Source: FDA, National Drug Code (US) Revision Year: 2020
The use of ARNUITY ELLIPTA is contraindicated in the following conditions:
In clinical trials, the development of localized infections of the mouth and pharynx with Candida albicans has occurred in subjects treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA. When such an infection develops, it should be treated with appropriate local or systemic (i.e., oral) antifungal therapy while treatment with ARNUITY ELLIPTA continues, but at times therapy with ARNUITY ELLIPTA may need to be interrupted. Advise the patient to rinse his/her mouth with water without swallowing following inhalation to help reduce the risk of oropharyngeal candidiasis.
ARNUITY ELLIPTA is not indicated for the relief of acute symptoms, i.e., as rescue therapy for treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm. ARNUITY ELLIPTA has not been studied in the relief of acute symptoms and extra doses should not be used for that purpose. Acute symptoms should be treated with an inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonist. Instruct patients to contact their physicians immediately if episodes of asthma not responsive to bronchodilators occur during the course of treatment with ARNUITY ELLIPTA. During such episodes, patients may require therapy with oral corticosteroids.
Persons who are using drugs that suppress the immune system are more susceptible to infections than healthy individuals. Chickenpox and measles, for example, can have a more serious or even fatal course in susceptible children or adults using corticosteroids. In such children or adults who have not had these diseases or been properly immunized, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure. How the dose, route, and duration of corticosteroid administration affect the risk of developing a disseminated infection is not known. The contribution of the underlying disease and/or prior corticosteroid treatment to the risk is also not known. If a patient is exposed to chickenpox, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) or pooled intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may be indicated. If a patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with pooled intramuscular immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated. (See the respective package inserts for complete VZIG, IVIG, and IG prescribing information.) If chickenpox develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered.
ICS should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active or quiescent tuberculosis infections of the respiratory tract; untreated systemic fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections; or ocular herpes simplex.
Particular care is needed for patients who have been transferred from systemically active corticosteroids to ICS because deaths due to adrenal insufficiency have occurred in patients with asthma during and after transfer from systemic corticosteroids to less systemically available ICS. After withdrawal from systemic corticosteroids, a number of months are required for recovery of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function.
Patients who have been previously maintained on 20 mg or more of prednisone (or its equivalent) may be most susceptible, particularly when their systemic corticosteroids have been almost completely withdrawn. During this period of HPA suppression, patients may exhibit signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency when exposed to trauma, surgery, or infection (particularly gastroenteritis) or other conditions associated with severe electrolyte loss. Although ARNUITY ELLIPTA may control asthma symptoms during these episodes, in recommended doses it supplies less than normal physiological amounts of glucocorticoid systemically and does NOT provide the mineralocorticoid activity that is necessary for coping with these emergencies.
During periods of stress or a severe asthma attack, patients who have been withdrawn from systemic corticosteroids should be instructed to resume oral corticosteroids (in large doses) immediately and to contact their physicians for further instruction. These patients should also be instructed to carry a warning card indicating that they may need supplementary systemic corticosteroids during periods of stress or a severe asthma attack.
Patients requiring oral corticosteroids should be weaned slowly from systemic corticosteroid use after transferring to ARNUITY ELLIPTA. Prednisone reduction can be accomplished by reducing the daily prednisone dose by 2.5 mg on a weekly basis during therapy with ARNUITY ELLIPTA. Lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] or peak expiratory flow [PEF]), beta-agonist use, and asthma symptoms should be carefully monitored during withdrawal of oral corticosteroids. In addition, patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, such as fatigue, lassitude, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and hypotension.
Transfer of patients from systemic corticosteroid therapy to ARNUITY ELLIPTA may unmask allergic conditions previously suppressed by the systemic corticosteroid therapy (e.g., rhinitis, conjunctivitis, eczema, arthritis, eosinophilic conditions).
During withdrawal from oral corticosteroids, some patients may experience symptoms of systemically active corticosteroid withdrawal (e.g., joint and/or muscular pain, lassitude, depression), despite maintenance or even improvement of respiratory function.
ARNUITY ELLIPTA will often help control asthma symptoms with less suppression of HPA function than therapeutically equivalent oral doses of prednisone. Since ARNUITY ELLIPTA is absorbed into the circulation and can be systemically active at higher doses, the beneficial effects of ARNUITY ELLIPTA in minimizing HPA dysfunction may be expected only when recommended dosages are not exceeded and individual patients are titrated to the lowest effective dose.
Because of the possibility of significant systemic absorption of ICS in sensitive patients, patients treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA should be observed carefully for any evidence of systemic corticosteroid effects. Particular care should be taken in observing patients postoperatively or during periods of stress for evidence of inadequate adrenal response.
It is possible that systemic corticosteroid effects such as hypercorticism and adrenal suppression (including adrenal crisis) may appear in a small number of patients, particularly when fluticasone furoate is administered at higher than recommended doses over prolonged periods of time. If such effects occur, the dosage of ARNUITY ELLIPTA should be reduced slowly, consistent with accepted procedures for reducing systemic corticosteroids and for management of asthma symptoms.
Caution should be exercised when considering the coadministration of ARNUITY ELLIPTA with ketoconazole and other known strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, indinavir, itraconazole, lopinavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, troleandomycin, voriconazole) because increased systemic corticosteroid adverse effects may occur [see Drug Interactions (7.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
As with other inhaled medicines, ARNUITY ELLIPTA can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs following dosing with ARNUITY ELLIPTA, it should be treated immediately with an inhaled, short-acting bronchodilator; ARNUITY ELLIPTA should be discontinued immediately; and alternative therapy should be instituted.
Hypersensitivity reactions such as urticaria, flushing, allergic dermatitis, and bronchospasm may occur after administration of ARNUITY ELLIPTA. Discontinue ARNUITY ELLIPTA if such reactions occur. There have been reports of anaphylactic reactions in patients with severe milk protein allergy after inhalation of other powder medications containing lactose; therefore, patients with severe milk protein allergy should not use ARNUITY ELLIPTA [see Contraindications (4.2)].
Decreases in bone mineral density (BMD) have been observed with long-term administration of products containing ICS. The clinical significance of small changes in BMD with regard to long-term consequences such as fracture is unknown. Patients with major risk factors for decreased bone mineral content, such as prolonged immobilization, family history of osteoporosis, postmenopausal status, tobacco use, advanced age, poor nutrition, or chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass (e.g., anticonvulsants, oral corticosteroids) should be monitored and treated with established standards of care.
Orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, may cause a reduction in growth velocity when administered to children and adolescents. Monitor the growth of children and adolescents receiving ARNUITY ELLIPTA routinely (e.g., via stadiometry). To minimize the systemic effects of orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, titrate each patient’s dose to the lowest dosage that effectively controls his/her symptoms [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
Glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and cataracts have been reported in patients with asthma following the long-term administration of ICS, including fluticasone furoate. Consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms or use ARNUITY ELLIPTA long term.
Systemic and local corticosteroid use may result in the following:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The safety of ARNUITY ELLIPTA was evaluated in 10 double-blind, parallel-group, controlled trials (7 with placebo) of 8 to 76 weeks' duration that enrolled 6,219 subjects with asthma. Doses of fluticasone furoate studied ranged from 25 to 800 mcg.
ARNUITY ELLIPTA 100 mcg was studied in 1,663 subjects, and ARNUITY ELLIPTA 200 mcg was studied in 608 subjects. Subject ages ranged from 12 to 84 years, 65% were female, and 75% were Caucasian.
In these trials, the proportion of subjects who discontinued study treatment early due to adverse reactions was 2% for subjects treated with both ARNUITY ELLIPTA 100 mcg and ARNUITY ELLIPTA 200 mcg and ≤1% for placebo-treated subjects. Serious adverse events, whether considered drug-related or not by the investigators, that occurred in more than 1 subject and in a greater percentage of subjects treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA than placebo included hypertension, abscess, breast cancer, traumatic limb amputation, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and intervertebral disc protrusion; all events occurred at rates ≤1%.
The incidence of adverse reactions associated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA 100 mcg is shown in Table 1 and is based on one 24-week trial (Trial 1) in adult and adolescent subjects with asthma.
Table 1. Adverse Reactions with ARNUITY ELLIPTA 100 mcg with ≥3% Incidence and More Common than Placebo (Trial 1, Intent-to-Treat Population):
| Adverse Reaction | ARNUITY ELLIPTA 100 mcg (n=114) % | Placebo (n=115) % |
|---|---|---|
| Nasopharyngitis | 8 | 5 |
| Bronchitis | 7 | 6 |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 6 | 5 |
| Headache | 6 | 4 |
| Pharyngitis | 4 | 3 |
| Sinusitis | 4 | <1 |
| Toothache | 3 | <1 |
| Gastroenteritis viral | 3 | 0 |
| Oral candidiasis | 3 | 0 |
| Oropharyngeal candidiasis | 3 | 0 |
| Oropharyngeal pain | 3 | 0 |
The incidence of adverse reactions associated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA 200 mcg is shown in Table 2 and is based on one 24-week trial (Trial 3) in adult and adolescent subjects with asthma. This trial did not have a placebo arm.
Table 2. Adverse Reactions with ARNUITY ELLIPTA 200 mcg with ≥3% Incidence (Trial 3, Safety Population):
| Adverse Reaction | ARNUITY ELLIPTA 200 mcg (n=119) % | ARNUITY ELLIPTA 100 mcg (n=119) % |
|---|---|---|
| Nasopharyngitis | 13 | 12 |
| Headache | 13 | 10 |
| Bronchitis | 7 | 12 |
| Influenza | 7 | 4 |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 6 | 2 |
| Sinusitis | 4 | 7 |
| Oropharyngeal pain | 4 | 3 |
| Pharyngitis | 3 | 6 |
| Back pain | 3 | 3 |
| Dysphonia | 3 | 2 |
| Oral candidiasis | 3 | <1 |
| Procedural pain | 3 | <1 |
| Rhinitis | 3 | <1 |
| Throat irritation | 3 | <1 |
| Abdominal pain | 3 | 0 |
| Cough | 3 | 0 |
Adverse reactions observed in the other trials were consistent with those described in Tables 1 and 2.
Long-term safety data are based on 2 trials in adult and adolescent subjects with asthma. In one 52-week trial, subjects received fluticasone furoate 100 mcg (n=201) or fluticasone furoate 200 mcg (n=202) in combination with a LABA. Subjects had a mean age of 39 years (adolescents made up 16% of the population), 63% were female, and 67% were Caucasian. In addition to the events shown in Table 1 and Table 2, adverse events occurring in ≥3% of the subjects treated with fluticasone furoate 100 mcg or fluticasone furoate 200 mcg, in combination with a LABA, included pyrexia, extrasystoles, upper abdominal pain, respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, and allergic rhinitis.
In a second 24- to 76-week trial, subjects received fluticasone furoate 100 mcg (n=1,010). Subjects participating in this trial had a history of 1 or more asthma exacerbations that required treatment with oral/systemic corticosteroids or emergency department visit or in-patient hospitalization for the treatment of asthma within the previous 12 months. Subjects had a mean age of 42 years (adolescents made up 14% of the population), 67% were female, and 73% were Caucasian. In addition to the events shown in Table 1 and Table 2, adverse events occurring in ≥3% of subjects treated with fluticasone furoate 100 mcg for up to 76 weeks included allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, and arthralgia.
The safety data for pediatric subjects is based upon one 12-week clinical trial that enrolled 593 subjects with asthma aged 5 to 11 years. Dosages of fluticasone furoate studied were 25, 50, or 100 mcg administered once daily. ARNUITY ELLIPTA 50 mcg was studied in 120 subjects (46 females and 74 males) [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Adverse reactions (≥3% and greater than placebo) seen in pediatric subjects were similar to those reported in adult and adolescent subjects. Adverse reactions occurring in ≥3% of subjects treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA 50 mcg and greater than placebo were pharyngitis, bronchitis, and viral infection.
Fluticasone furoate is a substrate of CYP3A4. Concomitant administration of the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole increases the systemic exposure to fluticasone furoate. Caution should be exercised when considering the coadministration of ARNUITY ELLIPTA with ketoconazole and other known strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, indinavir, itraconazole, lopinavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, troleandomycin, voriconazole) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
There are insufficient data on the use of ARNUITY ELLIPTA in pregnant women. There are clinical considerations with use of ARNUITY ELLIPTA in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk (See Clinical Considerations). In animal reproduction studies, fluticasone furoate administered by inhalation to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis produced no fetal structural abnormalities. The highest fluticasone furoate doses in the rat and rabbit studies were 4 times and 1 times the maximum recommended human daily inhalation dose (MRHDID), respectively (See Data).
The estimated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is 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.
In women with poorly or moderately controlled asthma, there is an increased risk of several perinatal outcomes such as pre-eclampsia 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 of asthma.
Fluticasone Furoate: In 2 separate embryofetal developmental studies, pregnant rats and rabbits received fluticasone furoate during the period of organogenesis at doses up to approximately 4 and 1 times the MRHDID, respectively (on a mcg/m² basis at maternal inhalation doses up to 91 and 8 mcg/kg/day). No evidence of structural abnormalities in fetuses was observed in either species. In a perinatal and postnatal developmental study in rats, dams received fluticasone furoate during late gestation and lactation periods at doses up to approximately 1 time the MRHDID (on a mcg/m² basis at maternal inhalation doses up to 27 mcg/kg/day). No evidence of effects on offspring development was observed.
There is no information available on the presence of fluticasone furoate in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Low concentrations of other ICS have been detected in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ARNUITY ELLIPTA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from fluticasone furoate or from the underlying maternal condition.
The safety and efficacy of ARNUITY ELLIPTA in pediatric patients with asthma aged 5 to 11 years have been established in 3 clinical trials. In those trials, 234 subjects were administered ARNUITY ELLIPTA 50 mcg once daily. Subjects aged 5 to 11 years demonstrated safety and efficacy results similar to those observed in subjects aged 12 years and older. The safety and efficacy of ARNUITY ELLIPTA have not been established in pediatric patients aged younger than 5 years [See Dosage and Administration (2.2), Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.2), Clinical Studies (14.2)].
Orally inhaled corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth velocity when administered to children and adolescents. A reduction of growth velocity in children and adolescents may occur as a result of poorly controlled asthma or from use of corticosteroids, including ICS. The effects of long-term treatment of children and adolescents with ICS, including fluticasone furoate, on final adult height are not known.
Controlled clinical trials have shown that ICS may cause a reduction in growth in children. In these trials, the mean reduction in growth velocity was approximately 1 cm/year (range: 0.3 to 1.8 cm/year) and appears to be related to dose and duration of exposure. This effect has been observed in the absence of laboratory evidence of HPA axis suppression, suggesting that growth velocity is a more sensitive indicator of systemic corticosteroid exposure in children than some commonly used tests of HPA axis function. The long-term effects of this reduction in growth velocity associated with orally inhaled corticosteroids, including the impact on final adult height, are unknown. The potential for “catch-up” growth following discontinuation of treatment with orally inhaled corticosteroids has not been adequately studied. The growth of children and adolescents receiving orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, should be monitored routinely (e.g., via stadiometry). The potential growth effects of prolonged treatment should be weighed against the clinical benefits obtained and the risks associated with alternative therapies. To minimize the systemic effects of orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, each patient should be titrated to the lowest dose that effectively controls his/her symptoms.
A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter, 1-year, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effect of once-daily treatment with 110 mcg of fluticasone furoate in the nasal spray formulation on growth velocity assessed by stadiometry. The systemic exposure of fluticasone furoate in this trial is lower than that of ARNUITY ELLIPTA 50 mcg. The subjects were 474 prepubescent children (girls aged 5 to 7.5 years and boys aged 5 to 8.5 years). Mean growth velocity over the 52-week treatment period was lower in the subjects receiving fluticasone furoate nasal spray (5.19 cm/year) compared with placebo (5.46 cm/year). The mean reduction in growth velocity was 0.27 cm/year (95% CI: 0.06, 0.48) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].
For the 4 confirmatory trials, 71 subjects were aged 65 years and older (56 of which were treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA) and 5 were aged 75 years and older (1 of which was treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA) [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Based on available data, no adjustment of the dosage of ARNUITY ELLIPTA in geriatric patients is necessary, but greater sensitivity in some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Clinical trials of ARNUITY ELLIPTA did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and 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.
There were no significant increases in fluticasone furoate exposure in subjects with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min) compared with healthy subjects. No dosage adjustment is required in patients with renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Fluticasone furoate systemic exposure increased by up to 3-fold in adult subjects with hepatic impairment compared with healthy subjects. Use ARNUITY ELLIPTA with caution in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment. Monitor patients for corticosteroid-related side effects. The effect of hepatic impairment on fluticasone furoate systemic exposure in subjects aged younger than 18 years has not been evaluated [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
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