INTERACTIONS Antiplatelet Agents and Anticoagulants : Prolonged bleeding time has been reported in patients taking antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants and oral omega-3 fatty acids. Periodically monitor bleeding time in patients receiving Omegaven and concomitant antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants. ( 7.1 )
7.1 Antiplatelet Agents and Anticoagulants Some published studies have demonstrated prolongation of bleeding time in patients taking antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants and oral omega-3 fatty acids. The prolongation of bleeding times reported in those studies did not exceed normal limits and there were no clinically significant bleeding episodes. Nonetheless, it is recommended to periodically monitor bleeding time in patients receiving Omegaven and concomitant antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants.
Use of Omegaven is contraindicated in patients with:
- Known hypersensitivity to fish or egg protein or to any of the active ingredients or excipients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].
- Severe hemorrhagic disorders due to a potential effect on platelet aggregation.
- Severe disorders of lipid metabolism characterized by hypertriglyceridemia (serum triglyceride concentrations greater than 1,000 mg/dL) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )].
- Known hypersensitivity to fish or egg protein or to any of the active ingredients or excipients. ( 4 )
- Severe hemorrhagic disorders. ( 4 )
- Severe disorders of lipid metabolism characterized by hypertriglyceridemia (with serum triglycerides greater than 1,000 mg/dL). ( 4 , 5.6 )
AND PRECAUTIONS
- Clinical Decompensation with Rapid Infusion of Intravenous Lipid Emulsion in Neonates and Infants: Acute respiratory distress, metabolic acidosis, and death after rapid infusion of intravenous lipid emulsions have been reported. ( 5.1 , 8.4 )
- Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease: Increased risk in patients who receive parenteral nutrition for greater than 2 weeks, especially preterm neonates. Monitor liver tests; if abnormalities occur, consider discontinuation or dosage reduction. ( 5.2 , 6.1 , 8.4 )
- Hypersensitivity Reactions: Monitor for signs or symptoms. Discontinue infusion if reactions occur. ( 5.3 )
- Risk of Infections, Fat Overload Syndrome, Refeeding Syndrome, Hypertriglyceridemia, and Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency: Monitor for signs and symptoms; monitor laboratory parameters. ( 5.4 , 5.5 , 5.6 , 5.7 , 5.9 )
- Aluminum Toxicity : Increased risk in patients with renal impairment, including preterm neonates. ( 5.8 , 8.4 )
5.1 Clinical Decompensation with Rapid Infusion of Intravenous Lipid Emulsion in Neonates and Infants In the postmarketing setting, serious adverse reactions including acute respiratory distress, metabolic acidosis, and death have been reported in neonates and infants after rapid infusion of intravenous lipid emulsions. Hypertriglyceridemia was commonly reported. Strictly adhere to the recommended total daily dosage; the hourly infusion rate should not exceed 0.75 mL/kg/hour <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )]</span>. Preterm and small for gestational age infants have poor clearance of intravenous lipid emulsion and increased free fatty acid plasma levels following lipid emulsion infusion. Carefully monitor the infant's ability to eliminate the infused lipids from the circulation (e.g., measure serum triglycerides and/or plasma free fatty acid levels). If signs of poor clearance of lipids from the circulation occur, stop the infusion and initiate a medical evaluation <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 , 5.7 ) and Overdosage ( 10 )]</span>.
5.2 Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease and Other Hepatobiliary Disorders Risk of Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease Parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD), also referred to as intestinal failure- associated liver disease (IFALD), can present as cholestasis or hepatic steatosis, and may progress to steatohepatitis with fibrosis and cirrhosis (possibly leading to chronic hepatic failure). The etiology of PNALD is multifactorial; however, intravenously administered phytosterols (plant sterols) contained in plant-derived lipid emulsions, including SMOFlipid, have been associated with development of PNALD. In a randomized study of neonates and infants expected to be treated with PN for at least 28 days, parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC), a precursor to PNALD, developed less frequently in SMOFlipid-treated patients than in 100% soybean oil lipid emulsion-treated patients <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )]</span> . Monitor liver tests in patients treated with SMOFlipid and consider discontinuation or dosage reduction if abnormalities occur.
Other Hepatobiliary Disorders
Hepatobiliary disorders including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis have developed in some PN- treated patients without preexisting liver disease. Monitor liver tests when administering SMOFlipid. Patients developing signs of hepatobiliary disorders should be assessed early to determine whether these conditions are related to SMOFlipid use.
5.3 Hypersensitivity Reactions SMOFlipid contains soybean oil, fish oil, and egg phospholipids, which may cause hypersensitivity reactions. Cross reactions have been observed between soybean and peanut. In postmarketing experience, anaphylaxis has been reported following SMOFlipid administration <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]</span> . SMOFlipid is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to fish, egg, soybean, peanut or any of the active or inactive ingredients in SMOFlipid <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Contraindications ( 4 )]</span> . If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, stop infusion of SMOFlipid immediately and initiate appropriate treatment and supportive measures.
5.4 Infections Lipid emulsions, such as SMOFlipid, can support microbial growth and are an independent risk factor for the development of catheter-related bloodstream infections. To decrease the risk of infectious complications, ensure aseptic techniques are used for catheter placement, catheter maintenance, and preparation and administration of SMOFlipid. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection including fever and chills, as well as laboratory test results that might indicate infection (including leukocytosis and hyperglycemia). Perform frequent checks of the intravenous catheter insertion site for edema, redness, and discharge.
5.5 Fat Overload Syndrome Fat overload syndrome is a rare condition that has been reported with intravenous lipid injectable emulsions and is characterized by a sudden deterioration in the patient's condition (e.g., fever, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, coagulation disorders, hyperlipidemia, hepatomegaly, deteriorating liver function, and central nervous system manifestations such as coma). A reduced or limited ability to metabolize lipids, accompanied by prolonged plasma clearance (resulting in higher lipid levels), may result in this syndrome. Although fat overload syndrome has been most frequently observed when the recommended lipid dose or infusion rate was exceeded, cases have also been described when the lipid formulation was administered according to instructions. If signs or symptoms of fat overload syndrome occur, stop SMOFlipid. The syndrome is usually reversible when the infusion of the lipid emulsion is stopped.
5.6 Refeeding Syndrome Administering PN to severely malnourished patients may result in refeeding syndrome, which is characterized by the intracellular shift of potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium as patients become anabolic. Thiamine deficiency and fluid retention may also develop. To prevent these complications, closely monitor severely malnourished patients and slowly increase their nutrient intake.
5.7 Hypertriglyceridemia The use of SMOFlipid is contraindicated in patients with hypertriglyceridemia with serum triglyceride concentrations >1,000 mg/dL. Patients with conditions such as inherited lipid disorders, obesity, diabetes mellitus, or metabolic syndromes have a higher risk of developing hypertriglyceridemia with the use of SMOFlipid. In addition, patients with hypertriglyceridemia may have worsening of their hypertriglyceridemia with administration of SMOFlipid. Excessive dextrose administration may further increase such risk. Evaluate patients' capacity to metabolize and eliminate the infused lipid emulsion by measuring serum triglycerides before the start of infusion (baseline value) and regularly throughout treatment. If triglyceride levels are above 400 mg/dL in adults, stop the SMOFlipid infusion and monitor serum triglyceride levels to avoid clinical consequences of hypertriglyceridemia such as pancreatitis. In pediatric patients with hypertriglyceridemia, lower triglyceride levels (i.e., below 400 mg/dL) may be associated with adverse reactions. Monitor serum triglyceride levels to avoid potential complications with hypertriglyceridemia such as pancreatitis, lipid pneumonitis, and neurologic changes, including kernicterus. To minimize the risk of new or worsening of hypertriglyceridemia, assess high-risk patients for their overall energy intake including other sources of lipids and dextrose, as well as concomitant drugs that may affect lipid and dextrose metabolism.
5.8 Aluminum Toxicity SMOFlipid contains no more than 25 mcg/L of aluminum. Prolonged PN administration in patients with renal impairment may result in aluminum reaching toxic levels. Preterm neonates are at greater risk because their kidneys are immature and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions that contain aluminum. Patients with impaired kidney function, including preterm neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day can accumulate aluminum at levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading in these patients may occur at even lower rates of administration.
5.9 Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency Treatment-emergent cases of moderate or severe essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) (defined as the triene [Mead acid] to tetraene [arachidonic acid] ratio >0.2 and >0.4, respectively) were not observed in pediatric clinical trials of SMOFlipid up to 28 days <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]</span> . However, cases of EFAD have been reported in adult and pediatric patients in the postmarketing period with the use of SMOFlipid. The median time to onset was greater than 28 days among cases that reported time to onset. Monitor patients for laboratory evidence (e.g., abnormal fatty acid levels) and clinical symptoms of EFAD (e.g., skin manifestations, poor growth). Laboratory testing using the triene to tetraene ratio may not be adequate to diagnose EFAD, and assessment of individual fatty acid levels may be needed. Ensure patients are receiving recommended dosages of SMOFlipid to prevent EFAD <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Description ( 11 )]</span> .
5.10 Monitoring/Laboratory Tests Throughout treatment, monitor serum triglycerides <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )]</span> , fluid and electrolyte status, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, coagulation parameters, and complete blood count including platelets. The lipids contained in SMOFlipid may interfere with some laboratory blood tests (e.g., hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, oxygen saturation) if blood is sampled before lipids have cleared from the bloodstream. Conduct these blood tests at least 6 hours after stopping the infusion. SMOFlipid contains vitamin K that may counteract anticoagulant activity <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Drug Interactions ( 7 )]</span> .