MESNEX

MESNEX (mesna) is a detoxifying agent to inhibit the hemorrhagic cystitis induced by ifosfamide. The active ingredient, mesna, is a synthetic sulfhydryl compound designated as sodium-2-mercaptoethane sulfonate with a molecular formula of C 2 H 5 NaO 3 S 2 and a molecular weight of 164.18. Its structural formula is as follows: HS–CH 2 –CH 2 SO 3 –Na + MESNEX injection is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, aqueous solution of clear and colorless appearance in clear glass multidose vials for intravenous administration. MESNEX injection contains 100 mg/mL mesna, 0.25 mg/mL edetate disodium and sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. MESNEX injection multidose vials also contain 10.4 mg/mL of benzyl alcohol as a preservative. The solution has a pH range of 7.5-8.5. MESNEX tablets are white, oblong, scored biconvex film-coated tablets with the imprint M4. They contain 400 mg mesna. The excipients are calcium phosphate, cornstarch, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, simethicone, and titanium dioxide.

MESNEX is indicated as a prophylactic agent in reducing the incidence of ifosfamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. Limitation of Use: MESNEX is not indicated to reduce the risk of hematuria due to other pathological conditions such as thrombocytopenia. MESNEX is a cytoprotective agent indicated as a prophylactic agent in reducing the incidence of ifosfamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. ( 1 ) Limitation of Use: MESNEX is not indicated to reduce the risk of hematuria due to other pathological conditions such as thrombocytopenia. ( 1 )

MESNEX may be given on a fractionated dosing schedule of three bolus intravenous injections or a single bolus injection followed by two oral administrations of MESNEX tablets as outlined below. The dosing schedule should be repeated on each day that ifosfamide is administered. When the dosage of ifosfamide is adjusted, the ratio of MESNEX to ifosfamide should be maintained. ( 2 ) Intravenous Dosing Schedule: 0 Hours 4 Hours 8 Hours Ifosfamide 1.2 g/m 2 -- -- MESNEX injection 240 mg/m 2 240 mg/m 2 240 mg/m 2 Intravenous and Oral Dosing Schedule: 0 Hours 2 Hours 6 Hours Ifosfamide 1.2 g/m 2 -- -- MESNEX injection 240 mg/m 2 -- -- MESNEX tablets -- 480 mg/m 2 480 mg/m 2 Maintain sufficient urinary output, as required for ifosfamide treatment, and monitor urine for the presence of hematuria. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Intravenous Dosing MESNEX may be given on a fractionated dosing schedule of three bolus intravenous injections as outlined below. MESNEX injection is given as intravenous bolus injections in a dosage equal to 20% of the ifosfamide dosage weight by weight (w/w) at the time of ifosfamide administration and 4 and 8 hours after each dose of ifosfamide. The total daily dose of MESNEX is 60% of the ifosfamide dose. The recommended dosing schedule is outlined below in Table 1. Table 1. Recommended Intravenous Dosing Schedule 0 Hours 4 Hours 8 Hours Ifosfamide 1.2 g/m 2 – – MESNEX injection The dosing schedule should be repeated on each day that ifosfamide is administered. When the dosage of ifosfamide is increased or decreased, the ratio of MESNEX to ifosfamide should be maintained. 240 mg/m 2 240 mg/m 2 240 mg/m 2 2.2 Intravenous and Oral Dosing MESNEX may be given on a fractionated dosing schedule of a single bolus injection followed by two oral administrations of MESNEX tablets as outlined below. MESNEX injection is given as intravenous bolus injections in a dosage equal to 20% of the ifosfamide dosage (w/w) at the time of ifosfamide administration. MESNEX tablets are given orally in a dosage equal to 40% of the ifosfamide dose 2 and 6 hours after each dose of ifosfamide. The total daily dose of MESNEX is 100% of the ifosfamide dose. The recommended dosing schedule is outlined in Table 2. Table 2. Recommended Intravenous and Oral Dosing Schedule 0 Hours 2 Hours 6 Hours Ifosfamide 1.2 g/m 2 – – MESNEX injection The dosing schedule should be repeated on each day that ifosfamide is administered. When the dosage of ifosfamide is increased or decreased, the ratio of MESNEX to ifosfamide should be maintained. 240 mg/m 2 – – MESNEX tablets – 480 mg/m 2 480 mg/m 2 The efficacy and safety of this ratio of intravenous and oral MESNEX has not been established as being effective for daily doses of ifosfamide higher than 2 g/m 2 . Patients who vomit within two hours of taking oral MESNEX should repeat the dose or receive intravenous MESNEX. 2.3 Monitoring for Hematuria Maintain adequate hydration and sufficient urinary output, as required for ifosfamide treatment, and monitor urine for the presence of hematuria. If severe hematuria develops when MESNEX is given according to the recommended dosage schedule, dosage reductions or discontinuation of ifosfamide therapy may be required. 2.4 Preparation for Intravenous Administration and Stability Preparation Determine the volume of MESNEX injection for the intended dose. Dilute the volume of MESNEX injection for the dose in any of the following fluids to obtain a final concentration of 20 mg/mL: 5% Dextrose Injection, USP 5% Dextrose and 0.2% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 5% Dextrose and 0.33% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP Stability The MESNEX injection multidose vials may be stored and used for up to 8 days after initial puncture. Store diluted solutions at 25°C (77°F). Use diluted solutions within 24 hours. Do not mix MESNEX injection with epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, carboplatin, and nitrogen mustard. The benzyl alcohol contained in MESNEX injection vials can reduce the stability of ifosfamide. Ifosfamide and MESNEX may be mixed in the same bag provided the final concentration of ifosfamide does not exceed 50 mg/mL. Higher concentrations of ifosfamide may not be compatible with MESNEX and may reduce the stability of ifosfamide. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Any solutions which are discolored, hazy, or contain visible particulate matter should not be used.

MESNEX is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to mesna or to any of the excipients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Known hypersensitivity to mesna or to any of the excipients, including benzyl alcohol. ( 4 )

The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling. Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Dermatological Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Laboratory Test Interferences [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Use in Patients with a History of Adverse Reactions to Thiol Compounds [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] The most common adverse reactions (> 10%) when MESNEX is given with ifosfamide are nausea, vomiting, constipation, leukopenia, fatigue, fever, anorexia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, granulocytopenia, diarrhea, asthenia, abdominal pain, headache, alopecia, and somnolence. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Baxter Healthcare at 1-866-888-2472, 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. MESNEX adverse reaction data are available from four Phase 1 studies in which single intravenous doses of 600-1200 mg MESNEX injection without concurrent chemotherapy were administered to a total of 53 healthy volunteers and single oral doses of 600-2400 mg of MESNEX tablets were administered to a total of 82 healthy volunteers. The most frequently reported side effects (observed in two or more healthy volunteers) for healthy volunteers receiving single doses of MESNEX injection alone were headache, injection site reactions, flushing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, somnolence, diarrhea, anorexia, fever, pharyngitis, hyperesthesia, influenza-like symptoms, and coughing. In two Phase 1 multiple-dose studies where healthy volunteers received MESNEX tablets alone or intravenous MESNEX followed by repeated doses of MESNEX tablets, flatulence and rhinitis were reported. In addition, constipation was reported by healthy volunteers who had received repeated doses of intravenous MESNEX. Additional adverse reactions in healthy volunteers receiving MESNEX alone included injection site reactions, abdominal pain/colic, epigastric pain/burning, mucosal irritation, lightheadedness, back pain, arthralgia, myalgia, conjunctivitis, nasal congestion, rigors, paresthesia, photophobia, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, extremity pain, malaise, chest pain, dysuria, pleuritic pain, dry mouth, dyspnea, and hyperhidrosis. In healthy volunteers, MESNEX was commonly associated with a rapid (within 24 hours) decrease in lymphocyte count, which was generally reversible within one week of administration. Because MESNEX is used in combination with ifosfamide or ifosfamide-containing chemotherapy regimens, it is difficult to distinguish the adverse reactions which may be due to MESNEX from those caused by the concomitantly administered cytotoxic agents. Adverse reactions reasonably associated with MESNEX administered intravenously and orally in four controlled studies in which patients received ifosfamide or ifosfamide-containing regimens are presented in Table 3. Table 3: Adverse Reactions in ≥ 5% of Patients Receiving MESNEX in combination with Ifosfamide-containing Regimens MESNEX Regimen Intravenous-Intravenous-Intravenous Intravenous dosing of ifosfamide and MESNEX followed by either intravenous or oral doses of MESNEX according to the applicable dosage schedule [see Dosage and Administration (2)]. Intravenous-Oral-Oral N exposed 119 (100.0%) 119 (100%) Incidence of AEs 101 (84.9%) 106 (89.1%) Nausea 65 (54.6) 64 (53.8) Vomiting 35 (29.4) 45 (37.8) Constipation 28 (23.5) 21 (17.6) Leukopenia 25 (21.0) 21 (17.6) Fatigue 24 (20.2) 24 (20.2) Fever 24 (20.2) 18 (15.1) Anorexia 21 (17.6) 19 (16.0) Thrombocytopenia 21 (17.6) 16 (13.4) Anemia 20 (16.8) 21 (17.6) Granulocytopenia 16 (13.4) 15 (12.6) Asthenia 15 (12.6) 21 (17.6) Abdominal Pain 14 (11.8) 18 (15.1) Alopecia 12 (10.1) 13 (10.9) Dyspnea 11 (9.2) 11 (9.2) Chest Pain 10 (8.4) 11 (9.2) Hypokalemia 10 (8.4) 11 (9.2) Diarrhea 9 (7.6) 17 (14.3) Dizziness 9 (7.6) 5 (4.2) Headache 9 (7.6) 13 (10.9) Pain 9 (7.6) 10 (8.4) Sweating Increased 9 (7.6) 2 (1.7) Back Pain 8 (6.7) 6 (5.0) Hematuria 8 (6.7) 7 (5.9) Injection Site Reaction 8 (6.7) 10 (8.4) Edema 8 (6.7) 9 (7.6) Edema Peripheral 8 (6.7) 8 (6.7) Somnolence 8 (6.7) 12 (10.1) Anxiety 7 (5.9) 4 (3.4) Confusion 7 (5.9) 6 (5.0) Face Edema 6 (5.0) 5 (4.2) Insomnia 6 (5.0) 11 (9.2) Coughing 5 (4.2) 10 (8.4) Dyspepsia 4 (3.4) 6 (5.0) Hypotension 4 (3.4) 6 (5.0) Pallor 4 (3.4) 6 (5.0) Dehydration 3 (2.5) 7 (5.9) Pneumonia 2 (1.7) 8 (6.7) Tachycardia 1 (0.8) 7 (5.9) Flushing 1 (0.8) 6 (5.0) 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been reported in the postmarketing experience of patients receiving MESNEX in combination with ifosfamide or similar drugs, making it difficult to distinguish the adverse reactions which may be due to MESNEX from those caused by the concomitantly administered cytotoxic agents. Because these reactions are reported from a population of unknown size, precise estimates of frequency cannot be made. Cardiovascular: Hypertension Gastrointestinal: Dysgeusia Hepatobiliary: Hepatitis Nervous System: Convulsion Respiratory: Hemoptysis

No clinical drug interaction studies have been conducted with MESNEX.