1. Name Of The Medicinal Product
Busilvex 6 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion
2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition
One ml of concentrate contains 6 mg of busulfan (60 mg in 10 ml).
After dilution: 1 ml of solution contains 0.5 mg of busulfan
For a full list of excipients see section 6.1
3. Pharmaceutical Form
Concentrate for solution for infusion (sterile concentrate).
Clear, colourless solution.
4. Clinical Particulars
4.1 Therapeutic Indications
Busilvex followed by cyclophosphamide (BuCy2) is indicated as conditioning treatment prior to conventional haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT) in adult patients when the combination is considered the best available option.
Busilvex followed by cyclophosphamide (BuCy4) or melphalan (BuMel) is indicated as conditioning treatment prior to conventional haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation in paediatric patients.
4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration
Busilvex administration should be supervised by a physician experienced in conditioning treatment prior to haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation.
Busilvex is administered prior the conventional haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT).
Posology in adults
The recommended dose and schedule of administration is:
- 0.8 mg/kg body weight (BW) of busulfan as a two-hour infusion every 6 hours over 4 consecutive days for a total of 16 doses,
- followed by cyclophosphamide at 60 mg/kg/day over 2 days initiated for a least 24 hours following the 16th dose of Busilvex (see section 4.5).
Posology in paediatric population (0 to 17 years)
The recommended dose of Busilvex is as follows:
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followed by:
- 4 cycles of 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) cyclophosphamide (BuCy4) or
- one administration of 140 mg/m² melphalan (BuMel)
initiated for a least 24 hours following the 16th dose of Busilvex.(see section 4.5).
Busilvex is administered as a two-hour infusion every 6 hours over 4 consecutive days for a total of 16 doses prior to cyclophosphamide or melphalan and conventional haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT).
Obese patients
In adults
For obese patients, dosing based on adjusted ideal body weight (AIBW) should be considered.
Ideal body weight (IBW) is calculated as follows:
IBW men (kg)=50 + 0.91x (height in cm-152);
IBW women (kg)= 45 + 0.91x (height in cm-152).
Adjusted ideal body weight (AIBW) is calculated as follows:
AIBW= IBW+0.25x ( actual body weight - IBW).
In paediatric population
Renally impaired patient:
Studies in renally impaired patients have not been conducted, however, as busulfan is moderately excreted in the urine, dose modification is not recommended in these patients.
However, caution is recommended (see sections 4.8 and 5.2).
Hepatically impaired patient:
Busilvex as well as busulfan has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment.
Caution is recommended, particularly in those patients with severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.4).
Elderly patient:
Patients older than 50 years of age (n=23) have been successfully treated with Busilvex without dose-adjustment. However, for the safe use of Busilvex in patients older than 60 years only limited information is available. Same dose (see section 5.2) for elderly as for adults (< 50 years old) should be used.
Method of administration
Busilvex must be diluted prior to administration (see section 6.6). A final concentration of approximately 0.5 mg/ml busulfan should be achieved. Busilvex should be administered by intravenous infusion via central venous catheter.
Busilvex should not be given by rapid intravenous, bolus or peripheral injection.
All patients should be pre-medicated with anticonvulsant medicinal products to prevent seizures reported with the use of high dose busulfan.
It is recommended to administer anticonvulsants 12 h prior to Busilvex to 24 h after the last dose of Busilvex.
In adult and pediatric studies, patients received either phenytoin or benzodiazepines as seizure prophylaxis treatment. (see sections 4.4 and 4.5)
Antiemetics should be administered prior to the first dose of Busilvex and continued on a fixed schedule according to local practice through its administration.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients
Pregnancy (see section 4.6)
4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use
The consequence of treatment with Busilvex at the recommended dose and schedule is profound myelosuppression, occurring in all patients. Severe granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, or any combination thereof may develop. Frequent complete blood counts, including differential white blood cell counts, and platelet counts should be monitored during the treatment and until recovery is achieved.
Prophylactic or empiric use of anti-infectives (bacterial, fungal, viral) should be considered for the prevention and management of infections during the neutropenic period. Platelet and red blood cell support, as well as the use of growth factors such as granulocyte colony stimulating agent (G-CSF), should be employed as medically indicated.
In adults, absolute neutrophil counts < 0.5x109/l at a median of 4 days post transplant occurred in 100% of patients and recovered at median day 10 and 13 days following autologous and allogeneic transplant respectively (median neutropenic period of 6 and 9 days respectively). Thrombocytopenia (< 25x109/l or requiring platelet transfusion) occurred at a median of 5-6 days in 98% of patients. Anaemia (haemoglobin< 8.0 g/dl) occurred in 69% of patients.
In paediatric population, absolute neutrophil counts < 0.5x109/l at a median of 3 days post transplant occurred in 100% of patients and lasted 5 and 18.5 days in autologous and allogeneic transplant respectively. In children, thrombocytopenia (< 25x109/l or requiring platelet transfusion) occurred in 100% of patients. Anaemia (haemoglobin< 8.0 g/dl) occurred in 100% of patients.
The Fanconi anaemia cells have hypersensitivity to cross-linking agents. There is limited clinical experience of the use of busulfan as a component of a conditioning regimen prior to HSCT in children with Fanconi's anaemia. Therefore Busilvex should be used with caution in this type of patients.
Busilvex as well as busulfan has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment. Since busulfan is mainly metabolized through the liver, caution should be observed when Busilvex is used in patients with pre-existing impairment of liver function, especially in those with severe hepatic impairment. It is recommended when treating these patients that serum transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin should be monitored regularly 28 days following transplant for early detection of hepatotoxicity.
Hepatic veno-occlusive disease is a major complication that can occur during treatment with Busilvex. Patients who have received prior radiation therapy, greater than or equal to three cycles of chemotherapy, or prior progenitor cell transplant may be at an increased risk (see section 4.8).
Caution should be exercised when using paracetamol prior to (less than 72 hours) or concurrently with Busilvex due to a possible decrease in the metabolism of busulfan (See section 4.5).
As documented in clinical studies, no treated patients experienced cardiac tamponade or other specific cardiac toxicities related to Busilvex. However cardiac function should be monitored regularly in patients receiving Busilvex (see section 4.8).
Occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome with subsequent respiratory failure associated with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis was reported in Busilvex studies in one patient who died, although, no clear aetiology was identified. In addition, busulfan might induce pulmonary toxicity that may be additive to the effects produced by other cytotoxic agents. Therefore, attention should be paid to this pulmonary issue in patients with prior history of mediastinal or pulmonary radiation (see section 4.8).
Periodic monitoring of renal function should be considered during therapy with Busilvex (see section 4.8).
Seizures have been reported with high dose busulfan treatment. Special caution should be exercised when administering the recommended dose of Busilvex to patients with a history of seizures. Patients should receive adequate anticonvulsant prophylaxis. In adults and children studies, data with Busilvex were obtained when using concomitant administration of either phenytoin or benzodiazepines for seizure prophylaxis. The effect of those anticonvulsant agents on busulfan pharmacokinetics was investigated in a phase II study (see section 4.5).
The increased risk of a second malignancy should be explained to the patient. On the basis of human data, busulfan has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a human carcinogen. The World Health Organisation has concluded that there is a causal relationship between busulfan exposure and cancer. Leukaemia patients treated with busulfan developed many different cytological abnormalities, and some developed carcinomas. Busulfan is thought to be leukemogenic.
Fertility: busulfan can impair fertility. Therefore, men treated with Busilvex are advised not to father a child during and up to 6 months after treatment and to seek advice on cryo-conservation of sperm prior to treatment because of the possibility of irreversible infertility due to therapy with Busilvex. Ovarian suppression and amenorrhoea with menopausal symptoms commonly occur in pre-menopausal patients. Busulfan treatment in a pre-adolescent girl prevented the onset of puberty due to ovarian failure. Impotence, sterility, azoospermia, and testicular atrophy have been reported in male patients. The solvent dimethylacetamide (DMA) may also impair fertility. DMA decreases fertility in male and female rodents (see sections 4.6 and 5.3).
4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction
No specific clinical trial was carried out to assess drug-drug interaction between intravenous busulfan and itraconazole. From published studies in adults, administration of itraconazole to patients receiving high-dose busulfan may result in reduced busulfan clearance. Patients should be monitored for signs of busulfan toxicity when itraconazole is used as an antifungal prophylaxis with intravenous busulfan.
Published studies in adults described that ketobemidone (analgesic) might be associated with high levels of plasma busulfan. Therefore special care is recommended when combining these two compounds.
In adults, for the BuCy2 regimen it has been reported that the time interval between the last oral busulfan administration and the first cyclophosphamide administration may influence the development of toxicities. A reduced incidence of Hepatic Veino Occlusive Disease (HVOD) and other regimen-related toxicity have been observed in patients when the lag time between the last dose of oral busulfan and the first dose of cyclophosphamide is > 24hours.
In paediatric patients, for the BuMel regimen it has been reported that the administration of melphalan less than 24 hours after the last oral busulfan administration may influence the development of toxicities.
Paracetamol is described to decrease glutathione levels in blood and tissues, and may therefore decrease busulfan clearance when used in combination (see section 4.4).
Either phenytoin or benzodiazepines were administered for seizure prophylaxis in patients participating to the clinical trials conducted with intravenous busulfan (see section 4.2 and 4.4).
The concomitant systemic administration of phenytoin to patients receiving high-dose of oral busulfan has been reported to increase busulfan clearance, due to induction of glutathion-S-transferase whereas no interaction has been reported when benzodiazepines such as diazepam, clonazepam or lorazepam have been used to prevent seizures with high-dose busulfan.
No evidence of an induction effect of phenytoin has been seen on Busilvex data. A phase II clinical trial was performed to evaluate the influence of seizure prophylaxis treatment on intravenous busulfan pharmacokinetics. In this study, 24 adult patients received clonazepam (0.025-0.03 mg/kg/day as IV continuous infusions) as anticonvulsant therapy and the PK data of these patients were compared to historical data collected in patients treated with phenytoin. The analysis of data through a population pharmacokinetic method indicated no difference on intravenous busulfan clearance between phenytoin and clonazepam based therapy and therefore similar busulfan plasma exposures were achieved whatever the type of seizure prophylaxis.
No interaction was observed when busulfan was combined with fluconazole (antifungal agent) or 5 HT3 antiemetics such as ondansetron or granisetron.
4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation
Pregnancy
HPCT is contraindicated in pregnant women; therefore, Busilvex is contraindicated during pregnancy. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (embryofoetal lethality and malformations). (see section 5.3)
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of busulfan or DMA in pregnant women. A few cases of congenital abnormalities have been reported with low-dose oral busulfan, not necessarily attributable to the active substance, and third trimester exposure may be associated with impaired intrauterine growth.
Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception during and up to 6 months after treatment.
Breastfeeding
It is unknown whether busulfan and DMA are excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for tumorigenicity shown for busulfan in human and animal studies, breast-feeding should be discontinued during treatment with Busulfan.
Fertility
Busulfan and DMA can impair fertility in man or woman. Therefore it is advised not to father child during the treament and up to 6 months after treatment and to seek advice on cryo-conservation of sperm prior to treatment because of the possibility of irreversible infertility (see section 4.4).
4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines
Not relevant
4.8 Undesirable Effects
Adverse reactions in adults
Adverse events information is derived from two clinical trials (n=103) of Busilvex.
Serious toxicities involving the haematologic, hepatic and respiratory systems were considered as expected consequences of the conditioning regimen and transplant process. These include infection and Graft-versus host disease (GVHD) which although not directly related, were the major causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in allogeneic HPCT.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders:
Myelo-suppression and immuno-suppression were the desired therapeutic effects of the conditioning regimen. Therefore all patients experienced profound cytopenia: leukopenia 96%, thrombocytopenia 94%, and anemia 88%. The median time to neutropenia was 4 days for both autologous and allogeneic patients. The median duration of neutropenia was 6 days and 9 days for autologous and allogeneic patients.
Immune system disorders:
The incidence of acute graft versus host disease (a-GVHD) data was collected in OMC-BUS-4 study (allogeneic)(n=61) . A total of 11 patients (18%) experienced a-GVHD. The incidence of a-GVHD grades I-II was 13% (8/61), while the incidence of grade III-IV was 5% (3/61). Acute GVHD was rated as serious in 3 patients. Chronic GVHD (c-GVHD) was reported if serious or the cause of death, and was reported as the cause of death in 3 patients.
Infections and infestations:
39% of patients (40/103) experienced one or more episodes of infection, of which 83% (33/40) were rated as mild or moderate. Pneumonia was fatal in 1% (1/103) and life-threatening in 3% of patients. Other infections were considered severe in 3% of patients. Fever was reported in 87% of patients and graded as mild/moderate in 84% and severe in 3%. 47% of patients experienced chills which were mild/moderate in 46% and severe in 1%.
Hepato-biliary disorders :
15% of SAEs involved liver toxicity. HVOD is a recognized potential complication of conditioning therapy post-transplant. Six of 103 patients (6%) experienced HVOD. HVOD occurred in: 8.2% (5/61) allogeneic patients (fatal in 2 patients) and 2.5% (1/42) of autologous patients. Elevated bilirubine (n=3) and elevated AST (n=1) were also observed. Two of the above four patients with serious serum hepatotoxicity were among patients with diagnosed HVOD.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders :
One patient experienced a fatal case of acute respiratory distress syndrome with subsequent respiratory failure associated with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in the Busilvex studies.
In addition the literature review reports alterations of cornea and lens of the eye with oral busulfan.
Adverse reactions in paediatric population
Adverse events information are derived from the clinical study in paediatrics (n=55). Serious toxicities involving the hepatic and respiratory systems were considered as expected consequences of the conditioning regimen and transplant process.
Immune system disorders:
The incidence of acute graft versus host disease (a-GVHD) data was collected in allogeneic patients (n=28). A total of 14 patients (50%) experienced a-GVHD. The incidence of a-GVHD grades I-II was 46.4% (13/28), while the incidence of grade III-IV was 3.6% (1/28). Chronic GVHD was reported only if it is the cause of death: one patient died 13 months post-transplant.
Infections and infestations:
Infections (documented and non documented febrile neutropenia) were experienced in 89% of patients (49/55). Mild/moderate fever was reported in 76% of patients.
Hepato-biliary disorders :
Grade 3 elevated transaminases were reported in 24% of patients.
Veino occlusive disease (VOD) was reported in 15% (4/27) and 7% (2/28) of the autologous and allogenic transplant respectively. VOD observed were neither fatal nor severe and resolved in all cases.
Adverse reactions reported both in adults and paediatric patients as more than an isolated case are listed below, by system organ class and by frequency. Within each frequency grouping, adverse events are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. Frequencies are defined as: very common (
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*venoocclusive liver disease is more frequent in paediatric population.
4.9 Overdose
The principal toxic effect is profound myeloablation and pancytopenia but the central nervous system, liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract may also be affected.
There is no known antidote to Busilvex other than haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation. In the absence of haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation, the recommended dose of Busilvex would constitute an overdose of busulfan. The haematologic status should be closely monitored and vigorous supportive measures instituted as medically indicated.
There have been two reports that busulfan is dialyzable, thus dialysis should be considered in the case of an overdose. Since, busulfan is metabolized through conjugation with glutathione, administration of glutathione might be considered.
It must be considered that overdose of Busilvex will also increase exposure to DMA . In human the principal toxic effects were hepatotoxicity and central nervous system (CNS) effects. CNS changes precede any of the more severe side effects. No specific antidote for DMA overdose is known. In case of overdose, management would include general supportive care.
5. Pharmacological Properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Alkyl sulfonates, ATC code: L01AB01.
Busulfan is a potent cytotoxic agent and a bifunctional alkylating agent . In aqueous media, release of the methanesulphonate groups produces carbonium ions which can alkylate DNA, thought to be an important biological mechanism for its cytotoxic effect.
Clinical trials in adults
Documentation of the safety and efficacy of Busilvex in combination with cyclophosphamide in the BuCy2 regimen prior to conventional allogeneic and/or autologous HPCT derive from two clinical trials (OMC-BUS-4 and OMC-BUS-3).
Two prospective, single arm, open-label, uncontrolled phase II studies were conducted in patients with haematological disease, the majority of whom had advanced disease.
Diseases included were acute leukemia past first remission, in first or subsequent relapse, in first remission (high risk), or induction failures; chronic melogenous leukemia in chronic or advanced phase; primary refractory or resistant relapsed Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndrome.
Patients received doses of 0.8 mg/kg busulfan every 6 hours infusion for a total 16 doses followed by cyclophosphamide at 60 mg/kg once per day for two days (BuCy2 regimen).
The primary efficacy parameters in these studies were myeloablation, engraftment, relapse, and survival.
In both studies, all patients received a 16/16 dose regimen of Busilvex. No patients were discontinued from treatment due to adverse reactions related to Busilvex.
All patients experienced a profound myelosuppression. The time to Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) greater than 0.5x109 /l was 13 days (range 9-29 days) in allogenic patients (OMC-BUS 4), and 10 days (range 8-19 days) in autologous patients (OMC-BUS 3). All evaluable patients engrafted. There is no primary nor secondary graft rejection. Overall mortality and non- relapse mortality at more than 100 days post-transplant was (8/61) 13% and (6/61) 10% in allotransplanted patients, respectively. During the same period there was no death in autologous recipients.
Clinical trials in paediatric population
Documentation of the safety and efficacy of Busilvex in combination with cyclophosphamide in the BuCy4 or with melphalan in the BuMel regimen prior to conventional allogeneic and/or autologous HPCT derives from clinical trial F60002 IN 101 G0.
The patients received the dosing mentioned in section 4.2.
All patients experienced a profound myelosuppression. The time to Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) greater than 0.5x109/l was 21 days (range 12-47 days) in allogenic patients, and 11 days (range 10-15 days) in autologous patients. All children engrafted. There is no primary or secondary graft rejection. 93% of allogeneic patients showed complete chimerism. There was no regimen-related death through the first 100-day post-transplant and up to one year post-transplant.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties
The pharmacokinetics of Busilvex has been investigated. The information presented on metabolism and elimination is based on oral busulfan.
Pharmacokinetics in adults
Absorption
The pharmacokinetics of intravenous busulfan was studied in 124 evaluable patients following a 2-hour intravenous infusion for a total of 16 doses over four days. Immediate and complete availability of the dose is obtained after intravenous infusion of busulfan. Similar blood exposure was observed when comparing plasma concentrations in adult patients receiving oral and intravenous busulfan at 1 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg respectively. Low inter (CV=21%) and intra (CV=12%) patient variability on busulfan exposure was demonstrated through a population pharmacokinetic analysis, performed on 102 patients.
Distribution
Terminal volume of distribution Vz ranged between 0.62 and 0.85 l/kg.
Busulfan concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid are comparable to those in plasma although these concentrations are probably insufficient for anti-neoplastic activity.
Reversible binding to plasma proteins was around 7% while irreversible binding, primarily to albumin, was about 32%.
Metabolism
Busulfan is metabolised mainly through conjugation with glutathione (spontaneous and glutathione-S-transferase mediated). The glutathione conjugate is then further metabolised in the liver by oxidation. None of the metabolites is thought to contribute significantly to either efficacy or toxicity.
Elimination
Total clearance in plasma ranged 2.25 - 2.74 ml/minute/kg. The terminal half-life ranged from 2.8 to 3.9 hours.
Approximately 30% of the administered dose is excreted into the urine over 48 hours with 1% as unchanged busulfan. Elimination in faeces is negligible. Irreversible protein binding may explain the incomplete recovery. Contribution of long-lasting metabolites is not excluded.
Pharmacokinetic linearity
The dose proportional increase of busulfan exposure was demonstrated following intravenous busulfan up to 1 mg/kg.
Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships
The literature on busulfan suggests a therapeutic window between 900 and 1500 µMol.minute for AUC. During clinical trials with intravenous busulfan, 90% of patients AUCs were below the upper AUC limit (1500 µMol.minute) and at least 80% were within the targeted therapeutic window (900-1500 µMol.minute).
Special populations
The effects of renal dysfunction on intravenous. busulfan disposition have not been assessed.
The effects of hepatic dysfunction on intravenous busulfan disposition have not been assessed. Nevertheless the risk of liver toxicity may be increased in this population.
No age effect on busulfan clearance was evidenced from available intravenous busulfan data in patients over 60 years.
Pharmacokinetics in paediatric population
A continuous variation of clearance ranging from 2.49 to 3.92 ml/minute/kg has been established in children from < 6 months up to 17 years old. The terminal half life ranged from 2.26 to 2.52 h.
The dosing recommended in section 4.2. allows to achieve a similar AUC whatever the children's age, the targeted range of AUCs being the one used for adults. Inter and intra patient variabilities in plasma exposure were lower than 20% and 10%, respectively.
Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships:
The successful engraftment achieved in all patients during phase II trials suggests the appropriateness of the targeted AUCs. Occurrence of VOD was not related to overexposure. PK/PD relationship was observed between stomatitis and AUCs in autologous patients and between bilirubin increase and AUCs in a combined autologous and allogeneic patient analysis.
5.3 Preclinical Safety Data
Busulfan is mutagenic and clastogenic. Busulfan was mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium, Drosophila melanogaster and barley. Busulfan induced chromosomal aberrations in vitro (rodent and human cell) and in vivo (rodents and humans). Various chromosome aberrations have been observed in cells from patients receiving oral busulfan.
Busulfan belongs to a class of substances which are potentially carcinogenic based on their mechanism of action. On the basis of human data, busulfan has been classified by the IARC as a human carcinogen. WHO has concluded that there is a causal relationship between busulfan exposure and cancer. The available data in animals support the carcinogenic potential of busulfan. Intravenous administration of busulfan to mice significantly increased the incidences of thymic and ovarian tumours.
Busulfan is teratogen in rats, mice and rabbits. Malformations and anomalies included significant alterations in the musculoskeletal system, body weight gain, and size. In pregnant rats, busulfan produced sterility in both male and female offspring due to the absence of germinal cells in testes and ovaries. Busulfan was shown to cause sterility in rodents. Busulfan depleted oocytes of female rats, and induced sterility in male rats and hamster.
Repeated doses of DMA produced signs of liver toxicity, the first being increases in serum clinical enzymes followed by histopatological changes in the hepatocytes. Higher doses can produce hepatic necrosis and liver damage can be seen following single high exposures.
DMA is teratogenic in rats. Doses of 400 mg/kg/day DMA administered during organogenesis caused significant developmental anomalies. The malformations included serious heart and/or major vessels anomalies: a common truncus arteriosis and no ductus arteriosis, coarctation of the pulmonary trunk and the pulmonary arteries, intraventricular defects of the heart. Other frequent anomalies included cleft palate, anasarca and skeletal anomalies of the vertebrae and ribs. DMA decreases fertility in male and female rodents. A single s.c. dose of 2.2 g/kg administered on gestation day 4 terminated pregnancy in 100% of tested hamster. In rats, a DMA daily dose of 450 mg/kg given to rats for nine days caused inactive spermatogenesis.
6. Pharmaceutical Particulars
6.1 List Of Excipients
Dimethylacetamide
Macrogol 400.
6.2 Incompatibilities
In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.
Do not use polycarbonate syringes with Busilvex.
6.3 Shelf Life
Vials: 2 years
Diluted solution
Chemical and physical in-use stability after dilution in glucose 5% or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection has been demonstrated for:
- 8 hours (including infusion time) after dilution when stored at 20 °C ± 5 °C
- 12 hours after dilution when stored at 2 °C-8 °C followed by 3 hours stored at 20 °C ± 5 °C (including infusion time).
From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately after dilution. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than the above mentioned conditions when dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
6.4 Special Precautions For Storage
Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C).
Do not freeze the diluted solution.
For storage conditions of the diluted medicinal product see section 6.3.
6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container
10 ml of concentrate for solution for infusion in clear glass vials (type I) with a butyl rubber stopper covered by a purple flip-off aluminium seal cap.
Pack size: 8 vials per box.
6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling
Preparation of Busilvex
Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer medicinal products should be considered.
All transfer procedures require strict adherence to aseptic techniques, preferably employing a vertical laminar flow safety hood
As with other cytotoxic compounds, caution should be exercised in handling and preparing the Busilvex solution:
- The use of gloves and protective clothing is recommended.
- If Busilvex or diluted Busilvex solution contacts the skin or mucosa, wash them thoroughly with water immediately.
Calculation of the quantity of Busilvex to be diluted and of the diluent
Busilvex must be diluted prior to use with either sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or glucose solution for injection 5% .
The quantity of the diluent must be 10 times the volume of Busilvex ensuring the final concentration of busulfan remains at approximately 0.5 mg/ml. By example:
The amount of Busilvex and diluent to be administered would be calculated as follows:
for a patient with a Y kg body weight:
• Quantity of Busilvex:
Y: body weight of the patient in kg
D: dose of Busilvex (see section 4.2)
• Quantity of diluent:
(A ml Busilvex) x (10) = B ml of diluent
To prepare the final solution for infusion, add (A) ml of Busilvex to (B) ml of diluent (sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or glucose solution for injection 5%)
Preparation of the solution for infusion
• Busilvex must be prepared by a healthcare professional using sterile transfer techniques.Using a non polycarbonate syringe fitted with a needle:
- the calculated volume of Busilvex must be removed from the vial.
- the contents of the syringe must be dispensed into an intravenous bag (or syringe) which already contains the calculated amount of the selected diluent. Busilvex must always be added to the diluent, not the diluent to Busilvex. Busilvex must not be put into an intravenous bag that does not contain sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or glucose solution for injection 5%.
• The diluted solution must be mixed thoroughly by inverting several times.
After dilution, 1 ml of solution for infusion contains 0.5 mg of busulfan.
Diluted Busilvex is a clear colourless solution.
Instructions for use
Prior to and following each infusion, flush the indwelling catheter line with approximately 5 ml of sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or glucose (5%) solution for injection.
The residual medicinal product must not be flushed in the administration tubing as rapid infusion of Busilvex has not been tested and is not recommended.
The entire prescribed Busilvex dose should be delivered over two hours.
Small volumes may be administered over 2 hours using electric syringes. In this case infusion sets with minimal priming space should be used (i.e 0.3-0.6 ml), primed with medicinal product solution prior to beginning the actual Busilvex infusion and then flushed with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection or glucose (5
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