Boxed warning▾
WARNING: SERIOUS CARDIOPULMONARY REACTIONS Serious cardiopulmonary reactions, including fatalities, have occurred uncommonly during or following perflutren-containing microsphere administration. Most serious reactions occur within 30 minutes of administration. Assess all patients for the presence of any condition that precludes DEFINITY administration [see Contraindications (4) ] . Always have resuscitation equipment and trained personnel readily available [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . WARNING: SERIOUS CARDIOPULMONARY REACTIONS Serious cardiopulmonary reactions, including fatalities, have occurred uncommonly during or following perflutren-containing microsphere administration. Most serious reactions occur within 30 minutes of administration. Assess all patients for the presence of any condition that precludes DEFINITY administration ( 4 ). Always have resuscitation equipment and trained personnel readily available( 5.1 ) .
Indications and usage▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE DEFINITY is indicated, after activation, for use in adult and pediatric patients with suboptimal echocardiograms to opacify the left ventricular chamber and to improve the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial border. DEFINITY is an ultrasound contrast agent indicated, after activation, for use in adult and pediatric patients with suboptimal echocardiograms to opacify the left ventricular chamber and to improve the delineation of the left ventricular endocardial border. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration▾
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Adult Patients Bolus: 10 microL/kg intravenously over 30 seconds to 60 seconds followed by a 10 mL flush of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. Infusion: 1.3 mL added to 50 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection intravenously starting at 4 mL/minute, titrating as necessary, not to exceed 10 mL/minutes. The maximum dose is two bolus doses 30 minute apart or one single infusion. ( 2.2 ) Pediatric Patients Bolus: 3 microL/kg over 30 seconds to 60 seconds by intravenous bolus injection followed by a 5 mL flush of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. The maximum dose is two bolus doses 30 minute apart. ( 2.3 ) See Full Prescribing Information for imaging instructions and preparation. ( 2.4 , 2.5 ) 2.1 Important Preparation and Administration Instructions There are two formulations, DEFINITY and DEFINITY RT, that have differences in preparation and storage. Ensure of the correct product when following the directions for preparation and storage. DEFINITY must be activated using the VIALMIX or VIALMIX RFID device before administration according to the instructions outlined below [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . DEFINITY is for intravenous use only and must not be administered by intra-arterial injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . For adult patients, DEFINITY can be administered by either an intravenous bolus or infusion. The maximum dose is either two bolus doses or one single infusion. Do not administer the bolus and infusion dosing in combination or in sequence [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . For pediatric patients, DEFINITY is administered by an intravenous bolus injection only. The maximum dose is two bolus doses [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage in Adult Patients Bolus Dosing The recommended bolus dose in adult patients is 10 microL/kg of activated DEFINITY administered intravenously over 30 to 60 seconds followed by a 10 mL flush of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. If necessary, administer a second 10 microL/kg dose followed by a second 10 mL flush of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 30 minutes after the first injection to prolong contrast enhancement. Infusion Dosing The recommended infusion dose in adult patients is 1.3 mL of activated DEFINITY added to 50 mL of preservative-free 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP administered intravenously. Initiate infusion at 4 mL/minute, titrating the infusion rate as necessary to achieve optimal image enhancement, not to exceed 10 mL/minute. 2.3 Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients Bolus Dosing The recommended bolus dose in pediatric patients is 3 microL/kg of activated DEFINITY administered intravenously over 30 seconds to 60 seconds followed by a 5 mL flush of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. If necessary, administer a second bolus at a dose of 3 microL/kg to 5 microL/kg, followed by a second 5 mL flush of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 30 minutes after the first injection to prolong contrast enhancement. 2.4 Imaging Instructions Adult Patients After baseline non-contrast echocardiography is completed, set the mechanical index for the ultrasound device at 0.8 or below [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Then inject activated DEFINITY (as described above) and begin ultrasound imaging immediately [see Clinical Pharmacology(12.2) . Evaluate the DEFINITY echocardiogram images in combination with the non-contrast echocardiogram images. Pediatric Patients After baseline non-contrast echocardiography is completed, set the mechanical index for the ultrasound transducer at 0.3 or below [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Then inject activated DEFINITY (as described above) and begin ultrasound imaging immediately [see Clinical Pharmacology(12.2) . Evaluate the DEFINITY echocardiogram images in combination with the non-contrast echocardiogram images. 2.5 Instructions for Activation, Preparation, and Handling of DEFINITY Adhere to strict aseptic procedures during preparation. Allow the DEFINITY vial to warm to room temperature before starting the activation procedure. Activate DEFINITY by shaking the vial for 45 seconds using a VIALMIX device or VIALMIX RFID device. Note: Use only the drug activated in a properly functioning VIALMIX or VIALMIX RFID for a full 45 second activation cycle. Do not reactivate the vial if VIALMIX or VIALMIX RFID did not properly activate the vial. Never reactivate a successfully activated DEFINITY vial (see step 4 ). Refer to the VIALMIX or VIALMIX RFID User's Guide for illustrations of the activation procedure and a properly functioning VIALMIX or VIALMIX RFID. Activated DEFINITY appears as a homogeneous milky white suspension with a presence of foam/bubbles. Use immediately after activation. If the product is not used within 5 minutes of activation, resuspend the microspheres by 10 seconds of hand agitation by inverting the vial before the product is withdrawn in a syringe. The activated DEFINITY may be used for up to 12 hours from the time of activation, but only after the microspheres are resuspended by hand agitation for 10 seconds. Store the activated DEFINITY at room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) in the original product vial. Invert the vial and withdraw the activated homogeneous milky white suspension using the Intellipin (Dispensing Pin), the PINSYNC (Vented Vial Adapter 13mm), or 18 gauge to 20 gauge syringe needle from the middle of the liquid. Do not inject air into the DEFINITY Vial. Use the product immediately after its withdrawal from the vial; do not allow the product to stand in the syringe. For infusion dosing in adult patients, dilute 1.3 mL of activated DEFINITY in 50 mL of preservative-free 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for foreign particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. 2.6 Instructions for RFID-Tagged Vials The radio frequency identification (RFID) tag integrated on the back of the vial label when used with VIALMIX RFID allows for the exchange of product information such as activation time and activation rate. If the RFID tag is damaged or otherwise non-functional, the vial with the non-functional RFID tag cannot be activated with VIALMIX RFID. Discard the non-functional RFID-tagged vial. Do not activate RFID-tagged DEFINITY vials in the VIALMIX RFID within 6 inches (15 cm) of a pacemaker and/or defibrillator (see the VIALMIX RFID User's Guide).
Contraindications▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS DEFINITY is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected hypersensitivity to perflutren lipid microsphere or its components, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Description (11) ] . Known or suspected hypersensitivity to perflutren lipid microsphere or its components, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious acute hypersensitivity reactions have occurred. Always have cardiopulmonary resuscitation personnel and equipment readily available prior to DEFINITY administration and monitor all patients for acute reactions. ( 5.2 ) Pain Episodes in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Discontinue DEFINITY for new or worsening pain . ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Serious Cardiopulmonary Reactions Serious cardiopulmonary reactions including fatalities have occurred uncommonly during or shortly following perflutren-containing microsphere administration, typically within 30 minutes of administration. The risk for these reactions may be increased among patients with unstable cardiopulmonary conditions (acute myocardial infarction, acute coronary artery syndromes, worsening or unstable congestive heart failure, or serious ventricular arrhythmias). Always have cardiopulmonary resuscitation personnel and equipment readily available prior to DEFINITY administration and monitor all patients for acute reactions. The reported reactions include: fatal cardiac or respiratory arrest, shock, syncope, symptomatic arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia), hypertension, hypotension, dyspnea, hypoxia, chest pain, respiratory distress, stridor, wheezing, loss of consciousness, and convulsions [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . 5.2 Hypersensitivity Reactions In postmarketing use, serious hypersensitivity reactions were observed during or shortly following perflutren-containing microsphere administration including: Anaphylaxis, with manifestations that may include death, shock, bronchospasm, throat tightness, angioedema, edema (pharyngeal, palatal, mouth, peripheral, localized), swelling (face, eye, lip, tongue, upper airway), facial hypoesthesia, rash, urticaria, pruritus, flushing, and erythema. These reactions have occurred in patients with no prior exposure to perflutren-containing microsphere products. DEFINITY contains PEG. There may be increased risk of serious reactions including death in patients with prior hypersensitivity reaction(s) to PEG [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) and Description (11) ] . Clinically assess patients for prior hypersensitivity reactions to products containing PEG, such as certain colonoscopy bowel preparations and laxatives. DEFINITY is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected hypersensitivity to perflutren lipid microsphere or its components such as PEG [see Contraindications (4) ]. Always have cardiopulmonary resuscitation personnel and equipment readily available prior to DEFINITY administration and monitor all patients for hypersensitivity reactions. 5.3 Systemic Embolization When administering DEFINITY to patients with a cardiac shunt, the microspheres can bypass filtering by the lung and enter the arterial circulation. Assess patients with shunts for embolic phenomena following DEFINITY administration. DEFINITY is only for intravenous administration and must not be administered by intra-arterial injection [see Dosage and Administration (2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3) ] . 5.4 Ventricular Arrhythmia Related to High Mechanical Index High ultrasound mechanical index values may cause microsphere cavitation or rupture and lead to ventricular arrhythmias. Additionally, end-systolic triggering with high mechanical indices has been reported to cause ventricular arrhythmias. The maximum recommended mechanical index for use with DEFINITY is 0.8 in adult patients and 0.3 in pediatric patients [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . 5.5 Pain Episodes in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease In postmarketing reports, acute pain episodes shortly following DEFINITY administration have been reported in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The pain episodes included moderate to severe back pain and vaso-occlusive crisis [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]. If a patient with sickle cell disease experiences new or worsening pain, discontinue DEFINITY.
Adverse reactions▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Serious Cardiopulmonary Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions(5.2) ] Pain Episodes in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] The most common adverse reactions (≥0.5%) are headache, back/renal pain, flushing, nausea, chest pain, injection site reactions, and dizziness. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc. at 1-800-362-2668 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. Adverse Reactions in Adults Safety of DEFINITY was evaluated in a total of 1,716 adult subjects in pre-market clinical trials. In this group, 1,063 (62%) were male and 653 (38%) were female, 1,328 (77%) were White, 258 (15%) were Black or African American, 74 (4%) were Hispanic, and 56 (3%) were classified as other racial or ethnic groups. The mean age was 56 years (range 18 to 93). Among the 1,716 subjects, 19 (1.1%) suffered serious cardiopulmonary adverse reactions. Adverse reactions that led to discontinuation in a total of 15 (0.9%) subjects receiving DEFINITY in the clinical trials included urticaria, pruritus, dizziness, chest pain, dyspnea, and back pain. Table 1 summarizes the most common adverse reactions occurring at ≥0.5%. Table 1 Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥0.5% of All DEFINITY-Treated Subjects DEFINITY (N=1716) Total Number of Adverse Reactions 269 Total Number of Subjects with an Adverse Reaction 144 (8.4%) Body system Preferred term n (%) N=Sample size 1716 subjects who received activated DEFINITY n=Number of subjects reporting at least one Adverse Reaction Application Site Disorders 11 (0.6) Injection Site Reactions 11 (0.6) Body as a Whole 41 (2.4) Back/renal pain 20 (1.2) Chest pain 13 (0.8) Central and peripheral nervous system disorder 54 (3.1) Headache 40 (2.3) Dizziness 11 (0.6) Gastrointestinal system 31 (1.8) Nausea 17 (1.0) Vascular (extracardiac) disorders 19 (1.1) Flushing 19 (1.1) Other adverse reactions that occurred in ≤0.5% of the activated DEFINITY-dosed subjects were: Body as a Whole: Fatigue, fever, hot flushes, pain, rigors, and syncope Cardiovascular: Abnormal ECGs, bradycardia, tachycardia, palpitation, hypertension and hypotension Digestive: Dyspepsia, dry mouth, tongue disorder, toothache, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting Hematology: Granulocytosis, leukocytosis, leukopenia, and eosinophilia Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia Nervous System: Leg cramps, hypertonia, vertigo and paresthesia Platelet, Bleeding, and Clotting: Hematoma Respiratory: Coughing, hypoxia, pharyngitis, rhinitis and dyspnea Special Senses: Decreased hearing, conjunctivitis, abnormal vision and taste perversion Skin: Pruritus, rash, erythematous rash, urticaria, increased sweating, and dry skin Urinary: Albuminuria Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients In a study of DEFINITY in 40 pediatric patients 1 month of age and older, no new safety signals were observed [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . In published studies of DEFINITY in 149 patients 5 years to 24 years of age (mean age 16.8 years; 56% male) clinically indicated for echocardiography, no additional safety signals were observed. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Adverse Reactions from Observational Studies In a prospective, multicenter, open-label registry of 1,053 patients receiving DEFINITY in routine clinical practice, heart rate, respiratory rate, and pulse oximetry were monitored for 30 minutes after DEFINITY administration. No deaths or serious adverse reactions were reported. Adverse Reactions from Postmarketing Spontaneous Reports The following adverse reactions have been identified during the post-marketing use of perflutren and PEG-containing microsphere products. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiopulmonary Fatal cardiac or respiratory arrest, shock, syncope, symptomatic arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia), hypertension, hypotension, dyspnea, hypoxia, chest pain, respiratory distress, stridor, wheezing. Immune System Anaphylaxis, with manifestations that may include death, shock, bronchospasm, throat tightness, angioedema, edema (pharyngeal, palatal, mouth, peripheral, localized), swelling (face, eye, lip, tongue, upper airway), facial hypoesthesia, rash, urticaria, pruritus, flushing, and erythema. Neurologic Coma, loss of consciousness, convulsion, seizure, transient ischemic attack, agitation, tremor, vision blurred, dizziness, headache, fatigue. Blood and Lymphatic System Acute pain episodes including vaso-occlusive crisis in patients with sickle cell disease.
Use in pregnancy▾
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from case reports with DEFINITY use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. DEFINITY has a very short half-life; therefore, administration of DEFINITY to a pregnant woman is not expected to result in clinically relevant fetal exposure. No adverse developmental outcomes were observed in animal reproduction studies with administration of activated DEFINITY in pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses up to 8 and 16 times, respectively, the maximum human dose based on body surface area (see Data ) . All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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. Data Animal Data DEFINITY was administered intravenously to rats at doses of 0.1 mL/kg, 0.3 mL/kg, and 1 mL/kg (approximately 0.8, 2.4, and 8 times the recommended maximum human dose based on body surface area); DEFINITY doses were administered daily from day 6 to day 17 of gestation. DEFINITY was administered intravenously to rabbits at doses of 0.1mL/kg, 0.3 mL/kg, and 1 mL/kg (approximately, 1.6, 4.8, and 16 times the recommended maximum human dose based on body surface area); DEFINITY doses were administered daily from day 7 to day 19 of gestation. No significant findings on the fetus were observed.
Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.