levocetirizine dihydrochloride

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is a histamine H 1 -receptor antagonist indicated for: • The relief of symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis ( 1.1 ) • The treatment of the uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Perennial Allergic Rhinitis Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis in children 6 months to 2 years of age. 1.2 Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of the uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children 6 months of age and older.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is available as 2.5 mg/5 mL (0.5 mg/mL) oral solution. Levocetirizine dihydrochloride can be taken without regard to food consumption. Perennial Allergic Rhinitis ( 2.1 ) • Children 6 months to 2 years of age: 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5mL) once daily in the evening Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria ( 2.2 ) • Adults and children 12 years of age and older: 5 mg once daily in the evening • Children 6 to 11 years of age: 2.5 mg once daily in the evening • Children 6 months to 5 years of age: 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5 mL) once daily in the evening • Renal Impairment Adjust the dose in patients 12 years of age and older with decreased renal function ( 12.3 ) 2.1 Perennial Allergic Rhinitis Children 6 months to 2 Years of Age The recommended initial dose of levocetirizine dihydrochloride is 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5mL) once daily in the evening. The 1.25 mg once daily dose should not be exceeded based on comparable exposure to adults receiving 5 mg [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.2 Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Adults and Children 12 Years of Age and Older The recommended dose of levocetirizine dihydrochloride is 5 mg (2 teaspoons [10 mL] oral solution) once daily in the evening. Some patients may be adequately controlled by 2.5 mg (1 teaspoon [5 mL] oral solution) once daily in the evening. Children 6 to 11 Years of Age The recommended dose of levocetirizine dihydrochloride is 2.5 mg (1 teaspoon [5 mL] oral solution) once daily in the evening. The 2.5 mg dose should not be exceeded because the systemic exposure with 5 mg is approximately twice that of adults [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Children 6 months to 5 Years of Age The recommended initial dose of levocetirizine dihydrochloride is 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5 mL) once daily in the evening. The 1.25 mg once daily dose should not be exceeded based on comparable exposure to adults receiving 5 mg [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Dose Adjustment for Renal and Hepatic Impairment In adults and children 12 years of age and older with: • Mild renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CL CR ] = 50-80 mL/min): a dose of 2.5 mg once daily is recommended; • Moderate renal impairment (CL CR = 30-50 mL/min): a dose of 2.5 mg once every other day is recommended; • Severe renal impairment (CL CR = 10-30 mL/min): a dose of 2.5 mg twice weekly (administered once every 3-4 days) is recommended; • End-stage renal disease patients (CL CR < 10 mL/min) and patients undergoing hemodialysis should not receive levocetirizine dihydrochloride. No dose adjustment is needed in patients with solely hepatic impairment. In patients with both hepatic impairment and renal impairment, adjustment of the dose is recommended.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Avoid engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness such as driving or operating machinery when taking levocetirizine dihydrochloride ( 5.1 ). • Avoid concurrent use of alcohol or other central nervous system depressants with levocetirizine dihydrochloride ( 5.1 ). • Use with caution in patients with predisposing factors of urinary retention (e.g. spinal cord lesion, prostatic hyperplasia). Discontinue levocetirizine dihydrochloride if urinary retention occurs ( 5.2 ). • Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride Oral Solution: New onset pruritus within a few days after discontinuation of levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution has been reported, usually after long-term use (e.g., few months to years) of levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution. Symptoms may improve with restarting or tapering levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution ( 5.3 ). 5.1 Somnolence In clinical trials the occurrence of somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia has been reported in some patients under therapy with levocetirizine dihydrochloride. Patients should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness, and motor coordination such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle after ingestion of levocetirizine dihydrochloride. Concurrent use of levocetirizine dihydrochloride with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants should be avoided because additional reductions in alertness and additional impairment of central nervous system performance may occur. 5.2 Urinary Retention Urinary retention has been reported post-marketing with levocetirizine dihydrochloride. Levocetirizine dihydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with predisposing factors of urinary retention (e.g. spinal cord lesion, prostatic hyperplasia) as levocetirizine dihydrochloride may increase the risk of urinary retention. Discontinue levocetirizine dihydrochloride if urinary retention occurs. 5.3 Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride Oral Solution Cases of pruritus after discontinuation of levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution have been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients where pruritus was not present before initiation of levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution. Pruritus occurred within a few days of discontinuing levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution among patients who used levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution long-term (e.g., few months to years). Reported cases of pruritus were infrequent, but some were serious with patients experiencing widespread severe pruritus [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . If pruritus occurs after discontinuation of levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution, symptoms may improve with restarting or tapering levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS The use of levocetirizine dihydrochloride is contraindicated in: • Patients with a known hypersensitivity to levocetirizine or any of the ingredients of levocetirizine dihydrochloride or to cetirizine ( 4.1 ) • Patients with end-stage renal disease at less than 10 mL/min creatinine clearance or patients undergoing hemodialysis ( 4.2 ) • Children 6 months to 11 years of age with renal impairment ( 4.3 ) 4.1 Patients with Known Hypersensitivity Patients with known hypersensitivity to levocetirizine or any of the ingredients of levocetirizine dihydrochloride, or to cetirizine. Observed reactions range from urticaria to anaphylaxis [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . 4.2 Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Patients with end-stage renal disease (CL CR < 10 mL/min) and patients undergoing hemodialysis. 4.3 Pediatric Patients with Impaired Renal Function Children 6 months to 11 years of age with impaired renal function.

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS In vitro data indicate that levocetirizine is unlikely to produce pharmacokinetic interactions through inhibition or induction of liver drug-metabolizing enzymes. No in vivo drug-drug interaction studies have been performed with levocetirizine. Drug interaction studies have been performed with racemic cetirizine. 7.1 Antipyrine, Azithromycin, Cimetidine, Erythromycin, Ketoconazole, Theophylline, and Pseudoephedrine Pharmacokinetic interaction studies performed with racemic cetirizine demonstrated that cetirizine did not interact with antipyrine, pseudoephedrine, erythromycin, azithromycin, ketoconazole, and cimetidine. There was a small decrease (~16%) in the clearance of cetirizine caused by a 400 mg dose of theophylline. It is possible that higher theophylline doses could have a greater effect. 7.2 Ritonavir Ritonavir increased the plasma AUC of cetirizine by about 42% accompanied by an increase in half-life (53%) and a decrease in clearance (29%) of cetirizine. The disposition of ritonavir was not altered by concomitant cetirizine administration.

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from published literature and post-marketing experience with levocetirizine use in pregnant women are insufficient to identify any drug-associated risks of miscarriage, birth defects, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, there was no evidence of fetal harm with administration of levocetirizine by the oral route to pregnant rats and rabbits, during the period of organogenesis, at doses up to 390 times and 470 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) in adults. In rats treated during late gestation and the lactation period, cetirizine had no effects on pup development at oral doses up to approximately 60 times the MRHD in adults. In mice treated during late gestation and the lactation period, cetirizine administered by the oral route to the dams had no effects on pup development at a dose that was approximately 25 times the MRHD in adults; however, lower pup weight gain during lactation was observed at a dose that was 95 times the MRHD in adults (see 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 risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In embryo-fetal development studies, pregnant rats received daily doses of levocetirizine up to 200 mg/kg/day from gestation days 6 to 15 and pregnant rabbits received daily doses of levocetirizine up to 120 mg/kg/day from gestation days 6 to 18. Levocetirizine produced no evidence of fetal harm in rats and rabbits at doses up to 390 and 470 times the MRHD, respectively (on a mg/m 2 basis with maternal oral doses of 200 and 120 mg/kg/day in rats and rabbits, respectively). No prenatal and postnatal development (PPND) studies in animals have been conducted with levocetirizine. In a PPND study conducted in mice, cetirizine was administered at oral doses up to 96 mg/kg/day from gestation day 15 through lactation day 21. Cetirizine lowered pup body weight gain during lactation at an oral dose in dams that was approximately 95 times the MRHD (on a mg/m 2 basis with a maternal oral dose of 96 mg/kg/day); however, there were no effects on pup weight gain at an oral dose in dams that was approximately 25 times the MRHD (on a mg/m 2 basis with a maternal oral dose of 24 mg/kg/day). In a PPND study conducted in rats, cetirizine was administered at oral doses up to 180 mg/kg/day from gestation day 17 to lactation day 22. Cetirizine did not have any adverse effects on rat dams or offspring development at doses up to approximately 60 times the MRHD (on a mg/m 2 basis with a maternal oral dose of 30 mg/kg/day). Cetirizine caused excessive maternal toxicity at an oral dose in dams that was approximately 350 times the MRHD (on a mg/m 2 basis with a maternal oral dose of 180 mg/kg/day).

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: • Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Urinary Retention [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride Oral Solution [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The most common adverse reactions (rate ≥2% and > placebo) were somnolence, nasopharyngitis, fatigue, dry mouth, and pharyngitis in subjects 12 years of age and older, and pyrexia, somnolence, cough, and epistaxis in children 6 to 12 years of age. In subjects 1 to 5 years of age, the most common adverse reactions (rate ≥2% and > placebo) were pyrexia, diarrhea, vomiting, and otitis media. In subjects 6 to 11 months of age, the most common adverse reactions (rate ≥3% and > placebo) were diarrhea and constipation ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Padagis ® at 1-866-634-9120 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience The safety data described below reflect exposure to levocetirizine dihydrochloride in 2708 patients with allergic rhinitis or chronic idiopathic urticaria in 14 controlled clinical trials of 1 week to 6 months duration. The short-term (exposure up to 6 weeks) safety data for adults and adolescents are based upon eight clinical trials in which 1896 patients (825 males and 1071 females aged 12 years and older) were treated with levocetirizine dihydrochloride 2.5, 5, or 10 mg once daily in the evening. The short-term safety data from pediatric patients are based upon two clinical trials in which 243 children with allergic rhinitis (162 males and 81 females 6 to 12 years of age) were treated with levocetirizine dihydrochloride 5 mg once daily for 4 to 6 weeks, one clinical trial in which 114 children (65 males and 49 females 1 to 5 years of age) with allergic rhinitis or chronic idiopathic urticaria were treated with levocetirizine dihydrochloride 1.25 mg twice daily for 2 weeks, and one clinical trial in which 45 children (28 males and 17 females 6 to 11 months of age) with symptoms of allergic rhinitis or chronic urticaria were treated with levocetirizine dihydrochloride 1.25 mg once daily for 2 weeks. The long-term (exposure of 4 or 6 months) safety data in adults and adolescents are based upon two clinical trials in which 428 patients (190 males and 238 females) with allergic rhinitis were exposed to treatment with levocetirizine dihydrochloride 5 mg once daily. Long term safety data are also available from an 18-month trial in 255 levocetirizine dihydrochloride-treated subjects 12-24 months of age. Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trial of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adults and Adolescents 12 years of Age and Older In studies up to 6 weeks in duration, the mean age of the adult and adolescent patients was 32 years, 44% of the patients were men and 56% were women, and the large majority (more than 90%) was Caucasian. In these trials 43% and 42% of the subjects in the levocetirizine dihydrochloride 2.5 mg and 5 mg groups, respectively, had at least one adverse event compared to 43% in the placebo group. In placebo-controlled trials of 1-6 weeks in duration, the most common adverse reactions were somnolence, nasopharyngitis, fatigue, dry mouth, and pharyngitis, and most were mild to moderate in intensity. Somnolence with levocetirizine dihydrochloride showed dose ordering between tested doses of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg and was the most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation (0.5%). Table 1 lists adverse reactions that were reported in greater than or equal to 2% of subjects aged 12 years and older exposed to levocetirizine dihydrochloride 2.5 mg or 5 mg in eight placebo-controlled clinical trials and that we…