Isotretinoin

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Isotretinoin capsules are indicated for the treatment of severe recalcitrant nodular acne in non-pregnant patients 12 years of age and older with multiple inflammatory nodules with a diameter of 5 mm or greater. Because of significant adverse reactions associated with its use, isotretinoin capsules are reserved for patients with severe nodular acne who are unresponsive to conventional therapy, including systemic antibiotics. Isotretinoin capsules are retinoids indicated for the treatment of severe recalcitrant nodular acne in non-pregnant patients 12 years of age and older with multiple inflammatory nodules with a diameter of 5 mm or greater. Because of significant adverse reactions associated with its use, isotretinoin capsules are reserved for patients with severe nodular acne who are unresponsive to conventional therapy, including systemic antibiotics. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use : If a second course of isotretinoin therapy is needed, it is not recommended before a two-month waiting period because the patient's acne may continue to improve following a 15 to 20-week course of therapy. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use : If a second course of isotretinoin therapy is needed, it is not recommended before a two-month waiting period because the patient's acne may continue to improve following a 15 to 20-week course of therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] .

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended dosage for isotretinoin capsules is 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day given in two divided doses without regard to meals for 15 to 20 weeks ( 2.1 ) Adult patients with very severe disease (scarring, trunk involvement) may increase dosage to 2 mg/kg/day of isotretinoin capsules in divided doses. ( 2.1 ) Once daily dosing is not recommended. ( 2.1 ) If a dose of isotretinoin capsules is missed, just skip that dose. Do not take two doses of isotretinoin capsules at the same time. ( 2.1 ) Perform pregnancy tests prior to prescribing, each month during therapy, end of therapy, and one month after discontinuation. ( 2.3 , 8.3 ) Prior to prescribing, perform fasting lipid profile and liver function tests. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Isotretinoin capsules is 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day given in two divided doses with or without meals for 15 to 20 weeks (see Table 1 ). To decrease the risk of esophageal irritation, instruct patients to swallow the capsules with a full glass of liquid. During treatment, the dosage may be adjusted according to response of the disease and/or adverse reactions, some of which may be dose-related. Adult patients whose disease is very severe with scarring or is primarily manifested on the trunk may require dosage adjustments up to 2 mg/kg/day for isotretinoin capsules in divided doses, as tolerated. The safety and effectiveness of once daily dosing with isotretinoin capsules has not been established and is not recommended. If a dose of isotretinoin capsules is missed, just skip that dose. Do not take two doses of isotretinoin capsules at the same time. Table 1: Isotretinoin Capsules Daily Dosage by Body Weight Administer in two divided doses with or without meals Body Weight Total Daily Dosage (mg) 0.5 mg/kg 1 mg/kg 2 mg/kg 40 kg 20 40 80 50 kg 25 50 100 60 kg 30 60 120 70 kg 35 70 140 80 kg 40 80 160 90 kg 45 90 180 100 kg 50 100 200 2.2 Duration of Use A normal course of treatment is 15 to 20 weeks. If the total nodule count has been reduced by more than 70% prior to completing 15 to 20 weeks of treatment, may discontinue isotretinoin capsules. After a period of 2 months or more off therapy, and if warranted by persistent or recurring severe nodular acne, may initiate a second course of isotretinoin capsules in patients who have completed skeletal growth. The use of another course of isotretinoin therapy is not recommended before a two-month waiting period because the patient's acne may continue to improve after a 15 to 20-week course of therapy. The optimal interval before retreatment has not been defined for patients who have not completed skeletal growth. Long-term use of isotretinoin capsules, even in low dosages, has not been studied, and is not recommended. The effect of long-term use of isotretinoin capsules on bone loss is unknown [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] . 2.3 Laboratory Testing Prior to Administration The following laboratory testing must be completed prior to isotretinoin use: Pregnancy testing: Ensure patient is not pregnant prior to administering isotretinoin capsules [see Contraindications (4) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] A fasting lipid profile including triglycerides [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8 , 5.15) ] Liver function tests [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10 , 5.15) ]

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Psychiatric Disorders (depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and aggressive and/or violent behaviors): Prior to and during therapy assess for these conditions; stop if these conditions occur on therapy ( 5.4 ) Intracranial Hypertension (Pseudotumor Cerebri) : Avoid use with concomitant tetracyclines ( 5.5 ) Serious Skin Reactions : Monitor for Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious skin reactions ( 5.6 ) Acute Pancreatitis : If occurs, discontinue treatment ( 5.7 ) Lipid Abnormalities (hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL, and elevation of cholesterol): Monitor lipid levels at regular intervals; stop if hypertriglyceridemia cannot be controlled ( 5.8 ) Hearing Impairment : Discontinue and refer to specialized care ( 5.9 ) Hepatotoxicity : Monitor liver function tests prior to and during therapy ( 5.10 , 5.15 ) Inflammatory Bowel Disease : Discontinue for abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or severe diarrhea ( 5.11 ) Musculoskeletal Abnormalities : Arthralgias, back pain, decreases in bone mineral density and premature epiphyseal closure ( 5.12 ) Ocular Abnormalities e.g., corneal opacities, decreased night vision: If visual symptoms occur, discontinue and refer for an ophthalmological exam ( 5.13 ) 5.1 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Isotretinoin is contraindicated in pregnancy [see Contraindications (4.1) ] . Based on human data, isotretinoin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant patient. There is an extremely high risk that life-threatening birth defects will result if pregnancy occurs while taking any amount of isotretinoin even for short periods of time. Potentially any fetus exposed during pregnancy can be affected. There are no accurate means of determining prenatally whether an exposed fetus has been affected. Major congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions, and premature births have been documented following exposure to isotretinoin during pregnancy [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . If a pregnancy occurs during isotretinoin treatment, discontinue isotretinoin immediately and refer the patient to an obstetrician/gynecologist experienced in reproductive toxicity for further evaluation and counseling. Any suspected fetal exposure during or 1 month after isotretinoin therapy must be reported immediately to the FDA via the MedWatch telephone number 1-800-FDA-1088, and also to the iPLEDGE pregnancy registry at 1-866-495-0654 or via the internet (www.ipledgeprogram.com). Patients must be informed not to donate blood during isotretinoin therapy and for 1 month following discontinuation because the blood might be given to a pregnant patient whose fetus must not be exposed to isotretinoin. Isotretinoin capsules are available only through a restricted program under a REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 5.2 iPLEDGE REMS Isotretinoin capsules are available only through a restricted program under a REMS called the iPLEDGE REMS because of the risk of embryo-fetal toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Notable requirements of the iPLEDGE REMS include the following: Prescribers must be certified with the program and comply with the following requirements: Determine reproductive status of all patients prior to initiating treatment Provide contraception counseling to patients who can get pregnant prior to and during treatment, or refer patients who can get pregnant to an expert for such counseling Provide scheduled pregnancy testing, and verify and document the negative pregnancy test result prior to writing each prescription, for no more than a 30-day supply Patients who can become pregnant must be enrolled by signing an informed consent form and must comply with the following requirements Comply with the pregnancy testing and contraception requirements [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3) ] Demonstrate comprehension of the safe-use conditions of the program every month Obtain the prescription within 7 days of the pre…

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Pregnancy ( 4.1 , 8.1 ) Hypersensitivity to this product or any of its components ( 4.2 , 5.15 ) 4.1 Pregnancy Isotretinoin capsules are contraindicated in pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . 4.2 Hypersensitivity Isotretinoin capsules are contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to isotretinoin (or Vitamin A, given the chemical similarity to isotretinoin) or to any of its components (anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions have occurred) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] .

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Vitamin A : may cause additive adverse reactions ( 7.1 ) Tetracyclines : avoid concomitant use ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Vitamin A Isotretinoin capsules are closely related to vitamin A. Therefore, the use of both vitamin A and isotretinoin capsules at the same time may lead to vitamin A related adverse reactions. Patients treated with isotretinoin capsules should be advised against taking supplements containing Vitamin A to avoid additive toxic effects. 7.2 Tetracyclines Concomitant treatment with isotretinoin capsules and tetracyclines should be avoided because isotretinoin use has been associated with a number of cases of intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), some of which involved concomitant use of tetracyclines [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . 7.3 Phenytoin Phenytoin is known to cause osteomalacia. No formal clinical trials have been conducted to assess if there is an interactive effect on bone loss between phenytoin and isotretinoin. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using these drugs together. 7.4 Systemic Corticosteroids Systemic corticosteroids are known to cause osteoporosis. No formal clinical trials have been conducted to assess if there is an interactive effect on bone loss with concomitant use of systemic corticosteroids and isotretinoin. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using these drugs together. 7.5 Norethindrone and Ethinyl Estradiol In a trial of 31 premenopausal female patients with severe recalcitrant nodular acne receiving norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol as an oral contraceptive agent, isotretinoin capsules within the recommended dosage, did not induce clinically relevant changes in the pharmacokinetics of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone and in the serum levels of progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Although this study did not show any clinically significant interaction between isotretinoin and norethindrone, it is not known if there is an interaction between isotretinoin with other progestins.

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in patients exposed to isotretinoin during pregnancy. Report any suspected fetal exposure during or 1 month after isotretinoin therapy immediately to the FDA via the MedWatch telephone number 1-800-FDA-1088 and also to the iPLEDGE pregnancy registry at 1-866-495-0654 or via the internet (www.ipledgeprogram.com). Risk Summary Isotretinoin is contraindicated during pregnancy because isotretinoin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant patient. There is an increased risk of major congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions, and premature births following isotretinoin exposure during pregnancy in humans. If isotretinoin is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking isotretinoin, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus. If pregnancy occurs during treatment of a patient who is taking isotretinoin capsules, isotretinoin capsules must be discontinued immediately and the patient should be referred to an Obstetrician-Gynecologist experienced in reproductive toxicity for further evaluation and counseling. Data Human Data Major congenital malformations that have been documented following isotretinoin exposure include malformations of the face, eyes, ears, skull, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and thymus and parathyroid glands. External malformations include: skull; ear (including anotia, micropinna, small or absent external auditory canals); eye (including microphthalmia); facial dysmorphia and cleft palate. Internal abnormalities include: CNS (including cerebral and cerebellar malformations, hydrocephalus, microcephaly, cranial nerve deficit); cardiovascular; thymus gland; parathyroid hormone deficiency. In some cases, death has occurred as a result of the malformations. Cases of IQ scores less than 85 with or without other abnormalities have been reported in children exposed in utero to isotretinoin. An increased risk of spontaneous abortion and premature births have been reported with isotretinoin exposure during pregnancy.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions with isotretinoin or other isotretinoin capsule products are described in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Embryo-Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Psychiatric Disorders [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Intracranial Hypertension (Pseudotumor Cerebri) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Serious Skin Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Lipid Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Hearing Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Inflammatory Bowel Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Musculoskeletal Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] Ocular Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of isotretinoin capsules were identified in clinical studies or post-marketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5%) are: dry lips, dry skin, back pain, dry eye, arthralgia, epistaxis, headache, nasopharyngitis, chapped lips, dermatitis, increased creatine kinase, cheilitis, musculoskeletal discomfort, upper respiratory tract infection, reduced visual acuity. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC at 1-855-899-9180 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch or iPLEDGE at (1-866-495-0654). Dose Relationship Cheilitis and hypertriglyceridemia were dose related. Body as a Whole Fatigue, irritability, pain, allergic reactions, systemic hypersensitivity, edema, lymphadenopathy, weight loss. Cardiovascular Vascular thrombotic disease, stroke, palpitation, tachycardia. Endocrine/Metabolism and Nutritional Decreased appetite, weight fluctuation, alterations in blood sugar. Gastrointestinal Dry lips, chapped lips, cheilitis, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, pancreatitis, bleeding and inflammation of the gums, colitis, esophagitis, esophageal ulceration, ileitis. Hematologic Anemia and decreased RBC parameters, thrombocytopenia, increased platelet counts, decreased WBC counts, severe neutropenia, rare reports of agranulocytosis. Infections and Infestations Nasopharyngitis, hordeolum, infections (including disseminated herpes simplex and upper respiratory tract infection). Laboratory Abnormalities The following lab tests were increased: creatine phosphokinase (CPK), triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase (SGPT), aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGTP), cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, LDH, fasting blood glucose, uric acid, and sedimentation rate. However, high density lipoprotein (HDL) was decreased. Urine findings included increased white cells, proteinuria, microscopic or gross hematuria. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Decreases in bone mineral density, musculoskeletal symptoms (sometimes severe) including back pain, arthralgia, musculoskeletal pain, neck pain, extremity pain, myalgia, musculoskeletal stiffness [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] , skeletal hyperostosis, calcification of tendons and ligaments, premature epiphyseal closure, tendonitis, arthritis, transient chest pain, and rare reports of rhabdomyolysis. Neurological Headache, syncope, intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, malaise, nervousness, paresthesia, seizures, stroke, weakness. Psychiatric Suicidal ideation, insomnia, anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attack, anger, euphoria, violent behaviors, emotional instability, suicide attempts, su…