Fentanyl Citrate

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Patients must require and use around-the-clock opioids when taking OTFC. ( 1 ) OTFC should be prescribed only by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about the use of opioids and how to mitigate the associated risks. ( 2.1 ) Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals. Reserve titration to higher doses of OTFC for patients in whom lower doses are insufficiently effective and in whom the expected benefits of using a higher dose opioid clearly outweigh the substantial risks. ( 2.1 , 5 ) Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient’s underlying cause and severity of pain, patient response, prior analgesic experience, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse. ( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially when initiating and following dosage increases with OTFC. Consider this risk when selecting an initial dose and when making dose adjustments. ( 2.1 , 5.2 ) Discuss opioid overdose reversal agents and options for acquiring them with the patient and/or caregiver both when initiating and renewing treatment with OTFC, especially if the patient has additional risk factors for overdose, or close contacts at risk for exposure and overdose. ( 2.2 , 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.4 ) Initial dose of OTFC: 200 mcg. Prescribe an initial supply of six 200 mcg OTFC units. ( 2.3 ) Individually titrate to a tolerable dose that provides adequate analgesia using single OTFC dosage unit per breakthrough cancer pain episode. ( 2.4 ) No more than two doses can be taken per breakthrough pain episode. ( 2.4 , 2.5 ) Wait at least 4 hours before treating another episode of breakthrough pain with OTFC. ( 2.4 , 2.5 ) Limit consumption to four or fewer units per day once successful dose is found. ( 2.5 ) Periodically reassess patients receiving OTFC to evaluate the continued need for opioid analgesics to maintain pain control, for the signs or symptoms of adverse reactions, and for the development of addiction, abuse, or misuse. ( 2.5 ) When opioid therapy is no longer required, consider discontinuing OTFC along with a gradual downward of other opioids to minimize possible withdrawal effects. ( 2.7 ) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions Healthcare professionals who prescribe Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate (OTFC) for outpatients must enroll in the TIRF REMS and comply with the requirements of the REMS to ensure safe use of OTFC [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] . Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 )]. Because the risk of overdose increases as opioid doses increase, reserve titration to higher doses of OTFC for patients in whom lower doses are insufficiently effective and in whom the expected benefits of using a higher dose opioid clearly outweigh the substantial risks. It is important to minimize the number of strengths available to patients at any time to prevent confusion and possible overdose. There is variability in the opioid analgesic dose and duration needed to adequately manage pain due both to the cause of pain and to individual patient factors. Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient's severity of pain, patient response, prior analgesic treatment experience, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially when initiating and following dosage increases with OTFC. Consider this risk when selecting an initial dose and when making dose adjustments [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 )]. Instruct patients and caregivers to take steps to store OTFC securely and to properly dispose of unused OTFC as soon as no longer needed [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.3 )]. Other TIRF formulations and OTFC are not equivalent. DO NOT substitute an OTFC prescription for any other TIRF formulation under any circumstances. Do not convert patients on a mcg per mcg basis from any other fentanyl product to OTFC [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . 2.2 Patient Access to an Opioid Overdose Reversal Agent for the Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose Inform patients and caregivers about opioid overdose reversal agents (e.g., naloxone, nalmefene). Discuss the importance of having access to an opioid overdose reversal agent, especially if the patient has risk factors for overdose (e.g., concomitant use of CNS depressants, a history of opioid use disorder, or prior opioid overdose) or if there are household members (including children) or other close contacts at risk for accidental ingestion or opioid overdose . The presence of risk factors for overdose should not prevent the management of pain in any patient [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.4 )]. Discuss the options for obtaining an opioid overdose reversal agent (e.g., prescription, over-the-counter, or as part of a community-based program) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . There are important differences among the opioid overdose reversal agents, such as route of administration, product strength, approved patient age range, and pharmacokinetics. Be familiar with these differences, as outlined in the approved labeling for those products, prior to recommending or prescribing such an agent. 2.3 Initial Dosage Individually titrate OTFC to a dose that provides adequate analgesia and minimizes side effects. The initial dose of OTFC to treat episodes of breakthrough cancer pain is always 200 mcg . The OTFC unit should be consumed over 15 minutes. Patients should be prescribed an initial titration supply of six 200 mcg OTFC units, thus limiting the number of units in the home during titration. Patients should use up all units before increasing to a higher dose to prevent confusion and possible overdose. Repeat Dosing In cases where the breakthrough pain episode is not relieved after 15 minutes after completion of the OTFC unit (30 minutes after the start of the unit), patients may take ONLY ONE additional dose using the same strength for that episode. Thus patients should take a maximum of two doses of OTFC for any episode of breakthrough pain. Patients MUST wait at least 4 hours before treating another episode of breakthrough pain with OTFC. 2.4 Dose Titration From an initial dose, closely follow patients and change the dosage strength until the patient reaches a dose that provides adequate analgesia using a single OTFC dosage unit per breakthrough cancer pain episode. If signs of excessive opioid effects appear before the unit is consumed, the dosage unit should be removed from the patient’s mouth immediately, disposed of properly, and subsequent doses should be decreased. Patients should record their use of OTFC over several episodes of breakthrough cancer pain and review their experience with their healthcare providers to determine if a dosage adjustment is warranted. In cases where the breakthrough pain episode is not relieved 15 minutes after completion of the OTFC unit (30 minutes after the start of the unit), patients may take ONLY ONE additional dose of the same strength for that episode. Thus, patients should take a maximum of two doses of OTFC for any breakthrough pain episode. Patients must wait at least 4 hours before treating another episode of breakthrough pain with OTFC. To reduce the risk of overdosing during titration, patients should have only one strength of OTFC available at any one time. titration-process 2.5 Maintenance Dosing Once titrated to an effective dose, patients should generally use ONLY ONE OTFC unit of the appropriate strength per breakthrough pain episode. On those occasions when the breakthrough pain episode is not relieved 15 minutes after completion of the OTFC unit, patient may take ONLY ONE additional dose using the same strength for that episode. Patients MUST wait at least 4 hours before treating another episode of breakthrough pain with OTFC. Once a successful dose has been found (i.e., an average episode is treated with a single unit), patients should limit consumption to four or fewer units per day. Dosage adjustment of OTFC may be required in some patients in order to continue to provide adequate relief of breakthrough pain. If after increasing the dosage, unacceptable opioid-related adverse reactions are observed (including an increase in pain after dosage increase), consider reducing the dosage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 )] . Adjust the dosage to obtain an appropriate balance between management of pain and opioid-related adverse reactions. Generally, the OTFC dose should be increased only when a single administration of the current dose fails to adequately treat the breakthrough pain episode for several consecutive episodes. If the patient experiences greater than four breakthrough pain episodes per day, the dose of the maintenance (around-the-clock) opioid used for persistent pain should be re-evaluated. 2.6 Administration of OTFC Open the blister package with scissors immediately prior to product use. The patient should place the OTFC unit in his or her mouth between the cheek and lower gum, occasionally moving the drug matrix from one side to the other using the handle. The OTFC unit should be sucked, not chewed. A unit dose of OTFC, if chewed and swallowed, might result in lower peak concentrations and lower bioavailability than when consumed as directed [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . The OTFC unit should be consumed over a 15-minute period. Longer or shorter consumption times may produce less efficacy than reported in OTFC clinical trials. If signs of excessive opioid effects appear before the unit is consumed, remove the drug matrix from the patient’s mouth immediately and decrease future doses. 2.7 Discontinuation of OTFC When opioid therapy is no longer required, consider discontinuing OTFC along with a gradual downward tapering (titration) of other opioids to minimize possible withdrawal effects. In patients who continue to take their chronic opioid therapy for persistent pain but no longer require treatment for breakthrough pain, OTFC therapy can usually be discontinued immediately [see Drug Abuse and Dependence ( 9.3 )]. 2.8 Disposal of OTFC After consumption of the unit is complete and the matrix is totally dissolved, throw away the handle in a trash container that is out of the reach of children. If any of the drug matrix remains on the handle, place the handle under hot running tap water until all of the drug matrix is dissolved, and then dispose of the handle in a place that is out of the reach of children. Dispose of handles in the child-resistant container (as described in steps 1 and 2) at least once a day. If the temporary storage bottle provided as part of the OTFC Child Safety Kit is available, partially consumed units may be stored in the specially provided child-resistant container out of the reach of children until proper disposal is possible. Unopened units remaining from a prescription must be properly disposed as soon as they are no longer needed. To dispose of the unused OTFC units: Remove the OTFC unit from its blister package using scissors, and hold OTFC by its handle over the toilet bowl. Using wire-cutting pliers cut off the drug matrix end so that it falls into the toilet. Dispose of the handle in a place that is out of the reach of children. Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 for each OTFC unit. Flush the toilet twice after 5 units have been cut and deposited into the toilet. Do not flush the entire OTFC units, OTFC handles, blister packages, or cartons down the toilet. Dispose of the handle where children cannot reach it. In the event that a caregiver requires additional assistance in disposing of excess unusable units that remain in the home after a patient has expired, instruct them to call the toll-free number for Teva Pharmaceuticals (1-888-483-8279) or seek assistance from their local DEA office.

See official label

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate (OTFC) is indicated for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients 16 years of age and older who are already receiving and who are tolerant to around-the-clock opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain.