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Akten Lidocaine Hydrochloride 35 mg/mL Gel, 1 tube — NDC 17478-0792-01 package photo
Label image from the product's FDA listing (DailyMed) — may show a different pack size or an older label revision.

Akten Lidocaine Hydrochloride 35 mg/mL Gel, 1 tube — NDC 17478-792-01 (Billing 17478-0792-01)

by Akorn · 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON / 1 mL in 1 TUBE

This is a package of 1 tube of Akten Lidocaine Hydrochloride 35 mg/mL Gel from Akorn, no longer marketed, no longer in the FDA NDC Directory. It is the main listing for this product, which comes in 2 package sizes.

NDC 17478-0792-01
🏷️ FDA NDC (as labeled) 17478-792-01 billing pads the product segment with a zero
This package
Contains1 tube Pack sizes2 compare ↓
Main listing for product 17478-792 · Also comes in: 25 tubes 17478-792-25
Rx only Brand Discontinued Non-controlled ⚠ Inactivated by FDA ⇄ Compare with another NDC
🗂️ FDA directory synced Oct 8, 2026 · this listing last changed Jul 14, 2026 · sources: openFDA · FDA label (DailyMed) · FDA Orange & Purple Book · First Databank · CMS NADAC, ASP, Medicare & Medicaid · RxNorm
📋 All sources & update times →

This page is curated, coded, and maintained by

Compiled from public FDA, CMS, DailyMed, NADAC, and related drug data sources. Editorial policy

NDC database record

One package, one record: these facts belong to NDC 17478-792-01 alone.

Record
FDA NDC Directory package listing · Human prescription drug
Code segments
17478 labeler · 792 product · 01 package
Barcode (UPC-A, from the NDC)
3 1747879201 7
FDA record last changed
Jul 14, 2026
⚠️
Other active recalls for Lidocaine Hydrochloride (different manufacturers) — 6 · tap to view
These affect other manufacturers’ products for the same ingredient — not necessarily the exact NDC on this page.
Class II · Jul 16, 2026 — Presence of Particulate Matter: Hair was found in products (Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC) · FDA recall D-0726-2026
Class II · Jun 8, 2026 — Lack of Assurance of Sterility (Asclemed USA Inc.) · FDA recall D-0658-2026
Class II · Apr 2, 2026 — Lack of Assurance of Sterility (Huons Co., Ltd.) · FDA recall D-0529-2026
Class II · Apr 2, 2026 — Lack of Assurance of Sterility (Huons Co., Ltd.) · FDA recall D-0532-2026
Class II · Nov 30, 2021 — Superpotent Drug: Minimally superpotent (Teligent Pharma, Inc.) · FDA recall D-0296-2022
Class I · Nov 30, 2021 — Superpotent Drug (Teligent Pharma, Inc.) · FDA recall D-0295-2022
Each entry is an official FDA enforcement report — look up any recall number in the FDA recall database ↗
⚠️
Excluded from the active FDA NDC Directory. FDA inactivated this product’s listing record, so it is excluded from the active NDC Directory. The listing was last certified through Dec 2023. A label may still appear on DailyMed, but the NDC is no longer in the current FDA NDC Directory. Search the FDA NDC Directory ↗

Identity & classification

Regulatory identifiers FDA, NLM and CMS codes for this package

FDA NDC (as labeled) 17478-792-01
Product NDC 17478-792
11-digit billing NDC 17478079201
NCPDP billing unit ML — per mL (volume)
Application # NDA022221
SPL Set ID c1f638dc-c386-45e8-9adc-d0f295794679
Physiologic effect Amide Local Anesthetic [EPC], Amides [CS], Antiarrhythmic [EPC], Local Anesthesia
DEA schedule Non-controlled
Marketing category NDA
Marketing status Discontinued
FDA listing status Inactivated by FDA (certified through Dec 2023)
Route OPHTHALMIC
Dosage form GEL
Substance LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE ANHYDROUS

Drug-database identifiers Medi-Span GPI and First Databank GCN / HICL / AHFS classification

GCN Seq No 064490
GCN 14424
HICL code 033592
Ingredient (HICL) Lidocaine Hcl/Pf
HIC1 code Q
Therapeutic class — broad (HIC1) Ear/Eye/Nose/Rectum/Topical/Vagina/Other
HIC2 code Q6
Therapeutic class — intermediate (HIC2) Ophthalmic Preparations
HIC3 code Q6H
Therapeutic class — specific (HIC3) Eye Local Anesthetics
AHFS code 52:16.00.00
AHFS class Local Anesthetics (Eent)
FDB label name AKTEN 3.5% GEL DROPS
FDB brand name Akten
Legend status F — Federal legend — prescription drug or device
Quick answers
  • GSN (GCN sequence number): 064490
  • GCN: 14424
  • HICL (First Databank): 033592
  • AHFS class code: 52:16.00.00
Why two NDCs? The FDA registers this code as 17478-792-01 — a 5-3-2 layout, and that's what's printed on the package and shown on DailyMed. For insurance claims, every NDC is standardized to a uniform 11-digit 5-4-2 format by adding a zero to the product segment → 17478-0792-01. Same drug, same package — only the format differs.
Where does this data come from?
Identifiers from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Structured Product Labeling; RxCUI from RxNorm (NLM); GPI from Medi-Span; GCN / HIC / AHFS / legend from First Databank.

Clinical

Label name AKTEN 3.5% GEL DROPS Ingredient Lidocaine Hcl/Pf
📗 Our plain-language guide HelloPharmacist
  • Lidocaine numbs the area where it is used. Clinicians inject it for procedures. Skin products are used for pain, itching, minor burns, insect bites, hemorrhoid discomfort, and in s...
  • Clean and dry the skin first, then apply as your product’s directions say. Wash your hands afterward. Don’t exceed the number of uses on the label. Ask a doctor before using a prod...
  • No. Heat can increase how much lidocaine your body absorbs. Don’t bandage tightly either. Also avoid using other topical pain products at the same time.
  • Can I use a heating pad with a lidocaine patch?
📖 Read our full Lidocaine guide →

Supplement & herbal interactions

🌿 Drug–supplement interaction checker →
Where does this data come from?
Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); supplement & herbal interactions and nutrient depletion data from the Natural Medicines database; our full guide is HelloPharmacist editorial content.

Pricing

A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.

Price systemPer gPer package
Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs.
Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data.
Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data.
ℹ️
No price is published for this exact package yet. CMS surveys NADAC per package size, so a different pack of the same drug often has one.
Try another pack size: 25 tubes
Where does this data come from?
NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) is the CMS weekly pharmacy-acquisition-cost survey — what pharmacies pay. ASP (Average Sales Price) is the CMS Medicare Part B drug-payment file, published quarterly. Medicaid pays is computed by us from CMS State Drug Utilization Data (total reimbursed ÷ units, trailing 12 months) — gross of rebates and inclusive of dispensing fees, so it reflects what Medicaid paid, not an acquisition cost. Medicare drug plans pay is the median negotiated point-of-sale unit cost across plans listing this NDC in the CMS quarterly Prescription Drug Plan pricing files, before rebates. The VA pays is the federal contract price (FSS, and the statutory Big 4 ceiling where listed) from the VA National Acquisition Center pharmaceutical price file. All are free public government data; each measures a different payer, so the figures are not directly comparable.

Packaging — all sizes for this product

Package NDCDescription Marketing startMarketing endStatus
17478-0792-01 You're viewing this Main listing 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON / 1 mL in 1 TUBE 2012-12-07 — Inactivated by FDA
17478-0792-25 17478-792-25 25 TUBE in 1 CARTON / 1 mL in 1 TUBE 2014-03-11 — Inactivated by FDA

Pack size FAQ

What quantity is in this package?
This package contains 1 tube — 1 tube in 1 carton / 1 ml in 1 tube.
How does this package differ from NDC 17478-0792-25?
Both are Akten Lidocaine Hydrochloride 35 mg/mL Gel — the drug itself is identical. This page's package is the 1 tube one, while NDC 17478-0792-25 is the 25 tubes package.
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of Akten Lidocaine Hydrochloride 35 mg/mL Gel?
Use the 11-digit billing form listed in the identifiers section of this page. Pharmacy and medical claims use the 11-digit form; the FDA label may print a shorter form of the same code.

Therapeutic equivalents

ProductLabelerPackNADAC/unitTEStatusPrice vs. this
Akten 35 mg/mL 82584-0792-01 Thea 1 tube — — FDA listed —
Akten 35 mg/mLthis 17478-0792-01 Akorn 1 tube — — Discontinued —
About this product: this is the brand-name version. We did not find an FDA-approved generic match for this exact strength, form and route.
Where does this data come from?
Equivalents are other NDCs of the same ingredient, form and route from the openFDA NDC Directory, ranked least-expensive-first by NADAC. Therapeutic-equivalence (AB) ratings come from the FDA Orange Book; biologics use the FDA Purple Book for biosimilar & interchangeable status.

Availability & generic status

🏛️
2008
First FDA approval
Oct 2008
📍
2026
Currently FDA-listed
18 years listed
🔓
·
Listed protection lapsed
listed protections lapsed 2026
🔒No FDA-approved generic found

We did not find an FDA-approved generic match for this exact strength, form and route. Patent/protection dates below may affect future generic timing.

🛡️ Latest patent/protection date listed: The latest listed FDA patent/protection lapsed Jul 2026 — those protections no longer apply, though a generic still needs FDA approval and a manufacturer to market it.
📅 FDA approved Oct 7, 2008 RLD RS

Why the date isn’t exact: Generic timing can change because patents may be challenged, settled, licensed, added, removed, or worked around with a narrower label — and FDA approval does not always mean a pharmacy can get the generic today.

Patents & exclusivity — FDA Orange Book
US 8759401 — method of use (U-1523)
2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026
Today
LOE
Substance patent Formulation patent Method-of-use patent Exclusivity Pediatric +6mo
🏛️FDA exclusivity
FDA-granted marketing protection. It’s separate from patents and may be shorter than patent protection.
🧪Product / substance patents
Patents covering the active ingredient, product, formulation, or related drug features.
🎯Method-of-use patents
Patents covering specific approved uses. These can sometimes be carved out with a “skinny label,” but not always.
🛈 What do these terms mean?
Patent
Legal protection listed in the Orange Book that may delay generic approval or launch. Issued by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
Substance patent
Covers the active drug molecule itself — the hardest to design around. A generic generally can’t launch until it expires.
Formulation (product) patent
Covers a specific formulation or dosage form. A generic can sometimes work around it with a different formulation.
Method-of-use patent
A patent covering one specific approved use of the drug — not necessarily the whole molecule. A generic can sometimes launch with a “skinny label” that carves out the protected use and keeps the others.
Skinny label
A generic label that omits a still-patented use when the FDA allows it — letting a generic reach the market for the unprotected uses.
Exclusivity
FDA-granted marketing protection, separate from patents — e.g. 5-yr new chemical entity, 7-yr orphan drug, or a +6-month pediatric extension.
Paragraph IV
A generic applicant’s formal challenge to a listed patent. It can potentially lead to earlier generic entry, but often involves litigation or a settlement.
RLD / RS
Reference Listed Drug — the brand product the FDA uses as the reference for generic applications. Reference Standard — the product the FDA expects generics to compare against in bioequivalence testing.
TE / AB rating
FDA therapeutic-equivalence rating. An AB rating generally means the FDA considers a generic therapeutically equivalent to — and substitutable for — the brand.
LOE (loss of exclusivity)
The latest patent or exclusivity currently listed — the loss-of-exclusivity / latest-listed-protection date shown on this page. Paragraph-IV challenges and settlements can move the real date earlier; FDA approval and a manufacturer’s decision to market can move it later.

Built from the FDA Orange Book. The bars above are scaled to each protection’s expiry; the red LOE marker is the last one to lapse.

Listed patents (1)
PatentTypeUse codeExpires
US 8759401 ↗ Method of use U-1523 Jul 24, 2026
Common questions
Is there a generic version of AKTEN 3.5% GEL DROPS?
No FDA-approved generic equivalent is currently listed in the FDA Orange Book for AKTEN 3.5% GEL DROPS. The latest listed protection lapsed in Jul 2026, so a generic is no longer blocked by listed patents/exclusivity — though one still needs FDA approval and a manufacturer willing to market it.
The FDA approved a generic — why can’t I get it at my pharmacy yet?
FDA approval and pharmacy availability are two different things. The FDA can approve a generic years before it actually reaches pharmacies, because the brand company may still hold patents or have a settlement that delays the launch. A manufacturer also has to choose to make and sell it, and have supply ready. So a drug can be “FDA-approved generic exists” and still be brand-only at the counter today.
Why do different websites show different generic release dates?
Generic availability is not based on one single date. Some sources use the first exclusivity expiration, some use the last product patent, and others use the latest method-of-use patent. Patent challenges, settlements, licenses, and label carve-outs can also change the real-world launch date. This page shows the underlying Orange Book dates so you can see why estimates may differ.
What does “FDA listed” mean?
It means the product appears in the FDA’s official NDC directory. That’s a good sign a product exists and is intended for the U.S. market, but on its own it does not confirm a pharmacy can fill it today. Where we have recent retail pricing data (NADAC) for a product, we label it “Availability likely” instead.
What does a patent or protection date mean here?
It’s the latest date currently listed in the FDA Orange Book for a patent or exclusivity on the brand product. It can affect when a full generic version becomes widely available — but it is not a guaranteed generic launch date. Generics sometimes arrive earlier (through a settlement or patent challenge) or later (a manufacturer still has to make and sell one).
What does “current Orange Book estimate” mean?
It means we are using the latest patent and exclusivity dates currently listed in the FDA Orange Book. It is not a guaranteed launch date.
Can a generic come out before the last patent expires?
Sometimes. A generic company may challenge a patent, settle with the brand manufacturer, receive a license, or obtain approval with a narrower label that avoids a patented use. In other cases, the last listed protection may delay full-label generic competition.
Can a generic come out after the listed dates?
Yes. Even after patents or exclusivity expire, a generic still needs FDA approval and a manufacturer must choose to market it. Supply, litigation, business decisions, or regulatory issues can delay actual availability.
What is the difference between patents and exclusivity?
Patents are legal protections usually issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. FDA exclusivity is marketing protection granted by the FDA. They are separate, and either one can affect generic timing.
Why are there multiple patent dates?
One drug can have several patents covering different things: the active ingredient, a formulation, a manufacturing process, or a specific approved use. That is why a page may show several expiration dates instead of one simple generic date.
Built from FDA Orange Book patent and exclusivity data. Dates are refreshed from public FDA data when available; the marker is max(latest patent expiry, latest exclusivity expiry). Paragraph-IV settlements and first-filer 180-day exclusivity can shift the real date; a method-of-use patent may allow an earlier skinny-label generic for non-protected indications. Generic launch timing is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Where does this data come from?
Patents and exclusivity from the FDA Orange Book (small-molecule drugs), refreshed from public FDA data. Generic launch timing is an estimate, not a guarantee.

Inactive Ingredients / Excipients

Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.

🧪 Avoiding an ingredient? See Lidocaine inactive ingredients by manufacturer: every current product's list side by side, so you can ask your pharmacy for the version that does not list it.

Loading inactive ingredients from the official FDA label in the background. No external source is being called by this page request.
Where does this data come from?
Source: official FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) via DailyMed and the openFDA label index. Structured IACT rows and label-wide narrative are kept separate; availability and product-level specificity depend on the submitted label.

Inactive ingredient FAQ

Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
No. Inactive ingredients can differ by manufacturer, dosage form, strength, and package / product version.
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Some SPLs do not provide a complete structured inactive-ingredient list, and older or unusual labels may only include the information in narrative text.
Can inactive ingredients matter?
Yes. They can matter for allergies, intolerances, dyes, gluten / lactose concerns, preservatives, and formulation differences — but confirm with a pharmacist or the manufacturer when it’s clinically important.

Manufacturer & labeler

LabelerAkorn
Application holderTHEA PHARMA INC
FDA applicationNDA022221 (NDA)
Labeler code17478
Product typeHuman Prescription Drug
Portfolio3 products on file
The labeler markets the product; the application holder owns the FDA approval. They’re often the same company but can differ (e.g. a repackager or an authorized generic). A mailing address / phone appears here when the manufacturer includes it in the product’s FDA label (not all do).
Where does this data come from?
Labeler, application holder and registered establishment from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Drugs@FDA; address/contact from the product’s FDA label.

Full prescribing information FDA SPL

The complete FDA label for this product — the official prescribing information, verbatim, section by section. Jump with a chip, search within the label, or expand everything.
🎯 Indications and Usage ⏱️ Dosage and Administration 💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths ⛔ Contraindications ⚠️ Warnings and Cautions 🤒 Adverse Reactions 👥 Use in Specific Populations 🤰 Pregnancy 🧒 Pediatric Use 🧓 Geriatric Use 🆘 Overdosage 🧬 Clinical Pharmacology 🧬 Mechanism of Action 📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 📦 Storage and Handling 📋 Description 🍼 Nursing Mothers 🧬 Pharmacokinetics 🔬 Clinical Studies 🧪 Nonclinical Toxicology 📄 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility 📄 Recent Major Changes 📄 Package Label / Principal Display Panel
🎯 Indications and Usage 32 words ▾

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE AKTEN ® is indicated for ocular surface anesthesia during ophthalmologic procedures. AKTEN ® is a local anesthetic indicated for ocular surface anesthesia during ophthalmologic procedures. ( 1 )

⏱️ Dosage and Administration 65 words ▾

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose of AKTEN ® is 2 drops applied to the ocular surface in the area of the planned procedure. AKTEN ® may be reapplied to maintain anesthetic effect. The recommended dose of AKTEN ® is 2 drops applied to the ocular surface in the area of the planned procedure. Additional anesthesia may be reapplied as needed. ( 2 )

💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths 32 words ▾

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS AKTEN ® Ophthalmic Gel, 3.5% contains 35 mg per mL of lidocaine hydrochloride for topical ophthalmic administration. AKTEN ® 3.5% (35 mg/mL) Ophthalmic Gel. ( 3 )

⛔ Contraindications 7 words ▾

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )

⚠️ Warnings and Cautions 118 words ▾

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS For Topical Ophthalmic Use: Not for Injection. ( 5.1 ) Corneal Opacification: Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic may produce permanent corneal opacification and ulceration with accompanying visual loss. ( 5.2 ) For Administration by Healthcare Provider: AKTEN ® is not intended for patient self-administration. ( 5.3 )

5.1For Topical Ophthalmic Use AKTEN ® is indicated for topical ophthalmic use. Not for Injection.

5.2Corneal Opacification Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic may produce permanent corneal opacification and ulceration with accompanying visual loss.

5.3For Administration by Healthcare Provider AKTEN ® is indicated for administration under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. AKTEN ® is not intended for patient self-administration.

🤒 Adverse Reactions 55 words ▾

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions are conjunctival hyperemia, corneal epithelial changes, headache, and burning upon instillation. Most common adverse reactions are conjunctival hyperemia, corneal epithelial changes, headache, and burning upon instillation. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Akorn Operating Company LLC at 1-800-932-5676 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

👥 Use in Specific Populations 177 words ▾

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1Pregnancy Reproduction studies for lidocaine have been performed in both rats and rabbits. There was no evidence of harm to the fetus at subcutaneous doses up to 50 mg/kg lidocaine (more than 800 fold greater than the human dose on a body weight basis) in the rat model. There are, however, no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women.

Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used in pregnancy only if clearly needed.

8.3Nursing Mothers Lidocaine is secreted in human milk. The clinical significance of this observation is unknown. Although no systemic exposure is expected with administration of AKTEN ® , caution should be exercised when AKTEN ® is administered to a nursing woman.

8.4Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients have been extrapolated from studies in older subjects and studies in pediatric patients using different formulations of lidocaine.

8.5Geriatric Use No overall clinical differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between the elderly and other adult patients.

🤰 Pregnancy 83 words ▾

8.1Pregnancy Reproduction studies for lidocaine have been performed in both rats and rabbits. There was no evidence of harm to the fetus at subcutaneous doses up to 50 mg/kg lidocaine (more than 800 fold greater than the human dose on a body weight basis) in the rat model. There are, however, no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women.

Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used in pregnancy only if clearly needed.

🧒 Pediatric Use 27 words ▾

8.4Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients have been extrapolated from studies in older subjects and studies in pediatric patients using different formulations of lidocaine.

🧓 Geriatric Use 20 words ▾

8.5Geriatric Use No overall clinical differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between the elderly and other adult patients.

🆘 Overdosage 63 words ▾

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.

🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ~1 min read ▾

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

12.1Mechanism of Action AKTEN ® is a 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.

12.3Pharmacokinetics 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.

🧬 Mechanism of Action 50 words ▾

12.1Mechanism of Action AKTEN ® is a 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.

📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 108 words ▾

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING AKTEN ® (lidocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic gel) 3.5% is supplied as a clear gel for single-patient use as follows: NDC 17478-792-01 1 mL fill in a white polyfoil tube* NDC 17478-792-25 Package of 25 units of 1 mL fill in a white polyfoil tube* (NDC 17478-792-01) NDC 17478-792-10 5 mL fill in a 10 mL natural, round plastic dropper bottle Storage Store at 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Keep container closed and protected from light in the original carton until use. Discard after use.

AKORN Manufactured by: Akorn Operating Company LLC Lake Forest, IL 60045 *Made in Switzerland Patent Pending AE00N Revised 2/2022

📦 Storage and Handling 44 words ▾

Storage Store at 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Keep container closed and protected from light in the original carton until use. Discard after use. AKORN Manufactured by: Akorn Operating Company LLC Lake Forest, IL 60045 *Made in Switzerland Patent Pending AE00N Revised 2/2022

📋 Description 131 words ▾

11 DESCRIPTION AKTEN ® (lidocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic gel) 3.5% is a sterile, preservative-free, single-patient use ophthalmic gel preparation for topical ocular anesthesia. Lidocaine hydrochloride is designated chemically as acetamide, 2-(diethylamino)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl) monohydrochloride with a molecular formula of C 14 H 22 N 2 O • HCl and molecular weight of 270.8. The structural formula of the active ingredient is: AKTEN ® contains 35 mg of lidocaine hydrochloride per mL as the active ingredient.

AKTEN ® also contains Hypromellose, Sodium Chloride, and Water for Injection as inactive ingredients in the 1 mL tube configuration. AKTEN ® contains Hypromellose, Sodium Chloride, and Water for Injection as inactive ingredients in the 5 mL in 10 mL bottle configuration. The pH may be adjusted to 5.5 to 7.5 with Hydrochloric Acid and/or Sodium Hydroxide.

Structural Formula

🍼 Nursing Mothers 42 words ▾

8.3Nursing Mothers Lidocaine is secreted in human milk. The clinical significance of this observation is unknown. Although no systemic exposure is expected with administration of AKTEN ® , caution should be exercised when AKTEN ® is administered to a nursing woman.

🧬 Pharmacokinetics ~1 min read ▾

12.3Pharmacokinetics 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.

🔬 Clinical Studies 219 words ▾

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.

🧪 Nonclinical Toxicology 26 words ▾

13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

13.1Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Long-term studies in animals have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of AKTEN ® .

📄 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility 23 words ▾

13.1Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Long-term studies in animals have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of AKTEN ® .

📄 Recent Major Changes 7 words ▾

Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) 2/2022

📄 Package Label / Principal Display Panel 74 words ▾

Principal Display Panel Text for Container Label: NDC 17478-792-01 Akten ® (lidocaine HCl ophthalmic gel) 3.5% 1 mL Sterile Rx only PRESERVATIVE FREE Principal Display Panel Text for Container Label

Principal Display Panel Text for Carton Label: NDC 17478-792-01 Akten ® (lidocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic gel) 3.5% For Topical Ophthalmic Use Only Rx only 1 mL Sterile PRESERVATIVE FREE For Single-Patient Use Only. Discard Unused Portion. Akorn Logo Principal Display Panel Text for Carton Label

Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling, mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA. Prefer the government’s original formatting? View this label on DailyMed ↗

Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2025 (Q1-Q4)

Medicare Part D (outpatient prescription) spending for Akten — the program that covers self-administered drugs. 1 manufacturer.
⚠️ Drug-level data: CMS publishes Part D spending by drug, not by NDC — these figures combine every manufacturer, strength and package size sold under the name Akten. That’s a different level of aggregation than the Medicaid card above, which is specific to this exact 11-digit NDC (pack size included), so the two aren’t directly comparable.
Total Part D spend
$3K
Claims incl. refills
24
Beneficiaries
18
Spend / beneficiary
$166.20
Spend / claim
$124.65
💵 About the dollar figures: spending is what Part D plans paid before confidential manufacturer rebates, so the program’s real net cost is lower. A blank patient count means fewer than 11 people — CMS hides counts that small to protect privacy. Source: CMS Medicare Quarterly Part D Spending by Drug (data.cms.gov), updated quarterly.

About this NDC listing & data coverage

Finished prescription product No longer marketed (per FDA listing data)
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) ✓ Available
Labeler ✓ Available
Product & package description ✓ Available
Marketing category & status ✓ Available
Active ingredient / dosage form / route ✓ Available
FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) ✓ Available
Package photos ✓ Available
Inactive ingredients (structured) — Not published for this NDC The labeler did not submit a structured excipient list, or no SPL is available.
NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey.
Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data ✓ Available
HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal.
Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold.
“Not published” reflects what the public FDA / CMS / NLM sources provide for this exact package code — it is a property of the data feeds, not a judgment about the product.

Questions about this listing

Why is there no price listed?
The pricing shown on our NDC pages comes from CMS NADAC, a voluntary survey of retail community pharmacy invoices. CMS does not publish a NADAC for every NDC — packages outside the retail survey (institutional and hospital products, bulk packages, discontinued items, and many OTC items) may never receive one. A missing price reflects the survey's scope, not this product's actual cost, and does not mean the product is free or unavailable.
What does the discontinued status mean for this NDC?
The labeler reported a marketing end date (or the listing was delisted), so this specific package is no longer actively marketed. Remaining stock may still be dispensed for a time, and the NDC stays valid for historical records and claims — but data feeds (pricing, labeling) typically stop updating for it. Other package sizes or other manufacturers' versions of the same medication may still be marketed — see the equivalents section where available.
Is the NDC printed on the package the same as the 11-digit billing NDC?
Yes, they identify this exact package in different formats. The form printed on the packaging and shown on DailyMed is the one the FDA registered. Insurance claims use a fixed 11-digit 5-4-2 format, so the short segment is padded with a leading zero and the dashes are dropped. The Identity section at the top of this page lists each form of this code.
Does this product come in other package sizes?
Yes — the FDA directory lists 1 other package presentation of this same product, including 25 tubes (17478-0792-25). Each has its own NDC and its own page — see the package list near the top of this page.
Who lists this product with the FDA?
Akorn is the labeler of record for this NDC — the company under whose FDA-assigned code the package is listed. The labeler may be the manufacturer itself or a distributor marketing the product under its own code.
Do I need a prescription for this product?
This NDC is listed with FDA as a prescription product, so it is dispensed under a prescriber's order. Your pharmacist can tell you whether any over-the-counter forms of the same medication exist.
This page identifies an FDA-listed package (the NDC) and reports public regulatory and pricing data about the listing. It is reference information, not a medical recommendation — talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about your own medication.
Where does this data come from?
Listing facts (marketing category, packager status, marketing dates) from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory; label availability from DailyMed; pricing coverage from CMS NADAC; equivalence scope from the FDA Orange Book.
← 17445-6888-00 · Sigma-Aldrich 17504-0007-02 · Lonza →
For educational and professional reference only — not medical advice. Pricing reflects published NADAC and CMS ASP (free public data) and may differ from your acquisition cost; always verify before billing or dispensing.