage guidelines. ( 5.4 ) • PANHEMATIN may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g., viruses, and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent. 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS PANHEMATIN is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to this drug. Do not use in patients with known hypersensitivity to PANHEMATIN. ( 4 )

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary About 50% of the women with acute intermittent porphyria experience an acute attack of porphyria in pregnancy and/or the puerperium. It is most severe in early pregnancy and the puerperium, and can result in fatal outcome. Although anecdotal evidence suggests safe use of hematin during pregnancy, the available human data is not sufficient to establish the presence or absence of drug-associated risk. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with hematin.

Storage

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING PANHEMATIN is supplied as a sterile, lyophilized black powder in single dose dispensing vials (NDC 55292-702-54) in a carton (NDC 55292-702-55). The vial stopper contains natural rubber latex. Store lyophilized powder at 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hemin used for?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE PANHEMATIN is a hemin for injection indicated for the amelioration of recurrent attacks of acute intermittent porphyria temporally related to the menstrual cycle in susceptible women, after initial carbohydrate therapy is known or suspected to be inadequate. Limitations of Use • Before administering PANHEMATIN, consider an appropriate period of carbohydrate loading (i.e., 400 g glucose/day for 1 to 2 days) [ See Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 ) ]. • Attacks of porphyria may progress to a point where irreversible neuronal damage has occurred. PANHEMATIN therapy is intended to prevent an attack from reaching the critical stage of neuronal degeneration. PANHEMATIN is not effective in repairing neuronal damage.

What are the side effects of Hemin?

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (occurring in >1% of patients) are: headache, pyrexia, infusion site reactions, and phlebitis. Most common adverse reactions in >1% of patients are headache, pyrexia, infusion site reactions, and phlebitis. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Recordati Rare Diseases Inc. at 1-888-575-8344 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of PANHEMATIN use was evaluated in a compassionate use study.

Can I take Hemin during pregnancy?

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary About 50% of the women with acute intermittent porphyria experience an acute attack of porphyria in pregnancy and/or the puerperium. It is most severe in early pregnancy and the puerperium, and can result in fatal outcome. Although anecdotal evidence suggests safe use of hematin during pregnancy, the available human data is not sufficient to establish the presence or absence of drug-associated risk. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with hematin.

What are the important warnings for Hemin?

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Phlebitis is possible. Utilize a large arm vein or a central venous catheter for administration to minimize the risk of phlebitis. ( 5.1 ) • Elevated iron and serum ferritin may occur. Monitor iron and serum ferritin in patients receiving multiple administrations of PANHEMATIN. ( 5.2 ) • PANHEMATIN has transient and mild anticoagulant effect. Avoid concurrent anticoagulant therapy. ( 5.3 ) • Reversible renal shutdown has been observed with an excessive hematin dose (12.2 mg/kg in a single infusion). Strictly follow recommended dosage guidelines. ( 5.4 ) • PANHEMATIN may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g., viruses, and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent. 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS PANHEMATIN is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to this drug. Do not use in patients with known hypersensitivity to PANHEMATIN. ( 4 )

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Medical Disclaimer

This drug information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from the FDA National Drug Code Directory and Structured Product Labeling. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.