Summary of product characteristics
Adverse Reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Ocular adverse events included procedural complications, and eye pain (> 50%). Thirty-five to forty percent of patients reported ocular/conjunctival hyperemia, reduced visual acuity, and conjunctival hemorrhage. (6.1) The most common non-ocular event reported was headache (33%). (6.2) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch & Lomb Incorporated at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience - Ocular Events The available safety data includes exposure to RETISERT in patients with chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment in two multicenter controlled clinical trials. Patients were randomized to dosage regimens of 0.59 mg or 2.1 mg implants. The most frequently reported ocular adverse events were cataract, increased intraocular pressure, procedural complication, and eye pain. These events occurred in approximately 50 - 90% of patients. Cataract includes aggravated cataract, and posterior capsular opacification. Procedural complications includes post-op complication, post-op wound complication, post-op wound site erythema, and wound dehiscense. Based on clinical trials with RETISERT, during the 3-year post-implantation period, nearly all phakic eyes are expected to develop cataracts and require cataract surgery. IOP lowering medications to lower intraocular pressure were required in approximately 77% of patients; filtering surgeries were required to control intraocular pressure in 37% of patients. Ocular adverse events occurring in approximately 10 - 40% of patients in decreasing order of incidence were ocular/conjunctival hyperemia, reduced visual acuity, glaucoma, conjunctival hemorrhage, blurred vision, abnormal sensation in the eye, eye irritation, maculopathy, vitreous floaters, hypotony, pruritus, ptosis, increased tearing, vitreous hemorrhage, dry eye, eyelid edema, macular edema and visual disturbance. Ocular adverse events occurring in approximately 5 - 9% of patients in decreasing order of incidence were eye discharge, photophobia, blepharitis, corneal edema, iris adhesions, choroidal detachment, diplopia, eye swelling, retinal detachment, photopsia, retinal hemorrhage and hyphema. 6.2 Clinical Trials Experience - Non-Ocular Events The most frequently reported non-ocular adverse event was headache (33%). Other non-ocular adverse events occurring in approximately 5-20% of patients in decreasing order of incidence were nasopharyngitis, arthralgia, sinusitis, dizziness, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, influenza, vomiting, nausea, cough, back pain, limb pain, and rash.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Surgical placement of RETISERT is contraindicated in active viral, bacterial, mycobacterial and fungal infections of ocular structures. (4.1) 4.1 Viral, Bacterial, Mycobacterial and Fungal Infections of Ocular Structures Surgical placement of RETISERT is contraindicated in active viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in active bacterial, mycobacterial or fungal infections of the eye.
Description
11 DESCRIPTION RETISERT ® (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.59 mg is a sterile implant designed to release fluocinolone acetonide locally to the posterior segment of the eye at a nominal initial rate of 0.6 mcg/day, decreasing over the first month to a steady state between 0.3-0.4 mcg/day over approximately 30 months. The drug substance is the synthetic corticosteroid fluocinolone acetonide, represented by the following structural formula: Chemical Name: Pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione,6,9-difluoro-11,21-dihydroxy-16,17-[(1-methyl-ethylidene)bis(oxy)],(6α,11β ,16α)-. Fluocinolone acetonide is a white crystalline powder, insoluble in water, and soluble in methanol. It has a melting point of 265-266ºC. Each RETISERT consists of a tablet containing 0.59 mg of the active ingredient, Fluocinolone Acetonide, USP, and the following inactives: magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and polyvinyl alcohol. chem
Dosage And Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION RETISERT is surgically implanted into the posterior segment of the affected eye through a pars plana incision. (2.1) RETISERT is designed to release fluocinolone acetonide at a nominal initial rate of 0.6 mcg/day, decreasing over the first month to a steady state between 0.3-0.4 mcg/day over approximately 30 months. (2.1) Aseptic technique should be maintained at all times prior to and during the surgical implantation procedure. (2.2) 2.1 Dosing Information RETISERT (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.59 mg is implanted into the posterior segment of the affected eye through a pars plana incision. The implant contains one tablet of 0.59 mg of fluocinolone acetonide. RETISERT is designed to release fluocinolone acetonide at a nominal initial rate of 0.6 mcg/day, decreasing over the first month to a steady state between 0.3-0.4 mcg/day over approximately 30 months. Following depletion of fluocinolone acetonide as evidenced by recurrence of uveitis, RETISERT may be replaced. 2.2 Handling of Implant Caution should be exercised in handling RETISERT in order to avoid damage to the implant, which may result in an increased rate of drug release from the implant. Thus, RETISERT should be handled only by the suture tab. Care should be taken during implantation and explantation to avoid sheer forces on the implant that could disengage the silicone cup reservoir (which contains a fluocinolone acetonide tablet) from the suture tab. Aseptic technique should be maintained at all times prior to and during the surgical implantation procedure. RETISERT should not be resterilized by any method.
Indications And Usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE RETISERT is indicated for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. RETISERT is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of chronic noninfectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. (1)
Clinical Pharmacology
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Corticosteroids inhibit the inflammatory response to a variety of inciting agents and probably delay or slow healing. They inhibit the edema, fibrin deposition, capillary dilation, leukocyte migration, capillary proliferation, fibroblast proliferation, deposition of collagen, and scar formation associated with inflammation. There is no generally accepted explanation for the mechanism of action of ocular corticosteroids. However, corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A 2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A 2 . Corticosteroids are capable of producing a rise in intraocular pressure. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics In a subset of patients who received the intravitreal implant, and had blood samples taken at various times (weeks 1, 4 and 34) after implantation, plasma levels of fluocinolone acetonide were below the limit of detection (0.2 ng/mL) at all times. Aqueous and vitreous humor samples were assayed for fluocinolone acetonide in a further subset of patients. While detectable concentrations of fluocinolone acetonide were seen throughout the observation interval (up to 34 months), the concentrations were highly variable, ranging from below the limit of detection (0.2 ng/mL) to 589 ng/mL.
Mechanism Of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Corticosteroids inhibit the inflammatory response to a variety of inciting agents and probably delay or slow healing. They inhibit the edema, fibrin deposition, capillary dilation, leukocyte migration, capillary proliferation, fibroblast proliferation, deposition of collagen, and scar formation associated with inflammation. There is no generally accepted explanation for the mechanism of action of ocular corticosteroids. However, corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A 2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A 2 . Corticosteroids are capable of producing a rise in intraocular pressure.
Pharmacokinetics
12.3 Pharmacokinetics In a subset of patients who received the intravitreal implant, and had blood samples taken at various times (weeks 1, 4 and 34) after implantation, plasma levels of fluocinolone acetonide were below the limit of detection (0.2 ng/mL) at all times. Aqueous and vitreous humor samples were assayed for fluocinolone acetonide in a further subset of patients. While detectable concentrations of fluocinolone acetonide were seen throughout the observation interval (up to 34 months), the concentrations were highly variable, ranging from below the limit of detection (0.2 ng/mL) to 589 ng/mL.
Effective Time
20230813
Version
1
Dosage Forms And Strengths
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS 0.59 mg fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant. 0.59 mg fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant. ( 3 )
Spl Product Data Elements
Retisert Fluocinolone Acetonide MAGNESIUM STEARATE MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE POLYVINYL ALCOHOL, UNSPECIFIED FLUOCINOLONE ACETONIDE FLUOCINOLONE ACETONIDE
Carcinogenesis And Mutagenesis And Impairment Of Fertility
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Long-term animal studies have not been performed on RETISERT to evaluate the carcinogenic potential or the effect on fertility of fluocinolone acetonide. Fluocinolone acetonide was not genotoxic in vitro in the Ames test, the mouse lymphoma TK assay, or in vivo in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.
Nonclinical Toxicology
13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY 13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Long-term animal studies have not been performed on RETISERT to evaluate the carcinogenic potential or the effect on fertility of fluocinolone acetonide. Fluocinolone acetonide was not genotoxic in vitro in the Ames test, the mouse lymphoma TK assay, or in vivo in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.
Application Number
NDA021737
Brand Name
Retisert
Generic Name
Fluocinolone Acetonide
Product Ndc
75929-141
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Route
INTRAVITREAL
Package Label Principal Display Panel
NDC75929-141-91 Rx only Retisert ® (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.59 mg STERILE FOR INTRAVITREAL IMPLANTATION ONLY Contents: One sterile Retisert ® (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.59 mg Content sterile in unopened, undamaged package. BAUSCH + LOMB Carton1
Information For Patients
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Patients should be advised to have ophthalmologic follow-up examinations of both eyes at appropriate intervals following implantation of RETISERT. As with any surgical procedure, there is risk involved. Potential complications accompanying intraocular surgery to place RETISERT into the vitreous cavity may include, but are not limited to, the following: cataract formation, choroidal detachment, temporary decreased visual acuity, endophthalmitis, hypotony, increased intraocular pressure, exacerbation of intraocular inflammation, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, vitreous loss, and wound dehiscence. Following implantation of RETISERT, nearly all patients will experience an immediate and temporary decrease in visual acuity in the implanted eye which lasts for approximately one to four weeks post-operatively. Based on clinical trials with RETISERT, within 3 years post-implantation, approximately 77% of patients will require IOP lowering medications to control intraocular pressure and 37% of patients will require filtering procedures to control intraocular pressure [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Based on clinical trials with RETISERT, during the 3-year post-implantation period, nearly all phakic eyes are expected to develop cataracts and require cataract surgery. Distributed by: Bausch + Lomb, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC Bridgewater, NJ 08807 USA Manufactured by: Bausch + Lomb Ireland Limited Waterford, Ireland Retisert is a trademark of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates. © 2021 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates 9028010
Clinical Studies
14 CLINICAL STUDIES In two randomized, double-masked, multicenter controlled clinical trials, 224 patients with chronic (a one year or greater history) non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of one or both eyes were randomized to receive a 0.59 mg RETISERT. The primary efficacy endpoint in both trials was the rate of recurrence of uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the study eye in the 34 week pre-implantation period compared to the rate of recurrence in the 34 week post-implantation period. Uveitis recurrence rates at 1, 2, and 3 year post-implantation were also compared to the 34 week pre-implantation period. Detailed results are shown in Table 1 below: Table 1: Uveitis Recurrence Rates TIME POINT STUDY 1 STUDY 2 N=108 N=116 Uveitis Recurrence Rates Recurrence of uveitis for all post-implantation time points was compared to the 34 weeks pre-implantation time point. , p-value <0.01 from McNemar’s χ 2 test. N (%) 34 Weeks Pre-implantation 58 (53.7) 46 (39.7) 34 Weeks Post-implantation 2 (1.8) 15 (12.9) 1 Year Post-implantation 4 (3.7) 15 (12.9) 2 Years Post-implantation 11 (10.2) 16 (13.8) 3 Years Post-implantation 22 (20.4) 20 (17.2) 3 Years Results presented include imputed recurrences. Recurrences were imputed when a subject was not seen within 10 weeks of their final scheduled visit. Post-implantation 33 (30.6) 28 (24.1)
Clinical Studies Table
TIME POINT | STUDY 1 | STUDY 2 |
N=108 | N=116 | |
Uveitis Recurrence Rates N (%) | ||
34 Weeks Pre-implantation | 58 (53.7) | 46 (39.7) |
34 Weeks Post-implantation | 2 (1.8) | 15 (12.9) |
1 Year Post-implantation | 4 (3.7) | 15 (12.9) |
2 Years Post-implantation | 11 (10.2) | 16 (13.8) |
3 Years Post-implantation | 22 (20.4) | 20 (17.2) |
3 Years | 33 (30.6) | 28 (24.1) |
Geriatric Use
8.5 Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety and effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.
Nursing Mothers
8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known whether ocular administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Systemic steroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. Caution should be exercised when RETISERT is implanted in a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 12 years have not been established.
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy No adequate animal reproduction studies have been conducted with fluocinolone acetonide. Corticosteroids are generally teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Fluocinolone acetonide when administered subcutaneously at a dose of 0.13 mg/kg/day (approximately 10,000 times the daily clinical dose of RETISERT), during days 6 to 18 of pregnancy in the rabbit, induced abortion at the end of the third and at the beginning of the fourth gestational week. When administered subcutaneously to rats and rabbits during gestation at a maternal toxic dose of 50 mcg/kg/day (approximately 4,000 times the clinical dose of RETISERT), fluocinolone acetonide caused abortions and malformations in a few surviving fetuses. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. RETISERT should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Use In Specific Populations
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy No adequate animal reproduction studies have been conducted with fluocinolone acetonide. Corticosteroids are generally teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Fluocinolone acetonide when administered subcutaneously at a dose of 0.13 mg/kg/day (approximately 10,000 times the daily clinical dose of RETISERT), during days 6 to 18 of pregnancy in the rabbit, induced abortion at the end of the third and at the beginning of the fourth gestational week. When administered subcutaneously to rats and rabbits during gestation at a maternal toxic dose of 50 mcg/kg/day (approximately 4,000 times the clinical dose of RETISERT), fluocinolone acetonide caused abortions and malformations in a few surviving fetuses. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. RETISERT should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. 8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known whether ocular administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Systemic steroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. Caution should be exercised when RETISERT is implanted in a nursing woman. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 12 years have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety and effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING The implant consists of a tablet encased in a silicone elastomer cup containing a release orifice and a polyvinyl alcohol membrane positioned between the tablet and the orifice. The silicone elastomer cup assembly is attached to a silicone elastomer suture tab with silicone adhesive. Each RETISERT is approximately 3 mm x 2 mm x 5 mm. Each implant is stored in a clear polycarbonate case within a foil pouch within a Tyvek peelable overwrap. Each packaged implant is provided in a carton which includes the package insert. NDC 75929-141-91 0.59 mg 1 count Storage: Store in the original container at 15° to 25°C (59° to 77°F). Protect from freezing.
Learning Zones
The Learning Zones are an educational resource for healthcare professionals that provide medical information on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and burden of disease, as well as diagnostic techniques and treatment regimens.
Disclaimer
The drug Prescribing Information (PI), including indications, contra-indications, interactions, etc, has been developed using the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as a source (www.fda.gov).
Medthority offers the whole library of PI documents from the FDA. Medthority will not be held liable for explicit or implicit errors, or missing data.
Drugs appearing in this section are approved by the FDA. For regions outside of the United States, this content is for informational purposes only and may not be aligned with local regulatory approvals or guidance.