Inflaxen Overdose

How do you administer this medicine?
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What happens if I overdose Inflaxen?

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Inflaxen:

Store Inflaxen at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in bathroom. Keep Inflaxen out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Overdose of Inflaxen in details

When a dose is taken in higher dose than the recommended doses, it is called Overdose. Overdose always needs a clinical supervision. Any medicine or drug when consumed in Overdose produces untoward side effects on one or various organs in the body. A medicine is excreted in the kidney or metabolized in the liver most of the times. This process goes without any hurdles when taken in normal dose, but when taken in an overdose, the body is not able to metabolize it or send it out properly which causes the effects of anoverdose.
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There is no human experience regarding Inflaxen overdosage. In mouse and rat acute toxicology studies, the minimally toxic dose for oral Inflaxen was 200-500 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively (approximately >350 times the maximum recommended human dose, respectively). There have been reports of chronic overdosage in patients taking Inflaxen at daily dose up to 5 times the recommended daily dose and reports of acute overdose in adults or children. There were no adverse events reported in the majority of case reports of overdosage. Adverse events were consistent with the safety profile for Inflaxen. The most frequent adverse events observed were diarrhea, abdominal pain, leukopenia, anemia and elevated liver function tests. In the event of significant overdosage or toxicity, cholestyramine or charcoal administration is recommended to accelerate elimination. Studies with both hemodialysis and CAPD indicate that M1 is not dialyzable.

What should I avoid while taking Inflaxen?

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Inflaxen, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.

Inflaxen warnings

Warnings are a mix of Precautions. Contraindications and interactions and serious harmful effects associated with the medicine intake. A diabetic or Hypertensive patient need to be warned about few drug interactions. A known hypersensitivity patient needs to be careful about the reactions or anaphylactic shock. A pregnant woman or a breastfeeding woman should be warned of certain medications. A Hepatitis [liver disease] patient or a cardiac patient should avoid few drugs.
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Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Inflaxen may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Teratogenicity and embryo-lethality occurred in animal reproduction studies with Inflaxen at doses lower than the human exposure level.

Inflaxen is contraindicated for use in pregnant women. Exclude pregnancy before starting treatment with Inflaxen in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during Inflaxen treatment and during an accelerated drug elimination procedure after Inflaxen treatment. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking Inflaxen, stop treatment with Inflaxen, apprise the patient of the potential risk to a fetus, and perform an accelerated drug elimination procedure to achieve non-detectable plasma concentrations of teriflunomide, the active metabolite of Inflaxen.

Upon discontinuing Inflaxen, it is recommended that all females of reproductive potential undergo an accelerated drug elimination procedure. Women receiving Inflaxen treatment who wish to become pregnant must discontinue Inflaxen and undergo an accelerated drug elimination procedure, which includes verification that plasma concentrations of the active metabolite of Inflaxen, teriflunomide, are less than 0.02 mg/L (0.02 mcg/mL). Based on animal data, human plasma concentrations of teriflunomide of less than 0.02 mg/L (0.02 mcg/mL) are expected to have minimal embryo-fetal risk.

Hepatotoxicity

Severe liver injury, including fatal liver failure, has been reported in some patients treated with Inflaxen. Patients with pre-existing acute or chronic liver disease, or those with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of greater than twice the upper limits of normal (>2×ULN) before initiating treatment, should not be treated with Inflaxen. Use caution when Inflaxen is given with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Monitoring of ALT levels is recommended at least monthly for six months after starting Inflaxen, and thereafter every 6–8 weeks. If ALT elevation > 3 fold ULN occurs, interrupt Inflaxen therapy and investigate the cause. If likely Inflaxen-induced, perform the accelerated drug elimination procedure and monitor liver tests weekly until normalized. If Inflaxen-induced liver injury is unlikely because some other cause has been found, resumption of Inflaxen therapy may be considered.

If Inflaxen and methotrexate are given concomitantly, follow the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines for monitoring methotrexate liver toxicity with ALT, AST, and serum albumin testing.

Procedure for Accelerated Elimination of Inflaxen and its Active Metabolite

The active metabolite of Inflaxen, teriflunomide, is eliminated slowly from the plasma.

Use of an accelerated drug elimination procedure will rapidly reduce plasma concentrations of Inflaxen and its active metabolite, teriflunomide. Therefore, an accelerated elimination procedure should be considered at any time after discontinuation of Inflaxen, and in particular, when a patient has experienced a severe adverse reaction (e.g., hepatotoxicity, serious infection, bone marrow suppression, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, peripheral neuropathy, interstitial lung disease), suspected hypersensitivity, or has become pregnant. It is recommended that all women of childbearing potential undergo an accelerated elimination procedure after stopping Inflaxen treatment.

Without use of an accelerated drug elimination procedure, it may take up to 2 years to reach plasma teriflunomide concentrations of less than 0.02 mg/L, the plasma concentration not associated with embryo-fetal toxicity in animals.

Elimination can be accelerated by the following procedures:

1)
Administer cholestyramine 8 grams orally 3 times daily for 11 days.
2)
Alternatively, administer 50 grams of activated charcoal powder (made into a suspension) orally every 12 hours for 11 days.

Verify plasma teriflunomide concentrations of less than 0.02 mg/L (0.02 µg/mL) by two separate tests at least 14 days apart. If plasma teriflunomide concentrations are higher than 0.02 mg/L, repeat cholestyramine and/or activated charcoal treatment.

The duration of accelerated drug elimination treatment may be modified based on the clinical status and tolerability of the elimination procedure. The procedure may be repeated as needed, based on teriflunomide concentrations and clinical status.

Use of the accelerated drug elimination procedure may potentially result in return of disease activity if the patient had been responding to Inflaxen treatment.

Immunosuppression, Bone Marrow Suppression, and Risk of Serious Infections

Inflaxen is not recommended for patients with severe immunodeficiency, bone marrow dysplasia, or severe, uncontrolled infections. If a serious infection occurs, consider interrupting Inflaxen therapy and initiating the accelerated drug elimination procedure. Medications like Inflaxen that have immunosuppression potential may cause patients to be more susceptible to infections, including opportunistic infections, especially Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, tuberculosis (including extra-pulmonary tuberculosis), and aspergillosis. Severe infections including sepsis, which may be fatal, have been reported in patients receiving Inflaxen, especially Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and aspergillosis. Most of the reports were confounded by concomitant immunosuppressant therapy and/or comorbid illness which, in addition to rheumatoid arthritis, may predispose patients to infection.

Cases of tuberculosis were observed in clinical studies with teriflunomide, the metabolite of Inflaxen. Prior to initiating Inflaxen, all patients should be screened for active and inactive ("latent") tuberculosis infection as per commonly used diagnostic tests. Inflaxen has not been studied in patients with a positive tuberculosis screen, and the safety of Inflaxen in individuals with latent tuberculosis infection is unknown. Patients testing positive in tuberculosis screening should be treated by standard medical practice prior to therapy with Inflaxen and monitored carefully during Inflaxen treatment for possible reactivation of the infection.

Pancytopenia, agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been reported in patients receiving Inflaxen alone. These events have been reported most frequently in patients who received concomitant treatment with methotrexate or other immunosuppressive agents, or who had recently discontinued these therapies; in some cases, patients had a prior history of a significant hematologic abnormality.

Patients taking Inflaxen should have platelet, white blood cell count and hemoglobin or hematocrit monitored at baseline and monthly for six months following initiation of therapy and every 6 to 8 weeks thereafter. If used with concomitant methotrexate and/or other potential immunosuppressive agents, chronic monitoring should be monthly. If evidence of bone marrow suppression occurs in a patient taking Inflaxen, stop treatment with Inflaxen, and perform an accelerated drug elimination procedure to reduce the plasma concentration of the Inflaxen active metabolite, teriflunomide.

In any situation in which the decision is made to switch from Inflaxen to another anti-rheumatic agent with a known potential for hematologic suppression, it would be prudent to monitor for hematologic toxicity, because there will be overlap of systemic exposure to both compounds.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, and Drug Reactions with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms

Rare cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported in patients receiving Inflaxen. If a patient taking Inflaxen develops any of these conditions, stop Inflaxen treatment and perform an accelerated drug elimination procedure.

Malignancy and Lymphoproliferative Disorders

The risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoproliferative disorders, is increased with the use of some immunosuppression medications. There is a potential for immunosuppression with Inflaxen. No apparent increase in the incidence of malignancies and lymphoproliferative disorders was reported in the clinical trials of Inflaxen, but larger dosages and longer-term studies would be needed to determine whether there is an increased risk of malignancy or lymphoproliferative disorders with Inflaxen.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Cases of peripheral neuropathy have been reported in patients receiving Inflaxen and in clinical studies with teriflunomide, the active metabolite of Inflaxen. Most patients recovered after discontinuation of treatment, but some patients had persistent symptoms. Age older than 60 years, concomitant neurotoxic medications, and diabetes may increase the risk for peripheral neuropathy. If a patient taking Inflaxen develops a peripheral neuropathy, consider discontinuing Inflaxen therapy and performing an accelerated drug elimination procedure.

Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung disease and worsening of pre-existing interstitial lung disease have been reported during treatment with Inflaxen and has been associated with fatal outcomes. The risk of Inflaxen-associated interstitial lung disease is increased in patients with a history of interstitial lung disease. Interstitial lung disease is a potentially fatal disorder that may occur acutely at any time during therapy and has a variable clinical presentation. New onset or worsening pulmonary symptoms, such as cough and dyspnea, with or without associated fever, may be a reason for discontinuation of Inflaxen therapy and for further investigation as appropriate. If discontinuation of Inflaxen is necessary, consider performing an accelerated drug elimination procedure.

Vaccinations

No clinical data are available on the efficacy and safety of vaccinations during Inflaxen treatment. Vaccination with live vaccines is, however, not recommended. The long half-life of the active metabolite of Inflaxen should be considered when contemplating administration of a live vaccine after stopping Inflaxen.

Blood Pressure Monitoring

In placebo-controlled studies with the active metabolite of Inflaxen, teriflunomide, elevations in blood pressure were observed in some subjects. Blood pressure should be checked before starting treatment with Inflaxen and monitored periodically thereafter.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Inflaxen?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Inflaxen, if you have liver disease, or if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication:

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use Inflaxen if you are pregnant. Your doctor may want you to have a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start taking Inflaxen.

Stop taking Inflaxen if you miss a period, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. If you become pregnant while taking Inflaxen, you will need to receive medications to help your body eliminate the drug quickly. This will reduce the risk of harm to your unborn baby. You will also need to go through this drug elimination procedure if you plan to become pregnant after you stop taking Inflaxen.

Use effective birth control while you are taking Inflaxen. After your treatment ends, continue using birth control until you have received the drug elimination medications.

If a man fathers a child during or after Inflaxen treatment, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy while you are taking Inflaxen. After your treatment ends, continue using condoms until you have received the medications to help your body eliminate Inflaxen.

It is not known whether Inflaxen passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Inflaxen precautions

Certain people who are very sick or very old or who are sensitive show an exacerbation of side effect of the drug which can turn dangerous at times. So, it is very important to remember the precautions while taking the medicine. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding are also special categories wherein extra care or precaution is needed when taking a drug. Few patients may have a hypersensitivity reaction to few medications, and that can be life-threatening rarely. Penicillin hypersensitivity is one example. Diarrhea, rashes are few other symptoms which need a watch. A patient with other co-existing diseases like liver disease, heart disease, kidney disease should take special precautions.
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Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Inflaxen may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Teratogenicity and embryo-lethality occurred in animal reproduction studies with Inflaxen at doses lower than the human exposure level.

Inflaxen is contraindicated for use in pregnant women. Exclude pregnancy before starting treatment with Inflaxen in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during Inflaxen treatment and during an accelerated drug elimination procedure after Inflaxen treatment. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking Inflaxen, stop treatment with Inflaxen, apprise the patient of the potential risk to a fetus, and perform an accelerated drug elimination procedure to achieve non-detectable plasma concentrations of teriflunomide, the active metabolite of Inflaxen.

Upon discontinuing Inflaxen, it is recommended that all females of reproductive potential undergo an accelerated drug elimination procedure. Women receiving Inflaxen treatment who wish to become pregnant must discontinue Inflaxen and undergo an accelerated drug elimination procedure, which includes verification that plasma concentrations of the active metabolite of Inflaxen, teriflunomide, are less than 0.02 mg/L (0.02 mcg/mL). Based on animal data, human plasma concentrations of teriflunomide of less than 0.02 mg/L (0.02 mcg/mL) are expected to have minimal embryo-fetal risk.

Hepatotoxicity

Severe liver injury, including fatal liver failure, has been reported in some patients treated with Inflaxen. Patients with pre-existing acute or chronic liver disease, or those with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of greater than twice the upper limits of normal (>2×ULN) before initiating treatment, should not be treated with Inflaxen. Use caution when Inflaxen is given with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Monitoring of ALT levels is recommended at least monthly for six months after starting Inflaxen, and thereafter every 6–8 weeks. If ALT elevation > 3 fold ULN occurs, interrupt Inflaxen therapy and investigate the cause. If likely Inflaxen-induced, perform the accelerated drug elimination procedure and monitor liver tests weekly until normalized. If Inflaxen-induced liver injury is unlikely because some other cause has been found, resumption of Inflaxen therapy may be considered.

If Inflaxen and methotrexate are given concomitantly, follow the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines for monitoring methotrexate liver toxicity with ALT, AST, and serum albumin testing.

Procedure for Accelerated Elimination of Inflaxen and its Active Metabolite

The active metabolite of Inflaxen, teriflunomide, is eliminated slowly from the plasma.

Use of an accelerated drug elimination procedure will rapidly reduce plasma concentrations of Inflaxen and its active metabolite, teriflunomide. Therefore, an accelerated elimination procedure should be considered at any time after discontinuation of Inflaxen, and in particular, when a patient has experienced a severe adverse reaction (e.g., hepatotoxicity, serious infection, bone marrow suppression, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, peripheral neuropathy, interstitial lung disease), suspected hypersensitivity, or has become pregnant. It is recommended that all women of childbearing potential undergo an accelerated elimination procedure after stopping Inflaxen treatment.

Without use of an accelerated drug elimination procedure, it may take up to 2 years to reach plasma teriflunomide concentrations of less than 0.02 mg/L, the plasma concentration not associated with embryo-fetal toxicity in animals.

Elimination can be accelerated by the following procedures:

1)
Administer cholestyramine 8 grams orally 3 times daily for 11 days.
2)
Alternatively, administer 50 grams of activated charcoal powder (made into a suspension) orally every 12 hours for 11 days.

Verify plasma teriflunomide concentrations of less than 0.02 mg/L (0.02 µg/mL) by two separate tests at least 14 days apart. If plasma teriflunomide concentrations are higher than 0.02 mg/L, repeat cholestyramine and/or activated charcoal treatment.

The duration of accelerated drug elimination treatment may be modified based on the clinical status and tolerability of the elimination procedure. The procedure may be repeated as needed, based on teriflunomide concentrations and clinical status.

Use of the accelerated drug elimination procedure may potentially result in return of disease activity if the patient had been responding to Inflaxen treatment.

Immunosuppression, Bone Marrow Suppression, and Risk of Serious Infections

Inflaxen is not recommended for patients with severe immunodeficiency, bone marrow dysplasia, or severe, uncontrolled infections. If a serious infection occurs, consider interrupting Inflaxen therapy and initiating the accelerated drug elimination procedure. Medications like Inflaxen that have immunosuppression potential may cause patients to be more susceptible to infections, including opportunistic infections, especially Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, tuberculosis (including extra-pulmonary tuberculosis), and aspergillosis. Severe infections including sepsis, which may be fatal, have been reported in patients receiving Inflaxen, especially Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and aspergillosis. Most of the reports were confounded by concomitant immunosuppressant therapy and/or comorbid illness which, in addition to rheumatoid arthritis, may predispose patients to infection.

Cases of tuberculosis were observed in clinical studies with teriflunomide, the metabolite of Inflaxen. Prior to initiating Inflaxen, all patients should be screened for active and inactive ("latent") tuberculosis infection as per commonly used diagnostic tests. Inflaxen has not been studied in patients with a positive tuberculosis screen, and the safety of Inflaxen in individuals with latent tuberculosis infection is unknown. Patients testing positive in tuberculosis screening should be treated by standard medical practice prior to therapy with Inflaxen and monitored carefully during Inflaxen treatment for possible reactivation of the infection.

Pancytopenia, agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been reported in patients receiving Inflaxen alone. These events have been reported most frequently in patients who received concomitant treatment with methotrexate or other immunosuppressive agents, or who had recently discontinued these therapies; in some cases, patients had a prior history of a significant hematologic abnormality.

Patients taking Inflaxen should have platelet, white blood cell count and hemoglobin or hematocrit monitored at baseline and monthly for six months following initiation of therapy and every 6 to 8 weeks thereafter. If used with concomitant methotrexate and/or other potential immunosuppressive agents, chronic monitoring should be monthly. If evidence of bone marrow suppression occurs in a patient taking Inflaxen, stop treatment with Inflaxen, and perform an accelerated drug elimination procedure to reduce the plasma concentration of the Inflaxen active metabolite, teriflunomide.

In any situation in which the decision is made to switch from Inflaxen to another anti-rheumatic agent with a known potential for hematologic suppression, it would be prudent to monitor for hematologic toxicity, because there will be overlap of systemic exposure to both compounds.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, and Drug Reactions with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms

Rare cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported in patients receiving Inflaxen. If a patient taking Inflaxen develops any of these conditions, stop Inflaxen treatment and perform an accelerated drug elimination procedure.

Malignancy and Lymphoproliferative Disorders

The risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoproliferative disorders, is increased with the use of some immunosuppression medications. There is a potential for immunosuppression with Inflaxen. No apparent increase in the incidence of malignancies and lymphoproliferative disorders was reported in the clinical trials of Inflaxen, but larger dosages and longer-term studies would be needed to determine whether there is an increased risk of malignancy or lymphoproliferative disorders with Inflaxen.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Cases of peripheral neuropathy have been reported in patients receiving Inflaxen and in clinical studies with teriflunomide, the active metabolite of Inflaxen. Most patients recovered after discontinuation of treatment, but some patients had persistent symptoms. Age older than 60 years, concomitant neurotoxic medications, and diabetes may increase the risk for peripheral neuropathy. If a patient taking Inflaxen develops a peripheral neuropathy, consider discontinuing Inflaxen therapy and performing an accelerated drug elimination procedure.

Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung disease and worsening of pre-existing interstitial lung disease have been reported during treatment with Inflaxen and has been associated with fatal outcomes. The risk of Inflaxen-associated interstitial lung disease is increased in patients with a history of interstitial lung disease. Interstitial lung disease is a potentially fatal disorder that may occur acutely at any time during therapy and has a variable clinical presentation. New onset or worsening pulmonary symptoms, such as cough and dyspnea, with or without associated fever, may be a reason for discontinuation of Inflaxen therapy and for further investigation as appropriate. If discontinuation of Inflaxen is necessary, consider performing an accelerated drug elimination procedure.

Vaccinations

No clinical data are available on the efficacy and safety of vaccinations during Inflaxen treatment. Vaccination with live vaccines is, however, not recommended. The long half-life of the active metabolite of Inflaxen should be considered when contemplating administration of a live vaccine after stopping Inflaxen.

Blood Pressure Monitoring

In placebo-controlled studies with the active metabolite of Inflaxen, teriflunomide, elevations in blood pressure were observed in some subjects. Blood pressure should be checked before starting treatment with Inflaxen and monitored periodically thereafter.

What happens if I miss a dose of Inflaxen?

When you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember, but you should take care that it should be well spaced from the next dose. You should not take an extra dose at the time of the second dose as it will become a double dose. The double dose can give unwanted side effects, so be careful. In chronic conditions or when you have a serious health issue, if you miss a dose, you should inform your health care provider and ask his suggestion.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.



References

  1. DailyMed. "LEFLUNOMIDE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
  2. DrugBank. "leflunomide". http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01097 (accessed September 17, 2018).
  3. MeSH. "Immunosuppressive Agents". https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68... (accessed September 17, 2018).

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