Photrexa Cross-Linking Kit (riboflavin 5-phosphate ophthalmic) - Dosing, PA Forms & Info (2026)
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    1. Home
    2. Photrexa Cross - Linking Kit - Riboflavin 5-Phosphate Ophthalmic

    Get your patient on Photrexa Cross - Linking Kit - Riboflavin 5-phosphate Ophthalmic (Riboflavin 5-Phosphate Ophthalmic)

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    Photrexa Cross - Linking Kit - Riboflavin 5-Phosphate Ophthalmic prescribing information

    • Indications & usage
    • Dosage & administration
    • Dosage forms & strengths
    • Pregnancy & lactation
    • Contraindications
    • Warnings & precautions
    • Adverse reactions
    • Description
    • Pharmacology
    • Nonclinical toxicology
    • Clinical studies
    • How supplied/storage & handling
    • Mechanism of action
    • Data source
    • Indications & usage
    • Dosage & administration
    • Dosage forms & strengths
    • Pregnancy & lactation
    • Contraindications
    • Warnings & precautions
    • Adverse reactions
    • Description
    • Pharmacology
    • Nonclinical toxicology
    • Clinical studies
    • How supplied/storage & handling
    • Mechanism of action
    • Data source
    Prescribing Information
    Indications & Usage

    INDICATIONS AND USAGE

    PHOTREXA ® VISCOUS and PHOTREXA ® are indicated for use in corneal collagen cross-linking in combination with the KXL ® System for the treatment of

    Progressive Keratoconus

    Corneal Ectasia Following Refractive Surgery

    Dosage & Administration

    DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

    Using topical anesthesia, debride the epithelium to a diameter of approximately 9 mm using standard aseptic technique. Post epithelial debridement, instill 1 drop of PHOTREXA VISCOUS topically on the eye every 2 minutes for 30 minutes.

    At the end of the 30 minute soaking period, examine the eye under the slit lamp for the presence of a yellow flare in the anterior chamber. If the yellow flare is not detected, instill 1 drop of PHOTREXA VISCOUS every 2 minutes for an additional 2 to 3 drops and recheck for the presence of a yellow flare. This process can be repeated as necessary.

    Once the yellow flare is observed, perform ultrasound pachymetry. If corneal thickness is less than 400 microns, instill 2 drops of PHOTREXA every 5 to 10 seconds until the corneal thickness increases to at least 400 microns. Irradiation should not be performed unless this 400 micron threshold is met and the yellow flare is seen.

    Irradiate the eye for 30 continuous minutes at 3mW/cm 2 at a wavelength of 365 nm, centered over the cornea, using the KXL System as per the instructions in the KXL manual. During irradiation, continue topical instillation of PHOTREXA VISCOUS onto the eye every 2 minutes for the 30 minute irradiation period.

    For topical ophthalmic use. Do not inject.

    Single use PHOTREXA VISCOUS and PHOTREXA only. Discard syringe(s) after use.

    PHOTREXA VISCOUS and PHOTREXA are for use with the KXL System only.

    PLEASE REFER TO THE KXL OPERATOR’S MANUAL FOR SPECIFIC DEVICE INSTRUCTIONS.

    Dosage Forms & Strengths

    DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

    • PHOTREXA VISCOUS in a 3 mL glass syringe containing sterile 1.56 mg/mL riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution (3.1 )
    • PHOTREXA in a 3 mL glass syringe containing sterile 1.46 mg/mL riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution (3.2 )

    PHOTREXA VISCOUS

    PHOTREXA VISCOUS in a 3 mL glass syringe containing sterile 1.56 mg/mL riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution for topical administration.

    PHOTREXA

    PHOTREXA in a 3 mL glass syringe containing sterile 1.46 mg/mL riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution for topical administration.

    Pregnancy & Lactation

    USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

    Pregnancy

    Risk Summary

    Animal development and reproduction studies have not been conducted with the PHOTREXA ® VISCOUS/PHOTREXA ® /KXL ® System. Since it is not known whether the corneal collagen cross-linking procedure can cause fetal harm or affect reproduction capacity, it should not be performed on pregnant women.

    Lactation

    Risk Summary

    There are no data on the presence of PHOTREXA VISCOUS or PHOTREXA in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered, along with the mother’s clinical need for the PHOTREXA/KXL corneal collagen cross-linking procedure and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from the PHOTREXA/KXL corneal collagen cross-linking procedure or from the underlying maternal condition.

    Pediatric Use

    The safety and effectiveness of corneal collagen cross-linking has not been established in pediatric patients below the age of 14 years.

    Geriatric Use

    No patients enrolled in the clinical studies were 65 years of age or older.

    Contraindications

    CONTRAINDICATIONS

    None.

    Warnings & Precautions

    WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

    Ulcerative keratitis can occur. Monitor for resolution of epithelial defects. [See Adverse Reactions (6) ] .

    Adverse Reactions

    ADVERSE REACTIONS

    The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:

    Ulcerative keratitis [Warnings and Precautions (5) ]

    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.

    The safety of the corneal collagen cross-linking procedure was evaluated in 3 randomized, parallel-group, open-label, sham-controlled trials; patients were followed up for 12 months. Study 1 enrolled patients with progressive keratoconus or corneal ectasia following refractive surgery. Study 2 enrolled only patients with progressive keratoconus, and Study 3 enrolled only patients with corneal ectasia following refractive surgery. In each study, only one eye of each patient was designated as the study eye. Study eyes were randomized to receive one of the two study treatments (CXL or sham) at the baseline visit and were followed up at Day 1, Week 1, and Months 1, 3, 6, and 12. At Month 3 or later, sham study eyes and non-study eyes had the option of receiving CXL treatment, and were followed-up for 12 months from the time of receiving CXL treatment. Each CXL treated eye received a single course of CXL treatment only.

    Safety data were obtained from: 193 randomized CXL study eyes (102 keratoconus, 91 corneal ectasia), 191 control eyes, and 319 nonrandomized CXL non-study eyes (191 keratoconus, 128 corneal ectasia). Overall, 512 eyes (293 keratoconus, 219 corneal ectasia) in 364 patients received CXL treatment.

    In progressive keratoconus patients, the most common ocular adverse reactions in any CXL-treated eye were corneal opacity (haze), punctate keratitis, corneal striae, corneal epithelium defect, eye pain, reduced visual acuity, and blurred vision (Table 1 ).

    In corneal ectasia patients, the most common ocular adverse reactions were corneal opacity (haze), corneal epithelium defect, corneal striae, dry eye, eye pain, punctate keratitis, photophobia, reduced visual acuity, and blurred vision. These events are expected sequelae following epithelial corneal debridement and occurred at a higher incidence than observed in control patients, who did not undergo debridement or exposure to UVA light (Table 1 ).

    Adverse events reported in non-study, non-randomized CXL treated were similar in terms of preferred terms and frequency to those seen in randomized study eyes.

    The majority of adverse events reported resolved during the first month, while events such as corneal epithelium defect, corneal striae, punctate keratitis, photophobia, dry eye and eye pain, and decreased visual acuity took up to 6 months to resolve and corneal opacity or haze took up to 12 months to resolve. In 1-2% of patients, corneal epithelium defect, corneal edema, corneal opacity and corneal scar continued to be observed at 12 months. In 6% of corneal ectasia patients, corneal opacity continued to be observed at 12 months.

    Table 1: Most Common (≥1%) Ocular Adverse Reactions in CXL-Treated Study Eye in the Pooled Randomized Safety Population – N (%)
    1) Results are presented as the number (%) of patients with an event from baseline to Month 3.
    2) Almost all cases of corneal opacity were reported as haze.
    Progressive Keratoconus Studies Corneal Ectasia
    Studies
    Preferred Term CXL
    Group
    (N=102) 1
    Control
    Group
    (N=103) 1
    CXL
    Group
    (N=91) 1
    Control
    Group
    (N=88) 1
    Anterior chamber cell 2 (2) 0 2 (2) 1 (1)
    Anterior chamber flare 4 (4) 0 5 (6) 2 (2)
    Asthenopia 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 0
    Blepharitis 0 0 0 1 (1)
    Corneal disorder 3 (3) 1 (1) 3 (3) 0
    Corneal epithelium defect 24 (24) 1 (1) 26 (28) 3 (3)
    Corneal oedema 3 (3) 0 3 (3) 0
    Corneal opacity 2 65 (64) 9 (9) 65 (71) 8 (9)
    Corneal striae 24 (24) 12 (12) 8 (9) 6 (7)
    Corneal thinning 1 (1) 2 (2) 0 0
    Diplopia 2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 0
    Dry eye 6 (6) 2 (2) 13 (14) 4 (5)
    Eye complication associated with device 2 (2) 0 1 (1) 0
    Eye discharge 2 (2) 1 (1) 0 0
    Eye oedema 7 (7) 0 0 0
    Eye pain 17 (17) 3 (3) 24 (26) 0
    Eye pruritus 2 (2) 0 0 0
    Eyelid oedema 5 (5) 0 5 (6) 1 (1)
    Foreign body sensation in eyes 15 (15) 1 (1) 13 (14) 2 (2)
    Glare 4 (4) 1 (1) 2 (2) 0
    Halo vision 1 (1) 0 2 (2) 0
    Keratitis 1 (1) 0 3 (3) 0
    Lacrimation increased 5 (5) 0 9 (10) 1 (1)
    Meibomian gland dysfunction 1 (1) 1 (1) 3 (3) 2 (2)
    Ocular discomfort 0 0 8 (9) 0
    Ocular hyperaemia 14 (14) 2 (2) 7 (8) 4 (5)
    Photophobia 11 (11) 0 17 (19) 0
    Punctate keratitis 25 (25) 8 (8) 18 (20) 3 (3)
    Vision blurred 16 (16) 2 (2) 15 (17) 4 (5)
    Visual acuity reduced 10 (10) 9 (9) 10 (11) 1 (1)
    Visual impairment 3 (3) 2 (2) 4 (4) 1 (1)
    Vitreous detachment 2 (2) 0 0 0

    Headache was reported in between 4 to 8% of treated patients.

    Description

    DESCRIPTION

    PHOTREXA VISCOUS (riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution) 0.146% and PHOTREXA (riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution) 0.146% are intended for topical ophthalmic administration as part of corneal collagen cross-linking with the KXL System.

    PHOTREXA VISCOUS and PHOTREXA are supplied as:


    • PHOTREXA VISCOUS in a 3 mL glass syringe containing sterile 1.56 mg/mL riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution for topical administration.
    • PHOTREXA in a 3 mL glass syringe containing sterile 1.46 mg/mL riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution for topical administration.

    PHOTREXA VISCOUS (riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution) 0.146% is a yellow sterile buffered viscous solution containing 1.56 mg/mL riboflavin 5’-phosphate and 20% dextran . The pH of the solution is approximately 7.1 and the osmolality is 284-368 mOsm/kg. Each 1 mL of solution contains 1.64 mg of riboflavin 5’-phosphate sodium (equivalent to 1.284 mg riboflavin). Riboflavin 5’-phosphate sodium is a mixture of the sodium salts of riboflavin, riboflavin monophosphates, and riboflavin diphosphates. The inactive ingredients are dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, dextran, monobasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, and water for injection. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH.

    PHOTREXA (riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution) 0.146% is a yellow sterile buffered solution containing 1.46 mg/mL riboflavin 5’-phosphate. The pH of the solution is approximately 7.1 and the osmolality is 157-181 mOsm/kg. Each 1 mL of solution contains 1.53 mg of riboflavin 5’-phosphate sodium (equivalent to 1.20 mg riboflavin). Riboflavin 5’-phosphate sodium is a mixture of the sodium salts of riboflavin, riboflavin monophosphates, and riboflavin diphosphates. The inactive ingredients are dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, monobasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, and water for injection. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH.

    The chemical formula for riboflavin 5’-phosphate sodium (Vitamin B2) is C 17 H 20 N 4 NaO 9 P with a molecular mass of 478.33 g/mol.

    Referenced Image

    Please refer to the KXL System Operator’s Manual for a specific device description and instructions.

    Pharmacology

    CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

    Mechanism of Action

    Riboflavin 5’-phosphate sodium (Vitamin B2) is the precursor of two coenzymes, flavin adenine dinucleotide and flavin mononucleotide, which catalyze oxidation/reduction reactions involved in a number of metabolic pathways.

    Under the conditions used for corneal collagen cross-linking, riboflavin 5‘-phosphate functions as a photoenhancer and generates singlet oxygen which is responsible for the cross-linking.

    Nonclinical Toxicology

    NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

    Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

    Animal studies have not been conducted to determine the carcinogenic potential of photoexcited riboflavin. Photoexcited riboflavin has been shown to be genotoxic in the Ames Salmonella reverse mutation assay and in the SOS/umu test system.

    The genotoxicity of riboflavin, in the absence of photoexcitation has been examined in vitro in bacterial reverse mutation assays, sister chromatid exchange assay, chromosomal aberration assays and in vivo in a mouse micronucleus study. The overall weight of evidence indicates that riboflavin, in the absence of photoexcitation, is not genotoxic.

    Animal studies to determine the effects of the PHOTREXA/KXL corneal collagen cross-linking procedure on fertility were not conducted.

    Clinical Studies

    CLINICAL STUDIES

    Three prospective, randomized, parallel-group, open-label, sham-controlled trials were conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of riboflavin ophthalmic solution/UVA irradiation for performing corneal collagen cross-linking. These trials were sham-controlled for the first 3 months and had a total duration of 12 months for safety and efficacy evaluations. Study 1 enrolled 58 patients with progressive keratoconus and 49 patients with corneal ectasia following refractive surgery. Study 2 enrolled 147 patients with progressive keratoconus, and Study 3 enrolled 130 patients with corneal ectasia following refractive surgery. In each study, patients had one eye designated as the study eye and were randomized to receive one of two study treatments (CXL or sham) in their study eye at the baseline visit. The patients were evaluated at Day 1, Week 1, and Months 1, 3, 6, and 12. At Month 3 or later, patients had the option of receiving CXL treatment in both the sham study eyes and non-study eyes and were followed-up for 12 months from the time of receiving CXL treatment.

    Approximately 56% and 89% of the sham study eyes in patients with progressive keratoconus received CXL treatment by Month 3 and Month 6, respectively. The average age of keratoconus patients was 33 years. The average baseline K max value was 61 diopters. For corneal ectasia patients in Study 1 and Study 3, approximately 60% and 90% of the sham study eyes received CXL treatment by Month 3 and Month 6, respectively. The average age of corneal ectasia patients was 43 years and the average baseline K max was 55 diopters. A majority (93%) of the corneal ectasia patients had LASIK only, 5 (3%) patients had photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) only, and 8 (4%) patients had both LASIK and PRK.

    In each study, the maximum corneal curvature (K max ) was assessed at baseline, Months 1, 3, and 12. The CXL-treated eyes showed increasing improvement in K max from Month 3 through Month 12 (Figure 1 ). Progressive keratoconus patients had an average K max reduction of 1.4 diopters in Study 1 and 1.7 diopters in Study 2 at Month 12 in the CXL-treated eyes while the sham eyes had an average increase of 0.5 diopter in Study 1 and 0.6 diopter in Study 2 at Month 12; the difference (95% CI) between the CXL and sham groups in the mean change from baseline K max were -1.9 (-3.4, -0.3) diopters in Study 1 and -2.3 (-3.5, -1.0) diopters in Study 2.

    For corneal ectasia patients, at Month 12, the CXL-treated eyes had an average K max reduction of 1.0 diopter in Study 1 and 0.5 diopter in Study 3 while the sham eyes had an average increase of 1.0 diopter in Study 1 and 0.5 diopter in Study 3; the treatment difference between the CXL and sham groups was: -2.0 (-3.0, -1.1) diopters in Study 1 and -1.1 (-1.9, -0.3) diopters in Study 3.

    Figure 1: Mean (SD) (Diopter) Baseline Kmax and Change from Baseline Kmax

    Referenced Image

    Post-baseline missing data were imputed using last available K max value. For the sham study eyes that received CXL treatment after baseline, the last K max measurement recorded prior to receiving CXL treatment was used in the analysis for later time points. In Study 3, four patients in the CXL group had missing baseline K max value and were excluded from the analysis.

    How Supplied/Storage & Handling

    HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING

    PHOTREXA ® VISCOUS and PHOTREXA ® are available in the following packaging configuration:

    Single-use foil pouches of PHOTREXA ® VISCOUS and PHOTREXA ® are provided in a kit of two (2): one (1) PHOTREXA ® VISCOUS and one (1) PHOTREXA ® (NDC 25357-025-03).

    Each foil pouch contains a 3 mL glass syringe of PHOTREXA ® VISCOUS or PHOTREXA ® contained within a Tyvek ® pouch.

    Kits should be stored at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Care should be taken to minimize exposure of the syringe to light once removed from its protective packaging. Discard syringe after use.

    For topical ophthalmic use.

    PHOTREXA ® VISCOUS and PHOTREXA ® should be used with the KXL ® System only.

    Mechanism of Action

    Mechanism of Action

    Riboflavin 5’-phosphate sodium (Vitamin B2) is the precursor of two coenzymes, flavin adenine dinucleotide and flavin mononucleotide, which catalyze oxidation/reduction reactions involved in a number of metabolic pathways.

    Under the conditions used for corneal collagen cross-linking, riboflavin 5‘-phosphate functions as a photoenhancer and generates singlet oxygen which is responsible for the cross-linking.

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