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Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The most frequently reported ocular adverse reactions occurring in approximately 1-10% of patients were burning sensation in the eye, folliculosis, hyperemia, and pruritus.
The most frequently reported non-ocular adverse reactions were infection (cold symptoms and upper respiratory infections), seen in approximately 10% of patients, and headache, rhinitis, sinusitis, increased cough, and pharyngitis, seen in approximately 1 - 3% of patients.
Some of these reactions were similar to the underlying disease being studied.
Postmarketing ExperienceThe following reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of Epioftal® in clinical practice. Because they are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. The reactions, which have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, possible causal connection to Epioftal®, or a combination of these factors, include: lacrimation increased.
Epioftal® ophthalmic solution is indicated for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
Fourteen subjects, with allergic conjunctivitis, received one drop of Epioftal® ophthalmic solution in each eye twice daily for 7 days. On day 7, average maximum epinastine plasma concentrations of 0.04±0.014 ng/ml were reached after about two hours indicating low systemic exposure. While these concentrations represented an increase over those seen following a single dose, the day 1 and day 7 Area Under the Curve (AUC) values were unchanged indicating that there is no increase in systemic absorption with multiple dosing. Epinastine is 64% bound to plasma proteins. The total systemic clearance is approximately 56 L/hr and the terminal plasma elimination half-life is about 12 hours. Epinastine is mainly excreted unchanged. About 55% of an intravenous dose is recovered unchanged in the urine with about 30% in feces. Less than 10% is metabolized. The renal elimination is mainly via active tubular secretion.
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS Contamination of Tip and SolutionPatients should be instructed to avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye, surrounding structures, fingers, or any other surface in order to avoid contamination of the solution by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.
Bottle should be kept tightly closed when not in use.
Use with Contact LensesPatients should be advised not to wear a contact lens if their eye is red. Epioftal® ophthalmic solution should not be used to treat contact lens-related irritation.
The preservative in Epioftal®, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to instillation of Epioftal® ophthalmic solution and may be reinserted after 10 minutes following its administration.
Topical Ophthalmic Use OnlyEpioftal® is for topical ophthalmic use only and not for injection or oral use.
Nonclinical Toxicology Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of FertilityIn 18-month or 2-year dietary carcinogenicity studies in mice or rats, respectively, epinastine was not carcinogenic at doses up to 40 mg/kg [approximately 30,000 times higher than the MROHD, assuming 100% absorption in humans and animals].
Epinastine in newly synthesized batches was negative for mutagenicity in the Ames/Salmonella assay and in vitro chromosome aberration assay using human lymphocytes. Positive results were seen with early batches of epinastine in two in vitro chromosomal aberration studies conducted in 1980s with human peripheral lymphocytes and with V79 cells, respectively. Epinastine was negative in the in vivo clastogenicity studies, including the mouse micronucleus assay and chromosome aberration assay in Chinese hamsters. Epinastine was also negative in the cell transformation assay using Syrian hamster embryo cells, V79/HGPRT mammalian cell point mutation assay, and in vivo/in vitro unscheduled DNA synthesis assay using rat primary hepatocytes.
Epinastine had no effect on fertility of male rats. Decreased fertility in female rats was observed at an oral dose up to approximately 90,000 times the MROHD.
Use In Specific Populations Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects - Pregnancy Category CIn an embryofetal developmental study in pregnant rats, maternal toxicity with no embryofetal effects was observed at an oral dose that was approximately 150,000 times the maximum recommended ocular human dose (MROHD) of 0.0014 mg/kg/day on a mg/kg basis. Total resorptions and abortion were observed in an embryofetal study in pregnant rabbits at an oral dose that was approximately 55,000 times the MROHD. In both studies, no drug-induced teratogenic effects were noted.
Epinastine reduced pup body weight gain following an oral dose to pregnant rats that was approximately 90,000 times the MROHD.
There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, Epioftal® ophthalmic solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing MothersA study in lactating rats revealed excretion of epinastine in the breast milk. 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 Epioftal® ophthalmic solution is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric UseSafety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 years have not been established.
Geriatric UseNo overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.
The recommended dosage is one drop in each eye twice a day.
Treatment should be continued throughout the period of exposure (i.e., until the pollen season is over or until exposure to the offending allergen is terminated), even when symptoms are absent.
