Onsolis

Overdose

The manifestations of Onsolis overdosage are expected to be similar in nature to intravenous fentanyl and other opioids, and are an extension of its pharmacological actions with the most serious significant effect being hypoventilation.

Immediate management of opioid overdose includes removal of the Onsolis film, if still in the mouth, ensuring a patent airway, physical and verbal stimulation of the patient, and assessment of level of consciousness, ventilatory and circulatory status.

Provide ventilatory support, obtain intravenous access, and employ naloxone or other opioid antagonists as clinically indicated. The duration of respiratory depression following overdose may be longer than the effects of the opioid antagonist's action (e.g., the half-life of naloxone ranges from 30 to 81 minutes) and repeated administration may be necessary. Consult the package insert of the individual opioid antagonist for details about such use.

Provide ventilatory support and obtain intravenous access as clinically indicated. Judicious use of naloxone or another opioid antagonist may be warranted in some instances, but it is associated with the risk of precipitating an acute withdrawal syndrome.

Management of severe Onsolis overdose includes: securing a patent airway, assisting or controlling ventilation, establishing intravenous access, and GI decontamination by lavage and/or activated charcoal, once the patient's airway is secure. In the presence of hypoventilation or apnea, assist or control ventilation, and administer oxygen as indicated.

Although muscle rigidity interfering with respiration has not been seen following the use of Onsolis, this is possible with fentanyl and other opioids. If it occurs, manage by the use of assisted or controlled ventilation, by the administration of an opioid antagonist, and, as a final alternative, by the administration of a neuromuscular blocking agent.

Contraindications

Because life-threatening respiratory depression could occur at any dose in opioid non-tolerant patients, Onsolis is contraindicated in the management of acute or postoperative pain, including headache/migraine, dental pain, or use in the emergency room. This product must not be used in opioid non-tolerant patients.

Patients considered opioid tolerant are those who are taking at least: 60 mg oral morphine/day, 25 mcg transdermal fentanyl/hour, 30 mg oral oxycodone/day, 8 mg oral hydromorphone/day, 25 mg oral oxymorphone/day, or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid for a week or longer.

Onsolis is contraindicated in patients with known intolerance or hypersensitivity to any of its components or the drug fentanyl. Anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity have been reported in association with the use of other oral transmucosal fentanyl products.

Undesirable effects

The safety of Onsolis has been evaluated in 306 opioid tolerant patients with breakthrough cancer pain in the efficacy study and an open-label safety study. The mean duration of therapy was 115 days, with 32 patients treated for more than 1 year.

The adverse reactions seen with Onsolis are typical opioid side effects in a population with cancer. Frequently, opioid-associated adverse reactions will cease or decrease in intensity with continued use of Onsolis. Expect opioid side effects and manage them accordingly.

The most serious adverse reactions associated with all opioids including Onsolis are respiratory depression (potentially leading to apnea or respiratory arrest), circulatory depression, hypotension, and shock. Follow all patients for symptoms of respiratory depression.

Because the clinical trials of Onsolis were designed to evaluate safety and efficacy in treating patients with breakthrough pain associated with cancer, all patients were also taking concomitant opioids, such as sustained-release morphine, sustained-release oxycodone or transdermal fentanyl, for their persistent cancer pain. The adverse event data presented here reflect the actual percentage of patients experiencing each adverse event among patients who received Onsolis for breakthrough cancer pain along with a concomitant opioid for persistent cancer pain. There has been no attempt to correct for concomitant use of other opioids, duration of Onsolis therapy, or cancer-related symptoms. Adverse reactions are included regardless of severity.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse event rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Table 1 lists, by maximum dose received, adverse reactions with an overall frequency of 5% or greater that occurred during titration. The ability to assign a dose-response relationship to these adverse reactions is limited by the titration schedules used in these studies. Adverse reactions are listed in descending order of frequency within each body system.

Table 1 : Adverse Reactions Which Occurred During Titration at a Frequency of ≥ 5%

Table 2 lists, by successful dose, adverse reactions with an overall frequency of ≥ 5% that occurred during long-term treatment (i.e., the double-blind or open-label maintenance periods).

Table 2 : Adverse Reactions Which Occurred During Long-Term Treatment at a Frequency of ≥ 5%

In a mucositis study, a group of patients (n=7) with Grade 1 oral mucositis and a matched group of control patients (n=7) without oral mucositis were included in a clinical trial designed to support the safety of Onsolis. The adverse event profile was similar in both subsets of patients. There was no evidence that Onsolis caused or worsened oral mucosal irritation or pain in either study group.

The duration of exposure to Onsolis varied greatly, and included open-label and double-blind studies. The adverse reactions listed below represent those that were reported by ≥ 1% of patients from two clinical trials (the titration and posttitration periods) while receiving Onsolis. Events are classified by system organ class.

Cardiac disorders: tachycardia

Eye disorders: vision blurred, diplopia

Gastrointestinal disorders: nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, dysphagia, abdominal distension, intestinal obstruction, flatulence

General disorders and administration site conditions: asthenia, fatigue, malaise

Injury, poisoning and procedural complications: fall, contusion

Investigations: weight decreased, blood pressure increased

Metabolism and nutrition disorders: dehydration, decreased appetite, anorexia

Nervous system disorders: dizziness, somnolence, headache, lethargy, amnesia, sedation

Psychiatric disorders: confusional state, depression, insomnia, anxiety, hallucination, agitation, mental status changes

Renal and urinary disorders: urinary retention

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea, cough

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, rash

Vascular disorders: hypotension, hot flush, deep vein thrombosis, hypertension

Therapeutic indications

Onsolis (fentanyl buccal soluble film) is an opioid analgesic indicated for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients18 years of age and older who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. Patients considered opioid tolerant are those who are taking at least: 60 mg oral morphine/day, 25 mcg transdermal fentanyl/hour, 30 mg oral oxycodone/day, 8 mg oral hydromorphone/day, 25 mg oral oxymorphone/day, or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid for one week or longer. Patients must remain on aroundthe-clock opioids while taking ONSOLIS.

This product must not be used in opioid non-tolerant patients because life-threatening respiratory depression could occur in patients not taking chronic opiates. For this reason, Onsolis is contraindicated in the management of acute or postoperative pain, including headache/migraine, dental pain, or use in the emergency room.

Onsolis is intended to be used only in the care of opioid tolerant patients with cancer and only by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable of, and skilled in, the use of Schedule II opioids to treat cancer pain.

As a part of the TIRF REMS Access program, Onsolis may be dispensed only to outpatients enrolled in the program . For inpatient administration of Onsolis (e.g., hospitals, hospices, and long-term care facilities that prescribe for inpatient use), patient and prescriber enrollment is not required.

Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacological effects of opioid agonists include anxiolysis, euphoria, feelings of relaxation, respiratory depression, constipation, miosis, cough suppression, and analgesia. Like all pure opioid agonist analgesics, with increasing doses there is increasing analgesia, unlike with mixed agonist/antagonists or non-opioid analgesics, where there is a limit to the analgesic effect with increasing doses. With pure opioid agonist analgesics, there is no defined maximum dose; the ceiling to analgesic effectiveness is imposed only by side effects, the more serious of which may include somnolence and respiratory depression.

The analgesic effects of fentanyl are related to the blood level of the drug, if proper allowance is made for the delay into and out of the CNS (a process with a 3 to 5-minute half-life).

In general, the effective concentration and the concentration at which toxicity occurs increase with increasing tolerance with any and all opioids.

The rate of development of tolerance varies widely among individuals. As a result, the dose of Onsolis should be individually titrated to achieve the desired effect.

The precise mechanism of the analgesic action is unknown although fentanyl is known to be a mu-opioid receptor agonist. Specific CNS opioid receptors for endogenous compounds with opioid-like activity have been identified throughout the brain and spinal cord and play a role in the analgesic effects of this drug.

Fentanyl produces respiratory depression by direct action on brain stem respiratory centers. The respiratory depression involves both a reduction in the responsiveness of the brain stem to increases in carbon dioxide and to electrical stimulation.

Fentanyl causes miosis even in total darkness. Pinpoint pupils are a sign of opioid overdose but are not pathognomonic (e.g., pontine lesions of hemorrhagic or ischemic origin may produce similar findings).

Fentanyl causes a reduction in motility associated with an increase in smooth muscle tone in the antrum of the stomach and in the duodenum. Digestion of food is delayed in the small intestine and propulsive contractions are decreased. Propulsive peristaltic waves in the colon are decreased, while tone may be increased to the point of spasm resulting in constipation. Other opioid induced-effects may include a reduction in gastric, biliary and pancreatic secretions, spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, and transient elevations in serum amylase.

Fentanyl may produce a release of histamine with or without associated peripheral vasodilation. Manifestations of histamine release and/or peripheral vasodilation may include pruritus, flushing, red eyes, sweating, and/or orthostatic hypotension.

Opioid agonists have been shown to have a variety of effects on the secretion of hormones. Opioids inhibit the secretion of ACTH, cortisol, and luteinizing hormone in humans. They also stimulate prolactin secretion, growth hormone secretion, and pancreatic secretion of insulin and glucagon in humans and other species, e.g., rats and dogs. Thyroid stimulating hormone has been shown to be both inhibited and stimulated by opioids.

All opioid mu-receptor agonists, including fentanyl, produce dose-dependent respiratory depression. The risk of respiratory depression is less in patients receiving chronic opioid therapy who develop tolerance to respiratory depression and other opioid effects. During the titration phase of the clinical trials, somnolence, which may be a precursor to respiratory depression, did increase in patients who were treated with higher doses of Onsolis. Peak respiratory depressive effects may be seen as early as 15 to 30 minutes from the start of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate product administration and may persist for several hours.

Serious or fatal respiratory depression can occur even at recommended doses. Fentanyl depresses the cough reflex as a result of its CNS activity. Although not observed with oral transmucosal fentanyl products in clinical trials, fentanyl given rapidly by intravenous injection in large doses may interfere with respiration by causing rigidity in the muscles of respiration. Therefore, physicians and other healthcare providers should be aware of this potential complication.

Pharmacokinetic properties

The absorption pharmacokinetics of fentanyl from Onsolis is a combination of an initial rapid absorption from the buccal mucosa and a more prolonged absorption of swallowed fentanyl from the GI tract. Following buccal application of Onsolis, the absolute bioavailability of fentanyl was 71%. Approximately 51% of the total dose of Onsolis is absorbed from the buccal mucosa. The remaining 49% of the total dose is swallowed with the saliva and then slowly absorbed from the GI tract. Of the swallowed fentanyl, about 20% of the total dose escapes hepatic and intestinal first-pass elimination and becomes systemically available. An Onsolis film, if chewed and swallowed, will likely result in lower peak concentrations and lower bioavailability than when consumed as directed.

The absolute bioavailability study also demonstrated similar pharmacokinetics in the subsets of six male and six female adult normal volunteers.

In a study that compared the relative bioavailability of Onsolis and Actiq* (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate [OTFC]) in 12 adult normal volunteers, the rate and extent of fentanyl absorption were considerably greater with Onsolis [62% greater maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and 40% greater systemic exposure (AUCinf)] (Table 3 and Figure 1).

Table 3 : Fentanyl Plasma Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Healthy Adult Subjects Receiving Single Doses of Onsolis or Actiq

Figure 1 : Mean Fentanyl Plasma Concentration versus Time Profiles Following Single Doses of Onsolis or Actiq in Healthy Adult Subjects

In another study, dose proportionality across the range of the available dosage strengths of Onsolis was demonstrated in a balanced crossover design comparing fentanyl plasma concentrations in three dosage strengths (200, 600, and 1200 mcg) in adult normal volunteers (n=12). Mean fentanyl plasma concentrations following these three doses of Onsolis are shown in Table 4. The curves for each dose level are similar in shape with increasing doses producing increasing fentanyl plasma concentrations. Cmax and AUCinf increased in a manner that is approximately proportional to the Onsolis dose administered. The mean Cmax ranged from 0.38 ng/mL to 2.19 ng/mL over this dose range.

Table 4 : Fentanyl Plasma Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Healthy Adult Subjects Receiving Single Doses of 200-, 600-, and 1200-mcg of Onsolis

The effect of oral mucositis (Grade 1) on the pharmacokinetic profile of Onsolis was studied in a group of patients with cancer, with (n=7) and without (n=7) oral mucositis who were otherwise matched. A single 200 mcg Onsolis film was administered, followed by sampling at appropriate intervals. Summary results are presented in Table 5. Application of Onsolis on an active site of mucositis was associated with decreases in the Cmax and AUCinf that are not likely to be clinically relevant. The difference in Cmax is less than the intersubject variability and dose adjustment is not required.

Table 5 : Fentanyl Plasma Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Adult Patients with or without Mucositis Receiving Single Doses of Onsolis

Fentanyl is highly lipophilic. Animal data showed that following absorption, fentanyl is rapidly distributed to the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys and spleen followed by a slower redistribution to muscles and fat. The plasma protein binding of fentanyl is 80-85%. The main binding protein is alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, but both albumin and lipoproteins contribute to some extent. The free fraction of fentanyl increases with acidosis. The mean volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) was 4 L/kg.

Fentanyl is metabolized in the liver and in the intestinal mucosa to norfentanyl by CYP3A4 isoform. Norfentanyl was not found to be pharmacologically active in animal studies.

Fentanyl is primarily (more than 90%) eliminated by biotransformation to N-dealkylated and hydroxylated inactive metabolites. Less than 7% of the dose is excreted unchanged in the urine, and only about 1% is excreted unchanged in the feces. The metabolites are mainly excreted in the urine, while fecal excretion is less important. The total plasma clearance of fentanyl was 0.5 L/hr/kg (range 0.3 to 0.7 L/hr/kg). The terminal elimination half-life after Onsolis administration is about 14 hours.

Name of the medicinal product

Qualitative and quantitative composition

Onsolis is a buccal soluble film with a white side and a printed white side. The printed side contains a bioadhesive polymer and the active ingredient. Each strength is marked on the printed white side of the film with an identifying number. Onsolis is available in 200 mcg, 400 mcg, 600 mcg, 800 mcg, and 1200 mcg strengths.

Onsolis is supplied in individually-sealed child-resistant foil packages. The amount of fentanyl contained in Onsolis can be fatal to a child. The entire Onsolis film should be used immediately after opening the child-resistant package. Patients and their caregivers must be instructed to keep Onsolis out of the reach of children.

Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F) with excursions permitted between 15°-30°C (59°-86°F) until ready to use (see USP Controlled Room Temperature). Protect Onsolis from freezing and moisture. Do not use if the foil package has been opened.

Patients and members of their household must be instructed to dispose of any unneeded films remaining from a prescription as soon as they are no longer needed. The Onsolis film should be removed from its foil package and dropped into the toilet. This should be repeated for each Onsolis film. Flush the toilet after all unneeded films have been put into the toilet. Do not flush the Onsolis foil packages or cartons down the toilet.

Instructions for disposal are also included in Disposal of Unneeded Onsolis Films (17.2) and in the Medication Guide. If additional assistance is required, call BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. at 1- 877-579-4578.

Onsolis is supplied in five dosage strengths. Each film is individually wrapped in a child-resistant, protective foil package. These foil packages are packed 30 per carton.

Onsolis is a bilayer film with one white side and one printed white side. The dosage strength of each film is indicated by the code on the printed side of the film, and the dosage strength is marked on the foil package and the 30-film carton. See package and carton for product information.

Manufactured by Aveva Drug Delivery Systems (AnApotex Company), Miramar, Florida, 33025 USA. Marketed by BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 USA. Rev. 08/15

Special warnings and precautions for use

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

See BOXED WARNING - WARNING: RISK OF RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, MEDICATION ERRORS, ABUSE POTENTIAL

Respiratory depression is the chief hazard of opioid agonists, including fentanyl, the active ingredient in Onsolis. Respiratory depression is more likely to occur in patients with underlying respiratory disorders and elderly or debilitated patients, usually following large initial doses in opioid non-tolerant patients, or when opioids are given in conjunction with other drugs that depress respiration.

Respiratory depression from opioids is manifested by a reduced urge to breathe and a decreased rate of respiration, often associated with the “sighing” pattern of breathing (deep breaths separated by abnormally long pauses). Carbon dioxide retention from opioid-induced respiratory depression can exacerbate the sedating effects of opioids. This makes overdoses involving drugs with sedative properties and opioids especially dangerous.

When dispensing, do not substitute an Onsolis prescription for any other fentanyl product. Substantial differences exist in the pharmacokinetic profile of Onsolis compared to other fentanyl products (e.g., see Figure 1) that result in clinically important differences in the extent of absorption of fentanyl. As a result of these differences, the substitution of Onsolis for any other fentanyl product may result in fatal overdose. Onsolis is NOT a generic version of any other transmucosal fentanyl product.

Patients and their caregivers must be instructed that Onsolis contains a medicine in an amount which can be fatal in children, in individuals for whom it is not prescribed, and in those who are not opioid-tolerant. Patients and their caregivers must be instructed to keep Onsolis out of the reach of children..

Physicians and dispensing pharmacists must specifically question patients or caregivers about the presence of children in the home (on a full time or visiting basis) and counsel them regarding the dangers to children from inadvertent exposure.

The concomitant use of Onsolis with other CNS depressants, including other opioids, sedatives or hypnotics, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, skeletal muscle relaxants, sedating antihistamines, and alcoholic beverages may produce increased depressant effects (e.g., hypoventilation, hypotension, and profound sedation). Concomitant use with inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) isoform (e.g., erythromycin, ketoconazole, and certain protease inhibitors) may increase fentanyl levels, resulting in increased depressant effects.

Patients on concomitant CNS depressants must be monitored for a change in opioid effects. Consideration should be given to adjusting the dose of Onsolis if warranted.

Opioid analgesics impair the mental and/or physical ability required for the performance of potentially dangerous tasks (e.g., driving a car or operating machinery). Warn patients taking Onsolis of these dangers and counsel them accordingly.

Because potent opioids can cause respiratory depression, titrate Onsolis with caution in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or pre-existing medical conditions predisposing them to hypoventilation. In such patients, even normal therapeutic doses of Onsolis may further decrease respiratory drive to the point of respiratory failure.

Administer Onsolis with extreme caution in patients who may be particularly susceptible to the intracranial effects of CO2 retention such as those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or impaired consciousness. Opioids may obscure the clinical course of a patient with a head injury and should be used only if clinically warranted.

Intravenous fentanyl may produce bradycardia. Therefore, use Onsolis with caution in patients with bradyarrhythmias.

Onsolis is not recommended for use in patients who have received MAO inhibitors within 14 days because severe and unpredictable potentiation by MAO inhibitors has been reported with opioid analgesics.

Because of the risk for misuse, abuse, addiction, and overdose , Onsolis is available only through a restricted program called the TIRF REMS Access program. Under the TIRF REMS Access program, outpatients, prescribers who prescribe to outpatients, pharmacies, and distributors must enroll in the program. For inpatient administration (e.g. hospitals, hospices, and long-term care facilities that prescribe for inpatient use) of Onsolis, patient and prescriber enrollment is not required.

Required components of the TIRF REMS Access program are:

Healthcare professionals who prescribe Onsolis must review the prescriber educational materials for the TIRF REMS Access program, enroll in the program, and comply with the REMS requirements.

• To receive Onsolis, outpatients must understand the risks and benefits and sign a Patient-Prescriber Agreement.
• Pharmacies that dispense Onsolis must enroll in the program and agree to comply with the REMS requirements.
• Wholesalers and distributors that distribute Onsolis must enroll in the program and distribute only to authorized pharmacies.

Further information, including a list of qualified pharmacies/distributors, is available at www.TIRFREMSAccess.com or by calling 1-866-822-1483.

See FDA-Approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).

• Before initiating treatment with ONSOLIS, explain the statements below to patients and/or caregivers. Instruct patients to read the Medication Guide each time ONSOLIS is dispensed because new information may be available.
• TIRF REMS Access Program
  • Outpatients must be enrolled in the TIRF REMS Access program before they can receive Onsolis.
  • Allow patients the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns regarding Onsolis or the TIRF REMS Access program.
  • As a component of the TIRF REMS Access program, prescribers must review the contents of the Onsolis Medication Guide with every patient before initiating treatment with Onsolis.
  • Advise the patient that Onsolis is available only from pharmacies that are enrolled in the TIRF REMS Access Program, and provide them with the telephone number and website for information on how to obtain the drug.
  • Patient must sign the Patient-Prescriber Agreement to acknowledge that they understand the risks of Onsolis.
• Advise patients that they may be requested to participate in a survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the TIRF REMS Access Program.
• Instruct patients and their caregivers that Onsolis contains medicine in an amount which can be fatal in children, in individuals for whom it is not prescribed, and in those who are not opioid tolerant. Patients and their caregivers must be instructed to keep Onsolis out of the reach of children. Patients and members of their household must be instructed to dispose of any unneeded films remaining from a prescription as soon as possible.
• Instruct patients not to take Onsolis for acute pain, postoperative pain, pain from injuries, headache, migraine, or any other short-term pain, even if they have taken other opioid analgesics for these conditions.
• Instruct patients on the meaning of opioid tolerance and Onsolis is only to be used as a supplemental pain medication for patients with pain requiring regular opioids, who have developed tolerance to the opioid medication and who need additional opioid treatment of breakthrough pain episodes.
• Instruct that if they are not taking an opioid medication on a regular around-the-clock basis, they must not take Onsolis.
• Instruct patients NOT to share Onsolis and that sharing Onsolis with anyone else could result in the other individual's death due to overdose.
• Advise patients that Onsolis contains fentanyl, which is a pain medication similar to hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone.
• Instruct patients that they must wait at least 2 hours before treating a new episode of breakthrough pain with Onsolis.
• Advise patients that the active ingredient in Onsolis, fentanyl, is a drug that some people abuse. Onsolis is to be taken only by the patient for whom it was prescribed, and protected from theft or misuse in the work or home environments.
• Instruct patients to talk to their doctor if breakthrough pain is not alleviated or worsens after taking Onsolis.
• Instruct patients to use Onsolis exactly as prescribed by their doctor and not to take Onsolis more often than prescribed.
• Caution patients that Onsolis can affect a person's ability to perform activities that require a high level of attention (such as driving or using heavy machinery). Warn patients taking Onsolis of these dangers and counsel accordingly.
• Warn patients not to combine Onsolis with alcohol, sleep aids, or tranquilizers except by order of the prescribing physician, because dangerous additive effects may occur resulting in serious injury or death.
• Inform female patients that if they become pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Onsolis to ask their doctor about the effects that Onsolis (or any medicine) may have on them and their unborn child.
• Physicians and dispensing pharmacists must specifically question patients or caregivers about the presence of children in the home (on a full time or visiting basis) and counsel them regarding the dangers to children from inadvertent exposure.

Patients and members of their household must be instructed on the safe disposal of any unneeded films remaining from a prescription as soon as they are no longer needed.

To dispose of the unneeded Onsolis films:

• Remove the Onsolis film from its foil package.
• Drop the Onsolis film into the toilet.
• Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each Onsolis film. Flush the toilet after all unneeded films have been put into the toilet.

Do not flush the Onsolis foil packages or cartons down the toilet.

Detailed instructions for the proper storage, administration, disposal, and important instructions for managing an overdose of Onsolis are provided in the Medication Guide. Encourage patients to read this information in its entirety and give them an opportunity to have their questions answered.

In the event that a caregiver requires additional assistance in disposing of excess unneeded films that remain in the home after a patient has expired, instruct them to call BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. at 1-877-579-4578 or seek assistance from their local Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) office.

Long-term studies in animals have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of fentanyl.

Fentanyl citrate was not mutagenic in the in vitro Ames reverse mutation assay in S. typhimurium or E. coli or the mouse lymphoma mutagenesis assay, and was not clastogenic in the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay.

Fentanyl has been shown to impair fertility in rats at doses of 30 mcg/kg IV and 160 mcg/kg subcutaneously. Conversion to the human equivalent doses indicates that this is within the range of the human recommended dosing for Onsolis.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

Onsolis should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. No epidemiological studies of congenital anomalies in infants born to women treated with fentanyl during pregnancy have been reported.

Chronic maternal treatment with fentanyl during pregnancy has been associated with transient respiratory depression, behavioral changes, or seizures in newborn infants characteristic of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

In women treated acutely with intravenous or epidural fentanyl during labor, symptoms of neonatal respiratory or neurological depression were no more frequent than would be expected in infants of untreated mothers.

Transient neonatal muscular rigidity has been observed in infants whose mothers were treated with intravenous fentanyl.

Fentanyl is embryocidal in rats as evidenced by increased resorptions in pregnant rats at doses of 30 mcg/kg IV or 160 mcg/kg SC. Conversion to human equivalent doses indicates this is within the range of the human recommended dosing for Onsolis.

Fentanyl citrate was not teratogenic when administered to pregnant animals. In published studies, pregnant rats were treated with fentanyl (10, 100, or 500 mcg/kg/day) via implanted microosmotic minipumps from Day 7 to 21 of their 21-day gestation period. Fentanyl was not teratogenic at doses up to 500 mcg/kg/day [approximately 3-times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 1200 mcg for Onsolis per breakthrough cancer pain episode]. Intravenous administration of fentanyl (10 or 30 mcg/kg) to pregnant female rats from gestation Day 6 to 18, was embryo or fetal toxic, and caused a slightly increased mean delivery time in the 30 mcg/kg/day group, but was not teratogenic.

Fentanyl readily passes across the placenta to the fetus; therefore, do not use Onsolis during labor and delivery (including caesarean section) since it may cause respiratory depression in the fetus or in the newborn infant.

Fentanyl is excreted in human milk; therefore, Onsolis should not be used in nursing women because of the possibility of sedation and/or respiratory depression in their infants. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal may occur in infants at the cessation of nursing by women using Onsolis.

Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established.

Of the 306 opioid tolerant patients with breakthrough cancer pain in clinical studies of Onsolis, 98 (32.0%) were 65 years of age and older. There was no difference in the median titrated dose in patients aged 65 years and older compared to those < 65 years. No clinically meaningful difference was noted in the safety profile of the group 65 years of age and older as compared to younger patients in Onsolis clinical trials.

Elderly patients have been shown to be more sensitive to the effects of fentanyl when administered intravenously compared with the younger population. Therefore, exercise caution when individually titrating Onsolis in elderly patients to provide adequate efficacy while minimizing risk.

Insufficient information exists to make recommendations regarding the use of Onsolis in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function. Fentanyl is metabolized primarily via the human CYP3A4 isoenzyme system and the inactive metabolite is mostly eliminated in urine. If the drug is used in these patients, it should be used with caution because of the hepatic metabolism and renal excretion of fentanyl.

It is recommended that Onsolis be titrated to clinical effect for all patients with special care taken in patients with severe renal or hepatic disease.

Both male and female opioid tolerant patients with cancer were studied for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain. No clinically relevant gender differences were noted either in dosage requirement or in observed adverse reactions.

Dosage (Posology) and method of administration

Healthcare professionals who prescribe Onsolis on an outpatient basis must enroll in the TIRF REMS Access program and comply with the requirements of the REMS to ensure safe use of Onsolis.

As with all opioids, the safety of patients using such products is dependent on healthcare professionals prescribing them in strict conformity with their approved labeling with respect to patient selection, dosing, and proper conditions for use.

The goal of dose titration is to find the individual patient's effective and tolerable dose. The dose of Onsolis is not predicted from the daily maintenance dose of opioid used to manage the persistent cancer pain and MUST be determined by dose titration.

Individually titrate Onsolis to a dose that provides adequate analgesia with tolerable side effects. All patients MUST begin treatment using one 200 mcg Onsolis film. Due to differences in pharmacokinetic properties and individual variability, patients switching from another oral transmucosal fentanyl product must be started on no greater than 200 mcg of Onsolis. When prescribing, do not switch patients on a mcg per mcg basis from any other oral transmucosal fentanyl product to Onsolis as Onsolis is not equivalent on a mcg per mcg basis with any other fentanyl product. Onsolis is NOT a generic version of any other oral transmucosal fentanyl product.

From the initial dose, closely follow patients and change the dosage level until the patient reaches a dose that provides adequate analgesia.

If adequate pain relief is not achieved after one 200 mcg Onsolis film, titrate using multiples of the 200 mcg Onsolis film (for doses of 400, 600, or 800 mcg). Increase the dose by 200 mcg in each subsequent episode until the patient reaches a dose that provides adequate analgesia with tolerable side effects. Do not use more than four of the 200 mcg Onsolis films simultaneously. When multiple 200 mcg Onsolis films are used, they should not be placed on top of each other and may be placed on both sides of the mouth.

If adequate pain relief is not achieved after 800 mcg Onsolis (i.e., four 200 mcg Onsolis films), and the patient has tolerated the 800 mcg dose, treat the next episode by using one 1200 mcg Onsolis film. Doses above 1200 mcg Onsolis should not be used.

Once adequate pain relief is achieved with a dose between 200 and 800 mcg Onsolis, the patient should use or safely dispose of all remaining 200 mcg Onsolis films. Patients who require 1200 mcg Onsolis, should dispose of all remaining unused 200 mcg Onsolis films. The patient should then get a prescription for Onsolis films of the dose determined by titration (i.e., 200, 400, 600, 800, or 1200 mcg) to treat subsequent episodes.

Single doses should be separated by at least 2 hours. Onsolis should only be used once per breakthrough cancer pain episode, i.e., Onsolis should not be redosed within an episode.

During any episode of breakthrough cancer pain, if adequate pain relief is not achieved after Onsolis, the patient may use a rescue medication (after 30 minutes) as directed by their healthcare provider.

Dose Titration

During maintenance treatment, if the prescribed dose no longer adequately manages the breakthrough cancer pain episode for several consecutive episodes, increase the dose of Onsolis as described in Dose Titration (2.1). Once a successful dose has been found, each episode is treated with a single film. Onsolis should be limited to four or fewer doses per day. Consider increasing the dose of the around-the-clock opioid medicine used for persistent cancer pain in patients experiencing more than four breakthrough cancer pain episodes daily.

Use the tongue to wet the inside of the cheek or rinse the mouth with water to wet the area for placement of Onsolis. Open the Onsolis package immediately prior to product use. Place the entire Onsolis film near the tip of a dry finger with the printed side facing up and hold in place. Place the printed side of the Onsolis film against the inside of the cheek. Press and hold the Onsolis film in place for 5 seconds. The Onsolis film should stay in place on its own after this period. Liquids may be consumed after 5 minutes.

An Onsolis film, if chewed and swallowed, might result in lower peak concentrations and lower bioavailability than when used as directed.

The Onsolis film should not be cut or torn prior to use.

The Onsolis film will dissolve within 15 to 30 minutes after application. The film should not be manipulated with the tongue or finger(s) and eating food should be avoided until the film has dissolved.

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

The safety of Onsolis has been evaluated in 306 opioid tolerant patients with breakthrough cancer pain in the efficacy study and an open-label safety study. The mean duration of therapy was 115 days, with 32 patients treated for more than 1 year.

The adverse reactions seen with Onsolis are typical opioid side effects in a population with cancer. Frequently, opioid-associated adverse reactions will cease or decrease in intensity with continued use of Onsolis. Expect opioid side effects and manage them accordingly.

The most serious adverse reactions associated with all opioids including Onsolis are respiratory depression (potentially leading to apnea or respiratory arrest), circulatory depression, hypotension, and shock. Follow all patients for symptoms of respiratory depression.

Because the clinical trials of Onsolis were designed to evaluate safety and efficacy in treating patients with breakthrough pain associated with cancer, all patients were also taking concomitant opioids, such as sustained-release morphine, sustained-release oxycodone or transdermal fentanyl, for their persistent cancer pain. The adverse event data presented here reflect the actual percentage of patients experiencing each adverse event among patients who received Onsolis for breakthrough cancer pain along with a concomitant opioid for persistent cancer pain. There has been no attempt to correct for concomitant use of other opioids, duration of Onsolis therapy, or cancer-related symptoms. Adverse reactions are included regardless of severity.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse event rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Table 1 lists, by maximum dose received, adverse reactions with an overall frequency of 5% or greater that occurred during titration. The ability to assign a dose-response relationship to these adverse reactions is limited by the titration schedules used in these studies. Adverse reactions are listed in descending order of frequency within each body system.

Table 1 : Adverse Reactions Which Occurred During Titration at a Frequency of ≥ 5%

Table 2 lists, by successful dose, adverse reactions with an overall frequency of ≥ 5% that occurred during long-term treatment (i.e., the double-blind or open-label maintenance periods).

Table 2 : Adverse Reactions Which Occurred During Long-Term Treatment at a Frequency of ≥ 5%

In a mucositis study, a group of patients (n=7) with Grade 1 oral mucositis and a matched group of control patients (n=7) without oral mucositis were included in a clinical trial designed to support the safety of Onsolis. The adverse event profile was similar in both subsets of patients. There was no evidence that Onsolis caused or worsened oral mucosal irritation or pain in either study group.

The duration of exposure to Onsolis varied greatly, and included open-label and double-blind studies. The adverse reactions listed below represent those that were reported by ≥ 1% of patients from two clinical trials (the titration and posttitration periods) while receiving Onsolis. Events are classified by system organ class.

Cardiac disorders: tachycardia

Eye disorders: vision blurred, diplopia

Gastrointestinal disorders: nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, dysphagia, abdominal distension, intestinal obstruction, flatulence

General disorders and administration site conditions: asthenia, fatigue, malaise

Injury, poisoning and procedural complications: fall, contusion

Investigations: weight decreased, blood pressure increased

Metabolism and nutrition disorders: dehydration, decreased appetite, anorexia

Nervous system disorders: dizziness, somnolence, headache, lethargy, amnesia, sedation

Psychiatric disorders: confusional state, depression, insomnia, anxiety, hallucination, agitation, mental status changes

Renal and urinary disorders: urinary retention

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea, cough

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, rash

Vascular disorders: hypotension, hot flush, deep vein thrombosis, hypertension

Fentanyl is metabolized mainly via the human CYP3A4 isoenzyme system; therefore potential interactions may occur when Onsolis is given concurrently with agents that affect CYP3A4 activity.

The concomitant use of Onsolis with CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, saquinavir, telithromycin, aprepitant, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole, grapefruit juice, verapamil, or cimetidine) may result in a potentially dangerous increase in fentanyl plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong adverse drug effects and may cause potentially fatal respiratory depression. Patients receiving Onsolis who begin therapy with, or increase the dose of, CYP3A4 inhibitors should be carefully monitored for signs of opioid toxicity over an extended period of time. Dosage increase should be done conservatively.

The concomitant use of Onsolis with CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., barbiturates, carbamazepine, efavirenz, glucocorticoids, modafinil, nevirapine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pioglitazone, rifabutin, rifampin, St. John's wort, or troglitazone) may result in a decrease in fentanyl plasma concentrations, which could decrease the efficacy of Onsolis. Patients receiving Onsolis who stop therapy with, or decrease the dose of, CYP3A4 inducers should be monitored for signs of increased Onsolis activity and the dose of Onsolis should be adjusted accordingly.

Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance that can produce drug dependence of the morphine type. Onsolis may be subject to misuse, abuse and addiction.

Manage the handling of Onsolis to minimize the risk of abuse, including restriction of access and accounting procedures as appropriate to the clinical setting and as required by law.

Concerns about abuse and addiction should not prevent the proper management of pain. However, all patients treated with opioids require careful monitoring for signs of abuse and addiction, because use of opioid analgesic products carries the risk of addiction even under appropriate medical use.

Addiction is a primary, chronic, neurobiologic disease, with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. Drug addiction is a treatable disease, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, but relapse is common. “Drug-seeking” behavior is very common in addicts and drug abusers.

Abuse and addiction are separate and distinct from physical dependence and tolerance. Physicians should be aware that addiction may not be accompanied by concurrent tolerance and symptoms of physical dependence in all addicts. In addition, abuse of opioids can occur in the absence of addiction and is characterized by misuse for nonmedical purposes, often in combination with other psychoactive substances. Since Onsolis may be abused for non-medical use, careful record keeping of prescribing information, including quantity, frequency, and renewal requests is strongly advised.

Proper assessment of patients, proper prescribing practices, periodic reevaluation of therapy, and proper dispensing and storage are appropriate measures that help to limit abuse of opioid drugs.

Healthcare professionals should contact their State Professional Licensing Board or State Controlled Substances Authority for information on how to prevent and detect abuse of this product.

Guide the administration of Onsolis by the response of the patient.

Physical dependence is not ordinarily a concern when one is treating a patient with chronic cancer pain, and fear of tolerance and physical dependence should not deter using doses that adequately relieve the pain.

Opioid analgesics may cause physical dependence. Physical dependence results in withdrawal symptoms in patients who abruptly discontinue the drug.

Withdrawal also may be precipitated through the administration of drugs with opioid antagonist activity, e.g., naloxone, nalmefene, or mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics (pentazocine, butorphanol, buprenorphine, nalbuphine).

Physical dependence usually does not occur to a clinically significant degree until after several weeks of continued opioid usage. Tolerance, in which increasingly larger doses are required in order to produce the same degree of analgesia, is initially manifested by a shortened duration of analgesic effect, and subsequently, by decreases in the intensity of analgesia.