Thursday, 5 July 2012

Azopt eye drops, suspension





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



AZOPT 10 mg/ml eye drops, suspension


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Each ml of suspension contains 10 mg brinzolamide.



Excipients:



Each ml of suspension contains 0.15 mg benzalkonium chloride.



For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Eye drops, suspension.



White to off



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



AZOPT is indicated to decrease elevated intraocular pressure in:



• ocular hypertension



• open



as monotherapy in adult patients unresponsive to beta



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Posology



When used as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy, the dose is one drop of AZOPT in the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) twice daily. Some patients may have a better response with one drop three times a day.



When substituting another ophthalmic antiglaucoma agent with AZOPT, discontinue the other agent and start the following day with AZOPT.



If more than one topical ophthalmic medicinal product is being used, the medicines must be administered at least 5 minutes apart.



If a dose is missed, treatment should be continued with the next dose as planned. The dose should not exceed one drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily.



Method of administration



For ocular use.



Nasolacrimal occlusion or gently closing the eyelid after instillation is recommended. This may reduce the systemic absorption of medicinal products administered via the ocular route and result in a decrease in systemic side effects.



Instruct the patient to shake the bottle well before use. To prevent contamination of the dropper tip and suspension, care must be taken not to touch the eyelids, surrounding areas or other surfaces with the dropper tip of the bottle. Instruct patients to keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.



Elderly population



No dose adjustment in elderly patients is necessary.



Paediatric population



The efficacy and safety of AZOPT in patients below the age of 18 have not been established and its use is not recommended in these patients. However, there is limited experience in children. The safety and efficacy of AZOPT have been studied in a small number of paediatric patients less than 6 years of age (see also section 4.4, 4.8 and 5.1).



Hepatic and renal impairment



AZOPT has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment and is therefore not recommended in such patients.



AZOPT has not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min) or in patients with hyperchloraemic acidosis. Since brinzolamide and its main metabolite are excreted predominantly by the kidney, AZOPT is therefore contra



4.3 Contraindications



• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients.



• Known hypersensitivity to sulphonamides (see also section 4.4).



• Severe renal impairment.



• Hyperchloraemic acidosis.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Systemic effects



AZOPT is a sulphonamide inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase and, although administered topically, is absorbed systemically. The same types of adverse reactions that are attributable to sulphonamides may occur with topical administration. If signs of serious reactions or hypersensitivity occur, discontinue the use of this preparation.



Acid



Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may impair the ability to perform tasks requiring mental alertness and/or physical coordination in elderly patients. AZOPT is absorbed systemically and therefore this may occur with topical administration.



Concomitant therapy



There is a potential for an additive effect on the known systemic effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition in patients receiving an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and AZOPT. The concomitant administration of AZOPT and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors has not been studied and is not recommended (see also section 4.5).



AZOPT was primarily evaluated in concomitant administration with timolol during adjunctive glaucoma therapy. Additionally the IOP



There is limited experience with AZOPT in the treatment of patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma or pigmentary glaucoma. Caution should be used in treating these patients and close monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP) is recommended. AZOPT has not been studied in patients with narrow



The possible role of brinzolamide on corneal endothelial function has not been investigated in patients with compromised corneas (particularly in patients with low endothelial cell count). Specifically, patients wearing contact lenses have not been studied and careful monitoring of these patients when using brinzolamide is recommended, since carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may affect corneal hydration and wearing contact lenses might increase the risk for the cornea. Likewise, in other cases of compromised corneas such as patients with diabetes mellitus, careful monitoring is recommended.



Benzalkonium chloride, which is commonly used as a preservative in ophthalmic products, has been reported to cause punctate keratopathy and/or toxic ulcerative keratopathy. Since AZOPT contains benzalkonium chloride, close monitoring is required with frequent or prolonged use in dry eye patients, or in conditions where the cornea is compromised.



AZOPT has not been studied in patients wearing contact lenses. AZOPT contains benzalkonium chloridewhich may cause eye irritation and is known to discolour soft contact lenses. Contact with soft contact lenses is to be avoided. Patients must be instructed to remove contact lenses prior to the application of AZOPT and wait 15 minutes after instillation of the dose before reinsertion.



Potential rebound effects following cessation of treatment with AZOPT have not been studied; the IOP



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Specific interaction studies with other medicinal products have not been performed with AZOPT. In clinical studies, AZOPT was used concomitantly with prostaglandin analogues and timolol ophthalmic preparations without evidence of adverse interactions. Association between AZOPT and miotics or adrenergic agonists has not been evaluated during adjunctive glaucoma therapy.



AZOPT is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and, although administered topically, is absorbed systemically. Acid



The cytochrome P



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Pregnancy



There are no or limited amount of data from the use of brinzolamide in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see also section 5.3). AZOPT is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception.



Lactation



It is not known whether brinzolamide/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Animal studies have shown the excretion of brinzolamide in breast milk. Brinzolamide should only be used during breast



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



Temporary blurred vision or other visual disturbances, may affect the ability to drive or use machines (see also section 4.8). If blurred vision occurs at instillation, the patient must wait until the vision clears before driving or using machines.



Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may impair the ability of elderly patients to perform tasks requiring mental alertness and/or physical coordination (see also section 4.4).



4.8 Undesirable Effects



In clinical studies involving over 1800 patients treated with AZOPT as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy to timolol maleate 5 mg/ml, the most frequently reported treatment



The following adverse reactions were assessed to be treatment








































System Organ Classification




MedDRA Preferred Term




Infections and infestations



 




Uncommon : nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis



Not Known : rhinitis




Blood and lymphatic system disorders



 




Uncommon : red blood cell count decreased, blood chloride increased




Immune system disorders




Not Known : hypersensitivity




Psychiatric disorders



 




Uncommon : apathy, depression, depressed mood, libido decreased, nightmare, insomnia, nervousness




Nervous system disorders



 




Common : dysgeusia, headache



Uncommon : somnolence, motor dysfunction, amnesia, memory impairment, dizziness, paraesthesia



Not Known : tremor, hypoaesthesia, ageusia




Eye disorders



 




Common : blepharitis, blurred vision, eye irritation, eye pain, dry eye, eye discharge, eye pruritus, foreign body sensation in eyes, ocular hyperaemia



Uncommon : corneal erosion, keratitis, punctate keratitis, keratopathy, deposit eye, corneal staining, corneal epithelium defect, corneal epithelium disorder, intraocular pressure increased, optic nerve cup/disc ratio increased, corneal oedema, conjunctivitis, eye swwelling, meibomianitis, diplopia, glare, photophobia, photopsia, visual acuity reduced, allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, scleral pigmentation, asthenopia, ocular discomfort, abnormal sensation in eye, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, hypoaesthesia eye, subconjunctival cyst, conjunctival hyperaemia, eyelids pruritus, eyelid margin crusting, eyelid oedema, lacrimation increased



Not Known : corneal disorder, visual disturbance, eye allergy, madarosis, eyelid disorder, erythema of eyelid




Ear and labyrinth disorders



 




Uncommon : tinnitus



Not Known : vertigo




Cardiac disorders



 




Uncommon : cardio



Not Known : arrhythmia, tachycardia, hypertension, blood pressure increased, heart rate increased




Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders



 




Uncommon : dyspnoea, bronchial hyperactivity, cough, epistaxis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, throat irritation, nasal congestion, upper respiratory tract congestion, postnasal drip, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal dryness



Not Known : asthma




Gastrointestinal disorders



 




Common : dry mouth



Uncommon : oesophagitis, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, upper abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, stomach discomfort, flatulence, frequent bowel movements, gastrointestinal disorder, hypoaesthesia oral, paraesthesia oral




Hepatobiliary disorders




Not Known : liver function test abnormal




Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders



 




Uncommon: urticaria, rash, rash maculo



Not Known: dermatitis, erythema




Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders




Uncommon: back pain, muscle spasms, myalgia



Not Known: arthralgia, pain in extremity




Renal and urinary disorders




Uncommon : renal pain



Not Known : pollakiuria




Reproductive system and breast disorders




Uncommon : erectile dysfunction




General disorders and administration site conditions



 




Uncommon : pain, chest discomfort, asthenia, fatigue, feeling abnormal, feeling jittery, irritability



Not Known : chest pain, peripheral oedema, malaise, medication residue




Injury, poisoning and procedural complications




Uncommon: foreign body in eye



In small short



Dysgeusia (bitter or unusual taste in the mouth following instillation) was the most frequently reported systemic adverse reaction associated with the use of AZOPT during clinical studies. It is likely caused by passage of the eye drops in the nasopharynx via the nasolacrimal canal. Nasolacrimal occlusion or gently closing the eyelid after instillation may help reduce the incidence of this effect (see also section 4.2).



AZOPT is a sulphonamide inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase with systemic absorption. Gastrointestinal, nervous system, haematological, renal and metabolic effects are generally associated with systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The same type of adverse reactions that are attributable to oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may occur with topical administration.



No unexpected adverse reactions have been observed with AZOPT when used as adjunctive therapy to travoprost. The adverse reactions seen with the adjunctive therapy have been observed with each active substance alone.



4.9 Overdose



No case of overdose has been reported.



Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. Electrolyte imbalance, development of an acidotic state, and possible nervous system effects may occur. Serum electrolyte levels (particularly potassium) and blood pH levels must be monitored.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Pharmacotherapeutic Group:Antiglaucoma preparations and miotics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, ATC code: S01EC04



Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an enzyme found in many tissues of the body, including the eye. Carbonic anhydrase catalyses the reversible reaction involving the hydration of carbon dioxide and the dehydration of carbonic acid.



Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary processes of the eye decreases aqueous humour secretion, presumably by slowing the formation of bicarbonate ions with subsequent reduction in sodium and fluid transport. The result is a reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) which is a major risk factor in the pathogenesis of optic nerve damage and glaucomatous visual field loss. Brinzolamide, an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase II (CAin vitro IC50 of 3.2 nM and a Ki of 0.13 nM against CA



The IOP



A clinical trial was conducted with AZOPT in 32 paediatric patients less than 6 years of age, diagnosed with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Some patients were naive to IOP therapy whilst others were on other IOP



Among patients who were naive to IOP therapy (10 patients), the efficacy of AZOPT was similar to that seen previously in adults, with mean IOP reductions from baseline ranging up to 5 mmHg. Among patients who were on topical IOP



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Following topical ocular administration, brinzolamide is absorbed into the systemic circulation. Due to its high affinity for CA



Binding to plasma proteins is not extensive (about 60%). Brinzolamide is eliminated primarily by renal excretion (approximately 60%). About 20% of the dose has been accounted for in urine as metabolite. Brinzolamide and N



In an oral pharmacokinetic study, healthy volunteers received 1 mg capsules of brinzolamide twice daily for up to 32 weeks and RBC CA activity was measured to assess the degree of systemic CA inhibition.



Brinzolamide saturation of RBC CA



Subjects with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 30



N



In a topical ocular study, at steady



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



Non



Developmental toxicity studies in rabbits with oral doses of brinzolamide of up to 6 mg/kg/day (125 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose) revealed no effect on foetal development despite significant maternal toxicity. Similar studies in rats resulted in slightly reduced ossification of skull and sternebrae of foetuses of dams receiving brinzolamide at doses of 18 mg/kg/day (375 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose), but not 6 mg/kg/day. These findings occurred at doses that caused metabolic acidosis with decreased body weight gain in dams and decreased foetal weights. Dose



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Benzalkonium chloride,



mannitol (E421),



carbomer 974P,



tyloxapol,



edetate disodium,



sodium chloride,



hydrochloric acid/sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH),



purified water



6.2 Incompatibilities



Not applicable.



6.3 Shelf Life



2 years.



4 weeks after first opening.



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



5 and 10 ml opaque low density polyethylene bottles with polypropylene screw caps (droptainer).



The following pack sizes are available: outer cartons containing 1 x 5 ml, 3 x 5 ml and 1 x 10 ml bottles. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



No special requirements.



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Alcon Laboratories (UK) Ltd.



Pentagon Park



Boundary Way



Hemel Hempstead



Herts HP2 7UD



United Kingdom.



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



EU/1/00/129/001



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



Date of first authorisation: 9 March 2000



Date of last renewal: 9 March 2005



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



29 January 2010




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