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FDA Drug information

Acyclovir

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Marketing start date: 03 May 2024

Summary of product characteristics


Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS In the controlled clinical trials, mild pain (including transient burning and stinging) was reported by about 30% of patients in both the active and placebo arms; treatment was discontinued in 2 of these patients. Local pruritus occurred in 4% of these patients. In all studies, there was no significant difference between the drug and placebo group in the rate or type of reported adverse reactions nor were there any differences in abnormal clinical laboratory findings. Observed During Clinical Practice: Based on clinical practice experience in patients treated with Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% in the US, spontaneously reported adverse events are uncommon. Data are insufficient to support an estimate of their incidence or to establish causation. These events may also occur as part of the underlying disease process. Voluntary reports of adverse events that have been received since market introduction include: General: Edema and/or pain at the application site. Skin: Pruritus, rash. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Xiromed, LLC. at 844-XIROMED (844-947-6633) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% is contraindicated in patients who develop hypersensitivity to the components of the formulation.

Description

DESCRIPTION Acyclovir is a synthetic nucleoside analogue active against herpes viruses. Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% is a formulation for topical administration. Each gram of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% contains 50 mg of acyclovir in a polyethylene glycol (PEG) base. Acyclovir is a white, crystalline powder with the molecular formula C 8 H 11 N 5 O 3 and a molecular weight of 225. The maximum solubility in water at 37°C is 2.5 mg/mL. The pka's of acyclovir are 2.27 and 9.25. The chemical name of acyclovir is 2-amino-1,9-dihydro-9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6 H -purin-6-one; it has the following structural formula: Chemical Structure

Dosage And Administration

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply sufficient quantity to adequately cover all lesions every 3 hours, 6 times per day for 7 days. The dose size per application will vary depending upon the total lesion area but should approximate a one-half inch ribbon of ointment per 4 square inches of surface area. A finger cot or rubber glove should be used when applying Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% to prevent autoinoculation of other body sites and transmission of infection to other persons. Therapy should be initiated as early as possible following onset of signs and symptoms.

Indications And Usage

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% is indicated in the management of initial genital herpes and in limited non-life-threatening mucocutaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients.

Warnings

WARNINGS Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% is intended for cutaneous use only and should not be used in the eye.

Overdosage

OVERDOSAGE Overdosage by topical application of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% is unlikely because of limited transcutaneous absorption (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ).

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions: Clinical experience has identified no interactions resulting from topical or systemic administration of other drugs concomitantly with Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5%.

Clinical Pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Two clinical pharmacology studies were performed with Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% in immunocompromised adults at risk of developing mucocutaneous HSV infections or with localized varicella-zoster infections. These studies were designed to evaluate the dermal tolerance, systemic toxicity, and percutaneous absorption of acyclovir. In one of these studies, which included 16 inpatients, the complete ointment or its vehicle were randomly administered in a dose of 1-cm strips (25 mg acyclovir) 4 times a day for 7 days to an intact skin surface area of 4.5 square inches. No local intolerance, systemic toxicity, or contact dermatitis were observed. In addition, no drug was detected in blood and urine by radioimmunoassay (sensitivity, 0.01 mcg/mL). The other study included 11 patients with localized varicella-zoster infections. In this uncontrolled study, acyclovir was detected in the blood of 9 patients and in the urine of all patients tested. Acyclovir levels in plasma ranged from <0.01 to 0.28 mcg/mL in 8 patients with normal renal function, and from <0.01 to 0.78 mcg/mL in 1 patient with impaired renal function. Acyclovir excreted in the urine ranged from <0.02% to 9.4% of the daily dose. Therefore, systemic absorption of acyclovir after topical application is minimal.

Effective Time

20200130

Version

9

Spl Product Data Elements

Acyclovir Acyclovir acyclovir acyclovir Polyethylene Glycol, Unspecified carton-15g

Carcinogenesis And Mutagenesis And Impairment Of Fertility

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Systemic exposure following topical administration of acyclovir is minimal. Dermal carcinogenicity studies were not conducted. Results from the studies of carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and fertility are not included in the full prescribing information for Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% due to the minimal exposures of acyclovir that result from dermal application. Information on these studies is available in the full prescribing information for acyclovir capsules, tablets, and suspension and acyclovir for injection.

Application Number

ANDA201501

Brand Name

Acyclovir

Generic Name

Acyclovir

Product Ndc

70700-107

Product Type

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Route

TOPICAL

Package Label Principal Display Panel

PACKAGE LABEL PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL SECTION ACYCLOVIR OINTMENT USP, 5% Manufactured for Xiromed, LLC, Florham Park, NJ 07932 Made in Spain NDC 70700-107-15 Each gram contains acyclovir 50 mg in a polyethylene glycol base. 15 g R x only

Spl Unclassified Section

Rx Only PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

Clinical Studies

CLINICAL TRIALS In clinical trials of initial genital herpes infections, Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% has shown a decrease in healing time and, in some cases, a decrease in duration of viral shedding and duration of pain. In studies in immunocompromised patients primarily with herpes labialis, there was a decrease in duration of viral shedding and a slight decrease in duration of pain. In studies of recurrent genital herpes and of herpes labialis in nonimmunocompromised patients, there was no evidence of clinical benefit; there was some decrease in duration of viral shedding.

Geriatric Use

Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. Systemic absorption of acyclovir after topical administration is minimal (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ).

Nursing Mothers

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether topically applied acyclovir is excreted in breast milk. Systemic exposure following topical administration is minimal. After oral administration of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5%, acyclovir concentrations have been documented in breast milk in 2 women and ranged from 0.6 to 4.1 times the corresponding plasma levels. These concentrations would potentially expose the nursing infant to a dose of acyclovir up to 0.3 mg/kg/day. Nursing mothers who have active herpetic lesions near or on the breast should avoid nursing.

Pediatric Use

Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B. Acyclovir was not teratogenic in the mouse, rabbit, or rat at exposures greatly in excess of human exposure. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of systemic acyclovir in pregnant women. A prospective epidemiologic registry of acyclovir use during pregnancy was established in 1984 and completed in April 1999. There were 749 pregnancies followed in women exposed to systemic acyclovir during the first trimester of pregnancy resulting in 756 outcomes. The occurrence rate of birth defects approximates that found in the general population. However, the small size of the registry is insufficient to evaluate the risk for less common defects or to permit reliable or definitive conclusions regarding the safety of acyclovir in pregnant women and their developing fetuses. Systemic acyclovir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Teratogenic Effects

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B. Acyclovir was not teratogenic in the mouse, rabbit, or rat at exposures greatly in excess of human exposure. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of systemic acyclovir in pregnant women. A prospective epidemiologic registry of acyclovir use during pregnancy was established in 1984 and completed in April 1999. There were 749 pregnancies followed in women exposed to systemic acyclovir during the first trimester of pregnancy resulting in 756 outcomes. The occurrence rate of birth defects approximates that found in the general population. However, the small size of the registry is insufficient to evaluate the risk for less common defects or to permit reliable or definitive conclusions regarding the safety of acyclovir in pregnant women and their developing fetuses. Systemic acyclovir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

How Supplied

HOW SUPPLIED Each gram of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% contains 50 mg acyclovir in a polyethylene glycol base. It is supplied as follows: 15 g tubes (NDC 70700-107-15) 30-g tubes (NDC 70700-107-16) Store at 15° to 25°C (59° to 77°F) in a dry place.

Storage And Handling

Store at 15° to 25°C (59° to 77°F) in a dry place.

General Precautions

General: The recommended dosage, frequency of applications, and length of treatment should not be exceeded (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). There are no data to support the use of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% to prevent transmission of infection to other persons or prevent recurrent infections when applied in the absence of signs and symptoms. Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% should not be used for the prevention of recurrent HSV infections. Although clinically significant viral resistance associated with the use of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% has not been observed, this possibility exists.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS General: The recommended dosage, frequency of applications, and length of treatment should not be exceeded (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). There are no data to support the use of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% to prevent transmission of infection to other persons or prevent recurrent infections when applied in the absence of signs and symptoms. Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% should not be used for the prevention of recurrent HSV infections. Although clinically significant viral resistance associated with the use of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% has not been observed, this possibility exists. Drug Interactions: Clinical experience has identified no interactions resulting from topical or systemic administration of other drugs concomitantly with Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5%. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Systemic exposure following topical administration of acyclovir is minimal. Dermal carcinogenicity studies were not conducted. Results from the studies of carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and fertility are not included in the full prescribing information for Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% due to the minimal exposures of acyclovir that result from dermal application. Information on these studies is available in the full prescribing information for acyclovir capsules, tablets, and suspension and acyclovir for injection. Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B. Acyclovir was not teratogenic in the mouse, rabbit, or rat at exposures greatly in excess of human exposure. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of systemic acyclovir in pregnant women. A prospective epidemiologic registry of acyclovir use during pregnancy was established in 1984 and completed in April 1999. There were 749 pregnancies followed in women exposed to systemic acyclovir during the first trimester of pregnancy resulting in 756 outcomes. The occurrence rate of birth defects approximates that found in the general population. However, the small size of the registry is insufficient to evaluate the risk for less common defects or to permit reliable or definitive conclusions regarding the safety of acyclovir in pregnant women and their developing fetuses. Systemic acyclovir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether topically applied acyclovir is excreted in breast milk. Systemic exposure following topical administration is minimal. After oral administration of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5%, acyclovir concentrations have been documented in breast milk in 2 women and ranged from 0.6 to 4.1 times the corresponding plasma levels. These concentrations would potentially expose the nursing infant to a dose of acyclovir up to 0.3 mg/kg/day. Nursing mothers who have active herpetic lesions near or on the breast should avoid nursing. Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of Acyclovir Ointment USP, 5% did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. Systemic absorption of acyclovir after topical administration is minimal (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

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