2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions

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KLOXXADO is for intranasal use only.

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The device is ready to use. Do not prime or test prior to administration.

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Do not attempt to reuse KLOXXADO. Each KLOXXADO contains a single dose of naloxone and cannot be reused.

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Because suspected opioid overdose is usually managed by someone other than the patient, instruct the prescription recipient to inform those around them about the presence of KLOXXADO and the Instructions for Use.

 

Instruct the patient or caregiver to read the Instructions for Use at the time they receive a prescription for KLOXXADO. Emphasize the following instructions to the patient or caregiver.

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Administer KLOXXADO as quickly as possible because prolonged respiratory depression may result in damage to the central nervous system or death.

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Always seek immediate emergency medical assistance after the first dose of KLOXXADO has been administered in the event of a suspected, potentially life-threatening opioid emergency because the duration of action of most opioids exceeds that of naloxone hydrochloride. Keep the patient under continued surveillance and administer repeated doses of KLOXXADO, as necessary, until emergency personnel arrive [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

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Administer KLOXXADO according to the printed instructions on the carton and the Instructions for Use.

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Place the patient in the supine position. Prior to administration, be sure the device nozzle is inserted in either nostril of the patient and provide support to the back of the neck to allow the head to tilt back. Do not prime or test the device prior to administration.

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To administer the dose, press firmly on the device plunger and remove the device nozzle from the nostril after use. Place the patient in recovery position by turning him/her onto their side as shown in the Instructions for Use and call for emergency medical assistance immediately after the first dose of KLOXXADO.

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Administer additional doses of KLOXXADO, using a new nasal spray, every 2 to 3 minutes as needed if the patient does not respond or responds and then relapses into respiratory depression. Administer KLOXXADO in alternate nostrils with each dose [see Dosing and Administration (2.2)].

2.2 Dosing in Adult and Pediatric Patients

Initial Dosing

The recommended initial dose of KLOXXADO in adult and pediatric patients is one spray delivered by intranasal administration into one nostril, which delivers 8 mg of naloxone hydrochloride to adult or pediatric patients.

Repeat Dosing

Seek emergency medical assistance as soon as possible, after administering the first dose of KLOXXADO.

If the desired response is not obtained after 2 or 3 minutes, administer an additional dose using a new KLOXXADO in alternate nostril. If there is still no response and additional doses are available, administer additional doses of KLOXXADO every 2 to 3 minutes, alternating nostrils and using a new KLOXXADO, until emergency medical assistance arrives. The requirement for repeat doses of KLOXXADO depends upon the amount, type, and route of administration of the opioid being antagonized.

If the patient responds to KLOXXADO and subsequently relapses back into respiratory depression before emergency assistance arrives, administer an additional dose using a new KLOXXADO, in the opposite nostril, and continue surveillance of the patient.

Additional supportive and/or resuscitative measures may be helpful while awaiting emergency medical assistance.

Reversal of respiratory depression by partial agonists or mixed agonist/antagonists, such as buprenorphine and pentazocine, may be incomplete and require repeated administration of KLOXXADO using a new nasal spray [see Warnings and Precautions(5.2)].

5.1 Risk of Recurrent Respiratory and Central Nervous System Depression

The duration of action of most opioids may exceed that of KLOXXADO resulting in a return of respiratory and/or central nervous system depression after an initial improvement in symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to seek emergency assistance immediately after administration of the first dose of KLOXXADO and to keep the patient under continued surveillance. Administer additional doses of KLOXXADO if the patient is not adequately responding or responds and then relapses back into respiratory depression, as necessary [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Additional supportive and/or resuscitative measure may be helpful while awaiting emergency medical assistance.

5.2 Risk of Limited Efficacy with Partial Agonists or Mixed Agonist/Antagonists

Reversal of respiratory depression by partial agonists or mixed/antagonists such as buprenorphine and pentazocine may be incomplete. Larger or repeat doses of naloxone hydrochloride may be required to antagonize buprenorphine because the latter has a long duration of action due to its slow rate of binding and subsequent slow dissociation from the opioid receptor [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Buprenorphine antagonism is characterized by a gradual onset of the reversal effects and a decreased duration of action of the normally prolonged respiratory depression.

5.3 Precipitation of Severe Opioid Withdrawal

The use of KLOXXADO in patients who are opioid-dependent may precipitate opioid withdrawal characterized by the following signs and symptoms: body aches, diarrhea, tachycardia, fever, runny nose, sneezing, piloerection, sweating, yawning, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, restlessness or irritability, shivering or trembling, abdominal cramps, weakness, and increased blood pressure. In neonates, opioid withdrawal may be life-threatening if not recognized and properly treated and may include the following signs and symptoms: convulsion, excessive crying, and hyperactive reflexes. Monitor the patient for the development of the signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Abrupt postoperative reversal of opioid depression after using naloxone hydrochloride may result in nausea, vomiting, sweating, tremulousness, tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension, seizures, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrest. Death, coma, and encephalopathy have been reported as sequelae of these events. These events have primarily occurred in patients who had pre-existing cardiovascular disorders or received other drugs that may have similar adverse cardiovascular effects. Monitor patients with pre-existing cardiac disease or patients who have received medications with potential adverse cardiovascular effects for hypotension, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, and pulmonary edema in an appropriate healthcare setting. It has been suggested that the pathogenesis of pulmonary edema associated with the use of naloxone hydrochloride is similar to neurogenic pulmonary edema, i.e., a centrally mediated massive catecholamine response leading to a dramatic shift of blood volume into the pulmonary vascular bed resulting in increased hydrostatic pressures.

There may be clinical settings, particularly the postpartum period in neonates with known or suspected exposure to maternal opioid use, where it is preferable to avoid the abrupt precipitation of opioid withdrawal symptoms. In these settings, consider use of an alternative, naloxone-containing product that can be titrated to effect and, where applicable, dosed according to weight [see Use in Specific Population (8.4)].

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

In two pharmacokinetic studies a total of 47 healthy adult volunteers were exposed to a single dose of KLOXXADO, one spray in one nostril. The following adverse reactions were reported in two subjects each: abdominal pain, asthenia, dizziness, headache, nasal discomfort, and presyncope. On local tissue assessments for nasal irritation, signs of nasal inflammation and nasal congestion were observed.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse events have been identified during the post-approval use of naloxone hydrochloride injection in the postoperative setting. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: hypotension, hypertension, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrest. Death, coma, and encephalopathy have been reported as sequelae of these events. Excessive doses of naloxone hydrochloride in postoperative patients have resulted in significant reversal of analgesia and have caused agitation.

Abrupt reversal of opioid effects in persons who were physically dependent on opioids has precipitated an acute withdrawal syndrome. Signs and symptoms have included: body aches, fever, sweating, runny nose, sneezing, piloerection, yawning, weakness, shivering or trembling, nervousness, restlessness or irritability, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramps, increased blood pressure, tachycardia. In some patients, there was aggressive behavior upon abrupt reversal of an opioid overdose. In the neonate, opioid withdrawal has included: convulsions, excessive crying, hyperactive reflexes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

The following most frequently reported events (in decreasing frequency) have been identified primarily during post-approval use of naloxone hydrochloride (all routes of administration): withdrawal syndrome, vomiting, nonresponsiveness to stimuli, drug ineffective, agitation, somnolence, and loss of consciousness.

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Available data from retrospective cohort studies on naloxone use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Naloxone may precipitate opioid withdrawal in the pregnant woman and fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Clinical Considerations]. In animal reproduction studies, no embryotoxic or teratogenic effects were observed in mice and rats treated with naloxone hydrochloride during the period of organogenesis at doses equivalent to 3-times and 6-times, respectively, a human dose of 16 mg/day (see Data).

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.

Clinical Considerations

Maternal and Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions

Naloxone hydrochloride crosses the placenta, and may precipitate withdrawal in the fetus, as well as in the opioid-dependent mother [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. The fetus should be evaluated for signs of distress after KLOXXADO is used. Careful monitoring is needed until the fetus and mother are stabilized.

Data

Animal Data

Naloxone hydrochloride was administered during organogenesis to mice and rats at doses 3-times and 6-times, respectively, a human dose of 16 mg (from two nasal sprays of KLOXXADO) based on body surface area comparison. These studies demonstrated no embryotoxic or teratogenic effects due to naloxone hydrochloride.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There is no information regarding the presence of naloxone in human milk, the effects of naloxone on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Studies in nursing mothers have shown that naloxone does not affect prolactin or oxytocin hormone levels. Naloxone is minimally orally available and is unlikely to affect the breastfed infant.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of KLOXXADO has been established in pediatric patients of all ages for known or suspected opioid overdose as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression. Use of naloxone hydrochloride in pediatric patients is supported by evidence from adult bioavailability studies with additional evidence from the reported safe and effective use of other naloxone hydrochloride products. No pediatric studies were conducted for KLOXXADO.

Absorption of naloxone hydrochloride following intranasal administration in pediatric patients may be erratic or delayed. Even when the opiate-intoxicated pediatric patient responds appropriately to naloxone hydrochloride, he/she must be carefully monitored for at least 24 hours, as a relapse may occur as naloxone hydrochloride is metabolized.

In opioid-dependent pediatric patients, (including neonates), administration of naloxone hydrochloride may result in an abrupt and complete reversal of opioid effects, precipitating an acute opioid withdrawal syndrome. There may be clinical settings, particularly the postpartum period in neonates with known or suspected exposure to maternal opioid use, where it is preferable to avoid the abrupt precipitation of opioid withdrawal symptoms. Unlike acute opioid withdrawal in adults, acute opioid withdrawal in neonates manifesting as seizures may be life-threatening if not recognized and properly treated. Other signs and symptoms in neonates may include excessive crying and hyperactive reflexes. In these settings where it may be preferable to avoid the abrupt precipitation of acute opioid withdrawal symptoms, consider use of an alternative, naloxone hydrochloride product that can be dosed according to weight and titrated to effect [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Also, in situations where the primary concern is for infants at risk for opioid overdose, consider whether the availability of alternate naloxone-containing products may be better suited than KLOXXADO.

Juvenile Animal Study

In a juvenile animal study, male and female juvenile rats were administered a single intranasal dose of saline, vehicle consisting of 20% alcohol and 5% propylene glycol, or naloxone (123 mg/kg, 185 mg/kg, and 246 mg/kg) on postnatal day 7 (PND 7). There were no test article-related findings on sexual maturation, neuroapoptosis, or on a limited number of neurocognitive endpoints which included social interactions as well as learning and memory. The no-effect dose level for neurodevelopmental toxicity was the high dose tested, which is 6.8-times a neonate dose from two nasal sprays of KLOXXADO based on body surface area comparison and a neonate weight of 2.5 kg.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of KLOXXADO did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Naloxone hydrochloride is an opioid antagonist that antagonizes opioid effects by competing for the same receptor sites. Administration of naloxone hydrochloride reverses the effects of opioids, including respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension. It can also reverse the psychotomimetic and dysphoric effects of agonist-antagonists such as pentazocine.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

When naloxone hydrochloride is administered intravenously, the onset of action is generally apparent within two minutes. The time to onset of action is shorter for intravenous compared to subcutaneous or intramuscular routes of administration. The duration of action is dependent upon the dose and route of administration of naloxone hydrochloride.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

In two pharmacokinetic studies in up to 24 healthy adult volunteers for each study, the bioavailability (BA) of a single 8 mg dose (one spray) of KLOXXADO was compared to a single 0.4 mg intramuscular dose and a single 2 mg intravenous dose of naloxone. Naloxone plasma concentration versus time profiles are shown in Figure 1. The pharmacokinetic parameters of naloxone are summarized in Table 1.

Figure 1: Mean ± SD Plasma Concentration-Time Profiles of Naloxone Following A Single Dose of Intranasal versus Intramuscular/Intravenous Administration in Healthy Subjects. (A:0-4 h and B: 0-30 min.)

Table 1: Mean (CV%) Plasma Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Naloxone Following a Single Dose of Intranasal and Intramuscular/Intravenous Administration in Healthy Subjects

Absorption

The median Tmax (15 min) for naloxone following administration of a single dose of 8 mg KLOXXADO nasal spray was the same as following administration of a single intramuscular dose of 0.4 mg naloxone hydrochloride.

The dose normalized relative bioavailability of naloxone following administration of a single dose of 8 mg KLOXXADO was 42 to 47% as compared to following administration of a single intramuscular dose of 0.4 mg naloxone hydrochloride. The absolute bioavailability of naloxone following administration of a single dose of 8 mg KLOXXADO nasal spray was 37% as compared to following administration of a single intravenous dose of 2 mg naloxone hydrochloride.

Distribution

Following parenteral administration, naloxone is distributed in the body and readily crosses the placenta. Plasma protein binding occurs but is relatively weak. Plasma albumin is the major binding constitute, but significant binding of naloxone also occurs to plasma constituents other than albumin. It is not known whether naloxone is excreted into human milk.

Elimination

Following a single intranasal administration of KLOXXADO, the mean half-life (t1/2) of naloxone in plasma was 1.8 (39.7% CV) to 2.7 (69.6% CV) hours. The mean t1/2 was 1.4 (38.9% CV) to 1.4 (20.0% CV) hours for a 0.4 mg naloxone hydrochloride intramuscular injection and 1.2 (16.4% CV) hours for a 2 mg naloxone hydrochloride intravenous injection. In a neonatal study of naloxone hydrochloride the mean (±SD) plasma half-life was observed to be 3.1 ± 0.5 hours.

Metabolism

Naloxone hydrochloride is metabolized in the liver, primarily by glucuronide conjugation, with naloxone-3-glucoronide as the major metabolite.

Excretion

After an oral or intravenous dose, about 25 to 40% of naloxone is excreted as metabolites in urine within 6 hours, about 50% in 24 hours, and 60 to 70% in 72 hours.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

Studies in animals to assess the carcinogenic potential of naloxone have not been conducted.

Mutagenesis

Naloxone was weakly positive in the Ames mutagenicity and in the in vitro human lymphocyte chromosome aberration test but was negative in the in vitro Chinese hamster V79 cell HGPRT mutagenicity assay and in the in vivo rat bone marrow chromosome aberration study.

Impairment of Fertility

Reproduction studies conducted in mice and rats at doses 3-times and 6-times, respectively, a human dose of 16 mg/day (from two nasal sprays of KLOXXADO) based on body surface area comparison, demonstrated no adverse effects on fertility of naloxone hydrochloride.