warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Adrenal Crisis: Undertreatment, sudden discontinuation of therapy, or switching from another oral hydrocortisone formulation may lead to adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenal crisis and death. Adrenal crisis may also be induced by stress events such as infections or surgery. Increase the dose during periods of stress. Switch patients who are vomiting, severely ill or unable to take oral medications to parenteral corticosteroid formulations. (5.1) Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection with Use of a Dosage Greater Than Replacement : Use of a greater than replacement dosage can suppress the immune system and increase the risks of new infections or exacerbation of latent infections with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic infections. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infections. (5.2) Growth Retardation: Long-term use in excessive doses may cause growth retardation. Use the minimum dosage of ALKINDI SPRINKLE to achieve desired clinical response and monitor the patient’s growth. (5.3) Cushing’s Syndrome Due to Use of Excessive Doses of Corticosteroids: Prolonged use with supraphysiologic doses may cause Cushing’s syndrome. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome every 6 months, pediatric patients under one year of age may require more frequent monitoring. (5.4) Decrease in Bone Mineral Density: Corticosteroids decrease bone formation and increase bone resorption which may lead to inhibition of bone growth and development of osteoporosis. Use the minimum dosage of ALKINDI SPRINKLE to achieve desired clinical response. (5.5) Psychiatric Adverse Reactions: Use may be associated with severe psychiatric adverse reactions such as euphoria, mania, psychosis with hallucinations and delirium or depression. Symptoms typically emerge within a few days or weeks of starting the treatment. Most reactions resolve after either dose reduction or withdrawal, although specific treatment may be necessary. Monitor patients for behavioral and mood disturbances during treatment. Instruct caregivers and/or patients to seek medical advice if psychiatric symptoms develop. (5.6) Ophthalmic Adverse Reactions: Cataracts, glaucoma and central serous chorioretinopathy have been reported with prolonged use of high doses. Monitor patients for blurred vision or other visual disturbances and if they occur, refer them to an ophthalmologist. (5.7) Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions: Increased risk in patients with certain gastrointestinal disorders. Signs and symptoms may be masked. (5.8) 5.1 Adrenal Crisis Undertreatment with ALKINDI SPRINKLE or sudden discontinuation of therapy with ALKINDI SPRINKLE may lead to adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenal crisis, and death. Adrenal crisis may also be induced by stress events such as infections or surgery when patients require higher doses of corticosteroids. Symptoms of adrenocortical insufficiency include poor feeding, fatigue, low muscle tone, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, hypoglycemia, low blood pressure and electrolyte disturbances. Increase the dosage of ALKINDI SPRINKLE during periods of stress (infections, surgery). Switch patients who are vomiting, severely ill or unable to take oral medications to parenteral corticosteroid formulations without delay. Once the patient recovers, gradually reduce the steroid dosage used during the acute event. When switching patients to ALKINDI SPRINKLE from another oral hydrocortisone formulation, consider the potential for dosing inaccuracy if the other oral hydrocortisone formulation has been manipulated (e.g., split or crushed tablets, compounded formulations). Manipulation of oral hydrocortisone formulations may result in a relative difference in hydrocortisone exposure when using the same dosage to initiate ALKINDI SPRINKLE treatment. Closely monitor patients after switching to ALKINDI SPRINKLE to ensure ALKINDI SPRINKLE is providing the same level of hydrocortisone exposure as the previously used oral hydrocortisone formulation. If symptoms of adrenal insufficiency occur, increase the total daily dosage of ALKINDI SPRINKLE. 5.2 Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection with Use of a Dosage Greater Than Replacement Use of the recommended dosage of ALKINDI SPRINKLE [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.2)] as a replacement therapy in pediatric patients with adrenocortical insufficiency is not expected to cause immunosuppression or increase the risk of infection. The use of a greater than replacement dosage can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens. The use of ALKINDI SPRINKLE at greater than replacement dosage can: • Reduce resistance to new infections • Exacerbate existing infections • Increase the risk of disseminated infections • Increase the risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infections • Mask some signs of infection Infections associated with the use of corticosteroids at a greater than replacement dosage range from mild to severe or fatal, and the rate of infectious complications increases with increasing corticosteroid dosages. Monitor for the development of infection and consider ALKINDI SPRINKLE dosage reduction as needed. 5.3 Growth Retardation Long-term use of corticosteroids in excessive doses may cause growth retardation in pediatric patients. Historical cohorts of adults treated from childhood for congenital adrenal hyperplasia have been found to have growth retardation. Effects on linear growth are less likely when using corticosteroids as replacement therapy. Use the minimum dosage of ALKINDI SPRINKLE to achieve desired clinical response and monitor the patient’s growth. 5.4 Cushing’s Syndrome Due to Use of Excessive Doses of Corticosteroids Prolonged use of corticosteroids in supraphysiologic doses may cause Cushing’s syndrome. Symptoms and signs of Cushing’s syndrome include weight gain, decreased height velocity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, edema, easy bruising, muscle weakness, red round face, depression or mood swings. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome every 6 months; pediatric patients under one year of age may require more frequent monitoring, e.g., every 3 to 4 months. 5.5 Decrease in Bone Mineral Density Corticosteroids decrease bone formation and increase bone resorption which may lead to development of osteoporosis. Historical cohorts of adults treated from childhood for congenital adrenal hyperplasia have been found to have reduced bone mineral density and increased fracture rates. Use the minimum dosage of ALKINDI SPRINKLE to achieve desired clinical response. 5.6 Psychiatric Adverse Reactions Corticosteroid use may be associated with severe psychiatric adverse reactions. Euphoria, mania, psychosis with hallucinations and delirium or depression have been seen in patients at replacement doses of hydrocortisone [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )] . Symptoms typically emerge within a few days or weeks of starting the treatment. Risks may be higher with high doses, although dose levels do not allow prediction of the onset, type, severity or duration of reactions. Most reactions resolve after either dose reduction or withdrawal, although specific treatment may be necessary. Monitor patients for behavioral and mood disturbances during treatment with ALKINDI SPRINKLE. Instruct caregivers and/or patients to seek medical advice if psychiatric symptoms develop. 5.7 Ophthalmic Adverse Reactions Ophthalmic effects, such as cataract, glaucoma or central serous chorioretinopathy have been reported with prolonged use of corticosteroids in high doses. Monitor patients for blurred vision or other visual disturbances. If patients develop ophthalmic adverse reactions, refer them to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation. 5.8 Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions There is an increased risk of gastrointestinal perforation in patients with certain gastrointestinal disorders. Signs of gastrointestinal perforation, such as peritoneal irritation may be masked in patients receiving corticosteroids. Corticosteroids should be used with caution if there is a probability of impending perforation, abscess, or other pyogenic infections; diverticulitis; fresh intestinal anastomoses; and active or latent peptic ulcer. Concurrent administration of corticosteroids with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) may increase the risk of gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Monitor patients receiving corticosteroids and concomitant NSAIDS for gastrointestinal adverse reactions [see Drug Interactions ( 7 )] . 5.9 Risk of Kaposi’s Sarcoma with Use of a Dosage Greater Than Replacement Kaposi’s sarcoma has been reported to occur in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy, most often for chronic conditions at a dosage greater than replacement (supraphysiologic dosage). If patients take a supraphysiologic chronic dosage of ALKINDI SPRINKLE, they are at increased risk of developing Kaposi’s sarcoma. 5.10 Vaccination Administration of live vaccines may be acceptable in ALKINDI SPRINKLE-treated pediatric patients with adrenocortical insufficiency who receive replacement corticosteroids.