Ulspira
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Ulspira
- Brand Names
- Ulspira
- Drug Class
- Vasodilator [EPC]
- Route
- RESPIRATORY (INHALATION)
- Dosage Form
- GAS
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION ULSPIRA (nitric oxide gas) is a drug administered by inhalation. Nitric oxide, the active substance in ULSPIRA, is a pulmonary vasodilator. ULSPIRA is a gaseous blend of nitric oxide and nitrogen (0.08% and 99.92%, respectively for 800 ppm). ULSPIRA is supplied in aluminum cylinders as a compressed gas under high pressure (2000 pounds per square inch gauge [psig]). The structural formula of nitric oxide (NO) is shown below: NO pic
What Is Ulspira Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ULSPIRA™ is indicated to improve oxygenation and reduce the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in term and near-term (>34 weeks gestation) neonates with hypoxic respiratory failure associated with clinical or echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension in conjunction with ventilatory support and other appropriate agents. ULSPIRA is a vasodilator indicated to improve oxygenation and reduce the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in term and near- term (>34 weeks gestation) neonates with hypoxic respiratory failure associated with clinical or echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension in conjunction with ventilatory support and other appropriate agents.
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 2.1 Dosage Term and near-term neonates with hypoxic respiratory failure The recommended dose of ULSPIRA is 20 ppm. Maintain treatment up to 14 days or until the underlying oxygen desaturation has resolved and the neonate is ready to be weaned from ULSPIRA therapy. Doses greater than 20 ppm are not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] . 2.2 Administration Nitric Oxide Delivery Systems ULSPIRA must be administered using a calibrated FDA-cleared Nitric Oxide Delivery System (NODS). There are various FDA-cleared NODS; refer to the NODS labeling to determine which NODS to use with this drug product and for needed information on training and technical support for users of this drug product with the NODS. Do not use ULSPIRA with Inomax DSIR Plus and DSIR Plus MRI NODS. Do not use ULSPIRA in the MRI suite. Keep available a backup battery power supply and an independent reserve nitric oxide delivery system to address power and system failures . Monitoring Measure methemoglobin within 4-8 hours after initiation of treatment with ULSPIRA and periodically throughout treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Monitor for PaO2 and inspired NO2 during ULSPIRA administration [see Warnings and Precautions 5.3)] . Weaning and Discontinuation Avoid abrupt discontinuation of ULSPIRA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. To wean ULSPIRA, downtitrate in several steps, pausing several hours at each step to monitor for hypoxemia. The recommended dose is 20 ppm, maintained for up to 14 days or until the underlying oxygen desaturation has resolved (2.1). Doses greater than 20 ppm are not recommended (2.1, 5.2) Administration: Avoid abrupt discontinuation (2.2, 5.1).
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the label; Hypoxemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Worsening Heart Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] 6.1 Clinical Trials 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 adverse reaction information from the clinical studies does, however, provide a basis for identifying the adverse events that appear to be related to drug use and for approximating rates. Controlled studies have included 325 patients on nitric oxide doses of 5 to 80 ppm and 251 patients on placebo. Total mortality in the pooled trials was 11% on placebo and 9% on nitric oxide, a result adequate to exclude nitric oxide mortality being more than 40% worse than placebo. In both the NINOS and CINRGI studies, the duration of hospitalization was similar in nitric oxide and placebo-treated groups. From all controlled studies, at least 6 months of follow-up is available for 278 patients who received nitric oxide and 212 patients who received placebo. Among these patients, there was no evidence of an adverse effect of treatment on the need for rehospitalization, special medical services, pulmonary disease, or neurological sequelae. In the NINOS study, treatment groups were similar with respect to the incidence and severity of intracranial hemorrhage, Grade IV hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, cerebral infarction, seizures requiring anticonvulsant therapy, pulmonary hemorrhage, or gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In CINRGI, the only adverse reaction (>2% higher incidence on nitric oxide than on placebo) was hypotension (14% vs. 11%). 6.2 Post-Marketing Experience Post marketing reports of accidental exposure to nitric oxide for inhalation in hospital staff has been associated with chest discomfort, dizziness, dry throat, dyspnea, and headache. The most common adverse reaction is hypotension. (6). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Airgas Therapeutics at 1-833-ULSPIRA (857-7472) and http://www.ulspira.com/ or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Nitric Oxide Donor Agents Nitric oxide donor agents such as prilocaine, sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerine may increase the risk of developing methemoglobinemia. Nitric oxide donor compounds may increase the risk of developing methemoglobinemia (7).
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ULSPIRA is contraindicated in neonates dependent on right-to-left shunting of blood. Neonates dependent on right-to-left shunting of blood (4).
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE Overdosage with nitric oxide is manifest by elevations in methemoglobin and pulmonary toxicities associated with inspired NO2. Elevated NO2 may cause acute lung injury. Elevations in methemoglobin reduce the oxygen delivery capacity of the circulation. In clinical studies, NO2 levels >3 ppm or methemoglobin levels >7% were treated by reducing the dose of, or discontinuing, nitric oxide. Methemoglobinemia that does not resolve after reduction or discontinuation of therapy can be treated with intravenous vitamin C, intravenous methylene blue, or blood transfusion, based upon the clinical situation.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Size D Portable aluminum cylinders containing 362 liters at STP of nitric oxide gas in 800 ppm concentration in nitrogen (delivered volume 350 liters) (NDC 82605-006-02) Size 88 Aluminum cylinders containing 2138 liters at STP of nitric oxide gas in 800 ppm concentration in nitrogen (delivered volume 2083 liters) (NDC 82605-006-01) Distributed by Airgas Therapeutics LLC Radnor, PA 19087 USA AirGas Therapeutics an Air Liquide company © 2023 Airgas ULSPI 01
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.