Cholecalciferol 3775 UNT / folate 1 MG Oral Capsule

DESCRIPTION

Zolate is an orally-administered (capsule) prescription folate product specifically formulated for the dietary management of patients with unique nutritional needs due to medical conditions and disease states requiring increased folate levels and specific Vitamin D supplementation levels.

HOW SUPPLIED

Zolate are clear gelatin capsules, and are supplied in bottles of 30 capsules.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Zolate is indicated for the distinct nutritional requirements of patients in need of folate and Vitamin D supplementation as determined by a licensed medical practitioner.

Zolate should be administered under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner.

WARNING AND CAUTIONS

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Caution is recommended in patients with a history of bipolar illness, as mood elevation is possible in this population.

Patients taking anticonvulsant medications should also exercise caution before taking this product, as folate may (i) interfere with anticonvulsant medication, and/or (ii) lower seizure threshold.

Conversely, anticonvulsant medications may interfere with folate metabolism, although the exact mechanism of action is not clear or well understood.

Patients undergoing cancer treatment should consult their licensed medical practitioner for advice.

Folate alone is improper therapy in the treatment of pernicious anemia and other megaloblastic anemias where vitamin B12 is deficient.

Folate in doses above 0.1 mg daily may obscure pernicious anemia in that hematologic remission may occur while neurological manifestations progress.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

One (1) capsule daily or as directed by a licensed medical practitioner.

Ritonavir 100 MG Oral Capsule

DRUG INTERACTIONS

7 When co-administering NORVIR with other protease inhibitors (atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir), see the full prescribing information for that protease inhibitor including important information for drug interactions.

Co-administration of NORVIR can alter the concentrations of other drugs.

The potential for drug-drug interactions must be considered prior to and during therapy.

(4, 5.1, 7, 12.3) 7.1 Potential for NORVIR to Affect Other Drugs Ritonavir is an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and may increase plasma concentrations of agents that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A.

Agents that are extensively metabolized by CYP3A and have high first pass metabolism appear to be the most susceptible to large increases in AUC (greater than 3-fold) when co-administered with ritonavir.

Thus, co-administration of NORVIR with drugs highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events is contraindicated.

Co-administration with other CYP3A substrates may require a dose adjustment or additional monitoring as shown in Table 3 .

Ritonavir also inhibits CYP2D6 to a lesser extent.

Co-administration of substrates of CYP2D6 with ritonavir could result in increases (up to 2-fold) in the AUC of the other agent, possibly requiring a proportional dosage reduction.

Ritonavir also appears to induce CYP3A, CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2B6 as well as other enzymes, including glucuronosyl transferase.

These examples are a guide and not considered a comprehensive list of all possible drugs that may interact with ritonavir.

The healthcare provider should consult appropriate references for comprehensive information.

7.2 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Table 3 provides a list of established or potentially clinically significant drug interactions.

Alteration in dose or regimen may be recommended based on drug interaction studies or predicted interaction [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] for magnitude of interaction.

Table 3.

Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Concomitant Drug Class: Drug Name Effect on Concentration of Ritonavir or Concomitant Drug Clinical Comments HIV-Antiviral Agents HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: atazanavir darunavir fosamprenavir ↑ amprenavir ↑ atazanavir ↑ darunavir See the complete prescribing information for fosamprenavir, atazanavir, darunavir, for details on co-administration with ritonavir.

HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: indinavir ↑ indinavir Appropriate doses for this combination, with respect to efficacy and safety, have not been established.

HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: saquinavir ↑ saquinavir See the complete prescribing information for saquinavir for details on co-administration of saquinavir and ritonavir.

Saquinavir/ritonavir in combination with rifampin is not recommended, due to the risk of severe hepatotoxicity (presenting as increased hepatic transaminases) if the three drugs are given together.

HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: tipranavir ↑ tipranavir See the complete prescribing information for tipranavir for details on co-administration of tipranavir and ritonavir.

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor: delavirdine ↑ ritonavir Appropriate doses of this combination with respect to safety and efficacy have not been established.

HIV-1 CCR5 – antagonist: maraviroc ↑ maraviroc See the complete prescribing information for maraviroc for details on co-administration of maraviroc and ritonavir-containing protease inhibitors.

Integrase Inhibitor: raltegravir ↓ raltegravir The effects of ritonavir on raltegravir with ritonavir dosage regimens greater than 100 mg twice daily have not been evaluated, however raltegravir concentrations may be decreased with ritonavir coadministration.

Other Agents Alpha 1- Adrenoreceptor Antagonist: alfuzosin ↑ alfuzosin Contraindicated due to potential hypotension [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Antianginal: ranolazine ↑ ranolazine Contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Analgesics, Narcotic: tramadol, propoxyphene, methadone, fentanyl ↑ analgesics ↓ methadone ↑ fentanyl A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir.

Dosage increase of methadone may be considered.

Careful monitoring of therapeutic and adverse effects (including potentially fatal respiratory depression) is recommended when fentanyl is concomitantly administered with NORVIR.

Anesthetic: meperidine ↓ meperidine/ ↑ normeperidine (metabolite) Dosage increase and long-term use of meperidine with ritonavir are not recommended due to the increased concentrations of the metabolite normeperidine which has both analgesic activity and CNS stimulant activity (e.g., seizures).

Antialcoholics: disulfiram/metronidazole Ritonavir formulations contain ethanol, which can produce disulfiram-like reactions when co-administered with disulfiram or other drugs that produce this reaction (e.g., metronidazole).

Antiarrhythmics: amiodarone, dronedarone, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine ↑ antiarrhythmics Contraindicated due to potential for cardiac arrhythmias [see Contraindications (4) ].

Antiarrhythmics: disopyramide, lidocaine, mexiletine ↑ antiarrhythmics Caution is warranted and therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for antiarrhythmics when co-administered with ritonavir, if available.

Anticancer Agents: abemaciclib, apalutamide, dasatinib, encorafenib, ibrutinib, ivosidenib, neratinib, nilotinib, venetoclax, vinblastine, vincristine ↑ anticancer agents ↓ ritonavir # Apalutamide is contraindicated due to potential for loss of virologic response and possible resistance to NORVIR or to the class of protease inhibitors [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Avoid co-administration of encorafenib or ivosidenib with NORVIR due to potential risk of serious adverse events such as QT interval prolongation.

If co-administration of encorafenib with NORVIR cannot be avoided, modify dose as recommended in encorafenib USPI.

If co-administration of ivosidenib with NORVIR cannot be avoided, reduce ivosidenib dose to 250 mg once daily.

Avoid use of neratinib, venetoclax or ibrutinib with NORVIR.

For vincristine and vinblastine, consideration should be given to temporarily withholding the ritonavir containing antiretroviral regimen in patients who develop significant hematologic or gastrointestinal side effects when ritonavir is administered concurrently with vincristine or vinblastine.

Clinicians should be aware that if the ritonavir containing regimen is withheld for a prolonged period, consideration should be given to altering the regimen to not include a CYP3A or P-gp inhibitor in order to control HIV-1 viral load.

A decrease in the dosage or an adjustment of the dosing interval of nilotinib and dasatinib may be necessary for patients requiring co-administration with strong CYP3A inhibitors such as NORVIR.

Please refer to the nilotinib and dasatinib prescribing information for dosing instructions.

Anticoagulant: warfarin ↑↓ warfarin Initial frequent monitoring of the INR during ritonavir and warfarin co-administration is recommended.

Anticoagulant: rivaroxaban ↑ rivaroxaban Avoid concomitant use of rivaroxaban and ritonavir.

Co-administration of ritonavir and rivaroxaban may lead to risk of increased bleeding.

Anticonvulsants: carbamazepine, clonazepam, ethosuximide ↑ anticonvulsants A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir and therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for these anticonvulsants, if available.

Anticonvulsants: divalproex, lamotrigine, phenytoin ↓ anticonvulsants A dose increase may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir and therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for these anticonvulsants, if available.

Antidepressants: nefazodone, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): e.g.

fluoxetine, paroxetine, tricyclics: e.g.

amitriptyline, nortriptyline ↑ antidepressants A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir.

Antidepressant: bupropion ↓ bupropion ↓ active metabolite, hydroxybupropion Patients receiving ritonavir and bupropion concurrently should be monitored for an adequate clinical response to bupropion.

Antidepressant: desipramine ↑ desipramine Dosage reduction and concentration monitoring of desipramine is recommended.

Antidepressant: trazodone ↑ trazodone Adverse events of nausea, dizziness, hypotension and syncope have been observed following co-administration of trazodone and NORVIR.

A lower dose of trazodone should be considered.

Antiemetic: dronabinol ↑ dronabinol A dose decrease of dronabinol may be needed when co-administered with ritonavir.

Antifungal: ketoconazole itraconazole voriconazole ↑ ketoconazole ↑ itraconazole ↓ voriconazole High doses of ketoconazole or itraconazole (greater than 200 mg per day) are not recommended.

Co-administration of voriconazole and ritonavir doses of 400 mg every 12 hours or greater is contraindicated due to the potential for loss of antifungal response [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Co-administration of voriconazole and ritonavir 100 mg should be avoided, unless an assessment of the benefit/risk to the patient justifies the use of voriconazole.

Anti-gout: colchicine ↑ colchicine Contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions in patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment [see Contraindications (4) ] .

For patients with normal renal or hepatic function: Treatment of gout flares-co-administration of colchicine in patients on ritonavir: 0.6 mg (one tablet) for one dose, followed by 0.3 mg (half tablet) one hour later.

Dose to be repeated no earlier than three days.

Prophylaxis of gout flares-co-administration of colchicine in patients on ritonavir: If the original colchicine regimen was 0.6 mg twice a day, the regimen should be adjusted to 0.3 mg once a day.

If the original colchicine regimen was 0.6 mg once a day, the regimen should be adjusted to 0.3 mg once every other day.

Treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)-co-administration of colchicine in patients on ritonavir: Maximum daily dose of 0.6 mg (may be given as 0.3 mg twice a day).

Anti-infective: clarithromycin ↑ clarithromycin For patients with renal impairment, adjust clarithromycin dose as follows: For patients with CL CR 30 to 60 mL per min the dose of clarithromycin should be reduced by 50%.

For patients with CL CR less than 30 mL per min the dose of clarithromycin should be decreased by 75%.

No dose adjustment for patients with normal renal function is necessary.

Antimycobacterial: bedaquiline ↑ bedaquiline Bedaquiline should only be used with ritonavir if the benefit of co-administration outweighs the risk.

Antimycobacterial: rifabutin ↑ rifabutin and rifabutin metabolite Dosage reduction of rifabutin by at least three-quarters of the usual dose of 300 mg per day is recommended (e.g., 150 mg every other day or three times a week).

Further dosage reduction may be necessary.

Antimycobacterial: rifampin ↓ ritonavir May lead to loss of virologic response.

Alternate antimycobacterial agents such as rifabutin should be considered.

Antiparasitic: atovaquone ↓ atovaquone Clinical significance is unknown; however, increase in atovaquone dose may be needed.

Antiparasitic: quinine ↑ quinine A dose decrease of quinine may be needed when co-administered with ritonavir.

Antipsychotics: lurasidone pimozide ↑ lurasidone ↑ pimozide Contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Antipsychotics: perphenazine, risperidone, thioridazine ↑ antipsychotics A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir.

Antipsychotics: quetiapine ↑ quetiapine Initiation of NORVIR in patients taking quetiapine: Consider alternative antiretroviral therapy to avoid increases in quetiapine exposures.

If coadministration is necessary, reduce the quetiapine dose to 1/6 of the current dose and monitor for quetiapine-associated adverse reactions.

Refer to the quetiapine prescribing information for recommendations on adverse reaction monitoring.

Initiation of quetiapine in patients taking NORVIR: Refer to the quetiapine prescribing information for initial dosing and titration of quetiapine.

β-Blockers: metoprolol, timolol ↑ beta-blockers Caution is warranted and clinical monitoring of patients is recommended.

A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir.

Bronchodilator: theophylline ↓ theophylline Increased dosage of theophylline may be required; therapeutic monitoring should be considered.

Calcium channel blockers: diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil ↑ calcium channel blockers Caution is warranted and clinical monitoring of patients is recommended.

A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir.

Digoxin ↑ digoxin Concomitant administration of ritonavir with digoxin may increase digoxin levels.

Caution should be exercised when co-administering ritonavir with digoxin, with appropriate monitoring of serum digoxin levels.

Endothelin receptor antagonists: bosentan ↑ bosentan Co-administration of bosentan in patients on ritonavir: In patients who have been receiving ritonavir for at least 10 days, start bosentan at 62.5 mg once daily or every other day based upon individual tolerability.

Co-administration of ritonavir in patients on bosentan: Discontinue use of bosentan at least 36 hours prior to initiation of ritonavir.

After at least 10 days following the initiation of ritonavir, resume bosentan at 62.5 mg once daily or every other day based upon individual tolerability.

GnRH Receptor Antagonists: elagolix ↑ elagolix ↓ ritonavir Concomitant use of elagolix 200 mg twice daily and NORVIR for more than 1 month is not recommended due to potential risk of adverse events such as bone loss and hepatic transaminase elevations.

Limit concomitant use of elagolix 150 mg once daily and NORVIR to 6 months.

Ergot Derivatives: dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine ↑ ergot derivatives Contraindicated due to potential for acute ergot toxicity characterized by vasospasm and ischemia of the extremities and other tissues including the central nervous system [see Contraindications (4) ] .

GI Motility Agent: cisapride ↑ cisapride Contraindicated due to potential for cardiac arrhythmias [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Hepatitis C direct acting antiviral: glecaprevir/pibrentasvir simeprevir ↑ glecaprevir ↑ pibrentasvir ↑simeprevir It is not recommended to co-administer ritonavir with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or simeprevir.

Herbal Products: St.

John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) ↓ ritonavir Contraindicated due to potential for loss of virologic response and possible resistance to NORVIR or to the class of protease inhibitors [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Lipid-modifying agents HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor: lovastatin simvastatin atorvastatin rosuvastatin Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) Inhibitor: lomitapide ↑ lovastatin ↑ simvastatin ↑ atorvastatin ↑ rosuvastatin ↑ lomitapide Contraindicated due to potential for myopathy including rhabdomyolysis [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Titrate atorvastatin and rosuvastatin dose carefully and use the lowest necessary dose.

If NORVIR is used with another protease inhibitor, see the complete prescribing information for the concomitant protease inhibitor for details on co-administration with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin.

Lomitapide is a sensitive substrate for CYP3A4 metabolism.

CYP3A4 inhibitors increase the exposure of lomitapide, with strong inhibitors increasing exposure approximately 27-fold.

Concomitant use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with lomitapide is contraindicated due to potential for hepatotoxicity [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Immunosuppressants: cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus (rapamycin) ↑ immunosuppressants Therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for immunosuppressant agents when co-administered with ritonavir.

Kinase Inhibitors: fostamatinib (also see anticancer agents above) ↑ fostamatinib metabolite R406 Monitor for toxicities of R406 such as hepatotoxicity and neutropenia.

Fostamatinib dose reduction may be required.

Long-acting beta- adrenoceptor agonist: salmeterol ↑ salmeterol Concurrent administration of salmeterol and ritonavir is not recommended.

The combination may result in increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events associated with salmeterol, including QT prolongation, palpitations and sinus tachycardia.

Oral Contraceptives or Patch Contraceptives: ethinyl estradiol ↓ ethinyl estradiol Alternate methods of contraception should be considered.

PDE5 Inhibitors: avanafil sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil ↑ avanafil ↑ sildenafil ↑ tadalafil ↑ vardenafil Sildenafil when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (Revatio ® ) is contraindicated due to the potential for sildenafil-associated adverse events, including visual abnormalities, hypotension, prolonged erection, and syncope [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Do not use ritonavir with avanafil because a safe and effective avanafil dosage regimen has not been established.

Particular caution should be used when prescribing sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil in patients receiving ritonavir.

Coadministration of ritonavir with these drugs may result in an increase in PDE5 inhibitor associated adverse events, including hypotension, syncope, visual changes, and prolonged erection.

Use of PDE5 inhibitors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): Sildenafil (Revatio ® ) is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] .

The following dose adjustments are recommended for use of tadalafil (Adcirca ® ) with ritonavir: Co-administration of ADCIRCA in patients on ritonavir: In patients receiving ritonavir for at least one week, start ADCIRCA at 20 mg once daily.

Increase to 40 mg once daily based upon individual tolerability.

Co-administration of ritonavir in patients on ADCIRCA: Avoid use of ADCIRCA during the initiation of ritonavir.

Stop ADCIRCA at least 24 hours prior to starting ritonavir.

After at least one week following the initiation of ritonavir, resume ADCIRCA at 20 mg once daily.

Increase to 40 mg once daily based upon individual tolerability.

Use of PDE5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: It is recommended not to exceed the following doses: Sildenafil: 25 mg every 48 hours Tadalafil: 10 mg every 72 hours Vardenafil: 2.5 mg every 72 hours Use with increased monitoring for adverse events.

Sedative/hypnotics: buspirone, clorazepate, diazepam, estazolam, flurazepam, zolpidem ↑ sedative/hypnotics A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir.

Sedative/Hypnotics: triazolam, orally administered midazolam ↑ triazolam ↑ midazolam Contraindicated due to potential for prolonged or increased sedation or respiratory depression [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Sedative/hypnotics: Parenteral midazolam ↑ midazolam Co-administration should be done in a setting which ensures close clinical monitoring and appropriate medical management in case of respiratory depression and/or prolonged sedation.

Dosage reduction for midazolam should be considered, especially if more than a single dose of midazolam is administered.

Stimulant: methamphetamine ↑ methamphetamine Use with caution.

A dose decrease of methamphetamine may be needed when co-administered with ritonavir.

Systemic/Inhaled/ Nasal/Ophthalmic Corticosteroids: e.g., betamethasone budesonide ciclesonide dexamethasone fluticasone methylprednisolone mometasone prednisone triamcinolone ↑ glucocorticoids Coadministration with corticosteroids whose exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression.

Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone and prednisolone (whose PK and/or PD are less affected by strong CYP3A inhibitors relative to other studied steroids) should be considered, particularly for long-term use.

# refers to interaction with apalutamide.

OVERDOSAGE

10 Acute Overdosage – Human Overdose Experience Human experience of acute overdose with NORVIR is limited.

One patient in clinical trials took NORVIR 1500 mg per day for two days.

The patient reported paresthesias which resolved after the dose was decreased.

A post-marketing case of renal failure with eosinophilia has been reported with ritonavir overdose.

The approximate lethal dose was found to be greater than 20 times the related human dose in rats and 10 times the related human dose in mice.

Management of Overdosage Treatment of overdose with NORVIR consists of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient.

There is no specific antidote for overdose with NORVIR.

If indicated, elimination of unabsorbed drug should be achieved by emesis or gastric lavage; usual precautions should be observed to maintain the airway.

Administration of activated charcoal may also be used to aid in removal of unabsorbed drug.

Since ritonavir is extensively metabolized by the liver and is highly protein bound, dialysis is unlikely to be beneficial in significant removal of the drug.

A Certified Poison Control Center should be consulted for up-to-date information on the management of overdose with NORVIR.

DESCRIPTION

11 NORVIR (ritonavir) is an inhibitor of HIV-1 protease with activity against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) type 1.

Ritonavir is chemically designated as 10-Hydroxy-2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-1- [2-(1-methylethyl)-4-thiazolyl]-3,6-dioxo-8,11-bis(phenylmethyl)-2,4,7,12- tetraazatridecan-13-oic acid, 5-thiazolylmethyl ester, [5S-(5R*,8R*,10R*,11R*)].

Its molecular formula is C 37 H 48 N 6 O 5 S 2 , and its molecular weight is 720.95.

Ritonavir has the following structural formula: Ritonavir is a white-to-light-tan powder.

Ritonavir has a bitter metallic taste.

It is freely soluble in methanol and ethanol, soluble in isopropanol and practically insoluble in water.

NORVIR soft gelatin capsules are available for oral administration in a strength of 100 mg ritonavir with the following inactive ingredients: Butylated hydroxytoluene, ethanol, gelatin, iron oxide, oleic acid, polyoxyl 35 castor oil, and titanium dioxide.

Chemical structure for ritonavir.

CLINICAL STUDIES

14 The activity of NORVIR as monotherapy or in combination with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors has been evaluated in 1446 patients enrolled in two double-blind, randomized trials.

14.1 Advanced Patients with Prior Antiretroviral Therapy Study 247 was a randomized, double-blind trial (with open-label follow-up) conducted in HIV-1 infected patients with at least nine months of prior antiretroviral therapy and baseline CD 4 cell counts less than or equal to 100 cells per µL.

NORVIR 600 mg twice-daily or placebo was added to each patient’s baseline antiretroviral therapy regimen, which could have consisted of up to two approved antiretroviral agents.

The study accrued 1090 patients, with mean baseline CD 4 cell count at study entry of 32 cells per µL.

After the clinical benefit of NORVIR therapy was demonstrated, all patients were eligible to switch to open-label NORVIR for the duration of the follow-up period.

Median duration of double-blind therapy with NORVIR and placebo was 6 months.

The median duration of follow-up through the end of the open-label phase was 13.5 months for patients randomized to NORVIR and 14 months for patients randomized to placebo.

The cumulative incidence of clinical disease progression or death during the double-blind phase of Study 247 was 26% (140/543) for patients initially randomized to NORVIR compared to 42% (229/547) for patients initially randomized to placebo.

This difference in rates was statistically significant.

Cumulative mortality through the end of the open-label follow-up phase for patients enrolled in Study 247 was 18% (99/543) for patients initially randomized to NORVIR compared to 26% (142/547) for patients initially randomized to placebo.

This difference in rates was statistically significant.

However, since the analysis at the end of the open-label phase includes patients in the placebo arm who were switched from placebo to NORVIR therapy, the survival benefit of NORVIR cannot be precisely estimated.

During the double-blind phase of Study 247, CD 4 cell counts increases from baseline for patients randomized to NORVIR at Week 2 and Week 4 were observed.

From Week 4 and through Week 24, mean CD 4 cell counts for patients randomized to NORVIR appeared to plateau.

In contrast, there was no apparent change in mean CD 4 cell counts for patients randomized to placebo at any visit between baseline and Week 24 of the double-blind phase of Study 247.

14.2 Patients without Prior Antiretroviral Therapy In Study 245, 356 antiretroviral-naive HIV-1 infected patients (mean baseline CD 4 = 364 cells/µL) were randomized to receive either NORVIR 600 mg twice-daily, zidovudine 200 mg three-times-daily, or a combination of these drugs.

During the double-blind phase of study 245, greater mean CD 4 cell count increases were observed from baseline to Week 12 in the NORVIR-containing arms compared to the zidovudine arms.

Mean CD 4 cell count changes subsequently appeared to plateau through Week 24 in the NORVIR arm, whereas mean CD 4 cell counts gradually diminished through Week 24 in the zidovudine and NORVIR plus zidovudine arms.

Greater mean reductions in plasma HIV-1 RNA levels were observed from baseline to Week 2 for the NORVIR-containing arms compared to the zidovudine arm.

After Week 2 and through Week 24, mean plasma HIV-1 RNA levels either remained stable in the NORVIR and zidovudine arms or gradually rebounded toward baseline in the NORVIR plus zidovudine arm.

HOW SUPPLIED

16 /STORAGE AND HANDLING The package sizes, strengths, and storage and handling recommendations for NORVIR (ritonavir) soft gelatin capsules are shown in the table below.

NORVIR Capsules, Soft Gelatin, 100 mg Ritonavir Presentation White capsules imprinted with the “a” logo, 100 and the code DS Packaging Size Bottles containing 120 capsules Bottles containing 30 capsules NDC Number 0074-3333-30 0074-6633-30 Recommended Storage Store NORVIR soft gelatin capsules in the refrigerator between 2°-8°C (36°-46°F) until dispensed.

Refrigeration of NORVIR soft gelatin capsules by the patient is recommended, but not required if used within 30 days and stored below 25°C (77°F).

Protect from light.

Avoid exposure to excessive heat.

Product should be stored and dispensed in the original container.

Keep cap tightly closed.

RECENT MAJOR CHANGES

Contraindications ( 4 ) 12/2019

GERIATRIC USE

8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of NORVIR did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

3 NORVIR (ritonavir) capsules, soft gelatin White soft gelatin capsules imprinted with the “a” logo, 100 and the code DS, providing 100 mg of ritonavir.

Capsule, Soft Gelatin: 100 mg.

(3)

MECHANISM OF ACTION

12.1 Mechanism of Action Ritonavir is an antiretroviral drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ] .

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1 NORVIR is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

NORVIR is an HIV protease inhibitor indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

(1)

PEDIATRIC USE

8.4 Pediatric Use In HIV-1 infected patients age greater than 1 month to 21 years, the antiviral activity and adverse event profile seen during clinical trials and through postmarketing experience were similar to that for adult patients.

PREGNANCY

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to NORVIR during pregnancy.

Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1–800–258–4263.

Risk Summary Prospective pregnancy data from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) are not sufficient to adequately assess the risk of birth defects or miscarriage.

Available data from the APR show no difference in the rate of overall birth defects for ritonavir compared to the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in the U.S.

reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) [see Data ].

In animal reproduction studies, no evidence of adverse developmental outcomes was observed with oral administration of ritonavir to pregnant rats and rabbits.

During organogenesis in the rat and rabbit, systemic exposure (AUC) was approximately 1/3 lower than human exposure at the recommended daily dose.

In the rat pre- and post-natal developmental study, maternal systemic exposure to ritonavir was approximately 1/2 of the exposure in humans at the recommended daily dose, based on a body surface area conversion factor [see Data].

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

All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes.

In the U.S.

general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Data Human Data Based on prospective reports to the APR of approximately 6100 live births following exposure to ritonavir-containing regimens (including over 2800 live births exposed in the first trimester and over 3200 live births exposed in the second and third trimesters), there was no difference in the rate of overall birth defects for ritonavir compared with the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S.

reference population of the MACDP.

The prevalence of birth defects in live births was 2.3% (95% CI: 1.7%-2.9%) following first-trimester exposure to ritonavir-containing regimens and 2.9% (95% CI: 2.3%-3.5%) following second and third trimester exposure to ritonavir-containing regimens.

While placental transfer of ritonavir and fetal ritonavir concentrations are generally low, detectable levels have been observed in cord blood samples and neonate hair.

Animal Data Ritonavir was administered orally to pregnant rats (at 0, 15, 35, and 75 mg/kg/day), and rabbits (at 0, 25, 50, and 110 mg/kg/day) during organogenesis (on gestation days 6 through 17 and 6 through 19, respectively).

No evidence of teratogenicity due to ritonavir was observed in rats and rabbits at doses producing systemic exposures (AUC) equivalent to approximately 1/3 lower than human exposure at the recommended daily dose.

Developmental toxicity observed in rats (early resorptions, decreased fetal body weight and ossification delays and developmental variations) occurred at a maternally toxic dose at an exposure equivalent to approximately 1/3 lower than human exposure at the recommended daily dose.

A slight increase in the incidence of cryptorchidism was also noted in rats (at a maternally toxic dose) at an exposure approximately 1/5 lower than human exposure at the recommended daily dose.

Developmental toxicity was observed in rabbits (resorptions, decreased litter size and decreased fetal weights) at maternally toxic dosage equivalent to 1.8 times higher than the recommended daily dose, based on a body surface area conversion factor.

In pre-and postnatal development study in rats, ritonavir was administered at doses of 0, 15, 35, and 60 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 through postnatal day 20.

At doses of 60 mg/kg/day, no developmental toxicity was noted with ritonavir dosage equivalent to 1/2 of the recommended daily dose, based on a body surface area conversion factor.

NUSRING MOTHERS

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Contraception Use of NORVIR may reduce the efficacy of combined hormonal contraceptives.

Advise patients using combined hormonal contraceptives to use an effective alternative contraceptive method or an additional barrier method of contraception [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ] .

BOXED WARNING

WARNING: DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS LEADING TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND/OR LIFE THREATENING REACTIONS Co-administration of NORVIR with several classes of drugs including sedative hypnotics, antiarrhythmics, or ergot alkaloid preparations may result in potentially serious and/or life-threatening adverse events due to possible effects of NORVIR on the hepatic metabolism of certain drugs.

Review medications taken by patients prior to prescribing NORVIR or when prescribing other medications to patients already taking NORVIR [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) .

WARNING: DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS LEADING TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND/OR LIFE THREATENING REACTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning Co-administration of NORVIR with several classes of drugs including sedative hypnotics, antiarrhythmics, or ergot alkaloid preparations may result in potentially serious and/or life-threatening adverse events due to possible effects of NORVIR on the hepatic metabolism of certain drugs.

Review medications taken by patients prior to prescribing NORVIR or when prescribing other medications to patients already taking NORVIR (4 , 5.1)

WARNING AND CAUTIONS

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS The following have been observed in patients receiving NORVIR: The concomitant use of NORVIR and certain other drugs may result in known or potentially significant drug interactions.

Consult the full prescribing information prior to and during treatment for potential drug interactions.

(5.1, 7.2) Hepatotoxicity: Fatalities have occurred.

Monitor liver function before and during therapy, especially in patients with underlying hepatic disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C, or marked transaminase elevations.

(5.2, 8.6) Pancreatitis: Fatalities have occurred; suspend therapy as clinically appropriate.

(5.3) Allergic Reactions/Hypersensitivity: Allergic reactions have been reported and include anaphylaxis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bronchospasm and angioedema.

Discontinue treatment if severe reactions develop.

(5.4, 6.2) PR interval prolongation may occur in some patients.

Cases of second and third degree heart block have been reported.

Use with caution with patients with preexisting conduction system disease, ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, underlying structural heart disease or when administering with other drugs that may prolong the PR interval.

(5.5, 12.3) Total cholesterol and triglycerides elevations: Monitor prior to therapy and periodically thereafter.

(5.6) Patients may develop new onset or exacerbations of diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia.

(5.7) Patients may develop immune reconstitution syndrome.

(5.8) Patients may develop redistribution/accumulation of body fat.

(5.9) Hemophilia: Spontaneous bleeding may occur, and additional factor VIII may be required.

(5.10) 5.1 Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions Due to Drug Interactions Initiation of NORVIR, a CYP3A inhibitor, in patients receiving medications metabolized by CYP3A or initiation of medications metabolized by CYP3A in patients already receiving NORVIR, may increase plasma concentrations of medications metabolized by CYP3A.

Initiation of medications that inhibit or induce CYP3A may increase or decrease concentrations of NORVIR, respectively.

These interactions may lead to: Clinically significant adverse reactions, potentially leading to severe, life-threatening, or fatal events from greater exposures of concomitant medications.

Clinically significant adverse reactions from greater exposures of NORVIR.

Loss of therapeutic effect of NORVIR and possible development of resistance.

When co-administering NORVIR with other protease inhibitors, see the full prescribing information for that protease inhibitor including important Warnings and Precautions.

See Table 3 for steps to prevent or manage these possible and known significant drug interactions, including dosing recommendations [see Drug Interactions (7) ] .

Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during NORVIR therapy; review concomitant medications during NORVIR therapy, and monitor for the adverse reactions associated with the concomitant medications [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7) ] .

5.2 Hepatotoxicity Hepatic transaminase elevations exceeding 5 times the upper limit of normal, clinical hepatitis, and jaundice have occurred in patients receiving NORVIR alone or in combination with other antiretroviral drugs (see Table 2).

There may be an increased risk for transaminase elevations in patients with underlying hepatitis B or C.

Therefore, caution should be exercised when administering NORVIR to patients with pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or hepatitis.

Increased AST/ALT monitoring should be considered in these patients, especially during the first three months of NORVIR treatment [see Use In Specific Populations (8.6) ] .

There have been postmarketing reports of hepatic dysfunction, including some fatalities.

These have generally occurred in patients taking multiple concomitant medications and/or with advanced AIDS.

5.3 Pancreatitis Pancreatitis has been observed in patients receiving NORVIR therapy, including those who developed hypertriglyceridemia.

In some cases fatalities have been observed.

Patients with advanced HIV-1 disease may be at increased risk of elevated triglycerides and pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] .

Pancreatitis should be considered if clinical symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) or abnormalities in laboratory values (such as increased serum lipase or amylase values) suggestive of pancreatitis should occur.

Patients who exhibit these signs or symptoms should be evaluated and NORVIR therapy should be discontinued if a diagnosis of pancreatitis is made.

5.4 Allergic Reactions/Hypersensitivity Allergic reactions including urticaria, mild skin eruptions, bronchospasm, and angioedema have been reported.

Cases of anaphylaxis, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have also been reported.

Discontinue treatment if severe reactions develop.

5.5 PR Interval Prolongation Ritonavir prolongs the PR interval in some patients.

Post marketing cases of second or third degree atrioventricular block have been reported in patients.

NORVIR should be used with caution in patients with underlying structural heart disease, preexisting conduction system abnormalities, ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, as these patients may be at increased risk for developing cardiac conduction abnormalities.

The impact on the PR interval of co-administration of ritonavir with other drugs that prolong the PR interval (including calcium channel blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers, digoxin and atazanavir) has not been evaluated.

As a result, co-administration of ritonavir with these drugs should be undertaken with caution, particularly with those drugs metabolized by CYP3A.

Clinical monitoring is recommended [see Drug Interactions (7) , and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

5.6 Lipid Disorders Treatment with NORVIR therapy alone or in combination with saquinavir has resulted in substantial increases in the concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] .

Triglyceride and cholesterol testing should be performed prior to initiating NORVIR therapy and at periodic intervals during therapy.

Lipid disorders should be managed as clinically appropriate, taking into account any potential drug-drug interactions with NORVIR and HMG CoA reductase inhibitors [see Contraindications (4) , and Drug Interactions (7) ] .

5.7 Diabetes Mellitus/Hyperglycemia New onset diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and hyperglycemia have been reported during postmarketing surveillance in HIV-1 infected patients receiving protease inhibitor therapy.

Some patients required either initiation or dose adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents for treatment of these events.

In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis has occurred.

In those patients who discontinued protease inhibitor therapy, hyperglycemia persisted in some cases.

Because these events have been reported voluntarily during clinical practice, estimates of frequency cannot be made and a causal relationship between protease inhibitor therapy and these events has not been established.

Consider monitoring for hyperglycemia, new onset diabetes mellitus, or an exacerbation of diabetes mellitus in patients treated with NORVIR.

5.8 Immune Reconstitution Syndrome Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in HIV-1 infected patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including NORVIR.

During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune system responds may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP), or tuberculosis), which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.

Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves’ disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution, however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of treatment.

5.9 Fat Redistribution Redistribution/accumulation of body fat including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement (buffalo hump), peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and “cushingoid appearance” have been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

The mechanism and long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown.

A causal relationship has not been established.

5.10 Patients with Hemophilia There have been reports of increased bleeding, including spontaneous skin hematomas and hemarthrosis, in patients with hemophilia type A and B treated with protease inhibitors.

In some patients additional factor VIII was given.

In more than half of the reported cases, treatment with protease inhibitors was continued or reintroduced.

A causal relationship between protease inhibitor therapy and these events has not been established.

5.11 Resistance/Cross-resistance Varying degrees of cross-resistance among protease inhibitors have been observed.

Continued administration of ritonavir 600 mg twice daily following loss of viral suppression may increase the likelihood of cross-resistance to other protease inhibitors [see Microbiology (12.4) ] .

5.12 Laboratory Tests Ritonavir has been shown to increase triglycerides, cholesterol, SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT), GGT, CPK, and uric acid.

Appropriate laboratory testing should be performed prior to initiating NORVIR therapy and at periodic intervals or if any clinical signs or symptoms occur during therapy.

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient information).

General Administration Information [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 )] : Advise patients and caregivers to pay special attention to accurate administration of their dose to minimize the risk of accidental overdose or underdose of NORVIR.

Advise caregivers to inform their healthcare provider if their child’s weight changes in order to make sure that the child’s NORVIR dose is adjusted as needed.

Advise patients to take NORVIR with meals.

For adult patients taking NORVIR capsules, the maximum dose of 600 mg twice daily by mouth with meals should not be exceeded.

Advise patients to remain under the care of a physician while using NORVIR and to take NORVIR and other concomitant antiretroviral therapy every day as prescribed.

NORVIR must always be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.

Advise patients not to alter the dose or discontinue therapy without consulting with their healthcare provider.

If a dose of NORVIR is missed patients should take the dose as soon as possible and then return to their normal schedule.

However, if a dose is skipped the patient should not double the next dose.

Continued NORVIR therapy at a dose of 600 mg twice daily following loss of viral suppression may increase the likelihood of cross-resistance to other protease inhibitors.

NORVIR is not a cure for HIV-1 infection and patients may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections.

Patients should remain under the care of a physician when using NORVIR.

Drug Interactions NORVIR may interact with some drugs; therefore, patients should be advised to report to their doctor the use of any other prescription, non-prescription medication or herbal products, particularly St.

John’s Wort.

Instruct patients receiving combined hormonal contraception to use an effective alternative contraceptive method or an additional barrier method during therapy with NORVIR because hormonal levels may decrease [see Drug Interactions (7.2) , Use in Specific Populations (8.3) ].

Hepatotoxicity Pre-existing liver disease including Hepatitis B or C can worsen with use of NORVIR.

This can be seen as worsening of transaminase elevations or hepatic decompensation.

Advise patients that their liver function tests will need to be monitored closely especially during the first several months of NORVIR treatment and that they should notify their healthcare provider if they develop the signs and symptoms of worsening liver disease including loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice, and itchy skin [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Pancreatitis Pancreatitis, including some fatalities, has been observed in patients receiving NORVIR therapy.

Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider of signs and symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain) that might be suggestive of pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] .

Allergic Reactions/Hypersensitivity Skin rashes ranging in severity from mild to Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported in patients receiving NORVIR.

Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they develop a rash while taking NORVIR [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] .

PR Interval Prolongation NORVIR may produce changes in the electrocardiogram (e.g., PR prolongation).

Advise patients to consult their healthcare provider if they experience symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, abnormal heart rhythm or loss of consciousness [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] .

Lipid Disorders Advise patients that treatment with NORVIR therapy can result in substantial increases in the concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] .

Diabetes Mellitus/Hyperglycemia Advise patients that new onset of diabetes or exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and hyperglycemia have been reported and to notify their healthcare provider if they develop the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus including frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger or unusual weight loss and/or an increased blood sugar while on NORVIR as they may require a change in their diabetes treatment or new treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] .

Immune Reconstitution Syndrome Advise patients that immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in HIV-1 infected patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including NORVIR [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] .

Fat Redistribution Advise patients that redistribution or accumulation of body fat may occur in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy and that the cause and long term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] .

Patients with Hemophilia Advise patients with hemophilia that they may experience increased bleeding when treated with protease inhibitors such as NORVIR [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] .

Pregnancy Exposure Registry Inform patients that there is an antiretroviral pregnancy registry that monitors fetal outcomes of pregnant women exposed to NORVIR [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] .

Lactation Instruct women with HIV-1 infection not to breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2) ] .

NORVIR 100 mg soft gelatin capsules are manufactured for: AbbVie Inc.

North Chicago, IL 60064 USA ©2020 AbbVie Inc.

All rights reserved.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2 Dose modification for NORVIR is necessary when used with other protease inhibitors.

(2) Adult patients: 600 mg twice-daily with meals if possible.

(2.2) Pediatrics patients: The recommended twice daily dose for children greater than one month of age is based on body surface area and should not exceed 600 mg twice daily with meals.

(2.3) 2.1 General Administration Recommendations NORVIR must be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

NORVIR is administered orally in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

It is recommended that NORVIR be taken with meals.

General Dosing Guidelines Patients should be aware that frequently observed adverse events, such as mild to moderate gastrointestinal disturbances and paraesthesias, may diminish as therapy is continued.

2.2 Dosage Recommendations in Adults Recommended Dosage for treatment of HIV-1 The recommended dosage of NORVIR is 600 mg twice daily by mouth.

Use of a dose titration schedule may help to reduce treatment-emergent adverse events while maintaining appropriate ritonavir plasma levels.

NORVIR should be started at no less than 300 mg twice daily and increased at 2 to 3 day intervals by 100 mg twice daily.

The maximum dose of 600 mg twice daily should not be exceeded upon completion of the titration.

2.3 Dosage Recommendations in Pediatric Patients NORVIR must be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] .

The recommended dosage of NORVIR in pediatric patients older than 1 month is 350 to 400 mg per m 2 twice daily by mouth and should not exceed 600 mg twice daily.

NORVIR should be started at 250 mg per m 2 twice daily and increased at 2 to 3 day intervals by 50 mg per m 2 twice daily.

If patients do not tolerate 400 mg per m 2 twice daily due to adverse events, the highest tolerated dose may be used for maintenance therapy in combination with other antiretroviral agents, however, alternative therapy should be considered.

The use of NORVIR oral solution is recommended for children greater than 1 month who cannot swallow capsules.

Please refer to the NORVIR oral solution full prescribing information for pediatric dosage and administration.

5-5-fluorouracil 50 MG/ML Injectable Solution

WARNINGS

THE DAILY DOSE OF FLUOROURACIL IS NOT TO EXCEED 800 MG.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PATIENTS BE HOSPITALIZED DURING THEIR FIRST COURSE OF TREATMENT.

Fluorouracil should be used with extreme caution in poor risk patients with a history of high-dose pelvic irradiation or previous use of alkylating agents, those who have a widespread involvement of bone marrow by metastatic tumors or those with impaired hepatic or renal function.

Rarely, unexpected, severe toxicity (e.g., stomatitis, diarrhea, neutropenia and neurotoxicity) associated with 5-fluorouracil has been attributed to deficiency of dipyrimidine dehydrogenase activity.

1 A few patients have been rechallenged with 5-fluorouracil and despite 5-fluorouracil dose lowering, toxicity recurred and progressed with worse morbidity.

Absence of this catabolic enzyme appears to result in prolonged clearance of 5-fluorouracil.

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects – Pregnancy Category D Fluorouracil may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

Fluorouracil has been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals.

Fluorouracil exhibited maximum teratogenicity when given to mice as single intraperitoneal injections of 10 to 40 mg/kg on day 10 or 12 of gestation.

Similarly, intraperitoneal doses of 12 to 37 mg/kg given to rats between days 9 and 12 of gestation and intramuscular doses of 3 to 9 mg given to hamsters between days 8 and 11 of gestation were teratogenic.

Malformations included cleft palates, skeletal defects and deformed appendages, paws and tails.

The dosages which were teratogenic in animals are 1 to 3 times the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose.

In monkeys, divided doses of 40 mg/kg given between days 20 and 24 of gestation were not teratogenic.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with fluorouracil in pregnant women.

While there is no evidence of teratogenicity in humans due to fluorouracil, it should be kept in mind that other drugs which inhibit DNA synthesis ( e.g.

, methotrexate and aminopterin) have been reported to be teratogenic in humans.

Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant.

If the drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking the drug, the patient should be told of the potential hazard to the fetus.

Fluorouracil should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Combination Therapy Any form of therapy which adds to the stress of the patient, interferes with nutrition or depresses bone marrow function will increase the toxicity of Fluorouracil.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Drug Interactions Leucovorin calcium may enhance the toxicity of fluorouracil.

Also see WARNINGS section.

OVERDOSAGE

The possibility of overdosage with fluorouracil is unlikely in view of the mode of administration.

Nevertheless, the anticipated manifestations would be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, bone marrow depression (including thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and agranulocytosis).

No specific antidotal therapy exists.

Patients who have been exposed to an overdose of Fluorouracil should be monitored hematologically for at least four weeks.

Should abnormalities appear, appropriate therapy should be utilized.

The acute intravenous toxicity of fluorouracil is as follows: Species LD 50 (mg/kg ±S.E.) Mouse 340 ± 17 Rat 165 ± 26 Rabbit 27 ± 5.1 Dog 31.5 ± 3.8

DESCRIPTION

Fluorouracil Injection, USP an antineoplastic antimetabolite, is a colorless to yellow aqueous sterile, nonpyrogenic injectable solution for intravenous administration.

Each mL contains: 50 mg of fluorouracil; pH is adjusted to approximately 9.2 with sodium hydroxide.

Chemically, fluorouracil, a fluorinated pyrimidine, is 5-fluoro-2,4 (1 H ,3 H )-pyrimidinedione.

It is a white to practically white crystalline powder which is sparingly soluble in water.

The molecular weight is 130.08 and the structural formula is: C 4 H 3 FN 2 O 2 .

A pharmacy bulk package is a container of a sterile preparation for parenteral use that contains many single doses.

The contents are intended for use in a pharmacy admixture program and are restricted to the preparation of admixtures for intravenous infusion or the filling of empty sterile syringes for patients with individualized dosing requirements.

Chemical Structure

HOW SUPPLIED

NDC 66758-054-01: 50 mg/mL in a 50 mL flip-top Pharmacy Bulk Package vial, individually packaged.

NDC 66758-054-02: 50 mg/mL in a 100 mL flip-top Pharmacy Bulk Package vial, individually packaged.

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

DO NOT FREEZE.

PROTECT FROM LIGHT .

Vial stoppers do not contain natural rubber latex.

For Sandoz Inc.

Customer Service, call 1-800-525-8747.

Manufactured for: SANDOZ Princeton, NJ 08540 Manufactured by: Ebewe PHARMA A-4866 Unterach, AUSTRIA April 2011

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Fluorouracil is effective in the palliative management of carcinoma of the colon, rectum, breast, stomach and pancreas.

PEDIATRIC USE

Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

PREGNANCY

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects – Pregnancy Category D Fluorouracil may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

Fluorouracil has been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals.

Fluorouracil exhibited maximum teratogenicity when given to mice as single intraperitoneal injections of 10 to 40 mg/kg on day 10 or 12 of gestation.

Similarly, intraperitoneal doses of 12 to 37 mg/kg given to rats between days 9 and 12 of gestation and intramuscular doses of 3 to 9 mg given to hamsters between days 8 and 11 of gestation were teratogenic.

Malformations included cleft palates, skeletal defects and deformed appendages, paws and tails.

The dosages which were teratogenic in animals are 1 to 3 times the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose.

In monkeys, divided doses of 40 mg/kg given between days 20 and 24 of gestation were not teratogenic.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with fluorouracil in pregnant women.

While there is no evidence of teratogenicity in humans due to fluorouracil, it should be kept in mind that other drugs which inhibit DNA synthesis ( e.g.

, methotrexate and aminopterin) have been reported to be teratogenic in humans.

Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant.

If the drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking the drug, the patient should be told of the potential hazard to the fetus.

Fluorouracil should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

NUSRING MOTHERS

Nursing Mothers It is not known whether fluorouracil is excreted in human milk.

Because fluorouracil inhibits DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, mothers should not nurse while receiving this drug.

BOXED WARNING

PHARMACY BULK PACKAGE – Not For Direct Infusion WARNING It is recommended that FLOUROURACIL be given only by or under the supervision of a qualified physician who is experienced in cancer chemotherapy and who is well versed in the use of potent antimetabolites.

Because of the possibility of severe toxic reactions, it is recommended that patients be hospitalized at least during the initial course of therapy.

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

Information for Patients Patients should be informed of expected toxic effects, particularly oral manifestations.

Patients should be alerted to the possibility of alopecia as a result of therapy and should be informed that it is usually a transient effect.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

General Instructions Fluorouracil Injection, USP should be administered only intravenously, using care to avoid extravasation.

No dilution is required.

All dosages are based on the patient’s actual weight.

However, the estimated lean body mass (dry weight) is used if the patient is obese or if there has been a spurious weight gain due to edema, ascites or other forms of abnormal fluid retention.

It is recommended that prior to treatment each patient be carefully evaluated in order to estimate as accurately as possible the optimum initial dosage of Fluorouracil.

Dosage 12 mg/kg are given intravenously once daily for 4 successive days.

The daily dose should not exceed 800 mg.

If no toxicity is observed , 6 mg/kg are given on the 6 th , 8 th , 10 th and 12 th days unless toxicity occurs .

No therapy is given on the 5 th , 7 th , 9 th or 11 th days.

Therapy is to be discontinued at the end of the 12 th day, even if no toxicity has become apparent.

(See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS .) Poor risk patients or those who are not in an adequate nutritional state (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS sections) should receive 6 mg/kg/day for 3 days.

If no toxicity is observed , 3 mg/kg may be given on the 5th, 7th and 9th days unless toxicity occurs.

No therapy is given on the 4 th , 6 th or 8 th days.

The daily dose should not exceed 400 mg.

A sequence of injections on either schedule constitutes a “course of therapy.” Maintenance Therapy In instances where toxicity has not been a problem, it is recommended that therapy be continued using either of the following schedules: 1.

Repeat dosage of first course every 30 days after the last day of the previous course of treatment.

2.

When toxic signs resulting from the initial course of therapy have subsided, administer a maintenance dosage of 10 to 15 mg/kg/week as a single dose.

Do not exceed 1 gm per week.

The patient’s reaction to the previous course of therapy should be taken into account in determining the amount of the drug to be used, and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly.

Some patients have received from 9 to 45 courses of treatment during periods which ranged from 12 to 60 months.

Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer drugs should be considered.

Several guidelines on this subject have been published.

2-7 There is no general agreement that all of the procedures recommended in the guidelines are necessary or appropiate.

Note Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

Although the Fluorouracil solution may discolor slightly during storage, the potency and safety are not adversely affected.

If a precipitate occurs due to exposure to low temperatures, resolubilize by heating to 140°F and shaking vigorously; allow to cool to body temperature before using.

DIRECTION FOR PROPER USE OF PHARMACY BULK PACKAGE Pharmacy Bulk Packages are for use in a Pharmacy Admixture Service only in a vertical laminar flow hood.

The container closure should be penetrated only one time utilizing a suitable sterile dispensing set or transfer device which allows measured distribution of the contents.

Swab vial stopper with an antiseptic solution.

Insert the device/set into the vial using aseptic technique.

Once the sterile dispensing set or transfer device has been inserted into the container, withdrawal of the contents should be accomplished without delay.

However, if this is not possible, a maximum time of 4 hours from the initial entry may be allowed to complete fluid aliquoting/transferring operations.

The transferred drug solution should be used promptly.

Discard the contents no later than 4 hours after initial closure puncture.

Olmesartan medoxomil 20 MG Oral Tablet [Benicar]

DRUG INTERACTIONS

7 No significant drug interactions were reported in studies in which Benicar was co-administered with digoxin or warfarin in healthy volunteers.

The bioavailability of olmesartan was not significantly altered by the co-administration of antacids [Al(OH) 3 /Mg(OH) 2 ].

Olmesartan medoxomil is not metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system and has no effects on P450 enzymes; thus, interactions with drugs that inhibit, induce, or are metabolized by those enzymes are not expected.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents including Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors (COX-2 Inhibitors) In patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or with compromised renal function, co-administration of NSAIDs, including selective COX-2 inhibitors, with angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including olmesartan medoxomil, may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure.

These effects are usually reversible.

Monitor renal function periodically in patients receiving olmesartan medoxomil and NSAID therapy.

The antihypertensive effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including olmesartan medoxomil may be attenuated by NSAIDs including selective COX-2 inhibitors.

Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy.

Closely monitor blood pressure, renal function and electrolytes in patients on Benicar and other agents that affect the RAS.

Do not co-administer aliskiren with Benicar in patients with diabetes [see Contraindications (4) ].

Avoid use of aliskiren with Benicar in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 ml/min).

Colesevelam hydrochloride Concurrent administration of bile acid sequestering agent colesevelam hydrochloride reduces the systemic exposure and peak plasma concentration of olmesartan.

Administration of olmesartan at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride decreased the drug interaction effect.

Consider administering olmesartan at least 4 hours before the colesevelam hydrochloride dose [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

NSAID use may lead to increased risk of renal impairment and loss of antihypertensive effect (7) .

Dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system: Increased risk of renal impairment, hypotension, and hyperkalemia (7) .

Colesevelam hydrochloride: Consider administering olmesartan at least 4 hours before colesevelam hydrochloride dose (7)

OVERDOSAGE

10 Limited data are available related to overdosage in humans.

The most likely manifestations of overdosage would be hypotension and tachycardia; bradycardia could be encountered if parasympathetic (vagal) stimulation occurs.

If symptomatic hypotension occurs, initiate supportive treatment.

The dialyzability of olmesartan is unknown.

DESCRIPTION

11 Olmesartan medoxomil, a prodrug, is hydrolyzed to olmesartan during absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

Olmesartan is a selective AT 1 subtype angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

Olmesartan medoxomil is described chemically as 2,3-dihydroxy-2-butenyl 4-(1 hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-propyl-1-[ p -( o -1H-tetrazol-5-ylphenyl)benzyl]imidazole-5 carboxylate, cyclic 2,3-carbonate.

Its empirical formula is C 29 H 30 N 6 O 6 and its structural formula is: Olmesartan medoxomil is a white to light yellowish-white powder or crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 558.59.

It is practically insoluble in water and sparingly soluble in methanol.

Benicar is available for oral use as film-coated tablets containing 5 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg of olmesartan medoxomil and the following inactive ingredients: hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, titanium dioxide, and (5 mg only) yellow iron oxide.

Structural formula for olmesartan medoxomil

CLINICAL STUDIES

14 14.1 Adult Hypertension The antihypertensive effects of Benicar have been demonstrated in seven placebo controlled studies at doses ranging from 2.5 mg to 80 mg for 6 to 12 weeks, each showing statistically significant reductions in peak and trough blood pressure.

A total of 2693 patients (2145 Benicar; 548 placebo) with essential hypertension were studied.

Benicar once daily lowered diastolic and systolic blood pressure.

The response was dose-related, as shown in the following graph.

A Benicar dose of 20 mg daily produces a trough sitting BP reduction over placebo of about 10/6 mmHg and a dose of 40 mg daily produces a trough sitting BP reduction over placebo of about 12/7 mmHg.

Benicar doses greater than 40 mg had little additional effect.

The onset of the antihypertensive effect occurred within 1 week and was largely manifest after 2 weeks.

Data above are from seven placebo-controlled studies (2145 Benicar patients, 548 placebo patients).

The blood pressure lowering effect was maintained throughout the 24-hour period with Benicar once daily, with trough-to-peak ratios for systolic and diastolic response between 60 and 80%.

The blood pressure lowering effect of Benicar, with and without hydrochlorothiazide, was maintained in patients treated for up to 1 year.

There was no evidence of tachyphylaxis during long-term treatment with Benicar or rebound effect following abrupt withdrawal of olmesartan medoxomil after 1 year of treatment.

The antihypertensive effect of Benicar was similar in men and women and in patients older and younger than 65 years.

The effect was smaller in black patients (usually a low renin population), as has been seen with ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and other angiotensin receptor blockers.

Benicar had an additional blood pressure lowering effect when added to hydrochlorothiazide.

There are no trials of Benicar demonstrating reductions in cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension, but at least one pharmacologically similar drug has demonstrated such benefits.

Benicar Dose Response: Placebo-adjusted Reduction in Blood Pressure (mm Hg) 14.2 Pediatric Hypertension The antihypertensive effects of Benicar in the pediatric population were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind study involving 302 hypertensive patients aged 6 to 16 years.

The study population consisted of an all black cohort of 112 patients and a mixed racial cohort of 190 patients, including 38 blacks.

The etiology of the hypertension was predominantly essential hypertension (87% of the black cohort and 67% of the mixed cohort).

Patients who weighed 20 to <35 kg were randomized to 2.5 or 20 mg of Benicar once daily and patients who weighed ≥35 kg were randomized to 5 or 40 mg of Benicar once daily.

At the end of 3 weeks, patients were re-randomized to continuing Benicar or to taking placebo for up to 2 weeks.

During the initial dose-response phase, Benicar significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a weight-adjusted dose-dependent manner.

Overall, the two dose levels of Benicar (low and high) significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 6.6 and 11.9 mmHg from the baseline, respectively.

These reductions in systolic blood pressure included both drug and placebo effect.

During the randomized withdrawal to placebo phase, mean systolic blood pressure at trough was 3.2 mmHg lower and mean diastolic blood pressure at trough was 2.8 mmHg lower in patients continuing Benicar than in patients withdrawn to placebo.

These differences were statistically different.

As observed in adult populations, the blood pressure reductions were smaller in black patients.

In the same study, 59 patients aged 1 to 5 years who weighed ≥5 kg received 0.3 mg/kg of Benicar once daily for three weeks in an open label phase and then were randomized to receiving Benicar or placebo in a double-blind phase.

At the end of the second week of withdrawal, the mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure at trough was 3/3 mmHg lower in the group randomized to Benicar; this difference in blood pressure was not statistically significant (95% C.I.

-2 to 7/-1 to 7).

HOW SUPPLIED

16 /STORAGE AND HANDLING Benicar is supplied as yellow, round, film-coated, non-scored tablets containing 5 mg of olmesartan medoxomil, as white, round, film-coated, non-scored tablets containing 20 mg of olmesartan medoxomil, and as white, oval-shaped, film-coated, non-scored tablets containing 40 mg of olmesartan medoxomil.

Tablets are debossed with Sankyo on one side and C12, C14, or C15 on the other side of the 5, 20, and 40 mg tablets, respectively.

Tablets are supplied as follows: 5 mg 20 mg 40 mg Bottle of 30 NDC 51138-211-30 NDC 51138-212-30 NDC 51138-213-30 Storage Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] .

RECENT MAJOR CHANGES

Boxed Warning 3/2012 Indications and Usage (1) 2/2012 Contraindications (4) 9/2012 Dosage and Administration: Pediatric Hypertension (6 to 16 years of age) (2.2) 2/2012 Warnings and Precautions: Pregnancy (5.1) 3/2012 Morbidity in Infants (5.2) 2/2012

GERIATRIC USE

8.5 Geriatric Use Of the total number of hypertensive patients receiving Benicar in clinical studies, more than 20% were 65 years of age and over, while more than 5% were 75 years of age and older.

No overall differences in effectiveness or safety were observed between elderly patients and younger patients.

Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

3 5 mg yellow, round, film-coated, non-scored tablets debossed with Sankyo on one side and C12 on the other side 20 mg white, round, film-coated, non-scored tablets debossed with Sankyo on one side and C14 on the other side 40 mg white, oval-shaped, film-coated, non-scored tablets debossed with Sankyo on one side and C15 on the other side Tablets: 5 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg (3) .

MECHANISM OF ACTION

12.1 Mechanism of Action Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).

Angiotensin II is the principal pressor agent of the renin-angiotensin system, with effects that include vasoconstriction, stimulation of synthesis and release of aldosterone, cardiac stimulation and renal reabsorption of sodium.

Olmesartan blocks the vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT 1 receptor in vascular smooth muscle.

Its action is, therefore, independent of the pathways for angiotensin II synthesis.

An AT 2 receptor is found also in many tissues, but this receptor is not known to be associated with cardiovascular homeostasis.

Olmesartan has more than a 12,500-fold greater affinity for the AT 1 receptor than for the AT 2 receptor.

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system with ACE inhibitors, which inhibit the biosynthesis of angiotensin II from angiotensin I, is a mechanism of many drugs used to treat hypertension.

ACE inhibitors also inhibit the degradation of bradykinin, a reaction also catalyzed by ACE.

Because olmesartan medoxomil does not inhibit ACE (kininase II), it does not affect the response to bradykinin.

Whether this difference has clinical relevance is not yet known.

Blockade of the angiotensin II receptor inhibits the negative regulatory feedback of angiotensin II on renin secretion, but the resulting increased plasma renin activity and circulating angiotensin II levels do not overcome the effect of olmesartan on blood pressure.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1 Benicar is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure.

Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.

These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including the class to which this drug principally belongs.

There are no controlled trials demonstrating risk reduction with Benicar.

Control of high blood pressure should be part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, including, as appropriate, lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake.

Many patients will require more than one drug to achieve blood pressure goals.

For specific advice on goals and management, see published guidelines, such as those of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program’s Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC).

Numerous antihypertensive drugs, from a variety of pharmacologic classes and with different mechanisms of action, have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it can be concluded that it is blood pressure reduction, and not pharmacologic property of the drugs, that is largely responsible for those benefits.

The largest and most consistent cardiovascular outcome benefit has been a reduction in the risk of stroke, but reductions in myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality also have been seen regularly.

Elevated systolic or diastolic pressure causes increased cardiovascular risk, and the absolute risk increase per mmHg is greater at higher blood pressures, so that even modest reductions of severe hypertension can provide substantial benefit.

Relative risk reduction from blood pressure reduction is similar across populations with varying absolute risk, so the absolute benefit is greater in patients who are at higher risk independent of their hypertension (for example, patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia), and such patients would be expected to benefit from more aggressive treatment a lower blood pressure goal.

Some antihypertensive drugs have smaller blood pressure effects (as monotherapy) in black patients, and many antihypertensive drugs have additional approved indications and effects (e.g., on angina, heart failure, or diabetic kidney disease).

These considerations may guide selection of therapy.

It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

Benicar is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or with other antihypertensive agents, to lower blood pressure.

Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions (1) .

PEDIATRIC USE

8.4 Pediatric Use Neonates with a history of in utero exposure to Benicar: If oliguria or hypotension occurs, direct attention toward support of blood pressure and renal perfusion.

Exchange transfusions or dialysis may be required as a means of reversing hypotension and/or substituting for disordered renal function.

The antihypertensive effects of Benicar were evaluated in one randomized, double-blind clinical study in pediatric patients 1 to 16 years of age [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] .

The pharmacokinetics of Benicar were evaluated in pediatric patients 1 to 16 years of age [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Benicar was generally well tolerated in pediatric patients, and the adverse experience profile was similar to that described for adults.

Benicar has not been shown to be effective for hypertension in children <6 years of age.

Children <1 year of age must not receive Benicar for hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].

The renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a critical role in kidney development.

RAAS blockade has been shown to lead to abnormal kidney development in very young mice.

Administering drugs that act directly on the renin- angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) can alter normal renal development.

PREGNANCY

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category D Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death.

Resulting oligohydramnios can be associated with fetal lung hypoplasia and skeletal deformations.

Potential neonatal adverse effects include skull hypoplasia, anuria, hypotension, renal failure, and death.

When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible.

These adverse outcomes are usually associated with use of these drugs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Most epidemiologic studies examining fetal abnormalities after exposure to antihypertensive use in the first trimester have not distinguished drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system from other antihypertensive agents.

Appropriate management of maternal hypertension during pregnancy is important to optimize outcomes for both mother and fetus.

In the unusual case that there is no appropriate alternative to therapy with drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system for a particular patient, apprise the mother of the potential risk to the fetus.

Perform serial ultrasound examinations to assess the intra-amniotic environment.

If oligohydramnios is observed, discontinue Benicar, unless it is considered lifesaving for the mother.

Fetal testing may be appropriate, based on the week of pregnancy.

Patients and physicians should be aware, however, that oligohydramnios may not appear until after the fetus has sustained irreversible injury.

Closely observe infants with histories of in utero exposure to Benicar for hypotension, oliguria, and hyperkalemia [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] .

NUSRING MOTHERS

8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known whether olmesartan is excreted in human milk, but olmesartan is secreted at low concentration in the milk of lactating rats.

Because of the potential for adverse effects on the nursing infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

BOXED WARNING

WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].

Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].

WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.

When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible (5.1) .

Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus (5.1) .

WARNING AND CAUTIONS

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Avoid fetal (in utero) exposure (5.1) .

Children <1 year of age must not receive Benicar for hypertension (5.2) .

Observe for signs and symptoms of hypotension in volume- or salt-depleted patients with treatment initiation (5.3) .

Monitor for worsening renal function in patients with renal impairment (5.4) .

5.1 Fetal Toxicity Pregnancy Category D Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death.

Resulting oligohydramnios can be associated with fetal lung hypoplasia and skeletal deformations.

Potential neonatal adverse effects include skull hypoplasia, anuria, hypotension, renal failure, and death.

When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible [ see Use in specific Populations ( 8.1 )] .

5.2 Morbidity in Infants Children <1 year of age must not receive Benicar for hypertension.

Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) can have effects on the development of immature kidneys [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] .

5.3 Hypotension in Volume- or Salt-Depleted Patients In patients with an activated renin-angiotensin aldosterone system, such as volume- and/or salt-depleted patients (e.g., those being treated with high doses of diuretics), symptomatic hypotension may be anticipated after initiation of treatment with Benicar.

Initiate treatment under close medical supervision.

If hypotension does occur, place the patient in the supine position and, if necessary, give an intravenous infusion of normal saline [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] .

A transient hypotensive response is not a contraindication to further treatment, which usually can be continued without difficulty once the blood pressure has stabilized.

5.4 Impaired Renal Function As a consequence of inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, changes in renal function may be anticipated in susceptible individuals treated with Benicar.

In patients whose renal function may depend upon the activity of the renin angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g., patients with severe congestive heart failure), treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists has been associated with oliguria and/or progressive azotemia and rarely with acute renal failure and/or death.

Similar results may be anticipated in patients treated with Benicar [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) , Drug Interactions (7) , Use in Specific Populations (8.7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

In studies of ACE inhibitors in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, increases in serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen (BUN) have been reported.

There has been no long-term use of Benicar in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, but similar results may be expected.

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Pregnancy: Female patients of childbearing age should be told about the consequences of exposure to Benicar during pregnancy.

Discuss treatment options with women planning to become pregnant.

Patients should be asked to report pregnancies to their physicians as soon as possible.

Manufactured for Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 Rx Only Copyright © Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

2009.

All rights reserved.

Repackaged By: Med-Health Pharma, LLC North Las Vegas, NV 89032 SP-60060 Rev06

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2 Indication Starting dose Dose Range Adult Hypertension (2.1) 20 mg once daily 20 – 40 mg once daily Pediatric Hypertension (6 – 16 years) (2.2) 20 to <35 kg 10 mg once daily ≥35 kg 20 mg once daily 20 to <35 kg 10 – 20 mg once daily ≥35 kg 20 – 40 mg once daily Benicar may be administered with or without food.

If blood pressure is not controlled by Benicar alone, a diuretic may be added.

Benicar may be administered with other antihypertensive agents.

2.1 Adult Hypertension Dosage must be individualized.

The usual recommended starting dose of Benicar is 20 mg once daily when used as monotherapy in patients who are not volume-contracted.

For patients requiring further reduction in blood pressure after 2 weeks of therapy, the dose of Benicar may be increased to 40 mg.

Doses above 40 mg do not appear to have greater effect.

Twice-daily dosing offers no advantage over the same total dose given once daily.

No initial dosage adjustment is recommended for elderly patients, for patients with moderate to marked renal impairment (creatinine clearance <40 mL/min) or with moderate to marked hepatic dysfunction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) , Use in Specific Populations ( 8.5 , 8.6 , 8.7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

For patients with possible depletion of intravascular volume (e.g., patients treated with diuretics, particularly those with impaired renal function), initiate Benicar under close medical supervision and give consideration to use of a lower starting dose [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Benicar may be administered with or without food.

If blood pressure is not controlled by Benicar alone, a diuretic may be added.

Benicar may be administered with other antihypertensive agents.

2.2 Pediatric Hypertension (6 to 16 years of age) Dosage must be individualized.

For children who can swallow tablets, the usual recommended starting dose of Benicar is 10 mg once daily for patients who weigh 20 to <35 kg (44 to 77 lb), or 20 mg once daily for patients who weigh ≥35 kg.

For patients requiring further reduction in blood pressure after 2 weeks of therapy, the dose of Benicar may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg once daily for patients who weigh <35 kg or 40 mg once daily for patients who weigh ≥35 kg.

Children <1 year of age must not receive Benicar for hypertension.

For children who cannot swallow tablets, the same dose can be given using an extemporaneous suspension as described below [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Follow the suspension preparation instructions below to administer Benicar as a suspension.

Preparation of Suspension (for 200 mL of a 2 mg/mL suspension) Add 50 mL of Purified Water to an amber polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle containing twenty Benicar 20 mg tablets and allow to stand for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Shake the container for at least 1 minute and allow the suspension to stand for at least 1 minute.

Repeat 1-minute shaking and 1-minute standing for four additional times.

Add 100 mL of Ora-Sweet ® * and 50 mL of Ora-Plus ® * to the suspension and shake well for at least 1 minute.

The suspension should be refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F) and can be stored for up to 4 weeks.

Shake the suspension well before each use and return promptly to the refrigerator.

* Ora-Sweet ® and Ora-Plus ® are registered trademarks of Paddock Laboratories, Inc.

WARNINGS

Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages.

This adverse reaction most frequently involves the Achilles tendon, and rupture of the Achilles tendon may require surgical repair.

Tendinitis and tendon rupture in the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps, the thumb, and other tendon sites have also been reported.

The risk of developing fluoroquinolone-associated tendinitis and tendon rupture is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants.

Factors, in addition to age and corticosteroid use, that may independently increase the risk of tendon rupture include strenuous physical activity, renal failure, and previous tendon disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Tendinitis and tendon rupture have also occurred in patients taking fluoroquinolones who do not have the above risk factors.

Inflammation and tendon rupture can occur, sometimes bilaterally, even within the first 48 hours, during or after completion of therapy; cases occurring up to several months after completion of therapy have been reported.

Ciprofloxacin should be used with caution in patients with a history of tendon disorders.

Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences pain, swelling, inflammation or rupture of a tendon.

Patients should be advised to rest at the first sign of tendinitis or tendon rupture, and to contact their healthcare provider regarding changing to a non-quinolone antimicrobial drug.

Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, have neuromuscular blocking activity and may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis.

Postmarketing serious adverse events, including deaths and requirement for ventilatory support, have been associated with fluoroquinolone use in persons with myasthenia gravis.

Avoid ciprofloxacin in patients with known history of myasthenia gravis.

(See PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients and ADVERSE REACTIONS: Post-Marketing Adverse Event Reports.

) THE SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF CIPROFLOXACIN IN PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED.

(See PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy , and Nursing Mothers subsections.) Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions, some following the first dose, have been reported in patients receiving quinolone therapy.

Some reactions were accompanied by cardiovascular collapse, loss of consciousness, tingling, pharyngeal or facial edema, dyspnea, urticaria, and itching.

Only a few patients had a history of hypersensitivity reactions.

Serious anaphylactic reactions require immediate emergency treatment with epinephrine.

Oxygen, intravenous steroids, and airway management, including intubation, should be administered as indicated.

Other Serious and Sometimes Fatal Reactions Other serious and sometimes fatal events, some due to hypersensitivity, and some due to uncertain etiology, have been reported rarely in patients receiving therapy with quinolones, including ciprofloxacin.

These events may be severe and generally occur following the administration of multiple doses.

Clinical manifestations may include one or more of the following: Fever, rash, or severe dermatologic reactions (for example, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome); Vasculitis; arthralgia; myalgia; serum sickness; Allergic pneumonitis; Interstitial nephritis; acute renal insufficiency or failure; Hepatitis; jaundice; acute hepatic necrosis or failure; Anemia, including hemolytic and aplastic; thrombocytopenia, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; leukopenia; agranulocytosis; pancytopenia; and/or other hematologic abnormalities.

The drug should be discontinued immediately at the first appearance of a skin rash, jaundice, or any other sign of hypersensitivity and supportive measures instituted (See PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients and ADVERSE REACTIONS ).

Cases of severe hepatotoxicity, including hepatic necrosis, life-threatening hepatic failure, and fatal events, have been reported with ciprofloxacin.

Acute liver injury is rapid in onset (range 1-39 days), and is often associated with hypersensitivity.

The pattern of injury can be hepatocellular, cholestatic or mixed.

Most patients with fatal outcomes were older than 55 years old.

In the event of any signs and symptoms of hepatitis (such as anorexia, jaundice, dark urine, pruritus, or tender abdomen), treatment should be discontinued immediately (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ).

There can be a temporary increase in transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, or cholestatic jaundice, especially in patients with previous liver damage, who are treated with ciprofloxacin (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ).

SERIOUS AND FATAL REACTIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN PATIENTS RECEIVING CONCURRENT ADMINISTRATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN AND THEOPHYLLINE.

These reactions have included cardiac arrest, seizure, status epilepticus, and respiratory failure.

Although similar serious adverse effects have been reported in patients receiving theophylline alone, the possibility that these reactions may be potentiated by ciprofloxacin cannot be eliminated.

If concomitant use cannot be avoided, serum levels of theophylline should be monitored and dosage adjustments made as appropriate.

Convulsions, increased intracranial pressure (including pseudotumor cerebri), and toxic psychosis have been reported in patients receiving fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin.

Ciprofloxacin may also cause central nervous system (CNS) events including: dizziness, confusion, tremors, hallucinations, depression, and, rarely, psychotic reactions have progressed to suicidal ideations/thoughts and self-injurious behavior such as attempted or completed suicide.

These reactions may occur following the first dose.

If these reactions occur in patients receiving ciprofloxacin, the drug should be discontinued, patients should be advised to inform their healthcare provider immediately and appropriate measures instituted.

Ciprofloxacin, like other fluoroquinolones, is known to trigger seizures or lower the seizure threshold.

As with all fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin should be used with caution in epileptic patients and patients with known or suspected CNS disorders that may predispose to seizures or lower the seizure threshold (for example, severe cerebral arteriosclerosis, previous history of convulsion, reduced cerebral blood flow, altered brain structure, or stroke), or in the presence of other risk factors that may predispose to seizures or lower the seizure threshold (for example, certain drug therapy, renal dysfunction).

Ciprofloxacin should only be used where the benefits of treatment exceed the risks, since these patients are endangered because of possible undesirable CNS side effects.

Cases of status epilepticus have been reported.

If seizures occur, ciprofloxacin should be discontinued.

(See PRECAUTIONS: General , Information for Patients , Drug Interactions and ADVERSE REACTIONS .

) Clostridium difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including ciprofloxacin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis.

Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C.

difficile.

C.

difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD.

Hypertoxin producing isolates of C.

difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy.

CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use.

Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.

If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C.

difficile may need to be discontinued.

Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C.

difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.

Rare cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy affecting small and/or large axons resulting in paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias and weakness have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including ciprofloxacin.

Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences symptoms of neuropathy including pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness, or is found to have deficits in light touch, pain, temperature, position sense, vibratory sensation, and/or motor strength in order to prevent the development of an irreversible condition.

Patients treated with ciprofloxacin should be advised to inform their healthcare provider prior to continuing treatment if symptoms of neuropathy develop.

Ciprofloxacin should be used in pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) only for infections listed in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section.

An increased incidence of adverse events compared to controls, including events related to joints and/or surrounding tissues, has been observed.

(See ADVERSE REACTIONS .

) In pre-clinical studies, oral administration of ciprofloxacin caused lameness in immature dogs.

Histopathological examination of the weight-bearing joints of these dogs revealed permanent lesions of the cartilage.

Related quinolone-class drugs also produce erosions of cartilage of weight-bearing joints and other signs of arthropathy in immature animals of various species.

(See ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY .

) Some fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram and infrequent cases of arrhythmia.

Rare cases of torsade de pointes have been spontaneously reported during postmarketing surveillance in patients receiving fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin.

Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in patients with known prolongation of the QT interval, risk factors for QT prolongation or torsade de pointes (for example, congenital long QT syndrome , uncorrected electrolyte imbalance, such as hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia and cardiac disease, such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, or bradycardia), and patients receiving Class IA antiarrhythmic agents (quinidine, procainamide), or Class III antiarrhythmic agents (amiodarone, sotalol), tricyclic antidepressants, macrolides, and antipsychotics.

Elderly patients may also be more susceptible to drug-associated effects on the QT interval.

(See PRECAUTIONS , Drug Interactions and Geriatric Use ).

Ciprofloxacin is an inhibitor of the hepatic CYP1A2 enzyme pathway.

Coadministration of ciprofloxacin and other drugs primarily metabolized by the CYP1A2 (for example, theophylline, methylxanthines, caffeine, tizanidine, ropinirole, clozapine, olanzapine) results in increased plasma concentrations of the coadministered drug and could lead to clinically significant pharmacodynamic side effects of the coadministered drug (See PRECAUTIONS , Drug Interactions ) .

Ciprofloxacin has not been shown to be effective in the treatment of syphilis.

Antimicrobial agents used in high dose for short periods of time to treat gonorrhea may mask or delay the symptoms of incubating syphilis.

All patients with gonorrhea should have a serologic test for syphilis at the time of diagnosis.

Patients treated with ciprofloxacin should have a follow-up serologic test for syphilis after three months.

OVERDOSAGE

In the event of acute overdosage, reversible renal toxicity has been reported in some cases.

The stomach should be emptied by inducing vomiting or by gastric lavage.

The patient should be carefully observed and given supportive treatment, including monitoring of renal function, urinary pH and acidify, if required, to prevent crystalluria and administration of magnesium, aluminum, or calcium containing antacids, which can reduce the absorption of ciprofloxacin.

Adequate hydration must be maintained.

Only a small amount of ciprofloxacin (< 10%) is removed from the body after hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Single doses of ciprofloxacin were relatively non-toxic via the oral route of administration in mice, rats, and dogs.

No deaths occurred within a 14-day post treatment observation period at the highest oral doses tested; up to 5000 mg/kg in either rodent species, or up to 2500 mg/kg in the dog.

Clinical signs observed included hypoactivity and cyanosis in both rodent species and severe vomiting in dogs.

In rabbits, significant mortality was seen at doses of ciprofloxacin > 2500 mg/kg.

Mortality was delayed in these animals, occurring 10-14 days after dosing.

In mice, rats, rabbits and dogs, significant toxicity including tonic/clonic convulsions was observed at intravenous doses of ciprofloxacin between 125 and 300 mg/kg.

DESCRIPTION

Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets are synthetic broad spectrum antimicrobial agents for oral administration.

Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, USP, a fluoroquinolone, is the monohydrochloride monohydrate salt of 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid.

It is a faintly yellowish to light yellow crystalline substance with a molecular weight of 385.8.

Its empirical formula is C 17 H 18 FN 3 O 3 • HCl • H 2 O and its chemical structure is as follows: Ciprofloxacin tablets are film-coated and white in color.

Each tablet, for oral administration, contains ciprofloxacin hydrochloride equivalent to 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg ciprofloxacin.

In addition, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 400, sodium starch glycolate, corn starch and titanium dioxide.

MM1

CLINICAL STUDIES

NOTE: Although effective in clinical trials, ciprofloxacin is not a drug of first choice in the pediatric population due to an increased incidence of adverse events compared to controls, including events related to joints and/or surrounding tissues.

Ciprofloxacin, administered IV and/or orally, was compared to a cephalosporin for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) and pyelonephritis in pediatric patients 1 to 17 years of age (mean age of 6 ± 4 years).

The trial was conducted in the US, Canada, Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico, South Africa, and Germany.

The duration of therapy was 10 to 21 days (mean duration of treatment was 11 days with a range of 1 to 88 days).

The primary objective of the study was to assess musculoskeletal and neurological safety.

Patients were evaluated for clinical success and bacteriological eradication of the baseline organism(s) with no new infection or superinfection at 5 to 9 days post-therapy (Test of Cure or TOC).

The Per Protocol population had a causative organism(s) with protocol specified colony count(s) at baseline, no protocol violation, and no premature discontinuation or loss to follow-up (among other criteria).

The clinical success and bacteriologic eradication rates in the Per Protocol population were similar between ciprofloxacin and the comparator group as shown below.

Ciprofloxacin Comparator Randomized Patients 337 352 Per Protocol Patients 211 231 Clinical Response at 5 to 9 Days Post-Treatment 95.7% (202/211) 92.6% (214/231) 95% CI [-1.3%, 7.3%] Bacteriologic Eradication byPatient at 5 to 9 DaysPost-Treatment* 84.4% (178/211) 78.3% (181/231) 95% CI [-1.3%, 13.1%] Bacteriologic Eradication of the Baseline Pathogen at 5 to 9 Days Post-Treatment Escherichia coli 156/178 (88%) 161/179 (90%) * Patients with baseline pathogen(s) eradicated and no new infections or superinfections/total number of patients.

There were 5.5% (6/211) ciprofloxacin and 9.5% (22/231) comparator patients with superinfections or new infections.

HOW SUPPLIED

Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP 100 mg are white, oval shaped film-coated tablets debossed with “R” on one side and “125” on other side and supplied in a cystitis pack containing 6 tablets for use only in female patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis.

Cystitis package of 6 NDC 55111-125-06 Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP 250 mg are white, oval shaped film-coated tablets debossed with “R” on one side and “126” on other side and are supplied in bottles of 50, 100, 500 and unit dose packages of 10 × 10.

Bottles of 50 NDC 55111-126-50 Bottles of 100 NDC 55111-126-01 Bottles of 500 NDC 55111-126-05 Unit dose package of 10 × 10 NDC 55111-126-78 Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP 500 mg are white, oval shaped film-coated tablets debossed with “R” on one side and “127” on other side and are supplied in bottles of 50, 100, 500 and unit dose packages of 10 × 10.

Bottles of 50 NDC 55111-127-50 Bottles of 100 NDC 55111-127-01 Bottles of 500 NDC 55111-127-05 Unit dose package of 10 × 10 NDC 55111-127-78 Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP 750 mg are white, modified capsule shaped film-coated tablets debossed with “R” on one side and “128” on other side and are supplied in bottles of 50, 100, 500 and unit dose packages of 10 × 10.

Bottles of 50 NDC 55111-128-50 Bottles of 100 NDC 55111-128-01 Bottles of 500 NDC 55111-128-05 Unit dose package of 10 × 10 NDC 55111-128-78 Store below 86°F (30°C).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

INDICATIONS & USAGE Ciprofloxacin tablets are indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible isolates of the designated microorganisms in the conditions and patient populations listed below.

Please see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION for specific recommendations.

Urinary Tract Infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia rettgeri, Morganella morganii, Citrobacter koseri (diversus), Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, or vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis.

Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis in Females caused by Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis caused by Escherichia coli or Proteus mirabilis.

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, or penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae.

* Also, Moraxella catarrhalis for the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

*Ciprofloxacin is not a drug of first choice in the treatment of presumed or confirmed pneumonia secondary to Streptococcus pneumoniae .

Acute Sinusitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae, penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Moraxella catarrhalis.

Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Providencia stuartii, Morganella morganii, Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-susceptible, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis, or Streptococcus pyogenes.

Bone and Joint Infections caused by Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections (used in combination with metronidazole) caused by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Bacteroides fragilis.

Infectious Diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli (enterotoxigenic isolates), Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella boydii *, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri or Shigella sonnei * when antibacterial therapy is indicated.

* Although treatment of infections due to this organism in this organ system demonstrated a clinically significant outcome, efficacy was studied in fewer than 10 patients.

Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever) caused by Salmonella typhi.

NOTE: The efficacy of ciprofloxacin in the eradication of the chronic typhoid carrier state has not been demonstrated.

Uncomplicated Cervical and Urethral Gonorrhea due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Complicated Urinary Tract Infections and Pyelonephritis due to Escherichia coli .

NOTE: Although effective in clinical trials, ciprofloxacin is not a drug of first choice in the pediatric population due to an increased incidence of adverse events compared to controls, including events related to joints and/or surrounding tissues.

(See WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use , ADVERSE REACTIONS and CLINICAL STUDIES .) Ciprofloxacin, like other fluoroquinolones, is associated with arthropathy and histopathological changes in weight-bearing joints of juvenile animals.

(See ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY .) Inhalational Anthrax (post-exposure): To reduce the incidence or progression of disease following exposure to aerosolized Bacillus anthracis.

Ciprofloxacin serum concentrations achieved in humans served as a surrogate endpoint reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit and provided the initial basis for approval of this indication.

5 Supportive clinical information for ciprofloxacin for anthrax post-exposure prophylaxis was obtained during the anthrax bioterror attacks of October 2001.

(See also, INHALATIONAL ANTHRAX – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ).

If anaerobic organisms are suspected of contributing to the infection, appropriate therapy should be administered.

Appropriate culture and susceptibility tests should be performed before treatment in order to isolate and identify organisms causing infection and to determine their susceptibility to ciprofloxacin.

Therapy with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride may be initiated before results of these tests are known; once results become available appropriate therapy should be continued.

As with other drugs, some isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa may develop resistance fairly rapidly during treatment with ciprofloxacin.

Culture and susceptibility testing performed periodically during therapy will provide information not only on the therapeutic effect of the antimicrobial agent but also on the possible emergence of bacterial resistance.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, ciprofloxacin tablets should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy.

In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

BOXED WARNING

WARNING: Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages.

This risk is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants (See WARNINGS ).

Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis.

Avoid ciprofloxacin in patients with known history of myasthenia gravis (see WARNINGS ).

WARNINGS

Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages.

This adverse reaction most frequently involves the Achilles tendon, and rupture of the Achilles tendon may require surgical repair.

Tendinitis and tendon rupture in the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps, the thumb, and other tendon sites have also been reported.

The risk of developing fluoroquinolone-associated tendinitis and tendon rupture is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants.

Factors, in addition to age and corticosteroid use, that may independently increase the risk of tendon rupture include strenuous physical activity, renal failure, and previous tendon disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Tendinitis and tendon rupture have also occurred in patients taking fluoroquinolones who do not have the above risk factors.

Inflammation and tendon rupture can occur, sometimes bilaterally, even within the first 48 hours, during or after completion of therapy; cases occurring up to several months after completion of therapy have been reported.

Ciprofloxacin should be used with caution in patients with a history of tendon disorders.

Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences pain, swelling, inflammation or rupture of a tendon.

Patients should be advised to rest at the first sign of tendinitis or tendon rupture, and to contact their healthcare provider regarding changing to a non-quinolone antimicrobial drug.

Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, have neuromuscular blocking activity and may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis.

Postmarketing serious adverse events, including deaths and requirement for ventilatory support, have been associated with fluoroquinolone use in persons with myasthenia gravis.

Avoid ciprofloxacin in patients with known history of myasthenia gravis.

(See PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients and ADVERSE REACTIONS: Post-Marketing Adverse Event Reports.

) THE SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF CIPROFLOXACIN IN PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED.

(See PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy , and Nursing Mothers subsections.) Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions, some following the first dose, have been reported in patients receiving quinolone therapy.

Some reactions were accompanied by cardiovascular collapse, loss of consciousness, tingling, pharyngeal or facial edema, dyspnea, urticaria, and itching.

Only a few patients had a history of hypersensitivity reactions.

Serious anaphylactic reactions require immediate emergency treatment with epinephrine.

Oxygen, intravenous steroids, and airway management, including intubation, should be administered as indicated.

Other Serious and Sometimes Fatal Reactions Other serious and sometimes fatal events, some due to hypersensitivity, and some due to uncertain etiology, have been reported rarely in patients receiving therapy with quinolones, including ciprofloxacin.

These events may be severe and generally occur following the administration of multiple doses.

Clinical manifestations may include one or more of the following: Fever, rash, or severe dermatologic reactions (for example, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome); Vasculitis; arthralgia; myalgia; serum sickness; Allergic pneumonitis; Interstitial nephritis; acute renal insufficiency or failure; Hepatitis; jaundice; acute hepatic necrosis or failure; Anemia, including hemolytic and aplastic; thrombocytopenia, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; leukopenia; agranulocytosis; pancytopenia; and/or other hematologic abnormalities.

The drug should be discontinued immediately at the first appearance of a skin rash, jaundice, or any other sign of hypersensitivity and supportive measures instituted (See PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients and ADVERSE REACTIONS ).

Cases of severe hepatotoxicity, including hepatic necrosis, life-threatening hepatic failure, and fatal events, have been reported with ciprofloxacin.

Acute liver injury is rapid in onset (range 1-39 days), and is often associated with hypersensitivity.

The pattern of injury can be hepatocellular, cholestatic or mixed.

Most patients with fatal outcomes were older than 55 years old.

In the event of any signs and symptoms of hepatitis (such as anorexia, jaundice, dark urine, pruritus, or tender abdomen), treatment should be discontinued immediately (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ).

There can be a temporary increase in transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, or cholestatic jaundice, especially in patients with previous liver damage, who are treated with ciprofloxacin (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ).

SERIOUS AND FATAL REACTIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN PATIENTS RECEIVING CONCURRENT ADMINISTRATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN AND THEOPHYLLINE.

These reactions have included cardiac arrest, seizure, status epilepticus, and respiratory failure.

Although similar serious adverse effects have been reported in patients receiving theophylline alone, the possibility that these reactions may be potentiated by ciprofloxacin cannot be eliminated.

If concomitant use cannot be avoided, serum levels of theophylline should be monitored and dosage adjustments made as appropriate.

Convulsions, increased intracranial pressure (including pseudotumor cerebri), and toxic psychosis have been reported in patients receiving fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin.

Ciprofloxacin may also cause central nervous system (CNS) events including: dizziness, confusion, tremors, hallucinations, depression, and, rarely, psychotic reactions have progressed to suicidal ideations/thoughts and self-injurious behavior such as attempted or completed suicide.

These reactions may occur following the first dose.

If these reactions occur in patients receiving ciprofloxacin, the drug should be discontinued, patients should be advised to inform their healthcare provider immediately and appropriate measures instituted.

Ciprofloxacin, like other fluoroquinolones, is known to trigger seizures or lower the seizure threshold.

As with all fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin should be used with caution in epileptic patients and patients with known or suspected CNS disorders that may predispose to seizures or lower the seizure threshold (for example, severe cerebral arteriosclerosis, previous history of convulsion, reduced cerebral blood flow, altered brain structure, or stroke), or in the presence of other risk factors that may predispose to seizures or lower the seizure threshold (for example, certain drug therapy, renal dysfunction).

Ciprofloxacin should only be used where the benefits of treatment exceed the risks, since these patients are endangered because of possible undesirable CNS side effects.

Cases of status epilepticus have been reported.

If seizures occur, ciprofloxacin should be discontinued.

(See PRECAUTIONS: General , Information for Patients , Drug Interactions and ADVERSE REACTIONS .

) Clostridium difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including ciprofloxacin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis.

Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C.

difficile.

C.

difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD.

Hypertoxin producing isolates of C.

difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy.

CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use.

Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.

If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C.

difficile may need to be discontinued.

Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C.

difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.

Rare cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy affecting small and/or large axons resulting in paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias and weakness have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including ciprofloxacin.

Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences symptoms of neuropathy including pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness, or is found to have deficits in light touch, pain, temperature, position sense, vibratory sensation, and/or motor strength in order to prevent the development of an irreversible condition.

Patients treated with ciprofloxacin should be advised to inform their healthcare provider prior to continuing treatment if symptoms of neuropathy develop.

Ciprofloxacin should be used in pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) only for infections listed in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section.

An increased incidence of adverse events compared to controls, including events related to joints and/or surrounding tissues, has been observed.

(See ADVERSE REACTIONS .

) In pre-clinical studies, oral administration of ciprofloxacin caused lameness in immature dogs.

Histopathological examination of the weight-bearing joints of these dogs revealed permanent lesions of the cartilage.

Related quinolone-class drugs also produce erosions of cartilage of weight-bearing joints and other signs of arthropathy in immature animals of various species.

(See ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY .

) Some fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram and infrequent cases of arrhythmia.

Rare cases of torsade de pointes have been spontaneously reported during postmarketing surveillance in patients receiving fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin.

Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in patients with known prolongation of the QT interval, risk factors for QT prolongation or torsade de pointes (for example, congenital long QT syndrome , uncorrected electrolyte imbalance, such as hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia and cardiac disease, such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, or bradycardia), and patients receiving Class IA antiarrhythmic agents (quinidine, procainamide), or Class III antiarrhythmic agents (amiodarone, sotalol), tricyclic antidepressants, macrolides, and antipsychotics.

Elderly patients may also be more susceptible to drug-associated effects on the QT interval.

(See PRECAUTIONS , Drug Interactions and Geriatric Use ).

Ciprofloxacin is an inhibitor of the hepatic CYP1A2 enzyme pathway.

Coadministration of ciprofloxacin and other drugs primarily metabolized by the CYP1A2 (for example, theophylline, methylxanthines, caffeine, tizanidine, ropinirole, clozapine, olanzapine) results in increased plasma concentrations of the coadministered drug and could lead to clinically significant pharmacodynamic side effects of the coadministered drug (See PRECAUTIONS , Drug Interactions ) .

Ciprofloxacin has not been shown to be effective in the treatment of syphilis.

Antimicrobial agents used in high dose for short periods of time to treat gonorrhea may mask or delay the symptoms of incubating syphilis.

All patients with gonorrhea should have a serologic test for syphilis at the time of diagnosis.

Patients treated with ciprofloxacin should have a follow-up serologic test for syphilis after three months.

OVERDOSAGE

In the event of acute overdosage, reversible renal toxicity has been reported in some cases.

The stomach should be emptied by inducing vomiting or by gastric lavage.

The patient should be carefully observed and given supportive treatment, including monitoring of renal function, urinary pH and acidify, if required, to prevent crystalluria and administration of magnesium, aluminum, or calcium containing antacids, which can reduce the absorption of ciprofloxacin.

Adequate hydration must be maintained.

Only a small amount of ciprofloxacin (< 10%) is removed from the body after hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Single doses of ciprofloxacin were relatively non-toxic via the oral route of administration in mice, rats, and dogs.

No deaths occurred within a 14-day post treatment observation period at the highest oral doses tested; up to 5000 mg/kg in either rodent species, or up to 2500 mg/kg in the dog.

Clinical signs observed included hypoactivity and cyanosis in both rodent species and severe vomiting in dogs.

In rabbits, significant mortality was seen at doses of ciprofloxacin > 2500 mg/kg.

Mortality was delayed in these animals, occurring 10-14 days after dosing.

In mice, rats, rabbits and dogs, significant toxicity including tonic/clonic convulsions was observed at intravenous doses of ciprofloxacin between 125 and 300 mg/kg.

DESCRIPTION

Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets are synthetic broad spectrum antimicrobial agents for oral administration.

Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, USP, a fluoroquinolone, is the monohydrochloride monohydrate salt of 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid.

It is a faintly yellowish to light yellow crystalline substance with a molecular weight of 385.8.

Its empirical formula is C 17 H 18 FN 3 O 3 • HCl • H 2 O and its chemical structure is as follows: Ciprofloxacin tablets are film-coated and white in color.

Each tablet, for oral administration, contains ciprofloxacin hydrochloride equivalent to 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg ciprofloxacin.

In addition, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 400, sodium starch glycolate, corn starch and titanium dioxide.

MM1

CLINICAL STUDIES

NOTE: Although effective in clinical trials, ciprofloxacin is not a drug of first choice in the pediatric population due to an increased incidence of adverse events compared to controls, including events related to joints and/or surrounding tissues.

Ciprofloxacin, administered IV and/or orally, was compared to a cephalosporin for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) and pyelonephritis in pediatric patients 1 to 17 years of age (mean age of 6 ± 4 years).

The trial was conducted in the US, Canada, Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico, South Africa, and Germany.

The duration of therapy was 10 to 21 days (mean duration of treatment was 11 days with a range of 1 to 88 days).

The primary objective of the study was to assess musculoskeletal and neurological safety.

Patients were evaluated for clinical success and bacteriological eradication of the baseline organism(s) with no new infection or superinfection at 5 to 9 days post-therapy (Test of Cure or TOC).

The Per Protocol population had a causative organism(s) with protocol specified colony count(s) at baseline, no protocol violation, and no premature discontinuation or loss to follow-up (among other criteria).

The clinical success and bacteriologic eradication rates in the Per Protocol population were similar between ciprofloxacin and the comparator group as shown below.

Ciprofloxacin Comparator Randomized Patients 337 352 Per Protocol Patients 211 231 Clinical Response at 5 to 9 Days Post-Treatment 95.7% (202/211) 92.6% (214/231) 95% CI [-1.3%, 7.3%] Bacteriologic Eradication byPatient at 5 to 9 DaysPost-Treatment* 84.4% (178/211) 78.3% (181/231) 95% CI [-1.3%, 13.1%] Bacteriologic Eradication of the Baseline Pathogen at 5 to 9 Days Post-Treatment Escherichia coli 156/178 (88%) 161/179 (90%) * Patients with baseline pathogen(s) eradicated and no new infections or superinfections/total number of patients.

There were 5.5% (6/211) ciprofloxacin and 9.5% (22/231) comparator patients with superinfections or new infections.

HOW SUPPLIED

Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP 100 mg are white, oval shaped film-coated tablets debossed with “R” on one side and “125” on other side and supplied in a cystitis pack containing 6 tablets for use only in female patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis.

Cystitis package of 6 NDC 55111-125-06 Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP 250 mg are white, oval shaped film-coated tablets debossed with “R” on one side and “126” on other side and are supplied in bottles of 50, 100, 500 and unit dose packages of 10 × 10.

Bottles of 50 NDC 55111-126-50 Bottles of 100 NDC 55111-126-01 Bottles of 500 NDC 55111-126-05 Unit dose package of 10 × 10 NDC 55111-126-78 Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP 500 mg are white, oval shaped film-coated tablets debossed with “R” on one side and “127” on other side and are supplied in bottles of 50, 100, 500 and unit dose packages of 10 × 10.

Bottles of 50 NDC 55111-127-50 Bottles of 100 NDC 55111-127-01 Bottles of 500 NDC 55111-127-05 Unit dose package of 10 × 10 NDC 55111-127-78 Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP 750 mg are white, modified capsule shaped film-coated tablets debossed with “R” on one side and “128” on other side and are supplied in bottles of 50, 100, 500 and unit dose packages of 10 × 10.

Bottles of 50 NDC 55111-128-50 Bottles of 100 NDC 55111-128-01 Bottles of 500 NDC 55111-128-05 Unit dose package of 10 × 10 NDC 55111-128-78 Store below 86°F (30°C).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

INDICATIONS & USAGE Ciprofloxacin tablets are indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible isolates of the designated microorganisms in the conditions and patient populations listed below.

Please see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION for specific recommendations.

Urinary Tract Infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia rettgeri, Morganella morganii, Citrobacter koseri (diversus), Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, or vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis.

Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis in Females caused by Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis caused by Escherichia coli or Proteus mirabilis.

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, or penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae.

* Also, Moraxella catarrhalis for the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

*Ciprofloxacin is not a drug of first choice in the treatment of presumed or confirmed pneumonia secondary to Streptococcus pneumoniae .

Acute Sinusitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae, penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Moraxella catarrhalis.

Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Providencia stuartii, Morganella morganii, Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-susceptible, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis, or Streptococcus pyogenes.

Bone and Joint Infections caused by Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections (used in combination with metronidazole) caused by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Bacteroides fragilis.

Infectious Diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli (enterotoxigenic isolates), Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella boydii *, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri or Shigella sonnei * when antibacterial therapy is indicated.

* Although treatment of infections due to this organism in this organ system demonstrated a clinically significant outcome, efficacy was studied in fewer than 10 patients.

Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever) caused by Salmonella typhi.

NOTE: The efficacy of ciprofloxacin in the eradication of the chronic typhoid carrier state has not been demonstrated.

Uncomplicated Cervical and Urethral Gonorrhea due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Complicated Urinary Tract Infections and Pyelonephritis due to Escherichia coli .

NOTE: Although effective in clinical trials, ciprofloxacin is not a drug of first choice in the pediatric population due to an increased incidence of adverse events compared to controls, including events related to joints and/or surrounding tissues.

(See WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use , ADVERSE REACTIONS and CLINICAL STUDIES .) Ciprofloxacin, like other fluoroquinolones, is associated with arthropathy and histopathological changes in weight-bearing joints of juvenile animals.

(See ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY .) Inhalational Anthrax (post-exposure): To reduce the incidence or progression of disease following exposure to aerosolized Bacillus anthracis.

Ciprofloxacin serum concentrations achieved in humans served as a surrogate endpoint reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit and provided the initial basis for approval of this indication.

5 Supportive clinical information for ciprofloxacin for anthrax post-exposure prophylaxis was obtained during the anthrax bioterror attacks of October 2001.

(See also, INHALATIONAL ANTHRAX – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ).

If anaerobic organisms are suspected of contributing to the infection, appropriate therapy should be administered.

Appropriate culture and susceptibility tests should be performed before treatment in order to isolate and identify organisms causing infection and to determine their susceptibility to ciprofloxacin.

Therapy with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride may be initiated before results of these tests are known; once results become available appropriate therapy should be continued.

As with other drugs, some isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa may develop resistance fairly rapidly during treatment with ciprofloxacin.

Culture and susceptibility testing performed periodically during therapy will provide information not only on the therapeutic effect of the antimicrobial agent but also on the possible emergence of bacterial resistance.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, ciprofloxacin tablets should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy.

In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

BOXED WARNING

WARNING: Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages.

This risk is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants (See WARNINGS ).

Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis.

Avoid ciprofloxacin in patients with known history of myasthenia gravis (see WARNINGS ).

WARNINGS

CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Clinical trials of several COX-2 selective and nonselective NSAIDs of up to three years duration have shown an increased risk of serious cardiovascular (CV) thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal.

All NSAIDS, both COX-2 selective and nonselective, may have a similar risk.

Patients with known CV disease or risk factors for CV disease may be at greater risk.

To minimize the potential risk for an adverse CV event in patients treated with an NSAID, the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration possible.

Physicians and patients should remain alert for the development of such events, even in the absence of previous CV symptoms.

Patients should be informed about the signs and/or symptoms of serious CV events and the steps to take if they occur.

There is no consistent evidence that concurrent use of aspirin mitigates the increased risk of serious CV thrombotic events associated with NSAID use.

The concurrent use of aspirin and an NSAID does increase the risk of serious GI events (see Gastrointestinal Effects – Risk of Ulceration, Bleeding, and Perforation ).

Two large, controlled, clinical trials of a COX-2 selective NSAID for the treatment of pain in the first 10-14 days following CABG surgery found an increased incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ).

Hypertension NSAIDs, including naproxen and naproxen sodium, can lead to onset of new hypertension or worsening of pre-existing hypertension, either of which may contribute to the increased incidence of CV events.

Patients taking thiazides or loop diuretics may have impaired response to these therapies when taking NSAIDs.

NSAIDs, including naproxen and naproxen sodium, should be used with caution in patients with hypertension.

Blood pressure (BP) should be monitored closely during the initiation of NSAID treatment and throughout the course of therapy.

Congestive Heart Failure and Edema Fluid retention, edema, and peripheral edema have been observed in some patients taking NSAIDs.

Naproxen and naproxen sodium should be used with caution in patients with fluid retention, hypertension, or heart failure.

Since each naproxen sodium tablet contains 25 mg or 50 mg of sodium (about 1 mEq per each 250 mg of naproxen), this could be considered in patients whose overall intake of sodium must be severely restricted.

Gastrointestinal Effects Risk of Ulceration, Bleeding, and Perforation NSAIDs, including naproxen and naproxen sodium, can cause serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, which can be fatal.

These serious adverse events can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms, in patients treated with NSAIDs.

Only one in five patients, who develop a serious upper GI adverse event on NSAID therapy, is symptomatic.

Upper GI ulcers, gross bleeding, or perforation caused by NSAIDs occur in approximately 1% of patients treated for 3-6 months, and in about 2-4% of patients treated for one year.

These trends continue with longer duration of use, increasing the likelihood of developing a serious GI event at some time during the course of therapy.

However, even short-term therapy is not without risk.

The utility of periodic laboratory monitoring has not been demonstrated, nor has it been adequately assessed.

Only 1 in 5 patients who develop a serious upper GI adverse event on NSAID therapy is symptomatic.

NSAIDs should be prescribed with extreme caution in those with a prior history of ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or gastrointestinal bleeding who use NSAIDs have a greater than 10-fold increased risk for developing a GI bleed compared to patients with neither of these risk factors.

Other factors that increase the risk for GI bleeding in patients treated with NSAIDs include concomitant use of oral corticosteroids or anticoagulants, longer duration of NSAID therapy, smoking, use of alcohol, older age, and poor general health status.

Most spontaneous reports of fatal GI events are in elderly or debilitated patients and therefore, special care should be taken in treating this population.

To minimize the potential risk for an adverse GI event in patients treated with an NSAID, the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest possible duration.

Patients and physicians should remain alert for signs and symptoms of GI ulceration and bleeding during NSAID therapy and promptly initiate additional evaluation and treatment if a serious GI adverse event is suspected.

This should include discontinuation of the NSAID until a serious GI adverse event is ruled out.

For high risk patients, alternate therapies that do not involve NSAIDs should be considered.

Epidemiological studies, both of the case-control and cohort design, have demonstrated as association between use of psychotropic drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and the occurrence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

In two studies, concurrent use of an NSAID or aspirin potentiated the risk of bleeding (see PRECAUTIONS – Drug Interactions ).

Although these studies focused on upper gastrointestinal bleeding, there is reason to believe that bleeding at other sites may be similarly potentiated.

NSAIDs should be given with care to patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease) as their condition may be exacerbated.

Renal Effects Long-term administration of NSAIDs has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and other renal injury.

Renal toxicity has also been seen in patients in whom renal prostaglandins have a compensatory role in the maintenance of renal perfusion.

In these patients, administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug may cause a dose-dependent reduction in prostaglandin formation and, secondarily, in renal blood flow, which may precipitate overt renal decompensation.

Patients at greatest risk of this reaction are those with impaired renal function, hypovolemia, heart failure, liver dysfunction, salt depletion, those taking diuretics and ACE inhibitors, and the elderly.

Discontinuation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy is usually followed by recovery to the pretreatment state (see : Advanced Renal Disease ).

Advanced Renal Disease No information is available from controlled clinical studies regarding the use of naproxen or naproxen sodium in patients with advanced renal disease.

Therefore, treatment with naproxen and naproxen sodium is not recommended in these patients with advanced renal disease.

If naproxen or naproxen sodium therapy must be initiated, close monitoring of the patient’s renal function is advisable.

Anaphylactoid Reactions As with other NSAIDs, anaphylactoid reactions may occur in patients without known prior exposure to naproxen or naproxen sodium.

Naproxen and naproxen sodium should not be given to patients with the aspirin triad.

This symptom complex typically occurs in asthmatic patients who experience rhinitis with or without nasal polyps, or who exhibit severe, potentially fatal bronchospasm after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and PRECAUTIONS: Preexisting Asthma ).

Emergency help should be sought in cases where an anaphylactoid reaction occurs.

Anaphylactoid reactions, like anaphylaxis, may have a fatal outcome.

Skin Reactions NSAIDs, including naproxen and naproxen sodium, can cause serious skin adverse events such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can be fatal.

These serious events may occur without warning.

Patients should be informed about the signs and symptoms of serious skin manifestations and use of the drug should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity.

Pregnancy In late pregnancy, as with other NSAIDs, naproxen and naproxen sodium should be avoided because it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Drug Interactions ACE-inhibitors Reports suggest that NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE-inhibitors.

This interaction should be given consideration in patients taking NSAIDs concomitantly with ACE-inhibitors.

Antacids and Sucralfate Concomitant administration of some antacids (magnesium oxide or aluminum hydroxide) and sucralfate can delay the absorption of naproxen.

Aspirin When naproxen as naproxen or naproxen sodium tablet is administered with aspirin, its protein binding is reduced, although the clearance of free naproxen or naproxen sodium is not altered.

The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of naproxen and naproxen sodium and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.

Cholestyramine As with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of cholestyramine can delay the absorption of naproxen.

Diuretics Clinical studies, as well as postmarketing observations, have shown that naproxen and naproxen sodium can reduce the natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides in some patients.

This response has been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis.

During concomitant therapy with NSAIDs, the patient should be observed closely for signs of renal failure (see WARNINGS: Renal Effects ), as well as to assure diuretic efficacy.

Lithium NSAIDs have produced an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance.

The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15% and the renal clearance was decreased by approximately 20%.

These effects have been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by the NSAID.

Thus, when NSAIDs and lithium are administered concurrently, subjects should be observed carefully for signs of lithium toxicity.

Methotrexate NSAIDs have been reported to competitively inhibit methotrexate accumulation in rabbit kidney slices.

Naproxen, naproxen sodium and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been reported to reduce the tubular secretion of methotrexate in an animal model.

This may indicate that they could enhance the toxicity of methotrexate.

Caution should be used when NSAIDs are administered concomitantly with methotrexate.

Warfarin The effects of warfarin and NSAIDs on GI bleeding are synergistic, such that users of both drugs together have a risk of serious GI bleeding higher than users of either drug alone.

No significant interactions have been observed in clinical studies with naproxen and coumarin-type anticoagulants.

However, caution is advised since interactions have been seen with other nonsteroidal agents of this class.

The free fraction of warfarin may increase substantially in some subjects and naproxen interferes with platelet function.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) There is an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding when selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are combined with NSAIDs.

Caution should be used when NSAIDs are administered concomitantly with SSRIs.

Other Information Concerning Drug Interactions Naproxen is highly bound to plasma albumin; it thus has a theoretical potential for interaction with other albumin-bound drugs such as coumarin-type anticoagulants, sulphonylureas, hydantoins, other NSAIDs, and aspirin.

Patients simultaneously receiving naproxen and a hydantoin, sulphonamide or sulphonylurea should be observed for adjustment of dose if required.

Naproxen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce the antihypertensive effect of propranolol and other beta-blockers.

Probenecid given concurrently increases naproxen anion plasma levels and extends its plasma half-life significantly.

Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Naproxen may decrease platelet aggregation and prolong bleeding time.

This effect should be kept in mind when bleeding times are determined.

The administration of naproxen may result in increased urinary values for 17-ketogenic steroids because of an interaction between the drug and/or its metabolites with m-di-nitrobenzene used in this assay.

Although 17-hydroxycorticosteroid measurements (Porter-Silber test) do not appear to be artifactually altered, it is suggested that therapy with naproxen be temporarily discontinued 72 hours before adrenal function tests are performed if the Porter-Silber test is to be used.

Naproxen may interfere with some urinary assays of 5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid (5HIAA).

OVERDOSAGE

Symptoms and Signs Significant naproxen overdosage may be characterized by lethargy, dizziness, drowsiness, epigastric pain, abdominal discomfort, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, transient alterations in liver function, hypoprothrombinemia, renal dysfunction, metabolic acidosis, apnea, disorientation or vomiting.

Gastrointestinal bleeding can occur.

Hypertension, acute renal failure, respiratory depression, and coma may occur, but are rare.

Anaphylactoid reactions have been reported with therapeutic ingestion of NSAIDs, and may occur following an overdose.

Because naproxen sodium may be rapidly absorbed, high and early blood levels should be anticipated.

A few patients have experienced convulsions, but it is not clear whether or not these were drug-related.

It is not known what dose of the drug would be life threatening.

The oral LD50 of the drug is 543 mg/kg in rats, 1234 mg/kg in mice, 4110 mg/kg in hamsters, and greater than 1000 mg/kg in dogs.

Treatment Patients should be managed by symptomatic and supportive care following a NSAID overdose.

There are no specific antidotes.

Hemodialysis does not decrease the plasma concentration of naproxen because of the high degree of its protein binding.

Emesis and/or activated charcoal (60 to 100 g in adults, 1 to 2 g/kg in children) and/or osmotic cathartic may be indicated in patients seen within 4 hours of ingestion with symptoms or following a large overdose.

Forced diuresis, alkalinization of urine or hemoperfusion may not be useful due to high protein binding.

DESCRIPTION

Naproxen USP is a proprionic acid derivative related to the arylacetic acid group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The chemical names for naproxen USP and naproxen sodium USP are (S)-6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid and (S)-6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid, sodium salt, respectively.

Naproxen USP and naproxen sodium USP have the following structures, respectively: Naproxen USP has a molecular weight of 230.26 and a molecular formula of C 14 H 14 O 3 .

Naproxen sodium USP has a molecular weight of 252.23 and a molecular formula of C 14 H 13 NaO 3 .

Naproxen USP is an odorless, white to off-white crystalline substance.

It is lipid-soluble, practically insoluble in water at low pH and freely soluble in water at high pH.

The octanol/water partition coefficient of naproxen USP at pH 7.4 is 1.6 to 1.8.

Naproxen sodium USP is a white to creamy white, crystalline solid, freely soluble in water at neutral pH.

Naproxen tablets USP are available as light orange colored tablets containing 250 mg of naproxen USP, light orange colored tablets containing 375 mg of naproxen USP and light orange colored tablets containing 500 mg of naproxen USP for oral administration.

The inactive ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, iron oxides, povidone and magnesium stearate.

Naproxen sodium tablets USP are available as blue tablets containing 275 mg of naproxen sodium USP and as blue tablets containing 550 mg of naproxen sodium USP for oral administration.

The inactive ingredients are croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, povidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and talc.

The coating suspension for the naproxen sodium 275 mg tablet may contain Opadry blue 03F50544.

The coating suspension for the naproxen sodium 550 mg tablet may contain Opadry blue 03F50544.

CLINICAL STUDIES

General Information Naproxen has been studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendonitis and bursitis, and acute gout.

Improvement in patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis was demonstrated by a reduction in joint swelling, a reduction in duration of morning stiffness, a reduction in disease activity as assessed by both the investigator and patient, and by increased mobility as demonstrated by a reduction in walking time.

Generally, response to naproxen has not been found to be dependent on age, sex, severity or duration of rheumatoid arthritis.

In patients with osteoarthritis, the therapeutic action of naproxen has been shown by a reduction in joint pain or tenderness, an increase in range of motion in knee joints, increased mobility as demonstrated by a reduction in walking time, and improvement in capacity to perform activities of daily living impaired by the disease.

In a clinical trial comparing standard formulations of naproxen 375 mg bid (750 mg a day) vs 750 mg bid (1500 mg/day), 9 patients in the 750 mg group terminated prematurely because of adverse events.

Nineteen patients in the 1500 mg group terminated prematurely because of adverse events.

Most of these adverse events were gastrointestinal events.

In clinical studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and juvenile arthritis, naproxen has been shown to be comparable to aspirin and indomethacin in controlling the aforementioned measures of disease activity, but the frequency and severity of the milder gastrointestinal adverse effects (nausea, dyspepsia, heartburn) and nervous system adverse effects (tinnitus, dizziness, lightheadedness) were less in naproxen-treated patients than in those treated with aspirin or indomethacin.

In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, naproxen has been shown to decrease night pain, morning stiffness and pain at rest.

In double-blind studies the drug was shown to be as effective as aspirin, but with fewer side effects.

In patients with acute gout, a favorable response to naproxen was shown by significant clearing of inflammatory changes (eg, decrease in swelling, heat) within 24 to 48 hours, as well as by relief of pain and tenderness.

Naproxen has been studied in patients with mild to moderate pain secondary to postoperative, orthopedic, postpartum episiotomy and uterine contraction pain and dysmenorrhea.

Onset of pain relief can begin within 1 hour in patients taking naproxen and within 30 minutes in patients taking naproxen sodium.

Analgesic effect was shown by such measures as reduction of pain intensity scores, increase in pain relief scores, decrease in numbers of patients requiring additional analgesic medication, and delay in time to remedication.

The analgesic effect has been found to last for up to 12 hours.

Naproxen may be used safely in combination with gold salts and/or corticosteroids; however, in controlled clinical trials, when added to the regimen of patients receiving corticosteroids, it did not appear to cause greater improvement over that seen with corticosteroids alone.

Whether naproxen has a “steroid-sparing” effect has not been adequately studied.

When added to the regimen of patients receiving gold salts, naproxen did result in greater improvement.

Its use in combination with salicylates is not recommended because there is evidence that aspirin increases the rate of excretion of naproxen and data are inadequate to demonstrate that naproxen and aspirin produce greater improvement over that achieved with aspirin alone.

In addition, as with other NSAIDs, the combination may result in higher frequency of adverse events than demonstrated for either product alone.

In 51 Cr blood loss and gastroscopy studies with normal volunteers, daily administration of 1000 mg of naproxen as 1000 mg of naproxen tablets or 1100 mg of naproxen sodium tablets has been demonstrated to cause statistically significantly less gastric bleeding and erosion than 3250 mg of aspirin.

Three 6-week, double-blind, multicenter studies with naproxen delayed release (375 or 500 mg bid, n=385) and naproxen (375 or 500 mg bid, n=279) were conducted comparing naproxen delayed release with naproxen including 355 rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients who had a recent history of NSAID-related GI symptoms.

These studies indicated that naproxen delayed release and naproxen showed no significant differences in efficacy or safety and had similar prevalence of minor GI complaints.

Individual patients, however, may find one formulation preferable to the other.

Geriatric Patients The hepatic and renal tolerability of long-term naproxen administration was studied in two double-blind clinical trials involving 586 patients.

Of the patients studied, 98 patients were age 65 and older and 10 of the 98 patients were age 75 and older.

Naproxen was administered at doses of 375 mg twice daily or 750 mg twice daily for up to 6 months.

Transient abnormalities of laboratory tests assessing hepatic and renal function were noted in some patients, although there were no differences noted in the occurrence of abnormal values among different age groups.

HOW SUPPLIED

Naproxen tablets USP: 250 mg: circular, light orange colored, flat, uncoated tablets, engraved with ‘G’ and ‘32’ on either side of break line on one side and ‘250’ on the other side.

Packaged in light-resistant bottles of 100 and 500.

100’s (bottle): NDC 68462-188-01 500’s (bottle): NDC 68462-188-05 375 mg: oval, light orange colored, biconvex, uncoated tablets, engraved with ‘G 32” on one side and ‘375” on the other side.

Packaged in light-resistant bottles of 60, 100 and 500.

60’s (bottle): NDC 68462-189-60 100’s (bottle): NDC 68462-189-01 500’s (bottle): NDC 68462-189-05 500 mg: capsule shaped, light orange colored, uncoated tablets, having debossed with ‘G’ and ‘32’ on either side of break line on one side and ‘500’ on the other side.

Packaged in light-resistant bottles of 30, 50, 60, 100 and 500.

30’s (bottle): NDC 68462-190-30 50’s (bottle): NDC 68462-190-50 60’s (bottle): NDC 68462-190-60 100’s (bottle): NDC 68462-190-01 500’s (bottle): NDC 68462-190-05

GERIATRIC USE

Geriatric Use Studies indicate that although total plasma concentration of naproxen is unchanged, the unbound plasma fraction of naproxen is increased in the elderly.

Caution is advised when high doses are required and some adjustment of dosage may be required in elderly patients.

As with other drugs used in the elderly, it is prudent to use the lowest effective dose.

Experience indicates that geriatric patients may be particularly sensitive to certain adverse effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Elderly or debilitated patients seem to tolerate peptic ulceration or bleeding less well when these events do occur.

Most spontaneous reports of fatal GI events are in the geriatric population (see WARNINGS ).

Naproxen is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.

Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.

Geriatric patients may be at a greater risk for the development of a form of renal toxicity precipitated by reduced prostaglandin formation during administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (see WARNINGS: Renal Effects ).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of naproxen, naproxen sodium and other treatment options before deciding to use naproxen and naproxen sodium tablets.

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ).

Naproxen as naproxen or naproxen sodium tablets are indicated: For the relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis For the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis For the relief of the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis For the relief of the signs and symptoms of juvenile arthritis Naproxen as naproxen suspension is recommended for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in order to obtain the maximum dosage flexibility based on the patient’s weight.

Naproxen as naproxen and naproxen sodium tablets are also indicated: For relief of the signs and symptoms of tendonitis For relief of the signs and symptoms of bursitis For relief of the signs and symptoms of acute gout For the management of pain For the management of primary dysmenorrhea

PEDIATRIC USE

Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 years have not been established.

Pediatric dosing recommendations for juvenile arthritis are based on well-controlled studies (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ).

There are no adequate effectiveness or dose-response data for other pediatric conditions, but the experience in juvenile arthritis and other use experience have established that single doses of 2.5 to 5 mg/kg (as naproxen suspension, see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ), with total daily dose not exceeding 15 mg/kg/day, are well tolerated in pediatric patients over 2 years of age.

PREGNANCY

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C : Reproduction studies have been performed in rats at 20 mg/kg/day (125 mg/m 2 /day, 0.23 times the human systemic exposure), rabbits at 20 mg/kg/day (220 mg/m 2 /day, 0.27 times the human systemic exposure), and mice at 170 mg/kg/day (510 mg/m 2 /day, 0.28 times the human systemic exposure) with no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to the drug.

However, animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

Naproxen and naproxen sodium should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nonteratogenic Effects There is some evidence to suggest that when inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis are used to delay preterm labor there is an increased risk of neonatal complications such as necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus and intracranial hemorrhage.

Naproxen treatment given in late pregnancy to delay parturition has been associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension, renal dysfunction and abnormal prostaglandin E levels in preterm infants.

Because of the known effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of ductus arteriosus), use during pregnancy (particularly late pregnancy) should be avoided.

NUSRING MOTHERS

Nursing Mothers The naproxen anion has been found in the milk of lactating women at a concentration equivalent to approximately 1% of maximum naproxen concentration in plasma.

Because of the possible adverse effects of prostaglandin-inhibiting drugs on neonates, use in nursing mothers should be avoided.

BOXED WARNING

Cardiovascular Risk • NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal.

This risk may increase with duration of use.

Patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease may be at greater risk (see WARNINGS ).

• Naproxen as naproxen or naproxen sodium tablets is contraindicated for the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see WARNINGS ).

Gastrointestinal Risk • NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.

These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms.

Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events (see WARNINGS ).

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

Information for Patients Patients should be informed of the following information before initiating therapy with an NSAID and periodically during the course of ongoing therapy.

Patients should also be encouraged to read the NSAID Medication Guide that accompanies each prescription dispensed.

Naproxen and naproxen sodium, like other NSAIDs, may cause serious CV side effects, such as MI or stroke, which may result in hospitalization and even death.

Although serious CV events can occur without warning symptoms, patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, slurring of speech, and should ask for medical advice when observing any indicative sign or symptoms.

Patients should be apprised of the importance of this follow-up (see WARNINGS: Cardiovascular Effects ).

Naproxen and naproxen sodium, like other NSAIDs, can cause GI discomfort and, rarely, serious GI side effects, such as ulcers and bleeding, which may result in hospitalization and even death.

Although serious GI tract ulcerations and bleeding can occur without warning symptoms, patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of ulcerations and bleeding, and should ask for medical advice when observing any indicative sign or symptoms including epigastric pain, dyspepsia, melena, and hematemesis.

Patients should be apprised of the importance of this follow-up (see WARNINGS: Gastrointestinal Effects: Risk of Ulceration, Bleeding, and Perforation ) Naproxen and naproxen sodium, like other NSAIDs, can cause serious skin side effects such as exfoliative dermatitis, SJS, and TEN, which may result in hospitalizations and even death.

Although serious skin reactions may occur without warning, patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of skin rash and blisters, fever, or other signs of hypersensitivity such as itching, and should ask for medical advice when observing any indicative signs or symptoms.

Patients should be advised to stop the drug immediately if they develop any type of rash and contact their physicians as soon as possible.

Patients should promptly report signs or symptoms of unexplained weight gain or edema to their physicians.

Patients should be informed of the warning signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity (eg nausea, fatigue, lethargy, pruritus, jaundice, right upper quadrant tenderness, and “flu-like” symptoms).

If these occur, patients should be instructed to stop therapy and seek immediate medical therapy.

Patients should be informed of the signs of an anaphylactoid reaction (eg, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat).

If these occur, patients should be instructed to seek immediate emergency help (see WARNINGS ).

In late pregnancy, as with other NSAIDs, naproxen and naproxen sodium should be avoided because it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.

Caution should be exercised by patients whose activities require alertness if they experience drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo or depression during therapy with naproxen.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of naproxen, naproxen sodium and other treatment options before deciding to use naproxen and naproxen sodium tablets.

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ).

After observing the response to initial therapy with naproxen or naproxen sodium the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient’s needs.

Different dose strengths and formulations (ie, tablets, suspension) of the drug are not necessarily bioequivalent.

This difference should be taken into consideration when changing formulation.

Although naproxen and naproxen sodium circulate in the plasma as naproxen, they have pharmacokinetic differences that may affect onset of action.

Onset of pain relief can begin within 30 minutes in patients taking naproxen sodium and within 1 hour in patients taking naproxen.

The recommended strategy for initiating therapy is to choose a formulation and a starting dose likely to be effective for the patient and then adjust the dosage based on observation of benefit and/or adverse events.

A lower dose should be considered in patients with renal or hepatic impairment or in elderly patients (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ).

Geriatric Patients Studies indicate that although total plasma concentration of naproxen is unchanged, the unbound plasma fraction of naproxen is increased in the elderly.

Caution is advised when high doses are required and some adjustment of dosage may be required in elderly patients.

As with other drugs used in the elderly, it is prudent to use the lowest effective dose.

Patients With Moderate to Severe Renal Impairment Naproxen-containing products are not recommended for use in patients with moderate to severe and severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) (see WARNINGS: Renal Effects ).

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Naproxen 250 mg or 375 mg or 500 mg twice daily twice daily twice daily Naproxen sodium 275 mg (naproxen 250 mg with 25 mg sodium) 550 mg (naproxen 500 mg with 50 mg sodium) twice daily twice daily During long-term administration, the dose of naproxen may be adjusted up or down depending on the clinical response of the patient.

A lower daily dose may suffice for long-term administration.

The morning and evening doses do not have to be equal in size and the administration of the drug more frequently than twice daily is not necessary.

In patients who tolerate lower doses well, the dose may be increased to naproxen 1500 mg/day for limited periods of up to 6 months when a higher level of anti-inflammatory/ analgesic activity is required.

When treating such patients with naproxen 1500 mg/day, the physician should observe sufficient increased clinical benefits to offset the potential increased risk.

The morning and evening doses do not have to be equal in size and administration of the drug more frequently than twice daily does not generally make a difference in response (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ).

Juvenile Arthritis The recommended total daily dose of naproxen is approximately 10 mg/kg given in 2 divided doses (ie, 5 mg/kg given twice a day).

Management of Pain, Primary Dysmenorrhea, and Acute Tendonitis and Bursitis The recommended starting dose is 550 mg of naproxen sodium as naproxen sodium tablet followed by 550 mg every 12 hours or 275 mg every 6 to 8 hours as required.

The initial total daily dose should not exceed 1375 mg of naproxen sodium.

Thereafter, the total daily dose should not exceed 1100 mg of naproxen sodium.

Because the sodium salt of naproxen is more rapidly absorbed, naproxen sodium tablets are recommended for the management of acute painful conditions when prompt onset of pain relief is desired.

Naproxen may also be used for initial treatment of acute pain (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , INDICATIONS AND USAGE ).

Acute Gout The recommended starting dose is 750 mg of naproxen followed by 250 mg every 8 hours until the attack has subsided.

Naproxen sodium may also be used at a starting dose of 825 mg followed by 275 mg every 8 hours.

WARNINGS

ACUTE, SUBACUTE, OR CHRONIC PULMONARY REACTIONS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH NITROFURANTOIN.

IF THESE REACTIONS OCCUR, NITROFURANTOIN MONOHYDRATE/ MACROCRYSTALS CAPSULES SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED AND APPROPRIATE MEASURES TAKEN.

REPORTS HAVE CITED PULMONARY REACTIONS AS A CONTRIBUTING CAUSE OF DEATH.

CHRONIC PULMONARY REACTIONS (DIFFUSE INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONITIS OR PULMONARY FIBROSIS, OR BOTH) CAN DEVELOP INSIDIOUSLY.

THESE REACTIONS OCCUR RARELY AND GENERALLY IN PATIENTS RECEIVING THERAPY FOR SIX MONTHS OR LONGER.

CLOSE MONITORING OF THE PULMONARY CONDITION OF PATIENTS RECEIVING LONG-TERM THERAPY IS WARRANTED AND REQUIRES THAT THE BENEFITS OF THERAPY BE WEIGHED AGAINST POTENTIAL RISKS.

(SEE RESPIRATORY REACTIONS.) Hepatic reactions, including hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, chronic active hepatitis, and hepatic necrosis, occur rarely.

Fatalities have been reported.

The onset of chronic active hepatitis may be insidious, and patients should be monitored periodically for changes in biochemical tests that would indicate liver injury.

If hepatitis occurs, the drug should be withdrawn immediately and appropriate measures should be taken.

Peripheral neuropathy, which may become severe or irreversible, has occurred.

Fatalities have been reported.

Conditions such as renal impairment (creatinine clearance under 60 mL per minute or clinically significant elevated serum creatinine), anemia, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte imbalance, vitamin B deficiency, and debilitating disease may enhance the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy.

Patients receiving long-term therapy should be monitored periodically for changes in renal function.

Optic neuritis has been reported rarely in postmarketing experience with nitrofurantoin formulations.

Cases of hemolytic anemia of the primaquine-sensitivity type have been induced by nitrofurantoin.

Hemolysis appears to be linked to a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the red blood cells of the affected patients.

This deficiency is found in 10 percent of Blacks and a small percentage of ethnic groups of Mediterranean and Near-Eastern origin.

Hemolysis is an indication for discontinuing nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules; hemolysis ceases when the drug is withdrawn.

Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including nitrofurantoin, and may range from mild to life threatening.

Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients with diarrhea subsequent to the administration of antibacterial agents.

Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon and may permit overgrowth of clostridia.

Studies indicate that a toxin produced by Clostridium difficile is one primary cause of antibiotic-associated colitis.

After the diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis has been established, appropriate therapeutic measures should be initiated.

Mild cases of pseudomembranous colitis usually respond to drug discontinuation alone.

In moderate to severe cases, consideration should be given to management with fluids and electrolytes, protein supplementation, and treatment with an antibacterial drug clinically effective against Clostridium difficile colitis.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Interactions Drug Interactions Antacids containing magnesium trisilicate, when administered concomitantly with nitrofurantoin, reduce both the rate and extent of absorption.

The mechanism for this interaction probably is adsorption of nitrofurantoin onto the surface of magnesium trisilicate.

Uricosuric drugs, such as probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, can inhibit renal tubular secretion of nitrofurantoin.

The resulting increase in nitrofurantoin serum levels may increase toxicity, and the decreased urinary levels could lessen its efficacy as a urinary tract antibacterial.

Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions As a result of the presence of nitrofurantoin, a false-positive reaction for glucose in the urine may occur.

This has been observed with Benedict’s and Fehling’s solutions but not with the glucose enzymatic test.

OVERDOSAGE

Occasional incidents of acute overdosage of nitrofurantoin have not resulted in any specific symptoms other than vomiting.

Induction of emesis is recommended.

There is no specific antidote, but a high fluid intake should be maintained to promote urinary excretion of the drug.

Nitrofurantoin is dialyzable.

DESCRIPTION

Nitrofurantoin is an antibacterial agent specific for urinary tract infections.

Nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals is a hard gelatin capsule shell containing the equivalent of 100 mg of nitrofurantoin in the form of 25 mg of nitrofurantoin macrocrystals and 75 mg of nitrofurantoin monohydrate.

The chemical name of nitrofurantoin macrocrystals is 1-[[[5-nitro-2-furanyl]methylene]amino]-2,4-imidazolidinedione.

The chemical structure is the following: Molecular Weight: 238.16 The chemical name of nitrofurantoin monohydrate is 1-[[[5-nitro-2-furanyl]methylene]amino]-2,4- imidazolidinedione monohydrate.

The chemical structure is the following: Molecular Weight: 256.17 Inactive Ingredients Each capsule contains carbomer 934P, colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, compressible sugar, D&C Yellow #10, edible white ink, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, gelatin, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone, talc and titanium dioxide.

Chemical Structure 1 Chemical Structure 2

CLINICAL STUDIES

Controlled clinical trials comparing nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules 100 mg p.o.

q12h and nitrofurantoin macrocrystals capsules 50 mg p.o.

q6h in the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections demonstrated approximately 75% microbiologic eradication of susceptible pathogens in each treatment group.

Sandoz Inc.

Princeton, NJ 08540 Rev.

03/06 Repackaged by: Rebel Distributors Corp Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

HOW SUPPLIED

Nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules are available as 100 mg black and ivory opaque capsules imprinted “ 122” on the cap and body and supplied in bottles of: 14 capsules NDC 21695-300-14 20 capsules NDC 21695-300-20 Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

E logo

GERIATRIC USE

Geriatric Use Clinical studies of nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients.

Spontaneous reports suggest a higher proportion of pulmonary reactions, including fatalities, in elderly patients; these differences appear to be related to the higher proportion of elderly patients receiving long-term nitrofurantoin therapy.

As in younger patients, chronic pulmonary reactions generally are observed in patients receiving therapy for six months or longer (see WARNINGS ).

Spontaneous reports also suggest an increased proportion of severe hepatic reactions, including fatalities, in elderly patients (see WARNINGS ).

In general, the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy in elderly patients should be considered when prescribing nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules.

This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.

Anuria, oliguria, or significant impairment of renal function (creatinine clearance under 60 mL per minute or clinically significant elevated serum creatinine) are contraindications (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ).

Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, it may be useful to monitor renal function.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules are indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals and other antibacterial drugs, nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy.

In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

Nitrofurantoins lack the broader tissue distribution of other therapeutic agents approved for urinary tract infections.

Consequently, many patients who are treated with nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals are predisposed to persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria.

(See CLINICAL STUDIES .) Urine specimens for culture and susceptibility testing should be obtained before and after completion of therapy.

If persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria occurs after treatment with nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals, other therapeutic agents with broader tissue distribution should be selected.

In considering the use of nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals, lower eradication rates should be balanced against the increased potential for systemic toxicity and for the development of antimicrobial resistance when agents with broader tissue distribution are utilized.

PEDIATRIC USE

Pediatric Use Nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules are contraindicated in infants below the age of one month.

(See CONTRAINDICATIONS .) Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of twelve years have not been established.

PREGNANCY

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category B.

Several reproduction studies have been performed in rabbits and rats at doses up to six times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to nitrofurantoin.

In a single published study conducted in mice at 68 times the human dose (based on mg/kg administered to the dam), growth retardation and a low incidence of minor and common malformations were observed.

However, at 25 times the human dose, fetal malformations were not observed; the relevance of these findings to humans is uncertain.

There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Nonteratogenic Effects Nitrofurantoin has been shown in one published transplacental carcinogenicity study to induce lung papillary adenomas in the F1 generation mice at doses 19 times the human dose on a mg/kg basis.

The relationship of this finding to potential human carcinogenesis is presently unknown.

Because of the uncertainty regarding the human implications of these animal data, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

NUSRING MOTHERS

Nursing Mothers Nitrofurantoin has been detected in human breast milk in trace amounts.

Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from nitrofurantoin in nursing infants under one month of age, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

(See CONTRAINDICATIONS .)

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

Information for Patients Patients should be advised to take nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules with food (ideally breakfast and dinner) to further enhance tolerance and improve drug absorption.

Patients should be instructed to complete the full course of therapy; however, they should be advised to contact their physician if any unusual symptoms occur during therapy.

Patients should be advised not to use antacid preparations containing magnesium trisilicate while taking nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules .

Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules should only be used to treat bacterial infections.

They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold).

When nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules are prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed.

Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules or other antibacterial drugs in the future.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals capsules should be taken with food.

Adults and Pediatric Patients Over 12 Years One 100 mg capsule every 12 hours for seven days.

MS 15 MG Extended Release Oral Tablet

DRUG INTERACTIONS

7 Table 1 includes clinically significant drug interactions with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Table 1: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets Benzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Clinical Impact: Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death.

Intervention: Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.

Follow patients closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation.

If concomitant use is warranted, consider prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose [see Dosage and Administration (2.2 , 2.5) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.3 , 5.5) ] .

Examples: Benzodiazepines and other sedative hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, other opioids, alcohol.

Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system has resulted in serotonin syndrome.

Intervention: If concomitant use is warranted, carefully observe the patient, particularly during treatment initiation and dose adjustment.

Discontinue morphine sulfate extended-release tablets if serotonin syndrome is suspected.

Example: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that effect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity (e.g., respiratory depression, coma) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ].

Intervention: Do not use morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in patients taking MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping such treatment.

Examples: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid Mixed Agonist/Antagonist and Partial Agonist Opioid Analgesics Clinical Impact: May reduce the analgesic effect of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets and/or precipitate withdrawal symptoms.

Intervention: Avoid concomitant use.

Examples: butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, buprenorphine Muscle Relaxants Clinical Impact: Morphine may enhance the neuromuscular blocking action of skeletal muscle relaxants and produce an increased degree of respiratory depression.

Intervention: Monitor patients for signs of respiratory depression that may be greater than otherwise expected and decrease the dosage of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets and/or the muscle relaxant as necessary.

Due to the risk of respiratory depression with concomitant use of a skeletal muscle relaxants and opioids, consider prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3 , 5.5) ].

Examples: Cyclobenzaprine, metaxolone Cimetidine Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of cimetidine can potentiate morphine effects and increase risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death.

Intervention: Monitor patients for signs of respiratory depression that may be greater than otherwise expected and decrease the dosage of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets and/or cimetidine as necessary.

Diuretics Clinical Impact: Opioids can reduce the efficacy of diuretics by inducing the release of antidiuretic hormone.

Intervention: Monitor patients for signs of diminished diuresis and/or effects on blood pressure and increase the dosage of the diuretic as needed.

Anticholinergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of anticholinergic drugs may increase risk of urinary retention and/or severe constipation, which may lead to paralytic ileus.

Intervention: Monitor patients for signs of urinary retention or reduced gastric motility when morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are used concomitantly with anticholinergic drugs.

P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) Inhibitors Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of PGP-inhibitors can increase the exposure to morphine by about two-fold and can increase risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death.

Intervention: Monitor patients for signs of respiratory depression that may be greater than otherwise expected and decrease the dosage of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets and/or the PGP-inhibitor as necessary.

Example: Quinidine Serotonergic Drugs : Concomitant use may result in serotonin syndrome.

Discontinue morphine sulfate extended-release tablets if serotonin syndrome is suspected.

( 7 ) Mixed Agonist/Antagonist and Partial Agonist Opioid Analgesics : Avoid use with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets because they may reduce analgesic effect of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets or precipitate withdrawal symptoms.

( 5.13 , 7 )

OVERDOSAGE

10 Clinical Presentation Acute overdosage with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets can be manifested by respiratory depression, somnolence progressing to stupor or coma, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, constricted pupils, and, in some cases, pulmonary edema, bradycardia, hypotension, partial or complete airway obstruction, atypical snoring, and death.

Marked mydriasis rather than miosis may be seen with hypoxia in overdose situations.

Treatment of Overdose In case of overdose, priorities are the re-establishment of a patent and protected airway and institution of assisted or controlled ventilation, if needed.

Employ other supportive measures (including oxygen and vasopressors) in the management of circulatory shock and pulmonary edema as indicated.

Cardiac arrest or arrhythmias will require advanced life support techniques.

Opioid antagonists, such as naloxone , are specific antidotes to respiratory depression resulting from opioid overdose.

For clinically significant respiratory or circulatory depression secondary to opioid overdose, administer an opioid antagonist.

Because the duration of reversal would be expected to be less than the duration of action of morphine in morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, carefully monitor the patient until spontaneous respiration is reliably reestablished.

Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets will continue to release morphine and add to the morphine load for 24 to 48 hours or longer following ingestion, necessitating prolonged monitoring.

If the response to opioid antagonists is suboptimal or only brief in nature, administer additional antagonist as directed by the product’s prescribing information.

In an individual physically dependent on opioids, administration of the usual dose of the recommended usual dosage of the antagonist will precipitate an acute withdrawal syndrome.

The severity of the withdrawal symptoms experienced will depend on the degree of physical dependence and the dose of the antagonist administered.

If a decision is made to treat serious respiratory depression in the physically dependent patient, administration of the antagonist should be initiated with care and by titration with smaller than usual doses of the antagonist.

DESCRIPTION

11 Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are for oral use and contain morphine sulfate, an opioid agonist.

Each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients common to all strengths: lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, polydextrose, and triacetin.

The tablet strengths describe the amount of morphine per tablet as the pentahydrated sulfate salt (morphine sulfate).

The 15 mg tablets also contain: FD&C Blue No.

2 The 30 mg tablets also contain: D&C Red No.

7, FD&C Blue No.

2 The 60 mg tablets also contain: D&C Yellow No.

6 and red iron oxide.

The 100 mg tablets also contain: black iron oxide Morphine sulfate is an odorless, white, crystalline powder with a bitter taste.

It has a solubility of 1 in 21 parts of water and 1 in 1000 parts of alcohol, but is practically insoluble in chloroform or ether.

The octanol: water partition coefficient of morphine is 1.42 at physiologic pH and the pK b is 7.9 for the tertiary nitrogen (mostly ionized at pH 7.4).

Its molecular weight is 758.83 and its structural formula is: Chemical Structure

HOW SUPPLIED

16 /STORAGE AND HANDLING Morphine sulfate extended-release 15 mg tablets are round, film-coated, blue tablets, debossed with “15” on one side and “ML” on the other side.

They are available as follows: NDC 51862-185-01 bottles of 100 Morphine sulfate extended-release 30 mg tablets are round, film-coated, purple tablets, debossed with “30” on one side and “ML” on the other side.

They are available as follows: NDC 51862-186-01 bottles of 100 Morphine sulfate extended-release 60 mg tablets are round, film-coated, orange tablets, debossed with “60” on one side and “ML” on the other side.

They are available as follows: NDC 51862-187-01 bottles of 100 Morphine sulfate extended-release 100 mg tablets are round, film-coated, gray tablets, debossed with “100” on one side and “ML” on the other side.

They are available as follows: NDC 51862-188-01 bottles of 100 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).

[See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Store morphine sulfate extended-release tablets securely and dispose of properly [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ].

Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP using a child-resistant closure.

PHARMACIST: Dispense a Medication Guide with each prescription.

CAUTION DEA FORM REQUIRED

RECENT MAJOR CHANGES

Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) 03/2021 Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.3, 5.5 ) 03/2021

GERIATRIC USE

8.5 Geriatric Use The pharmacokinetics of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets have not been studied in elderly patients.

Clinical studies of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) may have increased sensitivity to morphine.

In general, use caution when selecting a dosage for an elderly patient, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Respiratory depression is the chief risk for elderly patients treated with opioids, and has occurred after large initial doses were administered to patients who were not opioid-tolerant or when opioids were co-administered with other agents that depress respiration.

Titrate the dosage of Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets slowly in geriatric patients and monitor closely for signs of central nervous system and respiratory depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] .

Morphine is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.

Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.

DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

3 Morphine sulfate extended-release 15 mg tablets are round, film-coated, blue tablets, debossed with “15” on one side and “ML” on the other side Morphine sulfate extended-release 30 mg tablets are round, film-coated, purple tablets, debossed with “30” on one side and “ML” on the other side Morphine sulfate extended-release 60 mg tablets are round, film-coated, orange tablets, debossed with “60” on one side and “ML” on the other side Morphine sulfate extended-release 100 mg tablets* are round, film-coated, gray tablets, debossed with “100” on one side and “ML” on the other side Extended-release tablets: 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, and 100 mg ( 3 )

MECHANISM OF ACTION

12.1 Mechanism of Action Morphine is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses.

The principal therapeutic action of morphine is analgesia.

Like all full opioid agonists, there is no ceiling effect for analgesia with morphine.

Clinically, dosage is titrated to provide adequate analgesia and may be limited by adverse reactions, including respiratory and CNS depression.

The precise mechanism of the analgesic action is unknown.

However, specific CNS opioid receptors for endogenous compounds with opioid-like activity have been identified throughout the brain and spinal cord and are thought to play a role in the analgesic effects of this drug.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1 Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are an opioid agonist indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.

( 1 ) Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse with opioids, even at recommended doses, and because of the greater risks of overdose and death with extended-release opioid formulations, reserve morphine sulfate extended-release tablets for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g., non-opioid analgesics or immediate-release opioids) are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain.

( 1 ) Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are not indicated as an as-needed (prn) analgesic.

( 1 ) Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse with opioids, even at recommended doses, and because of the greater risks of overdose and death with extended-release opioid formulations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] , reserve morphine sulfate extended-release tablets for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g., non- opioid analgesics or immediate-release opioids) are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain.

Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are not indicated as an as-needed (prn) analgesic.

PEDIATRIC USE

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 18 have not been established.

PREGNANCY

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Prolonged use of opioid analgesics during pregnancy may cause neonatal withdrawal syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ].

There are no available data with Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage.

Published studies with morphine use during pregnancy have not reported a clear association with morphine and major birth defects [see Human Data ].

In published animal reproduction studies, morphine administered subcutaneously during the early gestational period produced neural tube defects (i.e., exencephaly and cranioschisis) at 5 and 16 times the human daily dose of 60 mg based on body surface area (HDD) in hamsters and mice, respectively, lower fetal body weight and increased incidence of abortion at 0.4 times the HDD in the rabbit, growth retardation at 6 times the HDD in the rat, and axial skeletal fusion and cryptorchidism at 16 times the HDD in the mouse.

Administration of morphine sulfate to pregnant rats during organogenesis and through lactation resulted in cyanosis, hypothermia, decreased brain weights, pup mortality, decreased pup body weights, and adverse effects on reproductive tissues at 3-4 times the HDD; and long-term neurochemical changes in the brain of offspring which correlate with altered behavioral responses that persist through adulthood at exposures comparable to and less than the HDD [ see Animal Data ].

Based on animal data, advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

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

All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes.

In the U.S.

general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Prolonged use of opioid analgesics during pregnancy for medical or nonmedical purposes can result in physical dependence in the neonate and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome shortly after birth.

Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome presents as irritability, hyperactivity and abnormal sleep pattern, high pitched cry, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, and failure to gain weight.

The onset, duration, and severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome vary based on the specific opioid used, duration of use, timing and amount of last maternal use, and rate of elimination of the drug by the newborn.

Observe newborns for symptoms of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and manage accordingly [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] .

Labor or Delivery Opioids cross the placenta and may produce respiratory depression and psycho-physiologic effects in neonates.

An opioid antagonist, such as naloxone, must be available for reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression in the neonate.

Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are not recommended for use in pregnant women during or immediately prior to labor, when use of shorter-acting analgesics or other analgesic techniques are more appropriate.

Opioid analgesics, including morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, can prolong labor through actions which temporarily reduce the strength, duration, and frequency of uterine contractions.

However, this effect is not consistent and may be offset by an increased rate of cervical dilation, which tends to shorten labor.

Monitor neonates exposed to opioid analgesics during labor for signs of excess sedation and respiratory depression.

Data Human Data The results from a population-based prospective cohort, including 70 women exposed to morphine during the first trimester of pregnancy and 448 women exposed to morphine at any time during pregnancy, indicate no increased risk for congenital malformations.

However, these studies cannot definitely establish the absence of any risk because of methodological limitations, including small sample size and non-randomized study design.

Animal Data Formal reproductive and developmental toxicology studies for morphine have not been conducted.

Exposure margins for the following published study reports are based on human daily dose of 60 mg morphine using a body surface area comparison (HDD).

Neural tube defects (exencephaly and cranioschisis) were noted following subcutaneous administration of morphine sulfate (35-322 mg/kg) on Gestation Day 8 to pregnant hamsters (4.7 to 43.5 times the HDD).

A no adverse effect level was not defined in this study and the findings cannot be clearly attributed to maternal toxicity.

Neural tube defects (exencephaly), axial skeletal fusions, and cryptorchidism were reported following a single subcutaneous (SC) injection of morphine sulfate to pregnant mice (100-500 mg/kg) on Gestation Day 8 or 9 at 200 mg/kg or greater (16 times the HDD) and fetal resorption at 400 mg/kg or higher (32 times the HDD).

No adverse effects were noted following 100 mg/kg morphine in this model (8 times the HDD).

In one study, following continuous subcutaneous infusion of doses greater than or equal to 2.72 mg/kg to mice (0.2 times the HDD), exencephaly, hydronephrosis, intestinal hemorrhage, split supraoccipital, malformed sternebrae, and malformed xiphoid were noted.

The effects were reduced with increasing daily dose; possibly due to rapid induction of tolerance under these infusion conditions.

The clinical significance of this report is not clear.

Decreased fetal weights were observed in pregnant rats treated with 20 mg/kg/day morphine sulfate (3.2 times the HDD) from Gestation Day 7 to 9.

There was no evidence of malformations despite maternal toxicity (10% mortality).

In a second rat study, decreased fetal weight and increased incidences of growth retardation were noted at 35 mg/kg/day (5.7 times the HDD) and there was a reduced number of fetuses at 70 mg/kg/day (11.4 times the HDD) when pregnant rats were treated with 10, 35, or 70 mg/kg/day morphine sulfate via continuous infusion from Gestation Day 5 to 20.

There was no evidence of fetal malformations or maternal toxicity.

An increased incidence of abortion was noted in a study in which pregnant rabbits were treated with 2.5 (0.8 times the HDD) to 10 mg/kg morphine sulfate via subcutaneous injection from Gestation Day 6 to 10.

In a second study, decreased fetal body weights were reported following treatment of pregnant rabbits with increasing doses of morphine (10-50 mg/kg/day) during the pre-mating period and 50 mg/kg/day (16 times the HDD) throughout the gestation period.

No overt malformations were reported in either publication; although only limited endpoints were evaluated.

In published studies in rats, exposure to morphine during gestation and/or lactation periods is associated with: decreased pup viability at 12.5 mg/kg/day or greater (2 times the HDD); decreased pup body weights at 15 mg/kg/day or greater (2.4 times the HDD); decreased litter size, decreased absolute brain and cerebellar weights, cyanosis, and hypothermia at 20 mg/kg/day (3.2 times the HDD); alteration of behavioral responses (play, social- interaction) at 1 mg/kg/day or greater (0.2 times the HDD); alteration of maternal behaviors (e.g., decreased nursing and pup retrievals) in mice at 1 mg/kg or higher (0.08 times the HDD) and rats at 1.5 mg/kg/day or higher (0.2 times the HDD); and a host of behavioral abnormalities in the offspring of rats, including altered responsiveness to opioids at 4 mg/kg/day (0.7 times the HDD) or greater.

Fetal and/or postnatal exposure to morphine in mice and rats has been shown to result in morphological changes in fetal and neonatal brain and neuronal cell loss, alteration of a number of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems, including opioid and non-opioid systems, and impairment in various learning and memory tests that appear to persist into adulthood.

These studies were conducted with morphine treatment usually in the range of 4 to 20 mg/kg/day (0.7 to 3.2 times the HDD).

Additionally, delayed sexual maturation and decreased sexual behaviors in female offspring at 20 mg/kg/day (3.2 times the HDD), and decreased plasma and testicular levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone, decreased testes weights, seminiferous tubule shrinkage, germinal cell aplasia, and decreased spermatogenesis in male offspring were also observed at 20 mg/kg/day (3.2 times the HDD).

Decreased litter size and viability were observed in the offspring of male rats that were intraperitoneally administered morphine sulfate for 1 day prior to mating at 25 mg/kg/day (4.1 times the HDD) and mated to untreated females.

Decreased viability and body weight and/or movement deficits in both first and second generation offspring were reported when male mice were treated for 5 days with escalating doses of 120 to 240 mg/kg/day morphine sulfate (9.7 to 19.5 times the HDD) or when female mice treated with escalating doses of 60 to 240 mg/kg/day (4.9 to 19.5 times the HDD) followed by a 5-day treatment-free recovery period prior to mating.

Similar multigenerational findings were also seen in female rats pre- gestationally treated with escalating doses of 10 to 22 mg/kg/day morphine (1.6 to 3.6 times the HDD).

BOXED WARNING

WARNING: ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND MISUSE; RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY (REMS); LIFE-THREATENING RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION; ACCIDENTAL INGESTION; NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME; and RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH BENZODIAZEPINES OR OTHER CNS DEPRESSANTS WARNING: ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND MISUSE; RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY (REMS); LIFE- THREATENING RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, ACCIDENTAL INGESTION; NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME; and RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH BENZODIAZEPINES OR OTHER CNS DEPRESSANTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning .

Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets exposes users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.

Assess patient’s risk before prescribing, and monitor regularly for these behaviors and conditions.

( 5.1 ) To ensure that the benefits of opioid analgesics outweigh the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for these products.

( 5.2 ) Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur.

Monitor closely, especially upon initiation or following a dose increase.

Instruct patients to swallow Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose of morphine.

( 5.3 ) Accidental ingestion of Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of morphine.

( 5.3 ) Prolonged use of Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated.

If prolonged opioid use is required in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.

( 5.4 ) Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate; limit dosages and durations to the minimum required; and follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

( 5.5 , 7 ) Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.

Assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].

Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS): To ensure that the benefits of opioid analgesics outweigh the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required a REMS for these products [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] .

Under the requirements of the REMS, drug companies with approved opioid analgesic products must make REMS-compliant education programs available to healthcare providers.

Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to complete a REMS-compliant education program, counsel patients and/or their caregivers, with every prescription, on safe use, serious risks, storage, and disposal of these products, emphasize to patients and their caregivers the importance of reading the Medication Guide every time it is provided by their pharmacist, and consider other tools to improve patient, household, and community safety.

Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets or following a dose increase.

Instruct patients to swallow Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets whole; crushing, chewing, or dissolving morphine sulfate extended-release tablets can cause rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of morphine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ].

Accidental Ingestion Accidental ingestion of even one dose of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of morphine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ].

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Prolonged use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated, and requires management according to protocols developed by neonatology experts.

If opioid use is required for a prolonged period in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ].

Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Drug Interactions (7) ].

Reserve concomitant prescribing of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.

Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

WARNING AND CAUTIONS

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease or in Elderly, Cachectic, or Debilitated Patients : Monitor closely, particularly during initiation and titration.

( 5.6 ) Adrenal Insufficiency : If diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement of corticosteroids, and wean patient off of the opioid.

( 5.8 ) Severe Hypotension : Monitor during dosage initiation and titration.

Avoid use in patients with circulatory shock.

( 5.9 ) Risks of Use in Patients with Increased Intracranial Pressure, Brain Tumors, Head Injury, or Impaired Consciousness : Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression.

Avoid use of Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

( 5.10 ) 5.1 Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets contains morphine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

As an opioid, morphine sulfate extended-release tablets exposes its users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse.

Because extended-release products such as morphine sulfate extended-release tablets deliver the opioid over an extended period of time, there is a greater risk for overdose and death due to the larger amount of morphine present [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9) ] .

Although the risk of addiction in any individual is unknown, it can occur in patients appropriately prescribed morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Addiction can occur at recommended doses and if the drug is misused or abused.

Assess each patient’s risk for opioid addiction, abuse, or misuse prior to prescribing morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, and monitor all patients receiving morphine sulfate extended-release tablets for development of these behaviors and conditions.

Risks are increased in patients with a personal or family history of substance abuse (including drug or alcohol abuse or addiction) or mental illness (e.g., major depression).

The potential for these risks should not, however, prevent the proper management of pain in any given patient.

Patients at increased risk may be prescribed opioids such as morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, but use in such patients necessitates intensive counseling about the risks of proper use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets along with intensive monitoring for signs of addiction, abuse, and misuse.

Consider prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Abuse or misuse of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets by crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting the dissolved product will result in the uncontrolled delivery of morphine and can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage (10) ] .

Opioids are sought by drug abusers and people with addiction disorders and are subject to criminal diversion.

Consider these risks when prescribing or dispensing morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Strategies to reduce these risks include prescribing the drug in the smallest appropriate quantity and advising the patient on the proper disposal of unused drug [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ].

Contact local state professional licensing board or state controlled substances authority for information on how to prevent and detect abuse or diversion of this product.

5.2 Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) To ensure that the benefits of opioid analgesics outweigh the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for these products.

Under the requirements of the REMS, drug companies with approved opioid analgesic products must make REMS-compliant education programs available to healthcare providers.

Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to do all of the following: Complete a REMS-compliant education program offered by an accredited provider of continuing education (CE) or another education program that includes all the elements of the FDA Education Blueprint for Health Care Providers Involved in the Management or Support of Patients with Pain.

Discuss the safe use, serious risks, and proper storage and disposal of opioid analgesics with patients and/or their caregivers every time these medicines are prescribed.

The Patient Counseling Guide (PCG) can be obtained at this link: www.fda.gov/OpioidAnalgesicREMSPCG .

Emphasize to patients and their caregivers the importance of reading the Medication Guide that they will receive from their pharmacist every time an opioid analgesic is dispensed to them.

Consider using other tools to improve patient, household, and community safety, such as patient- prescriber agreements that reinforce patient-prescriber responsibilities.

To obtain further information on the opioid analgesic REMS and for a list of accredited REMS CME/CE, call 1-800-503-0784, or log on to www.opioidanalgesicrems.com .

The FDA Blueprint can be found at www.fda.gov/OpioidAnalgesicREMSBlueprint.

5.3 Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression has been reported with the use of opioids, even when used as recommended.

Respiratory depression, if not immediately recognized and treated, may lead to respiratory arrest and death.

Management of respiratory depression may include close observation, supportive measures, and use of opioid antagonists, depending on the patient’s clinical status [see Overdosage (10) ] .

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) retention from opioid-induced respiratory depression can exacerbate the sedating effects of opioids.

While serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression can occur at any time during the use of Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, the risk is greatest during the initiation of therapy or following a dosage increase.

Monitor patients closely for respiratory depression especially within the first 24-72 hours of initiating therapy and following dosage increases of with Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are essential [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] .

Overestimating the morphine sulfate extended-release tablets dosage when converting patients from another opioid product can result in a fatal overdose with the first dose.

Accidental ingestion of even one dose of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, especially by children, can result in respiratory depression and death due to an overdose of morphine.

Educate patients and caregivers on how to recognize respiratory depression and emphasize the importance of calling 911 or getting emergency medical help right away in the event of a known or suspected overdose [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .

Opioids can cause sleep-related breathing disorders including central sleep apnea (CSA) and sleep-related hypoxemia.

Opioid use increases the risk of CSA in a dose-dependent fashion.

In patients who present with CSA, consider decreasing the opioid dosage using best practices for opioid taper [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ].

Patient Access to Naloxone for the Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose: Discuss the availability of naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose with the patient and caregiver as assess the potential need for access to naloxone, both when initiating and renewing treatment with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Inform patients and caregivers about the various ways to obtain naloxone as permitted by individual state naloxone dispensing and prescribing requirements or guidelines (e.g., by prescription, directly from a pharmacist, or as part of a community-based program).

Educate patients and caregivers on how to recognize respiratory depression and emphasize the importance of calling 911 or getting emergency medical help, even if naloxone is administered [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .

Consider prescribing naloxone, based on the patient’s risk factors for overdose, such as concomitant use of CNS depressants, a history of opioid use disorder, or prior opioid overdose.

The presence of risk factors for overdose should not prevent the proper management of pain in any given patient.

Also consider prescribing naloxone if the patient household members (including children) or other close contacts at risk for accidental ingestion or overdose.

If naloxone is prescribed, educate patients and caregivers on how to treat with naloxone [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.5) , Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .

5.4 Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Prolonged use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets during pregnancy can result in withdrawal in the neonate.

Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, unlike opioid withdrawal syndrome in adults, may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated, and requires management according to protocols developed by neonatology experts.

Observe newborns for signs of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and manage accordingly.

Advise pregnant women using opioids for a prolonged period of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) , Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .

5.5 Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, other opioids, alcohol).

Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioid analgesics alone.

Because of similar pharmacological properties, it is reasonable to expect similar risk with the concomitant use of other CNS depressant drugs with opioid analgesics [see Drug Interactions (7) ] .

If the decision is made to prescribe a benzodiazepine or other CNS depressant concomitantly with an opioid analgesic, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use.

In patients already receiving an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of the benzodiazepine or other CNS depressant than indicated in the absence of an opioid, and titrate based on clinical response.

If an opioid analgesic is initiated in a patient already taking a benzodiazepine or other CNS depressant, prescribe a lower initial dose of the opioid analgesic, and titrate based on clinical response.

Follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

If concomitant use is warranted, consider prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are used with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants (including alcohol and illicit drugs).

Advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery until the effects of concomitant use of the benzodiazepine or other CNS depressant have been determined.

Screen patients for risk of substance use disorders, including opioid abuse and misuse, and warn them of the risk for overdose and death associated with the use of additional CNS depressants including alcohol and illicit drugs [see Drug Interactions (7) , Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .

5.6 Risk of Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease or in Elderly, Cachectic, or Debilitated Patients The use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment is contraindicated.

Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease : Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with a substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or pre-existing respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive including apnea, even at recommended dosages of Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ].

Elderly, Cachectic, or Debilitated Patients : Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in elderly, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics or altered clearance compared to younger, healthier patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Monitor such patients closely, particularly when initiating and titrating morphine sulfate extended-release tablets and when morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are given concomitantly with other drugs that depress respiration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Alternatively, consider the use of non-opioid analgesics in these patients.

5.7 Interaction with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may potentiate the effects of morphine, including respiratory depression, coma, and confusion.

Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets should not be used in patients taking MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping such treatment.

5.8 Adrenal Insufficiency Cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with opioid use, more often following greater than one month of use.

Presentation of adrenal insufficiency may include non-specific symptoms and signs including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure.

If adrenal insufficiency is suspected, confirm the diagnosis with diagnostic testing as soon as possible.

If adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement doses of corticosteroids.

Wean the patient off of the opioid to allow adrenal function to recover and continue corticosteroid treatment until adrenal function recovers.

Other opioids may be tried as some cases reported use of a different opioid without recurrence of adrenal insufficiency.

The information available does not identify any particular opioids as being more likely to be associated with adrenal insufficiency.

5.9 Severe Hypotension Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets may cause severe hypotension including orthostatic hypotension and syncope in ambulatory patients.

There is increased risk in patients whose ability to maintain blood pressure has already been compromised by a reduced blood volume or concurrent administration of certain CNS depressant drugs (e.g., phenothiazines or general anesthetics) [see Drug Interactions (7) ] .

Monitor these patients for signs of hypotension after initiating or titrating the dosage of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

In patients with circulatory shock, morphine sulfate extended-release tablets may cause vasodilation that can further reduce cardiac output and blood pressure.

Avoid the use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in patients with circulatory shock.

5.10 Risks of Use in Patients with Increased Intracranial Pressure, Brain Tumors, Head Injury, or Impaired Consciousness In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of CO 2 retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), morphine sulfate extended-release tablets may reduce respiratory drive, and the resultant CO 2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure.

Monitor such patients for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, particularly when initiating therapy with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Opioids may also obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury.

Avoid the use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

5.11 Risks of Use in Patients with Gastrointestinal Conditions Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are contraindicated in patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus.

The morphine in morphine sulfate extended-release tablets may cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi.

Opioids may cause increases in serum amylase.

Monitor patients with biliary tract disease, including acute pancreatitis, for worsening symptoms.

5.12 Increased Risk of Seizures in Patients with Seizure Disorders The morphine in morphine sulfate extended-release tablets may increase the frequency of seizures in patients with seizure disorders, and may increase the risk of seizures occurring in other clinical settings associated with seizures.

Monitor patients with a history of seizure disorders for worsened seizure control during morphine sulfate extended-release tablets therapy.

5.13 Withdrawal Do not abruptly discontinue morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in a patient physically dependent on opioids.

When discontinuing morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in a physically dependent patient, gradually taper the dosage.

Rapid tapering of morphine in a patient physically dependent on opioids may lead to a withdrawal syndrome and return of pain [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) , Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.3) ].

Additionally, avoid the use of mixed agonist/antagonist (e.g., pentazocine, nalbuphine, and butorphanol) or partial agonist (e.g., buprenorphine) analgesics in patients who have received or are receiving a course of therapy with a full opioid agonist analgesic, including morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

In these patients, mixed agonists/antagonist and partial agonist analgesics may reduce the analgesic effect and/or may precipitate withdrawal symptoms [see Drug Interactions (7) ] .

5.14 Risks of Driving and Operating Machinery Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets may impair the mental or physical abilities needed to perform potentially hazardous activities such as driving a car or operating machinery.

Warn patients not to drive or operate dangerous machinery unless they are tolerant to the effects of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets and know how they will react to the medication [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).

Storage and Disposal Because of the risks associated with accidental ingestion, misuse, and abuse, advise patients to store morphine sulfate extended-release tablets securely, out of sight and reach of children, and in a location not accessible by others, including visitors to the home [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2) ].

Inform patients that leaving morphine sulfate extended-release tablets unsecured can pose a deadly risk to others in the home.

Advise patients and caregivers that when medicines are no longer needed, they should be disposed of promptly.

Expired, unwanted, or unused morphine sulfate extended-release tablets should be disposed of by flushing the unused medication down the toilet if a drug take-back option is not readily available.

Inform patients that they can visit www.fda.gov/drugdisposal for a complete list of medicines recommended for disposal by flushing, as well as additional information on disposal of unused medicines.

Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Inform patients that the use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, even when taken as recommended, can result in addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] .

Instruct patients not to share morphine sulfate extended-release tablets with others and to take steps to protect morphine sulfate extended-release tablets from theft or misuse.

Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Inform patients of the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression, including information that the risk is greatest when starting morphine sulfate extended-release tablets or when the dosage is increased, and that it can occur even at recommended doses.

Educate patients and caregivers on how to recognize respiratory depression and emphasize the importance of calling 911 or getting emergency medical help right away in the event of a known or suspected overdose [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Patient Access to Naloxone for the Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose Discuss with the patient and caregiver the availability of naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose, both when initiating and renewing treatment with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Inform patients and caregivers about the various ways to obtain naloxone as permitted by individual state naloxone dispensing and prescribing requirements or guidelines (e.g., by prescription, directly from a pharmacist, or as part of a community-based program) [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Educate patients and caregivers on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an overdose.

Explain to patients and caregivers that naloxone’s effects are temporary, and that they must call 911 to get emergency medical help right away in all cases of known or suspected opioid overdose, even if naloxone is administered [see Overdosage (10) ] .

If naloxone is prescribed, also advise patients and caregivers: How to treat naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose To tell family and friends about their naloxone and to keep it in a place where family and friends can access it in an emergency To read the Patient Information (or other educational material) that will come with their naloxone.

Emphasize the importance of doing this before an opioid emergency happens, so the patient and care giver will know what to do.

Accidental Ingestion Inform patients that accidental ingestion, especially by children, may result in respiratory depression or death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Interactions with Benzodiazepines and Other CNS Depressants Inform patients and caregivers that potentially fatal additive effects may occur if morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are used with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, and not to use these concomitantly unless supervised by a healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) , Drug Interactions (7) ].

Serotonin Syndrome Inform patients that opioids could cause a rare but potentially life-threatening condition resulting from concomitant administration of serotonergic drugs.

Warn patients of the symptoms of serotonin syndrome and to seek medical attention right away if symptoms develop.

Instruct patients to inform their physicians if they are taking, or plan to take serotonergic medications [see Drug Interactions 7 ] .

MAOI Interaction Inform patients not to take morphine sulfate extended-release tablets while using any drugs that inhibit monoamine oxidase.

Patients should not start MAOIs while taking morphine sulfate extended-release tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) , Drug Interactions (7) ] .

Adrenal Insufficiency Inform patients that opioids could cause adrenal insufficiency, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Adrenal insufficiency may present with non-specific symptoms and signs such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure.

Advise patients to seek medical attention if they experience a constellation of these symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] .

Important Administration Instructions Instruct patients how to properly take morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, including the following: Swallow morphine sulfate extended-release tablets whole [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] Do not crush, chew, or dissolve the tablets [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] Use morphine sulfate extended-release tablets exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of life-threatening adverse reactions (e.g., respiratory depression) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Important Discontinuation Instructions In order to avoid developing withdrawal symptoms, instruct patients not to discontinue morphine sulfate extended-release tablets without first discussing a tapering plan with the prescriber [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ].

Hypotension Inform patients that morphine sulfate extended-release tablets may cause orthostatic hypotension and syncope.

Instruct patients how to recognize symptoms of low blood pressure and how to reduce the risk of serious consequences should hypotension occur (e.g., sit or lie down, carefully rise from a sitting or lying position) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] .

Anaphylaxis Inform patients that anaphylaxis has been reported with ingredients contained in morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Advise patients how to recognize such a reaction and when to seek medical attention [see Contraindications (4) , Adverse Reactions (6) ] .

Pregnancy Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Inform female patients of reproductive potential that prolonged use of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) , Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ].

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Inform female patients of reproductive potential that morphine sulfate extended-release tablets can cause fetal harm and to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] .

Lactation Advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2) ] Infertility Inform patients that chronic use of opioids may cause reduced fertility.

It is not known whether these effects on fertility are reversible [Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].

Driving or Operating Heavy Machinery Inform patients that morphine sulfate extended-release tablets may impair the ability to perform potentially hazardous activities such as driving a car or operating heavy machinery.

Advise patients not to perform such tasks until they know how they will react to the medication.

Constipation Advise patients of the potential for severe constipation, including management instructions and when to seek medical attention.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2 To be prescribed only by healthcare providers knowledgeable in the use of potent opioids for management of chronic pain.

( 2.1 ) Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets 100 mg, a single dose greater than 60 mg, or a total daily dose greater than 120 mg, are only for use in patients in whom tolerance to an opioid of comparable potency has been established.

( 2.1 ) Patients considered opioid-tolerant are those taking, for one week or longer, at least 60 mg of morphine per day, 25 mcg transdermal fentanyl per hour, 30 mg of oral oxycodone per day, 8 mg of oral hydromorphone per day, 25 mg oral oxymorphone per day, 60 mg oral hydrocodone per day, or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid.

( 2.1 ) Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals ( 2.1 ).

Individualize dosing based on the severity of pain, patient response, prior analgesic experience, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse.

( 2.1 ) Instruct patients to swallow morphine sulfate extended-release tablets intact and not to cut, break, chew, crush, or dissolve Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets to avoid the risk of release and absorption of potential fatal dose of morphine.

( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Discuss availability of naloxone with the patient and caregiver and assess each patient’s need for access to naloxone, both when initiating and renewing treatment with Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Consider prescribing naloxone based on the patient’s risk factors for overdose ( 2.2 , 5.1 , 5.3 , 5.5 ).

For opioid-naïve and opioid non-tolerant patients, initiate with 15 mg tablets orally every 8 to 12 hours.

( 2.3 ) Do not abruptly discontinue Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in a physically dependent patient because rapid discontinuation of opioid analgesics has resulted in serious withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, and suicide.

( 2.5 ) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets should be prescribed only by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable in the use of potent opioids for the management of chronic pain.

Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets 100 mg, a single dose greater than 60 mg, or a total daily dose greater than 120 mg, are only for use in patients in whom tolerance to an opioid of comparable potency has been established.

Patients considered opioid-tolerant are those taking, for one week or longer, at least 60 mg morphine per day, 25 mcg transdermal fentanyl per hour, 30 mg oral oxycodone per day, 8 mg oral hydromorphone daily, 25 mg oral oxymorphone per day, 60 mg oral hydrocodone per day, or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid.

Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see Warnings and Precautions (5) ] .

Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient’s severity of pain, prior analgesic treatment experience, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].

Monitor patients closely for respiratory depression, especially within the first 24-72 hours of initiating therapy and following dosage increases with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets and adjust the dosage accordingly [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ].

Instruct patients to swallow morphine sulfate extended-release tablets whole [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .

Crushing, chewing, or dissolving morphine sulfate extended-release tablets will result in uncontrolled delivery of morphine and can lead to overdose or death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] .

Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are administered orally once every 8 or 12 hours.

2.2 Patient Access to Naloxone for the Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose Discuss the availability of naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose with the patient and caregiver and assess the potential need for access to naloxone, both when initiating and renewing treatment with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

[see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .

Inform patients and caregivers about the various ways to obtain naloxone as permitted by individual state naloxone dispensing and prescribing requirements or guidelines (e.g., by prescription directly from a pharmacist, or as part of a community-based program).

Consider prescribing naloxone, based on the patient’s risk factors for overdose, such as concomitant use of CNS depressants, and a history of opioid use disorder, or prior opioid overdose.

The presence of risk factors of overdose should not prevent the proper management of pain in any given patient [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.3 , 5.5) ] .

Consider prescribing naloxone if the patient has household members (including children) or other close contacts at risk for accidental ingestion or overdose.

2.3 Initial Dosage Use of Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets as the First Opioid Analgesic (opioid-naïve patients) Initiate treatment with morphine sulfate extended-release tablets with 15 mg tablets orally every 8 or 12 hours.

Use of Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in Patients who are not Opioid Tolerant (opioid non-tolerant patients) The starting dose for patients who are not opioid tolerant is morphine sulfate extended-release tablets 15 mg orally every 12 hours.

Use of higher starting doses in patients who are not opioid tolerant may cause fatal respiratory depression.

Conversion from Other Oral Morphine to Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets Patients receiving other oral morphine formulations may be converted to morphine sulfate extended-release tablets by administering one-half of the patient’s 24-hour requirement as morphine sulfate extended-release tablets on an every-12-hour schedule or by administering one-third of the patient’s daily requirement as morphine sulfate extended-release tablets on an every-8-hour schedule.

Conversion from Other Opioids to Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets Discontinue all other around-the-clock opioid drugs when morphine sulfate extended-release tablets therapy is initiated.

There are no established conversion ratios for conversion from other opioids to morphine sulfate extended-release tablets defined by clinical trials.

Initiate dosing using morphine sulfate extended-release tablets 15 mg orally every 8 to 12 hours.

It is safer to underestimate a patient’s 24-hour oral morphine dosage and provide rescue medication (e.g., immediate-release opioid) than to overestimate the 24-hour oral morphine dosage and manage an adverse reaction due to an overdose.

While useful tablets of opioid equivalents are readily available, there is inter-patient variability in the potency of opioid drugs and opioid formulations.

Close observation and frequent titration are warranted until pain management is stable on the new opioid.

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal and for signs of oversedation/toxicity after converting patients to morphine sulfate extended-release tablets.

Conversion from Parenteral Morphine or Other Opioids (Parenteral or Oral) to Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets When converting from parenteral morphine or other non-morphine opioids (parenteral or oral) to morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, consider the following general points: Parenteral to oral morphine ratio: Between 2 to 6 mg of oral morphine may be required to provide analgesia equivalent to 1 mg of parenteral morphine.

Typically, a dose of morphine that is approximately three times the previous daily parenteral morphine requirement is sufficient.

Other parenteral or oral non-morphine opioids to oral morphine ratios: Specific recommendations are not available because of a lack of systematic evidence for these types of analgesic substitutions.

Published relative potency data are available, but such ratios are approximations.

In general, begin with half of the estimated daily morphine requirement as the initial dose, managing inadequate analgesia by supplementation with immediate-release morphine.

Conversion from Methadone to Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets Close monitoring is of particular importance when converting methadone to other opioid agonists.

The ratio between methadone and other opioid agonists may vary widely as a function of previous dose exposure.

Methadone has a long half-life and can accumulate in the plasma.

2.4 Titration and Maintenance of Therapy Individually titrate morphine sulfate extended-release tablets to a dose that provides adequate analgesia and minimizes adverse reactions.

Continually reevaluate patients receiving morphine sulfate extended-release tablets to assess the maintenance of pain control and the relative incidence of adverse reactions, as well as monitoring for the development of addiction, abuse, or misuse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] .

Frequent communication is important among the prescriber, other members of the healthcare team, the patient, and the caregiver/family during periods of changing analgesic requirements, including initial titration.

During chronic therapy periodically reassess the continued need for the use of opioid analgesics.

Patients who experience breakthrough pain may require a dosage adjustment of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, or may need rescue medication with an appropriate dose of an immediate-release analgesic.

If the level of pain increases after dose stabilization, attempt to identify the source of increased pain before increasing the morphine sulfate extended-release tablets dosage.

Because steady-state plasma concentrations are approximated in 1 day, morphine sulfate extended-release tablets dosage adjustments may be done every 1 to 2 days.

If unacceptable opioid-related adverse reactions are observed, consider reducing the dosage.

Adjust the dosage to obtain an appropriate balance between management of pain and opioid-related adverse reactions.

2.5 Dosage Modifications with Concomitant Use of Central Nervous System Depressants If the patient is currently taking a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and the decision is made to begin morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, start with the lowest possible dose, 15 mg every 12 hours, monitor patients for signs of respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension, and consider using a lower dosage of the concomitant CNS depressant [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) , Drug Interactions (7) ] .

2.6 Safe Reduction or Discontinuation of Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets Do not abruptly discontinue morphine sulfate extended-release tablets in patients who may be physically dependent on opioids.

Rapid discontinuation of opioid analgesics in patients who are physically dependent on opioids has resulted in serious withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, and suicide.

Rapid discontinuation has also been associated with attempts to find other sources of opioid analgesics, which may be confused with drug-seeking for abuse.

Patients may also attempt to treat their pain or withdrawal symptoms with illicit opioids, such as heroin, and other substances.

When a decision has been made to decrease the dose or discontinue therapy in an opioid-dependent patient taking morphine sulfate extended-release tablets, there are a variety of factors that should be considered, including the dose of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets the patient has been taking, the duration of treatment, the type of pain being treated, and the physical and psychological attributes of the patient.

It is important to ensure ongoing care of the patient and to agree on an appropriate tapering schedule and follow-up plan so that patient and provider goals and expectations are clear and realistic.

When opioid analgesics are being discontinued due to a suspected substance use disorder, evaluate and treat the patient, or refer for evaluation and treatment of the substance use disorder.

Treatment should include evidence-based approaches, such as medication assisted treatment of opioid use disorder.

Complex patients with co-morbid pain and substance use disorders may benefit from referral to a specialist.

There are no standard opioid tapering schedules that are suitable for all patients.

Good clinical practice dictates a patient-specific plan to taper the dose of the opioid gradually.

For patients on morphine sulfate extended-release tablets who are physically opioid-dependent, initiate the taper by a small enough increment (e.g., no greater than 10% to 25% of the total daily dose) to avoid withdrawal symptoms, and proceed with dose-lowering at an interval of every 2 to 4 weeks.

Patients who have been taking opioids for briefer periods of time may tolerate a more rapid taper.

It may be necessary to provide the patient with lower dosage strengths to accomplish a successful taper.

Reassess the patient frequently to manage pain and withdrawal symptoms, should they emerge.

Common withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, and mydriasis.

Other signs and symptoms also may develop, including irritability, anxiety, backache, joint pain, weakness, abdominal cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, or heart rate.

If withdrawal symptoms arise, it may be necessary to pause the taper for a period of time or raise the dose of the opioid analgesic to the previous dose, and then proceed with a slower taper.

In addition, monitor patients for any changes in mood, emergence of suicidal thoughts, or use of other substances.

When managing patients taking opioid analgesics, particularly those who have been treated for a long duration and/or with high doses for chronic pain, ensure that a multimodal approach to pain management, including mental health support (if needed), is in place prior to initiating an opioid analgesic taper.

A multimodal approach to pain management may optimize the treatment of chronic pain, as well as assist with the successful tapering of the opioid analgesic [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) , Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.3) ].

nebivolol 10 MG Oral Tablet [Bystolic]

DRUG INTERACTIONS

7.

Drug Interactions CYP2D6 enzyme inhibitors may increase nebivolol levels ( ) 7.1 Reserpine or clonidine may produce excessive reduction of sympathetic activity.

( ) 7.2 Both digitalis glycosides and β-blockers slow atrioventricular conduction and decrease heart rate.

Concomitant use can increase the risk of bradycardia.

( ) 7.3 Verapamil- or diltiazem-type calcium channel blockers may cause excessive reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility.

( ) 7.4 7.1 CYP2D6 Inhibitors Use caution when BYSTOLIC is co-administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, propafenone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( )].

12.5 7.2 Hypotensive Agents Do not use BYSTOLIC with other β-blockers.

Closely monitor patients receiving catecholamine-depleting drugs, such as reserpine or guanethidine, because the added β-blocking action of BYSTOLIC may produce excessive reduction of sympathetic activity.

In patients who are receiving BYSTOLIC and clonidine, discontinue BYSTOLIC for several days before the gradual tapering of clonidine.

7.3 Digitalis Glycosides Both digitalis glycosides and β-blockers slow atrioventricular conduction and decrease heart rate.

Concomitant use can increase the risk of bradycardia.

7.4 Calcium Channel Blockers BYSTOLIC can exacerbate the effects of myocardial depressants or inhibitors of AV conduction, such as certain calcium antagonists (particularly of the phenylalkylamine [verapamil] and benzothiazepine [diltiazem] classes), or antiarrhythmic agents, such as disopyramide.

OVERDOSAGE

10.

In clinical trials and worldwide postmarketing experience there were reports of BYSTOLIC overdose.

The most common signs and symptoms associated with BYSTOLIC overdosage are bradycardia and hypotension.

Other important adverse reactions reported with BYSTOLIC overdose include cardiac failure, dizziness, hypoglycemia, fatigue and vomiting.

Other adverse reactions associated with β-blocker overdose include bronchospasm and heart block.

The largest known ingestion of BYSTOLIC worldwide involved a patient who ingested up to 500 mg of BYSTOLIC along with several 100 mg tablets of acetylsalicylic acid in a suicide attempt.

The patient experienced hyperhydrosis, pallor, depressed level of consciousness, hypokinesia, hypotension, sinus bradycardia, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, respiratory failure and vomiting.

The patient recovered.

Because of extensive drug binding to plasma proteins, hemodialysis is not expected to enhance nebivolol clearance.

If overdose occurs, provide general supportive and specific symptomatic treatment.

Based on expected pharmacologic actions and recommendations for other β-blockers, consider the following general measures, including stopping BYSTOLIC, when clinically warranted: Administer IV atropine.

If the response is inadequate, isoproterenol or another agent with positive chronotropic properties may be given cautiously.

Under some circumstances, transthoracic or transvenous pacemaker placement may be necessary.

Bradycardia: Administer IV fluids and vasopressors.

Intravenous glucagon may be useful.

Hypotension: Monitor and treat with isoproterenol infusion.

Under some circumstances, transthoracic or transvenous pacemaker placement may be necessary.

Heart Block (second or third degree): Initiate therapy with digitalis glycoside and diuretics.

In certain cases, consider the use of inotropic and vasodilating agents.

Congestive Heart Failure: Administer bronchodilator therapy such as a short acting inhaled β -agonist and/or aminophylline.

Bronchospasm: 2 Administer IV glucose.

Repeated doses of IV glucose or possibly glucagon may be required.

Hypoglycemia: Supportive measures should continue until clinical stability is achieved.

The half-life of low doses of nebivolol is 12-19 hours.

Call the National Poison Control Center (800-222-1222) for the most current information on β-blocker overdose treatment.

DESCRIPTION

11.

The chemical name for the active ingredient in BYSTOLIC (nebivolol) tablets is (1RS,1’RS)-1,1′-[(2RS,2’SR)-bis(6-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-yl)]- 2,2′-iminodiethanol hydrochloride.

Nebivolol is a racemate composed of d-Nebivolol and l-Nebivolol with the stereochemical designations of [SRRR]-nebivolol and [RSSS]-nebivolol, respectively.

Nebivolol’s molecular formula is (C H F NO •HCl) with the following structural formula: 22 25 2 4 Nebivolol hydrochloride is a white to almost white powder that is soluble in methanol, dimethylsulfoxide, and N,N-dimethylformamide, sparingly soluble in ethanol, propylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol, and very slightly soluble in hexane, dichloromethane, and methylbenzene.

BYSTOLIC as tablets for oral administration contains nebivolol hydrochloride equivalent to 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg of nebivolol base.

In addition, BYSTOLIC contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, D&C Red #27 Lake, FD&C Blue #2 Lake, FD&C Yellow #6 Lake, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, polysorbate 80, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Structural Formula

CLINICAL STUDIES

14.

14.1 Hypertension The antihypertensive effectiveness of BYSTOLIC as monotherapy has been demonstrated in three randomized, double-blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled trials at doses ranging from 1.25 to 40 mg for 12 weeks (Studies 1, 2, and 3).

A fourth placebo-controlled trial demonstrated additional antihypertensive effects of BYSTOLIC at doses ranging from 5 to 20 mg when administered concomitantly with up to two other antihypertensive agents (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and thiazide diuretics) in patients with inadequate blood pressure control.

The three monotherapy trials included a total of 2016 patients (1811 BYSTOLIC, 205 placebo) with mild to moderate hypertension who had baseline diastolic blood pressures (DBP) of 95 to 109 mmHg.

Patients received either BYSTOLIC or placebo once daily for twelve weeks.

Two of these monotherapy trials (Studies 1 and 2) studied 1716 patients in the general hypertensive population with a mean age of 54 years, 55% males, 26% non-Caucasians, 7% diabetics and 6% genotyped as PMs.

The third monotherapy trial (Study 3) studied 300 Black patients with a mean age of 51 years, 45% males, 14% diabetics, and 3% as PMs.

Placebo-subtracted blood pressure reductions by dose for each study are presented in .

Most studies showed increasing response to doses above 5 mg.

Table 2 Table 2.

Placebo-Subtracted Least-Square Mean Reductions in Trough Sitting Systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure (SiSBP/SiDBP mmHg) by Dose in Studies with Once Daily BYSTOLIC * p<0.05 based on pair-wise comparison vs.

placebo Study enrolled only African Americans.

¶ Study on top of one or two other antihypertensive medications.

^ Nebivolol dose (mg) 1.25 2.5 5.0 10 20 30-40 Study 1 -6.6*/-5.1* -8.5*/-5.6* -8.1*/-5.5* -9.2*/-6.3* -8.7*/-6.9* -11.7*/-8.3* Study 2 -3.8/-3.2* -3.1/-3.9* -6.3*/-4.5* Study 3 ¶ -1.5/-2.9 -2.6/-4.9* -6.0*/-6.1* -7.2*/-6.1* -6.8*/-5.5* Study 4 ^ -5.7*/-3.3* -3.7*/-3.5* -6.2*/-4.6* Study 4 enrolled 669 patients with a mean age of 54 years, 55% males, 54% Caucasians, 29% Blacks, 15% Hispanics, 1% Asians, 14% diabetics, and 5% PMs.

BYSTOLIC, 5 mg to 20 mg, administered once daily concomitantly with stable doses of up to two other antihypertensive agents (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and thiazide diuretics) resulted in significant additional antihypertensive effects over placebo compared to baseline blood pressure.

Effectiveness was similar in subgroups analyzed by age and sex.

Effectiveness was established in Blacks, but as monotherapy the magnitude of effect was somewhat less than in Caucasians.

The blood pressure lowering effect of BYSTOLIC was seen within two weeks of treatment and was maintained over the 24-hour dosing interval.

There are no trials of BYSTOLIC demonstrating reductions in cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension, but at least one pharmacologically similar drug has demonstrated such benefits.

HOW SUPPLIED

16.

/STORAGE AND HANDLING NDC:68151-5135-7 in a CUP of 1 TABLETS

GERIATRIC USE

8.5 Geriatric Use Of the 2800 patients in the U.S.

sponsored placebo-controlled clinical hypertension studies, 478 patients were 65 years of age or older.

No overall differences in efficacy or in the incidence of adverse events were observed between older and younger patients.

DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

3.

BYSTOLIC is available as tablets for oral administration containing nebivolol hydrochloride equivalent to 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg of nebivolol.

BYSTOLIC tablets are triangular-shaped, biconvex, unscored, differentiated by color and are engraved with “ ” on one side and the number of mg (2 ½, 5, 10, or 20) on the other side.

FL Tablets: 2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg ( ) 3

MECHANISM OF ACTION

12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive response of BYSTOLIC has not been definitively established.

Possible factors that may be involved include: (1) decreased heart rate, (2) decreased myocardial contractility, (3) diminution of tonic sympathetic outflow to the periphery from cerebral vasomotor centers, (4) suppression of renin activity and (5) vasodilation and decreased peripheral vascular resistance.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.

BYSTOLIC is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure.

Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.

( ) 1.1 1.1 Hypertension BYSTOLIC is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure .

BYSTOLIC may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents .

[see Clinical Studies ( )] 14.1 [see Drug Interactions ( )] 7 Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.

These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes, including the class to which this drug principally belongs.

There are no controlled trials demonstrating risk reduction with BYSTOLIC.

Control of high blood pressure should be part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, including, as appropriate, lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake.

Many patients will require more than one drug to achieve blood pressure goals.

For specific advice on goals and management, see published guidelines, such as those of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program’s Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC).

Numerous antihypertensive drugs, from a variety of pharmacologic classes and with different mechanisms of action, have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it can be concluded that it is blood pressure reduction, and not some other pharmacologic property of the drugs, that is largely responsible for those benefits.

The largest and most consistent cardiovascular outcome benefit has been a reduction in the risk of stroke, but reductions in myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality also have been seen regularly.

Elevated systolic or diastolic pressure causes increased cardiovascular risk, and the absolute risk increase per mmHg is greater at higher blood pressures, so that even modest reductions of severe hypertension can provide substantial benefit.

Relative risk reduction from blood pressure reduction is similar across populations with varying absolute risk, so the absolute benefit is greater in patients who are at higher risk independent of their hypertension (for example, patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia), and such patients would be expected to benefit from more aggressive treatment to a lower blood pressure goal.

Some antihypertensive drugs have smaller blood pressure effects (as monotherapy) in black patients, and many antihypertensive drugs have additional approved indications and effects (e.g., on angina, heart failure, or diabetic kidney disease).

These considerations may guide selection of therapy.

PEDIATRIC USE

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Pediatric studies in ages newborn to 18 years old have not been conducted because of incomplete characterization of developmental toxicity and possible adverse effects on long-term fertility .

[see Nonclinical Toxicology ( )] 13.1

PREGNANCY

8.1 Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects: Category C.

Decreased pup body weights occurred at 1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg in rats, when exposed during the perinatal period (late gestation, parturition and lactation).

At 5 mg/kg and higher doses (1.2 times the MRHD), prolonged gestation, dystocia and reduced maternal care were produced with corresponding increases in late fetal deaths and stillbirths and decreased birth weight, live litter size and pup survival.

Insufficient numbers of pups survived at 5 mg/kg to evaluate the offspring for reproductive performance.

In studies in which pregnant rats were given nebivolol during organogenesis, reduced fetal body weights were observed at maternally toxic doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg/day (5 and 10 times the MRHD), and small reversible delays in sternal and thoracic ossification associated with the reduced fetal body weights and a small increase in resorption occurred at 40 mg/kg/day (10 times the MRHD).

No adverse effects on embryo-fetal viability, sex, weight or morphology were observed in studies in which nebivolol was given to pregnant rabbits at doses as high as 20 mg/kg/day (10 times the MRHD).

NUSRING MOTHERS

8.3 Nursing Mothers Studies in rats have shown that nebivolol or its metabolites cross the placental barrier and are excreted in breast milk.

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk.

Because of the potential for β-blockers to produce serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, especially bradycardia, BYSTOLIC is not recommended during nursing.

WARNING AND CAUTIONS

5.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Acute exacerbation of coronary artery disease upon cessation of therapy: Do not abruptly discontinue ( ) 5.1 Diabetes: Monitor glucose as β-blockers may mask symptoms of hypoglycemia ( ) 5.5 5.1 Abrupt Cessation of Therapy Do not abruptly discontinue BYSTOLIC therapy in patients with coronary artery disease.

Severe exacerbation of angina, myocardial infarction and ventricular arrhythmias have been reported in patients with coronary artery disease following the abrupt discontinuation of therapy with β-blockers.

Myocardial infarction and ventricular arrhythmias may occur with or without preceding exacerbation of the angina pectoris.

Caution patients without overt coronary artery disease against interruption or abrupt discontinuation of therapy.

As with other β-blockers, when discontinuation of BYSTOLIC is planned, carefully observe and advise patients to minimize physical activity.

Taper BYSTOLIC over 1 to 2 weeks when possible.

If the angina worsens or acute coronary insufficiency develops, re-start BYSTOLIC promptly, at least temporarily.

5.2 Angina and Acute Myocardial Infarction BYSTOLIC was not studied in patients with angina pectoris or who had a recent MI.

5.3 Bronchospastic Diseases In general, patients with bronchospastic diseases should not receive β-blockers.

5.4 Anesthesia and Major Surgery Because beta-blocker withdrawal has been associated with an increased risk of MI and chest pain, patients already on beta-blockers should generally continue treatment throughout the perioperative period.

If BYSTOLIC is to be continued perioperatively, monitor patients closely when anesthetic agents which depress myocardial function, such as ether, cyclopropane, and trichloroethylene, are used.

If β-blocking therapy is withdrawn prior to major surgery, the impaired ability of the heart to respond to reflex adrenergic stimuli may augment the risks of general anesthesia and surgical procedures.

The β-blocking effects of BYSTOLIC can be reversed by β-agonists, e.g., dobutamine or isoproterenol.

However, such patients may be subject to protracted severe hypotension.

Additionally, difficulty in restarting and maintaining the heartbeat has been reported with β-blockers.

5.5 Diabetes and Hypoglycemia β-blockers may mask some of the manifestations of hypoglycemia, particularly tachycardia.

Nonselective β-blockers may potentiate insulin-induced hypoglycemia and delay recovery of serum glucose levels.

It is not known whether nebivolol has these effects.

Advise patients subject to spontaneous hypoglycemia and diabetic patients receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents about these possibilities.

5.6 Thyrotoxicosis β-blockers may mask clinical signs of hyperthyroidism, such as tachycardia.

Abrupt withdrawal of β-blockers may be followed by an exacerbation of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism or may precipitate a thyroid storm.

5.7 Peripheral Vascular Disease β-blockers can precipitate or aggravate symptoms of arterial insufficiency in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

5.8 Non-dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers Because of significant negative inotropic and chronotropic effects in patients treated with β-blockers and calcium channel blockers of the verapamil and diltiazem type, monitor the ECG and blood pressure in patients treated concomitantly with these agents.

5.9 Use with CYP2D6 Inhibitors Nebivolol exposure increases with inhibition of CYP2D6 .

The dose of BYSTOLIC may need to be reduced.

[see Drug Interactions ( )] 7 5.10 Impaired Renal Function Renal clearance of nebivolol is decreased in patients with severe renal impairment.

BYSTOLIC has not been studied in patients receiving dialysis .

[see Clinical Pharmacology ( ) and Dosage and Administration ( )] 12.4 2.1 5.11 Impaired Hepatic Function Metabolism of nebivolol is decreased in patients with moderate hepatic impairment.

BYSTOLIC has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment .

[see Clinical Pharmacology ( ) and Dosage and Administration ( )] 12.4 2.1 5.12 Risk of Anaphylactic Reactions While taking β-blockers, patients with a history of severe anaphylactic reactions to a variety of allergens may be more reactive to repeated accidental, diagnostic, or therapeutic challenge.

Such patients may be unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat allergic reactions.

5.13 Pheochromocytoma In patients with known or suspected pheochromocytoma, initiate an α-blocker prior to the use of any β-blocker.

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION See FDA-approved patient labeling ( ).

Patient Information Patient Advice Advise patients to take BYSTOLIC regularly and continuously, as directed.

BYSTOLIC can be taken with or without food.

If a dose is missed, take the next scheduled dose only (without doubling it).

Do not interrupt or discontinue BYSTOLIC without consulting the physician.

Patients should know how they react to this medicine before they operate automobiles, use machinery, or engage in other tasks requiring alertness.

Advise patients to consult a physician if any difficulty in breathing occurs, or if they develop signs or symptoms of worsening congestive heart failure such as weight gain or increasing shortness of breath, or excessive bradycardia.

Caution patients subject to spontaneous hypoglycemia, or diabetic patients receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, that β-blockers may mask some of the manifestations of hypoglycemia, particularly tachycardia.

Distributed by: Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Subsidiary of Forest Laboratories, Inc.

St.

Louis, MO 63045, USA Licensed from Mylan Laboratories, Inc.

Under license from Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Beerse, Belgium Actidose-Aqua is a registered trademark of Paddock Laboratories, Inc.

® © 2010-2013 Forest Laboratories, Inc

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.

Can be taken with and without food.

Individualize to the needs of the patient and monitor during up-titration.

( ) 2 Hypertension: Most patients start at 5 mg once daily.

Dose can be increased at 2-week intervals up to 40 mg.

( ) 2.1 2.1 Hypertension The dose of BYSTOLIC must be individualized to the needs of the patient.

For most patients, the recommended starting dose is 5 mg once daily, with or without food, as monotherapy or in combination with other agents.

For patients requiring further reduction in blood pressure, the dose can be increased at 2-week intervals up to 40 mg.

A more frequent dosing regimen is unlikely to be beneficial.

Renal Impairment In patients with severe renal impairment (ClCr less than 30 mL/min) the recommended initial dose is 2.5 mg once daily; titrate up slowly if needed.

BYSTOLIC has not been studied in patients receiving dialysis [see Clinical Pharmacology ( )].

12.4 Hepatic Impairment In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, the recommended initial dose is 2.5 mg once daily; titrate up slowly if needed.

BYSTOLIC has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment and therefore it is not recommended in that population [see Clinical Pharmacology ( )].

12.4 2.2 Subpopulations Geriatric Patients It is not necessary to adjust the dose in the elderly [see use in Specific Populations ( )].

8.5 CYP2D6 Polymorphism No dose adjustments are necessary for patients who are CYP2D6 poor metabolizers.

The clinical effect and safety profile observed in poor metabolizers were similar to those of extensive metabolizers [see Clinical Pharmacology ( )].

12.3