Forfivo XL (bupropion HCl) Extended-Release Tablets 450 mgForfivo XL (bupropion HCl) Extended-Release Tablets 450 mg

  • Forfivo XL
  • Product
    Specifications
  • Important
    Safety Information
  • Medication
    Guide

Download the Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING, and Medication Guide

Indication:

FORFIVO XL® is indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

Important Safety Information

Warning: suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Suicidality and antidepressant drugs:

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials. These trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in subjects over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in subjects aged 65 and older. In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for worsening and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. FORFIVO XL is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Contraindications

FORFIVO XL is contraindicated in patients

  • with a seizure disorder.
  • treated currently with other bupropion products because seizure incidence is dose dependent.
  • with a current or prior diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa because a higher incidence of seizure was observed in such patients treated with bupropion.
  • undergoing abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and antiepileptic drugs.
  • administered monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (intended to treat psychiatric disorders) concomitantly with FORFIVO XL or within 14 days of discontinuing treatment with an MAOI. The use of MAOIs within 14 days of discontinuing treatment with FORFIVO XL is also contraindicated. Starting FORFIVO XL in a patient treated with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is contraindicated.
  • with known hypersensitivity to bupropion or the other ingredients of FORFIVO XL tablets.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of a course of drug therapy, or at times of dose changes, either increases or decreases. Families and caregivers of patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD) or other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric, should be alerted about the need to monitor patients on a daily basis for the emergence of agitation, irritability, or unusual changes in behavior, as well as the emergence of suicidality, and to report such symptoms immediately to healthcare providers.

Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events and Suicide Risk in Smoking Cessation Treatment

FORFIVO XL is not approved for smoking cessation treatment, but bupropion hydrochloride (HCl) sustained-release is approved for this use. Serious neuropsychiatric adverse events have been reported in patients taking bupropion for smoking cessation. These postmarketing reports have included changes in mood (including depression and mania), psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, homicidal ideation, hostility, agitation, aggression, anxiety, and panic, as well as suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and completed suicide. Some patients who stopped smoking may have been experiencing symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, including depressed mood. Depression, rarely including suicidal ideation, has been reported in smokers undergoing a smoking cessation attempt without medication. However, some of these adverse events occurred in patients taking bupropion who continued to smoke.

Neuropsychiatric adverse events occurred in patients without and with pre-existing psychiatric disease; some patients experienced worsening of their psychiatric illnesses. Observe patients for the occurrence of neuropsychiatric adverse events. Advise patients and caregivers that the patient should stop taking FORFIVO XL and contact a healthcare provider immediately if agitation, depressed mood, or changes in behavior or thinking that are not typical for the patient are observed, or if the patient develops suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior. In many postmarketing cases, resolution of symptoms after discontinuation of bupropion was reported. However, the symptoms persisted in some cases; therefore, ongoing monitoring and supportive care should be provided until symptoms resolve.

Seizures

Bupropion can cause seizure and the risk is dose-related risk. FORFIVO XL should be discontinued and not restarted in patients who experience a seizure while on treatment. The risk of seizures is also related to patient factors, clinical situations, and concomitant medications that lower the seizure threshold [see Warnings and Precautions in full prescribing information]. Consider these risks before initiating treatment with FORFIVO XL. FORFIVO XL is contraindicated in patients with a seizure disorder or conditions that increase the risk of seizure.

Hypertension

Treatment with FORFIVO XL can result in elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Assess blood pressure before initiating treatment with FORFIVO XL, and monitor periodically during treatment. The risk of hypertension is increased if FORFIVO XL is used concomitantly with MAOIs or other drugs that increase dopaminergic or noradrenergic activity. Data from a comparative trial of bupropion HCl, nicotine transdermal system (NTS), and placebo as an aid to smoking cessation suggest a higher incidence of treatment emergent hypertension in patients treated with the combination of sustained-release bupropion HCl and NTS.

Activation of Mania/Hypomania

Antidepressant treatment can precipitate a manic, mixed, or hypomanic manic episode. Prior to initiating FORFIVO XL, screen patients for a history of bipolar disorder and the presence of risk factors for bipolar disorder (eg, family history of bipolar disorder, suicide, or depression). FORFIVO XL is not approved for the treatment of bipolar depression.

Psychosis and Other Neuropsychiatric Reactions

Depressed patients treated with bupropion have had a variety of neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, psychosis, concentration disturbance, paranoia, and confusion. Discontinue FORFIVO XL if these reactions occur.

Angle-closure Glaucoma

The pupillary dilation that occurs following use of many antidepressant drugs including FORFIVO XL may trigger an angle closure attack in a patient with anatomically narrow angles who does not have a patent iridectomy.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reactions characterized by symptoms such as pruritus, urticaria, angioedema, and dyspnea requiring medical treatment have been reported in clinical trials with bupropion. In addition, there have been rare, spontaneous postmarketing reports of erythema multiforme, Stevens Johnson syndrome, and anaphylactic shock associated with bupropion. Instruct patients to discontinue FORFIVO XL and consult a healthcare provider if they develop an allergic or anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reaction during treatment. There are reports of arthralgia, myalgia, fever with rash, and other symptoms of serum sickness suggestive of delayed hypersensitivity.

Adverse reactions

Clinical Trials Experience: Commonly Observed Adverse Reactions in Controlled Clinical Trials of Sustained-release Bupropion HCl

The most common adverse reactions were (incidence ≥ 5%; ≥ 2 times placebo rate): dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, pharyngitis, abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, tremor, palpitation, sweating, tinnitus, myalgia, anorexia, urinary frequency, and rash.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to Almatica at 1-877-447-7979 or the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

FORFIVO XL is a registered trademark of IntelGenx Corporation.

Download the Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING, and Medication Guide on forfivoxl.com.

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