ASMANEX HFA (Page 2 of 8)

5.5 Hypercorticism and Adrenal Suppression

ASMANEX HFA will often help control asthma symptoms with less suppression of HPA function than therapeutically equivalent oral doses of prednisone. Since mometasone furoate is absorbed into the circulation and can be systemically active at higher doses, the beneficial effects of ASMANEX HFA 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 systemic absorption of inhaled corticosteroids, patients treated with ASMANEX HFA 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 mometasone furoate is administered at higher than recommended doses over prolonged periods of time. If such effects occur, the dosage of ASMANEX HFA should be reduced slowly, consistent with accepted procedures for reducing systemic corticosteroids and for management of asthma symptoms.

5.6 Drug Interactions with Strong Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors

Caution should be exercised when considering the coadministration of ASMANEX HFA with ketoconazole, and other known strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, cobicistat-containing products, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin) because adverse effects related to increased systemic exposure to mometasone furoate may occur [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

5.7 Paradoxical Bronchospasm and Upper Airway Symptoms

ASMANEX HFA may produce inhalation induced bronchospasm with an immediate increase in wheezing after dosing that may be life-threatening. If inhalation induced bronchospasm occurs, it should be treated immediately with an inhaled, short-acting bronchodilator. ASMANEX HFA should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted.

5.8 Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis

Hypersensitivity reactions such as urticaria, flushing, allergic dermatitis, and bronchospasm, may occur after administration of ASMANEX HFA. Discontinue ASMANEX HFA if such reactions occur [see Contraindications (4.2)].

The following additional hypersensitivity reactions, such as rash, pruritus, angioedema, and anaphylactic reaction, have been reported after administration of mometasone furoate dry powder inhaler (DPI) [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

5.9 Reduction in Bone Mineral Density

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

In a 2-year double-blind study in 103 male and female asthma patients 18 to 50 years of age previously maintained on bronchodilator therapy (Baseline FEV₁ 85%-88% predicted), treatment with mometasone furoate dry powder inhaler 200 mcg twice daily resulted in significant reductions in lumbar spine (LS) BMD at the end of the treatment period compared to placebo. The mean change from Baseline to Endpoint in the lumbar spine BMD was -0.015 (-1.43%) for the mometasone furoate dry powder inhaler group compared to 0.002 (0.25%) for the placebo group. In another 2-year double-blind study in 87 male and female asthma patients 18 to 50 years of age previously maintained on bronchodilator therapy (Baseline FEV₁ 82%-83% predicted), treatment with mometasone furoate dry powder inhaler 400 mcg twice daily demonstrated no statistically significant changes in lumbar spine BMD at the end of the treatment period compared to placebo. The mean change from Baseline to Endpoint in the lumbar spine BMD was -0.018 (-1.57%) for the mometasone furoate group compared to -0.006 (-0.43%) for the placebo group.

5.10 Effect on Growth

Orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ASMANEX HFA, may cause a reduction in growth velocity when administered to pediatric patients. Monitor the growth of pediatric patients receiving ASMANEX HFA routinely (e.g., via stadiometry). To minimize the systemic effects of orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ASMANEX HFA, titrate each patient’s dose to the lowest dosage that effectively controls his/her symptoms [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

5.11 Glaucoma and Cataracts

Glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and cataracts have been reported following the use of long-term administration of inhaled corticosteroids, including mometasone furoate. Consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms or use ASMANEX HFA long term [see Adverse Reactions (6)].

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

Systemic and local corticosteroid use may result in the following:

• Candida albicans infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
• Immunosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
• Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]
• Growth effects in pediatrics [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)]
• Glaucoma and cataracts [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)]

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.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Adult and Adolescent Patients Aged 12 Years and Older

The safety of ASMANEX HFA was evaluated in 2 randomized placebo and active-controlled trials of 12 and 26 weeks’ duration, conducted as part of a mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate combination product asthma program, which enrolled 1509 patients with persistent asthma. Patient ages ranged from 12 to 84 years of age, 41% were male and 59% female, 73% were Caucasian and 27% non-Caucasian. Of the total population enrolled in the 2 trials, 432 patients received two inhalations twice daily of either ASMANEX HFA, 100 mcg or 200 mcg/actuation. In the 26-week trial (Trial 1) 192 patients received two inhalations twice daily of ASMANEX HFA 100 mcg/actuation and 196 patients received placebo. In the 12 week trial (Trial 2) 240 patients received two inhalations twice daily of ASMANEX HFA 200 mcg/actuation and 233 and 255 patients received mometasone furoate and formoterol fumarate 100 mcg/5 mcg and 200 mcg/5 mcg/actuation combination products, respectively, as comparators.

In these trials, the proportion of patients who discontinued study treatment early due to adverse reactions was 3% and 2% for ASMANEX HFA 100 and 200 mcg treated patients, respectively, and 4% for placebo-treated patients. Serious adverse reactions, whether considered drug-related or not by the investigators, which occurred more frequently in ASMANEX HFA-treated patients included colitis ulcerative, colonic polyp, chest pain, gastroenteritis, endometriosis, asthma, and hemoptysis; all events occurred at rates less than 1%.

The incidence of treatment emergent adverse events associated with ASMANEX HFA are shown in Tables 1 and 2. These are based upon data from each of the 2 clinical trials of 12 or 26 weeks in duration in patients 12 years and older treated with two inhalations twice daily of ASMANEX HFA (100 mcg or 200 mcg), mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate (100 mcg/5 mcg or 200 mcg/5 mcg), or placebo.

TABLE 1: Trial 1: Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Occurring at an Incidence of ≥3% and More Commonly than Placebo Over 26 Weeks

	ASMANEX HFA 100 mcgN=192n (%)	PlaceboN=196n (%)
Nasopharyngitis	15 (8)	7 (4)
Headache	10 (5)	7 (4)
Influenza	7 (4)	5 (3)
Sinusitis	6 (3)	2 (1)

TABLE 2: Trial 2: Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Occurring at an Incidence of ≥3% Over 12 Weeks

	ASMANEX HFA200 mcgN=240n (%)	MF/F *100/5 mcg N=233 n (%)	MF/F *200/5 mcg N=255 n (%)
* MF/F = mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate
Nasopharyngitis	13 (5)	8 (3)	12 (5)
Headache	8 (3)	10 (4)	5 (2)
Bronchitis	6 (3)	2 (1)	7 (3)

Oral candidiasis has been reported in clinical trials at an incidence of 0.5% in patients using ASMANEX HFA 100 mcg, 0.8% in patients using ASMANEX HFA 200 mcg and 0.5% in the placebo group.

Pediatric Patients Aged 5 to Less Than 12 Years

The safety profile for ASMANEX HFA 50 mcg, 2 inhalations twice daily, is based on two clinical trials consisting of a total of 759 patients aged 5 to less than 12 years with persistent asthma. The first trial was a placebo-controlled trial comparing ASMANEX HFA 50 mcg (administered as 2 inhalations, twice daily) to 2 other dosage strengths of mometasone furoate MDI (25 mcg or 100 mcg, each administered as two inhalations, twice daily) as well as mometasone furoate DPI 100 mcg, administered as one evening inhalation. The second trial compared ASMANEX HFA 50 mcg to the combination of mometasone furoate and formoterol fumarate 50 mcg/5 mcg, each administered by MDI as two inhalations, twice daily.

Overall, the safety profile for pediatric patients is similar to that observed in patients aged 12 years and older.