Mirvaso
(brimonidine)Dosage & Administration
Get Your Patient on Mirvaso
Mirvaso Prescribing Information
MIRVASO (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older.
Apply a pea-sized amount once daily to each of the five areas of the face: central forehead, chin, nose, each cheek. MIRVASO topical gel should be applied smoothly and evenly as a thin layer across the entire face avoiding the eyes and lips.
Wash hands after applying MIRVASO topical gel.
MIRVASO topical gel is for topical use only and not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
MIRVASO (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% is a white to light yellow opaque aqueous gel. Each gram of gel contains 5 mg of brimonidine tartrate, equivalent to 3.3 mg of brimonidine free base.
8.1 Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category B.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of MIRVASO topical gel in pregnant women. In animal studies, brimonidine crossed the placenta and entered into the fetal circulation to a limited extent. MIRVASO topical gel should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Brimonidine tartrate was not teratogenic when given at oral doses up to 2.5 mg/kg/day in pregnant rats during gestation days 6 through 15 and 5 mg/kg/day in pregnant rabbits during gestation days 6 through 18.
8.3 Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether brimonidine tartrate is excreted in human milk, although in animal studies, brimonidine tartrate has been shown to be excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from MIRVASO topical gel in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
8.4 Pediatric Use
Keep MIRVASO topical gel out of reach of children. Serious adverse reactions were experienced by two children of a subject in a clinical trial who accidentally ingested MIRVASO topical gel [See Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3) ].
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
8.5 Geriatric Use
One hundred and five subjects aged 65 and older were included in clinical trials with MIRVASO topical gel. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between subjects >65 years of age and younger adult subjects. Clinical studies of MIRVASO topical gel did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.
MIRVASO topical gel is contratindicated in patients who have experienced a hypersensitivity reaction to any component. Reactions have included angioedema, urticaria, and contact dermatitis [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)and Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2) ].
5.1 Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency
MIRVASO topical gel should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, thrombangiitis obliterans, scleroderma, or Sjögren’s syndrome.
5.2 Severe Cardiovascular Disease
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists can lower blood pressure. MIRVASO topical gel should be used with caution in patients with severe or unstable or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease.
5.3 Serious Adverse Reactions Following Ingestion of MIRVASO topical gel
Two young children of a subject in a clinical trial experienced serious adverse reactions following accidental ingestion of MIRVASO topical gel. Adverse reactions experienced by one or both children included lethargy, respiratory distress with apneic episodes (requiring intubation), sinus bradycardia, confusion, psychomotor hyperactivity, and diaphoresis. Both children were hospitalized overnight and discharged the following day without sequelae.
Keep MIRVASO topical gel out of the reach of children.
5.4 Systemic Adverse Reactions of Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists
Postmarketing cases of bradycardia, hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension) and dizziness have been reported. Some cases required hospitalization. Some cases involved application of MIRVASO topical gel in unapproved dosing regimens and for unapproved indications, including the application of MIRVASO topical gel following laser procedures.
Avoid applying MIRVASO topical gel to irritated skin or open wounds.
5.5 Local Vasomotor Adverse Reactions
Erythema
Some subjects in the clinical trials discontinued use of MIRVASO topical gel because of erythema. Some subjects in the clinical trials reported a rebound phenomenon, where erythema was reported to return worse compared to the severity at baseline.
Erythema appeared to resolve after discontinuation of MIRVASO topical gel .[seeAdverse Reactions ( 6.1)].
The treatment effect of MIRVASO topical gel may begin to diminish hours after application.
From postmarketing reports, some patients have experienced erythema involving areas of the face that were previously not affected by erythema and in areas (e.g., neck and chest) outside of the treatment sites.
Flushing
Some subjects in the clinical trials discontinued use of MIRVASO topical gel because of flushing.
Intermittent flushing occurred in some subjects treated with MIRVASO topical gel in the clinical trials. The onset of flushing relative to application of MIRVASO topical gel varied, ranging from approximately 30 minutes to several hours [ see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1) ]. Flushing appeared to resolve after discontinuation of MIRVASO topical gel.
From postmarketing reports, some patients have experienced increased frequency of flushing and/or increased depth of
erythema with the flushing. Additionally, some patients reported new onset of flushing.
Pallor and Excessive Whitening
From postmarketing reports, some patients have experienced pallor or excessive whitening at or outside the application site following treatment with MIRVASO topical gel.
5.6 Hypersensitivity
Allergic contact dermatitis was reported in the clinical trials for MIRVASO topical gel [ see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1) ].
Events reported post marketing with the use of MIRVASO topical gel include angioedema, throat tightening, tongue swelling, and urticaria, [ see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2) ]. Institute appropriate therapy and discontinue MIRVASO topical gel, if clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction occurs.
The following adverse drug reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label:
- Systemic Adverse Reactions of Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4) ]
- Local Vasomotor Adverse Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5) ]
- Hypersensitivity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6) ]
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction 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.
During clinical trials, 1210 subjects were exposed to MIRVASO topical gel. A total of 833 subjects were treated for persistent (nontransient) erythema associated with rosacea, and 330 of those were treated once daily for 29 days in vehicle-controlled trials.
Adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1% of subjects treated with MIRVASO topical gel once daily for 29 days and for which the rate for MIRVASO topical gel exceeded the rate for vehicle are presented in Table 1.
| Preferred Term | MIRVASO Topical Gel (N=330) n (%) | Vehicle Gel (N=331) n (%) |
| Subjects with at least one adverse reaction, Number (%) of Subjects | 109 (33) | 91 (28) |
| Erythema | 12 (4%) | 3 (1%) |
| Flushing | 9 (3%) | 0 |
| Skin burning sensation | 5 (2%) | 2 (1%) |
| Dermatitis contact | 3 (1%) | 1 (<1%) |
| Dermatitis | 3 (1%) | 1 (<1%) |
| Skin warm | 3 (1%) | 0 |
| Paraesthesia | 2 (1%) | 1 (<1%) |
| Acne | 2 (1%) | 1 (<1%) |
| Pain of skin | 2 (1%) | 0 |
| Vision blurred | 2 (1%) | 0 |
| Nasal congestion | 2 (1%) | 0 |
Open-label, Long-term Study
An open-label study of MIRVASO topical gel when applied once daily for up to one year was conducted in subjects with persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea. Subjects were allowed to use other rosacea therapies. A total of 276 subjects applied MIRVASO topical gel for at least one year. The most common adverse events ( >4% of subjects) for the entire study were flushing (10%), erythema (8%), rosacea (5%), nasopharyngitis (5%), skin burning sensation (4%), increased intraocular pressure (4%), and headache (4%).
Allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis to MIRVASO topical gel was reported in approximately 1% of subjects across the clinical development program. Two subjects underwent patch testing with individual product ingredients. One subject was found to be sensitive to brimonidine tartrate, and one subject was sensitive to phenoxyethanol (a preservative).
6.2 Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of MIRVASO topical gel. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Cardiovascular disorders:bradycardia, hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension)
Immune system disorders:angioedema, hypersensitivity, lip swelling, swollen tongue, throat tightness, urticaria
Nervous systemic disorders:dizziness
Skin and subcutaneous disorders:pallor
7.1 Anti-hypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides
Alpha-2 agonists, as a class, may reduce blood pressure. Caution in using drugs such as beta-blockers, anti-hypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides is advised.
7.2 CNS Depressants
Although specific drug-drug interactions studies have not been conducted with MIRVASO topical gel, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, or anaesthetics) should be considered.
7.3 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may theoretically interfere with the metabolism of brimonidine and potentially result in an increased systemic side-effect such as hypotension. Caution is advised in patients taking MAO inhibitors which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines.
MIRVASO (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% contains brimonidine tartrate, an alpha adrenergic agonist.
The molecular formula of brimonidine tartrate is C 11H 10BrN 5• C 4H 6O 6. It has the following structural formula:
Chemically, brimonidine tartrate is 5-Bromo-6-(2-imidazolidinylideneamino) quinoxaline L-tartrate. Brimonidine tartrate has a molecular weight of 442.24 and appears as white to slightly yellowish powder.
Each gram of MIRVASO (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% contains 5 mg of the active ingredient brimonidine tartrate (equivalent to 3.3 mg of brimonidine free base), in a white to light yellow opaque gel composed of the inactive ingredients carbomer homopolymer type B, glycerin, methylparaben, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium hydroxide, and titanium dioxide.
12.1 Mechanism of Action
Brimonidine is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Topical application of MIRVASO topical gel may reduce erythema through direct vasoconstriction.
12.3 Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
The absorption of brimonidine from MIRVASO topical gel was evaluated in a clinical trial in 24 adult subjects with facial erythema associated with rosacea. All enrolled subjects received once daily topical application of MIRVASO topical gel 1 gram to the entire face for 29 days. Pharmacokinetic assessments were performed on Day 1, Day 15, and Day 29. The mean plasma maximum concentration (C max) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) were highest on Day 15, with C maxand AUC values (± standard deviation) of 46 ± 62 pg/mL and 417 ± 264 pg.hr/mL, respectively. The systemic drug exposure was slightly lower on Day 29 indicating no further drug accumulation.
Metabolism
Brimonidine is extensively metabolized by the liver.
Excretion
Urinary excretion is the major route of elimination of brimonidine and its metabolites.
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
In a 21-month oral (diet) mouse carcinogenicity study and a 24-month oral (diet) rat carcinogenicity study, no drug-related neoplasms were observed in mice at oral doses of brimonidine tartrate up to 2.5 mg/kg/day or in rats at oral doses of brimonidine tartrate up to 1 mg/kg/day.
In a dermal rat carcinogenicity study with MIRVASO topical gel, brimonidine tartrate was administered to Wistar rats at topical doses of 0.9 (0.03% gel), 1.8 (0.06% gel), and 5.4 mg/kg/day (0.18% gel) in males and 5.4 (0.18% gel), 30 (1% gel) during Days 1-343/10.8 (0.36% gel) thereafter, and 60 (2% gel) during Days 1-343/21.6 mg/kg/day (0.72% gel) thereafter in females once daily for 24 months. No drug-related neoplasms were observed in this study.
In a 12-month dermal photo-carcinogenicity study, topical doses of 0% (MIRVASO topical gel vehicle), 0.18%, 1% and 2% brimonidine tartrate gel were administered to hairless albino mice once daily, five days per week, with concurrent exposure to simulated sunlight. No drug-related adverse effects were observed in this study. The results of this study suggest that topical treatment with MIRVASO topical gel would not enhance photo-carcinogenesis.
Mutagenesis
Brimonidine tartrate was not mutagenic or clastogenic in a series of in vitroand in vivostudies, including the Ames test, a chromosomal aberration assay in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, and three studies in CD1 mice (a host-mediated assay, a cytogenetic study, and a dominant lethal assay).
Impairment of Fertility
Reproduction and fertility studies in rats with brimonidine tartrate demonstrated no adverse effects on male or female fertility at oral doses up to 1 mg/kg/day.
MIRVASO topical gel was evaluated for the treatment of moderate to severe, persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea in two randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trials, which were identical in design. The trials were conducted in 553 subjects aged 18 years and older who were treated once daily for 4 weeks with either MIRVASO topical gel or vehicle. Overall, 99% of subjects were Caucasian and 76% were female. Baseline disease severity was graded using a 5-point Clinical Erythema Assessment (CEA) scale and a 5-point Patient Self Assessment (PSA) scale, on which subjects scored either “moderate” or “severe” on both scales.
The primary efficacy endpoint in both pivotal trials was 2-grade Composite Success, defined as the proportion of subjects with a 2-grade improvement on both CEA and PSA measured at hours 3, 6, 9, and 12 on Day 29. Table 2 presents the efficacy results. In addition to Day 29, efficacy was evaluated on Day 15 and Day 1, and the results are presented in Figures 1 and 2 for Studies 1 and 2, respectively.
| Success | Study 1 | Study 2 | ||
| MIRVASO Topical Gel (N=129) | Vehicle Gel (N=131) | MIRVAO Topical Gel (N=148) | Vehicle Gel (N=145) | |
| Hour 3 | 31% | 11% | 25% | 9% |
| Hour 6 | 30% | 10% | 25% | 9% |
| Hour 9 | 26% | 10% | 18% | 11% |
| Hour 12 | 23% | 9% | 22% | 10% |
2-grade Composite Success: 2-grade improvement on CEA and 2-grade improvement on PSA.
MIRVASO (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% is a white to light yellow opaque gel, supplied in a laminated tube or pump with a child resistant cap in the following sizes:
30 gram tube NDC0299-5980-30
30 gram pump NDC0299-5980-35
45 gram tube NDC0299-5980-45
Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].
12.1 Mechanism of Action
Brimonidine is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Topical application of MIRVASO topical gel may reduce erythema through direct vasoconstriction.
Mirvaso Prior Authorization Resources
Most recent state uniform prior authorization forms
Mirvaso Financial Assistance Options
Copay savings program
Overview
- Reduce patient OOP costs for drug (and occasionally for drug administration/infusion costs or drug-related test costs)
Patient benefit
- A portion (or all) of patient OOP (deductible, copay), typically up to monthly and/or annual max
Patient eligibility
- Patient must enroll or activate (may permit HCPs to enroll on patient’s behalf for HCP-administered drugs)
- Generally, must have commercial insurance (rarely, may permit uninsured patients to use)
- May never be used with government insurance
How to sign up
- Cards may be downloadable digital cards or hard copies
- Some pharmacos offer debit cards with pre-loaded copay benefit
- Typically, available through multiple channels (e.g., rep to HCP to patient; pharmacy to patient; patient via website, Hub live agent, or copay vendor (live agent or IVR); patient and HCP via Hub enrollment form)
- Some HCP-administered product programs permit HCPs to enroll on a patient’s behalf through via Hub form