ation of these factors, include: complication of device insertion (implant misplacement), device dislocation with or without corneal edema, endophthalmitis, hypotony of the eye (associated with vitreous leakage due to injection), and retinal detachment.
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
8.1 Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C
Risk Summary
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with OZURDEX® in pregnant women. Animal reproduction
studies using topical ocular administration of dexamethasone were conducted in mice and rabbits. Cleft palate and embryofetal death in mice and malformations of the intestines and kidneys in rabbits were observed. OZURDEX® should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Animal Data
Topical ocular administration of 0.15% dexamethasone (0.375 mg/kg/day) on gestational days 10 to 13 produced embryofetal lethality and a high incidence of cleft palate in mice. A dose of 0.375 mg/kg/day in the mouse is approximately 3 times an OZURDEX® injection in humans (0.7 mg dexamethasone) on a mg/m2 basis. In rabbits, topical ocular administration of 0.1% dexamethasone throughout organogenesis (0.13 mg/kg/day, on gestational day 6 followed by 0.20 mg/kg/day on gestational days 7-18) produced intestinal anomalies, intestinal aplasia, gastroschisis and hypoplastic kidneys. A dose of 0.13 mg/kg/day in the rabbit is approximately 4 times an OZURDEX® injection in humans (0.7 mg dexamethasone) on a mg/m2 basis.
8.3 Nursing Mothers
Systemically administered corticosteroids are present in human milk and can suppress growth and interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production. The systemic concentration of dexamethasone following intravitreal treatment with OZURDEX® is low [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. It is not known whether intravitreal treatment with OZURDEX® could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Exercise caution when OZURDEX® is administered to a nursing woman.
8.4 Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of OZURDEX® in pediatric patients have not been established.
8.5 Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.
11 DESCRIPTION
OZURDEX® is an intravitreal implant containing 0.7 mg (700 mcg) dexamethasone in the NOVADUR® solid polymer sustained-release drug delivery system. OZURDEX® is preloaded into a single-use, DDS® applicator to facilitate injection of the rod-shaped implant directly into the vitreous. The NOVADUR® system contains poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) PLGA intravitreal polymer matrix without a preservative. The chemical name for dexamethasone is Pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione, 9-fluoro-11,17,21-trihydroxy-16-methyl-, (11β,16α)-. Its structural formula is:
Structural Formula
MW 392.47; molecular formula: C22H29FO5
Dexamethasone occurs as a white to cream-colored crystalline powder having not more than a slight odor, and is practically insoluble in water and very soluble in alcohol.
The PLGA matrix slowly degrades to lactic acid and glycolic acid.
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1 Mechanism of Action
Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, has been shown to suppress inflammation by inhibiting multiple inflammatory cytokines resulting in decreased edema, fibrin deposition, capillary leakage and m |