AKTEN- lidocaine hydrochloride anhydrous gel

AKTEN by

Drug Labeling and Warnings

AKTEN by is a Prescription medication manufactured, distributed, or labeled by Thea Pharma Inc., Akorn AG. Drug facts, warnings, and ingredients follow.

Drug Details [pdf]

  • 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

    None.

  • 8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

    .

    8.1 Pregnancy

    Risk Summary

    There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with AKTEN in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, subcutaneous administration of lidocaine to pregnant rats at doses >800-fold the human dose based on body surface area did not result in adverse developmental effects.

    The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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.

    8.2 Lactation

    Risk Summary
    Lidocaine is secreted in human milk. The clinical significance of this observation is unknown. Caution should be exercised when AKTEN is administered to a nursing woman.

    8.4 Pediatric Use

    The safety and effectiveness of AKTEN for ocular surface anesthesia during ophthalmologic procedures have been established in pediatric patients. Use of AKTEN for this indication has been extrapolated from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults and studies in pediatric patients using different formulations of lidocaine.

    8.5 Geriatric Use

    No overall clinical differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between the elderly and other adult patients.

  • 10 OVERDOSAGE

    Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic may produce permanent corneal opacification and ulceration with accompanying visual loss.

    Acute emergencies from local anesthetics are generally related to high plasma levels encountered during therapeutic use of local anesthetics or to unintended subarachnoid injection of local anesthetic solution. However, topical ocular application of AKTEN is not expected to result in systemic exposure.

  • 11 DESCRIPTION

    AKTEN (lidocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic gel) 3.5% contains lidocaine hydrochloride, an amide local anesthetic, as a sterile ophthalmic gel for topical ophthalmic use. AKTEN does not contain an anti-microbial preservative. Lidocaine hydrochloride is designated chemically as acetamide, 2-(diethylamino)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl) monohydrochloride with a molecular formula of C 14H 22N 2O ∙ HCl and molecular weight of 270.8. The structural formula of the active ingredient is:

    Chemical Structure

    Each mL of AKTEN contains 35 mg of lidocaine hydrochloride as the active ingredient. Inactive ingredients: hypromellose, sodium chloride, and water for injection.


    The pH may be adjusted to 5.5 to 7.5 with hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide. AKTEN does not contain an anti-microbial preservative.

  • 12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

    12.1 Mechanism of Action

    Lidocaine hydrochloride is an amide local anesthetic agent that stabilizes the neuronal membrane by inhibiting the ionic fluxes required for the initiation and conduction of impulses, thereby effecting local anesthetic action. Anesthesia generally occurs between 20 seconds to 1 minute and persists for 5 to 30 minutes.

    12.3 Pharmacokinetics

    Lidocaine may be absorbed following topical administration to mucous membranes. Its rate and extent of absorption depend upon various factors such as concentration, the specific site of application, viscosity of the agent, and duration of exposure.

    The plasma binding of lidocaine is dependent on drug concentration, and the fraction bound decreases with increasing concentration. At concentrations of 1 to 4 mcg of free base per mL, 60 to 80 percent of lidocaine is protein bound. Binding is also dependent on the plasma concentration of the alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. Lidocaine is metabolized rapidly by the liver, and metabolites and unchanged drug are excreted by the kidneys. Biotransformation includes oxidative N- dealkylation, ring hydroxylation, cleavage of the amide linkage, and conjugation. N-dealkylation, a major pathway of biotransformation, yields the metabolites monoethylglycinexylidide and glycinexylidide. The pharmacologic/toxicologic actions of these metabolites are similar to, but less potent than, those of lidocaine. Approximately 90% of lidocaine administered is excreted in the form of various metabolites, and less than 10% is excreted unchanged. The primary metabolite in urine is a conjugate of 4-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethylaniline.

    Studies of lidocaine metabolism following intravenous bolus injections have shown that the elimination half-life of this agent is typically 1.5 to 2 hours. Because of the rate at which lidocaine is metabolized, any condition that affects liver function may alter lidocaine kinetics. The half-life may be prolonged twofold or more in patients with liver dysfunction. Renal dysfunction does not affect lidocaine kinetics but may increase the accumulation of metabolites.

  • 13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

    13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

    Long-term studies in animals have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of AKTEN .

  • 14 CLINICAL STUDIES

    The effect of AKTEN® on ocular anesthesia was studied in a multi-center, randomized, controlled, double-blind study. A total of 209 subjects were enrolled, with 54, 51, 53, and 51 subjects randomized to the sham, AKTEN® 1.5%, AKTEN® 2.5%, and AKTEN® 3.5% groups, respectively. Ocular anesthesia was achieved within 5 minutes of anesthetic application by 47 of 51 subjects (92%) in the AKTEN® 3.5% group.

    The mean time to anesthesia onset ranged from 20 seconds to 5 minutes and was not affected by AKTEN® dose. The mean time to anesthesia onset was approximately 60 seconds, with a median onset time of 40 seconds for the AKTEN® 3.5% group. Among the subjects in the AKTEN® groups who achieved anesthesia within 5 minutes, approximately 90% had achieved anesthesia within 60 seconds of application.

    The duration of anesthesia generally ranged from approximately 5 minutes to 30 minutes, with mean anesthesia durations of approximately 15 minutes for the AKTEN® 3.5% group.

    Approximately 84% of the subjects in the AKTEN® 3.5% group experienced anesthesia for at least 5 minutes, approximately 55% of subjects experienced anesthesia for 10 minutes or longer and 27% experienced anesthesia for 15 minutes or longer. The anesthetic effect of additional applications of AKTEN® has not been evaluated.

  • 16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING

    AKTEN (lidocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic gel) 3.5% is supplied as a clear gel in single-patient-use tubes as follows:

  • * Made in Switzerland
    		•
    NDC: 82584-792-011 mL fill in a white polyfoil tube *
    NDC: 82584-792-25Package of 25 units of 1 mL fill in a white polyfoil tube *

    Storage

    Store at 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).

    Keep single-patient-use tubes closed and protected from light in the original carton until ready for use. Discard after use.

  • 17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

    Eye Care Precaution
    Advise patients to avoid touching the eye for at least 10 to 20 minutes after using AKTEN as accidental injuries can occur due to insensitivity of the eye.

  • SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION

    Manufactured for: Thea Pharma Inc.
    Waltham, MA 02451
    Made in Switzerland
    Patented [US8759401]
    © 2025. Thea Pharma Inc. All rights reserved


    Revised: 11/2025

    Thea Pharma Inc.

  • PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 1 mL Tube Carton

    NDC: 82584-792-01

    Akten ®

    (lidocaine

    hydrochloride

    ophthalmic

    gel) 3.5%

    For Topical

    Ophthalmic

    Use Only

    Rx only

    1mL

    Sterile

    PRESERVATIVE FREE

    For Single-Patient Use Only.

    Discard Unused Portion.

    Théa

    akten 1g

  • INGREDIENTS AND APPEARANCE
    AKTEN 
    lidocaine hydrochloride anhydrous gel
    Product Information
    Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC: 82584-792
    Route of AdministrationOPHTHALMIC
    Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
    Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
    LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE ANHYDROUS (UNII: EC2CNF7XFP) (LIDOCAINE - UNII:98PI200987) LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE ANHYDROUS35 mg  in 1 mL
    Inactive Ingredients
    Ingredient NameStrength
    SODIUM CHLORIDE (UNII: 451W47IQ8X)  
    SODIUM HYDROXIDE (UNII: 55X04QC32I)  
    HYDROCHLORIC ACID (UNII: QTT17582CB)  
    WATER (UNII: 059QF0KO0R)  
    HYPROMELLOSE, UNSPECIFIED (UNII: 3NXW29V3WO)  
    Packaging
    #Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
    1NDC: 82584-792-011 in 1 CARTON12/01/2022
    11 mL in 1 TUBE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product
    2NDC: 82584-792-2525 in 1 CARTON12/01/2022
    21 mL in 1 TUBE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product
    Marketing Information
    Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
    NDANDA02222112/01/2022
    Labeler - Thea Pharma Inc. (117787029)

    • Trademark Results [AKTEN]

    Mark Image

    Registration | Serial
    Company
    Trademark
    Application Date
    AKTEN
    AKTEN
    77012922 3631872 Live/Registered
    Akorn Inc.
    2006-10-03
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