tafluprost

Clinical summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tafluprost ophthalmic solution is indicated for reducing elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Tafluprost ophthalmic solution is a prostaglandin analog indicated for reducing elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. ( 1 ) Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. ( 2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage is one drop in the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. 2.2 Administration Instructions Tafluprost ophthalmic solution should not be administered more than once daily since it has been shown that more frequent administration of prostaglandin analogs may lessen the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect. Reduction of the intraocular pressure starts approximately 2 to 4 hours after the first administration with the maximum effect reached after 12 hours. Tafluprost ophthalmic solution may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower IOP. If more than one topical ophthalmic product is being used, each one should be administered at least 5 minutes apart. The solution from one single-dose container is to be used immediately after opening for administration to one or both eyes. Since sterility cannot be maintained after the single-dose container is opened, discard the open single-dose container and the remaining contents immediately after administration. Warnings and cautions 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Pigmentation: Pigmentation of the iris, periorbital tissue (eyelid) and eyelashes can occur. Iris pigmentation is likely to be permanent. ( 5.1 ) Eyelash Changes: Gradual changes to eyelashes including increased length, thickness and number of lashes. Usually reversible. ( 5.2 ) 5.1 Pigmentation Tafluprost ophthalmic solution has been reported to cause changes to pigmented tissues. The most frequently reported changes have been increased pigmentation of the iris, periorbital tissue (eyelid) and eyelashes. Pigmentation is expected to increase as long as tafluprost is administered. The pigmentation change is due to increased melanin content in the melanocytes rather than to an increase in the number of melanocytes. After discontinuation of tafluprost, pigmentation of the iris is likely to be permanent, while pigmentation of the periorbital tissue and eyelash changes have been reported to be reversible in some patients. Patients who receive treatment should be informed of the possibility of increased pigmentation. The long term effects of increased pigmentation are not known. Iris color change may not be noticeable for several months to years. Typically, the brown pigmentation around the pupil spreads concentrically towards the periphery of the iris and the entire iris or parts of the iris become more brownish. Neither nevi nor freckles of the iris appear to be affected by treatment. While treatment with tafluprost ophthalmic solution can be continued in patients who develop noticeably increased iris pigmentation, these patients should be examined regularly. 5.2 Eyelash Changes Tafluprost may gradually change eyelashes and vellus hair in the treated eye. These changes include increased length, color, thickness, shape and number of lashes. Eyelash changes are usually reversible upon discontinuation of treatment. 5.3 Intraocular Inflammation Tafluprost should be used with caution in patients with active intraocular inflammation (e.g., iritis/uveitis) because the inflammation may be exacerbated. 5.4 Macular Edema Macular edema, including cystoid macular edema, has been reported during treatment with prostaglandin F2α analogs. Tafluprost should be used with caution in aphakic patients, in pseudophakic patients with a torn posterior lens capsule, or in patients with known risk factors for macular edema. 5.5 Contact Lens Use Contact lenses should be removed prior to the administration of tafluprost ophthalmic solution and may be reinserted 15 minutes after administration. Pregnancy 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of tafluprost administration in pregnant women to inform of drug-associated risks. In animal reproduction studies, intravenous administration of tafluprost to pregnant rabbits and rats throughout organogenesis resulted in embryofetal toxicities at exposures ≥5-times the human dose in rabbit and ≥2362-times the human dose in rat. (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. Data Animal Data In embryo-fetal development studies, intraven