Epinephrine 0.15 Pediatrics

Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors are indicated in the emergency treatment of allergic reactions (Type I) including anaphylaxis to stinging insects (e.g., order Hymenoptera, which include bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants) and biting insects (e.g., triatoma, mosquitoes), allergen immunotherapy, foods, drugs, diagnostic testing substances (e.g., radiocontrast media) and other allergens, as well as idiopathic anaphylaxis or exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors are intended for immediate administration in patients who are determined to be at increased risk for anaphylaxis, including individuals with a history of anaphylactic reactions. Anaphylactic reactions may occur within minutes after exposure and consist of flushing, apprehension, syncope, tachycardia, thready or unobtainable pulse associated with a fall in blood pressure, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, involuntary voiding, wheezing, dyspnea due to laryngeal spasm, pruritus, rashes, urticaria or angioedema. Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors are intended for immediate administration as emergency supportive therapy only and are not a substitute for immediate medical care. Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector is a non-selective alpha and beta-adrenergic receptor agonist indicated in the emergency treatment of allergic reactions (Type I) including anaphylaxis. ( 1 )

Injection: 0.3 mg (0.3 mg/0.3 mL), clear and colorless solution in single-dose pre-filled auto-injector Injection: 0.15 mg (0.15 mg/0.3 mL), clear and colorless solution in single-dose pre-filled auto-injector Injection: 0.3 mg (0.3 mg/0.3 mL) single-dose pre-filled auto-injector ( 3 ) Injection: 0.15 mg (0.15 mg/0.3 mL) single-dose pre-filled auto-injector ( 3 )

None None ( 4 )

In conjunction with use, seek immediate medical or hospital care. ( 5.1 ) Do not inject intravenously, into buttock, or into digits, hands, or feet. ( 5.2 ) To minimize the risk of injection related injury, hold the child’s leg firmly in place and limit movement prior to and during injection when administering to young children. ( 5.2 ) Rare cases of serious skin and soft tissue infections have been reported following epinephrine injection. Advise patients to seek medical care if they develop signs or symptoms of infection. ( 5.3 ) The presence of a sulfite in this product should not deter use. ( 5.4 ) Administer with caution in patients with heart disease; may aggravate angina pectoris or produce ventricular arrhythmias. ( 5.5 )

5.1 Emergency Treatment Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors are intended for immediate administration as emergency supportive therapy and are not intended as a substitute for immediate medical care. In conjunction with the administration of epinephrine, the patient should seek immediate medical or hospital care. More than two sequential doses of epinephrine should only be administered under direct medical supervision [see Indications and Usage (1) , Dosage and Administration (2) and Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .

5.2 Injection-Related Complications Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector should only be injected into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh [ see Dosage and Administration (2) and Patient Counseling Information (17) ]. Do not inject intravenously Large doses or accidental intravenous injection of epinephrine may result in cerebral hemorrhage due to sharp rise in blood pressure. Rapidly acting vasodilators can counteract the marked pressor effects of epinephrine if there is such inadvertent administration. Do not inject into buttock Injection into the buttock may not provide effective treatment of anaphylaxis. Advise the patient to go immediately to the nearest emergency room for further treatment of anaphylaxis. Additionally, injection into the buttock has been associated with Clostridial infections (gas gangrene). Cleansing with alcohol does not kill bacterial spores, and therefore, does not lower this risk. Do not inject into digits, hands or feet Since epinephrine is a strong vasoconstrictor, accidental injection into the digits, hands or feet may result in loss of blood flow to the affected area. Advise the patient to go immediately to the nearest emergency room and to inform the healthcare provider in the emergency room of the location of the accidental injection. Treatment of such inadvertent administration should consist of vasodilation, in addition to further appropriate treatment of anaphylaxis [ see Adverse Reactions (6) ]. Hold leg firmly during injection Lacerations, bent needles, and embedded needles have been reported when epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector has been injected into the thigh of young children who are uncooperative and kick or move during an injection. To minimize the risk of injection related injury when administering, hold the child’s leg firmly in place and limit movement prior to and during injection.

5.3 Serious Infections at the Injection Site Rare cases of serious skin and soft tissue infections, including necrotizing fasciitis and myonecrosis caused by Clostridia (gas gangrene), have been reported at the injection site following epinephrine injection for anaphylaxis. Clostridium spores can be present on the skin and introduced into the deep tissue with subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. While cleansing with alcohol may reduce presence of bacteria on the skin, alcohol cleansing does not kill Clostridium spores. To decrease the risk of Clostridium infection, do not inject epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector into the buttock [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Advise patients to seek medical care if they develop signs or symptoms of infection, such as persistent redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness, at the epinephrine injection site.

5.4 Allergic Reactions Associated with Sulfite The presence of a sulfite in this product should not deter administration of the drug for treatment of serious allergic or other emergency situations even if the patient is sulfite-sensitive. Epinephrine is the preferred treatment for serious allergic reactions or other emergency situations even though this product contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may, in other products, cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms or life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible persons. The alternatives to using epinephrine in a life-threatening situation may not be satisfactory.

5.5 Disease Interactions Some patients may be at greater risk for developing adverse reactions after epinephrine administration. Despite these concerns, it should be recognized that the presence of these conditions is not a contraindication to epinephrine administration in an acute, life-threatening situation. Therefore, patients with these conditions, and/or any other person who might be in a position to administer epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector to a patient experiencing anaphylaxis should be carefully instructed in regard to the circumstances under which epinephrine should be used. Patients with Heart Disease Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients who have heart disease, including patients with cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery or organic heart disease, or hypertension . In such patients, or in patients who are on drugs that may sensitize the heart to arrhythmias , epinephrine may precipitate or aggravate angina pectoris as well as produce ventricular arrhythmias [ see Drug Interactions (7) and Adverse Reactions (6) ]. Other Patients and Diseases Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients with hyperthyroidism, diabetes, elderly individuals, and pregnant women. Patients with Parkinson’s disease may notice a temporary worsening of symptoms.

Due to the lack of randomized, controlled clinical trials of epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis, the true incidence of adverse reactions associated with the systemic use of epinephrine is difficult to determine. Adverse reactions reported in observational trials, case reports, and studies are listed below. Common adverse reactions to systemically administered epinephrine include anxiety; apprehensiveness; restlessness; tremor; weakness; dizziness; sweating; palpitations; pallor; nausea and vomiting; headache; and/or respiratory difficulties. These symptoms occur in some persons receiving therapeutic doses of epinephrine, but are more likely to occur in patients with hypertension or hyperthyroidism [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. Cardiovascular Reactions Arrhythmias, including fatal ventricular fibrillation, have been reported, particularly in patients with underlying cardiac disease or those receiving certain drugs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Drug Interactions (7) ] . Rapid rises in blood pressure have produced cerebral hemorrhage, particularly in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Angina may occur in patients with coronary artery disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Rare cases of stress cardiomyopathy have been reported in patients treated with epinephrine. Reactions from Accidental Injection and/or Improper Technique Accidental injection into the digits, hands or feet may result in loss of blood flow to the affected area [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Adverse reactions experienced as a result of accidental injections may include increased heart rate, local reactions including injection site pallor, coldness and hypoesthesia or injury at the injection site resulting in bruising, bleeding, discoloration, erythema or skeletal injury. Lacerations, bent needles, and embedded needles have been reported when epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector has been injected into the thigh of young children who are uncooperative and kick or move during the injection [see Warning and Precautions (5.2) ] . Injection into the buttock has resulted in cases of gas gangrene [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Rare cases of serious skin and soft tissue infections, including necrotizing fasciitis and myonecrosis caused by Clostridia (gas gangrene), have been reported following epinephrine injection, including epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector, in the thigh [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Adverse reactions to epinephrine include anxiety, apprehensiveness, restlessness, tremor, weakness, dizziness, sweating, palpitations, pallor, nausea and vomiting, headache, and/or respiratory difficulties. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Mylan at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Cardiac Glycosides, Diuretics, and Anti-arrhythmics Patients who receive epinephrine while concomitantly taking cardiac glycosides, diuretics, or anti-arrhythmics should be observed carefully for the development of cardiac arrhythmias [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. Antidepressants, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Levothyroxine, and Antihistamines The effects of epinephrine may be potentiated by tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, levothyroxine sodium, and certain antihistamines, notably chlorpheniramine, tripelennamine, and diphenhydramine. Beta-Adrenergic Blockers The cardiostimulating and bronchodilating effects of epinephrine are antagonized by beta- adrenergic blocking drugs, such as propranolol. Alpha-Adrenergic Blockers The vasoconstricting and hypertensive effects of epinephrine are antagonized by alpha- adrenergic blocking drugs, such as phentolamine. Ergot Alkaloids Ergot alkaloids may also reverse the pressor effects of epinephrine. Cardiac glycosides or diuretics: observe for development of cardiac arrhythmias. ( 7 ) Tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, levothyroxine sodium, and certain antihistamines: potentiate effects of epinephrine. ( 7 ) Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs antagonize cardiostimulating and bronchodilating effects of epinephrine. ( 7 ) Alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs antagonize vasoconstricting and hypertensive effects of epinephrine. ( 7 ) Ergot alkaloids may reverse the pressor effects of epinephrine. ( 7 )

Elderly patients may be at greater risk of developing adverse reactions. ( 5.5 , 8.5 )

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well controlled studies of the acute effect of epinephrine in pregnant women. In animal reproductive studies, epinephrine administered by the subcutaneous route to rabbits, mice, and hamsters during the period of organogenesis was teratogenic at doses 7 times and higher than the maximum recommended human intramuscular and subcutaneous dose on a mg/m 2 basis. Epinephrine is the first-line medication of choice for the treatment of anaphylaxis during pregnancy in humans. Epinephrine should be used for treatment of anaphylaxis during pregnancy in the same manner as it is used in non-pregnant patients. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and embryo/fetal risk During pregnancy, anaphylaxis can be catastrophic and can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and permanent central nervous system damage or death in the mother and, more commonly, in the fetus or neonate. The prevalence of anaphylaxis occurring during pregnancy is reported to be approximately 3 cases per 100,000 deliveries. Management of anaphylaxis during pregnancy is similar to management in the general population. Epinephrine is the first line-medication of choice for treatment of anaphylaxis; it should be used in the same manner in pregnant and non-pregnant patients. In conjunction with the administration of epinephrine, the patient should seek immediate medical or hospital care. Data Animal Data In an embryofetal development study with rabbits dosed during the period of organogenesis, epinephrine was shown to be teratogenic (including gastroschisis and embryonic lethality) at doses approximately 40 times the maximum recommended intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m 2 basis at a maternal subcutaneous dose of 1.2 mg/kg/day for two to three days). In an embryofetal development study with mice dosed during the period of organogenesis, epinephrine was shown to be teratogenic (including embryonic lethality) at doses approximately 8 times the maximum recommended intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m 2 basis at maternal subcutaneous dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 10 days). These effects were not seen in mice at approximately 4 times the maximum recommended daily intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m 2 basis at a subcutaneous maternal dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 10 days). In an embryofetal development study with hamsters dosed during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 7 to 10, epinephrine was shown to be teratogenic at doses approximately 7 times the maximum recommended intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m 2 basis at a maternal subcutaneous dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day).

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is no information on the presence of epinephrine in human milk, the effects on breastfed infants, or the effects on milk production. Epinephrine is the first line-medication of choice for treatment of anaphylaxis; it should be used in the same manner in breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding patients.

8.4 Pediatric Use Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector may be administered to pediatric patients at a dosage appropriate to body weight [ see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . Clinical experience with the use of epinephrine suggests that the adverse reactions seen in children are similar in nature and extent to those both expected and reported in adults. Since the doses of epinephrine delivered from epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors are fixed, consider using other forms of injectable epinephrine if doses lower than 0.15 mg are deemed necessary.

8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies for the treatment of anaphylaxis have not been performed in subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. However, other reported clinical experience with use of epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis has identified that geriatric patients may be particularly sensitive to the effects of epinephrine. Therefore, epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector should be administered with caution in elderly individuals, who may be at greater risk for developing adverse reactions after epinephrine administration [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) , Overdosage (10) ].

Epinephrine acts on both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors.