Cladribine

Preview FDA label, EMD Serono, Inc., oral, effective 2026-05-27. Full label on DailyMed

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Quoted from the FDA label. Product labels differ by manufacturer and change over time; confirm against the label for the product you are using. Not yet reviewed by a ClinDose pharmacist.

Boxed warning

WARNING: MALIGNANCIES AND RISK OF TERATOGENICITY Malignancies Treatment with MAVENCLAD may increase the risk of malignancy. MAVENCLAD is contraindicated in patients with current malignancy. In patients with prior malignancy or with increased risk of malignancy, evaluate the benefits and risks of the use of MAVENCLAD on an individual patient basis. Follow standard cancer screening guidelines in patients treated with MAVENCLAD [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] .

Risk of Teratogenicity MAVENCLAD is contraindicated for use in pregnant women and in females and males of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception because of the potential for fetal harm. Malformations and embryolethality occurred in animals. Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment with MAVENCLAD in females of reproductive potential. Advise females and males of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during MAVENCLAD dosing and for 6 months after the last dose in each treatment course for females, and 14 weeks for males.

Stop MAVENCLAD if the patient becomes pregnant [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) , and Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] . WARNING: MALIGNANCIES and RISK OF TERATOGENICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Malignancies MAVENCLAD may increase the risk of malignancy. MAVENCLAD is contraindicated in patients with current malignancy; evaluate the benefits and risks on an individual basis for patients with prior or increased risk of malignancy.

( 5.1 ) Risk of Teratogenicity MAVENCLAD is contraindicated for use in pregnant women and in women and men of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception because of the risk of fetal harm. ( 5.2 )

Purine Antimetabolite

Dosing in kidney impairment

Patients with Renal Impairment The concentration of cladribine is predicted to increase in patients with renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. No dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with mild renal impairment (creatinine clearance 60 to 89 mL per minute). MAVENCLAD is not recommended in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 60 mL per minute) [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

Dosing in liver impairment

Patients with Hepatic Impairment The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of cladribine is unknown [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. No dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with mild hepatic impairment. MAVENCLAD is not recommended in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score greater than 6) [see Warnings and Precautions , Clinical Pharmacology ].

Preparation and administration

Administration MAVENCLAD tablets are taken orally, with water, and swallowed whole without chewing. MAVENCLAD can be taken with or without food. Separate administration of MAVENCLAD and any other oral drugs by at least 3 hours during the 4 to 5 day MAVENCLAD treatment cycles [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. MAVENCLAD is a cytotoxic drug.

Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures [see References ]. MAVENCLAD is an uncoated tablet and must be swallowed immediately once removed from the blister. If a tablet is left on a surface, or if a broken or fragmented tablet is released from the blister, the area must be thoroughly washed with water.

The patient's hands must be dry when handling the tablets and washed thoroughly afterwards. Avoid prolonged contact with skin.

Drug interactions

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Label text (10 paragraphs)

Table 3 Drug Interactions with MAVENCLAD

7.1 Immunomodulatory, Immunosuppressive, or Myelosuppressive Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of MAVENCLAD with immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive, or myelosuppressive drugs may increase the risk of adverse reactions because of the additive effects on the immune system [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Prevention or Management Concomitant use with myelosuppressive or other immunosuppressive drugs is not recommended. Acute short- term therapy with corticosteroids can be administered.

In patients who have previously been treated with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive drugs, consider potential additive effect, the mode of action, and duration of effect of the other drugs prior to initiation of MAVENCLAD.

7.2 Interferon-Beta Clinical Impact Concomitant use of MAVENCLAD with interferon-beta did not change the exposure of cladribine to a clinically significant effect; however, lymphopenia risk may be increased [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Prevention or Management Concomitant use is not recommended.

7.3 Hematotoxic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of MAVENCLAD with hematotoxic drugs may increase the risk of adverse reactions because of the additive hematological effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. Prevention or Management Monitor hematological parameters.

7.4 Antiviral and Antiretroviral Drugs Clinical Impact Compounds that require intracellular phosphorylation to become active (e.g., lamivudine, zalcitabine, ribavirin, stavudine, and zidovudine) could interfere with the intracellular phosphorylation and activity of cladribine. Prevention or Management Avoid concomitant use .

7.5 Potent ENT, CNT and BCRP Transporter Inhibitors Clinical Impact Cladribine is a substrate of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), equilibrative nucleoside (ENT1), and concentrative nucleoside (CNT3) transport proteins. The bioavailability, intracellular distribution, and renal elimination of cladribine may be altered by potent ENT1, CNT3, and BCRP transporter inhibitors. Prevention or Management Avoid co-administration of potent ENT1, CNT3, or BCRP transporter inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, eltrombopag, curcumin, cyclosporine, dilazep, nifedipine, nimodipine, cilostazol, sulindac, dipyridamole, or reserpine) during the 4 to 5 day MAVENCLAD treatment cycles.

If this is not possible, consider selection of alternative concomitant drugs with no or minimal ENT1, CNT3, or BCRP transporter inhibiting properties. If this is not possible, dose reduction to the minimum mandatory dose of drugs containing these compounds, separation in the timing of administration, and careful patient monitoring is recommended.

7.6 Potent BCRP and P-gp Transporter Inducers Clinical Impact Possible decrease in cladribine exposure if potent BCRP or P-gp transporter inducers are co-administered. Prevention or Management Consider a possible decrease in cladribine efficacy if potent BCRP (e.g., corticosteroids) or P-gp (e.g., rifampicin, St. John's Wort) transporter inducers are co-administered. Immunosuppressive drugs: Consider overlapping effects on immune system, when used sequentially. Concomitant use not recommended. ( 7.1 ) Hematotoxic drugs: Monitor patients for additive effects on the hematological profile. ( 7.3 ) Antiviral and antiretroviral drugs: Avoid concomitant use.

( 7.4 ) BCRP or ENT/CNT inhibitors: May alter bioavailability of cladribine. Avoid concomitant use. ( 7.5 )

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS MAVENCLAD is contraindicated: in patients with current malignancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. in pregnant women and in females and males of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception during MAVENCLAD dosing and for 6 months after the last dose in each treatment course for females, and 14 weeks for males. May cause fetal harm [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] . in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV ) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. in patients with active chronic infections (e.g., hepatitis or tuberculosis) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ].

in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cladribine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ]. in females intending to breastfeed on a MAVENCLAD treatment day and for 10 days after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2) ]. Patients with current malignancy. ( 4 ) Pregnant women, and females and males of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception during MAVENCLAD dosing and for 6 months after the last dose in each treatment course for females, and 14 weeks for males. ( 4 , 8.3 ) HIV infection. ( 4 ) Active chronic infections (e.g., hepatitis or tuberculosis). ( 4 ) History of hypersensitivity to cladribine.

( 4 , 5.8 ) Females intending to breastfeed on a MAVENCLAD treatment day and for 10 days after the last dose. ( 4 , 8.2 )

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary MAVENCLAD is contraindicated in pregnant women and in females and males of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception. There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with use of MAVENCLAD in pregnant women. Cladribine was embryolethal when administered to pregnant mice and produced malformations in mice and rabbits [see Data ] . The observed developmental effects are consistent with the effects of cladribine on DNA [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. In the U.S.

general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. There is a pregnancy safety study that monitors the pregnancy and infant outcomes following exposure to cladribine.

Physicians and patients are encouraged to report pregnancies of female patients with multiple sclerosis exposed to oral cladribine during pregnancy or within 6 months before conception as well as pregnancies fathered by male patients with multiple sclerosis who had taken oral cladribine within 14 weeks before conception by calling EMD Serono's Adverse Event reporting line at 1-800-283-8088 ext. 5563 or by faxing 1-781-681-2961.

Data Animal Data When cladribine was administered intravenously (0, 0.5, 1.5, or 3 mg/kg/day) to pregnant mice during the period of organogenesis, fetal growth retardation and malformations (including exencephaly and cleft palate) and embryofetal death were observed at the highest dose tested. An increase in skeletal variations was observed at all but the lowest dose tested. There was no evidence of maternal toxicity.

When cladribine was administered intravenously (0, 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis, fetal growth retardation and a high incidence of craniofacial and limb malformations were observed at the highest dose tested, in the absence of maternal toxicity. When cladribine was administered intravenously (0, 0.5, 1.5, or 3.0 mg/kg/day) to mice throughout pregnancy and lactation, skeletal anomalies and embryolethality were observed at all but the lowest dose tested.

For breastfeeding, also see LactMed (National Library of Medicine), which summarizes milk levels and infant effects.

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