FDA Label for Azelastine Hydrochloride

View Indications, Usage & Precautions

Azelastine Hydrochloride Product Label

The following document was submitted to the FDA by the labeler of this product Apotex Corp.. The document includes published materials associated whith this product with the essential scientific information about this product as well as other prescribing information. Product labels may durg indications and usage, generic names, contraindications, active ingredients, strength dosage, routes of administration, appearance, warnings, inactive ingredients, etc.

1 Indications And Usage



Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray is indicated for the treatment of the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and pediatric patients 5 years and older, and for the treatment of the symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis in adults and adolescent patients 12 years and older.


2.1 Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis



The recommended dosage of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray in adults and adolescent patients 12 years and older with seasonal allergic rhinitis is one or two sprays per nostril twice daily. The recommended dosage of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray in pediatric patients 5 years to 11 years of age is one spray per nostril twice daily.


2.2 Vasomotor Rhinitis



The recommended dosage of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray in adults and adolescent patients 12 years and older with vasomotor rhinitis is two sprays per nostril twice daily.


2.3 Important Administration Instructions



Administer azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray by the intranasal route only.

Priming  
Prime azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray before initial use by releasing 4 sprays or until a fine mist appears. When azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray has not been used for 3 or more days, reprime with 2 sprays or until a fine mist appears. Avoid spraying azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray into the eyes.


3 Dosage Forms And Strengths



Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray is a nasal spray solution. Each spray of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray delivers a volume of 0.137 mL solution containing 137 mcg of azelastine hydrochloride.


4 Contraindications



None.


5.1 Somnolence In Activities Requiring Mental Alertness



In clinical trials, the occurrence of somnolence has been reported in some patients taking azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Patients should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle after administration of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray. Concurrent use of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants should be avoided because additional reductions in alertness and additional impairment of central nervous system performance may occur [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].


6 Adverse Reactions



Use of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray has been associated with somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].


6.1 Clinical Trials Experience



Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect rates observed in practice.

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray Two Sprays Per Nostril Twice Daily

Adverse experience information for azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray is derived from six placebo- and active- controlled, 2-day to 8-week clinical trials which included 391 patients, 12 years of age and older, with seasonal allergic rhinitis who received azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray at a dose of 2 sprays per nostril twice daily. In placebo-controlled efficacy trials, the incidence of discontinuation due to adverse reactions in patients receiving azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray and vehicle placebo was 2.2% and 2.8%, respectively.

Table 1 contains adverse reactions that were reported with frequencies ≥2% in the azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray 2 sprays per nostril twice daily treatment group and more frequently than placebo.

 Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥2% Incidence in Placebo-Controlled Trials in Patients with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis [n (%)]
Azelastine hydrochloride
Nasal Spray
N = 391
Vehicle Placebo
N = 353
Bitter Taste77 (19.7%)2 (0.6%)
Headache58 (14.8%)45 (12.7%)
Somnolence45 (11.5%)19 (5.4%)
Nasal Burning16 (4.1%)6 (1.7%)
Pharyngitis15 (3.8%)10 (2.8%)
Paroxysmal Sneezing12 (3.1%)4 (1.1%)
Dry Mouth11 (2.8%)6 (1.7%)
Nausea11 (2.8%)4 (1.1%)
Rhinitis9 (2.3%)5 (1.4%)
Fatigue9 (2.3%)5 (1.4%)
Dizziness8 (2.0%)5 (1.4%)
Epistaxis8 (2.0%)5 (1.4%)
Weight Increase8 (2.0%)0 (0.0%)

Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray One Spray Per Nostril Twice Daily

Adverse experience information for azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray at a dose of one spray per nostril twice daily is derived from two placebo-controlled 2-week clinical studies which included 276 patients 12 years of age and older with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The incidence of discontinuation due to adverse reactions in patients receiving azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray and vehicle placebo was 0.0% and 0.8%, respectively. Bitter taste was reported in 8.3% of patients compared to none in the placebo group. Somnolence was reported in 0.4% of patients compared to none in the placebo group.

A total of 176 patients 5 to 11 years of age were exposed to azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray at a dose of 1 spray each nostril twice daily in 3 placebo-controlled studies. In these studies, adverse reactions that occurred more frequently in patients treated with azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray than with placebo, and that were not represented in the adult adverse reactions table above include rhinitis/cold symptoms (17.0% vs. 9.5%), cough (11.4% vs. 8.3%), conjunctivitis (5.1% vs. 1.8%), and asthma (4.5% vs. 4.1%).

Adverse Reactions <2% in azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray One or Two Sprays Per Nostril Twice Daily

The following reactions were observed infrequently (<2% and exceeding placebo incidence) in patients who received azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray dosed at 1 or 2 sprays per nostril twice daily in U.S. clinical trials.

Cardiovascular
Flushing, hypertension, tachycardia.

Dermatological
Contact dermatitis, eczema, hair and follicle infection, furunculosis, skin laceration.

Digestive
Constipation, gastroenteritis, glossitis, ulcerative stomatitis, vomiting, increased SGPT, aphthous stomatitis, diarrhea, toothache.

Metabolic and Nutritional
Increased appetite.

Musculoskeletal
Myalgia, temporomandibular dislocation, rheumatoid arthritis.

Neurological
Hyperkinesias, hypoesthesia, vertigo.

Psychological
Anxiety, depersonalization, depression, nervousness, sleep disorder, thinking abnormal.

Respiratory
Bronchospasm, coughing, throat burning, laryngitis, bronchitis, dry throat, nocturnal dyspnea, nasopharyngitis, nasal congestion, pharyngolaryngeal pain, sinusitis, nasal dryness, paranasal sinus hypersecretion, post nasal drip.

Special Senses
Conjunctivitis, eye abnormality, eye pain, watery eyes, taste loss.

Urogenital
Albuminuria, amenorrhea, breast pain, hematuria, increased urinary frequency.

Whole Body
Allergic reaction, back pain, herpes simplex, viral infection, malaise, pain in extremities, abdominal pain, pyrexia.

Vasomotor Rhinitis
Adverse experience information for azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray is derived from two placebo-controlled clinical studies which included 216 patients 12 years and older with vasomotor rhinitis who received azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray at a dose of 2 sprays per nostril twice daily for up to 28 days. The incidence of discontinuation due to adverse reactions in patients receiving azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray and vehicle placebo was 2.8% and 2.9%, respectively.

The following adverse reactions were reported with frequencies ≥ 2% in the azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray treatment group and more frequently than placebo.

 Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥2% Incidence in Placebo-Controlled Trials in Patients with Vasomotor Rhinitis [n (%)]
Azelastine hydrochloride Nasal Spray
N = 216
Vehicle Placebo
N = 210
Bitter Taste42 (19.4%)5 (2.4%)
Headache17 (7.9%)16 (7.6%)
Dysesthesia17 (7.9%)7 (3.3%)
Rhinitis12 (5.6%)5 (2.4%)
Epistaxis7 (3.2%)5 (2.4%)
Sinusitis7 (3.2%)4 (1.9%)
Somnolence7 (3.2%)2 (1.0%)

Reactions observed infrequently (<2% and exceeding placebo incidence) in patients who received azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray (2 sprays/nostril twice daily) in U.S. clinical trials in vasomotor rhinitis were similar to those observed in U.S. clinical trials in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

In controlled trials involving nasal and oral azelastine hydrochloride formulations, there were infrequent occurrences of hepatic transaminase elevations.



6.2 Postmarketing Experience



During the post approval use of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray, the following adverse reactions have been identified. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Adverse reactions reported include: anaphylaxis, application site irritation, atrial fibrillation, chest pain, confusion, dyspnea, facial edema, involuntary muscle contractions, nasal sores, palpitations, paresthesia, parosmia, pruritus, rash, disturbance or loss of sense of smell and/or taste, tolerance, urinary retention, vision abnormal and xerophthalmia.


7.1 Central Nervous System Depressants



Concurrent use of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants should be avoided because reductions in alertness and impairment of central nervous system performance may occur [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].


8.1 Pregnancy



Pregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies in pregnant women. Azelastine hydrochloride has been shown to cause developmental toxicity in mice, rats, and rabbits. Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Teratogenic Effects
In mice, azelastine hydrochloride caused embryo-fetal death, malformations (cleft palate; short or absent tail; fused, absent or branched ribs), delayed ossification, and decreased fetal weight at approximately 170 times the maximum recommended human daily intranasal dose (MRHDID) in adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 68.6 mg/kg/day which also caused maternal toxicity as evidenced by decreased body weight). Neither fetal nor maternal effects occurred in mice at approximately 7 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 3 mg/kg/day).

In rats, azelastine hydrochloride caused malformations (oligo- and brachydactylia), delayed ossification and skeletal variations, in the absence of maternal toxicity, at approximately 150 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 30 mg/kg/day). Azelastine hydrochloride caused embryo-fetal death and decreased fetal weight and severe maternal toxicity at approximately 340 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 68.6 mg/kg/day). Neither fetal nor maternal effects occurred at approximately 15 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 2 mg/kg/day).

In rabbits, azelastine hydrochloride caused abortion, delayed ossification and decreased fetal weight and severe maternal toxicity at approximately 300 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 30 mg/kg/day). Neither fetal nor maternal effects occurred at approximately 3 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day).


8.3 Nursing Mothers



It is not known whether azelastine hydrochloride is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray is administered to a nursing woman.


8.4 Pediatric Use



The safety and effectiveness of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray for the treatment of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis have been established for patients 5 years and older [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Clinical Studies (14.1)]. The safety and effectiveness of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray for the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis have been established for patients 12 years and older [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Clinical Studies (14.2)]. The safety and effectiveness of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray in pediatric patients below the age of 5 years with seasonal allergic rhinitis and in pediatric patients below the age of 12 years with vasomotor rhinitis have not been established.


8.5 Geriatric Use



Clinical trials of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.


10 Overdosage



There have been no reported overdosages with azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray. Acute overdosage by adults with this dosage form is unlikely to result in clinically significant adverse reactions, other than increased somnolence, since one bottle of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray contains 30 mg of azelastine hydrochloride. Clinical trials in adults with single doses of the oral formulation of azelastine hydrochloride (up to 16 mg) have not resulted in increased incidence of serious adverse reactions. General supportive measures should be employed if overdosage occurs. There is no known antidote to azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray. Oral ingestion of antihistamines has the potential to cause serious adverse effects in young children. Accordingly, azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray should be kept out of the reach of children.


11 Description



Azelastine hydrochloride nasal solution 0.1% (nasal spray), 137 micrograms (mcg) per spray, is an antihistamine formulated as a metered-spray solution for intranasal administration. Azelastine hydrochloride occurs as a white, almost odorless, crystalline powder with a bitter taste. It has a molecular weight of 418.37. It is sparingly soluble in water, methanol, and propylene glycol and slightly soluble in ethanol, octanol, and glycerine. It has a melting point of about 225°C and the pH of a saturated solution is between 5.0 and 5.4. Its chemical name is (±)-1-(2H)-phthalazinone,4-[(4-chlorophenyl) methyl]-2-(hexahydro-1-methyl-1H-azepin-4-yl)-, monohydrochloride. Its molecular formula is C22H24ClN3O•HCl with the following chemical structure:

Azelastine hydrochloride nasal solution contains 0.1% azelastine hydrochloride in an aqueous solution at pH 6.8 ± 0.3. It also contains benzalkonium chloride (125 mcg/mL), citric acid, dibasic sodium phosphate, edetate disodium, hypromellose, purified water and sodium chloride.

After priming [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)], each metered spray delivers a 0.137 mL mean volume containing 137 mcg of azelastine hydrochloride (equivalent to 125 mcg of azelastine base). The bottle can deliver 200 metered sprays.


12.1 Mechanism Of Action



Azelastine hydrochloride, a phthalazinone derivative, exhibits histamine H1-receptor antagonist activity in isolated tissues, animal models, and humans. Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray is administered as a racemic mixture with no difference in pharmacologic activity noted between the enantiomers in in vitro studies. The major metabolite, desmethylazelastine, also possesses H1-receptor antagonist activity.


12.2 Pharmacodynamics



Cardiac Electrophysiology
In a placebo-controlled study (95 subjects with allergic rhinitis), there was no evidence of an effect of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray (2 sprays per nostril twice daily for 56 days) on cardiac repolarization as represented by the corrected QT interval (QTc) of the electrocardiogram. Following multiple dose oral administration of azelastine 4 mg or 8 mg twice daily, the mean change in QTc was 7.2 msec and 3.6 msec, respectively.

Interaction studies investigating the cardiac repolarization effects of concomitantly administered oral azelastine hydrochloride and erythromycin or ketoconazole were conducted. These drugs had no effect on QTc based on analysis of serial electrocardiograms. At a dose approximately 8 times the maximum recommended dose, azelastine hydrochloride does not prolong the QTc interval to any clinically relevant extent.


12.3 Pharmacokinetics



Absorption
After intranasal administration, the systemic bioavailability of azelastine hydrochloride is approximately 40%. Maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) are achieved in 2­ - 3 hours.

Azelastine hydrochloride administered intranasally at doses above two sprays per nostril twice daily for 29 days resulted in greater than proportional increases in Cmax and area under the curve (AUC) for azelastine.

Distribution
Based on intravenous and oral administration, the steady-state volume of distribution is 14.5 L/kg. In vitro studies with human plasma indicate that the plasma protein binding of azelastine and its metabolite, desmethylazelastine, are approximately 88% and 97%, respectively.

Metabolism
Azelastine is oxidatively metabolized to the principal active metabolite, desmethylazelastine, by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. The specific P450 isoforms responsible for the biotransformation of azelastine have not been identified. After intranasal dosing of azelastine hydrochloride to steady-state, plasma concentrations of desmethylazelastine range from 20 to 50% of azelastine concentrations. Limited data indicate that the metabolite profile is similar when azelastine hydrochloride is administered via the intranasal or oral route.

Elimination
Based on intravenous and oral administration, the elimination half-life and plasma clearance are 22 hours and 0.5 L/h/kg, respectively. Approximately 75% of an oral dose of radiolabeled azelastine hydrochloride was excreted in the feces with less than 10% as unchanged azelastine.

Special Populations
Hepatic Impairment
Following oral administration, pharmacokinetic parameters were not influenced by hepatic impairment.

Renal Impairment
Based on oral, single-dose studies, renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance <50 mL/min) resulted in a 70 to 75% higher Cmax and AUC compared to normal subjects. Time to maximum concentration was unchanged.

Age
Following oral administration, pharmacokinetic parameters were not influenced by age.

Gender
Following oral administration, pharmacokinetic parameters were not influenced by gender.

Race
The effect of race has not been evaluated.

Drug-Drug Interactions
Erythromycin
No significant pharmacokinetic interaction was observed with the co­-administration of orally administered azelastine (4 mg twice daily) with erythromycin (500 mg three times daily for 7 days). In this study, co-administration of orally administered azelastine with erythromycin resulted in Cmax of 5.36 ± 2.6 ng/mL and AUC of 49.7 ± 24 ng•h/mL for azelastine, whereas, administration of azelastine alone resulted in Cmax of 5.57 ± 2.7 ng/mL and AUC of 48.4 ± 24 ng•h/mL for azelastine.

Cimetidine and Ranitidine
In a multiple-dose, steady-state drug interaction trial in healthy subjects, cimetidine (400 mg twice daily) increased orally administered mean azelastine (4 mg twice daily) concentrations by approximately 65%. No pharmacokinetic interaction was observed with co-administration of orally administered azelastine (4 mg twice daily) with ranitidine hydrochloride (150 mg twice daily). Oral co-administration of azelastine with ranitidine resulted in Cmax of 8.89 ±3.28 ng/mL and AUC of 88.22 ± 40.43 ng•h/mL for azelastine, whereas, azelastine when administered alone resulted in Cmax of 7.83 ± 4.06 ng/mL and AUC of 80.09 ± 43.55 ng•h/mL for azelastine.

Theophylline
No significant pharmacokinetic interaction was observed with the co­-administration of an oral 4 mg dose of azelastine hydrochloride twice daily and theophylline 300 mg or 400 mg twice daily.


13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility



In 2-year carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice, azelastine hydrochloride did not show evidence of carcinogenicity at oral doses up to 30 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively. These doses were approximately 150 and 60 times the maximum recommended human daily intranasal dose [MRHDID] on a mg/m2 basis.

Azelastine hydrochloride showed no genotoxic effects in the Ames test, DNA repair test, mouse lymphoma forward mutation assay, mouse micronucleus test, or chromosomal aberration test in rat bone marrow.

Reproduction and fertility studies in rats showed no effects on male or female fertility at oral doses up to 30 mg/kg (approximately 150 times the MRHDID in adults on a mg/m2 basis). At 68.6 mg/kg (approximately 340 times the MRHDID on a mg/m2 basis), the duration of estrous cycles was prolonged and copulatory activity and the number of pregnancies were decreased. The numbers of corpora lutea and implantations were decreased; however, pre-implantation loss was not increased.


14.1 Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis



Two Sprays Per Nostril Twice Daily
The efficacy and safety of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray were evaluated in three placebo-controlled clinical trials of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray including 322 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis who received two sprays per nostril twice a day for up to 4 weeks. These trials included 55 pediatric patients ages 12 to 16 years. Assessment of efficacy was based on the 12-hour reflective Total Symptom Complex (TSC) and Major Symptom Complex (MSC). The MSC was calculated as the average of individual symptoms of nose blows, sneezes, runny nose/sniffles, itchy nose, and watery eyes as assessed by patients on a 0 to 5 categorical scale. Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray two sprays per nostril twice daily demonstrated a greater decrease in the MSC than placebo (Table 3).

Table 3: Mean Change from Baseline in Reflective MSC* in Adults and Adolescents≥12 Years with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Treated with Azelastine hydrochloride Nasal Spray Two Sprays Per Nostril Twice Daily Versus Placebo

TreatmentNBaseline LS Mean (SD)Change from Baseline (SD)Treatment DifferenceP-value
Trial 1: 12 Hour AM and PM Reflective MSC
Azelastine
hydrochloride Nasal
Spray
6311.48 (4.13)-3.05 (3.51)1.98<0.01
Placebo Nasal Spray6010.84 (4.53)-1.07 (3.52)
Trial 2: 12 Hour AM and PM Reflective MSC
Azelastine hydrochloride
Nasal Spray
6312.50 (4.5)-4.10 (3.46)2.03<0.01
Placebo Nasal Spray6312.18 (4.64)-2.07 (4.01)
Trial 3: 12 Hour AM and PM Reflective MSC
Azelastine hydrochloride
Nasal Spray
6612.04 (4.03)-3.31 (3.74)1.350.04
Placebo Nasal Spray6611.66 (3.96)-1.96 (3.57)

*Major Symptom Comlex (MSC): Average of individual symptoms of nose blows, sneezes, runny nose/sniffles, itchy nose, and watery eyes as assessed by patients on a 0 to 5 categorical scale.

In dose-ranging trials, administration of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray two sprays per nostril twice daily resulted in a statistically significant decrease in symptoms compared to saline placebo within 3 hours after initial dosing and persisted over the 12-hour dosing interval.

One Spray Per Nostril Twice Daily
The efficacy and safety of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray were evaluated in two placebo-controlled clinical trials of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray including 275 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis who received one spray per nostril twice a day for up to 2 weeks. Assessment of efficacy was based on the 12­-hour reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score [rTNSS]. rTNSS is calculated as the sum of the patients scoring of four individual nasal symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, and nasal congestion) as assessed by patients on a 0 to 3 categorical scale. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from Baseline to Day 14 in rTNSS. The mean change from baseline in rTNSS was greater in patients receiving azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray one spray per nostril twice daily than those receiving placebo (Table 4).

Table 4: Mean Change from Baseline in Reflective TNSS* in Adults and Adolescents≥12 years with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Treated with Azelastine hydrochloride Nasal Spray One Spray Per Nostril Twice Daily Versus Placebo

TreatmentNBaseline LS Mean (SD)Change from Baseline (SD)Treatment DifferenceP-value
Trial 4: 12 Hour AM and PM Reflective TNSS
Azelastine hydrochloride
Nasal Spray
13816.34 (4.22)-2.69 (4.79)1.380.01
Placebo Nasal Spray14117.21 (4.32)-1.31 (4.29)
Trial 5: 12 Hour AM and PM Reflective TNSS
Azelastine hydrochloride
Nasal Spray
13716.62 (4.20)-3.68 (4.16)1.180.02
Placebo Nasal Spray13616.84 (4.77)-2.50 (4.01)

* Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS): Average of individual symptoms of runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, and nasal congestion as assessed by patients on a 0 to 3 categorical scale.

Two-week studies comparing the efficacy (and safety) of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray two sprays per nostril twice daily versus one spray per nostril twice daily were not conducted.


14.2 Vasomotor Rhinitis



The efficacy and safety of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray were evaluated in two placebo-controlled clinical trials of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray including 216 patients with vasomotor rhinitis who received two sprays per nostril twice a day for up to 4 weeks. These patients had vasomotor rhinitis for at least one year, negative skin tests to indoor and outdoor aeroallergens, negative nasal smears for eosinophils, and negative sinus X-rays. Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in a symptom complex comprised of rhinorrhea, post nasal drip, nasal congestion, and sneezing compared to placebo.


16 How Supplied/Storage And Handling



Azelastine hydrochloride nasal solution 0.1% (nasal spray), 137 mcg/spray, (NDC 60505-0833-5) is supplied as a package containing 200 metered sprays in a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle fitted with a metered-dose spray pump unit. A leaflet of patient instructions is also provided. The spray pump unit consists of a nasal spray pump fitted with a safety clip and a plastic dust cover.

The Azelastine hydrochloride nasal solution 0.1% (nasal spray), 137 mcg/spray, bottle contains 30 mg (1 mg/mL) of azelastine hydrochloride. The bottle can deliver 200 metered sprays. Each spray delivers a mean of 0.137 mL solution containing 137 mcg of azelastine hydrochloride. The correct amount of medication in each spray cannot be assured before the initial priming and after 200 sprays have been used, even though the bottle is not completely empty. The bottle should be discarded after 200 sprays have been used. Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray should not be used after the "EXP" printed on the medicine label and carton. 

Storage

Store upright at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from freezing.

Keep bottle tightly closed and away from children.


17 Patient Counseling Information



See FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information and Instructions for Use).

Activities Requiring Mental Alertness
Somnolence has been reported in some patients taking azelastine hydrochloride Nasal Spray. Caution patients against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination such as driving or operating machinery after administration of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Concurrent Use of Alcohol and other Central Nervous System Depressants
Instruct patients to avoid concurrent use of azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants because additional reductions in alertness and additional impairment of central nervous system performance may occur [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Common Adverse Reactions
Inform patients that the treatment with azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray may lead to adverse reactions, which include bitter taste, headache, somnolence, dysesthesia, rhinitis, nasal burning, pharyngitis, epistaxis, sinusitis, paroxysmal sneezing, nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and weight increase [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Priming
Instruct patients to prime the pump before initial use and when azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray has not been used for 3 or more days [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

Keep Spray Out of Eyes
Instruct patients to avoid spraying azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray into their eyes.

Keep Out of Children’s Reach
Instruct patients to keep azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray out of the reach of children. If a child accidentally ingests azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray, seek medical help or call a poison control center immediately.

APOTEX INC.
AZELASTINE HYDROCHLORIDE NASAL SPRAY
137 mcg

Manufactured byManufactured for
Apotex Inc.Apotex Corp.
Toronto, Ontario Weston, Florida
Canada M9L 1T9 33326

Revised: January 2017


Principal Display Panel - Bottle Label



APOTEX CORP. NDC 60505-0833-5

AZELASTINE HYDROCHLORIDE NASAL SOLUTION 0.1% (NASAL SOLUTION),

137 mcg/spray

Rx only

30 mL


* Please review the disclaimer below.