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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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VECTICAL (NDA-022087)

(CALCITRIOL)

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

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07/17/2020 (SUPPL-9)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

5.1 Effects on Calcium Metabolism

(Additions and/or revisions underlined)

In controlled clinical trials hypercalcemia was observed in subjects exposed to VECTICAL Ointment. If aberrations in parameters of calcium metabolism occur, treatment should be discontinued until these parameters have normalized. The effects of VECTICAL Ointment on calcium metabolism following treatment durations greater than 52 weeks have not been evaluated. Increased absorption may occur with occlusive use.

VECTICAL Ointment should be used with caution in patients receiving medications known to increase the serum calcium level, such as thiazide diuretics, and in patients receiving calcium supplements or high doses of vitamin D.

6 Adverse Reactions

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

(Additions and/or revisions underlined)

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

VECTICAL Ointment was studied in two vehicle-controlled trials and one open label trial, resulting in 743 subjects exposed to VECTICAL Ointment. Table 1 describes adverse events in subjects treated with VECTICAL Ointment twice daily for 8 weeks. The population included subjects ages 13 to 87 years, males (284) and females (135), Caucasians (372) and non-Caucasians (47); with mild (105) to moderate (313) chronic plaque psoriasis.

Among subjects having laboratory monitoring, hypercalcemia was observed in 24% (18/74) of subjects exposed to active drug and in 16% (13/79) of subjects exposed to vehicle, the elevations were less than 10% above the upper limit of normal.

The open label trial enrolled 324 subjects with psoriasis who were treated for up to 52 weeks and included 239 subjects exposed for 6 months and 116 subjects exposed for one year. Adverse events reported at a rate of greater than or equal to 3% of subjects treated with VECTICAL Ointment were lab test abnormality (8%), urine abnormality (4%), psoriasis (4%), hypercalciuria (3%), and discomfort of skin (3%). Kidney stones were reported in 3 subjects and confirmed in two.

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1              Pregnancy

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

Risk Summary

Available data from pregnancies that occurred during the clinical development of VECTICAL Ointment and published case series of oral and intravenous calcitriol use in pregnant women have not identified a drug associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriages, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

In animal reproduction studies, topical administration of calcitriol to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in an increased incidence of fetal deaths, as well as an increased incidence of minor skeletal abnormalities. The available data do not allow the calculation of relevant comparisons between the systemic exposures of calcitriol observed in animal studies to the systemic exposures that would be expected in humans after topical use of VECTICAL Ointment.

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 risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Embryo-fetal development studies with calcitriol were performed in which rats were treated orally at dosages up to 0.9 mcg/kg/day (5.4 mcg/m2/day) and in which rabbits received topical application of calcitriol ointment (3 ppm) to 6.4% of the body surface area. No effects on reproductive or fetal parameters were observed in rats. In rabbits, topically applied calcitriol induced a significantly elevated mean post-implantation loss and an increased incidence of minor skeletal abnormalities due to delayed ossification of the pubic bones. A slightly increased incidence of skeletal variation (extra 13th rib, reduced ossification of epiphyses) was also observed. These effects may have been secondary to maternal toxicity.

8.2               Lactation

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

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of calcitriol in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production after treatment with VECTICAL Ointment. It is not known whether topical administration of calcitriol could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for VECTICAL Ointment and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from VECTICAL Ointment or from the underlying maternal conditions.

Clinical Considerations

Advise breastfeeding women not to apply VECTICAL Ointment directly to the nipple and areola to avoid direct infant exposure.

 8.4               Pediatric Use

  (Additions and/or revisions underlined)

The safety and effectiveness of VECTICAL Ointment have been established in pediatric patients age 2 years and older for topical treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. Use of VECTICAL Ointment in this age group is supported by two adequate and well-controlled 8-week trials and an open label trial in adult subjects, and additional data from trials conducted in pediatric subjects 2 to 17 years of age including;

  • a vehicle controlled 8-week trial in 19 subjects 2 to 12 years of age with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis
  • an open-label 8-week safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) trial in 25 subjects 12 to 17 years of age
  • an open-label 14-day safety and PK trial in 18 subjects 2 to 12 years of age; and
  • an open-label 26-week safety and PK trial in 54 subjects 2 to 17 years of age.

Data from 63 subjects ages 2 to 12 years, and 42 subjects ages 13 to 17 years showed no significant effects on indices of calcium metabolism. The systemic exposure of calcitriol in the pediatric subjects was generally comparable to the endogenous levels observed at baseline. No new safety signals were identified in subjects 2 to 17 years.

The safety and effectiveness of VECTICAL Ointment in pediatric subjects below the age of 2 years have not been established.

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

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

(Additions and/or revisions underlined)

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).

Patients using VECTICAL Ointment should receive the following information:

  • This medication is to be used as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. This medication is to be applied only to areas of the skin affected by psoriasis, as directed. It should be gently rubbed into the skin so that no medication remains visible.

  • This medication may affect calcium metabolism. Hypercalcemia has been observed in subjects exposed to this medicine. Increased absorption may occur with use of occlusive dressings.

  • Avoid use of more than 100 grams per week in patients ages 2-6 years and use of more than 200 grams per week in patients ages 7 years and older.

  • Instruct patients to report any signs of adverse reactions to their physician.

  • Avoid contact with eyes, lips, and facial skin.

  • Advise breastfeeding women not to apply VECTICAL Ointment directly to the nipple and areola to avoid direct infant exposure.