Pilocarpine Hydrochloride

Description

11 DESCRIPTION Pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, USP is a cholinergic agonist prepared as a sterile topical ophthalmic solution. The active ingredient is represented by the chemical structure: Established Name: pilocarpine hydrochloride, USP Chemical Name: 2(3 H )-furanone, 3-ethyldihydro-4-[(1-methyl-1 H -imidazol-5-yl)-methyl]-monohydrochloride, (3S- cis ). Molecular Formula: C 11 H 16 N 2 O 2

What Is Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is indicated for the: Pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is a muscarinic cholinergic agonist indicated for: The reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. (1.1) The management of acute angle-closure glaucoma. (1.2) The prevention of postoperative elevated IOP associated with laser surgery. (1.3) The induction of miosis. (1.4) 1.1 Reduction of Elevated Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension 1.2 Management of Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma 1.3 Prevention of Postoperative Elevated IOP Associated with Laser Surgery 1.4 Induction of Miosis

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Instill one drop in the eye(s) up to four times daily. (2) 2.1 Reduction of Elevated Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension One drop of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 1%, 2% or 4% should be applied topically in the eye(s) up to four times daily. Pilocarpine-naïve patients should be started on the 1% concentration as higher concentrations are often not tolerated initially. The frequency of instillation and concentration of pilocarpine hydrochloride are determined by the severity of the elevated intraocular pressure and miotic response of the patient. To limit systemic exposure to pilocarpine, patients may be instructed to perform punctal occlusion for 2 minutes after instillation of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution. 2.2 Management of Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma Prior to pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution use, treatment with secretory suppressants and hyperosmotic agents may be needed to lower IOP below 50 mmHg and relieve iris ischemia. For initial management of acute angle-closure glaucoma, one drop of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 1% or 2% may be applied topically in the eye(s) up to three times over a 30-minute period. If laser iridoplasty or iridomy is used to break the attack, one drop of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 4% should be administered prior to the procedure. Following laser iridoplasty, one drop of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 1% should be administered four times daily until an iridotomy can be performed. 2.3 Prevention of Postoperative Elevated IOP Associated with Laser Surgery One drop of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 1%, 2% or 4% (or two drops administered five minutes apart) should be applied topically in the eye(s) 15 to 60 minutes prior to surgery. 2.4 Induction of Miosis One drop of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 1%, 2% or 4% (or two drops administered five minutes apart) should be applied topically in the eye(s). 2.5 Use with Other Topical Ophthalmic Medications Pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution may be used in combination with beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, sympathomimetics or hyperosmotic agents. If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least five (5) minutes apart. 2.6 Use in Pediatric Patients In children under 2 years of age, one drop of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 1% should be applied topically in the eye(s) three times daily. Children 2 years of age and over should be dosed as for adults. For the induction of miosis prior to goniotomy or trabeculotomy in children, one drop of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 1% or 2% should be applied topically in the eye 15 to 60 minutes prior to surgery.

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety data described below reflect exposure in four controlled clinical trials of 90 days to 2 years duration in 317 patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. In the four clinical trials, patients were treated with pilocarpine 2%, two to four times daily or with pilocarpine 1%, 1.75% or 2% in fixed combination with betaxolol 0.25%, two or three times daily. The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 5 % of patients in the pilocarpine 2% populations were: headache/browache, accommodative change, blurred vision, eye irritation, visual impairment (dim, dark, or “jumping” vision), and eye pain. The adverse reaction profile reported for the use of pilocarpine in pediatric patients is comparable to that seen in adult patients. Most common adverse reactions are headache/browache, accommodative change, eye irritation, eye pain, blurred vision, and/or visual impairment. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-835-5472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with pilocarpine hydrochloride. It is also not known whether pilocarpine hydrochloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is administered to a nursing woman.

Overdosage

10 OVERDOSAGE Systemic toxicity following topical ocular administration of pilocarpine is rare, but occasionally patients who are sensitive may develop sweating and gastrointestinal overactivity following the suggested dosage and administration. Overdosage can produce sweating, salivation, nausea, tremors and slowing of the pulse and a decrease in blood pressure. In moderate overdosage, spontaneous recovery is to be expected and is aided by intravenous fluids to compensate for dehydration. For patients demonstrating severe poisoning, atropine, the pharmacologic antagonist to pilocarpine, should be used.

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP, 1% , 2% and 4% is supplied sterile in natural low density polyethylene plastic bottles and natural low density polyethylene tips with dark green high density polyethylene caps. It is available as follows: 1%: 15 mL in 15 mL Container: NDC 69238-1745-8 2%: 15 mL in 15 mL Container: NDC 69238-1746-8 4%: 15 mL in 15 mL Container: NDC 69238-1747-8 STORAGE: Store at 15º to 25°C (59º to 77°F) and protect from freezing.