Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rate observed in practice.
Adults
Overall, in 6 placebo-controlled clinical trials, 1,038 adults 18 through 65 years of age received at least one dose of ORALAIR 300IR, of whom 611 (59%) completed at least four months of therapy. Of study participants, 56% were male, 17% had a history of mild intermittent asthma at study entry, and 64% were polysensitized. Data on race and ethnicity were not systematically captured in the five European studies (N=805). In the US study (N=233), a limited number of patients reported their race as other than White/Caucasian (Black/African American: 5.6%, Asian: 2.6%, Other: 2.1%) or their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino (3.0%). Adverse events were captured on a daily diary card that did not solicit for specific adverse events.
Across the six clinical studies, adverse reactions reported at an incidence of
> 2% of ORALAIR recipients and at a greater incidence than that in participants treated with placebo are listed in Table 2.
Table 2. Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥2% of Adults Receiving ORALAIR 300 IR and at a Greater Incidence than that in Participants Treated with Placebo| Adverse Reactions | ORALAIR 300 IR (N=1,038) | PLACEBO (N=840) |
| Ear and labyrinth disorders |
| Ear pruritus | 8.4% | 0.6% |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders |
| Throat irritation | 22.0% | 3.7% |
| Cough | 7.3% | 5.9% |
| Oropharyngeal pain | 5.1% | 3.7% |
| Pharyngeal edema | 3.8% | 0.1% |
| Gastrointestinal disorders |
| Oral pruritus | 25.1% | 5.0% |
| Edema mouth | 8.2% | 0.6% |
| Tongue pruritus | 7.9% | 0.7% |
| Lip edema | 4.4% | 0.4% |
| Paraesthesia oral | 4.3% | 1.0% |
| Abdominal pain | 4.2% | 1.3% |
| Dyspepsia | 3.9% | 0.4% |
| Tongue edema | 2.7% | 0.1% |
| Hypoaesthesia oral | 2.2% | 0.1% |
| Stomatitis | 2.1% | 0.7% |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
| Urticaria | 2.3% | 1.5% |
Additional adverse reactions of interest that occurred in < 2% of ORALAIR recipients include dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, esophageal pain, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux.
Children and Adolescents
Overall, in placebo-controlled clinical trials, 154 children and adolescents 5 through 17 years of age received ORALAIR 300 IR, of whom 147 were exposed for more than 3 months. Of study participants, 66% were male, and 21% had a history of mild intermittent asthma at study entry. Data on race and ethnicity were not systematically captured.
The safety profile in the pediatric population, was generally similar to that of adults. In pediatric patients receiving ORALAIR, additional adverse reactions reported at an incidence of
> 2% and at a greater incidence than that in participants treated with placebo are listed in Table 3.
Table 3. Additional Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥ 2% of Children and Adolescents Receiving ORALAIR 300 IR and at a Greater Incidence than that in Participants Treated with Placebo| Adverse Rections | ORALAIR 300 IR (N=154) | PLACEBO (N=158) |
| Infections and infestations |
| Tonsillitis | 5.8% | 3.2% |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 3.9% | 1.9% |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders |
| Asthma | 7.1% | 3.8% |
| Dysphonia | 2.6% | 1.3% |
| Gastrointestinal disorders |
| Lip pruritus | 3.2% | 0.0% |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
| Atopic dermatitis | 3.2% | 0.6% |
An open-label study was conducted to evaluate the 30-day safety profile of ORLAIR in 307 children 5 through 9 years of age. Of study participants, 71% were male and 36% had a history of mild intermittent asthma at study entry. Data on race and ethnicity were not systematically captured. Adverse reactions reported at an incidence of
> 2% were: throat irritation (22.1%), oral pruritus (11.7%), oral paresthesia (11.1%), tongue pruritus (8.1%), mouth edema (6.2%), cough (6.2%), oropharyngeal pain (4.2%), ear pruritus (5.2%), eye pruritus (4.6%), lip edema (3.3%), vomiting (2.6%), tongue edema (2.3%), abdominal pain (2.3%), oral discomfort (2.3%), and ocular hyperemia (2.0%).
Serious Adverse Reactions
At least 1 serious adverse event was reported in 22 of 1514 (1.5%) pediatric and adult subjects from randomized clinical trials who received ORALAIR at any dose, and 11 of 840 (1.1%) of placebo recipients. Of the 22 serious adverse events in the ORALAIR recipients, 2 were considered "definitely related" to ORALAIR.
The first subject was an adult who experienced a severe hypersensitivity reaction which began 5 minutes after administration of ORALAIR. The symptoms were violent coughing and marked dyspnea. The subject was treated with antihistamines, salbutamol and prednisolone and the reaction resolved without sequelae.
The second subject was an adult who experienced severe laryngeal edema. The subject was treated with prednisolone and event resolved without sequelae.
There was also one case of gastroenteritis with an onset on Day 93 of therapy that was possibly related to ORALAIR.
In the open-label study conducted in 307 children 5 through 9 years of age, 2 serious adverse events were considered "likely" related to ORALAIR.
The first subject was an 8-year-old subject with a history of allergic bronchial asthma who developed oral pruritus, conjunctivitis, urticaria and asthma exacerbation 15 minutes after administration of ORALAIR on Day 5. The subject was treated with antihistamines and inhaled salbutamol and the reactions fully resolved in 30 minutes. The subject continued ORALAIR.
The second subject was a 6-year-old subject who developed severe lip, eye and eyelid swelling after administration of ORALAIR on Day 26 of therapy. The subject was treated with intravenous antihistamines and prednisolone. Reaction fully resolved within 6 hours. Treatment with ORALAIR was discontinued.