Arnuity Ellipta

Administration

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Administer 1 actuation of ARNUITY ELLIPTA once daily by oral inhalation.

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After inhalation, the patient should rinse his/her mouth with water without swallowing to help reduce the risk of oropharyngeal candidiasis.

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ARNUITY ELLIPTA should be used at the same time every day. Do not use ARNUITY ELLIPTA more than 1 time every 24 hours.

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The maximum benefit may not be achieved for up to 2 weeks or longer after starting treatment. Individual patients may experience a variable time to onset and degree of symptom relief.

No dosage adjustment is required for geriatric patients, patients with renal impairment, or patients with mild hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

Recommended Dosage

Adult and Pediatric Patients Aged 12 Years and Older

The recommended starting dosage for adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older not on an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is fluticasone furoate 100 mcg (1 actuation of ARNUITY ELLIPTA 100 mcg) once daily by oral inhalation.

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For other adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older, the recommended starting dosage should be based on previous asthma drug therapy and disease severity.

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For adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older who do not respond to ARNUITY ELLIPTA 100 mcg after 2 weeks of therapy, replacement with ARNUITY ELLIPTA 200 mcg may provide additional asthma control.

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The maximum recommended dosage in adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older is ARNUITY ELLIPTA 200 mcg once daily.

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If asthma symptoms arise in the period between doses, an inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonist (rescue medicine, e.g., albuterol) should be used for immediate relief.

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If a previously effective dosage regimen of ARNUITY ELLIPTA fails to provide adequate improvement in asthma control, the therapeutic regimen should be re-evaluated and additional therapeutic options (e.g., replacing the current strength of ARNUITY ELLIPTA with a higher strength, initiating an ICS and long-acting beta2-agonist [LABA] combination product, initiating oral corticosteroids) should be considered.

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After asthma stability has been achieved, it is desirable to titrate to the lowest effective dosage to help reduce the possibility of adverse reactions.

Pediatric Patients Aged 5 to 11 Years

The recommended dosage for pediatric patients aged 5 to 11 years is fluticasone furoate 50 mcg (1 actuation of ARNUITY ELLIPTA 50 mcg) once daily by oral inhalation [see Warnings and Precautions ].

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

There are insufficient data on the use of ARNUITY ELLIPTA in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk (see Clinical Considerations). In animal reproduction studies, fluticasone furoate administered by inhalation to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis produced no fetal structural abnormalities. The highest fluticasone furoate doses in the rat and rabbit studies were 4 times and 1 time, respectively, the maximum recommended human daily inhalation dose (MRHDID) (see Data.).

The estimated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryofetal Risk: In women with poorly or moderately controlled asthma, there is an increased risk of several perinatal outcomes such as pre-eclampsia in the mother and prematurity, low birth weight, and small for gestational age in the neonate.

Pregnant women should be closely monitored and medication adjusted as necessary to maintain optimal control of asthma.

Data

Animal Data: Fluticasone Furoate: In 2 separate embryofetal developmental studies, pregnant rats and rabbits received fluticasone furoate during the period of organogenesis at doses up to approximately 4 and 1 times, respectively, the MRHDID (on a mcg/m2 basis at maternal inhalation doses up to 91 and 8 mcg/kg/day, respectively). No evidence of structural abnormalities in fetuses was observed in either species. In a perinatal and postnatal developmental study in rats, dams received fluticasone furoate during late gestation and lactation periods at doses up to approximately 1 time the MRHDID (on a mcg/m2 basis at maternal inhalation doses up to 27 mcg/kg/day). No evidence of effects on offspring development was observed.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There is no information available on the presence of fluticasone furoate in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Low concentrations of other ICS have been detected in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ARNUITY ELLIPTA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from fluticasone furoate or from the underlying maternal condition.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of ARNUITY ELLIPTA for maintenance treatment of asthma have been established in pediatric patients aged 5 years and older. Use of ARNUITY ELLIPTA for this indication in patients 12 years of age and older is supported by evidence from 4 adequate and well-controlled trials in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. Use of ARNUITY ELLIPTA for this indication in patients 5 to 11 years of age is supported by evidence from an adequate and well-controlled trial in patients 5 to 11 years of age [see Dosage and Administration , Adverse Reactions , and Clinical Studies ].

The safety and effectiveness of ARNUITY ELLIPTA have not been established in pediatric patients less than 5 years of age.

Effects on Growth

Orally inhaled corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth velocity when administered to pediatric patients. A reduction of growth velocity in these patients may occur as a result of poorly controlled asthma or from use of corticosteroids, including ICS. The effects of long-term treatment of pediatric patients with ICS, including fluticasone furoate, on final adult height are not known.

Controlled clinical trials have shown that ICS may cause a reduction in growth in children. In these trials, the mean reduction in growth velocity was approximately 1 cm/year (range: 0.3 to 1.8 cm/year) and appears to be related to dose and duration of exposure. This effect has been observed in the absence of laboratory evidence of HPA axis suppression, suggesting that growth velocity is a more sensitive indicator of systemic corticosteroid exposure in children than some commonly used tests of HPA axis function. The long-term effects of this reduction in growth velocity associated with orally inhaled corticosteroids, including the impact on final adult height, are unknown. The potential for “catch-up” growth following discontinuation of treatment with orally inhaled corticosteroids has not been adequately studied. The growth of pediatric patients receiving orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, should be monitored routinely (e.g., via stadiometry). The potential growth effects of prolonged treatment should be weighed against the clinical benefits obtained and the risks associated with alternative therapies. To minimize the systemic effects of orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, each patient should be titrated to the lowest dose that effectively controls his/her symptoms.

A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter, 1-year, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effect of once-daily treatment with ARNUITY ELLIPTA 50 mcg on growth velocity assessed by stadiometry. The subjects were 457 prepubertal children (girls aged 5 to younger than 8 years and boys aged 5 to younger than 9 years). Mean growth velocity over the 52-week treatment period was lower in the subjects receiving ARNUITY ELLIPTA (5.90 cm/year) compared with placebo (6.06 cm/year). The mean difference in growth velocity was -0.16 cm/year (95% CI: -0.46, 0.14) [see Warnings and Precautions ].

Geriatric Use

For the 4 confirmatory trials, 71 subjects were aged 65 years and older (56 of which were treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA) and 5 were aged 75 years and older (1 of which was treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA) [see Clinical Studies ]. Based on available data, no adjustment of the dosage of ARNUITY ELLIPTA in geriatric patients is necessary, but greater sensitivity in some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Clinical trials of ARNUITY ELLIPTA did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger subjects. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Hepatic Impairment

Fluticasone furoate systemic exposure increased by up to 3-fold in adult subjects with hepatic impairment compared with healthy subjects. Use ARNUITY ELLIPTA with caution in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment. Monitor patients for corticosteroid-related side effects. The effect of hepatic impairment on fluticasone furoate systemic exposure in subjects aged younger than 18 years has not been evaluated [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

Renal Impairment

There were no significant increases in fluticasone furoate exposure in subjects with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min) compared with healthy subjects. No dosage adjustment is required in patients with renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

Oropharyngeal Candidiasis

ARNUITY ELLIPTA contains fluticasone furoate, an ICS. Localized infections of the mouth and pharynx with Candida albicans have occurred in subjects treated with orally inhaled drug products containing fluticasone furoate. When such an infection develops, it should be treated with appropriate local or systemic (i.e., oral) antifungal therapy while treatment with ARNUITY ELLIPTA continues. In some cases, therapy with ARNUITY ELLIPTA may need to be interrupted. Advise the patient to rinse his/her mouth with water without swallowing following administration of ARNUITY ELLIPTA to help reduce the risk of oropharyngeal candidiasis.

Acute Asthma Episodes

ARNUITY ELLIPTA is not indicated for the relief of acute symptoms, i.e., as rescue therapy for treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm. ARNUITY ELLIPTA has not been studied in the relief of acute symptoms and extra doses should not be used for that purpose. Acute symptoms should be treated with an inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonist. Instruct patients to contact their healthcare providers immediately if episodes of asthma not responsive to bronchodilators occur during the course of treatment with ARNUITY ELLIPTA. During such episodes, patients may require therapy with oral corticosteroids.

Immunosuppression and Risk of Infections

Persons who are using drugs that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, are more susceptible to infections than healthy individuals. Chickenpox and measles can have a more serious or even fatal course in susceptible children or adults using corticosteroids. In such children or adults who have not had these diseases or been properly immunized, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure. How the dose, route, and duration of corticosteroid administration affect the risk of developing a disseminated infection is not known. The safety and effectiveness of ARNUITY ELLIPTA have not been established in pediatric patients less than 5 years of age and ARNUITY ELLIPTA is not indicated for use in this population. The contribution of the underlying disease and/or prior corticosteroid treatment to the risk is also not known. If a patient is exposed to chickenpox, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) or pooled intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may be indicated. If a patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with pooled intramuscular immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated. (See the Prescribing Information for VZIG, IVIG, and IG.) If chickenpox develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered.

ICS should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active or quiescent tuberculosis infections of the respiratory tract; systemic fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections; or ocular herpes simplex.

Transferring Patients from Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy

HPA Suppression/Adrenal Insufficiency

Particular care is needed for patients who have been transferred from systemically active corticosteroids to ICS because deaths due to adrenal insufficiency have occurred in patients with asthma during and after transfer from systemic corticosteroids to less systemically available ICS. After withdrawal from systemic corticosteroids, a number of months are required for recovery of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function.

Patients who have been previously maintained on 20 mg or more of prednisone (or its equivalent) may be most susceptible, particularly when their systemic corticosteroids have been almost completely withdrawn. During this period of HPA suppression, patients may exhibit signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency when exposed to trauma, surgery, or infection (particularly gastroenteritis) or other conditions associated with severe electrolyte loss. Although ARNUITY ELLIPTA may control asthma symptoms during these episodes, in recommended doses it supplies less than normal physiological amounts of glucocorticoid systemically and does NOT provide the mineralocorticoid activity that is necessary for coping with these emergencies.

During periods of stress or a severe asthma attack, patients who have been withdrawn from systemic corticosteroids should be instructed to resume oral corticosteroids (in large doses) immediately and to contact their healthcare practitioner for further instruction. These patients should also be instructed to carry a warning card indicating that they may need supplementary systemic corticosteroids during periods of stress or a severe asthma attack.

Patients requiring oral corticosteroids should be weaned slowly from systemic corticosteroid use after transferring to ARNUITY ELLIPTA. Prednisone reduction can be accomplished by reducing the daily prednisone dose by 2.5 mg on a weekly basis during therapy with ARNUITY ELLIPTA. Lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] or peak expiratory flow [PEF]), beta-agonist use, and asthma symptoms should be carefully monitored during withdrawal of oral corticosteroids. In addition, patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, such as fatigue, lassitude, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and hypotension.

Unmasking of Allergic Conditions Previously Suppressed by Systemic Corticosteroids

Transfer of patients from systemic corticosteroid therapy to ARNUITY ELLIPTA may unmask allergic conditions previously suppressed by the systemic corticosteroid therapy (e.g., rhinitis, conjunctivitis, eczema, arthritis, eosinophilic conditions).

Corticosteroid Withdrawal Symptoms

During withdrawal from oral corticosteroids, some patients may experience symptoms of systemically active corticosteroid withdrawal (e.g., joint and/or muscular pain, lassitude, depression) despite maintenance or even improvement of respiratory function.

Hypercorticism and Adrenal Suppression

ARNUITY ELLIPTA will often help control asthma symptoms with less suppression of HPA function than therapeutically equivalent oral doses of prednisone. Since ARNUITY ELLIPTA is absorbed into the circulation and can be systemically active at higher doses, the beneficial effects of ARNUITY ELLIPTA in minimizing HPA dysfunction may be expected only when recommended dosages are not exceeded and individual patients are titrated to the lowest effective dose.

Because of the possibility of significant systemic absorption of ICS in sensitive patients, patients treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA should be observed carefully for any evidence of systemic corticosteroid effects. Particular care should be taken in observing patients postoperatively or during periods of stress for evidence of inadequate adrenal response.

It is possible that systemic corticosteroid effects such as hypercorticism and adrenal suppression (including adrenal crisis) may appear in a small number of patients, particularly when fluticasone furoate is administered at higher than recommended doses over prolonged periods of time. If such effects occur, reduce the dose of ARNUITY ELLIPTA slowly, consistent with accepted procedures for reducing systemic corticosteroids, and consider other treatments for management of asthma symptoms.

Drug Interactions with Strong Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors

Caution should be exercised when considering the coadministration of ARNUITY ELLIPTA with ketoconazole and other known strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (including, but not limited to, ritonavir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, indinavir, itraconazole, lopinavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, troleandomycin, voriconazole) because increased systemic corticosteroid adverse effects may occur [see Drug Interactions , Clinical Pharmacology ].

Paradoxical Bronchospasm

As with other inhaled therapies, ARNUITY ELLIPTA can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs following dosing with ARNUITY ELLIPTA, it should be treated immediately with an inhaled, short-acting bronchodilator; ARNUITY ELLIPTA should be discontinued immediately; and alternative therapy should be instituted.

Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis

Hypersensitivity reactions such as anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, flushing, allergic dermatitis, and bronchospasm may occur after administration of ARNUITY ELLIPTA. Discontinue ARNUITY ELLIPTA if such reactions occur. There have been reports of anaphylactic reactions in patients with severe milk protein allergy after inhalation of other powder medications containing lactose; therefore, patients with severe milk protein allergy should not use ARNUITY ELLIPTA [see Contraindications ].

Reduction in Bone Mineral Density

Decreases in bone mineral density (BMD) have been observed with long-term administration of products containing ICS. The clinical significance of small changes in BMD with regard to long-term consequences such as fracture is unknown. Patients with major risk factors for decreased bone mineral content, such as prolonged immobilization, family history of osteoporosis, postmenopausal status, tobacco use, advanced age, poor nutrition, or chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass (e.g., anticonvulsants, oral corticosteroids) should be monitored and treated with established standards of care.

Effect on Growth

Orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, may cause a reduction in growth velocity when administered to pediatric patients. The safety and effectiveness of ARNUITY ELLIPTA have not been established in pediatric patients less than 5 years of age. Monitor the growth of pediatric patients receiving ARNUITY ELLIPTA routinely (e.g., via stadiometry). To minimize the systemic effects of orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, titrate each patient’s dose to the lowest dosage that effectively controls his/her symptoms [see Dosage and Administration , Use in Specific Populations ].

Glaucoma and Cataracts

Glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and cataracts have been reported in patients with asthma following the long-term administration of ICS, including fluticasone furoate. Consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms or use ARNUITY ELLIPTA long term.