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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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ORAPRED ODT (NDA-021959)

(PREDNISOLONE SODIUM PHOSPHATE)

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

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06/05/2024 (SUPPL-14)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.2 Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

Corticosteroids, including Orapred ODT, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens. Corticosteroids can:

  • Reduce resistance to new infections
  • Exacerbate existing infections
  • Increase the risk of disseminated infections
  • Increase the risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infections
  • Mask some signs of infection

Corticosteroid-associated infections can be mild but can be severe and at times fatal. The rate of infectious complications increases with increasing corticosteroid dosages.

Monitor for the development of infection and consider Orapred ODT withdrawal or dosage reduction as needed.

Tuberculosis

If Orapred ODT is used to treat a condition in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, reactivation of tuberculosis may occur. Closely monitor such patients for reactivation. During prolonged Orapred ODT therapy, patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity should receive chemoprophylaxis.

Varicella Zoster and Measles Viral Infections

Varicella and measles can have a serious or even fatal course in non-immune patients taking corticosteroids, including Orapred ODT. In corticosteroid-treated patients who have not had these diseases or are non-immune, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure to varicella and measles:

  • If an Orapred ODT-treated patient is exposed to varicella, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin may be indicated. If varicella develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered.
  • If an Orapred ODT-treated patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with immunoglobulin may be indicated.

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation

Hepatitis B virus reactivation can occur in patients who are hepatitis B carriers treated with immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteroids, including Orapred ODT. Reactivation can also occur infrequently in corticosteroid-treated patients who appear to have resolved hepatitis B infection.

Screen patients for hepatitis B infection before initiating immunosuppressive (e.g., prolonged) treatment with Orapred ODT. For patients who show evidence of hepatitis B infection, recommend consultation with physicians with expertise in managing hepatitis B regarding monitoring and consideration for hepatitis B antiviral therapy.

Fungal Infections

Corticosteroids, including Orapred ODT, may exacerbate systemic fungal infections; therefore, avoid Orapred ODT use in the presence of such infections unless Orapred ODT is needed to control drug reactions. For patients on chronic Orapred ODT therapy who develop systemic fungal infections, Orapred ODT withdrawal or dosage reduction is recommended.

Amebiasis

Corticosteroids, including Orapred ODT, may activate latent amebiasis. Therefore, it is recommended that latent amebiasis or active amebiasis be ruled out before initiating Orapred ODT in patients who have spent time in the tropics or patients with unexplained diarrhea.

Strongyloides Infestation

Corticosteroids, including Orapred ODT, should be used with great care in patients with known or suspected Strongyloides (threadworm) infestation. In such patients, corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression may lead to Strongyloides hyperinfection and dissemination with widespread larval migration, often accompanied by severe enterocolitis and potentially fatal gram-negative septicemia.

Cerebral Malaria

Avoid corticosteroids, including Orapred ODT, in patients with cerebral malaria.

5.12 Kaposi's Sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma has been reported to occur in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy, most often for chronic conditions. Discontinuation of corticosteroids may result in clinical improvement of Kaposi’s sarcoma.

03/06/2020 (SUPPL-11)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

(Newly added subsection)

Prednisolone can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Human studies suggest a small but inconsistent increased risk of orofacial clefts with use of corticosteroids during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Published animal studies show prednisolone to be teratogenic in rats, rabbits, hamsters, and mice with increased incidence of cleft palate in offspring. Intrauterine growth restriction and decreased birth weight have also been reported with corticosteroid use during pregnancy, however, the underlying maternal condition may also contribute to these risks. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while using this drug, advise the patient about the potential harm to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

6 Adverse Reactions

Postmarketing Experience

(Newly added information)

Adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Orapred ODT. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The postmarketing experience has not raised new safety concerns beyond those already established for immediate-release prednisolone.

8 Use in Specific Populations

Lactation

(PLLR conversion. Please refer to label for complete information.)

Pregnancy

(PLLR conversion. Please refer to label for complete information.)

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

PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

(Newly added information)

Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females to inform their healthcare provider of a known or a suspected pregnancy. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].