Headache and nausea have been reported in clinical studies. These were generally mild or moderate in nature and occurred at a similar incidence in patients receiving placebo treatment. All other adverse reactions were added during postmarketing.
The pooled global placebo or active controlled clinical trials (n=2326 for Famvir arm) were retrospectively reviewed to obtain a frequency category for all adverse reactions mentioned below. The following table specifies the estimated frequency of adverse reactions based on all the spontaneous reports and literature cases that have been reported for Famvir since its introduction to the market. Adverse reactions (Table2) are ranked under headings of frequency, using the following convention: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from available data).
Table2 Adverse reactions from clinical trials and post-marketing spontaneous reports
|
Blood and lymphatic system disorders |
|
|
Rare: |
Thrombocytopenia. |
|
Psychiatric disorders |
|
|
Uncommon: |
Confusional state (predominantly in elderly). |
|
|
Rare: |
Hallucinations. |
|
Nervous system disorders |
|
|
Very common: |
Headache. |
|
|
Common: |
Dizziness. |
|
|
Uncommon |
Somnolence (predominantly in elderly). |
|
Cardiac disorders
Rare: Palpitations
Gastrointestinal disorders |
|
|
Common: |
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea. |
|
Hepatobiliary disorders |
|
|
Common: |
Abnormal liver function tests. |
|
|
Rare: |
Cholestatic jaundice. |
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
|
|
Common: |
Rash, pruritus. |
|
|
Uncommon: |
Angioedema (e.g. face oedema, eyelid oedema, periorbital oedema, pharyngeal oedema), urticaria. |
|
|
Not known |
Serious skin reactions (e.g. erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis) leukocytoclastic vasculitis. |
Overall, adverse reactions reported from clinical studies with immunocompromised patients were similar to those reported in the immunocompetent population. Nausea, vomiting and abnormal liver function tests were reported more frequently, especially at higher doses.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via HPRA Pharmacovigilance, Earlsfort Terrace, IRL - Dublin 2; Tel: +353 1 6764971; Fax: +353 1 6762517. Website: www.hpra.ie; E-mail: medsafety@hpra.ie.
Headache and nausea have been reported in clinical studies. These were generally mild or moderate in nature and occurred at a similar incidence in patients receiving placebo treatment. All other adverse reactions were added during postmarketing.
The pooled global placebo or active controlled clinical trials (n=2326 for Famvir arm) were retrospectively reviewed to obtain a frequency category for all adverse reactions mentioned below. The following table specifies the estimated frequency of adverse reactions based on all the spontaneous reports and literature cases that have been reported for Famvir since its introduction to the market.
Adverse reactions (Table2) are ranked under headings of frequency, using the following convention: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from available data).
Table2 Adverse reactions from clinical trials and post-marketing spontaneous reports
|
Blood and lymphatic system disorders |
|
|
Rare: |
Thrombocytopenia. |
|
Psychiatric disorders |
|
|
Uncommon: |
Confusional state (predominantly in the elderly). |
|
|
Rare: |
Hallucinations. |
|
Nervous system disorders |
|
|
Very common: |
Headache. |
|
|
Common: |
Dizziness. |
|
|
Uncommon |
Somnolence (predominantly in the elderly). |
|
|
Not known |
Seizure*. |
|
Cardiac disorders
Rare: Palpitations.
Gastrointestinal disorders |
|
|
Common: |
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea. |
|
Hepatobiliary disorders |
|
|
Common: |
Abnormal liver function tests. |
|
|
Rare: |
Cholestatic jaundice. |
|
Immune system disorders |
|
|
Not known |
Anaphylactic shock*, anaphylactic reaction*. |
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
|
|
Common: |
Rash, pruritus. |
|
|
Uncommon: |
Angioedema (e.g. face oedema, eyelid oedema, periorbital oedema, pharyngeal oedema), urticaria. |
|
|
Not known |
Serious skin reactions* (e.g. erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis), Hypersensitivity vasculitis. |
*Adverse drug reactions reported from post-marketing experience with Famvir via spontaneous case reports and literature cases which have not been reported in clinical trials. Because these adverse drug reactions have been reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency. Frequency is therefore listed as “not known”.
Overall, adverse reactions reported from clinical studies with immunocompromised patients were similar to those reported in the immunocompetent population. Nausea, vomiting and abnormal liver function tests were reported more frequently, especially at higher doses.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via HPRA Pharmacovigilance, Earlsfort Terrace, IRL - Dublin 2; Tel: +353 1 6764971; Fax: +353 1 6762517. Website: www.hpra.ie; E-mail: medsafety@hpra.ie.