WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Sulfonamide Hypersensitivity
TRUSOPT contains dorzolamide, a sulfonamide; and although
administered topically, it is absorbed systemically. Therefore, the same types
of adverse reactions that are attributable to sulfonamides may occur with
topical administration of TRUSOPT. Fatalities have occurred, although rarely,
due to severe reactions to sulfonamides including Stevens-Johnson syndrome,
toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis,
aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias. Sensitization may recur when a
sulfonamide is readministered irrespective of the route of administration. If
signs of serious reactions or hypersensitivity occur, discontinue the use of
this preparation [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and PATIENT INFORMATION].
Bacterial Keratitis
There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated
with the use of multiple-dose containers of topical ophthalmic products. These
containers had been inadvertently contaminated by patients who, in most cases,
had a concurrent corneal disease or a disruption of the ocular epithelial surface.
Corneal Endothelium
Carbonic anhydrase activity has been observed in both the
cytoplasm and around the plasma membranes of the corneal endothelium. There is
an increased potential for developing corneal edema in patients with low
endothelial cell counts. Caution should be used when prescribing TRUSOPT to
this group of patients.
Allergic Reactions
In clinical studies, local ocular adverse effects,
primarily conjunctivitis and lid reactions, were reported with chronic
administration of TRUSOPT. Many of these reactions had the clinical appearance
and course of an allergic-type reaction that resolved upon discontinuation of
drug therapy. If such reactions are observed, TRUSOPT should be discontinued
and the patient evaluated before considering restarting the drug [see ADVERSE
REACTIONS].
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
The management of patients with acute angle-closure
glaucoma requires therapeutic interventions in addition to ocular hypotensive
agents.
TRUSOPT® Ophthalmic Solution is indicated in the
treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension
or open-angle glaucoma.
Patient Counseling Information
See FDA-approved patient labeling (Instructions for
Use).
Sulfonamide Reactions
TRUSOPT is a sulfonamide and although administered
topically is absorbed systemically. Therefore the same types of adverse
reactions that are attributable to sulfonamides may occur with topical
administration. Advise patients that if serious or unusual reactions including
severe skin reactions or signs of hypersensitivity occur, they should discontinue
the use of the product [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Intercurrent Ocular Conditions
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.
Handling Ophthalmic Solutions
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.
Concomitant Topical Ocular
Therapy If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being
used, the drugs should be administered at least five minutes apart.
Contact Lens
Use Advise patients that TRUSOPT contains benzalkonium
chloride which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be
removed prior to administration of the solution. Lenses may be reinserted 15
minutes following TRUSOPT administration.
Patient Instructions
Advise patients that if they develop any ocular
reactions, particularly conjunctivitis and lid reactions, they should
discontinue use and seek their physician's advice.
Instruct patients to avoid allowing the tip of the
dispensing container to contact the eye or surrounding structures.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
In a two-year study of dorzolamide hydrochloride
administered orally to male and female Sprague-Dawley rats, urinary bladder
papillomas were seen in male rats in the highest dosage group of 20 mg/kg/day.
Papillomas were not seen in rats given oral doses of 1 mg/kg/day. These doses
represent estimated plasma Cmax levels in rats, 138 and 7 times higher than the
lower limit of detection in human plasma following ocular administration,
respectively.
No treatment-related tumors were seen in a 21-month study
in female and male mice given oral doses up to 75 mg/kg/day. This dose
represents an estimated plasma Cmax level in mice, 582 times higher than the
lower limit of detection in human plasma following ocular administration.
The increased incidence of urinary bladder papillomas
seen in the high-dose male rats is a class-effect of carbonic anhydrase
inhibitors in rats. Rats are particularly prone to developing papillomas in
response to foreign bodies, compounds causing crystalluria, and diverse sodium
salts.
No changes in bladder urothelium were seen in dogs given
oral dorzolamide hydrochloride for one year at 2 mg/kg/day or monkeys dosed
topically to the eye for one year. An oral dose of 2 mg/kg/day in dogs
represents an estimated plasma Cmax level, 137 times higher than the lower
limit of detection in human plasma following ocular administration. The topical
ophthalmic dose in monkeys was approximately equivalent to the human topical
ophthalmic dose.
The following tests for mutagenic potential were
negative: (1) in vivo (mouse) cytogenetic assay; (2) in vitro chromosomal
aberration assay; (3) alkaline elution assay; (4) V-79 assay; and (5) Ames
test.
In reproduction studies of dorzolamide hydrochloride in
rats, there were no adverse effects on the reproductive capacity of males or
females at doses of 15 and 7.5 mg/kg/day, respectively. These doses represent
estimated plasma Cmax levels in rats, 104 and 52 times higher than the lower
limit of detection in human plasma following ocular administration,
respectively.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects - Pregnancy Category C
Developmental toxicity studies with dorzolamide
hydrochloride in rabbits at oral doses of ≥ 2.5 mg/kg/day revealed
malformations of the vertebral bodies. These malformations occurred at doses
that caused metabolic acidosis with decreased body weight gain in dams and
decreased fetal weights. No treatment-related malformations were seen at 1
mg/kg/day. These doses represent estimated plasma Cmax levels in rabbits, 37
and 15 times higher than the lower limit of detection in human plasma following
ocular administration, respectively.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in
pregnant women. TRUSOPT should be used during pregnancy only if the potential
benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing Mothers
In a study of dorzolamide hydrochloride in lactating
rats, decreases in body weight gain of 5 to 7% in offspring at an oral dose of
7.5 mg/kg/day were seen during lactation. A slight delay in postnatal
development (incisor eruption, vaginal canalization and eye openings),
secondary to lower fetal body weight, was noted. This dose represents an
estimated plasma Cmax level in rats, 52 times higher than the lower limit of
detection in human plasma following ocular administration.
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human
milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the
potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from TRUSOPT, 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.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of TRUSOPT have been
demonstrated in pediatric patients in a 3-month, multicenter, double-masked,
active-treatment-controlled trial.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have
been observed between elderly and younger patients.
Renal And Hepatic Impairment
Dorzolamide has not been studied in patients with severe
renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min). Because dorzolamide and its metabolite
are excreted predominantly by the kidney, TRUSOPT is not recommended in such
patients.
Dorzolamide has not been studied in patients with hepatic
impairment and should therefore be used with caution in such patients.