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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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XOPENEX HFA (NDA-021730)

(LEVALBUTEROL TARTRATE)

Safety-related Labeling Changes Approved by FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

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02/27/2017 (SUPPL-39)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1 Pregnancy

(Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) Conversion; additions and/or revisions are underlined)

Risk Summary

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of XOPENEX HFA in pregnant women. There are clinical considerations with the use of XOPENEX HFA in pregnant women.

Following oral administration of levalbuterol HCl to pregnant rabbits, there was no evidence of teratogenicity at doses up to 25 mg/kg/day [approximately 750 times the maximum recommended human daily inhalation dose (MRHDID) of levalbuterol tartrate for adults on a mg/m2 basis]; however, racemic albuterol sulfate was teratogenic in mice (cleft palate) and rabbits (cranioschisis) at doses slightly higher than the human therapeutic range.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) are unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

 

Clinical Considerations

Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk

In women with poorly or moderately controlled asthma, there is an increased risk of preeclampsia in the mother and prematurity, low birth weight, and small for gestational age in the neonate. Pregnant women should be closely monitored and medication adjusted as necessary to maintain optimal control.

 

Labor or Delivery

Because of the potential for beta-adrenergic agonists to interfere with uterine contractility…

 

Data

Animal Data

The oral administration of levalbuterol HCl to pregnant New Zealand White rabbits during the period of organogenesis found no evidence of teratogenicity at doses up to 25 mg/kg/day (approximately 750 times the MRHDID of levalbuterol tartrate for adults on a mg/m2 basis). In a rat developmental study, a racemic albuterol sulfate (comprising approximately 50% levalbuterol)/HFA-134a formulation administered by inhalation did not produce any teratogenic effects at exposures approximately 160 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal dose of 10.5 mg/kg).

However, other developmental studies with the racemic albuterol sulfate, did result in teratogenic effects in mice and rabbits at doses slightly higher than the human therapeutic range. In a rabbit development study, orally administered albuterol sulfate induced cranioschisis in 7 of 19 fetuses (37%) at approximately 1500 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal dose of 50 mg/kg). In a mouse developmental study, subcutaneously administered albuterol sulfate produced cleft palate formation in 5 of 111 (4.5%) fetuses at an exposure approximately 2 times MRHDID for adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal dose of 0.25 mg/kg/day) and in 10 of 108 (9.3%) fetuses at approximately 20 times MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day). Similar effects were not observed at approximately 0.2 times MRHDID of levalbuterol tartrate for adults on a mg/m2 basis (i.e., less than the therapeutic dose). Cleft palate also occurred in 22 of 72 (30.5%) fetuses from females treated subcutaneously with isoproterenol (positive control).

8.2 Lactation

(Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) Conversion; additions and/or revisions are underlined)

Risk Summary

There are no available data on the presence of levalbuterol in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production.

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

17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information and Instructions for Use).

 

General Information on Use

Use XOPENEX HFA only with the actuator supplied with the product. When the dose indicator display window shows a red zone, approximately 20 inhalations are left, and a refill is required. Discard the inhaler when the dose indicator display window shows zero, indicating that 200 sprays have been used

Patient Information

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

Before you use XOPENEX HFA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:…

  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XOPENEX HFA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you use XOPENEX HFA.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements…

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • other inhaled medicines or asthma medicines

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure

 

How should I use XOPENEX HFA?

  • Read the step-by-step Instructions for using XOPENEX HFA at the end of this Patient Information leaflet.

  • XOPENEX HFA is for oral inhalation use only.

  • An adult should help a child use XOPENEX HFA. Your doctor should show you how your child should use XOPENEX HFA.

  • While you are using XOPENEX HFA, do not use other inhaled medicines and asthma medicines unless your doctor tells you to.

 

What are the possible side effects of XOPENEX HFA?

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-877-737-7226.

 

How should I store XOPENEX HFA?

  • Store XOPENEX HFA at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).

  • Do not use or store XOPENEX HFA inhaler near heat or open flame. Temperatures above 120°F may cause the canister to burst.

  • Do not freeze XOPENEX HFA.

  • Keep XOPENEX HFA out of direct sunlight.

  • Do not put a hole in the XOPENEX HFA canister.

  • Throw away XOPENEX HFA  when the dose indicator display window reaches zero “0”, showing that all 200 sprays (actuations) have been used.

 

General information about the safe and effective use of XOPENEX HFA

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use XOPENEX HFA for a condition for which it was not prescribed…