CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism Of Action
NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg is a corticosteroid demonstrating potent anti-inflammatory properties.
The precise mechanism of corticosteroid action on allergic rhinitis is not known. Corticosteroids have
been shown to have a wide range of effects on multiple cell types (e.g., mast cells, eosinophils,
neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes) and mediators (e.g., histamine, eicosanoids, leukotrienes,
and cytokines) involved in inflammation.
In two clinical studies utilizing nasal antigen challenge, NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg decreased
some markers of the early- and late-phase allergic response. These observations included decreases
(vs. placebo) in histamine and eosinophil cationic protein levels, and reductions (vs. baseline) in
eosinophils, neutrophils, and epithelial cell adhesion proteins. The clinical significance of these
findings is not known.
The effect of NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg on nasal mucosa following 12 months of treatment was
examined in 46 patients with allergic rhinitis. There was no evidence of atrophy and there was a marked
reduction in intraepithelial eosinophilia and inflammatory cell infiltration (e.g., eosinophils,
lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and plasma cells).
Pharmacodynamics
Adrenal Function In Adults
Four clinical pharmacology studies have been conducted in humans to
assess the effect of NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg at various doses on adrenal function. In one study,
daily doses of 200 and 400 mcg of NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg and 10 mg of prednisone were
compared to placebo in 64 patients (22 to 44 years of age) with allergic rhinitis. Adrenal function
before and after 36 consecutive days of treatment was assessed by measuring plasma cortisol levels
following a 6-hour Cortrosyn (ACTH) infusion and by measuring 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels.
NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg, at both the 200- and 400-mcg dose, was not associated with a
statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels post-Cortrosyn infusion or a statistically
significant decrease in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo. A statistically
significant decrease in the mean plasma cortisol levels post-Cortrosyn infusion and 24-hour urinary
free cortisol levels was detected in the prednisone treatment group compared to placebo.
A second study assessed adrenal response to NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg (400 and 1600 mcg/day),
prednisone (10 mg/day), and placebo, administered for 29 days in 48 male volunteers (21 to 40 years of
age). The 24-hour plasma cortisol area under the curve (AUC0–24 ), during and after an 8-hour
Cortrosyn infusion and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were determined at baseline and after 29
days of treatment. No statistically significant differences in adrenal function were observed with
NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg compared to placebo.
A third study evaluated single, rising doses of NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg (1000, 2000, and 4000
mcg/day), orally administered mometasone furoate (2000, 4000, and 8000 mcg/day), orally administered
dexamethasone (200, 400, and 800 mcg/day), and placebo (administered at the end of each series of
doses) in 24 male volunteers (22 to 39 years of age). Dose administrations were separated by at least 72
hours. Determination of serial plasma cortisol levels at 8 AM and for the 24-hour period following
each treatment were used to calculate the plasma cortisol area under the curve (AUC0–24 ). In addition,
24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were collected prior to initial treatment administration and during
the period immediately following each dose. No statistically significant decreases in the plasma
cortisol AUC, 8 AM cortisol levels, or 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were observed in
volunteers treated with either NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg or oral mometasone, as compared with
placebo treatment. Conversely, nearly all volunteers treated with the three doses of dexamethasone
demonstrated abnormal 8 AM cortisol levels (defined as a cortisol level <10 mcg/dL), reduced 24-hour
plasma AUC values, and decreased 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels, as compared to placebo
treatment.
In a fourth study, adrenal function was assessed in 213 patients (18 to 81 years of age) with nasal polyps
before and after 4 months of treatment with either NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg, (200 mcg once or
twice daily) or placebo by measuring 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50
mcg, at both doses (200 and 400 mcg/day), was not associated with statistically significant decreases in
the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo.
Three clinical pharmacology studies have been conducted in pediatric patients to assess the effect of
mometasone furoate nasal spray on the adrenal function at daily doses of 50, 100, and 200 mcg vs.
placebo. In one study, adrenal function before and after 7 consecutive days of treatment was assessed in
48 pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis (ages 6 to 11 years) by measuring morning plasma cortisol
and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate nasal spray, at all three doses, was not
associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels or a statistically
significant decrease in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo. In the second
study, adrenal function before and after 14 consecutive days of treatment was assessed in 48 pediatric
patients (ages 3 to 5 years) with allergic rhinitis by measuring plasma cortisol levels following a 30-
minute Cortrosyn infusion. Mometasone furoate nasal spray, 50 mcg, at all three doses (50, 100, and 200
mcg/day), was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels
post-Cortrosyn infusion compared to placebo. All patients had a normal response to Cortrosyn. In the
third study, adrenal function before and after up to 42 consecutive days of once-daily treatment was
assessed in 52 patients with allergic rhinitis (ages 2 to 5 years), 28 of whom received mometasone
furoate nasal spray, 50 mcg per nostril (total daily dose 100 mcg), by measuring morning plasma
cortisol and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate nasal spray was not associated
with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels or a statistically significant
decrease in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Mometasone furoate monohydrate administered as a nasal spray suspension has very low bioavailability
(<1%) in plasma using a sensitive assay with a lower quantitation limit (LOQ) of 0.25 pcg/mL.
Distribution
The in vitro protein binding for mometasone furoate was reported to be 98% to 99% in concentration
range of 5 to 500 ng/mL.
Metabolism
Studies have shown that any portion of a mometasone furoate dose which is swallowed and absorbed
undergoes extensive metabolism to multiple metabolites. There are no major metabolites detectable in
plasma. Upon in vitro incubation, one of the minor metabolites formed is 6ß-hydroxy-mometasone
furoate. In human liver microsomes, the formation of the metabolite is regulated by cytochrome P-450
3A4 (CYP3A4).
Elimination
Following intravenous administration, the effective plasma elimination half-life of mometasone furoate
is 5.8 hours. Any absorbed drug is excreted as metabolites mostly via the bile, and to a limited extent,
into the urine.
Specific Populations
Hepatic Impairment
Administration of a single inhaled dose of 400 mcg mometasone furoate to subjects
with mild (n=4), moderate (n=4), and severe (n=4) hepatic impairment resulted in only 1 or 2 subjects in
each group having detectable peak plasma concentrations of mometasone furoate (ranging from 50 to
105 pcg/mL). The observed peak plasma concentrations appear to increase with severity of hepatic
impairment, however, the numbers of detectable levels were few.
Renal Impairment
The effects of renal impairment on mometasone furoate pharmacokinetics have not
been adequately investigated.
Pediatric
Mometasone furoate pharmacokinetics have not been investigated in the pediatric population
[see Use In Specific Populations].
Gender
The effects of gender on mometasone furoate pharmacokinetics have not been adequately
investigated.
Race
The effects of race on mometasone furoate pharmacokinetics have not been adequately
investigated.
Drug-Drug Interactions
Inhibitors Of Cytochrome P450 3A4
In a drug interaction study, an inhaled dose of mometasone furoate
400 mcg was given to 24 healthy subjects twice daily for 9 days and ketoconazole 200 mg (as well as
placebo) were given twice daily concomitantly on Days 4 to 9. Mometasone furoate plasma
concentrations were <150 pcg/mL on Day 3 prior to coadministration of ketoconazole or placebo.
Following concomitant administration of ketoconazole, 4 out of 12 subjects in the ketoconazole
treatment group (n=12) had peak plasma concentrations of mometasone furoate >200 pcg/mL on Day 9
(211-324 pcg/mL).
Animal Toxicology And/Or Pharmacology
Reproduction Toxicology Studies
In mice, mometasone furoate caused cleft palate at subcutaneous doses of 60 mcg/kg and above (less
than the MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis). Fetal survival was reduced at 180 mcg/kg (approximately
2 times the MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis). No toxicity was observed at 20 mcg/kg (less than the
MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis).
In rats, mometasone furoate produced umbilical hernia at topical dermal doses of 600 mcg/kg and above
(approximately 10 times the MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis). A dose of 300 mcg/kg (approximately
6 times the MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis) produced delays in ossification, but no malformations.
In rabbits, mometasone furoate caused multiple malformations (e.g., flexed front paws, gallbladder
agenesis, umbilical hernia, hydrocephaly) at topical dermal doses of 150 mcg/kg and above
(approximately 6 times the MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis). In an oral study, mometasone furoate
increased resorptions and caused cleft palate and/or head malformations (hydrocephaly or domed head)
at 700 mcg/kg (approximately 30 times the MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis). At 2800 mcg/kg
(approximately 110 times the MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis), most litters were aborted or
resorbed. No toxicity was observed at 140 mcg/kg (approximately 6 times the MRDID in adults on a
mcg/m2 basis).
When rats received subcutaneous doses of mometasone furoate throughout pregnancy or during the
later stages of pregnancy, 15 mcg/kg (less than the MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis) caused
prolonged and difficult labor and reduced the number of live births, birth weight, and early pup survival.
Similar effects were not observed at 7.5 mcg/kg (less than the MRDID in adults on a mcg/m2 basis).
Clinical Studies
Allergic Rhinitis In Adults And Adolescents
The efficacy and safety of NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg in the prophylaxis and treatment of
seasonal allergic rhinitis and the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis have been evaluated in 18
controlled trials, and one uncontrolled clinical trial, in approximately 3000 adults (ages 17 to 85 years)
and adolescents (ages 12 to 16 years). Of the total number of patients, there were 1757 males and 1453
females, including a total of 283 adolescents (182 boys and 101 girls) with seasonal allergic or
perennial allergic rhinitis. Patients were treated with NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg at doses ranging
from 50 to 800 mcg/day. The majority of patients were treated with 200 mcg/day. The allergic rhinitis
trials evaluated the total nasal symptom scores that included stuffiness, rhinorrhea, itching, and sneezing.
Patients treated with NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg, 200 mcg/day had a statistically significant
decrease in total nasal symptom scores compared to placebo-treated patients. No additional benefit was
observed for mometasone furoate doses greater than 200 mcg/day. A total of 350 patients have been
treated with NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg for 1 year or longer.
In patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg, demonstrated improvement
in nasal symptoms (vs. placebo) within 11 hours after the first dose based on one single-dose, parallelgroup
study of patients in an outdoor "park" setting (park study) and one environmental exposure unit
(EEU) study, and within 2 days in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group
seasonal allergic rhinitis studies. Maximum benefit is usually achieved within 1 to 2 weeks after
initiation of dosing.
Prophylaxis of seasonal allergic rhinitis for patients 12 years of age and older with NASONEX Nasal
Spray 50 mcg, given at a dose of 200 mcg/day, was evaluated in two clinical studies in 284 patients.
These studies were designed such that patients received 4 weeks of prophylaxis with NASONEX
Nasal Spray 50 mcg prior to the anticipated onset of the pollen season; however, some patients received
only 2 to 3 weeks of prophylaxis. Patients receiving 2 to 4 weeks of prophylaxis with NASONEX
Nasal Spray 50 mcg demonstrated a statistically significantly smaller mean increase in total nasal
symptom scores with onset of the pollen season as compared to placebo patients.
Allergic Rhinitis In Pediatrics
The efficacy and safety of NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg in the treatment of seasonal allergic and
perennial allergic rhinitis in pediatric patients (ages 3 to 11 years) have been evaluated in four
controlled trials. This included approximately 990 pediatric patients ages 3 to 11 years (606 males and
384 females) with seasonal allergic or perennial allergic rhinitis treated with mometasone furoate nasal
spray at doses ranging from 25 to 200 mcg/day. Pediatric patients treated with NASONEX Nasal Spray
50 mcg (100 mcg total daily dose, 374 patients) had a significant decrease in total nasal symptom (nasal
congestion, rhinorrhea, itching, and sneezing) scores, compared to placebo-treated patients. No
additional benefit was observed for the 200-mcg mometasone furoate total daily dose in pediatric
patients (ages 3 to 11 years). A total of 163 pediatric patients have been treated for 1 year.
Nasal Polyps In Adults 18 Years Of Age And Older
Two studies were performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NASONEX Nasal Spray in the
treatment of nasal polyps. These studies involved 664 patients with nasal polyps, 441 of whom received
NASONEX Nasal Spray. These studies were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallelgroup,
multicenter studies in patients 18 to 86 years of age with bilateral nasal polyps. Patients were
randomized to receive NASONEX Nasal Spray 200 mcg once daily, 200 mcg twice daily or placebo
for a period of 4 months. The co-primary efficacy endpoints were 1) change from baseline in nasal
congestion/obstruction averaged over the first month of treatment; and 2) change from baseline to last
assessment in bilateral polyp grade during the entire 4 months of treatment as assessed by endoscopy.
Efficacy was demonstrated in both studies at a dose of 200 mcg twice daily and in one study at a dose of
200 mcg once a day (see TABLE 2 below).
TABLE 2: EFFECT OF NASONEX NASAL SPRAY IN TWO RANDOMIZED, PLACEBOCONTROLLED
TRIALS IN PATIENTS WITH NASAL POLYPS
|
NASONEX
200 mcg
qd |
NASONEX
200 mcg
bid |
Placebo |
P-value for
NASONEX
200 mcg qd
vs . placebo |
P-value for
NASONEX
200 mcg
bid vs .
placebo |
Study 1 |
N=115 |
N=122 |
N=117 |
|
|
Baseline bilateral polyp grade* |
4.21 |
4.27 |
4.25 |
|
|
Mean change from baseline in bilateral
polyps grade |
-1.15 |
-0.96 |
-0.50 |
<0.001 |
0.01 |
Baseline nasal congestion† |
2.29 |
2.35 |
2.28 |
|
|
Mean change from baseline in nasal
congestion |
-0.47 |
-0.61 |
-0.24 |
0.001 |
<0.001 |
Study 2 |
N=102 |
N=102 |
N=106 |
|
|
Baseline bilateral polyp grade* |
4.00 |
4.10 |
4.17 |
|
|
Mean change from baseline in bilateral
polyps grade |
-0.78 |
-0.96 |
-0.62 |
0.33 |
0.04 |
Baseline nasal congestion† |
2.23 |
2.20 |
2.18 |
|
|
Mean change from baseline in nasal
congestion |
-0.42 |
-0.66 |
-0.23 |
0.01 |
<0.001 |
*polyps in each nasal fossa were graded by the investigator based on endoscopic visualization, using a scale of 0-
3 where 0=no polyps; 1=polyps in the middle meatus, not reaching below the inferior border of the middle
turbinate; 2=polyps reaching below the inferior border of the middle turbinate but not the inferior border of the
inferior turbinate; 3=polyps reaching to or below the border of the inferior turbinate, or polyps medial to the
middle turbinate (score reflects sum of left and right nasal fossa grades).
†nasal congestion/obstruction was scored daily by the patient using a 0-3 categorical scale where 0=no symptoms,
1=mild symptoms, 2=moderate symptoms and 3=severe symptoms. |
There were no clinically relevant differences in the effectiveness of NASONEX Nasal Spray, 50 mcg,
in the studies evaluating treatment of nasal polyps across subgroups of patients defined by gender, age,
or race.
Nasal Congestion Associated With Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
The efficacy and safety of NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg for nasal congestion associated with
seasonal allergic rhinitis were evaluated in three randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical
trials of 15 days duration. The three trials included a total of 1008 patients 12 years of age and older
with nasal congestion associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis, of whom 506 received NASONEX
Nasal Spray 200 mcg daily and 502 received placebo. Of the 1008 patients, the majority 784 (78 %)
were Caucasians. The majority of the patients were between 18 to < 65 years of age with a mean age of
38.8 years and were predominantly women (66%). The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from
baseline in average morning and evening reflective nasal congestion score over treatment day 1 to day
15. The key secondary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in average morning and evening
reflective total nasal symptom score (TNSS=rhinorrhea [nasal discharge/runny nose or postnasal drip],
nasal congestion/stuffiness, nasal itching, sneezing) averaged over treatment day 1 to 15. Two out of
three studies demonstrated that treatment with NASONEX Nasal Spray significantly reduced the nasal
congestion symptom score and the TNSS compared to placebo in patients 12 years of age and older with
seasonal allergic rhinitis (see TABLE 3 and 4 below).
TABLE 3: EFFECT OF NASONEX NASAL SPRAY IN TWO RANDOMIZED, PLACEBOCONTROLLED
TRIALS ON NASAL CONGESTION IN PATIENTS WITH SEASONAL
ALLERGIC RHINITIS
Treatment (Patient Number) |
Baseline*
LS Mean† |
Change from
Baseline
LS Mean† |
Difference
from
Placebo
LS Mean† |
P-value for
NASONEX 200
mcg qd vs . placebo |
Study 1 |
|
|
|
|
NASONEX 200 mcg qd (N=176) |
2.63 |
-0.64 |
-0.15 |
0.006 |
Placebo (N=175) |
2.62 |
-0.49 |
|
|
Study 2 |
|
|
|
|
NASONEX 200 mcg qd (N=168) |
2.62 |
-0.71 |
-0.31 |
<0.001 |
Placebo (N=164) |
2.60 |
-0.40 |
|
|
*nasal congestion/obstruction was scored daily by the patient using a 0-3 categorical scale where 0=no symptoms,
1=mild symptoms, 2=moderate symptoms and 3=severe symptoms.
†LS Mean and p-value was from an ANCOVA model with treatment, baseline value, and center effects. |
TABLE 4: EFFECT OF NASONEX NASAL SPRAY ON TNSS IN TWO RANDOMIZED,
PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIALS IN PATIENTS WITH SEASONAL ALLERGIC
RHINITIS
Treatment (Patient Number) |
Baseline*
LS Mean† |
Change from
Baseline
LS Mean† |
Difference
from
Placebo
LS Mean† |
P-value for
NASONEX 200
mcg qd vs . placebo |
Study 1 |
|
|
|
|
NASONEX 200 mcg qd (N=176) |
9.60 |
-2.68 |
-0.83 |
<0.001 |
Placebo (N=175) |
9.66 |
-1.85 |
|
|
Study 2 |
|
|
|
|
NASONEX 200 mcg qd (N=168) |
9.39 |
-3.00 |
-1.27 |
<0.001 |
Placebo (N=164) |
9.50 |
-1.73 |
|
|
*TNSS was the sum of four individual symptom scores: rhinorrhea, nasal congestion/stuffiness, nasal itching and
sneezing. Each symptom was to be rated on a scale of 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe.
†LS Mean and p-value was from an ANCOVA model with treatment, baseline value, and center effects. |
Based on results in other studies with NASONEX Nasal Spray in pediatric patients, effects on nasal
congestion associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients below 12 years of age is similar to
those seen in adults and adolescents [see Allergic Rhinitis In Pediatrics].