Drug Facts
Composition & Profile
Identifiers & Packaging
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion, 0.05% is a sterile, aqueous topical ophthalmic emulsion supplied in an opaque plastic bottle with a controlled drop tip and a pink cap in the following sizes: 5 mL in a 8 mL bottle NDC 0781-6000-78 Storage and Handling Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Do not freeze. Protect from light. When not in use, keep the bottles in the protective carton. After opening, difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion can be used until the expiration date on the bottle.; PACKAGE/LABEL PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL NDC 0781-6000-78 Rx Only Difluprednate Ophthalmic Emulsion 0.05% FOR TOPICAL EYE USE ONLY STERILE 5 mL SANDOZ carton
- 16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion, 0.05% is a sterile, aqueous topical ophthalmic emulsion supplied in an opaque plastic bottle with a controlled drop tip and a pink cap in the following sizes: 5 mL in a 8 mL bottle NDC 0781-6000-78 Storage and Handling Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Do not freeze. Protect from light. When not in use, keep the bottles in the protective carton. After opening, difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion can be used until the expiration date on the bottle.
- PACKAGE/LABEL PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL NDC 0781-6000-78 Rx Only Difluprednate Ophthalmic Emulsion 0.05% FOR TOPICAL EYE USE ONLY STERILE 5 mL SANDOZ carton
Overview
Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion, 0.05% is a sterile, topical anti-inflammatory corticosteroid for ophthalmic use. The chemical name is 6α,9difluoro-11β,17,21-trihydroxypregna-1,4- diene-3,20-dione 21-acetate 17-butyrate (CAS number 23674-86-4). Difluprednate is represented by the following structural formula: Difluprednate has a molecular weight of 508.56 g/mol, and the empirical formula is C 27 H 34 F 2 O 7 . Each mL of difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion contains: Active: difluprednate 0.5 mg (0.05%); Inactives: boric acid, castor oil, edetate disodium, glycerin, polysorbate 80, sodium acetate, sodium hydroxide (to adjust the pH to 5.2 to 5.8), water for injection. Preservative: sorbic acid 0.1%. The emulsion is essentially isotonic with a tonicity of 304 to 411 mOsm/kg. ChemicalStructure
Indications & Usage
Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion is a corticosteroid indicated for: • The treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery. ( 1.1 ) • The treatment of endogenous anterior uveitis. ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Ocular Surgery Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion is indicated for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery. 1.2 Endogenous Anterior Uveitis Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion is indicated for the treatment of endogenous anterior uveitis.
Dosage & Administration
• For the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery, instill one drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye 4 times daily beginning 24 hours after surgery and continuing throughout the first 2 weeks of the postoperative period, followed by 2 times daily for a week and then a taper based on the response. ( 2.1 ) • For the treatment of endogenous anterior uveitis, instill one drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye 4 times daily for 14 days followed by tapering as clinically indicated. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Ocular Surgery Instill one drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye 4 times daily beginning 24 hours after surgery and continuing throughout the first 2 weeks of the postoperative period, followed by 2 times daily for a week and then a taper based on the response. 2.2 Endogenous Anterior Uveitis Instill one drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye 4 times daily for 14 days followed by tapering as clinically indicated. 2.3 Prescribing Guidelines The initial prescription and renewal of the medication order beyond one bottle should be made by a physician only after examination of the patient with the aid of magnification, such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, and where appropriate, fluorescein staining. If signs and symptoms fail to improve after two days, the patient should be reevaluated. Not more than one bottle should be prescribed initially, and the prescription should not be refilled without further evaluation.
Warnings & Precautions
• Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Increase: Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. If difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion is used for 10 days or longer, IOP should be monitored. ( 5.1 ) • Cataracts: Use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. ( 5.2 ) • Delayed Healing: The use of corticosteroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. ( 5.3 ) • Corneal and Scleral Melting: In those diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera, perforations have been known to occur with the use of topical corticosteroids. ( 5.4 ) • Bacterial Infections: Prolonged use of corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions, corticosteroids may mask infection or enhance existing infection. If signs and symptoms fail to improve after 2 days, the patient should be reevaluated. ( 5.5 ) • Viral Infections: Employment of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution. Use of ocular corticosteroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). ( 5.6 ) • Fungal Infections: Fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term local corticosteroid application. Fungus invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where a corticosteroid has been used or is in use. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Increase Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Corticosteroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. If difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion is used for 10 days or longer, IOP should be routinely monitored. 5.2 Cataracts The use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. 5.3 Delayed Healing The use of corticosteroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. In those diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera, perforations have been known to occur with the use of topical steroids. The initial prescription and renewal of the medication order beyond 28 days should be made by a physician only after examination of the patient with the aid of magnification, such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, and where appropriate, fluorescein staining. 5.4 Corneal and Scleral Melting Various ocular diseases and long-term use of topical corticosteroids have been known to cause corneal and scleral thinning. Use of topical corticosteroids in the presence of thin corneal or scleral tissue may lead to perforation of the globe. 5.5 Bacterial Infections Prolonged use of corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions, corticosteroids may mask infection or enhance existing infection. If signs and symptoms fail to improve after 2 days, the patient should be reevaluated. 5.6 Viral Infections Use of ocular corticosteroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). Employment of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution; frequent slit lamp microscopy is recommended. 5.7 Fungal Infections Fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term local corticosteroid application. Fungus invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where a corticosteroid has been used or is in use. Fungal culture should be taken when appropriate. 5.8 Topical Ophthalmic Use Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion is not indicated for intraocular administration. 5.9 Risk of Contamination Do not allow the dropper tip to touch the eye, eyelids, or any surface, as this may contaminate the ophthalmic emulsion. 5.10 Contact Lens Wear The anti-microbial preservative in difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion should not be instilled while wearing contact lenses. Remove contact lenses prior to instillation of difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion. Contact lenses may be reinserted after 10 minutes following administration of difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion.
Contraindications
Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion, as with other ophthalmic corticosteroids, is contraindicated in most active viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal disease of ocular structures. Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion is contraindicated in most active viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures. ( 4 )
Adverse Reactions
The following serious reactions are found elsewhere in the labeling: • Intraocular Pressure ( IOP) Increase [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Cataracts [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Delayed Healing [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Corneal and Scleral Melting [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Bacterial Infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Viral Infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Fungal Infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] For treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery, most common adverse reactions (incidence 5% to 15%) are corneal edema, ciliary and conjunctival hyperemia, eye pain, photophobia, posterior capsule opacification, anterior chamber cells, anterior chamber flare, conjunctival edema, and blepharitis. For treatment of endogenous anterior uveitis, most common adverse reactions (incidence 5% to 10%) are blurred vision, eye irritation, eye pain, headache, increased IOP, iritis, limbal and conjunctival hyperemia, punctate keratitis, and uveitis. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz Inc., at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Ocular Surgery Ocular adverse reactions occurring in 5% to 15% of subjects in clinical studies with difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion included corneal edema, ciliary and conjunctival hyperemia, eye pain, photophobia, posterior capsule opacification, anterior chamber cells, anterior chamber flare, conjunctival edema, and blepharitis. Other ocular adverse reactions occurring in 1% to 5% of subjects, included reduced visual acuity, punctate keratitis, eye inflammation, and iritis. Ocular adverse reactions occurring in less than 1% of subjects, included application-site discomfort or irritation, corneal pigmentation and striae, episcleritis, eye pruritus, eyelid irritation and crusting, foreign body sensation, increased lacrimation, macular edema, sclera hyperemia, and uveitis. Most of these reactions may have been the consequence of the surgical procedure. 6.2 Endogenous Anterior Uveitis A total of 200 subjects participated in the clinical trials for endogenous anterior uveitis, of which 106 were exposed to difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion. The most common adverse reactions of those exposed to difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion occurring in 5% to 10% of subjects included blurred vision, eye irritation, eye pain, headache, increased IOP, iritis, limbal and conjunctival hyperemia, punctate keratitis, and uveitis. Adverse reactions occurring in 2% to 5% of subjects included anterior chamber flare, corneal edema, dry eye, iridocyclitis, photophobia, and reduced visual acuity.
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