WARNINGS
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
PRECAUTIONS
Constipation Or Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
Constipation is a common dose-limiting adverse reaction which sometimes leads to glycopyrrolate discontinuation [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Assess patients for constipation, particularly within 4-5 days of initial dosing or after a dose increase. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction has been reported and may present as abdominal distention, pain, nausea or vomiting.
Incomplete Mechanical Intestinal Obstruction
Diarrhea may be an early symptom of incomplete mechanical intestinal obstruction, especially in patients with ileostomy or colostomy. If incomplete mechanical intestinal obstruction is suspected, discontinue treatment with CUVPOSA and evaluate for intestinal obstruction.
High Ambient Temperatures
In the presence of high ambient temperature, heat prostration (fever and heat stroke due to decreased sweating) can occur with the use of anticholinergic drugs such as CUVPOSA. Advise patients/caregivers to avoid exposure of the patient to hot or very warm environmental temperatures.
Operating Machinery Or An Automobile
CUVPOSA may produce drowsiness or blurred vision. As appropriate for a given age, warn the patient not to engage in activities requiring mental alertness such as operating a motor vehicle or other machinery, or performing hazardous work while taking CUVPOSA.
Anticholinergic Drug Effects
Use CUVPOSA with caution in patients with conditions that are exacerbated by anticholinergic drug effects including:
- Autonomic neuropathy
- Renal disease
- Ulcerative colitis – Large doses may suppress intestinal motility to the point of producing a paralytic ileus and for this reason may precipitate or
aggravate “toxic megacolon”, a serious complication of the disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, cardiac tachyarrhythmias, tachycardia, and hypertension
- Hiatal hernia associated ith reflux esophagitis, since anticholinergic drugs may aggravate this condition
Patient Counseling Information
See FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION)
- Advise patients/caregivers to measure CUVPOSA with an accurate measuring device. A household teaspoon is not an accurate measuring device. Patients/caregivers should use a dosing cup available in pharmacies to accurately measure the correct milliliter dose. An oral syringe, also available in pharmacies, should be used to dispense CUVPOSA into the child’s mouth from the cup. A pharmacist can recommend an appropriate measuring device and can provide instructions for measuring the correct dose.
- Administering CUVPOSA with a high fat meal substantially reduces the amount of glycopyrrolate absorbed. Administer CUVPOSA at least one hour before or two hours after meals.
- CUVPOSA is started at a low dose and gradually titrated over a period of weeks based on therapeutic response and adverse reactions.
Patients/caregivers should not increase the dose without the physician’s permission.
- Common adverse reactions from CUVPOSA include overly dry mouth, constipation, vomiting, flushing of the skin or face, and urinary retention. Side effects can sometimes be difficult to detect in some patients with neurologic problems who cannot adequately communicate how they feel. If side effects become troublesome after increasing a dose, decrease the dose to the prior one and contact your physician.
- Constipation is the most common side effect of glycopyrrolate, and if constipation occurs, stop administering glycopyrrolate to the patient and call their healthcare practitioner.
- Inability of the patient to urinate, dry diapers or undergarments, irritability or crying may be signs of urinary retention, and if urinary retention occurs, patients/caregivers should stop administering glycopyrrolate and call their healthcare practitioner.
- If the patient develops a skin rash, hives or an allergic reaction, parents/caregivers should stop administering glycopyrrolate and call their healthcare practitioner as this could be a sign of hypersensitivity to this product.
- Drugs like glycopyrrolate can reduce sweating, and if the patient is in a hot environment and flushing of the skin occurs this may be due to overheating. Avoid exposure of the patient to hot or very warm environmental temperatures to avoid overheating and the possibility of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
When glycopyrrolate was administered via oral gavage to mice for up to 24 months at dosages of 2.5, 7, and 20 mg/kg/day in both genders, resulting in systemic exposures (estimated AUC0-inf values) approximately 0.1, 0.3, and 0.8 times, respectively, the estimated systemic exposure in humans at the MRHD (9 mg per day, administered in three divided doses), no significant changes in tumor incidence were observed when compared to control.
When glycopyrrolate was administered via oral gavage to rats for up to 24 months at dosages of 5, 15, and 40 mg/kg/day in both genders, resulting in systemic exposures approximately 0.2, 0.8, and 2 times, respectively, the estimated systemic exposure in humans at the MRHD, no significant changes in tumor incidence were observed when compared to control.
Glycopyrrolate did not elicit any genotoxic effects in the Ames mutagenicity assay, the human lymphocyte chromosome aberration assay, or the micronucleus assay.
Glycopyrrolate was assessed for effects on fertility or general reproductive function in rats. Rats of both genders received glycopyrrolate at dosages up to 100 mg/kg/day via oral gavage, resulting in systemic exposures (estimated AUC0-inf values) in males and females up to approximately 11 and 15 times, respectively, the estimated systemic exposure in humans at the MRHD. No treatment-related effects on fertility or reproductive parameters were observed in either gender in this study.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no available data in pregnant women for Cuvposa to inform decisions concerning any drug-associated risks. In pregnant rats, daily oral administration of glycopyrrolate during organogenesis at dose exposures 2.5 to 113 times the exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) did not result in an increased incidence of gross external or visceral defects [see Data]. When glycopyrrolate was administered intravenously to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis at dose exposures equivalent to up to approximately 7.8 times the exposure at the MRHD, no adverse effects on embryo-fetal development were seen. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Animal Data
Glycopyrrolate was orally administered to pregnant rats at dosages of 50, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. These dosages resulted in systemic exposures (estimated AUC0-inf values) approximately 2.5, 23, and 113 times, respectively, the estimated systemic exposure in humans at
the MRHD (9 mg per day, administered in three divided doses). Glycopyrrolate had no effect on maternal survival, but significantly reduced mean maternal body weight gain over the period of dosing at all dosages evaluated. Mean fetal weight was significantly reduced in the 200 and 400 mg/kg/day dose groups. There were two litters with all resorbed fetuses in the 400 mg/kg/day dose group. There were no effects of treatment on the incidence of gross external or visceral defects. Minor treatment-related skeletal effects included reduced ossification of various bones in the 200 and 400 mg/kg/day dose groups; these skeletal effects were likely secondary to maternal toxicity.
Glycopyrrolate was intravenously administered to pregnant rabbits at dosages of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. These dosages resulted in systemic exposures (estimated AUC0-inf values) approximately 0.8, 4.6, and 7.8 times, respectively, the estimated systemic exposure in humans at the MRHD. Glycopyrrolate did not affect maternal survival under the conditions of this study. Mean maternal body weight gain and mean food consumption over the period of dosing were lower than the corresponding control value in the 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg/day treatment groups. There were no effects of treatment on fetal parameters, including fetal survival, mean fetal weight, and the incidence of external, visceral, or skeletal defects.
Female rats that were pregnant or nursing were orally dosed with glycopyrrolate daily at dosages of 0, 50, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day, beginning on day 7 of gestation, and continuing until day 20 of lactation. These dosages resulted in systemic exposures (estimated AUC0-inf values) approximately 2.5, 23, and 113 times, respectively, the estimated systemic exposure in humans at the MRHD (9 mg per day, administered in three divided doses). Mean body weight of pups in all treatment groups was reduced compared to the control group during the period of nursing, but eventually recovered to be comparable to the control group, post-weaning. No other notable delivery or litter parameters were affected by treatment in any group, including no effects on mean duration of gestation or mean numbers of live pups per litter. No treatment-related effects on survival or adverse clinical signs were observed in pups. There were no effects of maternal treatment on behavior, learning, memory, or reproductive function of pups.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of glycopyrrolate or its metabolites 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 CUVPOSA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from CUVPOSA or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
CUVPOSA was evaluated for chronic severe drooling in patients aged 3-16 years with neurologic conditions associated with problem drooling. CUVPOSA has not been studied in subjects under the age of 3 years.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of CUVPOSA did not include subjects aged 65 and over.
Renal Impairment
Because glycopyrrolate is largely renally eliminated, CUVPOSA should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].