Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.
fedratinib
Fedratinib is a selective inhibitor of Janus Associated Kinase 2 (JAK2) and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3). It has higher potency for JAK2 over JAK1, JAK3, and TYK2.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, are associated with abnormal JAK2 activation. In JAK2 mutated cell models, fedratinib reduces phosphorylation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) 3 and 5 proteins, prevents cell proliferation, and induces apoptosis.
| Bioavailability |
77% |
| T max |
2 hours (median; after single 400 mg dose) |
| Time to reach steady state |
within 15 days |
| Effects with food |
Food had no effect on drug exposure |
| PPB |
> 92% |
Fedratinib is metabolized by multiple CYP enzymes and flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs).
| Active metabolites |
Yes |
| Inactive metabolites |
Yes |
| Half-life |
~62-78 hours (terminal) |
| Feces |
77% (23% unchanged) |
| Urine |
5% (3% unchanged) |
- Myelofibrosis (MF)
Refer to the product monograph for a full list and details of approved indications.
Emetogenic Potential:
The following adverse effect were reported with an incidence ≥ 5% in a pooled cohort of patients with MF during Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies. This table also includes severe or life-threatening adverse effects from other sources.
| ORGAN SITE | SIDE EFFECT* (%) | ONSET** | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular | Atrial fibrillation (2%) | E | |||
| Cardiac arrest (rare) | E | ||||
| Cardiogenic shock (rare) | E | ||||
| Heart failure (3%) | E | ||||
| Dermatological | Pruritus (10%) | E | |||
| Gastrointestinal | Constipation (16%) | E | |||
| Diarrhea (63%) (5% severe) | E | ||||
| Nausea, vomiting (59%) (2% severe) | E | ||||
| General | Fatigue (19%) | E | |||
| Hematological | Anemia (43%) (severe) | E D | |||
| Myelosuppression ± infection, bleeding (17%) (severe) | E D | ||||
| Hepatobiliary | ↑ Amylase / lipase (10%) (severe) | E | |||
| ↑ LFTs (9%) | E | ||||
| Pancreatitis (1%) | E | ||||
| Musculoskeletal | Muscle spasm (9%) | E | |||
| Musculoskeletal pain (10%) | E | ||||
| Nervous System | Dizziness (9%) | E | |||
| Encephalopathy (including Wernicke’s) (1% severe) | E | ||||
| Headache (10%) | E | ||||
| Renal | Creatinine increased (10%) | E | |||
| Renal failure (2%) | E | ||||
| Respiratory | Pleural effusion (2%) | E | |||
| Urinary | Dysuria (6%) | E | |||
* "Incidence" may refer to an absolute value or the higher value from a reported range.
"Rare"
may refer to events with < 1% incidence, reported in post-marketing, phase 1 studies,
isolated data or anecdotal
reports.
** I = immediate (onset in hours to days)
E = early (days to weeks)
D = delayed (weeks to months)
L = late (months to years)
The most common side effects for fedratinib include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anemia, fatigue, myelosuppression ± infection, bleeding, and constipation.
Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), arterial/venous thrombosis, and/or malignancy, including fatal outcomes, have been reported with the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib. Consider the benefits and risks prior to initiating, or continuing, therapy of JAK inhibitors, especially in patients > 65 years, who are current or past smokers, or with other cardiovascular, thrombosis or malignancy risk factors.
Serious and fatal encephalopathy, including Wernicke’s, has been reported with fedratinib. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a neurological emergency caused by thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency. Signs and symptoms include ataxia, mental status changes (e.g., drowsiness, confusion, or memory impairment), and ophthalmoplegia (e.g., nystagmus and diplopia). Any mental status changes should be assessed, including neurologic exam, thiamine levels and imaging, for potential encephalopathy.
Anemia (new or worsening Grade 3) and thrombocytopenia (> Grade 3) with or without bleeding were reported with median times to onset of ~2 months.
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were reported in clinical trials with a median time to onset of 5, 2 and 6 days, respectively. Consider antiemetic prophylaxis for the first 8 weeks of treatment and as clinically indicated.
Refer to protocol by which the patient is being treated.
Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline.
Start fedratinib when platelets are > 50 x 109/L at baseline.
Do not start treatment in patients with thiamine deficiency.
Patients who are on treatment with ruxolitinib before the initiation of fedratinib must taper and discontinue according to the ruxolitinib product monograph. Also refer to the Canadian MPN group consensus document (Gupta et al, 2020).
Refer to Interactions section for dosing recommendations when co-administered with strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors.
Dose Levels
| Dose Level | Fedratinib Dose* (mg daily) |
| 0 | 400 |
| -1 | 300 |
| -2 | 200 |
| -3 | Discontinue |
*May re-escalate if toxicity resolved for > 28 days, up to the original dose level. Do not re-escalate more than once per month. Do not re-escalate if reduction was due to Grade 4 non-hematologic toxicity, Grade 3 or 4 ALT, AST, or bilirubin ↑, or recurrent Grade 4 hematologic toxicity.
Consider dose reduction for patients who become transfusion dependent during fedratinib treatment.
| Toxicity | Severity/Grade | Action† |
| Thrombocytopenia | Platelets 25 - 49 x 109/L with active bleeding | Hold* dose. Restart at 1 dose level ↓. |
| Platelets < 25 x 109/L | ||
| Neutropenia | ANC < 0.5 x 109/L | Hold* dose. Restart at 1 dose level ↓. Consider G-CSFs. |
| Anemia |
Hgb < 80 g/L |
Hold* dose. Restart at 1 dose level ↓. |
| Nausea, Vomiting, or Diarrhea | Grade > 3 not responding to supportive measures within 48 hours |
Hold* dose. Restart at 1 dose level ↓. |
| ↑ ALT, AST, or Bilirubin | Grade 3 or 4 |
Hold* dose. Restart at 1 dose level ↓. Monitor q2 weeks for at least 3 months after dose reduction. If recurs, discontinue. |
| Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency | Thiamine levels < normal but > 30 nmol/L, without signs and symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) |
Hold* dose. Initiate thiamine PO 100 mg daily until levels are within normal range, then consider restarting fedratinib. |
| Thiamine levels < 30 nmol/L, without signs and symptoms of WE |
Hold* dose. Initiate parenteral thiamine until levels are within normal range, then consider restarting fedratinib. |
|
| Any signs and symptoms of WE regardless of thiamine levels |
Discontinue. Initiate parenteral thiamine. |
|
| Other Non-Hematologic Toxicities | Grade 3 or 4 | Hold* dose. Restart at 1 dose level ↓. |
*Do not restart until hematologic toxicity ≤ Grade 2 or baseline, non-hematologic toxicity ≤ Grade 1 or baseline, and thiamine levels are within normal range.
†May re-escalate if toxicity resolved for > 28 days, up to the original dose level. Do not re-escalate more than once per month. Do not re-escalate if reduction was due to Grade 4 non-hematologic toxicity, Grade 3 or 4 ALT, AST, or bilirubin ↑, or recurrent Grade 4 hematologic toxicity.
Pharmacokinetics of fedratinib has not been evaluated in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
| Bilirubin | AST | Fedratinib Starting Dose | |
| < ULN | and | > ULN | No adjustment required |
| 1 to 1.5 x ULN | and | Any | |
| >1.5 to 3 x ULN | and | Any | No adjustment required; monitor for increased toxicity |
| >3 x ULN | and | Any | No data; avoid use |
| Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) | Fedratinib Starting Dose |
| > 60 | No adjustment required |
| 30 - 59 | No adjustment required; monitor for increased toxicity |
| 15 - 29 | 200 mg once daily |
| < 15 | No data |
No dose adjustment required. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between older and younger patients.
No dose adjustment required. No clinical differences were observed based on sex. Incidences of GI adverse effects were higher in female than in male patients.
No dose adjustment required. No clinical differences were observed based on race.
The safety and efficacy of fedratinib have not been established in children < 18 years of age.
- Fedratinib may be taken with or without food. Taking with food (high fat evening meal) may help reduce nausea and vomiting.
-
Capsules should be swallowed whole and not broken, opened or chewed.
-
Grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges, their juices or products should be avoided during fedratinib treatment.
-
If a dose is missed, this dose should be skipped. The next dose should be taken at the scheduled time the following day. Two doses should not be taken at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
-
Store at room temperature (15 to 30°C).
- Patients who have a hypersensitivity to this drug or any of its components
- Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), arterial/venous thrombosis, and/or malignancy, including fatal outcomes, have been reported with the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib. Consider the benefits and risks prior to initiating, or continuing, therapy of JAK inhibitors, especially in patients > 65 years, who are current or past smokers, or with other cardiovascular, thrombosis or malignancy risk factors.
- Encephalopathy, including Wernicke’s, has been reported with fedratinib. Any mental status changes should be assessed, including neurologic exam, thiamine levels and imaging, for potential encephalopathy.
- Fedratinib has not been studied in patients with a baseline platelet count < 50 x 109/L.
Other Drug Properties:
-
Carcinogenicity:
Unknown
Secondary malignancies were observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who used the JAK-inhibitor tofacitinib.
-
Phototoxicity:
No
-
Embryotoxicity:
Yes
-
Fetotoxicity:
Yes
Fedratinib is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Adequate contraception should be used by both sexes during treatment, and for at least 1 month after the last dose.
-
Excretion into breast milk:
Unknown
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose.
-
Fertility effects:
Unknown
Fedratinib is metabolized by multiple CYPs in vitro (mainly by CYP3A4, with less contribution from CYP2D6 and CYP2C19) and flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs).
Fedratinib inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and CYP2C19.
In vitro, fedratinib is a substrate of P-gp and inhibits P-gp, BCRP, MATE1, MATE2-K, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and OCT2.
No dose adjustment is necessary when fedratinib is given with drugs that increase gastric pH (such as antacids, H2 blocerks, and proton pump inhibitors).
| AGENT | EFFECT | MECHANISM | MANAGEMENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, ritonavir, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole) | ↑ fedratinib concentration (↑ AUC by 2.5- to 3-fold) | ↓ metabolism of fedratinib | When co-administered, ↓ fedratinib dose to 200 mg. If inhibitor is discontinued, may re-escalate fedratinib in 100 mg increments. Refer to Dose Levels table. |
| Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, erthromycin) | ↑ fedratinib concentration (↑ AUC by 1.6- to 1.8-fold) | ↓ metabolism of fedratinib | When co-administered, ↓ fedratinib dose to 300 mg. If inhibitor is discontinued, may re-escalate fedratinib in 100 mg increments. Refer to Dose Levels table. |
| Strong CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine) | ↑ fedratinib concentration | ↓ metabolism of fedratinib | Avoid |
| Combined CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., fluconazole, fluvoxamine) | ↑ fedratinib concentration | ↓ metabolism of fedratinib | Avoid |
| Strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers (i.e. phenytoin, rifampin, efavirenz, St. John’s Wort, etc) | ↓ fedratinib exposure (↓ by 50% to 80%) | ↑ metabolism of fedratinib | Avoid |
| CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and CYP2C19 substrates (e.g., midazolam, omeprazole, metoprolol) | ↑ substrate exposure | ↓ metabolism of substrate | Caution. Monitor for substrate toxicity. |
| OCT2 and MATE1/2-K substrates, (i.e., metformin) | ↓ renal clearance of substrate (↓ by 36% with metformin) | Inhibition of drug transporter by fedratinib (in vitro) | Monitor for increased effect or toxicity of substrates (e.g., blood glucose levels with metformin) |
Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline for monitoring during and after treatment.
| Monitor Type | Monitor Frequency |
|---|---|
CBC |
Baseline and at each visit |
Liver function tests |
Baseline and as clinically indicated. After a dose reduction: every 2 weeks for at least 3 months. |
Thiamine level |
Baseline, monthly for the first 3 months, then every 3 months, and as clinically indicated |
Renal function tests |
Baseline and as clinically indicated |
Amylase and lipase |
Baseline and as clinically indicated |
Clinical toxicity assessment for anemia, infections, bleeding, arterial and venous thrombosis, secondary malignancies, cardiac, GI, and neurologic effects |
At each visit |
Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
Exceptional Access Program (EAP Website)
- fedratinib - For the treatment of splenomegaly and/or disease related symptoms of myelofibrosis according to clinical criteria
European Medicines Agency. Assessment report: Inrebic (fedratinib). December 10, 2020.
Gupta V, Cerquozzi S, Foltz L, et al. Patterns of ruxolitinib therapy failure and its management in myelofibrosis: perspectives of the Canadian Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Group. JCO Oncol Pract 2020 Jul;16(7):351-359.
Health Professional Risk Communication. Janus Kinase Inhibitors and the Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events, Thrombosis (Including Fatal Events) and Malignancy. Health Canada. November 2022
Hesketh Paul J. et al. Antiemetics: ASCO Guideline Update. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2020 38:24, 2782-2797.
Pardanani A et al. Safety and Efficacy of Fedratinib in Patients With Primary or Secondary Myelofibrosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2015 Aug;1(5):643-51.
Pardanani A et al. Updated results of the placebo-controlled, phase III JAKARTA trial of fedratinib in patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis. Br J Haematol. 2021 Oct;195(2):244-248.
Prescribing Information: Fedratinib (Inrebic®). Impact Biomedicines, Inc. December 2021.
Product Monograph: Fedratinib (Inrebic®). Celgene Inc. September 13, 2022.
Shawky AM, Almalki FA, Abdalla AN, Abdelazeem AH, Gouda AM. A Comprehensive Overview of Globally Approved JAK Inhibitors. Pharmaceutics. 2022 May 6;14(5):1001.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Inrebic 100 mg hard capsules. Bristol Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited. November 2021.
April 2023 New drug monograph
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.