Busulfex

Busulfan.

Injection: 60 mg/10 mL (6 mg/mL) as a clear, colorless, sterile, solution in a single-dose vial for intravenous use only.
Busulfan is a bifunctional alkylating agent known chemically as 1,4-butanediol, dimethanesulfonate. The molecular formula of busulfan CH₃SO₂O(CH₂)₄OSO₂CH₃ with a molecular weight of 246 g/mole.
BUSULFEX (busulfan) Injection is supplied as a clear, colorless, sterile, solution in 10 mL single-dose vials for intravenous administration upon dilution. Each vial contains 60 mg of busulfan in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), 3.3 mL and Polyethylene Glycol 400, NF 6.7 mL. The solubility of busulfan in water is 0.1 g per L and the pH of BUSULFEX diluted to approximately 0.5 mg per mL busulfan in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP as recommended for infusion reflects the pH of the diluent used and ranges from 3.4 to 3.9.

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of Action: Busulfan is a bifunctional alkylating agent in which two labile methanesulfonate groups are attached to opposite ends of a four-carbon alkyl chain. In aqueous media, busulfan hydrolyzes to release the methanesulfonate groups. This produces reactive carbonium ions that can alkylate DNA. DNA damage is thought to be responsible for much of the cytotoxicity of busulfan.
CLINICAL STUDIES: Documentation of the safety and efficacy of busulfan as a component of a conditioning regimen prior to allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell reconstitution is derived from two sources: analysis of a prospective clinical trial of BUSULFEX that involved 61 patients diagnosed with various hematologic malignancies, and the published reports of randomized, controlled trials that employed high-dose oral busulfan as a component of a conditioning regimen for transplantation, which were identified in a literature review of five established commercial databases.
Prospective Clinical Trial of BUSULFEX: The prospective trial was a single-arm, open-label study in 61 patients who received BUSULFEX as part of a conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The study included patients with acute leukemia past first remission (first or subsequent relapse), with high-risk first remission, or with induction failure; chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast crisis; primary refractory or resistant relapsed Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and myelodysplastic syndrome. Forty-eight percent of patients (29/61) were heavily pretreated, defined as having at least one of the following: prior radiation, greater than or equal to 3 prior chemotherapeutic regimens, or prior hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Seventy-five percent of patients (46/61) were transplanted with active disease.
Patients received 16 BUSULFEX doses of 0.8 mg per kg every 6 hours as a two-hour infusion for 4 days, followed by cyclophosphamide 60 mg per kg once per day for two days (BuCy2 regimen). All patients received 100% of their scheduled BUSULFEX regimen. No dose adjustments were made. After one rest day, allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cells were infused. The efficacy parameters in this study were myeloablation (defined as one or more of the following: absolute neutrophil count [ANC] less than 0.5x10⁹/L, absolute lymphocyte count [ALC] less than 0.1x10⁹/L, thrombocytopenia defined as a platelet count less than 20,000/mm³ or a platelet transfusion requirement) and engraftment (ANC greater than or equal to 0.5x10⁹/L).
All patients (61/61) experienced myeloablation. The median time to neutropenia was 4 days. All evaluable patients (60/60) engrafted at a median of 13 days post-transplant (range 9 to 29 days); one patient was considered non-evaluable because he died of a fungal pneumonia 20 days after BMT and before engraftment occurred. All but 13 of the patients were treated with prophylactic G-CSF. Evidence of donor cell engraftment and chimerism was documented in all patients who had a chromosomal sex marker or leukemic marker (43/43), and no patient with chimeric evidence of allogeneic engraftment suffered a later loss of the allogeneic graft. There were no reports of graft failure in the overall study population. The median number of platelet transfusions per patient was 6, and the median number of red blood cell transfusions per patient was 4.
Twenty-three patients (38%) relapsed at a median of 183 days post-transplant (range 36 to 406 days). Sixty-two percent of patients (38/61) were free from disease with a median follow-up of 269 days post-transplant (range 20 to 583 days). Forty-three patients (70%) were alive with a median follow up of 288 days post-transplant (range 51 to 583 days). There were two deaths before BMT Day +28 and six additional patients died by BMT Day +100. Ten patients (16%) died after BMT Day +100, at a median of 199 days post-transplant (range 113 to 275 days).
Oral Busulfan Literature Review: Four publications of randomized, controlled trials that evaluated a high-dose oral busulfan-containing conditioning regimen (busulfan 4 mg/kg/d x4 days + cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg/d x2 days) for allogeneic transplantation in the setting of CML were identified. Two of the studies (Clift and Devergie) had populations confined to CML in chronic phase that were randomized between conditioning with busulfan/cyclophosphamide (BU/CY) and cyclophosphamide/total body irradiation (CY/TBI). A total of 138 patients were treated with BU/CY in these studies. The populations of the two remaining studies (Ringden and Blume) included patients with CML, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). In the Nordic BMT Group study published by Ringden, et al., 57 patients had CML, and of those, 30 were treated with BU/CY. Patients with CML in chronic phase, accelerated phase, and blast crisis were eligible for this study. The participants with CML (34/122 patients) in a SWOG study published by Blume, et al., had disease beyond first chronic phase. Twenty of those CML patients were treated with BU/CY, and the TBI comparator arm utilized etoposide instead of cyclophosphamide.
Table 1 summarizes the efficacy analyses reported from these 4 studies. (See Table 1.)


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Pharmacokinetics: The pharmacokinetics of BUSULFEX were studied in 59 patients participating in a prospective trial of a BUSULFEX-cyclophosphamide preparatory regimen prior to allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor stem cell transplantation. Patients received 0.8 mg/kg BUSULFEX every six hours, for a total of 16 doses over four days. Fifty-five of fifty-nine patients (93%) administered BUSULFEX maintained AUC values below the target value (less than 1,500 μM·min). (See Table 2.)


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BUSULFEX pharmacokinetics showed consistency between dose 9 and dose 13 as demonstrated by reproducibility of steady state C_max and a low coefficient of variation for this parameter.
Distribution: Busulfan achieves concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid approximately equal to those in plasma.
Busulfan primarily binds to albumin (Mean±standard deviation=32.4±2.2%).
Metabolism: Busulfan is predominantly metabolized by conjugation with glutathione, both spontaneously and by glutathione S-transferase (GST) catalysis. This conjugate undergoes extensive oxidative metabolism in the liver.
Excretion: Following administration of ¹⁴C-labeled busulfan to humans, approximately 30% of the radioactivity was excreted into the urine over 48 hours; negligible amounts were recovered in feces.
Toxicology: NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY: Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Busulfan is a mutagen and a clastogen. In in vitro tests it caused mutations in Salmonella typhimurium and Drosophila melanogaster. Chromosomal aberrations induced by busulfan have been reported in vivo (rats, mice, hamsters, and humans) and in vitro (rodent and human cells). The intravenous administration of busulfan (48 mg/kg given as biweekly doses of 12 mg/kg, or 30% of the total BUSULFEX dose on a mg/m² basis) has been shown to increase the incidence of thymic and ovarian tumors in mice.
Busulfan depleted oocytes of female rats and induced sterility in male rats and hamsters. The solvent DMA may also impair fertility. A DMA daily dose of 0.45 g/kg/day given to rats for nine days (equivalent to 44% of the daily dose of DMA contained in the recommended dose of BUSULFEX on a mg/m² basis) significantly decreased spermatogenesis in rats. A single subcutaneous dose of 2.2 g/kg (27% of the total DMA dose contained in BUSULFEX on a mg/m² basis) four days after insemination terminated pregnancy in 100% of tested hamsters [see Females and Males of Reproductive Potential under Use in Pregnancy & Lactation].

BUSULFEX is indicated for use in combination with cyclophosphamide as a conditioning regimen prior to allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Initial Dosing Information: Administer BUSULFEX in combination with cyclophosphamide as a conditioning regimen prior to bone marrow or peripheral blood progenitor cell replacement. For patients weighing more than 12 kg, the recommended doses are: BUSULFEX 0.8 mg per kg (ideal body weight or actual body weight, whichever is lower) intravenously via a central venous catheter as a two-hour infusion every six hours for four consecutive days for a total of 16 doses (Days -7, -6, -5 and -4).
Cyclophosphamide 60 mg per kg intravenously as a one-hour infusion on each of two days beginning no sooner than six hours following the 16th dose of BUSULFEX (Days -3 and -2).
Administer hematopoietic progenitor cells on Day 0.
Premedicate patients with anticonvulsants (e.g., benzodiazepines, phenytoin, valproic acid or levetiracetam) to prevent seizures reported with the use of high dose BUSULFEX. Administer anticonvulsants 12 hours prior to BUSULFEX to 24 hours after the last dose of BUSULFEX. [See Precautions]
Administer antiemetics prior to the first dose of BUSULFEX and continue on a fixed schedule through BUSULFEX administration.
BUSULFEX clearance is best predicted when the BUSULFEX dose is administered based on adjusted ideal body weight. Dosing BUSULFEX based on actual body weight, ideal body weight or other factors can produce significant differences in BUSULFEX clearance among lean, normal and obese patients.
Calculate ideal body weight (IBW) as follows (height in cm, and weight in kg): Men: IBW (kg)=50+0.91x (height in cm -152).
Women: IBW (kg)=45+0.91x (height in cm -152).
For obese or severely obese patients, base BUSULFEX dosing on adjusted ideal body weight (AIBW): AIBW= IBW +0.25x (actual weight -IBW).
Preparation and Administration Precautions: Busulfex is incompatible with polycarbonate. Do not use any infusion components (syringes, filter needles, intravenous tubing, etc.) containing polycarbonate with BUSULFEX.
Use an administration set with minimal residual hold-up volume (2 mL to 5 mL) for product administration.
BUSULFEX is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. Skin reactions may occur with accidental exposure. Use gloves when preparing BUSULFEX. If BUSULFEX or diluted BUSULFEX solution contacts the skin or mucosa, wash the skin or mucosa thoroughly with water.
Visually inspect parenteral drug products for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever the solution and container permit. Do not use if particulate matter is seen in the BUSULFEX vial.
Preparation for Intravenous Administration: BUSULFEX must be diluted prior to intravenous infusion with either 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (normal saline) or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP (D5W). The diluent quantity should be 10 times the volume of BUSULFEX, so that the final concentration of busulfan is approximately 0.5 mg per mL. Calculation of the dose for a 70 kg patient would be performed as follows: (70 kg patient) x (0.8 mg per kg) ÷ (6 mg per mL) =9.3 mL BUSULFEX (56 mg total dose).
To prepare the final solution for infusion, add 9.3 mL of BUSULFEX to 93 mL of diluent (normal saline or D5W) as calculated as follows: (9.3 mL BUSULFEX) x (10) =93 mL of either diluent plus the 9.3 mL of BUSULFEX to yield a final concentration of busulfan of 0.54 mg per mL (9.3 mL x 6 mg per mL ÷ 102.3 mL =0.54 mg per mL).
All transfer procedures require strict adherence to aseptic techniques, preferably employing a vertical laminar flow safety hood while wearing gloves and protective clothing.
DO NOT put the BUSULFEX into an intravenous bag or large-volume syringe that does not contain normal saline or D5W. Always add the BUSULFEX to the diluent, not the diluent to the BUSULFEX. Mix thoroughly by inverting several times. Discard unused portion.
Infusion pumps should be used to administer the diluted BUSULFEX solution. Set the flow rate of the pump to deliver the entire prescribed BUSULFEX dose over two hours. Prior to and following each infusion, flush the indwelling catheter line with approximately 5 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP. DO NOT infuse concomitantly with another intravenous solution of unknown compatibility. WARNING: RAPID INFUSION OF BUSULFEX HAS NOT BEEN TESTED AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
Dose Adjustment Based on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Instructions for measuring the AUC of busulfan at dose 1 (see Blood Sample Collection for AUC Determination) and the formula for adjustment of subsequent doses to achieve the desired target AUC (1125 μM·min), are provided as follows. Adjusted dose (mg) = Actual Dose (mg) x Target AUC (μM·min)/Actual AUC (μM·min).
For example, if a patient received a dose of 11 mg busulfan and if the corresponding AUC measured was 800 μM·min, for a target AUC of 1125 μM·min, the target mg dose would be: Mg dose =11 mg x 1125 μM·min /800 μM·min =15.5 mg. Busulfex dose adjustment may be made using this formula and instructions as follows.
Blood Sample Collection for AUC Determination: Calculate the AUC (μM·min) based on blood samples collected at the following time points: For dose 1:2 hr (end of infusion), 4 hr and 6 hr (immediately prior to the next scheduled BUSULFEX administration). Actual sampling times should be recorded.
For doses other than dose 1: Pre-infusion (baseline), 2 hr (end of infusion), 4 hr and 6 hr (immediately prior to the next scheduled BUSULFEX administration).
AUC calculations based on fewer than the three specified samples may result in inaccurate AUC determinations. For each scheduled blood sample, collect one to three mL of blood into heparinized (Na or Li heparin) Vacutainer tubes. The blood samples should be placed on wet ice immediately after collection and should be centrifuged (at 4°C) within one hour. The plasma, harvested into appropriate cryovial storage tubes, is to be frozen immediately at -20°C. All plasma samples are to be sent in a frozen state (i.e., on dry ice) to the assay laboratory for the determination of plasma busulfan concentrations.
Calculation of AUC: BUSULFEX AUC calculations may be made using the following instructions and appropriate standard pharmacokinetic formula: Dose 1 AUC_infinity Calculation: AUC_infinity = AUC_0-6hr +AUC_extrapolated, where AUC_0-6hr is to be estimated using the linear trapezoidal rule and AUC extrapolated can be computed by taking the ratio of the busulfan concentration at Hour 6 and the terminal elimination rate constant, λ_z. The λ_z must be calculated from the terminal elimination phase of the busulfan concentration vs. time curve. A "0" pre-dose busulfan concentration should be assumed, and used in the calculation of AUC.
If the AUC is assessed subsequent to Dose 1, steady-state AUC_ss (AUC0-6hr) is to be estimated from the trough, 2 hr, 4 hr and 6 hr concentrations using the linear trapezoidal rule.
Instructions for Drug Administration and Blood Sample Collection for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Use an administration set with minimal residual hold up (priming) volume (1 to 3 mL) for drug infusion to ensure accurate delivery of the entire prescribed dose and to ensure accurate collection of blood samples for therapeutic drug monitoring and dose adjustment.
Prime the administration set tubing with drug solution to allow accurate documentation of the start time of BUSULFEX infusion. Collect the blood sample from a peripheral IV line to avoid contamination with infusing drug. If the blood sample is taken directly from the existing central venous catheter (CVC), DO NOT COLLECT THE BLOOD SAMPLE WHILE THE DRUG IS INFUSING to ensure that the end of infusion sample is not contaminated with any residual drug. At the end of infusion (2 hr), disconnect the administration tubing and flush the CVC line with 5 mL of normal saline prior to the collection of the end of infusion sample from the CVC port. Collect the blood samples from a different port than that used for the BUSULFEX infusion. When recording the BUSULFEX infusion stop time, do not include the time required to flush the indwelling catheter line. Discard the administration tubing at the end of the two-hour infusion [see Preparation for Intravenous Administration as previously mentioned].

There is no known antidote to BUSULFEX other than hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation. In the absence of hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation, the recommended dosage for BUSULFEX would constitute an overdose of busulfan. The principal toxic effect is profound bone marrow hypoplasia/aplasia and pancytopenia, but the central nervous system, liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract may be affected. Monitor hematologic status closely and institute vigorous supportive measures as medically indicated. There is one report that busulfan is dialyzable, thus dialysis should be considered in the case of overdose.

BUSULFEX is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its components.

MYELOSUPPRESSION: BUSULFEX (busulfan) Injection causes severe and prolonged myelosuppression at the recommended dosage. Hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation is required to prevent potentially fatal complications of the prolonged myelosuppression. [See Myelosuppression under Precautions.]

BUSULFEX (busulfan) Injection is a potent cytotoxic drug that results in profound myelosuppression at the recommended dosage. It should be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician who is experienced in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Frequent complete blood counts, including differential white blood cell counts, and platelet counts should be monitored during the treatment and until recovery is achieved.
Appropriate management of therapy and complications is only possible when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.
The following warnings pertain to different physiologic effects of BUSULFEX in the setting of allogeneic transplantation.
Myelosuppression: The most frequent serious consequence of treatment with BUSULFEX at the recommended dose and schedule is prolonged myelosuppression, occurring in all patients (100%). Severe granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, or any combination thereof may develop. Hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation is required to prevent potentially fatal complications of the prolonged myelosuppression. Monitor complete blood counts, including white blood cell differentials, and quantitative platelet counts daily during treatment and until engraftment is demonstrated. Absolute neutrophil counts dropped below 0.5x10⁹/L at a median of 4 days post-transplant in 100% of patients treated in the BUSULFEX clinical trial. The absolute neutrophil count recovered at a median of 13 days following allogeneic transplantation when prophylactic filgrastim was used in the majority of patients. Thrombocytopenia (less than 25,000/mm³ or requiring platelet transfusion) occurred at a median of 5-6 days in 98% of patients. Anemia (hemoglobin less than 8.0 g/dL) occurred in 69% of patients. Use antibiotic therapy and platelet and red blood cell support when medically indicated.
Bone marrow suppression often results in opportunistic infections that can be lethal. Patients should be monitored for signs of local or systemic infection or bleeding.
Seizures: Seizures have been reported in patients receiving high-dose oral busulfan at doses producing plasma drug levels similar to those achieved following the recommended dosage of BUSULFEX. Despite prophylactic therapy with phenytoin, one seizure (1/42 patients) was reported during an autologous transplantation clinical trial of BUSULFEX. This episode occurred during the cyclophosphamide portion of the conditioning regimen, 36 hours after the last BUSULFEX dose. Initiate phenytoin therapy or any other alternative anti-convulsant prophylactic therapy (e.g., benzodiazepines, valproic acid or levetiracetam) prior to BUSULFEX treatment [see Initial Dosing Information under Dosage and Administration]. Use caution when administering the recommended dose of BUSULFEX to patients with a history of a seizure disorder or head trauma or who are receiving other potentially epileptogenic drugs.
Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease (HVOD): Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) is a major complication that can occur during treatment with BUSULFEX. Current literature suggests that high busulfan area under the plasma concentration verses time curve (AUC) values (greater than 1,500 μM·min) may be associated with an increased risk of developing HVOD. Patients who have received prior radiation therapy, greater than or equal to three cycles of chemotherapy, or a prior progenitor cell transplant may be at an increased risk of developing HVOD with the recommended BUSULFEX dose and regimen. Based on clinical examination and laboratory findings, HVOD was diagnosed in 8% (5/61) of patients treated with BUSULFEX in the setting of allogeneic transplantation, was fatal in 2/5 cases (40%), and yielded an overall mortality from HVOD in the entire study population of 2/61 (3%). Three of the five patients diagnosed with HVOD were retrospectively found to meet the Jones' criteria. The incidence of HVOD reported in the literature from the randomized, controlled trials was 7.7%- 12% [Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Monitor serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin daily through BMT Day +28 to detect hepatotoxicity, which may herald the onset of HVOD.
Embryo-fetal Toxicity: BUSULFEX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman based on animal data. Busulfan was teratogenic in mice, rats, and rabbits. The solvent, DMA, may also cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman based on findings in animals. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females and males of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and after treatment with BUSULFEX [see Use in Pregnancy & Lactation].
Cardiac Tamponade: Cardiac tamponade has been reported in pediatric patients with thalassemia (8/400 or 2% in one series) who received high doses of oral busulfan and cyclophosphamide as the preparatory regimen for hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation. Six of the eight children died and two were saved by rapid pericardiocentesis. Abdominal pain and vomiting preceded the tamponade in most patients. Monitor for signs and symptoms, promptly evaluate and treat if cardiac tamponade is suspected.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia with pulmonary fibrosis is a rare but serious complication following chronic busulfan therapy. The average onset of symptoms is 4 years after therapy (range 4 months to 10 years).
Cellular Dysplasia: Secondary malignancy has been reported in patients treated with busulfan. Several cases of leukemia have occurred 5-8 years following oral busulfan treatment.
Busulfan may cause cellular dysplasia in many organs. Cytologic abnormalities characterized by giant, hyperchromatic nuclei have been reported in lymph nodes, pancreas, thyroid, adrenal glands, liver, lungs and bone marrow. This cytologic dysplasia may be severe enough to cause difficulty in the interpretation of exfoliative cytologic examinations of the lungs, bladder, breast and the uterine cervix.
Renal Impairment: BUSULFEX has not been studied in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment: BUSULFEX has not been administered to patients with hepatic insufficiency.
Use in Children: The effectiveness of BUSULFEX in the treatment of CML has not been specifically studied in pediatric patients.
Use in the Elderly: Clinical studies of BUSULFEX did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Pregnancy: Risk Summary: BUSULFEX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman based on animal data. Busulfan was teratogenic in mice, rats, and rabbits following administration during organogenesis. The solvent, DMA, may also cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In rats, DMA doses of approximately 40% of the daily dose of DMA in the BUSULFEX dose on a mg/m² basis given during organogenesis caused significant developmental anomalies [see Data]. There are no available human data informing the drug-associated risk. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. However, the background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2-4% and of miscarriage is 15-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.
Animal Data: Following administration during organogenesis in animals, busulfan caused malformations and anomalies, including significant alterations in the musculoskeletal system, body weight gain, and size. In pregnant rats, busulfan produced sterility in both male and female offspring due to the absence of germinal cells in the testes and ovaries. The solvent, N,N- dimethylacetamide (DMA), administered to rats at doses of 400 mg/kg/day (about 40% of the daily dose of DMA in the BUSULFEX dose on a mg/m² basis) during organogenesis caused significant developmental anomalies. The most striking abnormalities included anasarca, cleft palate, vertebral anomalies, rib anomalies, and serious anomalies of the vessels of the heart.
Lactation: Risk Summary: It is not known whether BUSULFEX is present in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for tumorigenicity shown for busulfan in human and animal studies, discontinue breastfeeding during treatment with BUSULFEX. The safety of Busulfex in nursing women has not been established.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential: Contraception: Females: BUSULFEX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Pregnancy].
Busulfex should not be administered to pregnant women or women who may possibly be pregnant. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BUSULFEX and for 6 months following cessation of therapy.
Males: BUSULFEX may damage spermatozoa and testicular tissue, resulting in possible genetic fetal abnormalities. Males with female sexual partners of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment with BUSULFEX and for 3 months after cessation of therapy [see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Nonclinical Toxicology under Actions].
Infertility: Females: Ovarian suppression and amenorrhea commonly occur in premenopausal women undergoing chronic, low-dose busulfan therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Busulfan may cause temporary or permanent infertility in prepubertal girls or in females of child-bearing potential treated with high-dose BUSULFEX in the conditioning regimen prior to allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation.
Males: Sterility, azoospermia, and testicular atrophy have been reported in male patients.

The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Myelosuppression [see Myelosuppression under Precautions].
Seizures [see Seizures under Precautions].
Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease (HVOD) [see Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease (HVOD) under Precautions].
Embryo-fetal Toxicity [see Embryo-fetal Toxicity under Precautions].
Cardiac Tamponade [see Cardiac Tamponade under Precautions].
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia [see Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia under Precautions].
Cellular Dysplasia [see Cellular Dysplasia under Precautions].
Clinical Trials Experience: Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Adverse reaction information is primarily derived from the clinical study (N=61) of BUSULFEX and the data obtained for high-dose oral busulfan conditioning in the setting of randomized, controlled trials identified through a literature review.
In the BUSULFEX (busulfan) Injection allogeneic stem cell transplantation clinical trial, all patients were treated with BUSULFEX 0.8 mg per kg as a two-hour infusion every six hours for 16 doses over four days, combined with cyclophosphamide 60 mg per kg x2 days. Ninety-three percent (93%) of evaluable patients receiving this dose of BUSULFEX maintained an AUC less than 1,500 μM·min for dose 9, has generally been considered the level that minimizes the risk of HVOD.
Table 3 lists the non-hematologic adverse reactions events through Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Day +28 at a rate greater than or equal to 20% in patients treated with BUSULFEX prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. (See Table 3.)


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Additional Adverse Reactions by Body System: Hematologic: Prolonged prothrombin time.
Gastrointestinal: Esophagitis, ileus, hematemesis, pancreatitis, rectal discomfort.
Hepatic: Alkaline phosphatase increases, jaundice, hepatomegaly.
Graft-versus-host disease: There were 3 deaths (5%) attributed to GVHD.
Edema: Hypervolemia, or documented weight increase.
Infection: Infection, pneumonia (fatal in one patient and life-threatening in 3% of patients).
Cardiovascular: Arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular extrasystoles, third degree heart block, thrombosis (all episodes were associated with the central venous catheter), hypotension, flushing and hot flashes, cardiomegaly, ECG abnormality, left-sided heart failure, and pericardial effusion.
Pulmonary: Hyperventilation, alveolar hemorrhage (fatal in 3%), pharyngitis, hiccup, asthma, atelectasis, pleural effusion, hypoxia, hemoptysis, sinusitis, and interstitial fibrosis (fatal in a single case).
Neurologic: Cerebral hemorrhage, coma, delirium, agitation, encephalopathy, confusion, hallucinations, lethargy, somnolence.
Renal: BUN increased, dysuria, oliguria, hematuria, hemorrhagic cystitis.
Skin: Alopecia, vesicular rash, maculopapular rash, vesiculo-bullous rash, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema nodosum, acne, skin discoloration.
Metabolic: Hypophosphatemia, hyponatremia.
Other Events: Injection site pain, myalgia, arthralgia, ear disorder.
Postmarketing Experience: 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. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of BUSULFEX (busulfan) Injection: Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: febrile neutropenia.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: tooth hypoplasia.
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: tumor lysis syndrome.
Vascular Disorders: thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).
Infections and Infestations: severe bacterial, viral (e.g., cytomegalovirus viremia) and fungal infections; and sepsis.
Oral Busulfan Literature Review: A literature review identified four randomized, controlled trials that evaluated a high-dose oral busulfan-containing conditioning regimen for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in the setting of CML [see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Clinical Studies under Actions]. The safety outcomes reported in those trials are summarized in Table 4 as follows for a mixed population of hematological malignancies (AML, CML, and ALL). (See Table 4.)


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Drugs that Decrease BUSULFEX Clearance: Itraconazole decreases busulfan clearance by up to 25%, and may produce an AUC greater than 1500 μM·min in some patients. It may increase plasma concentration of busulfan, resulting in enhancing the activity of Busulfex. Metronidazole decreases the clearance of busulfan to a greater extent than does itraconazole; metronidazole coadministration has been associated with increased busulfan toxicity. Fluconazole (200 mg) has been used with BUSULFEX.
Decreased clearance of busulfan was observed with concomitant use with deferasirox. The mechanism of this interaction is not fully elucidated. Discontinue iron chelating agents well in advance of administration of BUSULFEX to avoid increased exposure to busulfan.
Because busulfan is eliminated from the body via conjugation with glutathione, use of acetaminophen prior to (less than 72 hours) or concurrent with BUSULFEX may result in reduced busulfan clearance based upon the known property of acetaminophen to decrease glutathione levels in the blood and tissues.
Drugs that Increase BUSULFEX Clearance: Phenytoin increases the clearance of busulfan by 15% or more, possibly due to the induction of glutathione-S-transferase. Since the pharmacokinetics of BUSULFEX were studied in patients treated with phenytoin, the clearance of BUSULFEX at the recommended dose may be lower and exposure (AUC) higher in patients not treated with phenytoin.

Unopened vials of BUSULFEX must be stored under refrigerated conditions between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Discard unused portion.
BUSULFEX diluted in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP is stable at room temperature (25°C) for up to 6 hours but the infusion must be completed within that time.
BUSULFEX diluted in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP is stable at refrigerated conditions (2°C to 8°C) for up to 12 hours but the infusion must be completed within that time.
BUSULFEX is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.

Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

L01AB01 - busulfan ; Belongs to the class of alkylating agents, alkyl sulfonates. Used in the treatment of cancer.

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