MECHANISM OF ACTION SECTION.

12.1 Mechanism of Action. Epinastine is topically active, direct H1-receptor antagonist and an inhibitor of the release of histamine from the mast cell. Epinastine is selective for the histamine H1-receptor and has affinity for the histamine H2--receptor. Epinastine also possesses affinity for the 1, 2-, and 5-HT2-receptors.

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS SECTION.

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION. 17.1 Sterility of Dropper Tip. Patients should be advised not to touch dropper tip to any surface, as this may contaminate the contents (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, 5.1). 17.2 Concomitant Use of Contact Lenses. Patients should be advised not to wear contact lens if their eye is red. Patients should be advised that epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution should not be used to treat contact lens-related irritation. Patients should also be advised to remove contact lenses prior to instillation of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution. The preservative in epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Lenses may be reinserted after 10 minutes following administration of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution.. 17.3 Topical Ophthalmic Use Only. For topical ophthalmic administration only. Distributed by: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. Cranbury, NJ 08512 ISS: 09/2014 PJPI0262B.

ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS. The most common ocular adverse reactions (incidence occurring in approximately 1% to 10% of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution treated eyes were burning sensation in the eye, folliculosis, hyperemia, and pruritus. The most common non-ocular adverse reactions, occurring in 10% of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution-treated eyes, were infection (cold symptoms and upper respiratory infections). (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. at 1-800-818-4555 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience. Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most frequently reported ocular adverse reactions occurring in approximately to 10% of patients were burning sensation in the eye, folliculosis, hyperemia, and pruritus. The most frequently reported non-ocular adverse reactions were infection (cold symptoms and upper respiratory infections), seen in approximately 10% of patients, and headache, rhinitis, sinusitis, increased cough, and pharyngitis, seen in approximately to 3% of patients. Some of these reactions were similar to the underlying disease being studied.. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience. The following reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in clinical practice. Because they are reported voluntarily from population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. The reactions, which have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, possible causal connection to epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, or combination of these factors, include: lacrimation increased.

CARCINOGENESIS & MUTAGENESIS & IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY SECTION.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility. In 18-month or 2-year dietary carcinogenicity studies in mice or rats, respectively, epinastine was not carcinogenic at doses up to 40 mg/kg [approximately 30,000 times higher than the MROHD, assuming 100% absorption in humans and animals]. Epinastine in newly synthesized batches was negative for mutagenicity in the Ames/Salmonella assay and in vitro chromosome aberration assay using human lymphocytes. Positive results were seen with early batches of epinastine in two in vitro chromosomal aberration studies conducted in 1980s with human peripheral lymphocytes and with V79 cells, respectively. Epinastine was negative in the in vivo clastogenicity studies, including the mouse micronucleus assay and chromosome aberration assay in Chinese hamsters. Epinastine was also negative in the cell transformation assay using Syrian hamster embryo cells, V79/HGPRT mammalian cell point mutation assay, and in vivo/in vitro unscheduled DNA synthesis assay using rat primary hepatocytes. Epinastine had no effect on fertility of male rats. Decreased fertility in female rats was observed at an oral dose up to approximately 90,000 times the MROHD.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION.

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. 12.1 Mechanism of Action. Epinastine is topically active, direct H1-receptor antagonist and an inhibitor of the release of histamine from the mast cell. Epinastine is selective for the histamine H1-receptor and has affinity for the histamine H2--receptor. Epinastine also possesses affinity for the 1, 2-, and 5-HT2-receptors.. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics. Fourteen subjects, with allergic conjunctivitis, received one drop of Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in each eye twice daily for days. On day 7, average maximum epinastine plasma concentrations of 0.04+-0.014 ng/ml were reached after about two hours indicating low systemic exposure. While these concentrations represented an increase over those seen following single dose, the day and day Area Under the Curve (AUC) values were unchanged indicating that there is no increase in systemic absorption with multiple dosing. Epinastine is 64% bound to plasma proteins. The total systemic clearance is approximately 56 L/hr and the terminal plasma elimination half-life is about 12 hours. Epinastine is mainly excreted unchanged. About 55% of an intravenous dose is recovered unchanged in the urine with about 30% in feces. Less than 10% is metabolized. The renal elimination is mainly via active tubular secretion.

CLINICAL STUDIES SECTION.

14 CLINICAL STUDIES. Epinastine hydrochloride 0.05% has been shown to be significantly superior to vehicle for improving ocular itching in patients with allergic conjunctivitis in clinical studies using two different models: (1) conjunctival antigen challenge (CAC) where patients were dosed and then received antigen instilled into the inferior conjunctival fornix; and (2) environmental field studies where patients were dosed and evaluated during allergy season in their natural habitat. Results demonstrated rapid onset of action for epinastine hydrochloride 0.05% within to minutes after conjunctival antigen challenge. Duration of effect was shown to be hours, making twice daily regimen suitable. This dosing regimen was shown to be safe and effective for up to weeks, without evidence of tachyphylaxis.

DESCRIPTION SECTION.

11 DESCRIPTION. Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.05% is clear, colorless, sterile isotonic solution containing epinastine hydrochloride, an antihistamine and an inhibitor of histamine release from the mast cell for topical administration to the eyes. Epinastine hydrochloride is represented by the following structural formula:Chemical Name: 3-Amino-9, 13b-dihydro-1H-dibenz[c,f]imidazo[1,5-a]azepine hydrochloride Each mL contains: Active: Epinastine hydrochloride 0.05% (0.5 mg/mL) equivalent to epinastine 0.044% (0.44 mg/mL); Preservative: Benzalkonium chloride solution (50%) 0.02%; Inactives: Edetate disodium; water for injection; sodium chloride; monobasic sodium phosphate; and sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid (to adjust the pH). Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution has pH of approximately and an osmolality range of 250 to 310 mOsm/kg.. chemical-structure.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. The recommended dosage is one drop in each eye twice day. Treatment should be continued throughout the period of exposure (i.e., until the pollen season is over or until exposure to the offending allergen is terminated), even when symptoms are absent.. The recommended dosage is one drop in each eye twice day. (2).

HOW SUPPLIED SECTION.

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING. Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.05% is supplied sterile in white opaque HDPE plastic bottles with natural LDPE sterile plug and sealed with white opaque HDPE pilfer-proof sterile caps as follows: mL in 10 mL bottle.................................NDC 62756-329-90 Storage: Store at 20 to 25C (68 to 77F); excursions permitted between 15 and 30C (59 and 86F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep bottle tightly closed and out of the reach of children.

INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE. Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is indicated for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.. Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is an H1 histamine receptor antagonist indicated for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. (1).

NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY SECTION.

13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY. 13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility. In 18-month or 2-year dietary carcinogenicity studies in mice or rats, respectively, epinastine was not carcinogenic at doses up to 40 mg/kg [approximately 30,000 times higher than the MROHD, assuming 100% absorption in humans and animals]. Epinastine in newly synthesized batches was negative for mutagenicity in the Ames/Salmonella assay and in vitro chromosome aberration assay using human lymphocytes. Positive results were seen with early batches of epinastine in two in vitro chromosomal aberration studies conducted in 1980s with human peripheral lymphocytes and with V79 cells, respectively. Epinastine was negative in the in vivo clastogenicity studies, including the mouse micronucleus assay and chromosome aberration assay in Chinese hamsters. Epinastine was also negative in the cell transformation assay using Syrian hamster embryo cells, V79/HGPRT mammalian cell point mutation assay, and in vivo/in vitro unscheduled DNA synthesis assay using rat primary hepatocytes. Epinastine had no effect on fertility of male rats. Decreased fertility in female rats was observed at an oral dose up to approximately 90,000 times the MROHD.

NURSING MOTHERS SECTION.

8.3 Nursing Mothers. study in lactating rats revealed excretion of epinastine in the breast milk. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is administered to nursing woman.

PHARMACOKINETICS SECTION.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics. Fourteen subjects, with allergic conjunctivitis, received one drop of Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in each eye twice daily for days. On day 7, average maximum epinastine plasma concentrations of 0.04+-0.014 ng/ml were reached after about two hours indicating low systemic exposure. While these concentrations represented an increase over those seen following single dose, the day and day Area Under the Curve (AUC) values were unchanged indicating that there is no increase in systemic absorption with multiple dosing. Epinastine is 64% bound to plasma proteins. The total systemic clearance is approximately 56 L/hr and the terminal plasma elimination half-life is about 12 hours. Epinastine is mainly excreted unchanged. About 55% of an intravenous dose is recovered unchanged in the urine with about 30% in feces. Less than 10% is metabolized. The renal elimination is mainly via active tubular secretion.

PREGNANCY SECTION.

8.1 Pregnancy. Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category In an embryofetal developmental study in pregnant rats, maternal toxicity with no embryofetal effects was observed at an oral dose that was approximately 150,000 times the maximum recommended ocular human dose (MROHD) of 0.0014 mg/kg/day on mg/kg basis. Total resorptions and abortion were observed in an embryofetal study in pregnant rabbits at an oral dose that was approximately 55,000 times the MROHD. In both studies, no drug-induced teratogenic effects were noted. Epinastine reduced pup body weight gain following an oral dose to pregnant rats that was approximately 90,000 times the MROHD. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION.

5.1 Contamination of Tip and Solution. Patients should be instructed to avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye, surrounding structures, fingers, or any other surface in order to avoid contamination of the solution by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions. Bottle should be kept tightly closed when not in use.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS SECTION.

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS. 8.1 Pregnancy. Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category In an embryofetal developmental study in pregnant rats, maternal toxicity with no embryofetal effects was observed at an oral dose that was approximately 150,000 times the maximum recommended ocular human dose (MROHD) of 0.0014 mg/kg/day on mg/kg basis. Total resorptions and abortion were observed in an embryofetal study in pregnant rabbits at an oral dose that was approximately 55,000 times the MROHD. In both studies, no drug-induced teratogenic effects were noted. Epinastine reduced pup body weight gain following an oral dose to pregnant rats that was approximately 90,000 times the MROHD. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.. 8.3 Nursing Mothers. study in lactating rats revealed excretion of epinastine in the breast milk. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is administered to nursing woman.. 8.4 Pediatric Use. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of years have not been established.. 8.5 Geriatric Use. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS SECTION.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. To minimize the risk of contamination, do not touch dropper tip to any surface. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use. (5.1)Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution should not be used to treat contact lens-related irritation. (5.2)Remove contact lenses prior to instillation of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution. (5.2). To minimize the risk of contamination, do not touch dropper tip to any surface. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use. (5.1). Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution should not be used to treat contact lens-related irritation. (5.2). Remove contact lenses prior to instillation of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution. (5.2). 5.1 Contamination of Tip and Solution. Patients should be instructed to avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye, surrounding structures, fingers, or any other surface in order to avoid contamination of the solution by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions. Bottle should be kept tightly closed when not in use.. 5.2 Use with Contact Lenses. Patients should be advised not to wear contact lens if their eye is red. Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution should not be used to treat contact lens-related irritation. The preservative in epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to instillation of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution and may be reinserted after 10 minutes following its administration.. 5.3 Topical Ophthalmic Use Only. Epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is for topical ophthalmic use only and not for injection or oral use.