scPharmaceuticals announced that the FDA has approved its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to expand the indication for Furoscix to include patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV chronic heart failure. This approval broadens the use of Furoscix, a subcutaneous formulation of furosemide, to treat congestion due to fluid overload in adult patients with chronic heart failure, regardless of NYHA functional class.
Clinical Significance
The expanded indication now covers approximately 10% of all heart failure patients nationally, representing those with the most severe symptoms and physical limitations. Furoscix offers these patients a potential means to manage their condition outside of a hospital setting.
John Tucker, CEO of scPharmaceuticals, stated, "FDA approval of our sNDA represents a natural expansion of the Furoscix indication given its established efficacy and safety in treating congestion due to fluid overload in adult patients with chronic heart failure, offering the potential to prevent the need for heart failure-related hospital admission or readmission."
Furoscix: Dosage and Administration
Furoscix (furosemide injection) is available in an 80 mg/10mL formulation for subcutaneous use. It is designed for self-administration, providing an alternative to intravenous diuretics in a clinical setting.
Important Safety Information
Furoscix is contraindicated in patients with anuria, hypersensitivity to furosemide or any component of the formulation, or hepatic cirrhosis. The drug may cause fluid, electrolyte, and metabolic abnormalities, particularly in elderly patients or those receiving higher doses. Monitoring of serum electrolytes, CO2, BUN, creatinine, glucose, and uric acid is recommended during therapy.
Excessive diuresis may lead to dehydration and blood volume reduction, potentially causing circulatory collapse, vascular thrombosis, or embolism, especially in elderly patients. Furosemide can also cause dehydration and azotemia. Discontinuation should be considered if increasing azotemia and oliguria occur during treatment of severe progressive renal disease.
Tinnitus and reversible or irreversible hearing impairment have been reported with furosemide, particularly with rapid injection, severe renal impairment, high doses, hypoproteinemia, or concomitant use of ototoxic drugs like aminoglycoside antibiotics or ethacrynic acid.
Patients with severe urinary retention symptoms require careful monitoring during the initial stages of treatment, as furosemide can cause acute urinary retention. Contact with water or certain movements may prematurely terminate infusion, requiring patient awareness and response to alarms.
The most common adverse reactions observed in clinical trials included site and skin reactions such as erythema, bruising, edema, and injection site pain.
About scPharmaceuticals
scPharmaceuticals focuses on developing and commercializing products designed to reduce healthcare costs and improve health outcomes. Their lead programs target subcutaneous self-administration of IV-strength treatments in heart failure and infectious disease. The company is headquartered in Burlington, MA.
