pharmacopeia

Mechanism of action

Sourced from openFDA

Vorinostat inhibits the enzymatic activity of histone deacetylases HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 (Class I) and HDAC6 (Class II) at nanomolar concentrations (IC 50 <86 nM). These enzymes catalyze the removal of acetyl groups from the lysine residues of proteins, including histones and transcription factors.

Histone Deacetylase

Indications

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  • ZOLINZA ® is indicated for the treatment of cutaneous manifestations in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma who have progressive, persistent or recurrent disease on or following two systemic therapies. ZOLINZA is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of cutaneous manifestations in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) who have progressive, persistent or recurrent disease on or following two systemic therapies.ICD-10: C85.90

Contraindications

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  • None.contraindicated

Dosage & administration

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400 mg orally once daily with food. ( 2.1 ) If patient is intolerant to therapy, reduce the dose to 300 mg orally once daily with food. If necessary, reduce the dose further to 300 mg once daily with food for 5 consecutive days each week. ( 2.2 , 5 ) Reduce dose in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Dosing Information The recommended dose is 400 mg orally once daily with food. Treatment may be continued as long as there is no evidence of progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. ZOLINZA capsules should not be opened or crushed [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16) ] . 2.2 Dose Modifications For Toxicity If a patient is intolerant to therapy, the dose may be reduced to 300 mg orally once daily with food. The dose may be further reduced to 300 mg once daily with food for 5 consecutive days each week, as necessary. Hepatic Impairment Reduce the starting dose to 300 mg orally once daily with food in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (bilirubin 1 to 3 × ULN or AST greater than ULN). There is insufficient evidence to recommend a starting dose for patients with severe hepatic impairment (bilirubin greater than 3 × ULN) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Warnings & precautions

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Thromboembolism: Monitor for pertinent signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. ( 5.1 ) Myelosuppression: Thrombocytopenia and anemia may require dose modification or discontinuation. Monitor blood counts every 2 weeks during the first 2 months of therapy and monthly thereafter. ( 2.2 , 5.2 , 6 ) Gastrointestinal Toxicity: Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; patients may require antiemetics, antidiarrheals, and fluid and electrolyte replacement to prevent dehydration. ( 5.3 , 6 ) Hyperglycemia: Monitor blood glucose every 2 weeks during the first 2 months of therapy and monthly thereafter. ( 5.4 ) Clinical Chemistry Abnormalities: Measure and correct abnormal electrolytes, creatinine, magnesium and calcium at baseline. Monitor every 2 weeks during the first 2 months of therapy and at least monthly during treatment. ( 5.5 ) Severe Thrombocytopenia with Concomitant Use of other HDAC Inhibitors: Severe thrombocytopenia with gastrointestinal bleeding has been reported with concomitant use of ZOLINZA and other HDAC inhibitors (e.g., valproic acid). Monitor platelet counts more frequently. ( 5.6 , 7.2 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Fetal harm can occur when administered to a pregnant woman. Women should be apprised of the potential harm to the fetus. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Thromboembolism Pulmonary embolism occurred in 5% (4/86) of patients receiving ZOLINZA, and deep vein thrombosis has also been reported. Monitor for signs and symptoms of these events, particularly in patients with a prior history of thromboembolic events [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] .

Adverse reactions

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The following serious adverse reactions have been associated with ZOLINZA in clinical trials and are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Thromboembolism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Gastrointestinal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hyperglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Clinical Chemistry Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Severe thrombocytopenia when combined with other Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) are diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, thrombocytopenia, anorexia and dysgeusia. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 1-877-888-4231 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. The safety of ZOLINZA was evaluated in 107 CTCL patients in two single arm clinical studies in which 86 patients received 400 mg once daily. The data described below reflect exposure to ZOLINZA 400 mg once daily in the 86 patients for a median number of 97.5 days on therapy (range 2 to 480+ days). Seventeen (19.8%) patients were exposed beyond 24 weeks and 8 (9.3%) patients were exposed beyond 1 year.

Use in specific populations

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Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed. ( 8.2 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal studies, ZOLINZA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] . There are insufficient data on ZOLINZA use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies, administration of vorinostat to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis caused adverse developmental outcomes at maternal exposures approximately 0.5 times the human exposure based on AUC 0-24 hours (see Data ) . Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, 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 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Results of animal studies indicate that vorinostat crosses the placenta and is found in fetal plasma at levels up to 50% of maternal concentrations. Doses up to 50 and 150 mg/kg/day were tested in rats and rabbits, respectively (~0.5 times the human exposure based on AUC 0-24 hours ).

Pharmacokinetics

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Metabolism
Absorption The pharmacokinetics of vorinostat were evaluated in 23 patients with relapsed or refractory advanced cancer. After oral administration of a single 400-mg dose of vorinostat with a high-fat meal, the mean ± standard deviation area under the curve (AUC) and peak serum concentration (C max ) and the median (range) time to maximum concentration (T max ) were 5.5±1.8 µM∙hr, 1.2±0.62 µM and 4 (2-10) hours, respectively.

Overdosage

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No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage of ZOLINZA. In the event of overdose, it is reasonable to employ the usual supportive measures, e.g., remove unabsorbed material from the gastrointestinal tract, employ clinical monitoring, and institute supportive therapy, if required. It is not known if vorinostat is dialyzable.

Approval history

Sourced from openFDA
  • Oct 6, 2006NDANDA021991Msd Sub Merck

FAERS reports

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Reference statistics only. FAERS reports are voluntarily submitted and are not incidence rates, safety signals, or causal evidence. Counts reflect reporting volume — how often a reaction was reported, not how often it occurs. For decision-grade use, consult openFDA and the FAERS Public Dashboard directly.
2,138 total reports matchedLatest report Share = reports listing the reaction ÷ total matched reports. Rows can sum to >100% because a single report often lists multiple reactions.
  1. 1Febrile Neutropenia23911%
  2. 2Thrombocytopenia1497.0%
  3. 3Anaemia1356.3%
  4. 4Diarrhoea1306.1%
  5. 5Product Use In Unapproved Indication1306.1%
  6. 6Nausea1286.0%
  7. 7Fatigue1265.9%
  8. 8Vomiting1135.3%
  9. 9Off Label Use1115.2%
  10. 10Sepsis1115.2%
  11. 11Platelet Count Decreased1065.0%
  12. 12Dehydration1024.8%
  13. 13Neutropenia934.3%
  14. 14Death924.3%
  15. 15Pyrexia904.2%

Literature

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Recent PubMed references pinned to Vorinostat as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Clinical trials

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The 10 most recently updated of 283 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Vorinostat as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

Frequently asked questions

How does Vorinostat work?
Vorinostat inhibits the enzymatic activity of histone deacetylases HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 (Class I) and HDAC6 (Class II) at nanomolar concentrations (IC 50 <86 nM). These enzymes catalyze the removal of acetyl groups from the lysine residues of proteins, including histones and transcription factors.
What is Vorinostat used for?
According to FDA labeling, Vorinostat carries indications including: ZOLINZA ® is indicated for the treatment of cutaneous manifestations in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma who have progressive, persistent or recurrent disease on or following two systemic therapies. ZOLINZA is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of cutaneous manifestations in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) who have progressive, persistent or recurrent disease on or following two systemic therapies.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
What class of drug is Vorinostat?
Vorinostat is classified as Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors, Increased Cellular Death.
What are the brand names for Vorinostat?
Vorinostat is marketed under brand names including Zolinza.
What are the contraindications for Vorinostat?
Vorinostat labeling lists contraindications including: None.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
Note. Data for vorinostat is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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