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Keveyis (Dichlorphenamide Tablets): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

Keveyis

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 4/1/2024

Drug Summary

What Is Keveyis?

Keveyis (dichlorphenamide) is an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of primary hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, primary hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and related variants.

What Are Side Effects of Keveyis?

Keveyis may cause serious side effects including:

  • hives,
  • difficulty breathing,
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat,
  • fever,
  • sore throat,
  • burning eyes,
  • skin pain,
  • red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling,
  • skin rash (no matter how mild),
  • accidental fall,
  • worsening of your paralysis symptoms,
  • leg cramps,
  • constipation,
  • irregular heartbeats,
  • fluttering in your chest,
  • increased thirst,
  • increased urination,
  • numbness or tingling,
  • muscle weakness or limp feeling,
  • tiredness,
  • loss of appetite,
  • trouble thinking, and
  • shortness of breath

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Keveyis include:

  • tingling or pricking sensations,
  • cognitive disorder,
  • changes in the sense of taste,
  • confusion,
  • headache,
  • numbness,
  • lethargy,
  • dizziness,
  • diarrhea,
  • nausea,
  • fatigue,
  • malaise,
  • weight loss,
  • muscle spasms or twitching,
  • joint pain,
  • indigestion,
  • throat pain,
  • rash, or
  • itching

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Keveyis

The initial dose of Keveyis is 50 mg twice daily. The maximum recommended dose of Keveyis is 200 mg daily.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Keveyis?

Keveyis may interact with aspirin. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Keveyis During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Keveyis is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. It is unknown if Keveyis passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Keveyis (dichlorphenamide) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

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Description for Keveyis

KEVEYIS™ (dichlorphenamide) tablets is an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Dichlorphenamide, a dichlorinated benzenedisulfonamide, is known chemically as 4, 5–dichloro1,3-benzenedisulfonamide.

Its empirical formula is C6H6Cl2N2O4S2 and its structural formula is:

KEVEYIS™ (dichlorphenamide) Structural Formula Illustration

Dichlorphenamide USP is a white or practically white, crystalline compound with a molecular weight of 305.16. It is very slightly soluble in water but soluble in dilute solutions of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide. Dilute alkaline solutions of dichlorphenamide are stable at room temperature.

KEVEYIS™ (dichlorphenamide) tablets is supplied as tablets, for oral administration, each containing 50 mg dichlorphenamide. Inactive ingredients are lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and pregelatinized maize starch.

Uses for Keveyis

KEVEYIS is indicated for the treatment of primary hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, primary hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and related variants.

Dosage for Keveyis

Dosage Information

Initiate dosing at 50 mg by mouth once or twice daily. The dosage may be increased or decreased based on individual response, at weekly intervals (or sooner in case of adverse reaction). The minimum recommended total daily dosage is 50 mg, and the maximum recommended total daily dosage is 200 mg.

Monitoring To Assess Effectiveness

Primary hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, primary hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and related variants are a heterogeneous group of conditions, for which the response to KEVEYIS may vary. Therefore, prescribers should evaluate the patient's response to KEVEYIS after 2 months of treatment to decide whether KEVEYIS should be continued.

Monitoring To Assess Safety

Baseline and periodic measurements of serum potassium and serum bicarbonate during KEVEYIS treatment is recommended [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Round, white tablets, scored on one side, engraved with “D” above the score and “50” below the score, the other side is plain, 50 mg each.

Storage And Handling

Each KEVEYIS (dichlorphenamide) tablet, 50 mg is round, white, scored on one side, engraved with “D” above the score and “50” below the score. The other side is plain.

KEVEYIS (dichlorphenamide) tablets are supplied as follows:

Bottles of 100 ........... NDC 71090-001-01

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Manufactured by: Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Haifa Bay, Israel 2624761. Distributed by: Strongbridge US Inc., Trevose, PA 19053. Revised: Nov 2019

Side Effects for Keveyis

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling:

  • Hypersensitivity and Other Life-Threatening Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Hypokalemia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Metabolic Acidosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Falls [see WARNINGS AND 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.

In a 9-week randomized controlled trial in adults with hyperkalemic or hypokalemic periodic paralysis (Study 1), the most common adverse reactions in patients treated with KEVEYIS, with rates greater than placebo, were paresthesia, cognitive disorder, dysgeusia, and confusional state. The mean dose of KEVEYIS was 94 mg/day in patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis and 82 mg/day in patients with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.

Table 1 lists the incidence of adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 5% of patients treated with KEVEYIS and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo in Study 1.

Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Patients Treated with KEVEYIS with Incidence ≥ 5% and more common than in Patients Treated with Placebo in Study 1

Adverse Reaction KEVEYIS
N = 36 (%)
Placebo
N = 29 (%)
Nervous system disorders Paresthesia 44 14
Cognitive disorder1 14 7
Dysgeusia 14 0
Confusional state 11 0
Headache 8 7
Hypoesthesia 8 0
Lethargy 8 0
Dizziness 6 0
Gastrointestinal disorders Diarrhea 6 3
Nausea 6 0
General disorders and administration site conditions Fatigue 8 0
Malaise 6 0
Investigations Weight decreased 6 0
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Muscle spasms 8 0
Arthralgia 6 3
Muscle twitching 6 0
Respiratory Dyspnea 6 0
Pharyngolaryngeal pain 6 0
Skin Rash 8 0
Pruritus 6 0

1 Cognitive disorder combined cases with the preferred terms of cognitive disorder, disturbance in attention, and mental impairment.

Postmarketing Experience

Adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of dichlorphenamide. 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 are adverse reactions which have been reported during postapproval use of dichlorphenamide and were serious or are not reported in the previous section of labeling [see Clinical Trials Experience]: amnesia, cardiac failure, condition aggravated, convulsion, hallucination, nephrolithiasis, pancytopenia, psychotic disorder, renal tubular necrosis, stupor, syncope, tremor.

Drug Interactions for Keveyis

Aspirin And Other Salicylates

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, including KEVEYIS, can cause metabolic acidosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS], which can increase the risk of salicylate toxicity. Anorexia, tachypnea, lethargy, and coma have been reported with concomitant use of dichlorphenamide and high-dose aspirin. Therefore, concomitant use of KEVEYIS and high-dose aspirin is contraindicated. Patients with concomitant use of KEVEYIS and low-dose aspirin should be carefully monitored [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Drugs That Are Substrates Of Organic Anion Transporter1 (OAT1)

In vitro, dichlorphenamide is an inhibitor of OAT1 transporters. The concomitant administration of KEVEYIS may increase the plasma exposures of OAT1 substrates. Use of KEVEYIS with drugs that are sensitive to OAT1 inhibition (e.g., methotrexate, famotidine, oseltamivir) is not recommended [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Drugs That Cause Hypokalemia

The risk of hypokalemia is greater with coadministration of KEYEVIS and other drugs that can cause hypokalemia (e.g., loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, laxatives, antifungals, penicillins, and theophylline) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Drugs That Cause Metabolic Acidosis

Coadministration of KEYEVIS and other drugs that can cause metabolic acidosis may increase the severity of the acidosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Drugs That Are Inhibitors Of OAT1 Or OAT3

An in vitro transporter study indicated that dichlorphenamide is a substrate of human transporters OAT1 and OAT3 [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Therefore, signs of dichlorphenamide toxicity should be monitored when administered with OAT1 or OAT3 inhibitors.

Warnings for Keveyis

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

Precautions for Keveyis

Hypersensitivity And Other Life-Threatening Reactions

Fatalities associated with the administration of sulfonamides have occurred because of adverse reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias. Pulmonary involvement can occur in isolation or as part of a systemic reaction.

KEVEYIS should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash or any sign of immunemediated or other life-threatening adverse reaction.

Concomitant Use Of Aspirin Or Other Salicylates

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, including KEVEYIS, can cause metabolic acidosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS], which can increase the risk of salicylate toxicity. Anorexia, tachypnea, lethargy, and coma have been reported with concomitant use of dichlorphenamide and high-dose aspirin. Therefore, the concomitant use of KEVEYIS and high-dose aspirin is contraindicated. Patients with concomitant use of KEVEYIS and low-dose aspirin should be carefully monitored.

Hypokalemia

KEVEYIS increases potassium excretion and can cause hypokalemia. The risk of hypokalemia is greater when KEVEYIS is used in patients with conditions associated with hypokalemia (e.g., adrenocortical excess, renal tubular acidosis type 1 and 2), and in patients receiving other drugs that may cause hypokalemia [see Drug Interactions (7.3)].

Baseline and periodic measurements of serum potassium during KEVEYIS treatment is recommended.

If hypokalemia develops or persists, consideration should be given to reducing the dose or discontinuing KEVEYIS and correction of potassium levels.

Metabolic Acidosis

KEVEYIS can cause hyperchloremic non-anion gap metabolic acidosis. Concomitant use of KEVEYIS with other drugs that cause metabolic acidosis may increase the severity of acidosis. Concomitant use of KEVEYIS in compensated patients with respiratory acidosis, such as in advanced lung diseases, may lead to respiratory decompensation.

Baseline and periodic measurements of serum bicarbonate during KEVEYIS treatment are recommended.

If metabolic acidosis develops or persists, consideration should be given to reducing the dose or discontinuing KEVEYIS [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Falls

KEVEYIS increases the risk of falls. The risk of falls is greater in the elderly and with higher doses of KEVEYIS. Consider dose reduction or discontinuation of KEVEYIS in patients who experience falls while treated with KEVEYIS.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

Studies to assess the carcinogenic potential of dichlorphenamide have not been conducted.

Mutagenesis

Studies to assess the genotoxicity of dichlorphenamide have not been conducted.

Impairment Of Fertility

Studies to assess the effects of dichlorphenamide on fertility have not been conducted.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of KEVEYIS in pregnant women. A no-effect dose has not been established. Dichlorphenamide was teratogenic when administered orally to pregnant rats.

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. 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.

Clinical Considerations

Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions

KEVEYIS treatment can cause metabolic acidosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. The effect of dichlorphenamide-induced metabolic acidosis has not been studied in pregnancy; however, metabolic acidosis in pregnancy (due to other causes) can cause decreased fetal growth, decreased fetal oxygenation, and fetal death, and may affect the fetus’ ability to tolerate labor. Pregnant patients should be monitored for metabolic acidosis and treated as in the nonpregnant state. Newborns of mothers treated with KEVEYIS should be monitored for metabolic acidosis because of possible occurrence of transient metabolic acidosis following birth.

Labor Or Delivery

Although the effect of KEVEYIS on labor and delivery in humans has not been established, the development of dichlorphenamide-induced metabolic acidosis in the mother and/or in the fetus might affect the fetus’ ability to tolerate labor.

Data

Animal Data

Teratogenic effects (fetal limb reduction defects) were reported following oral administration of dichlorphenamide to pregnant rats during organogenesis at 350 mg/kg, or 17 times the maximum recommended human dose (200 mg/day) on a body surface area (mg/m²) basis. A no-effect dose for adverse effects on embryofetal development has not been established.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of dichlorphenamide in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production.

The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for KEVEYIS and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from KEVEYIS or from the underlying maternal condition.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of KEVEYIS in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

The risk of falls and of metabolic acidosis are greater in elderly patients [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Overdose Information for Keveyis

Symptoms of overdosage or toxicity may include drowsiness, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ataxia, tremor, and tinnitus.

In the event of overdosage, induce emesis or perform gastric lavage. The electrolyte disturbances most likely to be encountered from overdosage are hypokalemia and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.

Contraindications for Keveyis

KEVEYIS is contraindicated in the following circumstances:

  • Hypersensitivity to dichlorphenamide or other sulfonamides [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Concomitant use of KEVEYIS and high dose aspirin [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS]
  • Severe pulmonary disease, limiting compensation to metabolic acidosis caused by KEVEYIS [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Hepatic insufficiency: KEVEYIS may aggravate hepatic encephalopathy.

Clinical Pharmacology for Keveyis

Mechanism Of Action

Dichlorphenamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. However, the precise mechanism by which dichlorphenamide exerts its therapeutic effects in patients with primary periodic paralysis is unknown.

Pharmacodynamics

KEYEVIS can cause metabolic acidosis, which can increase the risk of salicylate toxicity with coadministration [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. KEYEVIS-induced metabolic acidosis can also increase in severity with coadministration of other drugs that cause metabolic acidosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Pharmacokinetics

After single-dose administration in healthy subjects in fasted state, dichlorphenamide Cmax and AUC increased in a dose-proportional manner within the range of 25 mg to 400 mg (2 times the maximum recommended dose). The steady-state is expected to be achieved within 10 days of twice-daily dosing.

Absorption

The median time to reach maximum concentration (Tmax) of dichlorphenamide was about 1.5 to 3 hours postdose after both single and multiple dose administrations.

Distribution

The plasma protein binding of dichlorphenamide is approximately 88%.

Elimination

Following a single-dose administration, mean terminal half-life was in the range of 32 to 66 hours.

Metabolism

Dichlorphenamide is not a substrate for CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 isoforms when tested in vitro.

Drug Interaction Studies

In vitro Assessment Of Drug Interactions

Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme Inhibition

Dichlorphenamide is not an inhibitor for CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 3A4 enzymes when tested in vitro.

Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme Induction

Dichlorphenamide is not an inducer for CYP1A2, 2B6, or 3A4 enzymes when tested in vitro.

In vitro Assessment Of Transporter-Drug Interactions

Dichlorphenamide is neither a substrate nor inhibitor for p-gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OAT2, OAT4, OCT1, OCT2, MATE1, or MATE2-K when tested in vitro.

Dichlorphenamide is not an inhibitor of OAT3, but is an inhibitor of OAT1 based on in vitro studies [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Dichlorphenamide is a substrate for transporters OAT1 and OAT3 based on in vitro studies [see DRUG INTERACTIONS]

In Vivo Drug Interactions

The use of dichlorphenamide in combination with high-dose aspirin is contraindicated as it may lead to salicylate toxicity. The mechanism(s) of this interaction is not known.

Specific Populations

Geriatrics

The pharmacokinetics of dichlorphenamide in the elderly has not been determined.

Clinical Studies

The efficacy of KEVEYIS was evaluated in two clinical studies, Study 1 and Study 2.

Study 1

Study 1 was a 9-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-center study. Study 1 consisted of two substudies: a substudy in patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis (n=44), and a substudy in patients with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (n=21). The primary efficacy endpoint in both substudies was the average number of self-reported attacks of muscle weakness per week over the final 8 weeks of the trial. Withdrawal from the study for acute severe worsening (increase in attack frequency or severity) was also assessed as an endpoint.

In Study 1, the dose of KEVEYIS was 50 mg b.i.d. for treatment-naive patients. Patients already on dichlorphenamide prior to the study continued on the same dose while on KEVEYIS during the study. In patients taking acetazolamide prior to the study, the dose of KEVEYIS was set at 20% of the acetazolamide dose. Dose reduction for tolerability was permitted.

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis Substudy Of Study 1

In the hypokalemic periodic paralysis substudy, median age of patients was 45 years and 73% of patients were male. Patients treated with KEVEYIS (n=24) had 2.2 fewer attacks per week than patients (n=20) treated with placebo (p=0.02). None of the patients randomized to KEVEYIS reached the endpoint of withdrawal from the study for acute worsening, vs. five patients randomized to placebo. The mean dose of KEVEYIS at Week 9 was 94 mg/day.

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis Substudy Of Study 1

In the Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis substudy, median age of patients was 43 years and 43% of patients were male. During the double-blind treatment period, patients treated with KEVEYIS (n=12) had 3.9 fewer attacks per week than patients (n=9) treated with placebo (p=0.08). None of the patients randomized to KEVEYIS reached the endpoint of withdrawal from the study for acute worsening, vs. two patients randomized to placebo. The mean dose of KEVEYIS at Week 9 was 82 mg/day.

Study 2

Study 2 was a 35-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, two-period crossover study. Study 2 also consisted of two substudies: a substudy in patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis (n=42), and a substudy in patients with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (n=31), including patients with Paramyotonia Congenita. The primary endpoint in the hypokalemic periodic paralysis substudy was the incidence of acute intolerable worsening (based on attack frequency or severity) necessitating withdrawal. The primary endpoint in the hyperkalemic periodic paralysis substudy was the average number of self-reported attacks of muscle weakness per week. Dosing was determined similarly to Study 1.

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis Substudy Of Study 2

The hypokalemic periodic paralysis substudy included patients with a mean age of 38 years; 79% of patients were male. Acute intolerable worsening was observed in 2 patients on KEVEYIS vs. 11 patients on placebo (p=0.02). The mean dose of KEVEYIS at the end of the study was 96 mg/day.

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis Substudy Of Study 2

The hyperkalemic periodic paralysis substudy included patients with a mean age of 37 years; and 79% of patients were male. Patients treated had 2.3 fewer attacks per week on KEVEYIS than on placebo (p=0.006). The mean dose of KEVEYIS at the end of the study was 73 mg/day.

Patient Information for Keveyis

Worsening Of Symptoms

Advise patients to notify their physician if they experience acute worsening of symptoms of periodic paralysis.

Hypersensitivity And Other Life-Threatening Reactions

Inform patients that hypersensitivity and immune mediated reactions can occur with KEVEYIS, and could be fatal. Advise patients to discontinue KEVEYIS and notify their healthcare provider immediately if they develop a rash or signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis or other lifethreatening reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Drug Interactions

Instruct patients to notify their healthcare provider of all of the drugs and over-the-counter medications that they take and to not take aspirin or other salicylates without first discussing with their healthcare provider [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Metabolic Acidosis

Instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they develop possible manifestations of metabolic acidosis (e.g., fast breathing, fatigue/tiredness, loss of appetite, or irregular heart beat or palpitations) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Falls

Inform patients that KEYEVIS can increase their risk of falls [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Cognitive Impairment

Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider if they experience symptoms of cognitive impairment including confusion and memory lapse [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Driving And Operating Machinery

KEVEYIS may cause drowsiness/fatigue in some patients [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Caution patients on the potential for impaired ability to drive and operate machinery.

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