Warnings for Picato
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Precautions for Picato
Ophthalmic Adverse Reactions
Eye disorders, including severe eye pain, chemical conjunctivitis, corneal burn, eyelid edema, eyelid ptosis, periorbital edema can occur after exposure [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
To avoid transfer of the drug into the eyes and to the periocular area during and after application, patients should wash hands well after applying Picato gel. If accidental exposure occurs, the area should be flushed with water and the patient should seek medical care as soon as possible.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and allergic contact dermatitis, have been reported postmarketing. If anaphylactic or other clinically significant hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue Picato gel immediately and institute appropriate medical therapy.
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancers have been reported in patients treated with Picato. Cases of rapidly growing squamous cell carcinoma have been reported in the treatment area within a few weeks after treatment completion. Counsel patients on the potential risk and monitor closely those patients with risk factors for skin cancer.
Local Skin Reactions
Severe skin reactions in the treated area, including erythema, crusting, swelling, vesiculation/pustulation, and erosion/ulceration, can occur after topical application of Picato® gel [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Administration of Picato gel is not recommended until the skin is healed from any previous drug or surgical treatment.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION and Instructions for Use).
Ophthalmic Adverse Reactions
Inform patients that severe eye injury can occur with Picato gel. Advise patients that Picato gel is not for ophthalmic use. Advise patients to avoid application around the eyes. If severe eye pain or other symptoms of accidental exposure occur, advise patients to flush eyes with water and seek medical care [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Inform patients that hypersensitivity reactions can occur with Picato gel. Advise patients of the symptoms of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, and instruct patients to seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Inform patients that non-melanoma skin cancers have been reported in patients treated with Picato.Instruct patients to notify their physician if any new or changing skin lesions occur in the treatment area after treatment completion [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Local Skin Reactions
Inform patients that treatment with Picato gel may lead to local skin reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Important Administration Instructions
Advise patients that Picato® gel is for external use only. Advise patients to avoid application near and around the eyes, mouth and lips.
Patients should avoid inadvertent transfer of Picato gel to other areas, or to another person. Instruct patients to:
- allow the treated area to dry for 15 minutes after application.
- avoid washing and touching the treated area, or participating in activities that cause excessive sweating, for 6 hours after treatment. Following this time, patients may wash the area with a mild soap and water.
- keep out of the reach of children.
Lactation
Advise breastfeeding women to avoid accidental transfer of Picato gel to the nipple and areola area to prevent direct infant exposure [see Use In Specific Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Long-term animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of Picato® gel or ingenol mebutate. The effects of ingenol mebutate on fertility have not been evaluated.
Ingenol mebutate was negative in the Ames test, in vitro mouse lymphoma assay, and in vivo rat micronucleus test, but positive in the Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell transformation assay.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no available data on Picato gel use in pregnant women to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Systemic concentrations following topical administration of Picato gel were below the limit of quantification of 0.1 ng/ml, and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
In animal reproduction studies, ingenol mebutate did not cause malformations in pregnant rats and rabbits when given by the intravenous route of administration during the period of organogenesis (see Data). The available data do not allow the calculation of relevant comparisons between the systemic exposure of ingenol mebutate observed in the animal studies to the systemic exposure that would be expected in humans after topical use of Picato® gel.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of major birth defects, loss, and other adverse outcomes. The background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2 to 4% and of miscarriage is 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.
Data
Animal Data
Intravenous doses of 1.5, 3, and 5 μg/kg/day (9, 18, and 30 μg/m2/day, respectively) ingenol mebutate were administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6 – 16) to pregnant female rats. No treatment-related effects on embryofetal development or malformations were noted at doses up to 5 μg/kg/day (30 μg/m2/day).
Intravenous doses of 1, 2, and 4 μg/kg/day (12, 24, and 48 μg/m2/day, respectively) ingenol mebutate were administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6 – 18) to pregnant female rabbits. Maternal toxicity (increased breathing rate) was observed at doses ≥ 1 μg/kg/day (12 μg/m2/day). An increase in embryo-fetal mortality was noted at 4 μg/kg/day (48 μg/m2/day). An increased incidence of fetal visceral and skeletal variations was noted in all three ingenol mebutate dose groups.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of ingenol mebutate in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production. Systemic concentrations following topical administration of Picato® gel were below the limit of quantification of 0.1 ng/mL, and breastfeeding is not expected to result in exposure of the child to Picato gel [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Picato gel and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from Picato gel or from the underlying maternal condition.
Clinical Considerations
Advise breastfeeding women to avoid accidental transfer of Picato gel to the nipple and areola area to prevent direct infant exposure.
Pediatric Use
Actinic keratosis is not a condition generally seen within the pediatric population.
The safety and effectiveness of Picato gel for actinic keratosis in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Of the 1165 subjects treated with Picato gel in the clinical trials, 56% were 65 years and older and, 21% were 75 years and older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects.