Loading your page…

Antivirals

Imiquimod

Approved 15 Apr 2011TopicalCream

The FDA lists this product in 9 strengths and forms.

Indications

Imiquimod Cream USP, 5% is indicated for the topical treatment of: Clinically typical, nonhyperkeratotic, nonhypertrophic actinic keratoses (AK) on the face or scalp in immunocompetent adults ( 1.1 ). Biopsy-confirmed, primary superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) in immunocompetent adults; maximum tumor diameter of 2.0 cm on trunk, neck, or extremities (excluding hands and feet), only when surgical methods are medically less appropriate and patient follow-up can be reasonably assured ( 1.2 ).

External genital and perianal warts/condyloma acuminata in patients 12 years old or older ( 1.3 ). Limitations of Use: Efficacy was not demonstrated for molluscum contagiosum in children aged 2-12 ( 1.4 , 8.4 )

1.1Actinic Keratosis Imiquimod Cream USP,

5% is indicated for the topical treatment of clinically typical, nonhyperkeratotic, nonhypertrophic actinic keratoses on the face or scalp in immunocompetent adults.

1.2Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma Imiquimod

Cream is indicated for the topical treatment of biopsy-confirmed, primary superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) in immunocompetent adults, with a maximum tumor diameter of 2 cm, located on the trunk (excluding anogenital skin), neck, or extremities (excluding hands and feet), only when surgical methods are medically less appropriate and patient follow-up can be reasonably assured. The histological diagnosis of superficial basal cell carcinoma should be established prior to treatment, since safety and efficacy of imiquimod cream have not been established for other types of basal cell carcinomas, including nodular and morpheaform (fibrosing or sclerosing) types.

1.3External Genital Warts Imiquimod Cream USP,

5% is indicated for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts/condyloma acuminata in patients 12 years old or older.

1.4Limitations of Use Imiquimod Cream USP,

5% has been evaluated in children ages 2 to 12 years with molluscum contagiosum and these studies failed to demonstrate efficacy [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].

Two medicines in one question?

Name two or more medicines and Osler runs an interaction check. A severe interaction is stated at the very top of the answer.

Discover Osler

Warnings and precautions

Intense local inflammatory reactions can occur (e.g., skin weeping, erosion). Dosing interruption may be required ( 2 , 5.1 , 6 ). Severe local inflammatory reactions of the female external genitalia can lead to severe vulvar swelling. Severe vulvar swelling can lead to urinary retention; dosing should be interrupted or discontinued. Flu-like systemic signs and symptoms including malaise, fever, nausea, myalgias and rigors may occur.

Dosing interruption may be required ( 2 , 5.2 , 6 ). Avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear sunscreen daily ( 5.3 ). Safety and efficacy have not been established for repeat courses of treatment to the same area for AK ( 5.4 ). Imiquimod Cream is not recommended for treatment of BCC subtypes other than the superficial variant, i.e., sBCC( 5.5 ). Treatment of urethral, intra-vaginal, cervical, rectal or intra-anal viral disease is not recommended ( 5.6 ).

Safety and efficacy in immunosuppressed patients have not been established ( 1.5 ).

5.1Local Inflammatory Reactions

Intense local inflammatory reactions including skin weeping or erosion can occur after few applications of Imiquimod Cream and may require an interruption of dosing [see Dosage and Administration (2) and Adverse Reactions (6) ]. Imiquimod Cream has the potential to exacerbate inflammatory conditions of the skin, including chronic graft versus host disease. Severe local inflammatory reactions of the female external genitalia can lead to severe vulvar swelling.

Severe vulvar swelling can lead to urinary retention. Dosing should be interrupted or discontinued for severe vulvar swelling. Administration of Imiquimod Cream is not recommended until the skin is completely healed from any previous drug or surgical treatment.

5.2Systemic Reactions

Flu-like signs and symptoms may accompany, or even precede, local inflammatory reactions and may include malaise, fever, nausea, myalgias and rigors. An interruption of dosing should be considered [see Adverse Reactions (6) ].

5.3Ultraviolet Light Exposure Exposure

to sunlight (including sunlamps) should be avoided or minimized during use of Imiquimod Cream because of concern for heightened sunburn susceptibility. Patients should be warned to use protective clothing (e.g., a hat) when using Imiquimod Cream. Patients with sunburn should be advised not to use Imiquimod Cream until fully recovered. Patients who may have considerable sun exposure, e.g., due to their occupation, and those patients with inherent sensitivity to sunlight should exercise caution when using Imiquimod Cream.

Imiquimod Cream shortened the time to skin tumor formation in an animal photoco-carcinogenicity study [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] . The enhancement of ultraviolet carcinogenicity is not necessarily dependent on phototoxic mechanisms. Therefore, patients should minimize or avoid natural or artificial sunlight exposure.

5.4Unevaluated Uses: Actinic Keratosis Safety

and efficacy have not been established for Imiquimod Cream in the treatment of actinic keratosis with repeated use, i.e., more than one treatment course, in the same area. The safety of Imiquimod Cream applied to areas of skin greater than 25 2 cm (e.g., 5 cm X 5 cm) for the treatment of actinic keratosis has not been established [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].

5.5Unevaluated Uses: Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

The safety and efficacy of Imiquimod Cream have not been established for other types of basal cell carcinomas (BCC), including nodular and morpheaform (fibrosing or sclerosing) types. Imiquimod Cream is not recommended for treatment of BCC subtypes other than the superficial variant (i.e., sBCC) . Patients with sBCC treated with Imiquimod Cream should have regular followup of the treatment site [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ].

The safety and efficacy of treating sBCC lesions on the face, head and anogenital area have not been established.

5.6Unevaluated Uses: External Genital Warts Imiquimod

Cream has not been evaluated for the treatment of urethral, intra-vaginal, cervical, rectal, or intra-anal human papilloma viral disease.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C: Note: The Maximum Recommended Human Dose

(MRHD) was set at 2 packets per treatment of Imiquimod Cream (25 mg imiquimod) for the animal multiple of human exposure ratios presented in this label. If higher doses than 2 packets of Imiquimod Cream are used clinically, then the animal multiple of human exposure would be reduced for that dose. A non-proportional increase in systemic exposure with increased dose of Imiquimod Cream was noted in the clinical pharmacokinetic study conducted in actinic keratosis subjects [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

The AUC after topical application of 6 packets of Imiquimod Cream was 8 fold greater than the AUC after topical application of 2 packets of Imiquimod Cream in actinic keratosis subjects. Therefore, if a dose of 6 packets per treatment of Imiquimod Cream was topically administered to an individual, then the animal multiple of human exposure would be either 1/3 of the value provided in the label (based on body surface area comparisons) or 1/8 of the value provided in the label (based on AUC comparisons).

The animal multiples of human exposure calculations were based on weekly dose comparisons for the carcinogenicity studies described in this label. The animal multiples of human exposure calculations were based on daily dose comparisons for the reproductive toxicology studies described in this label. Systemic embryofetal development studies were conducted in rats and rabbits. Oral doses of 1, 5 and 20 mg/kg/day imiquimod were administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6 – 15) to pregnant female rats.

In the presence of maternal toxicity, fetal effects noted at 20 mg/kg/day (577X MRHD based on AUC comparisons) included increased resorptions, decreased fetal body weights, delays in skeletal ossification, bent limb bones, and two fetuses in one litter (2 of 1567 fetuses) demonstrated exencephaly, protruding tongues and low-set ears. No treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity were noted at 5 mg/kg/day (98X MRHD based on AUC comparisons).

Intravenous doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg/day imiquimod were administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6 – 18) to pregnant female rabbits. No treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity were noted at 2 mg/kg/day (1.5X MRHD based on BSA comparisons), the highest dose evaluated in this study, or 1 mg/kg/day (407X MRHD based on AUC comparisons). A combined fertility and peri- and post-natal development study was conducted in rats.

Oral doses of 1, 1.5, 3 and 6 mg/kg/day imiquimod were administered to male rats from 70 days prior to mating through the mating period and to female rats from 14 days prior to mating through parturition and lactation. No effects on growth, fertility, reproduction or post-natal development were noted at doses up to 6 mg/kg/day (87X MRHD based on AUC comparisons), the highest dose evaluated in this study. In the absence of maternal toxicity, bent limb bones were noted in the F1 fetuses at a dose of 6 mg/kg/day (87X MRHD based on AUC comparisons).

This fetal effect was also noted in the oral rat embryofetal development study conducted with imiquimod. No treatment related effects on teratogenicity were noted at 3 mg/kg/day (41X MRHD based on AUC comparisons). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Imiquimod Cream should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Adverse reactions

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. Most common adverse reactions (incidence >28%) are application site reactions or local skin reactions: itching, burning, erythema, flaking/scaling/dryness, scabbing/crusting, edema, induration, excoriation, erosion, ulceration.

Other reported reactions (≥1%) include fatigue, fever, and headache ( 6.1, 6.2 , 6.3 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., at 1-866-923-4914 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1Clinical Trials Experience: Actinic Keratosis

The data described below reflect exposure to Imiquimod Cream or vehicle in 436 subjects enrolled in two double-blind, vehicle-controlled studies. Subjects applied Imiquimod Cream or vehicle to a 25 cm 2 contiguous treatment area on the face or scalp 2 times per week for 16 weeks. Table 2: Selected Adverse Reactions Occurring in > 1% of Imiquimod-Treated Subjects and at a Greater Frequency than with Vehicle in the Combined Studies (Actinic Keratosis) Preferred Term Imiquimod Cream (n=215) Vehicle (n=221) Application Site Reaction 71 (33%) 32 (14%) Upper Resp Tract Infection 33 (15%) 27 (12%) Sinusitis 16 (7%) 14 (6%) Headache 11 (5%) 7 (3%) Carcinoma Squamous 8 (4%) 5 (2%) Diarrhea 6 (3%) 2 (1%) Eczema 4 (2%) 3 (1%) Back Pain 3 (1%) 2 (1%) Fatigue 3 (1%) 2 (1%) Fibrillation Atrial 3 (1%) 2 (1%) Infection Viral 3 (1%) 2 (1%) Dizziness 3 (1%) 1 (<1%) Vomiting 3 (1%) 1 (<1%) Urinary Tract Infection 3 (1%) 1 (<1%) Fever 3 (1%) 0 (0%) Rigors 3 (1%) 0 (0%) Alopecia 3 (1%) 0 (0%) Table 3: Application Site Reactions Reported by > 1% of Imiquimod-Treated Subjects and at a Greater Frequency than with Vehicle in the Combined Studies (Actinic Keratosis) Included Term Imiquimod Cream (n=215) Vehicle (n=221) Itching 44 (20%) 17 (8%) Burning 13 (6%) 4 (2%) Bleeding 7 (3%) 1 (<1%) Stinging 6 (3%) 2 (1%) Pain 6 (3%) 2 (1%) Induration 5 (2%) 3 (1%) Tenderness 4 (2%) 3 (1%) Irritation 4 (2%) 0 (0%) Local skin reactions were collected independently of the adverse reaction "application site reaction" in an effort to provide a better picture of the specific types of local reactions that might be seen.

The most frequently reported local skin reactions were erythema, flaking/scaling/dryness, and scabbing/crusting. The prevalence and severity of local skin reactions that occurred during controlled studies are shown in the following table. Table 4: Local Skin Reactions in the Treatment Area as Assessed by the Investigator (Actinic Keratosis) Imiquimod Cream (n=215) Vehicle (n=220) All Grades Mild, Moderate, or Severe Severe All Grades Severe Erythema 209 (97%) 38 (18%) 206 (93%) 5 (2%) Flaking/Scaling/Dryness 199 (93%) 16 (7%) 199 (91%) 7 (3%) Scabbing/Crusting 169 (79%) 18 (8%) 92 (42%) 4 (2%) Edema 106 (49%) 0 (0%) 22 (10%) 0 (0%) Erosion/Ulceration 103 (48%) 5 (2%) 20 (9%) 0 (0%) Weeping/Exudate 45 (22%) 0 (0%) 3 (1%) 0 (0%) Vesicles 19 (9%) 0 (0%) 2 (1%) 0 (0%) The adverse reactions that most frequently resulted in clinical intervention (e.g., rest periods, withdrawal from study) were local skin and application site reactions.

Overall, in the clinical studies, 2% (5/215) of subjects discontinued for local skin/application site reactions. Of the 215 subjects treated, 35 subjects (16%) on Imiquimod Cream and 3 of 220 subjects (1%) on vehicle cream had at least one rest period. Of these Imiquimod Cream subjects, 32 (91%) resumed therapy after a rest period. In the AK studies, 22 of 678 (3.2%) of Imiquimod-treated subjects developed treatment site infections that required a rest period off Imiquimod Cream and were treated with antibiotics (19 with oral and 3 with topical).

Of the 206 Imiquimod subjects with both baseline and 8-week post-treatment scarring assessments, 6 (2.9%) had a greater degree of scarring scores at 8-weeks post-treatment than at baseline.

6.2Clinical Trials Experience: Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

The data described below reflect exposure to Imiquimod Cream or vehicle in 364 subjects enrolled in two double-blind, vehicle-controlled studies. Subjects applied Imiquimod Cream or vehicle 5 times per week for 6 weeks. The incidence of adverse reactions reported by > 1% of subjects during the studies is summarized below. Table 5: Selected Adverse Reactions Reported by > 1% of Imiquimod -Treated Subjects and at a Greater Frequency than with Vehicle in the Combined Studies (Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma) Imiquimod Cream Vehicle (n= 185) (n= 179) Preferred Term N % N % Application Site Reaction 52 (28%) 5 (3%) Headache 14 (8%) 4 (2%) Back Pain 7 (4%) 1 (<1%) Upper Resp Tract Infection 6 (3%) 2 (1%) Rhinitis 5 (3%) 1 (<1%) Lymphadenopathy 5 (3%) 1 (<1%) Fatigue 4 (2%) 2 (1%) Sinusitis 4 (2%) 1 (<1%) Dyspepsia 3 (2%) 2 (1%) Coughing 3 (2%) 1 (<1%) Fever 3 (2%) 0 (0%) Dizziness 2 (1%) 1 (<1%) Anxiety 2 (1%) 1 (<1%) Pharyngitis 2 (1%) 1 (<1%) Chest Pain 2 (1%) 0 (0%) Nausea 2 (1%) 0 (0%) The most frequently reported adverse reactions were local skin and application site reactions including erythema, edema, induration, erosion, flaking/scaling, scabbing/crusting, itching and burning at the application site.

The incidence of application site reactions reported by > 1% of the subjects during the 6 week treatment period is summarized in the table below. Table 6: Application Site Reactions Reported by > 1% of Imiquimod -Treated Subjects and at a Greater Frequency than with Vehicle in the Combined Studies (Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma) Imiquimod Cream Vehicle Included Term n=185 n=179 Itching 30 (16%) 1 (1%) Burning 11 (6%) 2 (1%) Pain 6 (3%) 0 (0%) Bleeding 4 (2%) 0 (0%) Erythema 3 (2%) 0 (0%) Papule(s) 3 (2%) 0 (0%) Tenderness 2 (1%) 0 (0%) Infection 2 (1%) 0 (0%) Local skin reactions were collected independently of the adverse reaction "application site reaction" in an effort to provide a better picture of the specific types of local reactions that might be seen.

The prevalence and severity of local skin reactions that occurred during controlled studies are shown in the following table. Table 7: Local Skin Reactions in the Treatment Area as Assessed by the Investigator (Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma) Imiquimod Cream n=184 Vehicle n=178 All Grades Mild, Moderate, or Severe Severe All Grades Severe Erythema 184 (100%) 57 (31%) 173 (97%) 4 (2%) Flaking/Scaling 167 (91%) 7 (4%) 135 (76%) 0 (0%) Induration 154 (84%) 11 (6%) 94 (53%) 0 (0%) Scabbing/Crusting 152 (83%) 35 (19%) 61 (34%) 0 (0%) Edema 143 (78%) 13 (7%) 64 (36%) 0 (0%) Erosion 122 (66%) 23 (13%) 25 (14%) 0 (0%) Ulceration 73 (40%) 11 (6%) 6 (3%) 0 (0%) Vesicles 57 (31%) 3 (2%) 4 (2%) 0 (0%) The adverse reactions that most frequently resulted in clinical intervention (e.g., rest periods, withdrawal from study) were local skin and application site reactions; 10% (19/185) of subjects received rest periods.

The average number of doses not received per subject due to rest periods was 7 doses with a range of 2 to 22 doses; 79% of subjects (15/19) resumed therapy after a rest period. Overall, in the clinical studies, 2% (4/185) of subjects discontinued for local skin/application site reactions. In the sBCC studies, 17 of 1266 (1.3%) Imiquimod -treated subjects developed treatment site infections that required a rest period and treatment with antibiotics.

6.3Clinical Trials Experience: External Genital Warts

In controlled clinical trials for genital warts, the most frequently reported adverse reactions were local skin and application site reactions. Some subjects also reported systemic reactions. Overall, 1.2% (4/327) of the subjects discontinued due to local skin/application site reactions. The incidence and severity of local skin reactions during controlled clinical trials are shown in the following table. Table 8: L

Our copy of this section ends here. The full text is in the official label at the FDA. Open Drugs@FDA