Xipere
(triamcinolone acetonide)Dosage & Administration
The recommended dosage is 4 mg (0.1 mL) administered as a suprachoroidal injection.
Get Your Patient on Xipere
Xipere Prescribing Information
XIPERE® (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) 40 mg/mL is indicated for the treatment of macular edema associated with uveitis.
Dosing Information
For suprachoroidal injection using the SCS Microinjector®. The recommended dose of XIPERE® is 4 mg (0.1 mL of the 40 mg/mL injectable suspension).
Preparation for Administration
|
Step 1 |
|
Step 2 |
|
Step 3 |
|
Step 4 |
|
Step 5 | |
Figure E | |
Grasp and hold the long sides of the tray and invert the tray. Squeeze gently to release the sterile tray onto the appropriate sterile preparation surface (see Figure E, i – iii). |
Step 6 |
|
Figure F |
Step 7 |
|
Figure G |
Step 8 |
|
Figure H |
Step 9 |
|
Figure I |
Step 10 |
|
Step 11 |
|
Step 12 |
|
Administration
The suprachoroidal injection procedure should be carried out under controlled aseptic conditions, which include the use of sterile gloves, a sterile drape, a sterile eyelid speculum (or equivalent), and a sterile cotton swab. Adequate anesthesia and a broad-spectrum microbicide applied to the periocular skin, eyelid, and ocular surface are recommended to be given prior to the suprachoroidal injection.
Step 13 |
|
Step 14 |
|
Step 15 |
|
Step 16 |
|
|
|
|
If continued resistance is experienced during injection attempts:
- •
- Remove the needle from the eye and examine the eye for any issues. If patient safety is not at risk, the physician may use medical judgment to restart the injection procedure at a new site adjacent to the original injection site.
- •
- If resistance continues and patient safety is not at risk, the physician may use appropriate medical judgment to change to the additional included needle in the sterile tray. Twist to remove the needle and reconnect the syringe to the vial by twisting the syringe onto the vial adapter. Repeat the preparation and injection process as stated in Steps 9 – 18 with the additional needle (allowing for any partial dose given with the first needle when completing preparation Step 12).
Immediately following suprachoroidal injection, patients should be monitored for elevation of intraocular pressure. Appropriate monitoring may consist of a check for perfusion of the optic nerve head or tonometry.
Following suprachoroidal injection, patients should be instructed to report any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment (e.g., eye pain, redness of eye, photophobia, blurring of vision) without delay [see Patient Counseling Information (17)].
Each XIPERE® package (microinjector syringe with vial adapter, 900-µm needle, 1100-µm needle, and vial of triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension 40 mg/mL) is single-dose and should only be used for the treatment of one eye.
After suprachoroidal injection, all drug product and components (used or unused) must be discarded appropriately.
Injectable suspension: triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/mL suspension in a single-dose glass vial for use with the supplied SCS Microinjector®.
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with XIPERE® in pregnant women to inform drug-associated risks. In animal reproductive studies from the published literature, topical ocular administration of corticosteroids has been shown to produce teratogenicity at clinically relevant doses. There is negligible systemic XIPERE® exposure following suprachoroidal injection [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Corticosteroids should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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.
Animal Data
Animal reproduction studies using XIPERE® have not been conducted. In animal reproductive studies from the published literature, topical ocular administration of corticosteroids to pregnant mice and rabbits during organogenesis has been shown to produce cleft palate, embryofetal death, herniated abdominal viscera, hypoplastic kidneys, and craniofacial malformations.
Lactation
Risk Summary
It is not known whether ocular administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for XIPERE® and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from XIPERE®. There are no data on the effects of XIPERE® on milk production.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of XIPERE® in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients following XIPERE® administration.
Ocular or Periocular Infections
XIPERE® is contraindicated in patients with active or suspected ocular or periocular infections including most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva, including active epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, varicella, mycobacterial infections, and fungal diseases.
Hypersensitivity
XIPERE® is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to triamcinolone acetonide or any other components of this product.
Potential Corticosteroid-Related Effects
Use of corticosteroids may produce cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, and glaucoma. Use of corticosteroids may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
Corticosteroids should be used cautiously in patients with a history of ocular herpes simplex. Corticosteroids should not be used in patients with active ocular herpes simplex.
Alterations in Endocrine Function
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Cushing’s syndrome, and hyperglycemia can occur following administration of a corticosteroid. Monitor patients for these conditions with chronic use.
Corticosteroids can produce reversible HPA axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment. Drug induced secondary adrenocortical insufficiency may be minimized by gradual reduction of dosage. This type of relative insufficiency may persist for months after discontinuation of therapy; therefore, in any situation of stress occurring during that period, hormone therapy should be reinstituted. Metabolic clearance of corticosteroids is decreased in hypothyroid patients and increased in hyperthyroid patients. Changes in thyroid status of the patient may necessitate adjustment in dosage.
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.
XIPERE® was studied in a multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled, double-masked study in patients with macular edema associated with uveitis. Table 1 summarizes data available from the clinical trial for XIPERE® treated patients and control patients.
The most common ocular (study eye) adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 2% of patients and non-ocular adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 5% of patients are shown in Table 1.
a Includes intraocular pressure increased and ocular hypertension | ||
b Defined as not occurring on the day of the injection procedure, or occurring on the day of the injection procedure and not resolving the same day | ||
c Includes cataract, cataract cortical, and cataract subcapsular | ||
d Defined as occurring on the day of the injection procedure and resolving the same day | ||
Adverse Reaction | XIPERE® | Control |
Ocular | ||
Increased intraocular pressure, non-acute a, b | 13 (14%) | 9 (14%) |
Eye pain, non-acute b | 11 (12%) | 0 |
Cataract c | 7 (7%) | 4 (6%) |
Increased intraocular pressure, acute a, d | 6 (6%) | 0 |
Vitreous detachment | 5 (5%) | 1 (2%) |
Injection site pain | 4 (4%) | 2 (3%) |
Conjunctival haemorrhage | 4 (4%) | 2 (3%) |
Visual acuity reduced | 4 (4%) | 1 (2%) |
Dry eye | 3 (3%) | 1 (2%) |
Eye pain, acute d | 3 (3%) | 0 |
Photophobia | 3 (3%) | 0 |
Vitreous floaters | 3 (3%) | 0 |
Uveitis | 2 (2%) | 7 (11%) |
Conjunctival hyperaemia | 2 (2%) | 2 (3%) |
Punctate keratitis | 2 (2%) | 1 (2%) |
Conjunctival oedema | 2 (2%) | 0 |
Meibomianitis | 2 (2%) | 0 |
Anterior capsule contraction | 2 (2%) | 0 |
Chalazion | 2 (2%) | 0 |
Eye irritation | 2 (2%) | 0 |
Eye pruritus | 2 (2%) | 0 |
Eyelid ptosis | 2 (2%) | 0 |
Photopsia | 2 (2%) | 0 |
Vision blurred | 2 (2%) | 0 |
Non-ocular | ||
Headache | 5 (5%) | 2 (3%) |
XIPERE® is a sterile, preservative-free, injectable suspension of triamcinolone acetonide, a synthetic corticosteroid for use with the SCS Microinjector®. Each mL of the sterile, aqueous suspension contains 40 mg of triamcinolone acetonide with 0.55% (weight/volume [w/v]) sodium chloride for tonicity, 0.5% (w/v) carboxymethylcellulose sodium, and 0.02% (w/v) polysorbate 80. It also contains potassium chloride, calcium chloride (dihydrate), magnesium chloride (hexahydrate), sodium acetate (trihydrate), sodium citrate (dihydrate), and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid may be used to adjust pH to a target value of 6.5.
The chemical name for triamcinolone acetonide is 9-fluoro-11β,16ɑ,17,21-tetrahydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione cyclic 16,17-acetal with acetone. Its chemical structure is:
Molecular weight 434.50; molecular formula C24H31FO6
Triamcinolone acetonide occurs as a white to cream-colored, crystalline powder having not more than a slight odor and is practically insoluble in water and very soluble in alcohol.
XIPERE® is provided as an injectable suspension in a single-dose glass vial with a rubber stopper and an aluminum seal. The SCS Microinjector® is a piston syringe and a needle approximately 1 mm in length (900-µm and 1100-µm needles are included) for conducting the suprachoroidal injection.
Mechanism of Action
Triamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic glucocorticoid (glucocorticoids are often referred to as corticosteroids) with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activity. The primary mechanism of action for triamcinolone acetonide is as a corticosteroid hormone receptor agonist.
Pharmacokinetics
In animal studies, data demonstrated that suprachoroidal injections resulted in larger amounts in total of triamcinolone acetonide found in the sclera, choroid, retinal pigment epithelial and retina, than with intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide. Lower amounts of triamcinolone acetonide were found in the anterior segment and lens as compared to intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide.
Plasma triamcinolone acetonide concentrations were evaluated in 19 patients with dosing of 4 mg XIPERE® at Day 0 and Week 12. Plasma triamcinolone acetonide concentrations in all 19 patients were below 100 pg/mL at Week 4, 12, and 24 (concentrations ranged from < 10 pg/mL [LLOQ (lower limit of quantitation) of the assay] to 88.9 pg/mL), with the exception of one patient with a value of 243.4 pg/mL prior to the second dose at Week 12.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
No information is available on the carcinogenic potential of triamcinolone acetonide.
Mutagenesis
No information is available on the mutagenic potential of triamcinolone acetonide.
Fertility
No information is available on the effect of triamcinolone acetonide on fertility.
The efficacy of XIPERE® was assessed in a 6-month, randomized, multicenter, double-masked, sham-controlled study in patients with macular edema associated with anterior-, intermediate-, posterior-, or pan-uveitis. Patients were treated at baseline and Week 12.
The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients in whom best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) had improved by ≥ 15 letters from baseline after 24 weeks of follow-up (Table 2).
* The p-value was based on a Cochran Mantel Haenszel test for general association between treatment and response with stratification by country. | ||
Patients Who Gained ≥ 15 Letters from Baseline at Week 24 | XIPERE® | Control |
n (%) | 45 (47%) | 10 (16%) |
Estimated Difference (95% CI) | 31% (15%, 46%) | |
CMH p-value* | < 0.01 |
A statistically significantly greater proportion of patients treated with XIPERE® achieved a ≥ 15-letter improvement in BCVA than control patients (p < 0.01) at Week 24.
BCVA mean change from baseline at different visits is shown in Figure 1. Central subfield retinal thickness (CST) mean change from baseline at different visits is shown in Figure 2.
- Figure 1: Mean Change from Baseline in BCVA
- Figure 2: Mean Change from Baseline in CST
XIPERE® is supplied with the following sterile components for administration, sealed in a Tyvek covered tray, and one single-dose glass vial, in a carton with a package insert (NDC 24208-040-40):
- •
- One SCS Microinjector® syringe with vial adapter attached
- •
- One 30-G x 900-µm needle
- •
- One 30-G x 1100-µm needle
- •
- One single-dose vial of triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension 40 mg/mL (NDC 24208-040-41)
Storage: Store at 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F); do not freeze. The drug vial should be protected from light by storing in the carton. Discard unused portion.
Mechanism of Action
Triamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic glucocorticoid (glucocorticoids are often referred to as corticosteroids) with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activity. The primary mechanism of action for triamcinolone acetonide is as a corticosteroid hormone receptor agonist.
Xipere Prior Authorization Resources
Most recent state uniform prior authorization forms
Xipere 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