Ropivacaine Hydrochloride

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection is indicated for the production of local or regional anesthesia for surgery and for acute pain management. Surgical Anesthesia: epidural block for surgery including cesarean section; major nerve block; local infiltration Acute Pain Management: epidural continuous infusion or intermittent bolus, e.g., postoperative or labor; local infiltration Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection is an amide local anesthetic indicated in adults for the production of local or regional anesthesia for surgery and for acute pain management. Surgical Anesthesia : epidural block for surgery including cesarean section; major nerve block; local infiltration Acute Pain Management : epidural continuous infusion or intermittent bolus, e.g., postoperative or labor; local infiltration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION See Table 1 for Dosage Recommendations ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions There have been adverse event reports of chondrolysis in patients receiving intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics following arthroscopic and other surgical procedures. Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection is not approved for this use [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . The rapid injection of a large volume of local anesthetic solution should be avoided and fractional (incremental) doses should always be used. The smallest dose and concentration required to produce the desired result should be administered. The dose of any local anesthetic administered varies with the anesthetic procedure, the area to be anesthetized, the vascularity of the tissues, the number of neuronal segments to be blocked, the depth of anesthesia and degree of muscle relaxation required, the duration of anesthesia desired, individual tolerance, and the physical condition of the patient. Patients in poor general condition due to aging or other compromising factors such as partial or complete heart conduction block, advanced liver disease or severe renal dysfunction require special attention although regional anesthesia is frequently indicated in these patients. To reduce the risk of potentially serious adverse reactions, attempts should be made to optimize the patient's condition before major blocks are performed, and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly. Use an adequate test dose (3 to 5 mL of a short acting local anesthetic solution containing epinephrine) prior to induction of complete block. This test dose should be repeated if the patient is moved in such a fashion as to have displaced the epidural catheter. Allow adequate time for onset of anesthesia following administration of each test dose. These products are intended for single dose and are free from preservatives. Any solution remaining from an opened container should be discarded promptly. 2.2 Dosage Recommendations Table 1 Dosage Recommendations Conc. Volume mL Dose mg Onset min Duration hours mg/mL (%) SURGICAL ANESTHESIA Lumbar Epidural 5 (0.5%) 15 to 30 75 to 150 15 to 30 2 to 4 Administration 7.5 (0.75%) 15 to 25 113 to 188 10 to 20 3 to 5 Surgery 10 (1%) 15 to 20 150 to 200 10 to 20 4 to 6 Lumbar Epidural 5 (0.5%) 20 to 30 100 to 150 15 to 25 2 to 4 Administration 7.5 (0.75%) 15 to 20 113 to 150 10 to 20 3 to 5 Cesarean Section Thoracic Epidural 5 (0.5%) 5 to 15 25 to 75 10 to 20 n/a* Administration 7.5 (0.75%) 5 to 15 38 to 113 10 to 20 n/a* Surgery Major Nerve Block † 5 (0.5%) 35 to 50 175 to 250 15 to 30 5 to 8 (e.g., brachial plexus block) 7.5 (0.75%) 10 to 40 75 to 300 10 to 25 6 to 10 Field Block 5 (0.5%) 1 to 40 5 to 200 1 to 15 2 to 6 (e.g., minor nerve blocks and infiltration) LABOR PAIN MANAGEMENT Lumbar Epidural Administration Initial Dose 2 (0.2%) 10 to 20 20 to 40 10 to 15 0.5 to 1.5 Continuous infusion ‡ 2 (0.2%) 6 to 14 mL/h 12 to 28 mg/h n/a* n/a* Incremental injections (top-up) ‡ 2 (0.2%) 10 to 15 mL/h 20 to 30 mg/h n/a* n/a* POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT Lumbar Epidural Administration Continuous Infusion § 2 (0.2%) 6 to 14 mL/h 12 to 28 mg/h n/a* n/a* Thoracic Epidural 2 (0.2%) 6 to 14 mL/h 12 to 28 mg/h n/a* n/a* Administration Continuous Infusion § Infiltration 2 (0.2%) 1 to 100 2 to 200 1 to 5 2 to 6 (e.g., minor nerve block) 5 (0.5%) 1 to 40 5 to 200 1 to 5 2 to 6 * = Not Applicable † = The dose for a major nerve block must be adjusted according to site of administration and patient status. Supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks may be associated with a higher frequency of serious adverse reactions, regardless of the local anesthetic used [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]. ‡ = Median dose of 21 mg per hour was administered by continuous infusion or by incremental injections (top-ups) over a median delivery time of 5.5 hours. § = Cumulative doses up to 770 mg of ropivacaine hydrochloride injection over 24 hours (intraoperative block …

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Delay in proper management of dose-related toxicity, underventilation, and/or altered sensitivity may lead to the development of acidosis, cardiac arrest, and possibly death. ( 5.1 ) In performing ropivacaine hydrochloride injection blocks, unintended intravenous injection is possible and may result in cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. ( 5.2 ) Intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics may cause chondrolysis. Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection is not approved for this use. ( 5.3 ) Signs of methemoglobinemia may occur. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 General Warnings and Precautions Prior to receiving major blocks the general condition of the patient should be optimized and the patient should have an IV line inserted. All necessary precautions should be taken to avoid intravascular injection. Local anesthetics should only be administered by clinicians who are well versed in the diagnosis and management of dose-related toxicity and other acute emergencies which might arise from the block to be employed, and then only after insuring the immediate (without delay) availability of oxygen, other resuscitative drugs, cardiopulmonary resuscitative equipment, and the personnel resources needed for proper management of toxic reactions and related emergencies [see Adverse Reactions (6) and Overdosage (10.1) ] . Delay in proper management of dose-related toxicity, underventilation from any cause, and/or altered sensitivity may lead to the development of acidosis, cardiac arrest, and possibly death. The safe and effective use of local anesthetics depends on proper dosage, correct technique, adequate precautions and readiness for emergencies. Resuscitative equipment, oxygen and other resuscitative drugs should be available for immediate use [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] . The lowest dosage that results in effective anesthesia should be used to avoid high plasma levels and serious adverse events. Injections should be made slowly and incrementally, with frequent aspirations before and during the injection to avoid intravascular injection. When a continuous catheter technique is used, syringe aspirations should also be performed before and during each supplemental injection. During the administration of epidural anesthesia, it is recommended that a test dose of a local anesthetic with a fast onset be administered initially and that the patient be monitored for central nervous system and cardiovascular toxicity, as well as for signs of unintended intrathecal administration before proceeding. When clinical conditions permit, consideration should be given to employing local anesthetic solutions, which contain epinephrine for the test dose because circulatory changes compatible with epinephrine may also serve as a warning sign of unintended intravascular injection. An intravascular injection is still possible even if aspirations for blood are negative. Administration of higher than recommended doses of ropivacaine hydrochloride injection to achieve greater motor blockade or increased duration of sensory blockade may result in cardiovascular depression, particularly in the event of inadvertent intravascular injection. Tolerance to elevated blood levels varies with the physical condition of the patient. Debilitated, elderly patients and acutely ill patients should be given reduced doses commensurate with their age and physical condition. Local anesthetics should also be used with caution in patients with hypotension, hypovolemia or heart block. Solutions of ropivacaine hydrochloride injection should not be used for the production of obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia, retrobulbar block, or spinal anesthesia (subarachnoid block) due to insufficient data to support such use. Intravenous regional anesthesia (bier block) should not be performed due to a lack of clinical experience and the risk of attaining toxic blood levels of ropivacaine. It is essential that aspiration for blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (where applicable), be done…

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to ropivacaine or to any local anesthetic agent of the amide type. History of hypersensitivity to local anesthetics of the amide type. ( 4 )

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Patients who are administered local anesthetics are at increased risk of developing methemoglobinemia when concurrently exposed to the following drugs, which could include other local anesthetics [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] : Examples of Drugs Associated with Methemoglobinemia Class Examples Nitrates/Nitrites nitric oxide, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, nitrous oxide Local anesthetics articaine, benzocaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, ropivacaine, tetracaine Antineoplastic agents cyclophosphamide, flutamide, hydroxyurea, ifosfamide, rasburicase Antibiotics dapsone, nitrofurantoin, para-aminosalicylic acid, sulfonamides Antimalarials chloroquine, primaquine Anticonvulsants Phenobarbital, phenytoin, sodium valproate Other drugs acetaminophen, metoclopramide, quinine, sulfasalazine Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection should be used with caution in patients receiving other local anesthetics or agents structurally related to amide-type local anesthetics, since the toxic effects of these drugs are additive. Cytochrome P4501A2 is involved in the formation of 3-hydroxy ropivacaine, the major metabolite. In vivo, the plasma clearance of ropivacaine was reduced by 70% during coadministration of fluvoxamine (25 mg bid for 2 days), a selective and potent CYP1A2 inhibitor. Thus strong inhibitors of cytochrome P4501A2, such as fluvoxamine, given concomitantly during administration of ropivacaine hydrochloride injection, can interact with ropivacaine hydrochloride injection leading to increased ropivacaine plasma levels. Caution should be exercised when CYP1A2 inhibitors are coadministered. Possible interactions with drugs known to be metabolized by CYP1A2 via competitive inhibition such as theophylline and imipramine may also occur. Coadministration of a selective and potent inhibitor of CYP3A4, ketoconazole (100 mg bid for 2 days with ropivacaine infusion administered 1 hour after ketoconazole) caused a 15% reduction in in vivo plasma clearance of ropivacaine. Specific trials studying the interaction between ropivacaine and class III antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., amiodarone) have not been performed, but caution is advised [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] . Agents structurally related to amide-type local anesthetics: Concurrent use may cause additive effects. ( 7 )

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available human data on use of ropivacaine hydrochloride injection in pregnant women to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Local anesthetics may cause varying degrees of toxicity to the mother and fetus and adverse reactions include alterations of the central nervous system, peripheral vascular tone, and cardiac function (see Clinical Considerations) . No teratogenicity was observed at doses up to 0.3 times the maximum recommended human dose of 770 mg/24 hours for epidural use, and equal to the MRHD of 250 mg for nerve block use, based on body surface area (BSA) comparisons and a 60 kg human weight (see Animal data) . The estimated 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. Clinical Considerations Labor or Delivery Local anesthetics, including ropivacaine, rapidly cross the placenta, and when used for epidural block can cause varying degrees of maternal, fetal, and neonatal toxicity [see Clinical Pharmacology (12) ] . The incidence and degree of toxicity depend upon the procedure performed, the type and amount of drug used, and the technique of drug administration. Adverse reactions in the parturient, fetus and neonate involve alterations of the central nervous system, peripheral vascular tone and cardiac function. Maternal Adverse Reactions Maternal hypotension has resulted from regional anesthesia. Local anesthetics produce vasodilation by blocking sympathetic nerves. Therefore, during treatment of systemic toxicity, maternal hypotension or fetal bradycardia following regional block, the parturient should be maintained in the left lateral decubitus position if possible, or manual displacement of the uterus off the great vessels be accomplished. Elevating the patient's legs will also help prevent decreases in blood pressure. The fetal heart rate also should be monitored continuously, and electronic fetal monitoring is highly advisable. Data Animal data No malformations were reported in embryo-fetal development toxicity studies conducted in pregnant New Zealand white rabbits and Sprague-Dawley rats. During gestation days 6 to 18, rabbits received daily subcutaneous doses of ropivacaine at 1.3, 4.2, or 13 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 0.03, 0.10, and 0.33 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 770 mg/24 hours, respectively, and 0.10, 0.32, and 1.0 times the MRHD of 250 mg for nerve block use, respectively based on body surface area (BSA) comparisons and a 60 kg human weight). Rats received daily subcutaneous doses of 5.3, 11, and 26 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 0.07, 0.14, and 0.33 times the MRHD for epidural use, respectively, and 0.21, 0.43, and 1.0 times the MRHD for nerve block use, respectively, based on BSA comparisons) during GD 6 to 15. No treatment-related effects on late fetal development, parturition, litter size, lactation, neonatal viability, or growth of the offspring were reported in a prenatal and postnatal reproductive and development toxicity study; however functional endpoints were not evaluated. Female rats were dosed daily subcutaneously from GD 15 to Lactation Day 20 at doses of 5.3, 11, and 26 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 0.07, 0.1, and 0.3 times the MRHD for epidural use, respectively, and 0.21, 0.43, and 1.0 times the MRHD for nerve block use, respectively), with maternal toxicity exhibited at the high dose. No adverse effects in physical developmental milestones or in behavioral tests were reported in a 2-generational reproduction study, in which rats received daily subcutaneous doses of 6.3, 12, and 23 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 0.08, 0.15, and 0.29 times the MRHD for epi…

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Reactions to ropivacaine are characteristic of those associated with other amide-type local anesthetics. A major cause of adverse reactions to this group of drugs may be associated with excessive plasma levels, which may be due to overdosage, unintentional intravascular injection or slow metabolic degradation. The reported adverse events are derived from clinical studies conducted in the U.S. and other countries. The reference drug was usually bupivacaine. The studies used a variety of premedications, sedatives, and surgical procedures of varying length. A total of 3,988 patients have been exposed to ropivacaine hydrochloride injection at concentrations up to 1% in clinical trials. Each patient was counted once for each type of adverse event. Because clinical trials are conducted under widely conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Incidence ≥ 5% For the indications of epidural administration in surgery, cesarean section, postoperative pain management, peripheral nerve block, and local infiltration, the following treatment-emergent adverse events were reported with an incidence of ≥ 5% in all clinical studies (N=3988): hypotension (37%), nausea (24.8%), vomiting (11.6%), bradycardia (9.3%), fever (9.2%), pain (8%), postoperative complications (7.1%), anemia (6.1%), paresthesia (5.6%), headache (5.1%), pruritus (5.1%), and back pain (5%). Incidence 1 to 5% Urinary retention, dizziness, rigors, hypertension, tachycardia, anxiety, oliguria, hypoesthesia, chest pain, hypokalemia, dyspnea, cramps, and urinary tract infection. Incidence in Controlled Clinical Trials The reported adverse events are derived from controlled clinical studies with ropivacaine hydrochloride injection (concentrations ranged from 0.125% to 1% for ropivacaine hydrochloride injection and 0.25% to 0.75% for bupivacaine) in the U.S. and other countries involving 3,094 patients. Table 2 and Table 3 list adverse events (number and percentage) that occurred in at least 1% of ropivacaine hydrochloride injection-treated patients in these studies. The majority of patients receiving concentrations higher than 5 mg/mL (0.5%) were treated with ropivacaine hydrochloride injection. Table 2 Adverse Events Reported in ≥1% of Adult Patients Receiving Regional or Local Anesthesia (Surgery, Labor, Cesarean Section, Postoperative Pain Management, Peripheral Nerve Block and Local Infiltration) Adverse Reaction Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Injection total N = 1661 Bupivacaine total N = 1433 N (%) N (%) Hypotension 536 (32.3) 408 (28.5) Nausea 283 (17) 207 (14.4) Vomiting 117 (7) 88 (6.1) Bradycardia 96 (5.8) 73 (5.1) Headache 84 (5.1) 68 (4.7) Paresthesia 82 (4.9) 57 (4) Back pain 73 (4.4) 75 (5.2) Pain 71 (4.3) 71 (5) Pruritus 63 (3.8) 40 (2.8) Fever 61 (3.7) 37 (2.6) Dizziness 42 (2.5) 23 (1.6) Rigors (Chills) 42 (2.5) 24 (1.7) Postoperative complications 41 (2.5) 44 (3.1) Hypoesthesia 27 (1.6) 24 (1.7) Urinary retention 23 (1.4) 20 (1.4) Progression of labor poor/failed 23 (1.4) 22 (1.5) Anxiety 21 (1.3) 11 (0.8) Breast disorder, breast-feeding 21 (1.3) 12 (0.8) Rhinitis 18 (1.1) 13 (0.9) Table 3 Adverse Events Reported in ≥1% of Fetuses or Neonates of Mothers Who Received Regional Anesthesia (Cesarean Section and Labor Studies) Adverse Reaction Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Injection total N = 639 Bupivacaine total N = 573 N (%) N (%) Fetal bradycardia 77 (12.1) 68 (11.9) Neonatal jaundice 49 (7.7) 47 (8.2) Neonatal complications-NOS 42 (6.6) 38 (6.6) Apgar score low 18 (2.8) 14 (2.4) Neonatal respiratory disorder 17 (2.7) 18 (3.1) Neonatal tachypnea 14 (2.2) 15 (2.6) Neonatal fever 13 (2) 14 (2.4) Fetal tachycardia 13 (2) 12 (2.1) Fetal distress 11 (1.7) 10 (1.7) Neonatal infection 10 (1.6) 8 (1.4) Neonatal hypoglycemia 8 (1.3) 16 (2.8) Incidence <1% The following adverse events were reported during…