Budesonide Inhalation

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Budesonide inhalation suspension is an inhaled corticosteroid indicated for: Maintenance treatment of asthma and as prophylactic therapy in children 12 months to 8 years of age. ( 1.1 ) Limitations of Use: Not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm. ( 1.1 ) 1.1 Maintenance Treatment of Asthma Budesonide inhalation suspension is indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma and as prophylactic therapy in children 12 months to 8 years of age. Limitations of Use: Budesonide inhalation suspension is NOT indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended starting dose and highest recommended dose of budesonide inhalation suspension, based on prior asthma therapy, are listed in the following table. Previous Therapy Recommended Starting Dose Highest Recommended Dose Bronchodilators alone 0.5 mg total daily dose administered either once daily or twice daily in divided doses 0.5 mg total daily dose Inhaled Corticosteroids 0.5 mg total daily dose administered either once daily or twice daily in divided doses 1 mg total daily dose Oral Corticosteroids 1 mg total daily dose administered either as 0.5 mg twice daily 1 mg total daily dose Recommended dosing based on previous therapy (). Start with the lowest recommended dose: • Bronchodilators alone: 0.5 mg once daily or 0.25 mg twice daily • Inhaled corticosteroids: 0.5 mg once daily or 0.25 mg twice daily up to 0.5 mg twice daily • Oral corticosteroids: 0.5 mg twice daily • In symptomatic children not responding to non-steroidal therapy, a starting dose of 0.25 mg once daily may be considered • If once-daily treatment does not provide adequate control, the total daily dose should be increased and/or administered as a divided dose. Once asthma stability is achieved, titrate the dose downwards • For inhalation use via compressed air driven jet nebulizers only (not for use with ultrasonic devices). Not for injection. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Dosing Recommendations Dosing recommendations based on previous therapy are as follows: • Bronchodilators alone: 0.5 mg once daily or 0.25 mg twice daily • Inhaled corticosteroids: 0.5 mg once daily or 0.25 mg twice daily up to 0.5 mg twice daily • Oral corticosteroids: 0.5 mg twice daily In symptomatic children not responding to non-steroidal therapy, a starting dose of 0.25 mg once daily may be considered. If once-daily treatment does not provide adequate control, the total daily dose should be increased and/or administered as a divided dose. In all patients, it is desirable to downward-titrate to the lowest effective dose once asthma stability is achieved. 2.2 Directions for Use Budesonide inhalation suspension should be administered via jet nebulizer connected to an air compressor with an adequate air flow, equipped with a mouthpiece or suitable face mask. Ultrasonic nebulizers are not suitable for the adequate administration of budesonide inhalation suspension and, therefore, are NOT recommended. The effects of mixing budesonide inhalation suspension with other nebulizable medications have not been adequately assessed. Budesonide inhalation suspension should be administered separately in the nebulizer [see Patient Counseling Information ( 17.1 )]. A Pari-LC-Jet Plus Nebulizer (with face mask or mouthpiece) connected to a Pari Master compressor was used to deliver budesonide inhalation suspension to each patient in 3 U.S. controlled clinical studies. The safety and efficacy of budesonide inhalation suspension delivered by other nebulizers and compressors have not been established.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Budesonide inhalation suspension is available in two strengths, each containing 2 mL: 0.25 mg/2 mL and 0.5 mg/2 mL. Budesonide inhalation suspension is supplied in sealed aluminum foil envelopes containing one plastic strip of five single-dose ampules together with patient instructions for use. There are 30 ampules in a carton. Each single-dose ampule contains 2 mL of sterile liquid suspension. Inhalation suspension: 0.25 mg/2 mL and 0.5 mg/2 mL. ( 3 )

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS The use of budesonide inhalation suspension is contraindicated in the following conditions: • Primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute episodes of asthma where intensive measures are required. • Hypersensitivity to budesonide or any of the ingredients of budesonide inhalation suspension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Description ( 11 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. • Primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute episodes of asthma where intensive measures are required ( 4 ) • Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in budesonide inhalation suspension ( 4 )

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Systemic and inhaled corticosteroid use may result in the following: Candida albicans I nfection [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Immunosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Hypercorticism and Adrenal Suppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Reduction in Bone Mineral Density [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Growth Effects in Pediatric Patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] Glaucoma, Increased Intraocular Pressure and Cataracts [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Eosinophilic Conditions and Churg-Strauss Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 3%) are respiratory infection, rhinitis, coughing, otitis media, viral infection, moniliasis, gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, ear infection, epistaxis, conjunctivitis, rash. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-835-5472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The incidence of common adverse reactions is based on three double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized U.S. clinical trials in which 945 patients, 12 months to 8 years of age, (98 patients ≥ 12 months and < 2 years of age; 225 patients ≥ 2 and < 4 years of age; and 622 patients ≥ 4 and ≤ 8 years of age) were treated with budesonide inhalation suspension (0.25 mg to 1 mg total daily dose for 12 weeks) or vehicle placebo. The incidence and nature of adverse events reported for budesonide inhalation suspension was comparable to that reported for placebo. The following table shows the incidence of adverse events in U.S. controlled clinical trials, regardless of relationship to treatment, in patients previously receiving bronchodilators and/or inhaled corticosteroids. This population included a total of 605 male and 340 female patients and 78.4% were Caucasian, 13.8% African American, 5.5% Hispanic and 2.3% Other. Table 1: Adverse Reactions occurring at an incidence of ≥ 3% in at least one active treatment group where the incidence was higher with budesonide inhalation suspension than placebo Adverse Events Vehicle Placebo Budesonide Inhalation Suspension Total Daily Dose (n=227) % 0.25 mg (n=178) % 0.5 mg (n=223) % 1 mg (n=317) % Respiratory System Disorder Respiratory Infection 36 34 35 38 Rhinitis 9 7 11 12 Coughing 5 5 9 8 Resistance Mechanism Disorders Otitis Media 11 12 11 9 Viral Infection 3 4 5 3 Moniliasis 2 4 3 4 Gastrointestinal System Disorders Gastroenteritis 4 5 5 5 Vomiting 3 2 4 4 Diarrhea 2 4 4 2 Abdominal Pain 2 3 2 3 Hearing and Vestibular Disorders Ear Infection 4 2 4 5 Platelet, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Epistaxis 1 2 4 3 Vision Disorders Conjunctivitis 2 < 1 4 2 Skin and Appendages Disorders Rash 3 < 1 4 2 The information below includes all adverse reactions by system organ class with an incidence of 1 to < 3%, in at least one budesonide inhalation suspension treatment group where the incidence was higher with budesonide inhalation suspension than with placebo, regardless of relationship to treatment. Blood and lymphatic system disorders: cervical lymphadenopathy Ear and labyrinth disorders: earache General disorders and administration site conditions: fatigue, flu-like disorder Immune system disorders: allergic reaction Infections and infestations: eye infection, herpes simplex, external ear infection, infection Injury, poisoning and procedural complication: fracture Metabolism and nutrition disorders: anorexia Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: myalgia Nervous system disorders: hype …

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Strong Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir): Use with caution. May cause increased systemic corticosteroid effects. ( 5.12 , 7.1 ) 7.1 Inhibitors of Cytochrome P450 3A4 The main route of metabolism of corticosteroids, including budesonide, is via cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4). After oral administration of ketoconazole, a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4, the mean plasma concentration of orally administered budesonide increased. Concomitant administration of a CYP3A4 inhibitor may inhibit the metabolism of, and increase the systemic exposure to, budesonide. Caution should be exercised when considering the co-administration of budesonide inhalation suspension with long-term ketoconazole and other known strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate well-controlled studies of budesonide inhalation suspension in pregnant women. However, there are published studies on the use of budesonide, the active ingredient in budesonide inhalation suspension, in pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, budesonide, administered by the subcutaneous route, caused structural abnormalities, was embryocidal, and reduced fetal weights in rats and rabbits at less than the maximum recommended human daily inhalation dose (MRHDID), but these effects were not seen in rats that received inhaled doses approximately 2 times the MRHDID ( see Data ). Studies of pregnant women have not shown that inhaled budesonide increases the risk of abnormalities when administered during pregnancy. Experience with oral corticosteroids suggests that rodents are more prone to structural abnormalities from corticosteroid exposure than humans. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage of the indicated populations is unknown. 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 Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal risk In women with poorly or moderately controlled asthma, there is an increased risk of several perinatal adverse outcomes such as preeclampsia in the mother and prematurity, low birth weight, and small for gestational age in the neonate. Pregnant women with asthma should be closely monitored and medication adjusted as necessary to maintain optimal asthma control. Labor or Delivery There are no well-controlled human studies that have investigated the effects of budesonide inhalation suspension during labor and delivery. Data Human Data Studies of pregnant women have not shown that inhaled budesonide increases the risk of abnormalities when administered during pregnancy. The results from a large population-based prospective cohort epidemiological study reviewing data from three Swedish registries covering approximately 99% of the pregnancies from 1995-1997 (i.e. Swedish Medical Birth Registry; Registry of Congenital Malformations; Child Cardiology Registry) indicate no increased risk for congenital malformations from the use of inhaled budesonide during early pregnancy. Congenital malformations were studied in 2014 infants born to mothers reporting the use of inhaled budesonide for asthma in early pregnancy (usually 10 to 12 weeks after the last menstrual period), the period when most major organ malformations occur. The rate of recorded congenital malformations was similar compared to the general population rate (3.8% vs. 3.5%, respectively). In addition, after exposure to inhaled budesonide, the number of infants born with orofacial clefts was similar to the expected number in the normal population (4 children vs. 3.3, respectively). These same data were utilized in a second study bringing the total to 2534 infants whose mothers were exposed to inhaled budesonide. In this study, the rate of congenital malformations among infants whose mothers were exposed to inhaled budesonide during early pregnancy was not different from the rate for all newborn babies during the same period (3.6%). Animal Data In a fertility and reproduction study, male rats were subcutaneously dosed for 9 weeks and females for 2 weeks prior to pairing and throughout the mating period. Females were dosed up until weaning of their offspring. Budesonide caused a decrease in prenatal viability and viability in the pups at birth and during lactation, along with a decrease in maternal body-weight gain, at doses 0.2 times the MRHDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis at maternal subcutaneous doses of 20 mcg/kg/day and above). No such effects were noted at a dose 0.05 times the MRHDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis at a maternal subcutaneous dose of 5 mcg/kg/day). In an embryo-fetal development study i …

12.1 Mechanism of Action Budesonide is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid that exhibits potent glucocorticoid activity and weak mineralocorticoid activity. In standard in vitro and animal models, budesonide has approximately a 200-fold higher affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor and a 1000-fold higher topical anti-inflammatory potency than cortisol (rat croton oil ear edema assay). As a measure of systemic activity, budesonide is 40 times more potent than cortisol when administered subcutaneously and 25 times more potent when administered orally in the rat thymus involution assay. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown. The activity of budesonide inhalation suspension is due to the parent drug, budesonide. In glucocorticoid receptor affinity studies, the 22R form was two times as active as the 22S epimer. In vitro studies indicated that the two forms of budesonide do not interconvert. The precise mechanism of corticosteroid actions on inflammation in asthma is not well known. Inflammation is an important component in the pathogenesis of asthma. Corticosteroids have been shown to have a wide range of inhibitory activities against multiple cell types (e.g., mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes) and mediators (e.g., histamine, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, and cytokines) involved in allergic- and non-allergic-mediated inflammation. The anti-inflammatory actions of corticosteroids may contribute to their efficacy in asthma. Studies in asthmatic patients have shown a favorable ratio between topical anti-inflammatory activities and systemic corticosteroid effects over a wide dose range of inhaled budesonide in a variety of formulations and delivery systems including an inhalation-driven, multi-dose dry powder inhaler and the inhalation suspension for nebulization. This is explained by a combination of a relatively high local anti-inflammatory effect, extensive first pass hepatic degradation of orally absorbed drug (85% to 95%) and the low potency of metabolites (see below).

11 DESCRIPTION Budesonide, the active component of budesonide inhalation suspension, is a corticosteroid designated chemically as (RS)-11β, 16α, 17, 21-tetrahydroxypregna-1, 4-diene-3, 20-dione cyclic 16, 17-acetal with butyraldehyde. Budesonide is provided as a mixture of two epimers (22R and 22S). The empirical formula of budesonide is C 25 H 34 O 6 and its molecular weight is 430.5. Its structural formula is: Budesonide is a white to off-white, tasteless, odorless powder that is practically insoluble in water and in heptane, sparingly soluble in ethanol, and freely soluble in chloroform. Its partition coefficient between octanol and water at pH 7.4 is 1.6 x 10 3 . Budesonide inhalation suspension is a sterile suspension for inhalation via jet nebulizer and contains the active ingredient budesonide (micronized), and the inactive ingredients sodium chloride, disodium edetate, polysorbate 80, citric acid, tri sodium citrate, and water for injection. Two dose strengths are available in single-dose ampules: 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg per 2 mL ampule. For budesonide inhalation suspension, like all other nebulized treatments, the amount delivered to the lungs will depend on patient factors, the jet nebulizer utilized, and compressor performance. Using the Pari-LC-Jet Plus Nebulizer/Pari Master compressor system, under in vitro conditions, the mean delivered dose at the mouthpiece (% nominal dose) was approximately 17% at a mean flow rate of 5.5 L/min. The mean nebulization time was 5 minutes or less. Budesonide inhalation suspension should be administered from jet nebulizers at adequate flow rates, via face masks or mouthpieces [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 )] . Chemical Structure Formula of Budesonide

10 OVERDOSAGE The potential for acute toxic effects following overdose of budesonide inhalation suspension is low. If inhaled corticosteroids are used at excessive doses for prolonged periods, systemic corticosteroid effects such as hypercorticism or growth suppression may occur [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] .

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Budesonide inhalation suspension is supplied in sealed aluminum foil envelopes containing one single-dose ampule. There are 30 ampules in a carton. Each single-dose ampule contains 2 mL of white to off-white sterile liquid suspension. Budesonide inhalation suspension is available as a single strength, containing 0.5 mg/2 mL: Unit dose packages of 30 per carton/1 ampule per foil pouch NDC 60687-524-83 FOR YOUR PROTECTION: Do not use if ampule appears damaged. Budesonide inhalation suspension should be stored upright at controlled room temperature 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F) [see USP], and protected from light. When an envelope has been opened, the shelf life of the unused ampules is 2 weeks when protected. After opening the aluminum foil envelope, the unused ampules should be returned to the aluminum foil envelope to protect them from light. Any opened ampule must be used promptly. Gently shake the ampule using a circular motion before use. Keep out of reach of children. Do not freeze.