Navigation

Regranex

  • Generic Name: becaplermin
  • Brand Name: Regranex
  • Drug Class:

side effects drug center regranex (becaplermin) drug

  • Related Drugs
  • Health Resources
  • Related Supplements
  • Warnings & Precautions

    WARNINGS

    Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section

    PRECAUTIONS

    Risk Of Cancer

    REGRANEX contains becaplermin, a recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor, which promotes cellular proliferation and angiogenesis [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Malignancies distant from the site of application have occurred in REGRANEX users in a clinical study and in postmarketing use [see ADVERSE REACTIONS and Clinical Studies].

    The benefits and risks of REGRANEX treatment should be carefully evaluated before prescribing in patients with known malignancy.

    Application Site Reactions

    If application site reactions occur, the possibility of sensitization or irritation caused by parabens or m-cresol should be considered. Consider interruption or discontinuation and further evaluation (e.g. patch testing) as dictated by clinical circumstances.

    Patient Counseling Information

    • Advise patients and caregivers to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide and Instructions for Use) and follow the step-by-step instructions for REGRANEX application in the Instructions for Use.
    • Counsel patients to review and discuss any questions or concerns with their healthcare provider before starting REGRANEX and at regular intervals while receiving REGRANEX.
    • Advise patients that it is important to use REGRANEX together with a good ulcer care program, including a strict non-weightbearing program.
    • Advise patients to store REGRANEX in the refrigerator and not to freeze REGRANEX.

    Nonclinical Toxicology

    Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

    Becaplermin was not genotoxic in a battery of in vitro assays (including those for bacterial and mammalian cell point mutation, chromosomal aberration, and DNA damage/repair). Becaplermin was also not mutagenic in an in vivo assay for the induction of micronuclei in mouse bone marrow cells.

    Carcinogenesis and reproductive toxicity studies have not been conducted with REGRANEX.

    Use In Specific Populations

    Pregnancy

    Risk Summary

    There are no available data on REGRANEX use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with REGRANEX. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

    Lactation

    There are no data on the presence of becaplermin in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production after topical application of REGRANEX to lactating women. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the lactating woman's clinical need for REGRANEX and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from becaplermin.

    Pediatric Use

    Safety and effectiveness of REGRANEX in pediatric patients below the age of 16 years have not been established.

    Geriatric Use

    Among subjects receiving any dose of REGRANEX in clinical studies of diabetic lower extremity ulcers, 150 subjects were 65 years of age and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects. The number of subjects aged 75 and older was insufficient (n=34) to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

    Overdosage & Contraindications

    OVERDOSE

    There are no data on the effects of REGRANEX overdose.

    CONTRAINDICATIONS

    REGRANEX is contraindicated in patients with known neoplasm(s) at the site(s) of application.

    Clinical Pharmacology

    CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

    Mechanism Of Action

    REGRANEX has biological activity similar to that of endogenous platelet-derived growth factor, which includes promoting the chemotactic recruitment and proliferation of cells involved in wound repair and enhancing the formation of granulation tissue.

    Pharmacodynamics

    Clinical pharmacodynamic studies have not been conducted.

    Pharmacokinetics

    Ten subjects with Stage III or IV [as defined in the International Association of Enterostomal Therapy (IAET) guide to chronic wound staging] lower extremity diabetic ulcers received topical applications of becaplermin gel 0.01% at a dose range of 0.32–2.95 mcg/kg (7 mcg/cm2) daily for 14 days. Six subjects had non-quantifiable PDGF levels at baseline and throughout the study, two subjects had PDGF levels at baseline which did not increase substantially, and two subjects had PDGF levels that increased sporadically above their baseline values during the 14-day study period.

    Animal Toxicology And/Or Pharmacology

    In nonclinical studies, rats injected at the metatarsals with 3 or 10 mcg/site (approximately 60 or 200 mcg/kg) of becaplermin every other day for 13 days displayed histological changes indicative of accelerated bone remodeling consisting of periosteal hyperplasia and subperiosteal bone resorption and exostosis. The soft tissue adjacent to the injection site had fibroplasia with accompanying mononuclear cell infiltration reflective of the ability of PDGF to stimulate connective tissue growth.

    Clinical Studies

    Efficacy In Diabetic Lower Extremity Ulcers

    The effects of REGRANEX on the incidence of and time to complete healing in lower extremity diabetic neuropathic ulcers were assessed in four randomized controlled studies (Studies 1-4). Of 922 subjects studied, 478 received either REGRANEX 0.003% or 0.01%. All study participants had lower extremity diabetic neuropathic ulcers that extended into the subcutaneous tissue or beyond [Stages III and IV of the International Association of Enterostomal Therapy (IAET) guide to chronic wound staging]. Ninety-three percent of the subjects enrolled in these four trials had foot ulcers. The remaining 7% of the subjects had ankle or leg ulcers. The diabetic ulcers were of at least 8 weeks duration and had an adequate blood supply (defined as TcpO2 > 30 mm Hg). In the four trials, 95% of the ulcers measured in area up to 10 cm2, and the median ulcer size at baseline ranged from 1.4 cm2 to 3.5 cm2.

    All treatment groups received a program of good ulcer care consisting of initial complete sharp debridement, a non-weight-bearing regimen, systemic treatment for wound-related infection if present, moist saline dressings changed twice a day, and additional debridement as necessary. REGRANEX 0.003% or 0.01% or placebo was applied once a day and covered with a saline moistened dressing. After approximately 12 hours, the gel was gently rinsed off and a saline moistened dressing was then applied for the remainder of the day. Subjects were treated until complete healing, or for a period of up to 20 weeks. Subjects were considered a treatment failure if their ulcer did not show an approximately 30% reduction in initial ulcer area after eight to ten weeks of therapy.

    Results of the primary endpoints from 4 independent studies, shown as incidence of complete ulcer closure within 20 weeks, for all treatment arms are given in Figure 1. In each study, REGRANEX in conjunction with good ulcer care was compared to placebo gel plus good ulcer care or good ulcer care alone.

    In Study 1, a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 118 subjects, the incidence of complete ulcer closure for REGRANEX 0.003% (n=61) was 48% versus 25% for placebo gel (n=57; p=0.02, logistic regression analysis). In Study 2, a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 382 subjects, the incidence of complete ulcer closure for REGRANEX 0.01% (n=123) was 50% versus 36% for REGRANEX 0.003% (n=132) and 35% for placebo gel (n=127). Only REGRANEX 0.01% was significantly different from placebo gel (p=0.01, logistic regression analysis).

    The primary goal of Study 3, a multicenter controlled trial of 172 subjects, was to assess the safety of vehicle gel (placebo; n=70) compared to good ulcer care alone (n=68). The study included a small (n=34) REGRANEX 0.01% arm. Incidences of complete ulcer closure were 44% for REGRANEX, 36% for placebo gel and 22% for good ulcer care alone.

    In Study 4, a multicenter, evaluator-blind, controlled trial of 250 subjects, the incidences of complete ulcer closure in the REGRANEX 0.01% arm (n=128) (36%) and good ulcer care alone (n=122) (32%) were not statistically different.

    Figure 1. Incidence of Complete Diabetic Lower Extremity Ulcer Healing in Studies 1-4

    Incidence of Complete Diabetic Lower Extremity Ulcer Healing in Studies 1-4 - Illustration

    In general, where REGRANEX was associated with higher incidences of complete ulcer closure, differences in the incidence first became apparent after approximately 10 weeks and increased with continued treatment (Table 3).

    Table 3: Life Table Estimates of the Incidence (%) of Complete Diabetic Lower Extremity Ulcer Healing over Time of Study 2

      REGRANEX
    Gel 0.01%
    (%)
    Placebo
    (%)
    Week 2 1 0
    Week 4 6 2
    Week 6 9 6
    Week 8 16 14
    Week 10 23 18
    Week 12 34 25
    Week 14 37 28
    Week 16 43 33
    Week 18 46 34
    Week 20 50 37

    In a 3-month follow-up period where no standardized regimen of preventative care was utilized, the incidence of ulcer recurrence was approximately 30% in all treatment groups, demonstrating that the durability of ulcer closure was comparable in all treatment groups.

    Lack Of Efficacy In Pressure Ulcers And Venous Stasis Ulcers

    In a randomized, double-blind study of REGRANEX (100 mcg/g once daily for 16 weeks) in subjects with Stage III or IV pressure ulcers, the incidence of complete ulcer closure was 15% (28/189) in the REGRANEX group and 12% (22/190) in the vehicle control group. This difference was not statistically significant.

    In two small, randomized, double-blinded studies of REGRANEX (100 mcg/g once daily for 16 weeks) in subjects with venous stasis ulcers, the combined incidence of complete ulcer closure was 46% (30/65) in the REGRANEX group and 39% (26/67) in the vehicle control group. This difference was not statistically significant.

    Observational Studies To Evaluate Cancer Development And Mortality

    The observational studies described below do not involve random allocation of treatments. They are susceptible to bias and confounding.

    A retrospective study using medical claims database to assess cancer incidence with up to 6 years of follow-up observed development of 28 cancers and 8 cancer deaths in the REGRANEX exposed cohort (n = 1,622) and 43 cancers and 8 cancer deaths in the matched comparator cohort not exposed to REGRANEX (n = 2,809). The rate ratio for incident cancer comparing the REGRANEX-exposed cohort to the unexposed comparator cohort was 1.2 (95% CI, 0.7 -1.9). The rate ratio for cancer mortality comparing the REGRANEX-exposed cohort to the unexposed comparator cohort was 1.8 (95% CI, 0.7 -4.9). The rate ratio comparing patients exposed to three or more tubes of REGRANEX to those not exposed was 5.2 (95% CI, 1.6 -17.6) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].

    A retrospective study using medical claims from the Veteran Affairs health care database with up to 11 years of follow-up among patients without prior cancer observed 197 cancer deaths in the REGRANEX exposed cohort (n = 6,429) and 206 cancer deaths in the matched comparator cohort not exposed to REGRANEX (n = 6,429), resulting in a hazard ratio of 0.9 (95% CI, 0.8-1.2). The hazard ratio for cancer mortality comparing patients exposed to three or more tubes of REGRANEX to those not exposed was 1.0 (95% CI, 0.7 -1.5). The hazard ratio for incident cancer in a smaller cohort (1,507 REGRANEX-exposed and 1,507 unexposed patients) comparing patients exposed to REGRANEX to those not exposed was 1.1 (95% CI, 0.8-1.4). A second retrospective study using medical claims from the Veteran Affairs health care database with up to 11 years of follow-up among patients with prior cancer observed 87 cancer deaths in the REGRANEX-exposed cohort (n = 477) and 340 cancer deaths in the matched comparator cohort not exposed to REGRANEX (n = 1,756), resulting in a hazard ratio of 0.9 (95% CI, 0.7-1.2). The hazard ratio for cancer mortality comparing patients exposed to three or more tubes of REGRANEX to those not exposed was 0.9 (95% CI, 0.6 -1.2).

    Medication Guide

    PATIENT INFORMATION

    REGRANEX®
    (RE–GRAN´–IX)
    (becaplermin) gel

    Important: REGRANEX is for use on the skin only (topical). Do not use REGRANEX near or in your mouth, eyes, or vagina.

    What is the most important information I should know about REGRANEX?

    REGRANEX may cause serious side effects, including:

    Risk of cancer. Cancers have happened in areas away from the REGRANEX application site. You and your healthcare provider should carefully consider whether you will use REGRANEX if you have cancer.

    What is REGRANEX?

    REGRANEX is a prescription medicine that is used with good ulcer care practice for the treatment of diabetic sores (ulcers) of your legs or feet that are deeper than just your skin, in people who have good blood supply to the legs and feet.

    It is not known if REGRANEX is effective for the treatment of pressure ulcers or ulcers that are due to poor blood flow (circulation). It is not known if REGRANEX is safe and effective in children under 16 years of age.

    Who should not use REGRANEX?

    Do not use REGRANEX if you have a cancer at the application site.

    Before using REGRANEX, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

    • have cancer.
    • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if REGRANEX will harm your unborn baby.
    • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if REGRANEX passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with REGRANEX.

    Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

    How should I use REGRANEX?

    Read the Instructions for Use for detailed information about the right way to apply REGRANEX.

    • Use REGRANEX together with good ulcer care, as prescribed by your healthcare provider. This includes following your healthcare provider's instructions about not putting weight (non-weight bearing) on the affected leg and foot.
    • Use REGRANEX exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
    • The amount of REGRANEX you will apply will depend on the size of your ulcer. Your healthcare provider should check the size of your ulcer every 1 to 2 weeks. Your healthcare provider may change the amount of REGRANEX to be applied to your ulcer as the size of your ulcer changes.

    What are the possible side effects of REGRANEX?

    REGRANEX may cause serious side effects.

    • See "What is the most important information I should know about REGRANEX?"
    • Application site reactions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any skin reactions such as burning sensation at the site of application during treatment with REGRANEX. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop treatment with REGRANEX if you have skin reactions.

    The most common side effect of REGRANEX is red skin rashes.

    Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    You may also report side effects to Smith & Nephew, Inc. at 1-800-441-8227.

    How should I store REGRANEX?

    • Store REGRANEX in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
    • Do not freeze REGRANEX.
    • Do not use REGRANEX after the expiration date on the bottom (sealed end) of the tube.
    • Throw away your REGRANEX that is out of date or no longer needed for your treatment.

    Keep REGRANEX and all medicines out of the reach of children.

    General information about the safe and effective use of REGRANEX

    Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use REGRANEX for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give REGRANEX to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about REGRANEX that is written for health professionals.

    What are the ingredients in REGRANEX?

    Active ingredient: becaplermin

    Inactive ingredients: carboxymethylcellulose sodium, glacial acetic acid, l-lysine hydrochloride, m-cresol, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium chloride, and water for injection.

    Instructions for Use

    REGRANEX®
    (RE-GRAN-IX)
    (becaplermin) gel

    Important: REGRANEX is for use on the skin only (topical). Do not use REGRANEX near or in your mouth, eyes, or vagina.

    Read these Instructions for Use before you start using REGRANEX and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for measuring and applying REGRANEX.

    • Apply REGRANEX one time a day to ulcer area.
    • Do not use more than your prescribed dose of REGRANEX or apply more often than every 24 hours.
    • Do not let the tip of your REGRANEX tube touch the ulcer or any other surface.
    • Put the REGRANEX tube in the refrigerator after each use.

    Supplies you need to apply REGRANEX:

    • Clean cotton swab, tongue depressor or similar application aid
    • Ruler or measuring tape
    • Clean firm, non-absorbable surface, such as wax paper
    • Saline moistened gauze dressing

    Step 1. Preparing the REGRANEX dose.

    • Wash your hands well before you apply REGRANEX.
    • Remove the cap from the REGRANEX tube and use the top of the cap to pierce the foil seal on the top of the tube by pushing or screwing the cap in.
    • Carefully measure the amount of REGRANEX that your healthcare provider tells you to use.
    • Squeeze the amount of REGRANEX needed for your ulcer on to the clean, firm non-absorbable surface and measure to the correct length with a ruler as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
    • Close the REGRANEX tube tightly.

    Step 2. Applying REGRANEX.

    • Use a clean cotton swab, tongue depressor, or similar application aid to spread the measured amount of REGRANEX in a thin even layer over the ulcer area.
    • Cover the application site with a saline moistened gauze dressing.
    • Wash your hands well.

    Step 3. Removing REGRANEX.

    • Remove REGRANEX after 12 hours.
    • Wash your hands well.
    • Remove the saline moistened gauze dressing.
    • Rinse the ulcer with saline or water to remove any REGRANEX gel.
    • Cover the ulcer with a new moistened dressing.
    • Wash your hands well.

    How should I store REGRANEX?

    • Store REGRANEX in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
    • Do not freeze REGRANEX.
    • Do not use REGRANEX after the expiration date on the bottom (sealed end) of the tube.
    • Throw away your REGRANEX that is out of date or no longer needed for your treatment.

    Keep REGRANEX and all medicines out of the reach of children.

    This “Instructions for Use” has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.