Affymax Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced Feb. 23 that they have decided to voluntarily recall all lots of OMONTYS (peginesatide) Injection to the user level as a result of new postmarketing reports regarding serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening or fatal, according to a press statement. The companies have been working actively with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has indicated its agreement with this decision. The companies have also issued a letter to health care professionals indicating that no new or existing patients should receive OMONTYS.

To date, fatal reactions have been reported in approximately 0.02% of patients following the first dose of intravenous administration. The reported serious hypersensitivity reactions have occurred within 30 minutes after such administration of OMONTYS. There have been no reports of such reactions following subsequent dosing, or in patients who have completed their dialysis session.

Since launch, more than 25,000 patients have received OMONTYS in the postmarketing setting. The rate of overall hypersensitivity reactions reported is approximately 0.2% with approximately a third of these being serious in nature including anaphylaxis requiring prompt medical intervention and in some cases hospitalization. The companies are actively investigating these cases and dialysis organizations are instructed to discontinue use.

OMONTYS (peginesatide) Injection is indicated for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease in adult patients on dialysis and is packaged in 10 mg and 20 mg multi-dose vials the companies report.