Qfitlia (fitusiran sodium)
Antihemophilic Products Subcutaneous Vial (Ml)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Fitusiran is an antithrombin-directed small interfering ribonucleic acid.
Fitusiran is an antithrombin-directed, double-stranded, small interfering ribonucleic acid; the drug reduces antithrombin production and increases thrombin generation to enhance clotting ability. Lower antithrombin (AT) activity correlated with reduced bleeding rates, but persistent AT activity <15% increased thrombotic risk.
In clinical trials, most patients achieved steady-state AT activity within 23 weeks of starting or adjusting dosing. After discontinuation, AT activity remained <60% for about 6 months, after which standard doses of clotting factor concentrates or bypassing agents may be used. Recovery to 15-35% AT activity after levels dropped to <15% required about 12 weeks before initiating a lower dose.
Antithrombin reduction was similar in patients with hemophilia A and B, with or without inhibitors.
The pharmacokinetics of fitusiran were evaluated in patients with hemophilia A or B, with or without inhibitors. Fitusiran demonstrates liver-driven pharmacodynamics rather than plasma-driven effects. Dosing aims to maintain plasma antithrombin activity between 15-35% using 10, 20, or 50 mg regimens administered monthly or every 2 months.
Fitusiran shows dose-proportional plasma exposure after subcutaneous administration with no accumulation after repeated monthly dosing. Peak plasma concentration is reached in approximately 2.8-3.8 hours. The drug distributes primarily to the liver, with about 96.6% protein binding at clinically relevant concentrations.
The mean terminal elimination half-life ranges from 5.57-7.98 hours, and metabolism occurs via endo- and exo-nucleases to progressively shorter oligonucleotides. Fitusiran is not metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes and is not a substrate of transporters. Following administration of a 50-mg dose, approximately 14.6% of the drug is excreted unchanged in urine within 24 hours.
Fitusiran has only been studied in male patients. Race does not appear to affect the pharmacokinetics of fitusiran.
USES: This medication is used by people with a certain inherited bleeding problem (hemophilia A or B) to help prevent or lessen how often they have bleeding problems. This medication works by lowering the levels of a natural protein (antithrombin). This helps produce more clotting protein (thrombin) which helps prevent bleeding.
Generic name: fitusiran sodium
Pronunciation: (FIT-ue-SIR-an)
Drug class: Antihemophilic Products
Therapeutic class: Hematological Agents
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Qfitlia
Indications
The following indications are listed for Qfitlia:
- Bleeding Prevention In Hereditary Factor Ix Deficiency
- Bleeding Prevention In Hereditary Factor Viii Deficiency
Also known as: Bleeding Prevention In Classic Hemophilia, Bleeding Prevention In Congenital Factor Viii Deficiency, Bleeding Prevention In Hemophilia A, Bleeding Prophylaxis In Hemophilia A, Hemorrhage Prophylaxis In Hemophilia A, Prevention Of Bleeding Episode In Hemophilia A.
Dosing
Measure AT activity using an FDA-cleared test at weeks 4, 12, 20, and 24 following the initial dose and after any dosage modification; adjust the dose and/or dosing interval of fitusiran accordingly to maintain AT activity between 15-35% (see Table 1).
If AT activity <15%, reduce the dosage starting 3 months after the prior dosage.
If AT activity >35% after 6 months or if the patient has not achieved adequate bleed control, consider dosage increase.
The recommended AT monitoring schedule should be restarted after dosage reduction or escalation.
Once target dosage identified based on AT activity 15-35%, measure AT activity annually and when clinically indicated.
When therapy is discontinued, there is no need to continuing monitoring AT levels unless the patient is bleeding and treatment with clotting factor concentrates or bypassing agents is needed.
Table 1. Dosage Modification Based on AT Activity Level
Last Dosage Administered Antithrombin Activity Dosage Modification Level 50 mg every 2 months <15% 20 mg every 2 months 50 mg every 2 months 15-35% Continue current dosage 50 mg every 2 months >35% after 6 months 50 mg every month 20 mg every 2 months <15% 10 mg every 2 months 20 mg every 2 months 15-35% Continue current dosage 20 mg every 2 months >35% after 6 months 20 mg every month 10 mg every 2 months <15% Discontinue 10 mg every 2 months 15-35% Continue current dosage 10 mg every 2 months >35% after 6 months 10 mg every month
Administer fitusiran by subcutaneous injection only. Fitusiran is available as a 50 mg/0.5 mL (100 mg/mL) single-dose prefilled pen and a 20 mg/0.2 mL (100 mg/mL) single-dose vial.
| Drug label | Dosing type | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Qfitlia 20 Mg/0.2 Ml Vial | Maintenance | Inject 0.5 milliliter (50 mg) by subcutaneous route every 2 months. |
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted.
In vitro studies show that fitusiran is unlikely to cause or be affected by cytochrome P-450 or transporter-mediated drug interactions at clinically relevant concentrations.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
*None
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
- Child-pugh class A hepatic impairment
- Child-pugh class B hepatic impairment
- Child-pugh class C hepatic impairment
- Disease of liver
- Gallbladder disease
- Thromboembolic disorder
- Thrombotic disorder
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
The most common adverse reactions, occurring in >=10% of patients treated with fitusiran at the recommended AT-based dosage regimen, were viral infection, nasopharyngitis, and bacterial infection.
Less Frequent
- Drug-induced hepatitis
More Frequent
- Bacterial infection
- Pharyngitis
- Viral infection
Less Frequent
- Arthralgia
- Cough
- Headache disorder
- Injection site sequelae
- Thrombotic disorder
Rare or Very Rare
- Acute abdominal pain
- Biliary calculus
- Cholecystitis
- Dyspepsia
- Pruritus of skin
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
Safety and effectiveness of fitusiran for the treatment of hemophilia A or B, with or without factor VIII or IX inhibitors, in pediatric patients >=12 years of age have been established. Use in this pediatric population is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adult and pediatric patients. Clinical studies included 60 pediatric patients 12-17 years of age treated with fitusiran. Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients <12 years of age.
There are no data in pregnant women to assess the risk of birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes with fitusiran. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. It is unknown whether fitusiran causes fetal harm or affects reproductive capacity. Use fitusiran during pregnancy only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus.
It is not known whether fitusiran or its metabolites are distributed into human milk or if the drug has any effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. The safety of fitusiran during breastfeeding is unknown. The benefits of breastfeeding should be weighed against the clinical need for fitusiran and the potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition.
The manufacturer makes no specific dosage recommendations for geriatric patients.
Clinical studies of fitusiran included 3 patients with hemophilia >=65 years of age. The number of patients >=65 years of age was insufficient to determine whether response to fitusiran differs from that of younger patients.
ICD codes
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding prevention in hereditary factor IX deficiency | ||
| D67 | ICD10CM | Hereditary factor IX deficiency |
| Bleeding prevention in hereditary factor VIII deficiency | ||
| D66 | ICD10CM | Hereditary factor VIII deficiency |
ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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