Validerm

Uses

Calcitriol is used for the correction of the abnormalities of Calcium and Phosphate metabolism in patients with renal osteodystrophy.

Calcitriol is also used for the treatment of established post-menopausal osteoporosis, hypoparathyroidism, idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, vitamin D dependent rickets.

Fluticasone propionate is a glucocorticoid used to treat asthma, inflammatory pruritic dermatoses, and nonallergic rhinitis.

Fluticasone propionate is indicated as an inhaler for the treatment and management of asthma by prophylaxisas well as inflammatory and pruritic dermatoses. Fluticasone propionate nasal spray is indicated for managing allergic and nonallergic rhinitis.

Tacrolimus ointment is used for short-term and intermittent long-term therapy in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in whom the use of alternative, conventional therapies are deemed inadvisable because of potential risks, or in the treatment of patients who are not adequately responsive to or are intolerant of alternative, conventional therapies. Tacrolimus Ointment is also used for other skin conditions such as chronic cutaneous graft-vs-host disease, hand and foot eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus, facial lichen, vulvar lichen sclerosus, pyoderma gangrenosum, leg ulcers in rheumatoid arthritis, steroid-induced rosacea & alopecia areata, annular erythema, chronic actinic dermatitis and recalcitrant facial erythema.

Tacrolimus is a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant used for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in kidney transplant patients in combination with other immunosuppressants

Validerm is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Hypocalcemia, Osteodystrophy, Psoriasis Vulgaris (Plaque Psoriasis), Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), Vitamin D Resistant RicketsAllergic Rhinitis (AR), Allergy to Mold, Allergy; Dander, Asthma, Bacterial Sinusitis, Chronic Bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Sinusitis, Dermatitis, Emphysema, House Dust Mite Allergy, House dust allergy, Itching of the nose, Nasal Congestion, Nonallergic Rhinitis, Oesophagitis, Eosinophilic, Perennial Rhinitis, Pollen Allergy, Rhinitis, Rhinorrhoea, Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, Sneezing, Moderate, severe Perennial Allergic Rhinitis (PAR), Moderate, severe Seasonal Allergic RhinitisGraft Versus Host Disease (GVHD), Heart Transplant Rejection, Kidney Transplant Rejection, Liver Transplant Rejection, Oral Lichen Planus, Psoriasis, Pyoderma Gangrenosum, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Severe Atopic Dermatitis, Vitiligo, Moderate Atopic dermatitis, Refractory Atopic dermatitis, Refractory Rheumatoid arthritis, Severe Rheumatoid arthritis

How Validerm works

The mechanism of action of calcitriol in the treatment of psoriasis is accounted for by their antiproliferative activity for keratinocytes and their stimulation of epidermal cell differentiation. The anticarcinogenic activity of the active form of Calcitriol appears to be correlated with cellular vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels. Vitamin D receptors belong to the superfamily of steroid-hormone zinc-finger receptors. VDRs selectively bind 1,25-(OH)₂-D3 and retinoic acid X receptor (RXR) to form a heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA sequences known as vitamin D-responsive elements. VDRs are ligand-activated transcription factors. The receptors activate or repress the transcription of target genes upon binding their respective ligands. It is thought that the anticarcinogenic effect of Calcitriol is mediated via VDRs in cancer cells. The immunomodulatory activity of calcitriol is thought to be mediated by vitamin D receptors (VDRs) which are expressed constitutively in monocytes but induced upon activation of T and B lymphocytes. 1,25-(OH)₂-D3 has also been found to enhance the activity of some vitamin D-receptor positive immune cells and to enhance the sensitivity of certain target cells to various cytokines secreted by immune cells.

A study suggests that calcitriol plays an immunoregulatry role by suppressing the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression in human Th9, a pro-inflammatory CD4 T cell subset . This suppression subsequently leads to repressed expression of BATF, a transcription factor essential for Th9 . Calcitriol has also been found to induce monocyte differentiation and to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and production of cytokines, including interleukin IL-1 and IL-2, as well as to suppress immunoglobulin secretion by B lymphocytes.

Fluticasone propionate works through an unknown mechanism to affect the action of various cell types and mediators of inflammation. Fluticasone propionate activates glucocorticoid receptors and inhibits lung eosinophilia in rats.

The mechanism of action of tacrolimus in atopic dermatitis is not known. While the following have been observed, the clinical significance of these observations in atopic dermatitis is not known. It has been demonstrated that tacrolimus inhibits T-lymphocyte activation by first binding to an intracellular protein, FKBP-12. A complex of tacrolimus-FKBP-12, calcium, calmodulin, and calcineurin is then formed and the phosphatase activity of calcineurin is inhibited. This prevents the dephosphorylation and translocation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NF-AT), a nuclear component thought to initiate gene transcription for the formation of lymphokines. Tacrolimus also inhibits the transcription for genes which encode IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, GM-CSF, and TNF-, all of which are involved in the early stages of T-cell activation. Additionally, tacrolimus has been shown to inhibit the release of pre-formed mediators from skin mast cells and basophils, and to downregulate the expression of FceRI on Langerhans cells.

Dosage

Validerm dosage

Injection

The recommended intravenous initial dose of Calcitriol injection, depending on the severity of the hypocalcemia and/or secondary hyperparathyroidism, is 1 mcg (0.02 mcg/kg) to 2 mcg administered three times weekly, approximately every other day. Doses as small as 0.5 mcg and as large as 4 mcg three times weekly have been used as an initial dose. If a satisfactory response is not observed, the dose may be increased by 0.5 to 1 mcg at two to four week intervals.

Capsule

Adult

Renal osteodystrophy: The initial daily dose is 0.25 mcg of Calcitriol. In patients with normal or only slighty reduced Calcium level, doses of 0.25 mcg every other day are sufficient. If no satisfactory response in the biochemical parameters and clinical manifestations of the disease is observed within 2-4 weeks, the daily dosage may be increased by 0.25 mcg at 2-4 week intervals.

Post-menopausal osteoporosis: The recommended dose of Calcitriol is 0.25 mcg twice daily.

Serum calcium and creatinin levels should be determined at 1-3 and 6 months and at 6 monthly intervals thereafter.

Hypoparathyroidism & Rickets: The recommended initial dose of Calcitriol is 0.25 mcg per day in the morning. In patients with renal osteodystrophy or hypoparathyroidism and rickets if within 2-4 weeks no satisfactory response is observed by usual dose then dose may be increased at two to four week intervals.

Elderly patients

No specific dosage modifications are required in elderly patents.

Children

Dosage in children has not been established.

Apply a thin layer of Tacrolimus ointment onto the affected skin areas twice daily and rub in gently and completely. Treatment should be continued for one week after clearing of signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis. The safety of Tacrolimus ointment under occlusion which may promote systemic exposure has not been evaluated. Tacrolimus ointment should not be used with occlusive dressings.

Usual Adult Dose for Organ Transplant- Rejection Prophylaxis

KIDNEY TRANSPLANT:

• In combination with azathioprine: Initial dose: 0.1 mg/kg orally every 12 hours. Initiate within 24 hours of surgery, but delay until renal function has recovered.
• In combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)/interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor antagonist: Initial dose: 0.05 mg/kg orally every 12 hours. Initiate within 24 hours of surgery, but delay until renal function has recovered.

LIVER TRANSPLANT:

• Initial dose: 0.05 to 0.075 mg/kg orally every 12 hours. Initiate no sooner than 6 hours after surgery.

HEART TRANSPLANT:

• Initial dose: 0.0375 mg/kg orally every 12 hours. Initiate no sooner than 6 hours after surgery

Usual Pediatric Dose for Organ Transplant- Rejection Reversal

LIVER TRANSPLANT:

• Initial dose: 0.075 to 0.1 mg/kg orally every 12 hours

Tacrolimus ointment should be applied as a thin layer to affected or commonly affected areas of the skin. Tacrolimus ointment may be used on any part of the body, including face, neck and flexure areas, except on mucous membranes. Tacrolimus ointment should not be applied under occlusion because this method of administration has not been studied in patients.

Side Effects

Since Calcitriol exerts vitamin D activity, adverse effects may occur which are similar to those found when an excessive dose of vitamin D is taken, i.e. hypercalcaemia syndrome or calcium intoxication (depending on the severity and duration of hypercalcaemia). Occasional acute symptoms include anorexia, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or stomach ache and constipation.

Transient burning or heat sensation at the site of application is frequently observed. It tends to decrease after repeated applications. Other side-effects include skin erythema, flu-like symptoms, headache and skin infection. It does not cause skin atrophy despite prolonged application.

Toxicity

LD₅₀ (oral, rat) = 620 μg/kg; LD₅₀ (intraperitoneal, rat) > 5 mg/kg .

Symptoms of calcitriol toxicity mirrors the early and late signs and symptoms of vitamin D intoxication associated with hypercalcemia . Early signs include weakness, headache, somnolence, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, muscle pain, bone pain and metallic taste. Late signs are characterized by polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia, weight loss, nocturia, conjunctivitis (calcific), pancreatitis, photophobia, rhinorrhea, pruritus, hyperthermia, decreased libido, elevated BUN, albuminuria, hypercholesterolemia, elevated SGOT and SGPT, ectopic calcification, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias and, rarely, overt psychosis .

Fluticasone propionate's use in specific populations has not been well studied. Fluticasone propionate is not carcinogenic, mutagenic, or clastogenic, nor did it affect fertility in animal studies. Subcutaneous fluticasone propionate has been shown to produce teratogenic effects in rats though oral administration does not. Generally, there are no reported adverse effects with fluticasone in pregnancy. Fluticasone propionate in human milk may cause growth suppression, effects on endogenous corticosteroid production, or other effects. Pediatric patients treated with fluticasone propionate ointment experienced adrenal suppression. Geriatric patients treated with fluticasone propionate did not show any difference in safety or efficacy compared to other patient groups, though older patients may be more sensitive to adverse effects. There is no difference in the clearance of fluticasone propionate across genders or race. Patients with hepatic impairment should be closely monitored due to the elimination mechanism.

Side effects can be severe and include blurred vision, liver and kidney problems (it is nephrotoxic), seizures, tremors, hypertension, hypomagnesemia, diabetes mellitus, hyperkalemia, itching, insomnia, confusion. LD₅₀=134-194 mg/kg (rat).

Precaution

Immobilised patients, e.g. those who have undergone surgery, are particularly exposed to the risk of hypercalcaemia. Patients with normal renal function who are taking Calcitriol should avoid dehydration. Adequate fluid intake should be maintained.

Cautions should be exercised while treatment with Tacrolimus ointment in patients with atopic dermatitis predisposed to superficial skin infections. The safety of Tacrolimus ointment has not been established in patients with generalized erythroderma.

Interaction

Concomitant treatment with a thiazide diuretic increases the risk of hypercalcaemia. Calcitriol dosage must be determined with care in patients undergoing treatment with digitalis, as hypercalcaemia in such patients may precipitate cardiac arrhythmias. Administration of enzyme inducers such as phenytoin or phenobarbital may lead to increased metabolism and hence reduced serum concentrations of Calcitriol. Therefore higher doses of Calcitriol may be necessary if these drugs are administered simultaneously. Colestyramine can reduce intestinal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and therefore may impair intestinal absorption of Calcitriol.

Formal topical drug interaction studies with Tacrolimus ointment have not been conducted. The concomitant administration of known CYP3A4 inhibitors in patients with widespread and/or erythrodermic disease should be done with caution. Some examples of such drugs are erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, calcium channel blockers and cimetidine.

Since Tacrolimus is metabolized mainly by CYP3A enzymes, drugs or substances known to inhibit these enzymes may increase Tacrolimus whole blood concentrations. Drugs known to induce CYP3A enzymes may decrease Tacrolimus whole blood concentrations. Dose adjustments may be needed along with frequent monitoring of Tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations when Tacrolimus is administered with CYP3A inhibitors or inducers. In addition, patients should be monitored for adverse reactions including changes in renal function and QT prolongation

Volume of Distribution

Upon intravenous administration, the volume of distribution of calcitriol was 0.49±0.14 L/kg in healthy male volunteers and 0.27±0.06 l/kg in uraemic male patients participating in a pharmacokinetic study . There is some evidence that calcitriol is transferred into human milk at low levels (ie, 2.2±0.1 pg/mL) in mothers . Calcitriol from maternal circulation may also enter the fetal circulation .

The volume of distribution of intravenous fluticasone propionate is 4.2L/kg. A study of 24 healthy Caucasian males showed a volume of distribution at steady state of 577L following intravenous administration.

• 2.6 ± 2.1 L/kg [pediatric liver transplant patients]
• 1.07 ± 0.20 L/kg [patients with renal impairment, 0.02 mg/kg/4 hr dose, IV]
• 3.1 ± 1.6 L/kg [Mild Hepatic Impairment, 0.02 mg/kg/4 hr dose, IV]
• 3.7 ± 4.7 L/kg [Mild Hepatic Impairment, 7.7 mg dose, PO]
• 3.9 ± 1.0 L/kg [Severe hepatic impairment, 0.02 mg/kg/4 hr dose, IV]
• 3.1 ± 3.4 L/kg [Severe hepatic impairment, 8 mg dose, PO]

Elimination Route

Upon administration, calcitriol is rapidly absorbed from the intestines. When a single oral dose of 0.5 mcg of calcitriol was administered, the mean serum concentrations of calcitriol rose from a baseline value of 40.0±4.4 (SD) pg/mL to 60.0±4.4 pg/mL at 2 hours, and declined to 53.0±6.9 at 4 hours, 50±7.0 at 8 hours, 44±4.6 at 12 hours and 41.5±5.1 at 24 hours . Following administration of single doses of 0.25 to 1.0 mcg of calcitriol, the peak plasma concentrations were reached within 3 to 6 hours . In a pharmacokinetic study, the oral bioavailability was 70.6±5.8% in healthy male volunteers and 72.2±4.8% in male patients with uraemia .

Intranasal bioavailability of fluticasone propionate is 10. Intranasal exposure results in the majority of the dose being swallowed. Topical absorption of fluticasone propionate is very low but can change depending on a number of factors including integrity of the skin and the presence of inflammation or disease. A study of 24 healthy Caucasian males showed an inhaled bioavailability of 9.0%.

Absorption of tacrolimus from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration is incomplete and variable. The absolute bioavailability in adult kidney transplant patients is 17±10%; in adults liver transplant patients is 22±6%; in healthy subjects is 18±5%. The absolute bioavailability in pediatric liver transplant patients was 31±24%. Tacrolimus maximum blood concentrations (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) appeared to increase in a dose-proportional fashion in 18 fasted healthy volunteers receiving a single oral dose of 3, 7, and 10 mg. When given without food, the rate and extent of absorption were the greatest. The time of the meal also affected bioavailability. When given immediately after a meal, mean Cmax was reduced 71%, and mean AUC was reduced 39%, relative to the fasted condition. When administered 1.5 hours following the meal, mean Cmax was reduced 63%, and mean AUC was reduced 39%, relative to the fasted condition.

Half Life

After administration of single oral doses, the elimination half life was 5-8 hours .

7.8 hours for intravenous fluticasone propionate. A study of 24 healthy Caucasian males shows a half life of 14.0 hours following intravenous administration and 10.8 hours following inhalation.

The elimination half life in adult healthy volunteers, kidney transplant patients, liver transplants patients, and heart transplant patients are approximately 35, 19, 12, 24 hours, respectively. The elimination half life in pediatric liver transplant patients was 11.5±3.8 hours, in pediatric kidney transplant patients was 10.2±5.0 (range 3.4-25) hours.

Clearance

The metabolic clearance rate was 23.5±4.34 ml/min in healthy male volunteers and 10.1±1.35 ml/min in male patients with uraemia . In the pediatric patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis receiving dose of 10.2 ng/kg (SD 5.5 ng/kg) for 2 months, the clearance rate was 15.3 mL/hr/kg .

1093mL/min for fluticasone propionate. A study of 24 healthy Caucasian males showed a clearance of 63.9L/h following intravenous administration.

• 0.040 L/hr/kg [healthy subjects, IV]
• 0.172 ± 0.088 L/hr/kg [healthy subjects, oral]
• 0.083 L/hr/kg [adult kidney transplant patients, IV]
• 0.053 L/hr/kg [adult liver transplant patients, IV]
• 0.051 L/hr/kg [adult heart transplant patients, IV]
  
• 0.138 ± 0.071 L/hr/kg [pediatric liver transplant patients]
• 0.12 ± 0.04 (range 0.06-0.17) L/hr/kg [pediatric kidney transplant patients]
• 0.038 ± 0.014 L/hr/kg [patients with renal impairment, 0.02 mg/kg/4 hr dose, IV]
• 0.042 ± 0.02 L/hr/kg [Mild Hepatic Impairment, 0.02 mg/kg/4 hr dose, IV]
• 0.034 ± 0.019 L/hr/kg [Mild Hepatic Impairment, 7.7 mg dose, PO]
• 0.017 ± 0.013 L/hr/kg [Severe hepatic impairment, 0.02 mg/kg/4 hr dose, IV]
• 0.016 ± 0.011 L/hr/kg [Severe hepatic impairment, 8 mg dose, PO]

Elimination Route

In normal subjects, approximately 27% and 7% of the radioactivity appeared in the feces and urine, respectively, within 24 hours . Calcitriol undergoes enterohepatic recycling and biliary excretion. The metabolites of calcitriol are excreted primarily in feces. Cumulative excretion of radioactivity on the sixth day following intravenous administration of radiolabeled calcitriol averaged 16% in urine and 49% in feces .

Fluticasone propionate is mainly eliminated in the feces with 10,5.

In man, less than 1% of the dose administered is excreted unchanged in urine. When administered IV, fecal elimination accounted for 92.6±30.7%, urinary elimination accounted for 2.3±1.1%.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy category C. Calcitriol has been found to be teratogenic in rabbits. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Calcitriol should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of topically administered Tacrolimus in pregnant women. The experience with Tacrolimus ointment when used by pregnant women is too limited to permit assessment of the safety of its use during pregnancy.

Nursing Mothers: Although systemic absorption of Tacrolimus following topical applications of Tacrolimus ointment is minimal relative to systemic administration, it is known that Tacrolimus is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Tacrolimus, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Contraindication

Calcitriol is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients. Calcitriol is also contraindicated in all diseases associated with hypercalcemia.

Tacrolimus ointment is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to Tacrolimus or any other component of the preparation.

Tacrolimus capsules are contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to Tacrolimus. Tacrolimus injection is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to HCO-60 (polyoxyl 60 hydrogenated castor oil). Hypersensitivity symptoms reported include dyspnea, rash, pruritus, and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Special Warning

Elderly patients: No specific dosage modifications are required in elderly patients.

Pediatric Use: The safety and efficacy of Tacrolimus in pediatric kidney and heart transplant patients have not been established. Successful liver transplants have been performed in pediatric patients (ages up to 16 years) using Tacrolimus. Two randomized active-controlled trials of Tacrolimus in primary liver transplantation included 56 pediatric patients. Thirty-one patients were randomized to Tacrolimus-based and 25 to cyclosporine-based therapies. Additionally, a minimum of 122 pediatric patients were studied in an uncontrolled trial of Tacrolimus in living related donor liver transplantation. Pediatric patients generally required higher doses of Tacrolimus to maintain blood trough concentrations of Tacrolimus similar to adult patients.

Geriatric Use: Clinical trials of Tacrolimus 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.

Use in Renal Impairment: The pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus in patients with renal impairment was similar to that in healthy volunteers with normal renal function. However, consideration should be given to dosing Tacrolimus at the lower end of the therapeutic dosing range in patients who have received a liver or heart transplant and have pre-existing renal impairment. Further reductions in dose below the targeted range may be required

Use in Hepatic Impairment: The mean clearance of Tacrolimus was substantially lower in patients with severe hepatic impairment (mean Child-Pugh score: >10) compared to healthy volunteers with normal hepatic function. Close monitoring of Tacrolimus trough concentrations is warranted in patients with hepatic impairment.

The use of Tacrolimus in liver transplant recipients experiencing post-transplant hepatic impairment may be associated with increased risk of developing renal insufficiency related to high whole-blood trough concentrations of Tacrolimus. These patients should be monitored closely and dosage adjustments should be considered. Some evidence suggests that lower doses should be used in these patients

Acute Overdose

Administration of Calcitriol to patients in excess of their daily requirements can cause hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria and hyperphospatemia. Since Calcitriol is a derivative of vitamin D, the signs and symptoms of overdose are the same as for an overdose of vitamin D.

Tacrolimus ointment is not for oral use. Accidental oral ingestion of Tacrolimus ointment may lead to adverse effects associated with systemic administration of Tacrolimus. If oral ingestion occurs, medical advice should be sought.

Limited overdosage experience is available. Acute overdosages of up to 30 times the intended dose have been reported. Almost all cases have been asymptomatic and all patients recovered with no sequelae. Acute overdosage was sometimes followed by adverse reactions (including tremors, abnormal renal function, hypertension, and peripheral edema); in one case of acute overdosage, transient urticaria and lethargy were observed. Based on the poor aqueous solubility and extensive erythrocyte and plasma protein binding, it is anticipated that Tacrolimus is not dialyzable to any significant extent; there is no experience with charcoal hemoperfusion. The oral use of activated charcoal has been reported in treating acute overdoses, but experience has not been sufficient to warrant recommending its use. General supportive measures and treatment of specific symptoms should be followed in all cases of overdosage.

In acute oral and IV toxicity studies, mortalities were seen at or above the following doses: in adult rats, 52 times the recommended human oral dose; in immature rats, 16 times the recommended oral dose; and in adult rats, 16 times the recommended human IV dose (all based on body surface area corrections).

Storage Condition

Store between 15-30° C. Protect from moisture, heat and light. Do not freeze.

Store in a cool & dry place, protected from light.

Innovators Monograph

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