Itraconazole is not removed by dialysis. In the event of accidental overdosage, supportive measures, including gastric lavage with sodium bicarbonate, should be employed.
Do not administer ONMEL for the treatment of onychomycosis in patients with evidence of ventricular dysfunction such as congestive heart failure (CHF) or a history of CHF.
Drug InteractionsConcomitant administration of ONMEL and certain drugs that are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme system (CYP3A4) or where gastrointestinal absorption is regulated by P-gp may result in increased plasma concentrations of those drugs, leading to potentially serious and/or life-threatening adverse events.
Co-administration of cisapride, dofetilide, ergot alkaloids such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergometrine (ergonovine), and methylergometrine (methylergonovine), felodipine, levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl), lovastatin, methadone, oral midazolam, nisoldipine, pimozide, quinidine, simvastatin, and triazolam with ONMEL is contraindicated.
Do not administer ONMEL for the treatment of onychomycosis to pregnant patients or to women contemplating pregnancy.
Anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity have been reported with use of itraconazole. ONMEL is contraindicated for patients who have shown hypersensitivity to itraconazole products.
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rate 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 clinical practice.
Patients in the trial for toenail onychomycosis were treated with a dosing regimen of 200 mg once daily for 12 consecutive weeks.
The most commonly reported adverse reaction leading to discontinuation of ONMEL was increased hepatic enzyme (6 subjects, 1.0%), followed by dizziness (3 subjects, 0.5%). No other adverse reaction leading to discontinuation occurred in more than one subject.
The table below lists all adverse reactions reported by at least 1% of patients who received ONMEL during 12 weeks of treatment:
Table 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring at Frequencies
≥ 1% in the Onychomycosis Clinical Trial
BODY SYSTEM/ ADVERSE REACTION |
Incidence (%) ONMEL (N = 582) |
Incidence (%) Placebo tablet (N = 191) |
INFECTIONS AND INFESTATIONS | ||
Upper respiratory tract infections | 6.0% | 7.3% |
Bacteriuria | 1.4% | 1.6% |
Urinary tract infection | 1.0% | 0.5% |
INVESTIGATIONS | ||
Hepatic enzymes increased | 2.9% | 0.0% |
Electrocardiogram abnormal | 1.4% | 1.6% |
EAR AND LABYRINTH DISORDERS | ||
Hypoacusis | 3.3% | 3.1% |
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS | ||
Headache | 2.2% | 1.6% |
Dizziness | 1.2% | 0.0% |
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS | ||
Abdominal pain or discomfort | 1.7% | 2.6% |
Diarrhea | 1.7% | 3.1% |
Nausea | 1.7% | 1.6% |
GENERAL DISORDERS OF ADMINISTRATION SITE CONDITIONS | ||
Fatigue | 1.5% | 2.6% |
CARDIAC DISORDERS | ||
Sinus Bradycardia | 1.0% | 0.0% |
RESPIRATORY, THORACIC AND MEDIASTINAL DISORDERS | ||
Cough | 1.2% | 0.0% |
Pharyngolaryngeal pain | 1.0% | 0.5% |
MUSCULOSKELETAL AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS | ||
Back pain | 1.2% | 2.1% |
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of itraconazole (all formulations) and are listed in Table 2 below. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establishing a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Table 2: Postmarketing Reports of Adverse Reactions
for Itraconazole
Blood and lymphatic system disorders: | Leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia |
Immune system disorders: | Anaphylaxis; anaphylactic, anaphylactoid and allergic reactions; serum sickness; angioneurotic edema |
Metabolism and nutritional disorders: | Hypertriglyceridemia, hypokalemia |
Nervous system disorders: | Peripheral neuropathy, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, headache, dizziness |
Eye disorders: | Visual disturbances, including vision blurred and diplopia |
Ear and labyrinth disorders: | Transient or permanent hearing loss, tinnitus |
Cardiac disorders: | Congestive heart failure |
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: | Pulmonary edema |
Gastrointestinal disorders: | Abdominal pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dysgeusia |
Hepato-biliary disorders: | Serious hepatotoxicity (including some cases of fatal acute liver failure), hepatitis, reversible increases in hepatic enzymes |
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: | Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, erythema multiforme, alopecia, photosensitivity, rash, urticaria, pruritus |
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: | Myalgia, arthralgia |
Renal and urinary disorders: | Urinary incontinence, pollakiuria |
Reproductive system and breast disorders: | Menstrual disorders, erectile dysfunction |
General disorders and administration site conditions: | Peripheral edema |
ONMEL is indicated for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail due to Trichophyton rubrum or T. mentagrophytes in non-immunocompromised patients. Prior to initiating treatment, appropriate nail specimens for laboratory testing (KOH preparation, fungal culture, or nail biopsy) should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis of onychomycosis.
The oral bioavailability of itraconazole is increased when ONMEL is taken with a FDA standard high-fat meal. The pharmacokinetic parameters of itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole after administration of one ONMEL to 9 male and 9 female healthy subjects in fasting and in fed conditions are presented in the table below:
Table 5: Pharmacokinetic Parameters Following a Single
Dose of ONMEL (mean ± SD)**
Itraconazole | Hydroxy-itraconazole | |||
Fed | Fasted | Fed | Fasted | |
Cmax (ng/mL) | 213±117* | 162 ± 107 | 332±118 | 264 ±109 |
Tmax (hours) | 4.6 ± 2.2 | 2.9 ± 0.8 | 5.7 ± 2.6 | 3.4 ± 0.8 |
AUC0-∞ (μg•h/mL) | 3.34 ± 1.98 | 2.27 ± 1.44 | 7.05 ± 3.94 | 4.58 ± 2.80 |
*mean ± standard deviation ** Drug given after FDA standard high-fat breakfast |
The steady-state pharmacokinetics of itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole were analyzed after oral dosing of 16 healthy volunteers with one ONMEL following a moderate-fat breakfast once daily for 14 days in an open-label study. Mean maximum plasma levels of itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole increased from Day 1 to Day 14 by approximately 6- and 4-fold, respectively. The respective pharmacokinetic parameters from this study are reflected in the table below:
Table 6: Pharmacokinetic Parameters Following Multiple
Doses of ONMEL (mean ± SD) Taken with Moderate-fat Breakfasts*
Statistic | Day | Itraconazole N=16 |
Hydroxy-itraconazole N=16 |
|
Cmax (ng/mL) | Mean (SD) | 1 14 |
116.8 (43.34) 658.1 (362.16) | 221.7 (69.21) 974.2 (479.92) |
AUC0-24 (ng*h/mL) | Mean (SD) | 1 14 |
905.09 (384.239) 9046.81 (5320.516) | 2538.33 (1057.872) 19054.95 (10443.214) |
Tmax (h) | Median | 1 | 4.00 (2.00-5.00) | 4.00 (2.00-5.00) |
(Min-Max) | 14 | 4.00 (1.00-24.00) | 4.00 (3.00-24.00) | |
T½ (h) | Mean (SD) | 14 | 36.84 (10.378) | 20.06 (6.998) |
*Meal containing approximately 500 calories, 30% of which were derived from fat. |
In a 2-period, open-label, randomized, cross-over, pivotal bioequivalence study to assess the comparative bioavailability of the ONMEL and a marketed 100-mg itraconazole capsule, 28 male and 28 female healthy subjects were given as a single dose, 200 mg of itraconazole immediately after a moderate-fat breakfast (same caloric and fat contents as in the table above). Fifty-two subjects were included in the final analysis.
The Cmax of the ONMEL was comparable to that of the 2 itraconazole 100-mg capsules while AUCt and AUC∞ were about 15% higher with the ONMEL.
In another 2-period, open-label, randomized, cross-over, pivotal bioequivalence study, 28 male and 28 female healthy subjects were given one ONMEL or two 100-mg itraconazole capsules following the FDA standard high-fat breakfast. The Cmax and AUC∞ of the ONMEL were 20 and 30% lower, respectively, than those of two itraconazole 100-mg capsules. Overall, the inter-subject variability was high and coefficient of variances (CV) for AUCs in the above two studies were 44-66%.
Itraconazole is metabolized predominately by the cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme system (CYP3A4), resulting in the formation of several metabolites. Hydroxyitraconazole, the major metabolite, has in vitro antifungal activity comparable to itraconazole. Results of a pharmacokinetics study suggest that itraconazole may undergo saturable metabolism with multiple dosing. Based on an oral dose, fecal excretion of the parent drug varies between 3-18% of the dose. Itraconazole is excreted mainly as inactive metabolites in the urine (35%) and feces (54%) within one week of an oral dose. No single excreted metabolite represents more than 5% of a dose. The plasma protein binding of itraconazole has been reported to be 99.8% and that of hydroxy-itraconazole is 99.5%.
Pregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical trials in the pregnant women with itraconazole. However, cases of congenital abnormalities have been reported with itraconazole drug products in post-marketing reports. Therefore, ONMEL should not be administered to pregnant women, women planning pregnancy, or women of child bearing potential unless these onychomycosis patients are using effective contraception measures to prevent pregnancy. Effective contraceptive measures should continue throughout the treatment period and for two months thereafter. ONMEL should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Itraconazole produced a significant dose-related increase in maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity, and teratogenicity in rats at dose levels of 40-160 mg/kg/day (2-10 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD], based on mg/m²/day comparisons), and in mice at 80 mg/kg/day (2 times MRHD, based on mg/m²/day comparisons). Teratogenic changes in rats included major skeletal defects; encephalocele and/or macroglossia developed in mice.
ONMEL contain 200 mg of itraconazole, as a white to slightly grey, oblong, biconvex tablet engraved with “BARRIER” on one side and “It 200” on the other side.
Storage And HandlingONMEL is available containing 200 mg of itraconazole, as a white to slightly grey, oblong, biconvex tablet engraved with “BARRIER” on one side and “It 200” on the other side. Each carton (NDC 0259-1420-28) contains two blister cards of 14 tablets each (NDC 0259-1420-14).
StorageStore at controlled room temperature 15° to 25°C (59° to 77°F). Excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
Manufactured by: Sanico N.V., 2300 Turnhout, Belgium. Manufactured for : Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, 4215 Tudor Lane Greensboro, NC 27410. Revised: Nov 2012
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS Congestive Heart Failure, Peripheral Edema, And Pulmonary EdemaCases of CHF, peripheral edema, and pulmonary edema have been reported with itraconazole administration among patients being treated for onychomycosis and/or systemic fungal infections.
Cardiac DysrhythmiasLife-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and/or sudden death have occurred in patients using cisapride, pimozide, levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl), methadone, or quinidine concomitantly with itraconazole and/or other CYP3A4 inhibitors. Concomitant administration of these drugs with ONMEL is contraindicated.
Cardiac DiseaseONMEL should not be administered in patients with evidence of ventricular dysfunction such as congestive heart failure (CHF) or a history of CHF.
Itraconazole has been shown to have a negative inotropic effect. When itraconazole was administered intravenously to anesthetized dogs, a dose-related negative inotropic effect was documented. In a healthy volunteer study of itraconazole injection, transient, asymptomatic decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction were observed using gated SPECT imaging; these resolved before the next infusion, 12 hours later.
For patients with risk factors for congestive heart failure, physicians should carefully review the risks and benefits of ONMEL therapy. These risk factors include cardiac disease such as ischemic and valvular disease; significant pulmonary disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and renal failure and other edematous disorders. Such patients should be informed of the signs and symptoms of CHF, should be treated with caution, and should be monitored for signs and symptoms of CHF during treatment. If signs or symptoms of CHF appear during administration of ONMEL, discontinue administration.
Hepatic EffectsItraconazole has been associated with rare cases of serious hepatotoxicity, including liver failure and death. Some of these cases had neither pre-existing liver disease nor a serious underlying medical condition, and some of these cases developed within the first week of treatment. If clinical signs or symptoms develop that are consistent with hepatotoxicity, treatment should be discontinued immediately and liver function testing performed.
In patients with elevated or abnormal liver enzymes or active liver disease, or who have experienced liver toxicity with other drugs, treatment with itraconazole is not recommended. Liver function monitoring should be done in patients with pre-existing hepatic function abnormalities or those who have experienced liver toxicity with other medications and should be considered in all patients receiving ONMEL.
Calcium Channel BlockersCalcium channel blockers can have negative inotropic effects which may be additive to those of itraconazole. In addition, itraconazole can inhibit the metabolism of calcium channel blockers. Therefore, caution should be used when co-administering itraconazole and calcium channel blockers due to an increased risk of CHF. Concomitant administration of ONMEL and nisoldipine is contraindicated.
NeuropathyIf neuropathy occurs that may be attributable to ONMEL, the treatment should be discontinued.
Hearing LossTransient or permanent hearing loss has been reported in patients receiving treatment with itraconazole. Several of these reports included concurrent administration of quinidine which is contraindicated. The hearing loss usually resolves when treatment is stopped, but can persist in some patients.
Patient Counseling Information Information For PatientsNo carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or impairment of fertility studies were conducted with ONMEL.
Itraconazole did not exhibit any carcinogenic potential in mice receiving oral doses up to 80 mg/kg/day (2 times MRHD, based on mg/m²/day comparisons) for 23 months. A slightly increased incidence of soft tissue sarcoma was observed in male rats administered 25 mg/kg/day (1.3 times MRHD, based on mg/m²/day comparisons). These tumors may have been related to hypercholesterolemia caused by chronic treatment with itraconazole in rats; hypercholesterolemia is not observed with such treatment in dogs or humans. Compared to untreated controls, female rats receiving 50 mg/kg/day (2.5 times MRHD, based on mg/m²/day comparisons) had a statistically insignificant increase in squamous cell carcinoma in lungs (2/50), an uncommon tumor in rats.
Itraconazole did not exhibit any mutagenic or genotoxic effects when evaluated in a DNA repair test (unscheduled DNA synthesis) in primary rat hepatocytes, in Ames tests (6 Salmonella strains and E. coli), in the mouse lymphoma gene mutation test, in a sex-linked recessive lethal mutation (Drosophila melanogaster) test, in chromosome aberration test (human lymphocytes), in a cell transformation assay (C3H/10T½ C18 mouse embryo fibroblasts), in a dominant lethal mutation test in male and female mice, and in micronucleus tests in mice and rats.
Itraconazole did not affect the fertility in male or female rats treated with oral doses up to 40 mg/kg/day (2 times MRHD, based on mg/m²/day comparisons); however, parental toxicity occurred at this dosage. More severe parental toxicity was observed at 160 mg/kg/day (10 times MRHD, based on mg/m²/day comparisons).
Clinical StudiesThe efficacy of ONMEL for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail was examined in a randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled, third-party blinded trial comparing ONMEL to two 100 mg itraconazole capsules and placebo tablets.
In the clinical study, 791 subjects with diagnosis of distal and/or lateral subungual onychomycosis were randomized to ONMEL (N= 593) or placebo tablets (N= 198) once daily for 12 consecutive weeks. The median age of subjects enrolled in the trial was 48 years and 75% were males. At baseline, 95.1% of subjects had onychomycosis due to T. rubrum with a baseline global severity score of 'Moderate' which was defined as a target toenail involvement ≤ 50% dystrophy and/or discoloration with clear evidence of subungual hyperkeratosis and/or onycholysis.
The primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects with a Complete Cure at Week 52, nine months after completion of study medication. A Complete Cure was defined as both a Clinical Cure (no evidence of onychomycosis in target nail; normal nail unit without subungual hyperkeratosis or onycholysis) and Mycological Cure (negative KOH and negative culture). The following table illustrates the study results for ONMEL and Placebo:
Table 7: Primary Efficacy Results at Week 52
Endpoint | ONMEL N=593 |
Placebo N=198 |
Complete Cure* | 22.3% | 1.0% |
* Complete Cure defined as Clinical Cure (no evidence of onychomycosis in target nail; normal nail unit without subungual hyperkeratosis or onycholysis) and Mycological Cure (negative KOH and negative culture) |
The Mycologic Cure rate was 44% and the Clinical Cure rate was 26% for subjects treated with ONMEL. Comparatively, the Mycological Cure rate was 6% and the Clinical Cure rate was 3% for subjects treated with Placebo Tablets.
Efficacy results comparing ONMEL to 200 mg of itraconazole capsules (two 100 mg capsules) were similar.
Use In Specific Populations Pregnancy Teratogenic effectsPregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical trials in the pregnant women with itraconazole. However, cases of congenital abnormalities have been reported with itraconazole drug products in post-marketing reports. Therefore, ONMEL should not be administered to pregnant women, women planning pregnancy, or women of child bearing potential unless these onychomycosis patients are using effective contraception measures to prevent pregnancy. Effective contraceptive measures should continue throughout the treatment period and for two months thereafter. ONMEL should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Itraconazole produced a significant dose-related increase in maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity, and teratogenicity in rats at dose levels of 40-160 mg/kg/day (2-10 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD], based on mg/m²/day comparisons), and in mice at 80 mg/kg/day (2 times MRHD, based on mg/m²/day comparisons). Teratogenic changes in rats included major skeletal defects; encephalocele and/or macroglossia developed in mice.
Nursing MothersItraconazole is excreted in human milk; therefore, the expected benefits of ONMEL therapy for the mother should be weighed against the potential risk from exposure of itraconazole to the infant.
Pediatric UseThe safety and effectiveness of ONMEL in pediatric patients have not been established. No pharmacokinetic data on ONMEL are available in children.
Geriatric UseONMEL was evaluated in 42 of 593 subjects (7.1%) greater than 65 years of age.
Transient or permanent hearing loss has been reported in elderly patients receiving treatment with itraconazole. Several of these reports included concurrent administration of quinidine which is contraindicated. Itraconazole should be used with care in elderly patients.
Renal ImpairmentLimited data are available on the use of oral itraconazole in patients with renal impairment. Caution should be exercised when ONMEL is administered to patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic ImpairmentLimited data are available on the use of oral itraconazole in patients with hepatic impairment. Caution should be exercised when ONMEL is administered to patients with hepatic impairment.
ONMEL should be taken with a full meal at the same time each day. The recommended dose is 200 mg (one tablet) once daily for 12 consecutive weeks.
Use in Patients with Renal ImpairmentLimited data are available on the use of oral itraconazole in patients with renal impairment. Caution should be exercised when ONMEL is administered to patients with renal impairment.
Use in Patients with Hepatic ImpairmentLimited data are available on the use of oral itraconazole in patients with hepatic impairment. Caution should be exercised when ONMEL is administered to patients with hepatic impairment.
Concomitant administration of ONMEL and certain drugs that are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme system (CYP3A4) or where gastrointestinal absorption is regulated by P-gp may result in increased plasma concentrations of those drugs, leading to potentially serious and/or life-threatening adverse events.
Co-administration of cisapride, dofetilide, ergot alkaloids such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergometrine (ergonovine), and methylergometrine (methylergonovine), felodipine, levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl), lovastatin, methadone, oral midazolam, nisoldipine, pimozide, quinidine, simvastatin, and triazolam with ONMEL is contraindicated.
Do not administer ONMEL for the treatment of onychomycosis to pregnant patients or to women contemplating pregnancy.
Anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity have been reported with use of itraconazole. ONMEL is contraindicated for patients who have shown hypersensitivity to itraconazole products.
Clinical Pharmacology CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY