Cortifoam 100 MG/ML Rectal Foam

Generic Name: HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE
Brand Name: Cortifoam
  • Substance Name(s):
  • HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE

WARNINGS

General: Do not insert any part of the aerosol container directly into the anus.

Contents of the container are under pressure.

Do not burn or puncture the aerosol container.

Do not store at temperatures above 120°F.

Because Cortifoam® is not expelled, systemic hydrocortisone absorption may be greater from Cortifoam® than from corticosteroid enema formulations.

If there is not evidence of clinical or proctologic improvement within two or three weeks after starting Cortifoam® therapy, or if the patient’s condition worsens, discontinue the drug.

Rare instances of anaphylactoid reactions have occurred in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Cardio-renal: Corticosteroids can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium.

These effects are less likely to occur with the synthetic derivatives except when used in large doses.

Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary.

All corticosteroids increase calcium excretion.

Literature reports suggest an apparent association between use of corticosteroids and left ventricular free wall rupture after a recent myocardial infarction; therefore, therapy with corticosteroids should be used with great caution in these patients.

Endocrine: Corticosteroids can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment.

Metabolic clearance of corticosteroids is decreased in hypothyroid patients and increased in hyperthyroid patients.

Changes in thyroid status of the patient may necessitate adjustment in dosage.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Drug Interactions: Aminoglutethimide: Aminoglutethimide may lead to a loss of corticosteroid-induced adrenal suppression.

Amphotericin B injection and potassium-depleting agents: When corticosteroids are administered concomitantly with potassium-depleting agents (i.e., amphotericin B, diuretics), patients should be observed closely for development of hypokalemia.

There have been cases reported in which concomitant use of amphotericin B and hydrocortisone was followed by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure.

Antibiotics: Macrolide antibiotics have been reported to cause a significant decrease in corticosteroid clearance.

Anticholinesterases: Concomitant use of anticholinesterase agents and corticosteroids may produce severe weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis.

If possible, anticholinesterase agents should be withdrawn at least 24 hours before initiating corticosteroid therapy.

Anticoagulants, oral: Coadministration of corticosteroids and warfarin result in inhibition of response to warfarin.

Therefore, coagulation indices should be monitored to maintain the desired anticoagulant effect.

Antidiabetics: Because corticosteroids may increase blood glucose concentrations, dosage adjustments of antidiabetic agents may be required.

Antitubercular drugs: Serum concentrations of isoniazid may be decreased.

Cholestyramine: Cholestyramine may increase the clearance of corticosteroids.

Cyclosporine: Increased activity of both cyclosporine and corticosteroids may occur when the two are used concurrently.

Convulsions have been reported with this concurrent use.

Digitalis glycosides: Patients on digitalis glycosides may be at increased risk of arrhythmias due to hypokalemia.

Estrogens, including oral contraceptives: Estrogens may decrease the hepatic metabolism of certain corticosteroids, thereby increasing their effect.

Hepatic Enzyme Inducers (e.g., barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin): Drugs which induce hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme activity may enhance the metabolism of corticosteroids and require that the dosage of the corticosteroid be increased.

Ketoconazole: Ketoconazole has been reported to decrease the metabolism of certain corticosteroids by up to 60%, leading to an increased risk of corticosteroid side effects.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS): Concomitant use of aspirin (or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents) and corticosteroids increases the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

Aspirin should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticosteroids in hypoprothrombinemia.

The clearance of salicylates may be increased with concurrent use of corticosteroids.

Skin tests: Corticosteroids may suppress reactions to skin tests.

Vaccines: Patients on prolonged corticosteroid therapy may exhibit a diminished response to toxoids and live or inactivated vaccines due to inhibition of antibody response.

Corticosteroids may also potentiate the replication of some organisms contained in live attenuated vaccines.

Routine administration of vaccines or toxoids should be deferred until corticosteroid therapy is discontinued if possible (see WARNINGS, Infections, Vaccination).

OVERDOSAGE

Treatment of acute overdosage is by supportive and symptomatic therapy.

For chronic overdosage in the face of severe disease requiring continuous steroid therapy, the dosage of the corticosteroid may be reduced only temporarily, or alternate day treatment may be introduced.

DESCRIPTION

Cortifoam® (hydrocortisone acetate rectal aerosol) 10% Rectal Foam contains hydrocortisone acetate 10% in a base containing propylene glycol, emulsifying wax, polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether, cetyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben, trolamine, purified water and inert propellants: isobutane and propane.

Each application delivers approximately 900 mg of foam containing 80 mg of hydrocortisone (90 mg of hydrocortisone acetate).

The molecular weight of hydrocortisone acetate is 404.50.

It is designated chemically as pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione,21-(acetyloxy)-11,17-dihydroxy-,(11β)-.

The empirical formula is C23H32O6 and the structural formula is: Hydrocortisone acetate, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid, is a white to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder.

It is insoluble in water (1 mg/100 mL) and slightly soluble in alcohol and chloroform.

stuctural formula

HOW SUPPLIED

Cortifoam® is supplied in an aerosol container with a special rectal applicator.

Each applicator delivers approximately 900 mg of foam containing approximately 80 mg of hydrocortisone as 90 mg of hydrocortisone acetate.

When used correctly, the aerosol container will deliver a minimum of 14 applications.

NDC 0037-6830-15 15 g Store at controlled room temperature, 20°-25°C (68°-77°F).

DO NOT REFRIGERATE.

Rx only Distributed by: MEDA Pharmaceuticals ® Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Somerset, New Jersey 08873-4120 ©2015 Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

For Medical Inquiries, call toll-free 1-877-848-6608 CORTIFOAM and MEDA PHARMACEUTICALS are registered trademarks of Meda AB or a related entity.

IN-683015-01D CIA71189C Rev.

5/2015

GERIATRIC USE

Geriatric use: No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly subjects and younger subjects, and 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.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Cortifoam® is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the topical treatment of ulcerative proctitis of the distal portion of the rectum in patients who cannot retain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroid enemas.

PEDIATRIC USE

Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

PREGNANCY

Pregnancy: Teratogenic effects: Pregnancy Category C.

Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in many species when given in doses equivalent to the human dose.

Animal studies in which corticosteroids have been given to pregnant mice, rats, and rabbits have yielded an increased incidence of cleft palate in the offspring.

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

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

Infants born to mothers who have received corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism.

NUSRING MOTHERS

Nursing Mothers: Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects.

Caution should be exercised when corticosteroids are administered to a nursing woman.

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

Information for Patients: Patients should be warned not to discontinue the use of corticosteroids abruptly or without medical supervision, to advise any medical attendants that they are taking corticosteroids and to seek medical advice at once should they develop fever or other signs of infection.

Persons who are on corticosteroids should be warned to avoid exposure to chicken pox or measles.

Patients should also be advised that if they are exposed, medical advice should be sought without delay.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

The usual dose is one applicatorful once or twice daily for two or three weeks, and every second day thereafter, administered rectally.

Directions for use, below and on the carton, describe how to use the aerosol container and applicator.

Satisfactory response usually occurs within five to seven days marked by a decrease in symptoms.

Symptomatic improvement in ulcerative proctitis should not be used as the sole criterion for evaluating efficacy.

Sigmoidoscopy is also recommended to judge dosage adjustment, duration of therapy, and rate of improvement.

It Should Be Emphasized that Dosage Requirements are Variable and Must Be Individualized on the Basis of the Disease Under Treatment and the Response of the Patient.

After a favorable response is noted, the proper maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small decrements at appropriate time intervals until the lowest dosage which will maintain an adequate clinical response is reached.

Situations which may make dosage adjustments necessary are changes in clinical status secondary to remissions or exacerbations in the disease process, the patient’s individual drug responsiveness, and the effect of patient exposure to stressful situations not directly related to the disease entity under treatment.

In this latter situation it may be necessary to increase the dosage of the corticosteroid for a period of time consistent with the patient’s condition.

If after long-term therapy the drug is to be stopped, it is recommended that it be withdrawn gradually rather than abruptly.

Directions For Use (1) Shake foam container vigorously for 5-10 seconds before each use.

Do not remove container cap during use of the product.

(2) Hold container upright on a level surface and gently place the tip of the applicator onto the nose of the container cap.

CONTAINER MUST BE HELD UPRIGHT TO OBTAIN PROPER FLOW OF MEDICATION.

(3) Pull plunger past the fill line on the applicator barrel.

(4) To fill applicator barrel, press down firmly on cap flanges, hold for 1 – 2 seconds and release.

Pause 5 – 10 seconds to allow foam to expand in applicator barrel.

Repeat until foam reaches fill line.

Remove applicator from container cap.

Allow some foam to remain on the applicator tip.

A burst of air may come out of container with first pump.

(5) Hold applicator firmly by barrel, making sure thumb and middle finger are positioned securely underneath and resting against barrel wings.

Place index finger over the plunger.

Gently insert tip into anus.

Once in place, push plunger to expel foam, then withdraw applicator.

CAUTION: Do not insert any part of the aerosol container directly into the anus.

Apply to anus only with enclosed applicator.

(6) After each use, applicator parts should be pulled apart for thorough cleaning with warm water.

The container cap and underlying tip should also be pulled apart and rinsed to help prevent build-up of foam and possible blockage.