Nasonex 50 Micrograms/Actuation Nasal Spray Suspension
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Nasonex 50 micrograms/actuation Nasal Spray, Suspension
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Mometasone furoate (as the monohydrate) 50 micrograms/actuation.
Excipient with known effect
This medicinal product contains 0.02 mg of benzalkonium chloride per actuation. For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Nasal Spray, Suspension
White to off-white opaque suspension
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
NASONEX Nasal Spray is indicated for use in adults and children 3 years of age and older to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergic or perennial rhinitis.
NASONEX Nasal Spray is indicated for the treatment of nasal polyps in adults 18 years of age and older.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
After initial priming of the NASONEX Nasal Spray pump, each actuation delivers approximately 100 mg of mometasone furoate suspension, containing mometasone furoate monohydrate equivalent to 50 micrograms mometasone furoate.
Posology
Seasonal Allergic or Perennial Rhinitis
Adults (including older patients) and children 12 years of age and older: The usual recommended dose is two actuations (50 micrograms/actuation) in each nostril once daily (total dose 200 micrograms). Once symptoms are controlled, dose reduction to one actuation in each nostril (total dose 100 micrograms) may be effective for maintenance. If symptoms are inadequately controlled, the dose may be increased to a maximum daily dose of four actuations in each nostril once daily (total dose 400 micrograms). Dose reduction is recommended following control of symptoms.
Children between the ages of 3 and 11 years: The usual recommended dose is one actuation (50 micrograms/actuation) in each nostril once daily (total dose 100 micrograms).
NASONEX Nasal Spray demonstrated a clinically significant onset of action within 12 hours after the first dose in some patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis; however, full benefit of treatment may not be achieved in the first 48 hours. Therefore, the patient should continue regular use to achieve full therapeutic benefit.
Treatment with NASONEX Nasal Spray may need to be initiated some days before the expected start of the pollen season in patients who have a history of moderate to severe symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Nasal Polyposis
The usual recommended starting dose for polyposis is two actuations (50 micrograms/actuation) in each nostril once daily (total daily dose of 200 micrograms). If after 5 to 6 weeks symptoms are inadequately controlled, the dose may be increased to a daily dose of two sprays in each nostril twice daily (total daily dose of 400 micrograms). The dose should be titrated to the lowest dose at which effective control of symptoms is maintained. If no improvement in symptoms is seen after 5 to 6 weeks of twice daily administration, the patient should be re-evaluated and treatment strategy reconsidered.
Efficacy and Safety studies of NASONEX Nasal Spray for the treatment of nasal polyposis were four months in duration.
Paediatric population
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis and. Perennial Rhinitis
The safety and efficacy of NASONEX Nasal Spray in children under 3 years of age have not been established.
Nasal Polyposis
The safety and efficacy of NASONEX Nasal Spray in children and adolescents under 18 years of age have not been established.
Method of administration
Prior to administration of the first dose, shake container well and actuate the pump 10 times (until a uniform spray is obtained). If the pump is not used for 14 days or longer, reprime the pump with 2 actuations until a uniform spray is observed, before next use.
Shake container well before each use. The bottle should be discarded after the labelled number of actuations or within 2 months of first use.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance, mometasone furoate, or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
NASONEX Nasal Spray should not be used in the presence of untreated localised infection involving the nasal mucosa, such as herpes simplex.
Because of the inhibitory effect of corticosteroids on wound healing, patients who have experienced recent nasal surgery or trauma should not use a nasal corticosteroid until healing has occurred.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Immunosuppression
NASONEX Nasal Spray should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active or quiescent tuberculous infections of the respiratory tract, or in untreated fungal, bacterial, or systemic viral infections.
Patients receiving corticosteroids who are potentially immunosuppressed should be warned of the risk of exposure to certain infections (e.g., chickenpox, measles) and of the importance of obtaining medical advice if such exposure occurs.
Local Nasal Effects
Following 12 months of treatment with NASONEX Nasal Spray in a study of patients with perennial rhinitis, there was no evidence of atrophy of the nasal mucosa; also, mometasone furoate tended to reverse the nasal mucosa closer to a normal histologic phenotype. Nevertheless, patients using NASONEX Nasal Spray over several months or longer should be examined periodically for possible changes in the nasal mucosa. If localised fungal infection of the nose or pharynx develops, discontinuance of NASONEX Nasal Spray therapy or appropriate treatment may be required. Persistence of nasopharyngeal irritation may be an indication for discontinuing NASONEX Nasal Spray.
Nasonex is not recommended in case of nasal septum perforation (see section 4.8).
In clinical studies, epistaxis occurred at a higher incidence compared to placebo. Epistaxis was generally self-limiting and mild in severity (see section 4.8).
NASONEX Nasal Spray contains benzalkonium chloride which may cause nasal irritation. Systemic Effects of Corticosteroids
Systemic effects of nasal corticosteroids may occur, particularly at high doses prescribed for prolonged periods. These effects are much less likely to occur than with oral corticosteroids and may vary in individual patients and between different corticosteroid preparations.
Potential systemic effects may include Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, growth retardation in children and adolescents, cataract, glaucoma and more rarely, a range of psychological or behavioural effects including psychomotor hyperactivity, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression or aggression (particularly in children).
Following the use of intranasal corticosteroids, instances of increased intraocular pressure have been reported (see section 4.8).
Patients who are transferred from long-term administration of systemically active corticosteroids to NASONEX Nasal Spray require careful attention. Systemic corticosteroid withdrawal in such patients may result in adrenal insufficiency for a number of months until recovery of HPA axis function. If these patients exhibit signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency or symptoms of withdrawal (e.g., joint and/or muscular pain, lassitude, and depression initially) despite relief from nasal symptoms, systemic corticosteroid administration should be resumed and other modes of therapy and appropriate measures instituted. Such transfer may also unmask pre-existing allergic conditions, such as allergic conjunctivitis and eczema, previously suppressed by systemic corticosteroid therapy.
Treatment with higher than recommended doses may result in clinically significant adrenal suppression. If there is evidence for higher than recommended doses being used, then additional systemic corticosteroid cover should be considered during periods of stress or elective surgery.
Nasal Polyps
The safety and efficacy of NASONEX Nasal Spray has not been studied for use in the treatment of unilateral polyps, polyps associated with cystic fibrosis, or polyps that completely obstruct the nasal cavities.
Unilateral polyps that are unusual or irregular in appearance, especially if ulcerating or bleeding, should be further evaluated.
Effect on Growth in Paediatric Population
It is recommended that the height of children receiving prolonged treatment with nasal corticosteroids is regularly monitored. If growth is slowed, therapy should be reviewed with the aim of reducing the dose of nasal corticosteroid if possible, to the lowest dose at which effective control of symptoms is maintained. In addition, consideration should be given to referring the patient to a paediatric specialist.
Non-nasal Symptoms
Although NASONEX Nasal Spray will control the nasal symptoms in most patients, the concomitant use of appropriate additional therapy may provide additional relief of other symptoms, particularly ocular symptoms.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
(See 4.4 Special warnings and special precautions for use with systemic corticosteroids)
A clinical interaction study was conducted with loratadine. No interactions were observed.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of mometasone furoate in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). As with other nasal corticosteroid preparations, NASONEX Nasal Spray should not be used in pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the mother justifies any potential risk to the mother, foetus or infant. Infants born of mothers who received corticosteroids during pregnancy should be observed carefully for hypoadrenalism.
Lactation
It is unknown whether mometasone furoate is excreted in human milk. As with other nasal corticosteroid preparations, a decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from NASONEX Nasal Spray therapy taking into account the benefit of breast feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Fertility
There are no clinical data concerning the effect of mometasone furoate on fertility. Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity, but no effects on fertility (see section 5.3).
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known
4.8 Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profile
Epistaxis was generally self-limiting and mild in severity, and occurred at a higher incidence compared to placebo (5%), but at a comparable or lower incidence when compared to the active control nasal corticosteroids studied (up to 15%) as reported in clinical studies for allergic rhinitis. The incidence of all other adverse events was comparable with that of placebo. In patients treated for nasal polyposis, the overall incidence of adverse events was similar to that observed for patients with allergic rhinitis.
Systemic effects of nasal corticosteroids may occur, particularly when prescribed at high doses for prolonged periods.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Treatment related adverse reactions (>1%) reported in clinical trials in patients with allergic rhinitis or nasal polyposis and post-marketing regardless of indication are presented in Table 1. Adverse reactions are listed according to MedDRA primary system organ class. Within each system organ class, adverse reactions are ranked by frequency. Frequencies were defined as follows: Very common (>1/10); common (>1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100). The frequency of post-marketing adverse events are considered as “not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)”.
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Table 1: Treatment-related adverse reactions reported by system organ class and frequency | |||
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Very common |
Common |
Not known | |
|
Infections and infestations |
Pharyngitis Upper respiratory tract infection1’ | ||
|
Immune system disorders |
Hypersensitivity including anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, bronchospasm, and dyspnoea | ||
|
Nervous system disorders |
Headache | ||
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Table 1: Treatment-related adverse reactions reported by system organ class and frequency | |||
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Eye disorders |
Glaucoma Increased intraocular pressure Cataracts | ||
|
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders |
Epistaxis* |
Epistaxis Nasal burning Nasal irritation Nasal ulceration |
Nasal septum perforation |
|
Gastrointestinal disorders |
Throat irritation* |
Disturbances of taste and smell | |
*recorded for twice daily dosing for nasal polyposis
^recorded at uncommon frequency for twice daily dosing for nasal polyposis
Paediatric population
In the paediatric population, the incidence of recorded adverse events in clinical studies, e.g., epistaxis (6%), headache (3%), nasal irritation (2%) and sneezing (2%) was comparable to placebo.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9 Overdose
Symptoms
Inhalation or oral administration of excessive doses of corticosteroids may lead to suppression of HPA axis function.
Management
Because the systemic bioavailability of NASONEX Nasal Spray is <1%, overdose is unlikely to require any therapy other than observation, followed by initiation of the appropriate prescribed dosage.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Decongestants and Other Nasal Preparations for Topical Use-Corticosteroids, ATC code: R01A D09
Mechanism of action
Mometasone furoate is a topical glucocorticosteroid with local anti-inflammatory properties at doses that are not systemically active.
It is likely that much of the mechanism for the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of mometasone fUroate lies in its ability to inhibit the release of mediators of allergic reactions. Mometasone furoate significantly inhibits the release of leukotrienes from leucocytes of allergic patients. In cell culture, mometasone furoate demonstrated high potency in inhibition of synthesis and release of IL-1, IL-5, IL-6 and TNFa; it is also a potent inhibitor of leukotriene production. In addition, it is an extremely potent inhibitor of the production of the Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-5, from human CD4+ T-cells.
Pharmacodynamic effects
In studies utilising nasal antigen challenge, NASONEX Nasal Spray has shown antiinflammatory activity in both the early- and late- phase allergic responses. This has been demonstrated by decreases (vs placebo) in histamine and eosinophil activity and reductions (vs baseline) in eosinophils, neutrophils, and epithelial cell adhesion proteins.
In 28% of the patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, NASONEX Nasal Spray demonstrated a clinically significant onset of action within 12 hours after the first dose. The median (50%) onset time of relief was 35.9 hours.
Paediatric population
In a placebo-controlled clinical trial in which paediatric patients (n=49/group) were administered NASONEX Nasal Spray 100 micrograms daily for one year, no reduction in growth velocity was observed.
There are limited data available on the safety and efficacy of NASONEX Nasal Spray in the paediatric population aged 3 to 5 years, and an appropriate dosage range cannot be established. In a study involving 48 children aged 3 to 5 years treated with intranasal mometasone furoate 50, 100 or 200 pg/day for 14 days, there was no significant differences from placebo in the mean change in plasma cortisol level in response to the tetracosactrin stimulation test.
The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies with NASONEX Nasal Spray and associated names in all subsets of the paediatric population in seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Absorption
Mometasone furoate, administered as an aqueous nasal spray, has a systemic bioavailability of <1% in plasma, using a sensitive assay with a lower quantitation limit of 0.25 pg/ml.
Distribution
Not applicable as mometasone is poorly absorbed via the nasal route.
Biotransformation
The small amount that may be swallowed and absorbed undergoes extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism.
Elimination
Absorbed mometasone furoate is extensively metabolized and the metabolites are excreted in urine and bile.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
No toxicological effects unique to mometasone furoate exposure were demonstrated. All observed effects are typical of this class of compounds and are related to exaggerated pharmacologic effects of glucocorticoids.
Preclinical studies demonstrate that mometasone furoate is devoid of androgenic, antiandrogenic, estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity but, like other glucocorticoids, it exhibits some antiuterotrophic activity and delays vaginal opening in animal models at high oral doses of 56 mg/kg/day and 280 mg/kg/day.
Like other glucocorticoids, mometasone furoate showed a clastogenic potential in-vitro at high concentrations. However, no mutagenic effects can be expected at therapeutically relevant doses. In studies of reproductive function, subcutaneous mometasone furoate, at 15 micrograms/kg prolonged gestation and prolonged and difficult labour occurred with a reduction in offspring survival and body weight or body weight gain. There was no effect on fertility.
Like other glucocorticoids, mometasone furoate is a teratogen in rodents and rabbits. Effects noted were umbilical hernia in rats, cleft palate in mice and gallbladder agenesis, umbilical hernia, and flexed front paws in rabbits. There were also reductions in maternal body weight gains, effects on foetal growth (lower foetal body weight and/or delayed ossification) in rats, rabbits and mice, and reduced offspring survival in mice.
The carcinogenicity potential of inhaled mometasone furoate (aerosol with CFC propellant and surfactant) at concentrations of 0.25 to 2.0 micrograms/l was investigated in 24-month studies in mice and rats. Typical glucocorticoid-related effects, including several non-neoplastic lesions, were observed. No statistically significant dose-response relationship was detected for any of the tumour types.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Dispersable cellulose (microcrystalline cellulose and carmellose sodium)
Glycerol
Sodium citrate
Citric acid monohydrate
Polysorbate 80
Benzalkonium chloride,
Purified water
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable
6.3
Shelf life
3 years
Use within 2 months of first use.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 25°C. Do not freeze.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
NASONEX Nasal Spray is contained in a white, high density polyethylene bottle, that contains 10 g (60 actuations) or 18 g (140 actuations) of product formulation, supplied with a metered-dose, manual polypropylene spray pump actuator.
Pack sizes : 10 g, 1 bottle
18 g, 1, 2 or 3 bottles
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited
Hertford Road
Hoddesdon
Hertfordshire
EN11 9BU, UK
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER
PL 00025/0587
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
10/04/1997 / 05/03/2008
12/05/2016