WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Suppression
Systemic effects of topical corticosteroids may include
reversible HPA axis suppression, manifestations of Cushing's syndrome,
hyperglycemia, and glucosuria.
Studies conducted in pediatric subjects demonstrated
reversible HPA axis suppression after use of Locoid® Lotion.
Pediatric patients may be more susceptible than adults to systemic toxicity
from equivalent doses of Locoid® Lotion due to their larger skin
surface-to-bodymass ratios [see Use in Specific Populations].
Patients applying a topical corticosteroid to a large
surface area or to areas under occlusion should be considered for periodic
evaluation of the HPA axis. This may be done by using cosyntropin (ACTH1-24)
stimulation testing (CST).
Minimize systemic corticosteroid effects by mitigating
the risk factors for increased systemic absorption and using Locoid® Lotion
as recommended [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
If HPA axis suppression is noted, the frequency of
application should be reduced or the drug should be withdrawn, or a less potent
corticosteroid should be substituted. Signs and symptoms of glucocorticosteroid
insufficiency may occur, requiring supplemental systemic corticosteroids [see
ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Concomitant Skin Infections
If skin infections are present or develop, an appropriate
antifungal, antibacterial or antiviral agent should be used. If a favorable
response does not occur promptly, use of Locoid® Lotion should be
discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled [see ADVERSE
REACTIONS].
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis with corticosteroids is
usually diagnosed by observing a failure to heal rather than noticing a
clinical exacerbation. Such an observation should be corroborated with
appropriate patch testing. Discontinue Locoid® Lotion if the
diagnosis is established [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
In a 2-year dermal rat carcinogenicity study with Locoid® Lotion, hydrocortisone butyrate was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats
at topical doses of 0.05, 0.15, and 0.3 mg/kg/day in males and 0.1, 0.25, and
0.5 mg/kg/day in females (0.1% lotion). No drug-related tumors were noted in
this study up to the highest doses evaluated in this study of 0.3 mg/kg/day in
males (0.1X MTHD) and 0.5 mg/kg/day in females (0.2X MTHD).
Hydrocortisone butyrate revealed no evidence of mutagenic
or clastogenic potential based on the results of two in vitro genotoxicity
tests (Ames test and L5178Y/TK+/-mouse lymphoma assay) and one in
vivo genotoxicity test (mouse micronucleus assay).
No evidence of impairment of fertility or effect on
mating performance was observed in a fertility and general reproductive
performance study conducted in male and female rats at subcutaneous doses up to
and including 1.8 mg/kg/day (0.7X MTHD). Mild effects on maternal animals, such
as reduced food consumption and a subsequent reduction in body weight gain,
were seen at doses ≥ 0.6 mg/kg/day (0.2X MTHD).
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and
well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, Locoid® Lotion
should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the
potential risk to the fetus.
Corticosteroids have been shown
to be teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at
relatively low dosage levels. Some corticosteroids have been shown to be
teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals.
Note: The animal multiples of human exposure calculations
in this label were based on body surface area comparisons for an adult (i.e.,
mg/m²/day dose comparisons) assuming 100% human percutaneous
absorption of a maximum topical human dose (MTHD) for hydrocortisone butyrate
lotion (25 g lotion).
Systemic embryofetal development studies were conducted
in rats and rabbits.
Subcutaneous doses of 0.6, 1.8 and 5.4 mg/kg/day
hydrocortisone butyrate were administered to pregnant female rats during
gestation days 6 – 17. In the presence of maternal toxicity, fetal effects
noted at 5.4 mg/kg/day (2X MTHD) included an increased incidence of
ossification variations and unossified sternebra. No treatment-related effects
on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity were noted at doses of 5.4 mg/kg/day
and 1.8 mg/kg/day, respectively (2X MTHD and 0.7X MTHD, respectively).
Subcutaneous doses of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg/day
hydrocortisone butyrate were administered to pregnant female rabbits during
gestation days 7 – 20. An increased incidence of abortion was noted at 0.3
mg/kg/day (0.2X MTHD). In the absence of maternal toxicity, a dose-dependent
decrease in fetal body weight was noted at doses ≥ 0.1 mg/kg/day (0.1X
MTHD). Additional indicators of embryofetal toxicity (reduction in litter size,
decreased number of viable fetuses, increased post-implantation loss) were
noted at doses ≥ 0.2 mg/kg/day (0.2X MTHD). Additional fetal effects noted
in this study included delayed ossification noted at doses ≥ 0.1 mg/kg/day
and an increased incidence of fetal malformations (primarily skeletal
malformations) noted at doses ≥ 0.2 mg/kg/day. A dose at which no
treatment-related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity were
observed was not established in this study.
Additional systemic embryofetal development studies were
conducted in rats and mice. Subcutaneous doses of 0.1 and 9 mg/kg/day
hydrocortisone butyrate were administered to pregnant female rats during
gestation days 9 – 15. In the presence of maternal toxicity, an increase in
fetal deaths and fetal resorptions and an increase in the number of
ossifications in caudal vertebrae were noted at a dose of 9 mg/kg/day (3X
MTHD). No treatment-related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity
were noted at 0.1 mg/kg/day (0.1X MTHD).
Subcutaneous doses of 0.2 and 1 mg/kg/day hydrocortisone
butyrate were administered to pregnant female mice during gestation days 7 –
13. In the absence of maternal toxicity, an increased number of cervical ribs
and one fetus with clubbed legs were noted at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day (0.2X
MTHD). No treatment-related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity
were noted at doses of 1 and 0.2 mg/kg/day, respectively (0.2X MTHD and 0.1X
MTHD, respectively).
No topical embryofetal development studies were conducted
with hydrocortisone butyrate lotion. However, topical embryofetal development
studies were conducted in rats and rabbits with a hydrocortisone butyrate
ointment formulation. Topical doses of 1% and 10% hydrocortisone butyrate
ointment were administered to pregnant female rats during gestation days 6 – 15
or pregnant female rabbits during gestation days 6 – 18. A dose-dependent
increase in fetal resorptions was noted in rabbits (0.2 – 2X MTHD) and fetal
resorptions were noted in rats at the 10% hydrocortisone butyrate ointment dose
(80X MTHD). No treatment-related effects on embyrofetal toxicity were noted at
the 1% hydrocortisone butyrate ointment dose in rats (8 MTHD). A dose at which
no treatment-related effects on embryofetal toxicity were observed in rabbits
after topical administration of hydrocortisone butyrate ointment was not
established in this study. No treatment-related effects on teratogenicity were
noted at a dose of 10% hydrocortisone butyrate ointment in rats or rabbits (80X
MTHD and 2X MTHD, respectively).
A peri-and post-natal development study was conducted in
rats. Subcutaneous doses of 0.6, 1.8 and 5.4 mg/kg/day hydrocortisone butyrate
were administered to pregnant female rats from gestation day 6 – lactation day
20. In the presence of maternal toxicity, a dose-dependent decrease in fetal
weight was noted at doses ≥ 1.8 mg/kg/day (0.7X MTHD). No
treatment-related effects on fetal toxicity were noted at 0.6 mg/kg/day (0.2X
MTHD). A delay in sexual maturation was noted at 5.4 mg/kg/day (2X MTHD). No
treatment-related effects on sexual maturation were noted at 1.8 mg/kg/day. No
treatment-related effects on behavioral development or subsequent reproductive
performance were noted at 5.4 mg/kg/day.
Nursing Mothers
Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human
milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid
production, or cause other untoward effects. It is not known whether topical
administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic
absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Because many drugs
are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Locoid® Lotion
is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below 3 months
of age have not been established.
Because of higher skin surface-to-body-mass ratios,
pediatric patients are at a greater risk than adults of HPA axis suppression
when they are treated with topical corticosteroids [see WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS]. They are therefore also at a greater risk of
glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment and of
Cushing's syndrome while on treatment.
Eighty-four (84) pediatric subjects (3 months to less
than 18 years of age) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis affecting at
least 25% of body surface area (BSA) treated with Locoid® Lotion
three times daily for up to 4 weeks were assessed for HPA axis suppression. The
disease severity (moderate to severe atopic dermatitis) and the dosing regimen
(three times daily) in this HPA axis study were different from the subject
population (mild to moderate atopic dermatitis) and the dosing regimen (two
times daily) for which Locoid® Lotion is indicated. Seven of the 82
evaluable subjects (8.5%) demonstrated laboratory evidence of suppression,
where the sole criterion for defining HPA axis suppression was a serum cortisol
level of less than or equal to 18 micrograms per deciliter after cosyntropin
stimulation. Suppressed subjects ranged in age from 1 to 12 years and, at the
time of enrollment, had 35% to 90% BSA involvement. These subjects did not
develop any other signs or symptoms of HPA axis suppression. At the first
follow up visit, approximately one month after the conclusion of treatment,
cosyntropin stimulation results of all subjects had returned to normal, with
the exception of one subject. This last subject recovered adrenal function by
the second post treatment visit, 55 days post-treatment.
Cushing's syndrome, linear growth retardation, delayed
weight gain, and intracranial hypertension have also been reported in pediatric
patients receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal
suppression in pediatric patients include low plasma cortisol levels to an
absence of response to ACTH stimulation. Manifestations of intracranial
hypertension include bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral papilledema.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of Locoid® Lotion did not
include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether
they respond differently from younger subjects.