Brimonidine Tartrate (Page 2 of 3)

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 brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 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

Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in children under the age of 2 years [see Contraindications (4.1)]. During postmarketing surveillance, apnea, bradycardia, coma, hypotension, hypothermia, hypotonia, lethargy, pallor, respiratory depression, and somnolence have been reported in infants receiving brimonidine. The safety and effectiveness of brimonidine tartrate have not been studied in children below the age of 2 years.

In a well-controlled clinical study conducted in pediatric glaucoma patients (ages 2 to 7 years) the most commonly observed adverse reactions with brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% dosed three times daily were somnolence (50-83% in patients ages 2 to 6 years) and decreased alertness. In pediatric patients 7 years of age (greater than 20 kg), somnolence appears to occur less frequently (25%). Approximately 16% of patients on brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% discontinued from the study due to somnolence.

8.5 Geriatric Use

No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and other adult patients.

8.6 Special Populations

Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment.

Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution has not been studied in patients with renal impairment. The effect of dialysis on brimonidine pharmacokinetics in patients with renal failure is not known.

10 OVERDOSAGE

Very limited information exists on accidental ingestion of brimonidine in adults; the only adverse reaction reported to date has been hypotension. Symptoms of brimonidine overdose have been reported in neonates, infants, and children receiving brimonidine tartrate as part of medical treatment of congenital glaucoma or by accidental oral ingestion [see Use In Specific Populations (8.4)]. Treatment of an oral overdose includes supportive and symptomatic therapy; a patent airway should be maintained.

11 DESCRIPTION

Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist for ophthalmic use. The chemical name of brimonidine tartrate is 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolidinylideneamino) quinoxaline L-tartrate. It has a molecular weight of 442.24 as the tartrate salt and is water soluble (34 mg/mL) at pH 6.5. The structural formula is:

 chemical
(click image for full-size original)

In solution, brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% has a clear, greenish-yellow color. It has an osmolality of 280-330 mOsml/kg and a pH of 5.6-6.6.

Each mL of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% contains: Active ingredient: brimonidine tartrate: 0.2% (2 mg/mL). Preservative: benzalkonium chloride (0.05 mg). Inactives: citric acid; polyvinyl alcohol; sodium chloride; sodium citrate; and purified water. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may be added to adjust pH.

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist with a peak ocular hypotensive effect occurring at two hours post-dosing.

Fluorophotometric studies in animals and humans suggest that brimonidine tartrate has a dual mechanism of action by reducing aqueous humor production and increasing uveoscleral outflow.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

After ocular administration of a 0.2% solution, plasma concentrations peaked within 1 to 4 hours and declined with a systemic half-life of approximately 3 hours.

Distribution

The protein binding of brimonidine has not been studied.

Metabolism

In humans, brimonidine is extensively metabolized by the liver.

Excretion

Urinary excretion is the major route of elimination of brimonidine and its metabolites.

Approximately 87% of an orally-administered radioactive dose of brimonidine was eliminated within 120 hours, with 74% found in the urine.

13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

No compound-related carcinogenic effects were observed in either mice or rats following a 21- month and 24-month study, respectively. In these studies, dietary administration of brimonidine tartrate at doses up to 2.5 mg/kg/day in mice and 1.0 mg/kg/day in rats achieved ~77 and 118 times, respectively, the plasma Cmax drug concentration estimated in humans treated with one drop brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% into both eyes 2 times per day.

Brimonidine tartrate was not mutagenic or clastogenic in a series of in vitro and in vivo studies including the Ames bacterial reversion test, chromosomal aberration assay in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, and three in vivo studies in CD-1 mice: a host-mediated assay, cytogenetic study, and dominant lethal assay.

A reproduction and fertility study in rats with brimonidine tartrate demonstrated no adverse effect on male or female fertility at oral doses up to 1 mg/kg, estimated as approximately 200 times the systemic exposure (AUC) following the maximum recommended human ophthalmic dose of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.5%.

14 CLINICAL STUDIES

Elevated IOP presents a major risk factor in glaucomatous field loss. The higher the level of IOP, the greater the likelihood of optic nerve damage and visual field loss. Brimonidine tartrate has the action of lowering intraocular pressure with minimal effect on cardiovascular and pulmonary parameters.

In comparative clinical studies with timolol 0.5%, lasting up to one year, the IOP lowering effect of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution was approximately 4-6 mm Hg compared with approximately 6 mm Hg for timolol. In these studies, both patient groups were dosed BID; however, due to the duration of action of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, it is recommended that brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution be dosed TID. Eight percent of subjects were discontinued from studies due to inadequately controlled intraocular pressure, which in 30% of these patients occurred during the first month of therapy. Approximately 20% were discontinued due to adverse experiences.

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING

Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% is supplied sterile in white opaque LDPE plastic dropper bottles with tips with purple polypropylene caps as follows:

5 mL in 8 mL bottle NDC 61314-143-05

10 mL in 10 mL bottle NDC 61314-143-10

15 mL in 15 mL bottle NDC 61314-143-15

NOTE: Store between 15° to 25°C (59° to 77°F).

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

Handling the Container

Instruct patients that ocular solutions, if handled improperly or if the tip of the dispensing container contacts the eye or surrounding structures, can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. Always replace the cap after using. If solution changes color or becomes cloudy, do not use. Do not use the product after the expiration date marked on the bottle.

When to Seek Physician Advice

Advise patients that if they have ocular surgery or develop an intercurrent ocular condition (e.g., trauma or infection), they should immediately seek their physician’s advice concerning the continued use of the present multidose container.

Use with Contact Lenses

Advise patients that contact lenses should be removed prior to instillation of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its administration.

Use with Other Ophthalmic Drugs

Advise patients that if more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least five minutes apart.

Potential for Decreased Mental Alertness

As with other similar medications, brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution may cause fatigue and/or drowsiness in some patients. Caution patients who engage in hazardous activities of the potential for a decrease in mental alertness.

Manufactured by

Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

Fort Worth, Texas 76134 for

Sandoz Inc.

Princeton, NJ 08540

Revised: August 2021

300049867-0821

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