Osmanil

Overdose

Symptoms

The manifestations of fentanyl overdosage are an extension of its pharmacologic actions, the most serious effect being respiratory depression.

Treatment

For management of respiratory depression, immediate countermeasures include removing the Osmanil patch and physically or verbally stimulating the patient. These actions can be followed by administration of a specific opioid antagonist such as naloxone.

Respiratory depression following an overdose may outlast the duration of action of the opioid antagonist. The interval between IV antagonist doses should be carefully chosen because of the possibility of re-narcotization after the patch is removed; repeated administration or a continuous infusion of naloxone may be necessary. Reversal of the narcotic effect may result in acute onset of pain and release of catecholamines.

If the clinical situation warrants, a patent airway should be established and maintained, possibly with an oropharyngeal airway or endotracheal tube, and oxygen should be administered and respiration assisted or controlled, as appropriate. Adequate body temperature and fluid intake should be maintained.

If severe or persistent hypotension occurs, hypovolemia should be considered, and the condition should be managed with appropriate parenteral fluid therapy.

Shelf life

36 months

Contraindications

- Osmanil transdermal patch is a sustained-release preparation indicated for the treatment of chronic intractable pain and is contraindicated in acute or postoperative pain because there is no opportunity for dosage titration during short-term use and the possibility of serious or life-threatening respiratory depression.

- Severe impairment of the central nervous system.

- Severe respiratory depression.

Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

List of excipients

Adhesive layer

Polyacrylate adhesive layer

Backing film

Polypropylene foil

Blue printing ink

Release liner

Polyethylene terephthalate foil (siliconised)

Pharmaceutical form

Transdermal patch

Transparent and colourless patch with blue imprint on the backing foil: “fentanyl 100 µg/h”.

Undesirable effects

The safety of fentanyl was evaluated in 1854 adult and paediatric subjects who participated in 11 clinical trials (double-blind fentanyl [placebo or active control] and/or open label fentanyl [no control or active control]) used for the management of chronic malignant or non-malignant pain. These subjects took at least 1 dose of fentanyl and provided safety data. Based on pooled safety data from these clinical trials, the most commonly reported (ie >10% incidence) adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were (with % incidence): nausea (35.7%), vomiting (23.2%), constipation (23.1%), somnolence (15.0%), dizziness (13.1%), headache (11.8%) and insomnia (10.2%).

The ADRs reported with the use of fentanyl from these clinical trials, including the above-mentioned ADRs, and from post-marketing experiences are listed below in Table A.

The displayed frequency categories use the following convention:

Very common (>1/10), Common (>1/100 to <1/10), Uncommon (>1/1000 to <1/100), Rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1000), Very rare (<1/10,000), Not known (cannot be estimated from the available clinical trial data).

Paediatric subjects

The adverse event profile in children and adolescents treated with transdermal fentanyl was similar to that observed in adults. No risk was identified in the paediatric population beyond that expected with the use of opioids for the relief of pain associated with serious illness and there does not appear to be any paediatric-specific risk associated with transdermal fentanyl use in children as young as 2 years old when used as directed. Very common adverse events reported in paediatric clinical trials were fever, vomiting, and nausea.

The safety of fentanyl transdermal patch was evaluated in 289 paediatric subjects (<18 years) who participated in 3 clinical trials for the management of chronic or continuous pain of malignant or non-malignant origin. These subjects took at least one dose of fentanyl transdermal patch and provided safety data. Although the enrolment criteria for the paediatric studies restricted enrolment to subjects who were a minimum of 2 years of age, 2 subjects in these studies received their first dose of fentanyl transdermal patch at an age of 23 months.

Based on pooled safety data from these 3 clinical trials in paediatric subjects, the most commonly reported (ie >10% incidence) Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) were (with % incidence): vomiting (33.9%), nausea (23.5%), headache (16.3%), constipation (13.5%), diarrhoea (12.8%), and pruritus (12.8%). Table B displays all ADRs reported in fentanyl transdermal patch-treated paediatric subjects in the aforementioned clinical trials.

The ADRs for the paediatric population presented in Table B were assigned to frequency categories using the same conventions as used for Table A.

As with other opioid analgesics, tolerance, physical dependence, and psychological dependence can develop on repeated use of fentanyl transdermal patch .

Opioid withdrawal symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anxiety, and shivering) are possible in some patients after conversion from their previous opioid analgesic to fentanyl transdermal patch or if therapy is stopped suddenly .

There have been reports of newborn infants experiencing neonatal withdrawal syndrome when mothers chronically used fentanyl transdermal patch during pregnancy .

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at : www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Preclinical safety data

In vitro fentanyl showed, like other opioid analgesics, mutagenic effects in a mammalian cell culture assay, only at cytotoxic concentrations and along with metabolic activation. Fentanyl showed no evidence of mutagenicity when tested in in vivo rodent studies and bacterial assays.

In a two-year carcinogenicity study conducted in rats, fentanyl was not associated with an increased incidence of tumours at subcutaneous doses up to 33 µg/kg/day in males or 100 µg/kg/day in females. The overall exposure (AUC0-24 h) achieved in this study was <40% of that likely to be achieved clinically at the highest dose strength of fentanyl transdermal patch, 100 mcg/h, due to the maximum tolerated plasma concentrations in rats.

Fentanyl was assessed for effects on fetal development in the rat and rabbit. Some tests on female rats showed reduced fertility as well as embryo mortality and transient development delays. These findings were related to maternal toxicity and not a direct effect of the drug on the developing embryo. These changes were observed at steady-state plasma concentrations equivalent to (Css, rat / Css, human = 1.1) and daily exposures slightly greater (AUC0-24, rat / AUC0-24, human = 1.5) than those observed in the clinic following use of the 100 mcg/h patch. No effects were observed in the rabbit, where a maximum plasma concentration 6.6-fold the human steady-state fentanyl plasma concentration was achieved. The daily exposure ratio (AUC4-24, rabbit / AUC0-24, human = 1.1) was equivalent to those observed in the clinic following use of the 100 mcg/h patch. There was no evidence of teratogenic effects.

Therapeutic indications

Fentanyl transdermal patch is indicated

Adults

- in severe chronic pain which can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics.

Children

- long term management of severe chronic pain in children receiving opioid therapy from 2 years of age.

Pharmacotherapeutic group

Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: opioids; Phenylpiperidine derivatives, ATC code: N02AB03

Fentanyl is an opioid analgesic with a high affinity for the μ-opioid receptor.

Paediatric patients

The safety of transdermal fentanyl was evaluated in three open-label trials in 289 paediatric patients with chronic pain, 2 years of age through to 18 years of age, of which 66 children were aged to 2 to 6 years. In these studies, 30 mg to 44 mg oral morphine per day was replaced by one patch with a release rate of 12 micrograms/h. Starting doses of 25 micrograms/h and higher were used by 181 patients who had been on prior daily opioid doses of at least 45 mg per dose of oral morphine.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Adults

provides continuous systemic delivery of fentanyl over the 72 hour administration period. Fentanyl is released at a relatively constant rate. The concentration gradient existing between the matrix and the lower concentration in the skin drives drug release.

After the first application of Osmanil, serum fentanyl concentrations increase gradually, generally levelling off between 12 and 24 hours, and remaining relatively constant for the remainder of the 72-hour application period. The serum fentanyl concentrations attained are proportional to the fentanyl transdermal patch size. By the second 72-hour application, a steady state serum concentration is reached and is maintained during subsequent applications of a patch of the same size.

A pharmacokinetic model has suggested that serum fentanyl concentrations may increase by 14% (range 0- 26%) if a new patch is applied after 24 hours rather than the recommended 72-hour application.

Distribution

The plasma-protein binding of fentanyl is about 84 %.

Biotransformation

Fentanyl is a high clearance drug and is rapidly and extensively metabolised primarily by CYP3A4 in the liver. The major metabolite, norfentanyl, is inactive. Skin does not appear to metabolise fentanyl delivered transdermally. This was determined in a human keratinocyte cell assay and in clinical studies in which 92% of the dose delivered from the system was accounted for as unchanged fentanyl that appeared in the systemic circulation.

Elimination

After Osmanil is removed, serum fentanyl concentrations decline gradually, falling about 50 % in about 17 (range 13-22) hours following a 24-hour application. Following a 72-hour application, the mean half-life ranges from 20-27 hours. Continued absorption of fentanyl from the skin accounts for a slower disappearance of the drug from the serum concentration than is seen after an IV infusion, where the apparent half-life is approximately 7 (range 3-12 hours). Fentanyl is metabolized primarily in the liver. Within 72 hours of IV fentanyl administration, approximately 75 % of the fentanyl dose is excreted into the urine, mostly as metabolites, with less than 10 % as unchanged active substance. About 9 % of the dose is recovered in the faeces, primarily as metabolites. Mean values for unbound fractions of fentanyl in plasma are estimated to be between 13 and 21 %.

Special populations

Data from intravenous studies with fentanyl suggest that elderly patients may have reduced clearance, a prolonged half-life, and they may be more sensitive to the drug than younger patients. In a study conducted with fentanyl transdermal patch, healthy elderly subjects had fentanyl pharmacokinetics which did not differ significantly from healthy young subjects, although peak serum concentrations tended to be lower and mean half-life values were prolonged to approximately 34 hours. Elderly patients should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose reduced if necessary .

Paediatric patients

Adjusting for body weight, clearance (l/hr/kg) in paediatric patients, appears to be 82 % higher in children 2 to 5 years old and 25 % higher in children 6 to 10 years old when compared to children 11 to 16 years old, who are likely to have the same clearance as adults. These findings have been taken into consideration in determining the dosing recommendations for paediatric patients.

Hepatic impairment

In a study conducted with patients with hepatic cirrhosis, the pharmacokinetics of a single 50 μg/hr application of fentanyl transdermal patch were assessed. Although tmax and t1/2 were not altered, the mean plasma Cmax and AUC values increased by approximately 35% and 73%, respectively, in these patients. Patients with hepatic impairment should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose of fentanyl transdermal patch reduced if necessary .

Renal impairment

Data obtained from a study administering IV fentanyl in patients undergoing renal transplantation suggest that the clearance of fentanyl may be reduced in this patient population. If patients with renal impairment receive fentanyl transdermal patch, they should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose reduced if necessary .

Date of revision of the text

08/09/14

Name of the medicinal product

Osmanil 100 micrograms/h transdermal patch

Marketing authorisation holder

Winthrop Pharmaceuticals UK Limited

One Onslow Strret

Guildford

Surrey

GU1 4YS

United Kingdom

Trading as: Winthrop Pharmaceuticals, PO Box 611, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4YS

Or

Trading as: Zentiva, One Onslow Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4YS, UK

Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 30°C.

Nature and contents of container

Each transdermal patch is packed in a separate sachet.

- Sachets made of composite foil containing the following layers from outside to inside:

coated Kraft paper, low density polyethylene foil, aluminium foil, Surlyn (thermoplastic ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer).

Pack containing 3, 5, 10 or 20 transdermal patches

- Child resistant sachets made of composite foil containing the following layers from outside to inside:

PET foil, adhesive, aluminium foil, adhesive, Surlyn (ionomer-coex foil).

Pack containing 3, 5, 10 or 20 transdermal patches

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL 17780/0316

Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

There are no adequate data from the use of Osmanil in pregnant women.).4, Special warnings and precautions for use). Moreover, because fentanyl passes through the placenta, the use of Osmanil during childbirth might result in respiratory depression in the newborn infant.

Fentanyl is excreted into breast milk and may cause sedation and respiratory depression in the breastfed infant. Breastfeeding should therefore be discontinued during treatment with Osmanil and for at least 72 hours after removal of the patch.

Qualitative and quantitative composition

Each patch release 100 micrograms fentanyl per hour.

Special warnings and precautions for use

PATIENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS SHOULD BE MONITORED FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS AFTER OSMANIL REMOVAL OR MORE AS CLINICAL SYMPTOMS DICTATE BECAUSE SERUM FENTANYL CONCENTRATIONS DECLINE GRADUALLY AND ARE REDUCED BY ABOUT 50% 17 (RANGE 13-22) HOURS LATER.

Osmanil should be kept out of reach and sight of children at all times before and after use.

Do not cut Osmanil patches. A patch that has been divided, cut, or damaged in any way should not be used.

Use of Osmanil in opioid-naïve patients has been associated with very rare cases of significant respiratory depression and/or fatality when used as initial opioid therapy. The potential for serious or life-threatening hypoventilation exists even if the lowest dose of Osmanil is used in initiating therapy in opioid-naïve patients. It is recommended that Osmanil be used in patients who have demonstrated opioid tolerance.

When Osmanil is administered for chronic intractable pain that will require prolonged treatment, it is strongly recommended that the physician defines treatment outcomes with regards to pain relief and functional improvement in accordance with locally defined pain management guidelines. Physician and patient should agree to discontinue treatment if these objectives are not met.

Respiratory depression

As with all potent opioids, some patients may experience significant respiratory depression with Osmanil; patients must be observed for these effects.).

Serotonin syndrome

Caution is advised when Osmanil is coadministered with drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter systems.

The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with the concomitant use of serotonergic drugs such as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin Norepinephrine Re-uptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), and with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors [MAOIs]). This may occur within the recommended dose.

Serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular abnormalities (e.g. hyper-reflexia, incoordination, rigidity), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea).

If serotonin syndrome is suspected, rapid discontinuation of Osmanil should be considered.

Chronic pulmonary disease

Fentanyl, like other opioids may have more severe adverse effects in patients with chronic obstructive or other pulmonary disease. In such patients, opioids may decrease respiratory drive and increase airway resistance.

Drug dependence and potential for abuse

Tolerance, physical dependence and psychological dependence may develop upon repeated administration of opioids such as fentanyl. Iatrogenic addiction following opioid administration is rare. Patients with a prior history of drug dependence/alcohol abuse are more at risk to develop dependence and abuse in opioid treatment. Patients at increased risk of opioid abuse may still be appropriately treated with modified-release opioid formulations; however, these patients will require monitoring for signs of misuse, abuse, or addiction. Fentanyl can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists. Abuse or intentional misuse of Osmanil may result in overdose and/or death.

Increased intracranial pressure

Osmanil should be used with caution in patients who may be particularly susceptible to the intracranial effects of CO2 retention such as those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure, impaired consciousness or coma. Osmanil Daishould be used with caution in patients with brain tumours.

Cardiac disease

Fentanyl may produce bradycardia and Osmanil should therefore be administered with caution to patients with bradyarrhythmias.

Opioids may cause hypotension, especially in patients with acute hypovolaemia. Underlying, symptomatic hypotension and/or hypovolaemia should be corrected before treatment with fentanyl transdermal patches is initiated.

Hepatic impairment

Because fentanyl is metabolised to inactive metabolites in the liver, hepatic impairment might delay its elimination.).

Renal impairment

Less than 10 % of fentanyl is excreted unchanged by the kidney and, unlike morphine, there are no known active metabolites eliminated by the kidney.).

Patients with fever/external heat

A pharmacokinetic model suggests that serum fentanyl concentrations may increase by about one-third if the skin temperature increases to 40° C. Therefore, patients with fever should be monitored for opioid side effects and the Osmanil dose should be adjusted if necessary.

There is a potential for temperature-dependent increases in fentanyl released from the system resulting in possible overdose and death. A clinical pharmacology trial conducted in healthy adult subjects has shown that the application of heat over the Osmanil system increased mean fentanyl AUC values by 120% and mean Cmax values by 61%.

All patients should be advised to avoid exposing the Osmanil application site to direct external heat sources such as heating pads, hot water bottles, electric blankets, heated water beds, heat or tanning lamps, intensive sunbathing, prolonged hot baths, saunas or hot whirlpool spa baths while wearing the patch, since there is potential for temperature dependent increases in release of fentanyl from the patch.

Interactions with other medicinal products:

Interactions with CYP3A4 inhibitors:

The concomitant use of Osmanil with cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole, troleandomycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, nelfinavir, nefazodone, verapamil, diltiazem, and amiodarone) may result in an increase in fentanyl plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong both the therapeutic and adverse effects, and may cause serious respiratory depression. In this situation special patient care and observation are appropriate. Therefore the concomitant use of transdermal fentanyl and cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors is not recommended unless the patient is closely monitored. Patients, especially those who are receiving Osmanil and CYP3A4 inhibitors, should be monitored for signs of respiratory depression and dosage adjustments should be made if warranted.

Accidental exposure by patch transfer

Accidental transfer of a fentanyl patch to the skin of a non- patch wearer (particularly a child), while sharing a bed or being in close physical contact with a patch wearer, may result in an opioid overdose for the non-patch wearer. Patients should be advised that if accidental patch transfer occurs, the transferred patch must be removed immediately from the skin of the non-patch wearer..

Use in elderly patients

Data from intravenous studies with fentanyl suggest that elderly patients may have reduced clearance, a prolonged half-life, and they may be more sensitive to the drug than younger patients.).

Gastrointestinal tract

Opioids increase the tone and decrease the propulsive contractions of the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract. The resultant prolongation in gastrointestinal transit time may be responsible for the constipating effect of fentanyl. Patients should be advised on measures to prevent constipation and prophylactic laxative use should be considered. Extra caution should be used in patients with chronic constipation. If paralytic ileus is present or suspected, treatment with Osmanil should be stopped.

Use in paediatric patients

Transdermal fentanyl has not been studied in children under 2 years of age and so should not be used in these children.).

To guard against accidental ingestion by children, use caution when choosing the application site for transdermal fentanyl patches and monitor adhesion of the patch closely.

Patch disposal

Used patches may contain significant residues of active substance. After removal, therefore, used patches should be folded firmly in half, adhesive side inwards, so that the adhesive is not exposed, and then discarded safely and out of the reach of children according to the instructions in the pack.

Lactation

Patients with myasthenia gravis

Non-epileptic (myo)clonic reactions can occur. Caution should be exercised when treating patients with myasthenia gravis.

Concomitant use of mixed agonists/antagonists

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Osmanil may impair the mental and/or physical ability required to perform potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery.

This medicine can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient's ability to drive safely. This class of medicine is in the list of drugs included in regulations under 5a of the Road Traffic Act 1988. When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told:

- The medicine is likely to affect your ability to drive

- Do not drive until you know how the medicine affects you

- It is an offence to drive while under the influence of this medicine

- However, you would not be committing an offence (called 'statutory defence') if:

o The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem and

o You have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber and in the information provided with the medicine and

o It was not affecting your ability to drive safely

Dosage (Posology) and method of administration

Posology

Initial dose selection

The appropriate initiating dose of Osmanil transdermal patch should be based on the patient's current opioid use. It is recommended that Osmanil transdermal patch be used in patients who have demonstrated opioid tolerance. Other factors to be considered are the current general condition and medical status of the patient, including body size, age and extent of debilitation as well as degree of opioid tolerance.

Adults:

Opioid-tolerant patients

To convert opioid-tolerant patients from oral or parenteral opioids to Osmanil transdermal patch refer to Equianalgesic potency conversion below. The dosage may subsequently be titrated upwards or downwards, if required, in increments of either 12.5 or 25 micrograms/hr to achieve the lowest appropriate dose of Osmanil transdermal patch depending on response and supplementary analgesic requirements.

Opioid-naïve patients

In strong opioid-naive patients, the normal initial Osmanil transdermal patch dosage should not exceed 25 micrograms/h.

Clinical experience with Osmanil transdermal patch is limited in opioid-naive patients.).

Equianalgesic potency conversion

1. Calculate the previous 24-hour analgesic requirement.

2. Convert this amount to the equianalgesic oral morphine dose using Table 1. All IM and oral doses in this chart are considered equivalent to 10 mg of IM morphine in analgesic effect.

3. To derive the dosage of Osmanil transdermal patch corresponding to the calculated 24-hour, equianalgesic morphine dosage, use the dosage-conversion Table 2 or Table 3 as follows:

Table 2 is for adult patients who have been stabilised on oral morphine or another immediate-release opioid over several weeks and who need opioid rotation (conversion ratio of oral morphine to transdermal fentanyl approximately equal to 150:1).

Table 3 is for highly opioid-tolerant adult patients who have been on a stable and well-tolerated opioid regimen for a long period, and who need opioid rotation (conversion ratio of oral morphine to transdermal fentanyl approximately equal to 100:1).

Tables 2 and 3 should not be used to switch from transdermal fentanyl to another opioid treatment.

Table 1: Equianalgesic potency conversion

* Based on single-dose studies in which an IM dose of each drug listed was compared with morphine to establish the relative potency. Oral doses are those recommended when changing from a parenteral to an oral route.

** The oral/IM potency for morphine is based on clinical experience in patients with chronic pain.

Reference: Adapted from Foley KM. The treatment of cancer pain. NEJM 1985; 313 (2): 84-95, with updates.

Table 2: Recommended starting dosage of Osmanil transdermal patch based upon daily oral morphine dosage1 (for patients stabilised on oral morphine or immediate release opioid for several weeks and who need opioid rotation)

1 In clinical trials these ranges of daily oral morphine dosages were used as a basis for conversion to fentanyl transdermal patch.

Table 3: Recommended starting dosage of Osmanil transdermal patch based upon daily oral morphine dosage (for patients on stable and well tolerated opioid therapy for long periods and who need opioid rotation)

Previous analgesic therapy should be phased out gradually from the time of the first patch application until analgesic efficacy with Osmanil transdermal patch is attained. For both strong opioid-naive and opioid tolerant patients, the initial evaluation of the analgesic effect of Osmanil transdermal patch should not be made until the patch has been worn for 24 hours due to the gradual increase in serum fentanyl concentrations up to this time.

Dose titration and maintenance therapy

The Osmanil patch should be replaced every 72 hours. The dose should be titrated individually until a balance between analgesic efficacy and tolerability is attained. In patients who experience a marked decrease in the period 48-72 hours after application, replacement of fentanyl after 48 hours may be necessary. If analgesia is insufficient at the end of the initial application period, the dose may be increased. Dose adjustment, when necessary, should normally be performed in the following titration steps from 25 micrograms/hour up to 75 micrograms/hour: 25 micrograms/hour, 37.5 micrograms/hour, 50 micrograms/hour, 62.5 micrograms/hour and 75 micrograms/hour; thereafter dose adjustments should normally be performed in 25 micrograms/hour increments, although the supplementary analgesic requirements (oral morphine 90 mg/day ≈ Osmanil 25 micrograms/hour) and pain status of the patient should be taken into account. More than one Osmanil patch may be used to achieve the desired dose. Patients may require periodic supplemental doses of a short-acting analgesic for 'breakthrough' pain. Additional or alternative methods of analgesia should be considered when the Osmanil dose exceeds 300 micrograms/hour.

Discontinuation of Osmanil transdermal patch

If discontinuation of Osmanil is necessary, any replacement with other opioids should be gradual, starting at a low dose and increasing slowly. This is because fentanyl concentrations fall gradually after Osmail is removed, it takes 17 hours or more for the fentanyl serum concentration to decrease 50 %. As a general rule, the discontinuation of opioid analgesia should be gradual, in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms are possible in some patients after conversion or dose adjustment.

Table 2 and Table 3 should not be used to convert from Osmanil transdermal patch to other therapies to avoid overestimating the new analgesic dose and potentially causing overdose.

Use in elderly patients

Data from intravenous studies with fentanyl suggest that elderly patients may have reduced clearance, a prolonged half-life and they may be more sensitive to the drug than younger patients. Elderly, cachectic, or debilitated patients should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose reduced if necessary.

Paediatric population

Children aged 16 years and above: follow adult dosage

Children aged 2 to 16 years old:

Osmanil should be administered only to opioid-tolerant paediatric patients (ages 2 to 16 years) who are already receiving at least 30 mg oral morphine equivalents per day. To convert paediatric patients from oral opioids to Osmanil refer to Table 4 Recommended Osmanil dose based upon daily oral morphine dose.

Table 4: Recommended Osmanil dose based upon daily oral morphine dose1

1In clinical trials these ranges of daily oral morphine doses were used as a basis for conversion to Osmanil

2Conversion to Osmanil doses greater than 25 micrograms/h is the same for adult and paediatric patients

For children who receive more than 90 mg oral morphine a day, only limited information is currently available from clinical trials.).

Dose titration and maintenance

If the analgesic effect of Osmanil is insufficient, supplementary morphine or another short-duration opioid should be administered. Depending on the additional analgesic needs and the pain status of the child, it may be decided to increase the dose. Dose adjustments should be done in 12 micrograms/hour steps.

Method of administration

For transdermal use

Osmanil should be applied to non-irritated and non-irradiated skin on a flat surface of the torso or upper arm. In young children, the upper back is the preferred location to apply the patch, to minimise the potential of the child removing the patch. A non-hairy area should be selected. If this is not possible, hair at the application site should be clipped (not shaved) prior to application. If the site of Osmanil application requires to be cleansed prior to application of the patch, this should be done with water. Soaps, oils, lotions or any other agent that might irritate the skin or alter its characteristics should not be used. The skin should be completely dry before the patch is applied. Patches should be inspected prior to use. Patches that are cut, divided, or damaged in any way should not be used.

The Osmanil patch should be removed from the protective pouch by first folding the notch (located close to the tip of the arrow on the pouch label) and then carefully tearing the pouch material. If scissors are used to open the pouch, this should be done close to the sealed edge so as not to damage the patch inside.

Osmanil should be applied immediately after removal from the sealed pouch. Avoid touching the adhesive side of the patch. Following removal of both parts of the protective liner, the transdermal patch should be pressed firmly in place with the palm of the hand for approximately 30 seconds, making sure the contact is complete, especially around the edges. Then wash hands with clean water.

Osmanil should be worn continuously for 72 hours. A new patch should then be applied to a different skin site after removal of the previous transdermal patch. Several days should elapse before a new patch is applied to the same area of skin.

The need for continued treatment should be assessed at regular intervals.

Special precautions for disposal and other handling

After removal, the used patch should be folded in half, adhesive side inwards so that the adhesive is not exposed, placed in the original sachet and then discarded safely out of reach of children. Unused patches should be returned to the (hospital) pharmacy.

Wash hands with water only after applying or removing the patch.

Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

29 May 2008 / 10/09/2010

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

The concomitant use of other central nervous system depressants, including opioids, sedatives, anxiolytics, hypnotics, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, skeletal muscle relaxants, sedating antihistamines and alcoholic beverages may produce additive depressant effects; hypoventilation, hypotension, and profound sedation, coma or death may occur.).

The concomitant use with CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin) could result in a decrease in fentanyl plasma concentrations and a decreased therapeutic effect. This may require a dose adjustment of transdermal fentanyl. After stopping the treatment of a CYP3A4 inducer, the effects of the inducer decline gradually and may result in a fentanyl plasma increase concentration which could increase or prolong both the therapeutic and adverse effects, and may cause serious respiratory depression. In this situation, careful monitoring and dose adjustment should be made if warranted.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)

Osmanil is not recommended for use in patients who require the concomitant administration of an MAOI. Severe and unpredictable interactions with MAOIs, involving the potentiation of opiate effects or the potentiation of serotoninergic effects, have been reported. Therefore, Osmanil should not be used within 14 days after discontinuation of treatment with MAOIs.

Serotonergic drugs

Coadministration of transdermal fentanyl with a serotonergic agent, such as a Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor (SSRI) or a Serotonin Norepinephrine Re-uptake Inhibitor (SNRI) or a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Concomitant use of mixed agonists/antagonists

The concomitant use of buprenorphine, nalbuphine or pentazocine is not recommended.).