Depodur

Overdose

Overdosage of morphine is characterized by respiratory depression, with or without concomitant CNS depression. In severe overdosage, apnea, circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest and death may occur. The conditions that might cause an overdosage situation may vary from patient to patient. A DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) dose that is within the labeled dosing guidelines may be found to be more than could be tolerated by an individual patient. During post-marketing experience, spontaneous cases of apnea, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest have been reported after administration of labeled DepoDur doses (see WARNINGS and ADVERSE EVENTS). Since respiratory arrest may result either through direct depression of the respiratory center or as the result of hypoxia, attention should primarily be given to the establishment of adequate respiratory exchange through provision of a patent airway and institution of assisted or controlled ventilation. Opiates administered in addition to DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) to manage pain may precipitate or worsen adverse events such as respiratory depression. Additional opiates should be administered with caution.

The opiate antagonist, naloxone, is a specific antidote. An initial dose of 0.4 to 2 mg of naloxone should be administered intravenously, simultaneously with respiratory resuscitation. If the desired degree of counteraction and improvement in respiratory function is not obtained, naloxone may be repeated at 2- to 3-minute intervals. If no response is observed after 10 mg of naloxone has been administered, the diagnosis of opiate-induced, or partial opiate-induced, toxicity should be questioned. Intramuscular or subcutaneous administration may be used if the intravenous route is not available.

As the duration of effect of naloxone is considerably shorter than that of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , repeated administration or continuous infusion of naloxone may be necessary. Patients should be closely observed for evidence of recurrence of respiratory depression.

Contraindications

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to morphine, morphine salts, or any components of the product. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , as with all opiates, is contraindicated in patients with respiratory depression, acute or severe bronchial asthma, and upper airway obstruction. Any contraindications for an epidural injection preclude the administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , as with all opiates, is contraindicated in any patient who has or is suspected of having paralytic ileus. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should not be used in patients with suspected or known head injury or increased intracranial pressure.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is an opiate analgesic which causes vasodilatation that may exacerbate hypotension and hypoperfusion and, therefore, is contraindicated in circulatory shock.

Undesirable effects

In controlled and open label clinical studies with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , the majority of the adverse events were typical of opiate medications and would be expected in the surgical populations studied. The most common adverse events (greater than 10%) reported at least once during therapy in patients treated with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) were decreased oxygen saturation, hypotension, urinary retention, vomiting, constipation, nausea, pruritus, pyrexia, anemia, headache, and dizziness. Adverse events occurring in 5-10% of study patients were hypoxia, tachycardia, insomnia, and flatulence. Other less common side effects (seen in 2-5% of patients receiving DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) ) included respiratory depression, hypercapnia, paralytic ileus, somnolence, bladder spasm, abdominal distension, hypoesthesia, hypertension, oliguria, bradycardia, anxiety, back pain, increased sweating, dyspepsia, rigors, dyspnea, hypokalemia, paresthesia, and decreased hematocrit.

Of the patients treated with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) in clinical trials, 4% exhibited signs of respiratory depression requiring treatment with narcotic antagonists. In clinical trials, 90% of respiratory depression occurred within 24 hours after administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). However, onset of respiratory depression occurred in 0.6% of patients after more than 48 hours.

During post-marketing experience, central nervous system (CNS) depression, including obtunded feeling, non-arousable condition, unresponsiveness, confusion, and lethargy, has been reported following epidural administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). In most of these cases with CNS depression, there was concomitant administration of different narcotics or hypnotic/sedative medications in the post operative period.

During post-marketing experience, severe respiratory depression, involving apnea or respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest have been reported following administration of labeled doses of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection).

Prolonged respiratory depression or apnea may occur when administration of epidural DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is associated with subarachnoid puncture.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is a n-agonist opiate and is a Schedule II controlled substance. Morphine, as with other opiates used in analgesia, can be abused and is subject to criminal diversion. Drug addiction is characterized by compulsive use, use for non-medical purposes, and continued use despite harm or risk of harm.

As with all potent µ-agonist opiates, tolerance as well as psychological and physical dependence to morphine may develop irrespective of the route of administration (intravenous, intramuscular, intrathecal, epidural or oral). Tolerance is a condition in which previous exposure to an opiate results in the necessity for increasingly larger doses of the drug in order to produce the same degree of analgesia. Withdrawal symptoms, indicating the presence of psychophysiological dependence, may occur when morphine is discontinued abruptly after chronic administration for analgesia, or upon administration of a drug with full or partial opiate antagonist effects. Care must be taken to avert withdrawal in patients who have been maintained on parenteral/oral opiates prior to epidural administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection).

Individuals with a history of opiate or other substance abuse would be considered to be at greater risk of addiction or abuse, given that they are more apt to respond to the euphorigenic and reinforcing properties of morphine. However, concerns about abuse, addiction or diversion of opiates should not prevent proper management of pain.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is intended for epidural use only. Abuse of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) may pose a hazard of overdose and death when administered through other routes. This risk is increased with concurrent use of other medications or illicit drugs.

Therapeutic indications

DepoDur is an extended-release liposome injection of morphine sulfate intended for single-dose administration by the epidural route, at the lumbar level, for the treatment of pain following major surgery. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is administered prior to surgery or after clamping the umbilical cord during cesarean section.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is not intended for intrathecal, intravenous or intramuscular administration. Administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) into the thoracic epidural space or higher has not been evaluated and therefore is not recommended.

Pharmacodynamic properties

The effects described below are common to all morphine-containing products.

Effects on the Central Nervous System (CNS): The principal therapeutic action of morphine is analgesia. Other therapeutic effects of morphine include anxiolysis, euphoria and feelings of relaxation. Although the precise mechanism of the analgesic action is unknown, specific CNS opiate receptors and endogenous compounds with morphine-like activity have been identified throughout the brain and spinal cord and are likely to play a role in the expression and perception of analgesic effects. As with all drugs in the opiate class, morphine can cause respiratory depression, in part by a direct effect on the brainstem respiratory centers. Morphine and related opiates depress the cough reflex by direct effect on the cough center in the medulla. Antitussive effects may occur with doses lower than those usually required for analgesia. Morphine may cause miosis, even in total darkness. Pinpoint pupils are a sign of opiate overdose; however, when asphyxia is present during opiate overdose, marked mydriasis occurs.

Effects on the Gastrointestinal Tract and on Other Smooth Muscle: Gastric, biliary and pancreatic secretions are decreased by morphine. Morphine causes a reduction in motility and is associated with an increase in tone in the antrum of the stomach and duodenum. Digestion of food in the small intestine is delayed and propulsive contractions are decreased. Propulsive peristaltic waves in the colon are decreased, while tone can be increased to the point of spasm, often resulting in constipation. Morphine can cause a marked increase in biliary tract pressure as a result of spasm of the sphincter of Oddi. Morphine may also cause spasm of the sphincter of the urinary bladder.

Effects on the Cardiovascular System: In therapeutic doses, morphine does not usually exert major effects on the cardiovascular system. Morphine, like other opiates, produces peripheral vasodilatation that may result in orthostatic hypotension and fainting. Release of histamine can occur, which may play a role in opiate-induced hypotension. Manifestations of histamine release and/or peripheral vasodilatation may include pruritus, flushing, red eyes and sweating.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Epidural administration of DepoDur results in both systemic absorption of morphine sulfate and absorption of morphine sulfate through the meninges into the intrathecal space. The relative absorption systemically versus intrathecally is unknown for DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection).

Relative systemic bioavailability of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) compared to epidurally administered morphine injection was determined in 19 patients (Table 1).

Table 1: Pharmacokinetics of DepoDur and Morphine Sulfate Injection (Mean ± SD)

Median (range)

DepoDur systemic AUC was comparable to that of morphine sulfate injection (approximately 90%), however, systemic Cmax was 30 % of that of morphine sulfate injection.

Based on systemic AUC, DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) appears to exhibit dose proportionality over a dose range of 5 to 25 mg. In contrast, systemic Cmax did not exhibit dose-proportionality and tended to increase by an amount less than the proportional change in dose (Table 2).

Table 2: Morphine Plasma Pharmacokinetic Parameters (Mean, SD) Following Epidural Administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection)

After morphine sulfate has been released from DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) and is absorbed systemically, morphine distribution is expected to be the same as for other morphine formulations.

Once absorbed, morphine is distributed to skeletal muscle, kidneys, liver, intestinal tract, lungs, spleen and brain. The volume of distribution of morphine is approximately 1 to 4 L/kg. Morphine is 20 to 35% reversibly bound to plasma proteins. Morphine also crosses the placental membranes and has been found in breast milk.

After morphine sulfate has been released from DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) and is absorbed systemically, morphine metabolism is expected to be the same as for other morphine formulations.

The major pathway of the detoxification of morphine is conjugation, either with D–glucuronic acid in the liver to produce glucuronides or with sulfuric acid to give morphine-3-etheral sulfate. Although a small fraction (less than 5%) of morphine is demethylated, for all practical purposes, virtually all morphine is converted to glucuronide metabolites including morphine-3 glucuronide, M3G (about 50%) and morphine-6-glucuronide, M6G (about 5 to 15%). M3G has no significant analgesic activity. M6G has been shown to have opiate agonist and analgesic activity in humans.

After morphine sulfate has been released from DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) and is absorbed systemically, morphine excretion is expected to be the same as for other morphine formulations. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is intended for single dose administration, therefore, accumulation of morphine or its metabolites is not expected even in patients with impaired hepatic or renal function.

Approximately 10% of morphine dose is excreted unchanged in the urine. Most of the dose is excreted in the urine as M3G and M6G. A small amount of the glucuronide metabolites is excreted in the bile and there is some minor enterohepatic cycling. Seven to 10% of administered morphine is excreted in the feces. The mean adult plasma clearance is about 20–30 mL/minute/kg. The effective terminal half-life of morphine after IV administration is reported to be approximately 2 hours. In some studies involving longer periods of plasma sampling, a longer terminal half-life of morphine of about 15 hours was reported.

Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

No formal studies to assess the teratogenic effects of morphine in animals have been performed. Several literature reports indicate that morphine administered subcutaneously during the early gestational period in mice and hamsters produced neurological, soft tissue and skeletal abnormalities. With one exception, the effects that have been reported were following doses that were maternally toxic and the abnormalities noted were characteristic of those observed when maternal toxicity is present. In one study, following subcutaneous infusion of doses greater than or equal to 0.15 mg/kg in mice, exencephaly, hydronephrosis, intestinal hemorrhage, split supraoccipital, malformed sternebrae, and malformed xiphoid were noted in the absence of maternal toxicity. In the hamster, morphine sulfate given subcutaneously on gestation day eight produced exencephaly and cranioschisis. Morphine was not a significant teratogen in the rat at exposure levels significantly beyond that normally encountered in clinical practice. In one study, however, decreased litter size and viability were observed in the offspring of male rats administered morphine at doses approximately 3-fold the maximum recommended human daily dose (MRHDD) for 10 days prior to mating. In two studies performed in the rabbit, no evidence of teratogenicity was reported at subcutaneous doses up to 100 mg/kg.

In humans, the frequency of congenital anomalies has been reported to be no greater than expected among the children of 70 women who were treated with morphine during the first four months of pregnancy or in 448 women treated with this drug anytime during pregnancy. Furthermore, no malformations were observed in the infant of a woman who attempted suicide by taking an overdose of morphine and other medication during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Published literature indicates that exposure to morphine during pregnancy is associated with reduction in growth and a host of behavioral abnormalities in the offspring of animals. Morphine treatment during gestational periods of organogenesis in rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits resulted in the following treatment-related embryotoxicity and neonatal toxicity in one or more studies: decreased litter size, embryo-fetal viability, fetal and neonatal body weights, absolute brain and cerebellar weights, lengths or widths at birth and during the neonatal period, delayed motor and sexual maturation, and increased neonatal mortality, cyanosis and hypothermia. Decreased fertility in female offspring, and decreased plasma and testicular levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone, decreased testes weights, seminiferous tubule shrinkage, germinal cell aplasia, and decreased spermatogenesis in male offspring were also observed. Behavioral abnormalities resulting from chronic morphine exposure of fetal animals included altered reflex and motor skill development, mild withdrawal, and altered responsiveness to morphine persisting into adulthood.

Morphine sulfate should be used by a pregnant woman only if the need for opiate analgesia clearly outweighs the potential risks to the fetus.

Qualitative and quantitative composition

Preservative-free DepoDur (morphine sulfate extended- release liposome injection) is available in 10 mg/mL single-use, amber vials for epidural administration.

10 mg/1 mL vial packaged in cartons of 5 (NDC 24477-020-04)

15 mg/1.5 mL vial packaged in cartons of 5 (NDC 24477-020-05)

Protect from freezing. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should be routinely stored in the refrigerator at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F). Keep DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) vials in carton during refrigeration. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) may be held at controlled room temperature for up to 30 days in sealed, intact (unopened) vials. Vials stored at controlled room temperature may be separated from the carton, but should not be returned to a refrigerator. Discard vials that have been stored at room temperature for over 30 days

Manufactured for: EKR Therapeutics, Inc. Bedminster NJ 07921. Manufactured by: Pacira Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA 92121. November, 2008

Special warnings and precautions for use

Due to the risk of severe adverse events when the epidural route of administration is employed, patients must be observed in a fully equipped and staffed environment for at least 48 hours after administration. The facility must be equipped to resuscitate patients with severe opiate overdosage, and the personnel must be familiar with the use and limitations of specific narcotic antagonists (naloxone, naltrexone) in such cases.

No clinical studies have evaluated the safety of administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) into the intrathecal space. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is intended for administration by the epidural route only. However, cases of intrathecal administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) have been reported during post-marketing experience. In all cases, signs of prolonged respiratory depression were observed requiring narcotic antagonist (naloxone) administration or ventilatory support.

Prolonged and serious respiratory depression or apnea has occurred when administration of epidural DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) was associated with subarachnoid puncture. In these cases, respiratory depression has occurred within 12 hours of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) administration following apparent recovery from anesthesia. Respiratory depression resulting from DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) can be treated successfully with a naloxone bolus or, more commonly, a naloxone infusion; intubation and mechanical ventilation may be necessary in some cases.

Because intrathecal leakage from the epidural space may occur through a breached dural membrane, especially when the epidural drug is administered in a bolus, DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should not be administered to a patient following a recent dural puncture without vigilant monitoring of respiratory function for a prolonged period (48 hours) with provision for emergency mechanical ventilation to minimize the risk of serious respiratory depression.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should be administered by or under the direction of a physician experienced in the techniques associated with epidural drug administration and familiar with patient management following epidural opiate administration, including the management of respiratory depression.

Prior to drug administration, the physician should be familiar with patient conditions (such as infection at the injection site, bleeding diathesis, current and anticipated anticoagulant therapy, etc.) that call for special evaluation of the benefit versus risk potential.

Respiratory depression is the chief hazard of all opiate preparations. Respiratory depression occurs more frequently in elderly or debilitated patients and in those suffering from conditions accompanied by hypoxia or hypercapnia in whom even moderate therapeutic doses may significantly decrease pulmonary ventilation.

Administration of opiates with or without coadministration of other sedative or hypnotic drugs can worsen airway obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome. Patients who are obese are at particular risk for this syndrome, which may be undiagnosed prior to administration.

Respiratory depression can occur with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). Four percent of the patients who received DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) required treatment with narcotic antagonists for respiratory depression. Ninety percent of events of respiratory depression started within the first 24 hours after dosing with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). However, the incidence of respiratory depression starting after 48 hours, potentially related to DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , was 0.6% (5 of 900 patients). Patients at increased risk of respiratory depression such as those with impaired respiratory drive, sleep apnea, concomitant sedation or the elderly, may require monitoring for periods longer than 48 hours.

Because of the risk of respiratory depression, the facility must be equipped to resuscitate patients. Patients must be closely monitored in a fully equipped and staffed environment for a minimum of 48 hours.

If the surgical procedure is cancelled after the administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , the risk of respiratory depression may be increased, and patients should be monitored with a high level of vigilance.

Epidural local anesthetics should not be used before or after DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) except:

1. in the form of a 3 mL test dose with lidocaine 1.5% and epinephrine 1:200,000 or
2. a therapeutic dose of bupivacaine 0.25% - 20 mL. (See PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS) Do not mix or co-administer DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) with any other medications including local anesthetics. Once DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) has been administered, no other medication should be administered into the epidural space for at least 48 hours.

The active ingredient of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is morphine, a n-opiate agonist. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is a Schedule II controlled substance. Such drugs are sought by drug abusers and people with addiction disorders. Diversion of Schedule II products is an act subject to criminal penalty. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) can be abused in a manner similar to other opiate agonists, legal or illicit.

Concerns about abuse, addiction, and diversion should not prevent the proper management of pain. Healthcare professionals should contact their State Professional Licensing Board, or State Controlled Substances Authority for information on how to prevent and detect abuse or diversion of this product.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , like all other opiates, may cause severe hypotension in an individual whose ability to maintain blood pressure has already been compromised by a depleted blood volume or concurrent administration of drugs such as phenothiazines or general anesthetics (see also PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS). DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) may produce orthostatic hypotension and syncope in ambulatory patients. In a patient who progresses to circulatory shock, DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) may make resuscitation more difficult due to vasodilatation.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should not be administered to patients with gastrointestinal obstruction, especially paralytic ileus, because DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) diminishes propulsive peristaltic waves in the gastrointestinal tract and may prolong the obstruction.

The central nervous depressant effects of morphine are potentiated by the presence of other CNS depressants such as alcohol, other opiates, sedatives, antihistaminics or psychotropic drugs. Use of neuroleptics or general anesthetics in conjunction with epidural morphine may increase the risk of respiratory depression.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should not be administered to women for vaginal labor and delivery. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) has only been administered to women undergoing cesarean section following clamping of the umbilical cord.

Epidural delivery of opiates is accompanied by risk to the patients and requires a high level of skill to be successfully accomplished. The task of treating these patients must be undertaken by experienced clinical teams, well-versed in patient selection and emerging standards of care. It is critical to adjust the dose of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) for each individual patient, taking into account the patient's age, body mass, physical status, prior experience with opiate analgesics, risk factors for respiratory depression, and medications to be co administered before or during surgery (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Seizures may result from high doses of morphine. Patients with known seizure disorders should be carefully observed for evidence of morphine-induced seizure activity.

After morphine sulfate has been released from DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) and is absorbed systemically, its distribution, metabolism and excretion are expected to be the same as other morphine formulations.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is intended for single-dose administration; therefore accumulation of morphine or its metabolites is not expected even in patients with impaired hepatic or renal function.

Morphine is released into the systemic circulation after epidural administration. Therefore, smooth muscle hypertonicity may result in biliary colic.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should be used with caution in patients with biliary tract disease, including acute pancreatitis, as morphine may cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi and diminish biliary and pancreatic secretions.

The use of epidural opiate analgesia has been associated with disturbances of micturition, especially in males with prostatic hypertrophy. Early recognition of urinary retention and prompt intervention is indicated.

Patients with reduced circulating blood volume, impaired myocardial function or those receiving sympatholytic drugs should be monitored for the possible occurrence of orthostatic hypotension, a frequent complication in single-dose epidurally administered morphine analgesia.

Administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) via the intravenous or intramuscular routes has not been studied in humans and DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should not be administered by these routes.

Studies in animals to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of morphine sulfate have not been conducted. No formal studies to assess the mutagenic potential of morphine have been conducted. In the published literature, the results of in-vitro studies showed that morphine is non-mutagenic in the Drosophila melanogaster lethal mutation assay and produced no evidence of chromosomal aberrations when incubated with murine splenocytes. Contrary to these results, morphine was found to increase DNA fragmentation when incubated in vitro with a human lymphoma cell line. In vivo, morphine has been reported to produce an increase in the frequency of micronuclei in bone marrow cells and immature red blood cells in the mouse micronucleus test and to induce chromosomal aberrations in murine lymphocytes and spermatids. Some of the in–vivo clastogenic effects reported with morphine in mice may be directly related to increases in glucocorticoid levels produced by morphine in this species.

No formal studies to assess the teratogenic effects of morphine in animals have been performed. Several literature reports indicate that morphine administered subcutaneously during the early gestational period in mice and hamsters produced neurological, soft tissue and skeletal abnormalities. With one exception, the effects that have been reported were following doses that were maternally toxic and the abnormalities noted were characteristic of those observed when maternal toxicity is present. In one study, following subcutaneous infusion of doses greater than or equal to 0.15 mg/kg in mice, exencephaly, hydronephrosis, intestinal hemorrhage, split supraoccipital, malformed sternebrae, and malformed xiphoid were noted in the absence of maternal toxicity. In the hamster, morphine sulfate given subcutaneously on gestation day eight produced exencephaly and cranioschisis. Morphine was not a significant teratogen in the rat at exposure levels significantly beyond that normally encountered in clinical practice. In one study, however, decreased litter size and viability were observed in the offspring of male rats administered morphine at doses approximately 3-fold the maximum recommended human daily dose (MRHDD) for 10 days prior to mating. In two studies performed in the rabbit, no evidence of teratogenicity was reported at subcutaneous doses up to 100 mg/kg.

In humans, the frequency of congenital anomalies has been reported to be no greater than expected among the children of 70 women who were treated with morphine during the first four months of pregnancy or in 448 women treated with this drug anytime during pregnancy. Furthermore, no malformations were observed in the infant of a woman who attempted suicide by taking an overdose of morphine and other medication during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Published literature indicates that exposure to morphine during pregnancy is associated with reduction in growth and a host of behavioral abnormalities in the offspring of animals. Morphine treatment during gestational periods of organogenesis in rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits resulted in the following treatment-related embryotoxicity and neonatal toxicity in one or more studies: decreased litter size, embryo-fetal viability, fetal and neonatal body weights, absolute brain and cerebellar weights, lengths or widths at birth and during the neonatal period, delayed motor and sexual maturation, and increased neonatal mortality, cyanosis and hypothermia. Decreased fertility in female offspring, and decreased plasma and testicular levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone, decreased testes weights, seminiferous tubule shrinkage, germinal cell aplasia, and decreased spermatogenesis in male offspring were also observed. Behavioral abnormalities resulting from chronic morphine exposure of fetal animals included altered reflex and motor skill development, mild withdrawal, and altered responsiveness to morphine persisting into adulthood.

Morphine sulfate should be used by a pregnant woman only if the need for opiate analgesia clearly outweighs the potential risks to the fetus.

See WARNINGS.

In studies of epidural administration of morphine sulfate injection, small amounts of morphine were detected in breast milk. The degree to which morphine sulfate is excreted in human milk following administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) has not been studied. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants from morphine, a decision should be made whether or not to allow nursing during the first 48 hours following DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) administration.

The safety and effectiveness of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established and use in this population is not recommended.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) was studied in clinical trials of 876 subjects; 222 were 65 years of age and older, and 43 of these patients were 75 years of age and over. The efficacy and opiate adverse event profiles in these elderly patients, at the same or lower dose of DepoDur, were similar to those in younger adults (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). However, elderly patients (65 years of age or older) may have increased sensitivity to morphine. Comorbid conditions may predispose the elderly population to serious adverse events such as respiratory depression, ileus, hypotension and myocardial infarction.

In general, caution should be exercised in the selection of the dose of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) for an elderly patient. Dosing normally should be at the low end of the range.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should be administered to elderly patients ( > 65 years) after careful evaluation of their underlying medical condition and consideration of the risks associated with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). Provision for vigilant perioperative monitoring should be arranged for elderly patients receiving DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection).

Dosage (Posology) and method of administration

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is intended only for lumbar epidural administration prior to surgery or after clamping of the umbilical cord during cesarean section. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) may be administered via needle or catheter at the lumbar level. Administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) at the thoracic level or higher is not recommended because it has not been studied. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) may be administered undiluted or may be diluted up to 5 mL total volume with PRESERVATIVE-FREE 0.9% normal saline.

Vials of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should be gently inverted to re-suspend the particles immediately prior to withdrawal from the vial. Avoid aggressive agitation. No further reconstitution or dilution is required.

For major orthopedic surgery of the lower extremity the recommended dose of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is 15 mg. For lower abdominal or pelvic surgery, the recommended dose of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is 10-15 mg. Some patients may benefit from a 20-mg dose of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , but the incidence of serious adverse respiratory events was dose-related in clinical trials. For cesarean section, the recommended dose is 10 mg.

For any given level of pain, patients differ widely in their opiate requirements. It is critical to adjust the dose of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) for each individual patient, taking into account the patient's age, body mass, physical status, prior experience with opiate analgesics, risk factors for respiratory depression, and medications to be co-administered before or during surgery.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should be administered to elderly patients ( > 65 years) after careful evaluation of their underlying medical condition and consideration of the risks associated with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). Vigilant perioperative monitoring should be exercised for elderly patients receiving DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). In general, as with all opiates, the dose for elderly or debilitated patients should be at the low end of the dosing range.

While DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is indicated for women undergoing cesarean section following clamping of the umbilical cord, DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should not be administered to women for vaginal labor and delivery.

The safety and effectiveness of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established and use in this population is not recommended.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should be administered by or under the direct supervision of a physician experienced in the technique of epidural administration and who is thoroughly familiar with the risks associated with the drug product. It should be administered only in settings where there is adequate patient monitoring. Resuscitative equipment and a specific antagonist (naloxone injection) should be immediately available for the management of respiratory depression. Patient monitoring should be continued for at least 48 hours after dosing, as delayed respiratory depression may occur (see WARNINGS).

Improper placement of a needle or catheter in the epidural space should be ruled out before DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is injected. Techniques to detect improper placement of a needle or catheter include: a) aspiration to check for the presence of blood or cerebrospinal fluid and/or b) administration of a 3-mL test dose of 1.5% PRESERVATIVE-FREE lidocaine and epinephrine (1:200,000). If a test dose is administered, the patient should be observed for tachycardia or sudden onset of segmental anesthesia, indicating that intrathecal injection has occurred. To minimize a pharmacokinetic interaction of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) with the test dose, flush the epidural catheter with 1 mL of PRESERVATIVE-FREE 0.9% normal saline and wait at least 15 minutes after administration of the test dose. To minimize a pharmacokinetic interaction of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) with a previously administered analgesic dose of bupivacaine (0.25%, 20 mL), flush the epidural catheter with 1 mL of PRESERVATIVE-FREE 0.9% normal saline and wait at least 30 minutes after administration of the bupivacaine.

Do not mix DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) with any other medications. Once DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) has been administered, no other medication should be administered into the epidural space for at least 48 hours.

Do not use an in-line filter during administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection).

Although DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is a sterile agent, it does not contain any bacteriostatic agents. Therefore, DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) must be administered within 4 hours after withdrawal from the vial. Do not heat-sterilize or gas-sterilize.

Discard any unused portion in a manner appropriate for Schedule II substances.

PROTECT DEPODUR (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) FROM FREEZING. DO NOT ADMINISTER DEPODUR (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) IF IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THE VIAL HAS BEEN FROZEN.

SAFETY AND HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) consists of morphine encapsulated in multivesicular lipid-based particles that pose no known risk of handling to healthcare workers. Vials of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should be gently inverted to re-suspend the particles immediately prior to withdrawal from the vial. Each vial of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) contains a potent opiate that has been associated with abuse and dependence among health care providers. Appropriate measures should be taken to control this product within the hospital or clinic including rigid accounting, rigorous control of wastage, and restricted access.

Protect DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) from freezing. Do not administer DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) if it is suspected that the vial has been frozen. Each carton of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) includes a freeze indicator that should be checked prior to administration of the product. Do not administer DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , if the bulb of the freeze indicator has changed from clear to pink or purple, as this indicates that the product may have frozen. Freezing may adversely affect the modified release mechanism of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection).

As a convenience to the hospital pharmacist, each carton of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) includes pharmacy stickers for noting when each vial has been removed from refrigeration and advising to resuspend just prior to use. Following withdrawal from the vial DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) may be held at 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) for up to 4 hours prior to administration.

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

In controlled and open label clinical studies with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) , the majority of the adverse events were typical of opiate medications and would be expected in the surgical populations studied. The most common adverse events (greater than 10%) reported at least once during therapy in patients treated with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) were decreased oxygen saturation, hypotension, urinary retention, vomiting, constipation, nausea, pruritus, pyrexia, anemia, headache, and dizziness. Adverse events occurring in 5-10% of study patients were hypoxia, tachycardia, insomnia, and flatulence. Other less common side effects (seen in 2-5% of patients receiving DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) ) included respiratory depression, hypercapnia, paralytic ileus, somnolence, bladder spasm, abdominal distension, hypoesthesia, hypertension, oliguria, bradycardia, anxiety, back pain, increased sweating, dyspepsia, rigors, dyspnea, hypokalemia, paresthesia, and decreased hematocrit.

Of the patients treated with DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) in clinical trials, 4% exhibited signs of respiratory depression requiring treatment with narcotic antagonists. In clinical trials, 90% of respiratory depression occurred within 24 hours after administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). However, onset of respiratory depression occurred in 0.6% of patients after more than 48 hours.

During post-marketing experience, central nervous system (CNS) depression, including obtunded feeling, non-arousable condition, unresponsiveness, confusion, and lethargy, has been reported following epidural administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection). In most of these cases with CNS depression, there was concomitant administration of different narcotics or hypnotic/sedative medications in the post operative period.

During post-marketing experience, severe respiratory depression, involving apnea or respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest have been reported following administration of labeled doses of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection).

Prolonged respiratory depression or apnea may occur when administration of epidural DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is associated with subarachnoid puncture.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is a n-agonist opiate and is a Schedule II controlled substance. Morphine, as with other opiates used in analgesia, can be abused and is subject to criminal diversion. Drug addiction is characterized by compulsive use, use for non-medical purposes, and continued use despite harm or risk of harm.

As with all potent µ-agonist opiates, tolerance as well as psychological and physical dependence to morphine may develop irrespective of the route of administration (intravenous, intramuscular, intrathecal, epidural or oral). Tolerance is a condition in which previous exposure to an opiate results in the necessity for increasingly larger doses of the drug in order to produce the same degree of analgesia. Withdrawal symptoms, indicating the presence of psychophysiological dependence, may occur when morphine is discontinued abruptly after chronic administration for analgesia, or upon administration of a drug with full or partial opiate antagonist effects. Care must be taken to avert withdrawal in patients who have been maintained on parenteral/oral opiates prior to epidural administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection).

Individuals with a history of opiate or other substance abuse would be considered to be at greater risk of addiction or abuse, given that they are more apt to respond to the euphorigenic and reinforcing properties of morphine. However, concerns about abuse, addiction or diversion of opiates should not prevent proper management of pain.

DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) is intended for epidural use only. Abuse of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) may pose a hazard of overdose and death when administered through other routes. This risk is increased with concurrent use of other medications or illicit drugs.

Local Anesthetics (test dose – lidocaine 1.5% and epinephrine 1:200,000): Administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) three minutes after a 3 mL test-dose (lidocaine 1.5% and epinephrine 1:200,000) increases peak serum concentrations of morphine (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY). Increasing the interval between the test dose and DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) administration to at least 15 minutes minimizes this pharmacokinetic interaction.

Local Anesthetics (analgesic dose – bupivacaine 0.25%, 20 mL): Administration of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) after an analgesic dose of bupivacaine increases peak serum concentrations of morphine (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY). Increasing the interval between the analgesic dose and DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) administration to greater than 30 minutes reduces this pharmacokinetic interaction.

Safety and efficacy of DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) when used in conjunction with analgesic epidural doses of lidocaine with epinephrine (for conduction anesthesia) have not been studied in clinical trials.

CNS Depressants: The concurrent use of other central nervous system (CNS) depressants including sedatives, hypnotics, general anesthetics, droperidol, phenothiazines or other tranquilizers, or alcohol increases the risk of respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, or coma. Use with caution and with vigilant monitoring in patients taking these agents.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): MAOIs markedly potentiate the action of morphine. DepoDur (morphine sulfate xr liposome injection) should not be used in patients taking MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping such treatment.

Muscle Relaxants: Respiratory depression associated with morphine may delay recovery of spontaneous pulmonary ventilation when neuromuscular blocking agents are coadministered.