Vistogard (uridine triacetate): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings

Uses

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VISTOGARD ® is indicated for the emergency treatment of adult and pediatric patients: following a fluorouracil or capecitabine overdose regardless of the presence of symptoms, or who exhibit early-onset, severe or life-threatening toxicity affecting the cardiac or central nervous system, and/or early-onset, unusually severe adverse reactions (e.g., gastrointestinal toxicity and/or neutropenia) within 96 hours following the end of fluorouracil or capecitabine administration. VISTOGARD ® is a pyrimidine analog indicated for the emergency treatment of adult and pediatric patients: following a fluorouracil or capecitabine overdose regardless of the presence of symptoms, or who exhibit early-onset, severe or life-threatening toxicity affecting the cardiac or central nervous system, and/or early-onset, unusually severe adverse reactions (e.g., gastrointestinal toxicity and/or neutropenia) within 96 hours following the end of fluorouracil or capecitabine administration. ( 1 ) Limitations of use: VISTOGARD is not recommended for the non-emergent treatment of adverse reactions associated with fluorouracil or capecitabine because it may diminish the efficacy of these drugs. ( 1 ) The safety and efficacy of VISTOGARD initiated more than 96 hours following the end of fluorouracil or capecitabine administration have not been established. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use VISTOGARD is not recommended for the non-emergent treatment of adverse reactions associated with fluorouracil or capecitabine because it may diminish the efficacy of these drugs. The safety and efficacy of VISTOGARD initiated more than 96 hours following the end of fluorouracil or capecitabine administration have not been established.

Dosage and administration

Recommended Dosage Adults : 10 grams (1 packet) orally every 6 hours for 20 doses, without regard to meals. ( 2.1 ) Pediatric : 6.2 grams/m 2 of body surface area (not to exceed 10 grams per dose) orally every 6 hours for 20 doses, without regard to meals. See the full prescribing information for body surface area-based dosing. ( 2.1 ) Preparation and Administration Pediatric : Measure the dose using either a scale accurate to at least 0.1 gram, or a graduated teaspoon accurate to ¼ teaspoon. ( 2.1 ) Mix each VISTOGARD dose with 3 to 4 ounces of soft foods such as applesauce, pudding or yogurt and ingest within 30 minutes of mixing. Do not chew the VISTOGARD granules. Drink at least 4 ounces of water. ( 2.2 ) If a patient vomits within 2 hours of taking a dose of VISTOGARD, initiate another complete dose as soon as possible after the vomiting episode. Administer the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. ( 2.2 ) If a patient misses a dose at the scheduled time, administer that dose of VISTOGARD as soon as possible. Administer the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. ( 2.2 ) Administer VISTOGARD via a nasogastric tube (NG tube) or gastrostomy tube (G-Tube) when necessary (e.g., severe mucositis or coma). ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Adults: 10 grams (1 packet) orally every 6 hours for 20 doses, without regard to meals. Pediatric: 6.2 grams/m 2 of body surface area (not to exceed 10 grams per dose) orally every 6 hours for 20 doses, without regard to meals. The VISTOGARD dose to be administered at 6.2 grams/m 2 is presented in Table 1. Measure the dose using either a scale accurate to at least 0.1 gram, or a graduated teaspoon accurate to ¼ teaspoon. Discard any unused portion of granules. Do not use granules left in the open packet for subsequent dosing. Table 1 VISTOGARD Pediatric Dose Based on Body Surface Area (m 2 ) Patient Body Surface Area (m 2 ) Table 1 VISTOGARD 6.2 grams/m 2 /dose Dose by body surface area category in this table was rounded to achieve the approximate dose. Each dose is administered every 6 hours for 20 doses. Dose in Grams Dose in Graduated Teaspoons 0.34 to 0.44 2.1 to 2.7 1 0.45 to 0.55 2.8 to 3.4 1 ¼ 0.56 to 0.66 3.5 to 4.1 1 ½ 0.67 to 0.77 4.2 to 4.8 1 ¾ 0.78 to 0.88 4.9 to 5.4 2 0.89 to 0.99 5.5 to 6.1 2 ¼ 1.00 to 1.10 6.2 to 6.8 2 ½ 1.11 to 1.21 6.9 to 7.5 2 ¾ 1.22 to 1.32 7.6 to 8.1 3 1.33 to 1.43 8.2 to 8.8 3 ¼ 1.44 and above May use 1 entire 10 g packet without weighing or measuring. Do not exceed 10 grams/dose. 10.0 1 full packet Administer VISTOGARD as soon as possible after an overdose or early-onset toxicity within 96 hours following the end of fluorouracil or capecitabine administration. Administer full course of VISTOGARD (20 doses) as directed. 2.2 Preparation and Administration Mix each VISTOGARD dose with 3 to 4 ounces of soft foods such as applesauce, pudding or yogurt and ingest within 30 minutes. Do not chew the VISTOGARD granules. Drink at least 4 ounces of water. If a patient vomits within 2 hours of taking a dose of VISTOGARD, initiate another complete dose as soon as possible after the vomiting episode. Administer the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. If a patient misses a dose at the scheduled time, administer that dose of VISTOGARD as soon as possible. Administer the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Administer VISTOGARD via a nasogastric tube (NG tube) or gastrostomy tube (G-Tube) when necessary (eg, severe mucositis or coma). Follow the instructions below for each dose administration: Prepare approximately 4 fluid ounces (about 100 mL) of a food starch-based thickening product in water and stir briskly until the thickener has dissolved. Crush the contents of one full 10 gram packet of VISTOGARD granules to a fine powder. Add the crushed VISTOGARD granules to 4 ounces (about 100 mL) of the reconstituted food starch-based thickening product. For pediatric patients receiving less than 10 grams, prepare the mixture at a ratio of no greater than 1 gram per 10 mL of reconstituted food starch-based thickening product and mix thoroughly. After administration of the mixture using the NG tube or G-Tube, flush the tube with water.

Dosage forms and strengths

Oral granules: 10 grams of orange-flavored, white-to-off-white, oral granules (95% w/w) in single-dose packets. Oral granules: 10 gram packets ( 3 )

Contraindications

None. None. ( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

None. None. ( 5 )

Side effects

Adverse reactions occurring in >2% of patients receiving VISTOGARD included vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact BTG International Inc at (1-877-377-3784) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions and using a wide range of doses, 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 VISTOGARD was assessed in 135 patients (median age 59 years, 56% male) treated in 2 single-arm, open-label, multi-center trials. VISTOGARD was administered at 10 grams orally every 6 hours for 20 doses or at a body surface area adjusted dosage of 6.2 grams/m 2 /dose for 20 doses in four patients between 1 and 7 years of age. The median duration of exposure was 4.8 days, with a median of 20 doses (range 1 to 23). VISTOGARD was discontinued for adverse reactions in two (1.4%) patients. Serious adverse reactions and Grade ≥3 adverse reactions were seen in one patient receiving VISTOGARD (Grade 3 nausea and vomiting). Table 2 summarizes the adverse reactions that occurred in greater than 2% of patients in Studies 1 and 2 combined. Table 2 Adverse Reactions in > 2% of Patients Receiving VISTOGARD in Studies 1 and 2 Adverse Reaction N=135 Patients Vomiting 13 (10%) Nausea 7 (5%) Diarrhea 4 (3%)

Use in specific populations

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited case reports of uridine triacetate use during pregnancy are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of birth defects and miscarriage. When administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis, uridine triacetate at doses of one-half the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 40 grams per day was not teratogenic and did not produce adverse effects on embryo-fetal development [see Data ] . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are 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. Data Animal Data In an embryo-fetal development study, uridine triacetate was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 2000 mg/kg per day (about one-half the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 40 grams per day on a body surface area basis). There was no evidence of teratogenicity or harm to the fetus and no effect on maternal body weight and overall health. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of uridine triacetate in human milk, the effect on the breastfed infant or the effect on milk production. The development and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for VISTOGARD and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from VISTOGARD or from the underlying maternal condition. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of VISTOGARD have been established in pediatric patients. Use of VISTOGARD in pediatric patients is supported by an open-label clinical study of adults (Study 1) and a second open-label clinical study which included 6 pediatric patients ranging in age from 1 to 16 years (Study 2). Four of these pediatric patients were between 1 to 7 years of age and received a body-surface area adjusted dosage of 6.2 grams/m 2 /dose for 20 doses. The clinical response and safety in adult and pediatric patients treated with VISTOGARD were similar; however, clinical data are limited [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. 8.5 Geriatric Use Of the 135 patients in clinical studies with VISTOGARD, 30% were 65 and over, including 11% that were 75 and over. Clinical studies of VISTOGARD did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited case reports of uridine triacetate use during pregnancy are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of birth defects and miscarriage. When administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis, uridine triacetate at doses of one-half the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 40 grams per day was not teratogenic and did not produce adverse effects on embryo-fetal development [see Data ] . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are 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. Data Animal Data In an embryo-fetal development study, uridine triacetate was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 2000 mg/kg per day (about one-half the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 40 grams per day on a body surface area basis). There was no evidence of teratogenicity or harm to the fetus and no effect on maternal body weight and overall health.

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of VISTOGARD have been established in pediatric patients. Use of VISTOGARD in pediatric patients is supported by an open-label clinical study of adults (Study 1) and a second open-label clinical study which included 6 pediatric patients ranging in age from 1 to 16 years (Study 2). Four of these pediatric patients were between 1 to 7 years of age and received a body-surface area adjusted dosage of 6.2 grams/m 2 /dose for 20 doses. The clinical response and safety in adult and pediatric patients treated with VISTOGARD were similar; however, clinical data are limited [see Clinical Studies (14) ].

Geriatric use

8.5 Geriatric Use Of the 135 patients in clinical studies with VISTOGARD, 30% were 65 and over, including 11% that were 75 and over. Clinical studies of VISTOGARD did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Description

11 DESCRIPTION VISTOGARD oral granules contain the active ingredient uridine triacetate which is a pyrimidine analog. The chemical name for uridine triacetate is (2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione. The molecular weight is 370.3 grams/mole and it has an empirical formula of C 15 H 18 N 2 O 9 . The structural formula is: Each single-dose 10 gram packet of VISTOGARD orange-flavored oral granules (95% w/w) contains 10 grams of uridine triacetate and the following inactive ingredients: ethylcellulose (0.309 grams), Opadry ® Clear [proprietary dispersion of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and Macrogol] (0.077 grams), and natural orange juice flavor (0.131 grams). Chemical Structure

Mechanism of action

12.1 Mechanism of Action Uridine triacetate is an acetylated pro-drug of uridine. Following oral administration, uridine triacetate is deacetylated by nonspecific esterases present throughout the body, yielding uridine in the circulation. Uridine competitively inhibits cell damage and cell death caused by fluorouracil. Fluorouracil is a cytotoxic antimetabolite that interferes with nucleic acid metabolism in normal and cancer cells. Cells anabolize fluorouracil to the cytotoxic intermediates 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-monophosphate (FdUMP) and 5-fluorouridine triphosphate (FUTP). FdUMP inhibits thymidylate synthase, blocking thymidine synthesis. Thymidine is required for DNA replication and repair. Uridine is not found in DNA. The second source of fluorouracil cytotoxicity is the incorporation of its metabolite, FUTP, into RNA. This incorporation of FUTP into RNA is proportional to systemic fluorouracil exposure. Excess circulating uridine derived from VISTOGARD is converted into uridine triphosphate (UTP), which competes with FUTP for incorporation into RNA.

How supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING VISTOGARD orange-flavored oral granules (95% w/w) are available in single-dose packets containing 10 grams of uridine triacetate. NDC Number Package Configuration 50633-220-20 Course of therapy package: 1 carton containing 20 single-dose packets of VISTOGARD 50633-220-04 24-Hour Pack: 1 carton containing 4 single-dose packets of VISTOGARD Store at USP controlled room temperature, 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30 °C (59° to 86°F).

Storage

Store at USP controlled room temperature, 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30 °C (59° to 86°F).

Patient information

Advise the patient or caregiver to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information) Dosing Instructions [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and (2.2) ] Advise the patient or caregiver: The importance of taking all 20 doses, even if they feel well. That VISTOGARD can be taken mixed in food (applesauce, pudding or yogurt). That the VISTOGARD granules should not be chewed. That if the patient vomits within 2 hours of taking a dose of VISTOGARD to take another complete dose as soon as possible after vomiting. Take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. That if the patient misses a dose at the scheduled time, to take that dose of VISTOGARD as soon as possible. Then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.

Active ingredients

Uridine Triacetate in 1 product

Vistogard NDC products (1)

NDC	Strength & form	Labeler	Type
50633-220	Uridine Triacetate 951 mg/g Granule	BTG International Inc	NDA

Frequently asked questions

What is Vistogard used for?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VISTOGARD ® is indicated for the emergency treatment of adult and pediatric patients: following a fluorouracil or capecitabine overdose regardless of the presence of symptoms, or who exhibit early-onset, severe or life-threatening toxicity affecting the cardiac or central nervous system, and/or early-onset, unusually severe adverse reactions (e.g., gastrointestinal…

What are the side effects of Vistogard?

Adverse reactions occurring in >2% of patients receiving VISTOGARD included vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact BTG International Inc at (1-877-377-3784) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions and using a wide range of doses, adverse… See the full label for the complete list.

Who makes Vistogard?

Vistogard is listed by 1 labeler in the FDA NDC directory, including BTG International Inc.