BETHKIS

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE BETHKIS is indicated for the management of cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients under the age of six years, patients with FEV 1 less than 40% or greater than 80% predicted, or patients colonized with Burkholderia cepacia [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . BETHKIS is an inhaled aminoglycoside antibacterial indicated for the management of cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa . ( 1 ) Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients under the age of six years, patients with a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ) less than 40% or greater than 80% predicted, or patients colonized with Burkholderia cepacia . ( 1 )

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For oral inhalation only ( 2.1 ) Administer the entire contents of one ampule twice daily by oral inhalation in repeated cycles of 28 days on drug, followed by 28 days off drug. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Dosage Bethkis is for oral inhalation only [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )] . The recommended dosage of BETHKIS for patients six years of age and older is to administer one single-use ampule (300 mg/4 mL) twice daily by oral inhalation in repeated cycles of 28 days on drug, followed by 28 days off drug. The doses should be taken as close to 12 hours apart as possible and not less than 6 hours apart. The 300 mg/4 mL dose of BETHKIS is the same for patients regardless of age or weight. BETHKIS has not been studied in patients less than six years old. If patients miss a dose, they should take it as soon as possible anytime up to 6 hours prior to their next scheduled dose. If less than 6 hours remain before the next dose, wait until their next scheduled dose. 2.2 Administration Instructions BETHKIS is administered by oral inhalation using a hand-held PARI LC PLUS Reusable Nebulizer with a PARI Vios Air compressor over an approximately 15 minute period and until sputtering from the output of the nebulizer has occurred for at least one minute. BETHKIS should not be diluted or mixed with dornase alfa or other medications in the nebulizer. BETHKIS is not for subcutaneous, intravenous, or intrathecal administration. Further patient instructions on how to administer BETHKIS are provided in the Patient’s Instructions for Use [see Patient Counseling Information ( 17 )]. BETHKIS should not be used if it is cloudy, if there are particles in the solution, or if it has been stored at room temperature for more than 28 days.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS BETHKIS is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any aminoglycoside. BETHKIS is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any aminoglycoside. ( 4 )

Not available.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Common adverse reactions (more than 5%) occurring more frequently in BETHKIS patients are forced expiratory volume decreased, rales, red blood cell sedimentation rate increased, and dysphonia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Chiesi USA, Inc. at 1-888-661-9260 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 clinical trials of drugs cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to BETHKIS in two placebo-controlled studies in 305 cystic fibrosis patients. Patients receiving BETHKIS ranged in age from 6 to 31 years. In Study 1, an eight week study, 29 patients received BETHKIS versus 30 patients who received placebo for a total of four weeks on drug and four weeks off drug. All patients were ≤ 30 years of age (mean age 12.6 years) and 46% were females. 52.5% of patients were 6 to 12 years of age while 30.5% of patients were 13-17 years old. Only 16.5% of patients were adults (> 17 years old). Eighty percent (80%) of patients were chronically colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa while 20.3% of patients were initially or intermittently colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa during the study. More patients in the placebo group discontinued/dropped out of Study 1 than in the BETHKIS group (23% [7/30] vs 3.4% [1/29], respectively). Five patients in the placebo group compared to none in the BETHKIS group discontinued/dropped out because of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) such as pulmonary exacerbations and respiratory disorders. In Study 2, a 24 week study, 161 patients received BETHKIS versus 85 patients who received placebo in alternating four week on-off cycles for three cycles. All patients were ≤ 46 years of age (mean age 14.8 years) and 45% were females. 41% of patients were 6-12 years old while 29% of patients were 13-17 years old. Only 30% were adults (>17 years). Eighty-seven percent (87%) of patients were chronically colonized with P. aeruginosa . Only 13% were either initially or intermittently colonized with P. aeruginosa during the study. More patients in the placebo group discontinued/dropped out of Study 2 than in the BETHKIS group (9.4% [8/85] vs 4.3% [7/161], respectively). Of these, 3 patients in the BETHKIS group (1.9%) compared to 2 patients in the placebo group (2.4%) withdrew due to a TEAE. The most common TEAEs causing patients to discontinue from the study drug are respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders. The most common adverse experiences reported were respiratory disorders, consistent with the underlying disease in the patient population being evaluated and these were similarly distributed between both BETHKIS- and placebo-treated patients. The following adverse reactions were reported in at least 5% of Bethkis-treated patients and at rates ≥ 2% more common compared to the placebo-treated patients: decreased forced expiratory volume, rales, red blood cell sedimentation rate increased, and dysphonia (Table 1). Table 1: Patients with Selected Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 2% of BETHKIS Patients Adverse Reactions BETHKIS N=190 (%) Placebo N=115 (%) Forced expiratory volume decreased 59 (31%) 33 (29%) Rales 36 (19%) 18 (16%) Red blood cell sedimentation rate increased 16 (8%) 6 (5%) Dysphonia 11 (6%) 2 (2%) Wheezing 10 (5%) 4 (4%) Epistaxis 6 (3%) 0 Pharyngolaryngeal pain 5 (3%) 2 (2%) Bronchitis 5 (3%) 1 (1%) Tonsillitis 4 (2%) 0 Diarrhea 3 (2%) 1 (1%) Eosinophilia 3 (2%) 0 Immunoglobulins increased 3 (2%) 0 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of tobramycin inhalation solution. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Ear and labyrinth disorders: Hearing loss, Tinnitus [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : Hypersensitivity, pruritus, urticaria, rash Nervous system disorders : Aphonia, dysgeusia Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders: Bronchospasm [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] , oropharyngeal pain Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Decreased appetite