warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Candida albicans infection of the mouth and pharynx may occur. Monitor patients periodically. Advise the patient to rinse his/her mouth with water without swallowing after inhalation to help reduce the risk. ( 5.1 ) • Do not use for relief of acute symptoms. Patients require immediate re-evaluation during rapidly deteriorating asthma. ( 5.2 ) • Potential worsening of infections (e.g., existing tuberculosis; fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections; ocular herpes simplex). Use with caution in patients with these infections. More serious or even fatal course of chickenpox or measles can occur in susceptible patients. ( 5.3 ) • Risk of impaired adrenal function when transferring from systemic corticosteroids. Wean patients slowly from systemic corticosteroids if transferring to ARNUITY ELLIPTA. ( 5.4 ) • Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression may occur with very high dosages or at the regular dosage in susceptible individuals. If such changes occur, discontinue ARNUITY ELLIPTA slowly. ( 5.5 ) • If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, discontinue ARNUITY ELLIPTA and institute alternative therapy. ( 5.7 ) • Assess for decrease in bone mineral density initially and periodically thereafter. ( 5.9 ) • Monitor growth of pediatric patients. ( 5.10 ) • Glaucoma and cataracts may occur with long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids. Consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms or use ARNUITY ELLIPTA long term. ( 5.11 ) 5.1 Oropharyngeal Candidiasis ARNUITY ELLIPTA contains fluticasone furoate, an ICS. Localized infections of the mouth and pharynx with Candida albicans have occurred in subjects treated with orally inhaled drug products containing fluticasone furoate. When such an infection develops, it should be treated with appropriate local or systemic (i.e., oral) antifungal therapy while treatment with ARNUITY ELLIPTA continues. In some cases, therapy with ARNUITY ELLIPTA may need to be interrupted. Advise the patient to rinse his/her mouth with water without swallowing following administration of ARNUITY ELLIPTA to help reduce the risk of oropharyngeal candidiasis. 5.2 Acute Asthma Episodes ARNUITY ELLIPTA is not indicated for the relief of acute symptoms, i.e., as rescue therapy for treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm. ARNUITY ELLIPTA has not been studied in the relief of acute symptoms and extra doses should not be used for that purpose. Acute symptoms should be treated with an inhaled, short-acting beta 2 -agonist. Instruct patients to contact their healthcare providers immediately if episodes of asthma not responsive to bronchodilators occur during the course of treatment with ARNUITY ELLIPTA. During such episodes, patients may require therapy with oral corticosteroids. 5.3 Immunosuppression and Risk of Infections Persons who are using drugs that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, are more susceptible to infections than healthy individuals. Chickenpox and measles can have a more serious or even fatal course in susceptible children or adults using corticosteroids. In such children or adults who have not had these diseases or been properly immunized, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure. How the dose, route, and duration of corticosteroid administration affect the risk of developing a disseminated infection is not known. The safety and effectiveness of ARNUITY ELLIPTA have not been established in pediatric patients less than 5 years of age and ARNUITY ELLIPTA is not indicated for use in this population. The contribution of the underlying disease and/or prior corticosteroid treatment to the risk is also not known. If a patient is exposed to chickenpox, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) or pooled intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may be indicated. If a patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with pooled intramuscular immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated. (See the Prescribing Information for VZIG, IVIG, and IG.) If chickenpox develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered. ICS should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active or quiescent tuberculosis infections of the respiratory tract; systemic fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections; or ocular herpes simplex. 5.4 Transferring Patients from Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy HPA Suppression/Adrenal Insufficiency Particular care is needed for patients who have been transferred from systemically active corticosteroids to ICS because deaths due to adrenal insufficiency have occurred in patients with asthma during and after transfer from systemic corticosteroids to less systemically available ICS. After withdrawal from systemic corticosteroids, a number of months are required for recovery of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function. Patients who have been previously maintained on 20 mg or more of prednisone (or its equivalent) may be most susceptible, particularly when their systemic corticosteroids have been almost completely withdrawn. During this period of HPA suppression, patients may exhibit signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency when exposed to trauma, surgery, or infection (particularly gastroenteritis) or other conditions associated with severe electrolyte loss. Although ARNUITY ELLIPTA may control asthma symptoms during these episodes, in recommended doses it supplies less than normal physiological amounts of glucocorticoid systemically and does NOT provide the mineralocorticoid activity that is necessary for coping with these emergencies. During periods of stress or a severe asthma attack, patients who have been withdrawn from systemic corticosteroids should be instructed to resume oral corticosteroids (in large doses) immediately and to contact their healthcare practitioner for further instruction. These patients should also be instructed to carry a warning card indicating that they may need supplementary systemic corticosteroids during periods of stress or a severe asthma attack. Patients requiring oral corticosteroids should be weaned slowly from systemic corticosteroid use after transferring to ARNUITY ELLIPTA. Prednisone reduction can be accomplished by reducing the daily prednisone dose by 2.5 mg on a weekly basis during therapy with ARNUITY ELLIPTA. Lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV 1 ] or peak expiratory flow [PEF]), beta-agonist use, and asthma symptoms should be carefully monitored during withdrawal of oral corticosteroids. In addition, patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, such as fatigue, lassitude, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and hypotension. Unmasking of Allergic Conditions Previously Suppressed by Systemic Corticosteroids Transfer of patients from systemic corticosteroid therapy to ARNUITY ELLIPTA may unmask allergic conditions previously suppressed by the systemic corticosteroid therapy (e.g., rhinitis, conjunctivitis, eczema, arthritis, eosinophilic conditions). Corticosteroid Withdrawal Symptoms During withdrawal from oral corticosteroids, some patients may experience symptoms of systemically active corticosteroid withdrawal (e.g., joint and/or muscular pain, lassitude, depression) despite maintenance or even improvement of respiratory function. 5.5 Hypercorticism and Adrenal Suppression ARNUITY ELLIPTA will often help control asthma symptoms with less suppression of HPA function than therapeutically equivalent oral doses of prednisone. Since ARNUITY ELLIPTA is absorbed into the circulation and can be systemically active at higher doses, the beneficial effects of ARNUITY ELLIPTA in minimizing HPA dysfunction may be expected only when recommended dosages are not exceeded and individual patients are titrated to the lowest effective dose. Because of the possibility of significant systemic absorption of ICS in sensitive patients, patients treated with ARNUITY ELLIPTA should be observed carefully for any evidence of systemic corticosteroid effects. Particular care should be taken in observing patients postoperatively or during periods of stress for evidence of inadequate adrenal response. It is possible that systemic corticosteroid effects such as hypercorticism and adrenal suppression (including adrenal crisis) may appear in a small number of patients, particularly when fluticasone furoate is administered at higher than recommended doses over prolonged periods of time. If such effects occur, reduce the dose of ARNUITY ELLIPTA slowly, consistent with accepted procedures for reducing systemic corticosteroids, and consider other treatments for management of asthma symptoms. 5.6 Drug Interactions with Strong Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors Caution should be exercised when considering the coadministration of ARNUITY ELLIPTA with ketoconazole and other known strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (including, but not limited to, ritonavir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, indinavir, itraconazole, lopinavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, troleandomycin, voriconazole) because increased systemic corticosteroid adverse effects may occur [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 5.7 Paradoxical Bronchospasm As with other inhaled therapies, ARNUITY ELLIPTA can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs following dosing with ARNUITY ELLIPTA, it should be treated immediately with an inhaled, short-acting bronchodilator; ARNUITY ELLIPTA should be discontinued immediately; and alternative therapy should be instituted. 5.8 Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis Hypersensitivity reactions such as anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, flushing, allergic dermatitis, and bronchospasm may occur after administration of ARNUITY ELLIPTA. Discontinue ARNUITY ELLIPTA if such reactions occur. There have been reports of anaphylactic reactions in patients with severe milk protein allergy after inhalation of other powder medications containing lactose; therefore, patients with severe milk protein allergy should not use ARNUITY ELLIPTA [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . 5.9 Reduction in Bone Mineral Density Decreases in bone mineral density (BMD) have been observed with long-term administration of products containing ICS. The clinical significance of small changes in BMD with regard to long-term consequences such as fracture is unknown. Patients with major risk factors for decreased bone mineral content, such as prolonged immobilization, family history of osteoporosis, postmenopausal status, tobacco use, advanced age, poor nutrition, or chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass (e.g., anticonvulsants, oral corticosteroids) should be monitored and treated with established standards of care. 5.10 Effect on Growth Orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, may cause a reduction in growth velocity when administered to pediatric patients. The safety and effectiveness of ARNUITY ELLIPTA have not been established in pediatric patients less than 5 years of age. Monitor the growth of pediatric patients receiving ARNUITY ELLIPTA routinely (e.g., via stadiometry). To minimize the systemic effects of orally inhaled corticosteroids, including ARNUITY ELLIPTA, titrate each patient’s dose to the lowest dosage that effectively controls his/her symptoms [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] . 5.11 Glaucoma and Cataracts Glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and cataracts have been reported in patients with asthma following the long-term administration of ICS, including fluticasone furoate. Consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms or use ARNUITY ELLIPTA long term.