Warnings for Ycanth
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Precautions for Ycanth
Toxicities Associated With Inappropriate Administration
YCANTH is for topical use only. YCANTH is not for oral, mucosal, or ophthalmic use.
Life threatening or fatal toxicities can occur if YCANTH is administered orally [see OVERDOSE ]. Adverse reactions to oral ingestion of cantharidin have included renal failure, blistering and severe damage to the gastrointestinal tract, coagulopathy, seizures, and flaccid paralysis. Advise patients and/or caregivers to avoid oral contact and to avoid touching lesions after YCANTH treatment and to seek medical attention immediately if YCANTH is accidently ingested.
Ocular toxicity can occur if YCANTH comes in contact with the eyes. Adverse reactions from contact of YCANTH with the eyes can include corneal necrosis, ocular perforation, and deep ocular injuries. Do not apply YCANTH near or to the eyes. If YCANTH comes in contact with the eyes, flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
Local Skin Reactions
YCANTH is a vesicant. Local skin reactions at the application site were observed in 97% of subjects treated with YCANTH during clinical trials. Local skin reactions included vesiculation, pruritus, pain, discoloration, and erythema [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Avoid application near the eyes and mucosal tissues, and to adjacent healthy skin. If YCANTH contacts any unintended surface, including healthy skin, immediately remove by wiping with a cotton swab or gauze.
Avoid other topical products (e.g. creams, lotions, or sunscreen) on treated areas until 24 hours after YCANTH treatment or until washing. Application of other topical products could spread YCANTH and cause blistering or other adverse reactions to healthy skin.
If severe blistering, severe pain or other severe adverse reactions occur, remove YCANTH prior to the recommended 24 hours after administration by washing with soap and water.
Flammability
YCANTH is a flammable liquid, even after drying. Avoid fire, flame or smoking near lesion(s) during treatment and after application until removed.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient and/or caregivers to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).
Toxicities Associated With Inappropriate Administration
Inform patients and/or caregivers that YCANTH can be fatal if ingested orally. Instruct patients and/or caregivers to avoid oral contact and to avoid touching lesions after YCANTH treatment. If YCANTH is accidentally ingested, inform patients and/or caregivers to seek medical attention immediately.
Advise patients and/or caregivers that severe eye injury can occur if YCANTH gets into the eyes. If YCANTH gets in the eyes, advise patients and/or caregivers to flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Local Skin Reactions
Inform patients and/or caregivers that treatment with YCANTH can lead to local skin reactions [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Advise patients and/or caregivers not to use other topical products (e.g. creams, lotions, or sunscreen) until 24 hours after YCANTH treatment or until washing. Advise patients and/or caregivers to remove YCANTH with soap and water prior to 24 hours after treatment and contact the healthcare provider if severe blistering, severe pain or other severe adverse reactions occur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ].
Flammability
Inform patients and/or caregivers that YCANTH is flammable, even after drying. Instruct patients and/or caregivers to avoid fire, flame, or smoking near the lesions treated with YCANTH until YCANTH is removed [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Important Dosage And Administration Information
Inform patients and/or caregivers to remove YCANTH with soap and water 24 hours after treatment. Inform patients and/or caregivers that more than one YCANTH treatment may be necessary [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenicity studies have not been conducted with cantharidin.
Cantharidin was not mutagenic in a bacteria reverse mutation (Ames) assay. An in vitro chromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes with cantharidin was inconclusive.
Cantharidin was positive in an in vitro micronucleus assay in TK6 cells, primarily through an aneugenic mechanism.
The effects of cantharidin on fertility have not been evaluated.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no available data with use of YCANTH in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Animal reproduction studies were not conducted with cantharidin. Given that systemic exposure to cantharidin following topical administration is low, maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Lactation
Risk Summary
Avoid application of YCANTH topical solution to areas with increased risk for potential ingestion by or ocular exposure to the breastfeeding child. There are no data on the presence of cantharidin in either human or animal milk, or the effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Breastfeeding is not expected to result in exposure of the child to the drug due to the low systemic absorption of YCANTH following topical administration [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for YCANTH topical solution and any potential adverse effects on the breastfeeding child from YCANTH topical solution or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
Risk Summary
The safety and effectiveness of YCANTH for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum have been established in pediatric patients aged 2 years and older. The use of YCANTH in pediatric patients is supported by results from adequate and well-controlled trials in patients 2 years of age and older; although the safety and efficacy of drug use for longer than 12 weeks has not been established [see Clinical Studies].
The safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below the age of 2 years have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Risk Summary
YCANTH has not been studied in geriatric patients.