INTERACTIONS Co-administration with aminoglycosides or other agents interfering with neuromuscular transmission may potentiate effects of MYOBLOC ( 7.1 ) Co-administration or overlapping of botulinum toxin serotypes (within 4 months) may potentiate neuromuscular paralysis ( 7.3 )
7.1 Aminoglycosides and Other Agents Interfering with Neuromuscular Transmission Co-administration of MYOBLOC and aminoglycosides or other agents interfering with neuromuscular transmission (e.g., curare-like compounds) should only be performed with caution as the effect of the toxin may be potentiated.
7.2 Anticholinergic Drugs Use of anticholinergic drugs after administration of MYOBLOC may potentiate systemic anticholinergic effects.
7.3 Other Botulinum Neurotoxin Products The effect of administering different botulinum toxin products at the same time or within several months of each other is unknown. Excessive neuromuscular weakness may be exacerbated by administration of another botulinum toxin prior to the resolution of the effects of a previously administered botulinum toxin.
7.4 Muscle Relaxants Excessive weakness may also be exaggerated by administration of a muscle relaxant before or after administration of MYOBLOC.
MYOBLOC is contraindicated in patients with: A known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin product or to any of the components in the formulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , Description (11) ] Infection at the proposed injection site(s) MYOBLOC is contraindicated in patients with: Known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin preparation or to any of the components in the formulation ( 4 , 5.3 ) Infection at the proposed injection site(s) ( 4 )
AND PRECAUTIONS Spread of toxin effects; swallowing and breathing difficulties can lead to death. Seek immediate medical attention if respiratory, speech or swallowing difficulties occur ( 5.1 , 5.4 ) MYOBLOC potency units cannot be compared to or converted into units of other botulinum toxins ( 5.2 ) Patients with neuromuscular disorders should be monitored closely for swallowing/breathing difficulty ( 5.4 )
5.1 Spread of Toxin Effect Postmarketing safety data from MYOBLOC and other approved botulinum toxins suggest that botulinum toxin effects may, in some cases, be observed beyond the site of local injection. The symptoms are consistent with the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin and may include asthenia, generalized muscle weakness, diplopia, blurred vision, ptosis, dysphagia, dysphonia, dysarthria, urinary incontinence, and breathing difficulties. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening and there have been reports of death related to spread of toxin effects. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity, but symptoms can also occur in adults treated for spasticity and other conditions, and particularly in those patients who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms. In unapproved uses, including spasticity in children and adults, and in approved indications, symptoms consistent with spread of toxin effect have been reported at doses comparable to or lower than doses used to treat cervical dystonia.
5.2 Lack of Interchangeability between Botulinum Toxin Products The potency units of MYOBLOC are specific to the preparation and biological activity assay method utilized. Due to differences in the aspects of this assay such as the vehicle, dilution scheme, and laboratory protocols for various potency assays, potency units are not interchangeable with other preparations of botulinum toxin products and, therefore, units of biological activity of MYOBLOC cannot be compared to or converted into units of any other botulinum toxin products assessed with any other specific assay method <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Description (11) ]</span> .
5.3 Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with botulinum toxin products. Angioedema, urticaria, and rash have occurred with MYOBLOC treatment <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Adverse Reactions (6.3) ]</span>. Hypersensitivity reactions can also include anaphylaxis, serum sickness, soft tissue edema, and dyspnea. If serious and/or immediate hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue further injection of MYOBLOC and institute appropriate medical therapy immediately. The use of MYOBLOC in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any botulinum neurotoxin or to any of the excipients (human albumin, sucrose), could lead to a life-threatening allergic reaction <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Contraindications (4) , Adverse Reactions (6.3) ]</span>.
5.4 Dysphagia and Breathing Difficulties Treatment with MYOBLOC and other botulinum toxin products can result in swallowing or breathing difficulties. Patients with pre-existing swallowing or breathing difficulties may be more susceptible to these complications. In most cases, this is a consequence of weakening of muscles in the area of injection that are involved in breathing or swallowing. When distant effects occur, additional respiratory muscles may be involved. Deaths as a complication of severe dysphagia have been reported after treatment with botulinum toxin. Dysphagia may persist for several months and require use of a feeding tube to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration. Aspiration may result from severe dysphagia and is a particular risk when treating patients in whom swallowing or respiratory function is already compromised. Treatment of cervical dystonia with botulinum toxins may weaken neck muscles that serve as accessory muscles of ventilation. This may result in a critical loss of breathing capacity in patients with respiratory disorders who may have become dependent upon these accessory muscles. There have been postmarketing reports of serious breathing difficulties, including respiratory failure, in cervical dystonia patients. Patients treated with botulinum toxin may require immediate medical attention should they develop problems with swallowing, speech or respiratory disorders. These reactions can occur within hours to weeks after injection with botulinum toxin <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]</span> . Individuals with peripheral motor neuropathic diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or neuromuscular junctional disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome) should be monitored particularly closely when given botulinum toxin. Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at increased risk of clinically significant effects including severe dysphagia and respiratory compromise from typical doses of MYOBLOC <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]</span> .
5.5 Human Albumin and Transmission of Viral Diseases This product contains albumin, a derivative of human blood. Based on effective donor screening and product manufacturing processes, it carries an extremely remote risk for transmission of viral diseases and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). There is a theoretical risk for transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), but if that risk actually exists, the risk of transmission would be considered extremely remote. No cases of transmission of viral diseases, CJD, or vCJD have ever been identified for licensed albumin or albumin contained in other licensed products.