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Voraxaze

Generic: glucarpidase

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
BTG
NDC
50633-210
RxCUI
1242131
Route
INTRAVENOUS
ICD-10 indication
T45.1X1A

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About Voraxaze

What is this medication?

Voraxaze is a prescription medication, specifically an enzyme known as glucarpidase, that is used to treat dangerously high levels of methotrexate in a patient's bloodstream. Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug that is primarily eliminated from the body through the kidneys. However, if a patient develops kidney dysfunction or failure during treatment, the drug can accumulate to toxic levels, which may lead to life-threatening complications. Voraxaze works by rapidly breaking down methotrexate into inactive components that the body can clear more easily, bypassing the need for healthy kidney function to remove the excess drug.

This medication is administered as an intravenous injection, usually in a clinical or hospital setting where patients can be closely monitored. It is specifically indicated for those whose methotrexate levels have exceeded a certain threshold due to delayed clearance. By quickly reducing the systemic concentration of the chemotherapy agent, Voraxaze helps prevent further damage to the body's organs and tissues. It is considered a rescue therapy and is used as part of a comprehensive management plan for patients experiencing severe methotrexate toxicity.

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Voraxaze. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Nov 27, 2024

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VORAXAZE is indicated to reduce toxic plasma methotrexate concentration (greater than 1 micromole per liter) in adult and pediatric patients with delayed methotrexate clearance (plasma methotrexate concentrations greater than 2 standard deviations of the mean methotrexate excretion curve specific for the dose of methotrexate administered) due to impaired renal function. Limitations of Use: VORAXAZE is not recommended for use in patients who exhibit the expected clearance and expected plasma methotrexate concentration. Reducing plasma methotrexate concentration in these patients may result in subtherapeutic exposure to methotrexate [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . VORAXAZE is a carboxypeptidase indicated to reduce toxic plasma methotrexate concentration (greater than 1 micromole per liter) in adult and pediatric patients with delayed methotrexate clearance (plasma methotrexate concentrations greater than 2 standard deviations of the mean methotrexate excretion curve specific for the dose of methotrexate administered) due to impaired renal function. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: VORAXAZE is not recommended for use in patients who exhibit the expected clearance and expected plasma methotrexate concentration. Reducing plasma methotrexate concentration in these patients may result in subtherapeutic exposure to methotrexate. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage of VORAXAZE is 50 Units per kilogram as a single intravenous injection over 5 minutes. ( 2.1 ). For the first 48 hours after the dose of VORAXAZE, administer the same leucovorin dose given prior to VORAXAZE. Administer leucovorin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after the dose of VORAXAZE. ( 2.2 ) Beyond 48 hours after the dose of VORAXAZE, administer leucovorin based on the measured methotrexate concentration. Continue leucovorin until the methotrexate concentration has been maintained below the leucovorin treatment threshold for a minimum of 3 days. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of VORAXAZE is 50 Units per kilogram (kg) as a single intravenous injection administered over 5 minutes. Flush intravenous line before and after administration. 2.2 Concomitant Use with Leucovorin Rescue When administering VORAXAZE concomitantly with leucovorin, administer leucovorin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after the VORAXAZE dose [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . For the first 48 hours after a dose of VORAXAZE: Administer the same leucovorin dosage given prior to the VORAXAZE dose. Beyond 48 hours after a dose of VORAXAZE : Determine the leucovorin dosage based on the measured methotrexate concentration. Do not discontinue leucovorin based on the determination of a single methotrexate concentration below the leucovorin rescue threshold. Continue leucovorin until the methotrexate concentration has been maintained below the leucovorin rescue threshold for a minimum of 3 days. Continue intravenous hydration and urinary alkalinization as indicated. When measuring methotrexate concentrations following a VORAXAZE dose, a chromatographic method is preferred over an immunoassay [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . 2.3 Preparation Reconstitute the contents of the vial with 1 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. Roll and tilt the vial gently to mix. Do not shake. Inspect the vial and discard VORAXAZE if the solution is not clear, colorless, and free of particulate matter. Use reconstituted VORAXAZE immediately or store under refrigeration at 36° to 46°F (2° to 8°C) for up to 4 hours if not used immediately. VORAXAZE contains no preservative and is supplied as a single-dose vial. Discard any unused product.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None.
Warnings and precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Serious Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions occurred. ( 5.1 ) Monitoring Methotrexate Concentration: Measure methotrexate concentrations within 48 hours following VORAXAZE administration using a chromatographic method; immunoassays are unreliable for samples collected within 48 hours following VORAXAZE administration. ( 5.2 ) 5.1 Serious Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious hypersensitivity reactions occurred in less than 1% of patients [ see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) ]. 5.2 Interference with Immunoassay Measurements of Methotrexate DAMPA (4-deoxy-4-amino-N 10 - methylpteroic acid), an inactive metabolite of methotrexate formed following VORAXAZE administration, interferes with the measurement of methotrexate concentration using immunoassays. This interference results in an overestimation of the methotrexate concentration. Based on the half-life of DAMPA (about 9 hours), VORAXAZE may interfere with the measurement of methotrexate concentration for up to 48 hours following a VORAXAZE dose [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 ) ]. When measuring methotrexate concentration following a VORAXAZE dose, a chromatographic method is preferred over an immunoassay.
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Effects of VORAXAZE on Leucovorin VORAXAZE can decrease leucovorin concentration, which may decrease the effect of leucovorin rescue unless leucovorin is dosed as recommended [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . VORAXAZE may also reduce the concentrations other folate analogs or folate analog metabolic inhibitors. 7.2 Effect of VORAXAZE on Measurement of Methotrexate Concentration DAMPA (4-deoxy-4-amino-N10- methylpteroic acid), an inactive metabolite of methotrexate formed following VORAXAZE administration, interferes with the measurement of methotrexate concentration using immunoassays. This interference results in an overestimation of the methotrexate concentration. Based on the half-life of DAMPA, VORAXAZE may interfere with the measurement of methotrexate concentrations for approximately 48 hours following a VORAXAZE dose [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . When measuring methotrexate concentration following a VORAXAZE dose, a chromatographic method is preferred over an immunoassay.
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Serious Hypersensitivity Reactions [Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. The most common related adverse events (>1%) were paresthesia, flushing, nausea and/or vomiting, hypotension and headache. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact BTG at 877-377-3784 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under controlled but widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of VORAXAZE cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of other drugs and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The evaluation of adverse reactions in patients who received VORAXAZE was confounded, because patients had toxic plasma methotrexate concentration due to prolonged methotrexate clearance, which is associated with myelosuppression, mucositis, acute hepatitis, and renal dysfunction and failure. The safety of VORAXAZE is based on data from 290 patients who were enrolled in Study 1 or Study 2, two single-arm, open-label, multicenter studies conducted in patients who had markedly delayed methotrexate clearance due to impaired renal function. Patients with osteosarcoma were eligible for these studies if the plasma methotrexate concentration was >50 µmol/L at 24 hours, >5 µmol/L at 48 hours, or >2 standard deviations above the mean methotrexate elimination curve at least 12 hours after methotrexate administration; and there was a ≥2-fold increase in serum creatinine above baseline. All other patients were eligible for these studies if the plasma methotrexate concentration was >10 µmol/L more than 42 hours after the start of the methotrexate or the plasma methotrexate concentration was >2 standard deviations above the mean methotrexate excretion curve at least 12 hours following methotrexate; and the serum creatinine was >1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or the creatinine clearance (CLcr) was <60 mL/min at least 12 hours following methotrexate administration. Safety data was available for 149 patients enrolled in Study 1. The protocol specified that patients with pre-VORAXAZE methotrexate concentration >100 μmol/L were to receive a second VORAXAZE dose 48 hours after the first dose; that patients continue receiving intravenous hydration, urinary alkalinization and leucovorin; and that leucovorin administration be adjusted to ensure that it was not administered within 2 hours before or after a VORAXAZE dose. VORAXAZE-related adverse reactions were collected on a flow sheet with a daily log of adverse reactions characterized as “glucarpidase toxicity”. Additional safety information was collected from clinical records submitted by treating physicians. This safety information was abstracted and categorized using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 3. One (n=106) or 2 (n= 30) doses of VORAXAZE were administered; the number of doses was not specified for 13 patients. Doses ranged from 18 Units/kg to 98 Units/kg, with a median dose of 49 Units/kg. The median age was 18 years (1 month to 85 years); 63% were male; and the underlying malignancies were osteosarcoma/sarcomas in 32% and leukemia or lymphoma in 63% of patients. Safety data was available for 141 patients enrolled in Study 2. The protocol did not specify the criterion for allowing patients to receive a second VORAXAZE dose. The protocol specified that patients continue receiving intravenous hydration, urinary alkalinization and leucovorin and that leucovorin administration be adjusted to ensure that it was not administered within 2 hours before or after VORAXAZE. VORAXAZE-related adverse reactions were collected and severity was graded according to NCI CTCAE version 3. One (n=122) or 2 (n= 18) doses of VORAXAZE were administered; the number of doses was not specified for 1 patient. Doses ranged from 6 Units/kg to 189 Units/kg, with a median dose of 50 Units/kg. The median age was 17 years (6 months to 85 years); 64% were male; and the underlying malignancies were osteogenic sarcoma in 32% and leukemia or lymphoma in 62% of patients. Among the 290 patients, 8 deaths occurred within 30 days of VORAXAZE exposure that were not related to progressive disease. The most common adverse reactions (reported in >1%) were paresthesia, flushing, and nausea and/or vomiting. Table 1 summarizes select adverse reactions; adverse reactions likely associated with toxic methotrexate plasma concentrations, such as hematological, renal and hepatic adverse reactions, were not included in this table. Table 1: Select Adverse Reactions Occurring in Patients Receiving VORAXAZE in Study 1 and Study 2 1 This incidence includes the following terms: flushing, feeling hot, burning sensation. 2 One of these reactions was classified as Grade 3. Adverse Reaction VORAXAZE N= 290 Grades 1 and 2 2 (%) Paresthesia 2 Flushing 1,2 2 Nausea/Vomiting 2 Headache 1 Hypotension 1 Blurred Vision <1 Diarrhea <1 Hypersensitivity <1 Hypertension <1 Rash <1 Throat irritation/Throat tightness <1 Tremor <1 6.2 Immunogenicity As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of incidence of antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other glucarpidase products may be misleading. In clinical trials, 121 patients who received one (n=99), 2 (n=21), or 3 (n=1) doses of VORAXAZE were evaluated for anti-glucarpidase antibodies. Twenty-five of these 121 patients (21%) had detectable anti-glucarpidase antibodies following VORAXAZE administration, of which 19 received 1 dose of VORAXAZE and 6 received 2 doses of VORAXAZE. Antibody titers were determined using a bridging enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti- glucarpidase antibodies. Neutralizing antibodies were detected in 11 of the 25 patients who tested positive for anti- glucarpidase binding antibodies. Eight of these 11 patients had received a single dose of VORAXAZE; however, the development of neutralizing antibodies may be underreported due to lack of assay sensitivity.
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on VORAXAZE use in pregnant women or animal reproduction studies to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. VORAXAZE is administered in combination with methotrexate, which can cause embryo-fetal harm. Refer to methotrexate prescribing information for additional information. 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.

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.

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How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
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