Get your patient on Tolsura - Itraconazole capsule, Gelatin Coated (Itraconazole)

Limitations of Use:

TOLSURA is not indicated for the treatment of onychomycosis.

TOLSURA is NOT interchangeable or substitutable with other itraconazole products due to the differences in the dosing between TOLSURA and other itraconazole products. Therefore, follow the specific dosage recommendations for TOLSURA [see Dosage and Administration (2) ].

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

The long-term effects of itraconazole on bone growth in children are unknown. Bone lesions were observed in the young adult rats dosed with oral itraconazole for 3 to 12 months [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2) ] .

Clinical studies of itraconazole did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. It is advised to use TOLSURA Capsules in these patients only if it is determined that the potential benefit outweighs the potential risks. In general, it is recommended that the dose selection for an elderly patient should be taken into consideration, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Reversible or permanent hearing loss has been reported in elderly patients receiving treatment with itraconazole. Several of these reports included concurrent administration of quinidine which is contraindicated [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4.1) and Drug Interactions (7.1) ] .

Limited data are available on the use of oral itraconazole in patients with renal impairment. It is recommended that patients with renal impairment be carefully monitored when taking TOLSURA [see Clinical Pharmacology (12) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] .

Limited data are available on the use of oral itraconazole in patients with hepatic impairment. It is recommended that patients with impaired hepatic function be carefully monitored when taking TOLSURA. It is recommended that the prolonged elimination half-life of itraconazole observed in the single oral dose clinical trial with itraconazole capsules in cirrhotic patients be considered when deciding to initiate therapy with other medications metabolized by CYP3A4 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

In patients with elevated or abnormal liver enzymes or active liver disease, or who have experienced liver toxicity with other drugs, treatment with TOLSURA is strongly discouraged unless there is a serious or life-threatening situation where the expected benefit exceeds the risk. It is recommended that liver function monitoring be done in patients with pre-existing hepatic function abnormalities or those who have experienced liver toxicity with other medications [see Clinical Pharmacology (12) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].

• Co-administration of certain drugs that are metabolized by human CYP3A4 substrates are contraindicated with TOLSURA because plasma concentrations of such drugs are increased, which may also increase or prolong both the pharmacologic effects and/or adverse reactions to these drugs [see Warnings and Precaution (5.5) and Drug Interactions (7.1) ] .
• Co-administration with colchicine, fesoterodine and solifenacin is contraindicated in subjects with varying degrees of renal or hepatic impairment.
• Co-administration with eliglustat is contraindicated in subjects that are poor or intermediate metabolizers of CYP2D6 and in subjects taking strong or moderate CYP2D6 inhibitors [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] .
• Increased plasma concentrations of some of these drugs due to co-administration of TOLSURA can lead to QT prolongation and ventricular tachyarrhythmias including occurrences of torsade de pointes , a potentially fatal arrhythmia [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] .

TOLSURA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to itraconazole. There is limited information regarding cross-hypersensitivity between itraconazole and other azole antifungal agents [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] .

TOLSURA can cause or exacerbate congestive heart failure (CHF) [see Boxed Warning and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. For patients with evidence of ventricular dysfunction such as CHF, history or risk factors for CHF, physicians should carefully review the risks and benefits of TOLSURA therapy. These risk factors include cardiac disease such as ischemic and valvular disease; significant pulmonary disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and renal failure and other edematous disorders. Inform such patients of the signs and symptoms of CHF and monitor carefully for signs and symptoms of CHF during treatment. If signs or symptoms of CHF appear or worsen during administration of TOLSURA, reassess the benefit-risk of continuing treatment.

When itraconazole was administered intravenously to anesthetized dogs, a dose-related negative inotropic effect was demonstrated. In a healthy volunteer study of itraconazole intravenous infusion, transient, asymptomatic decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction were observed using gated SPECT imaging; these resolved before the next infusion, 12 hours later.

Itraconazole has been associated with reports of CHF, peripheral edema, and pulmonary edema. In post-marketing experience, heart failure was more frequently reported in patients receiving higher total daily doses of itraconazole of 400 mg although there were also cases reported among those receiving lower total daily doses [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] .

Calcium channel blockers can have negative inotropic effects which may be additive to those of itraconazole. In addition, itraconazole can inhibit the metabolism of calcium channel blockers. Therefore, when co-administering itraconazole and calcium channel blockers, monitor carefully for signs and symptoms of CHF during treatment due to an increased risk of CHF. Concomitant administration of TOLSURA and felodipine or nisoldipine is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4.1) , Drug Interactions (7.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]

Itraconazole has been associated with cases of serious hepatotoxicity, including liver failure and death. Some of these cases had neither pre-existing liver disease nor a serious underlying medical condition, and some of these cases developed within the first week of treatment. If clinical signs or symptoms develop that are consistent with liver disease, discontinue treatment and perform testing for liver disease. Continued TOLSURA use or reinstitution of treatment with TOLSURA is strongly discouraged unless there is a serious or life-threatening situation where the expected benefit exceeds the risk [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ].

Life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and/or sudden death have occurred in patients using drugs such as, pimozide, methadone, or quinidine concomitantly with oral itraconazole and/or other CYP3A4 inhibitors. Concomitant administration of these drugs with TOLSURA is contraindicated [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7) ].

Pseudoaldosteronism, manifested by the onset of hypertension or worsening of hypertension, and abnormal laboratory findings (hypokalemia, low serum renin and aldosterone, and elevate 11-deoxycortisol), has been reported with itraconazole use in the postmarketing setting. Monitor blood pressure and potassium levels and manage as necessary. Management of pseudoaldosteronism may include discontinuation of TOLSURA, substitution with an appropriate antifungal drug that is not associated with pseudoaldosteronism, or use of aldosterone receptor antagonists.

Itraconazole has a potential for clinically important drug interactions [see Drug Interactions (7.1 , 7.2) ] . Co-administration of specific drugs with TOLSURA may result in changes in the efficacy of itraconazole and/or the co-administered drug, life-threatening effects and/or sudden death. [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4.1) and Drug Interactions (7.1 , 7.2) ].

Cases of peripheral neuropathy have been reported in patients on long-term therapy with itraconazole. Monitor for and promptly evaluate neurologic symptoms. If neuropathy attributable to TOLSURA occurs, discontinue treatment.

Reversible or permanent hearing loss has been reported in patients receiving treatment with itraconazole. Several of these reports included concurrent administration of quinidine which is contraindicated [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4.2) and Drug Interactions (7) ] . The hearing loss usually resolves when treatment is stopped but can persist in some patients.

TOLSURA is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to itraconazole [see Contraindications (4.2) ]. Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with the use of itraconazole [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Due to the limited information regarding cross-hypersensitivity between itraconazole and other azole antifungal drugs, careful enquiry about previous hypersensitivity to other azole antifungal drugs should be made when prescribing TOLSURA. If hypersensitivity reactions to TOLSURA occurs, discontinue the drug and institute appropriate therapy.

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 clinical practice.

Adverse reactions that have been identified during post-marketing experience with itraconazole are listed in Table 3. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, reliably estimating their frequency or establishing a causal relationship to drug exposure is not always possible.

Itraconazole and its major metabolite, hydroxy-itraconazole, are potent CYP3A4 inhibitors. Itraconazole is an inhibitor of the drug transporters P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). Consequently, itraconazole has the potential to interact with many concomitant drugs resulting in either increased or sometimes decreased concentrations of the concomitant drugs. Increased concentrations may increase the risk of adverse reactions associated with the concomitant drug which can be severe or life-threatening in some cases (e.g., QT prolongation, Torsade de Pointes , respiratory depression, hepatic adverse reactions, hypersensitivity reactions, myelosuppression, hypotension, seizures, angioedema, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, priapism). Reduced concentrations of concomitant drugs may reduce their efficacy. Table 4 lists examples of drugs that may have their concentrations affected by itraconazole, but is not a comprehensive list. Refer to the approved product labeling to become familiar with the interaction pathways, risk potential, and specific actions to be taken with regards to each concomitant drug prior to initiating therapy with itraconazole.

Although many of the clinical drug interactions in Table 4 are based on information with a similar azole antifungal, ketoconazole, these interactions are expected to occur with itraconazole.

Itraconazole is mainly metabolized through CYP3A4. Other substances that either share this metabolic pathway or modify CYP3A4 activity may influence the pharmacokinetics of itraconazole. Some concomitant drugs have the potential to interact with TOLSURA resulting in either increased or sometimes decreased concentrations of TOLSURA. Increased concentrations may increase the risk of adverse reactions associated with TOLSURA. Decreased concentrations may reduce TOLSURA efficacy.

Table 4 lists examples of drugs that may affect itraconazole concentrations, but is not a comprehensive list. Refer to the approved product labeling to become familiar with the interaction pathways, risk potential and specific actions to be taken with regards to each concomitant drug prior to initiating therapy with TOLSURA.

Although many of the clinical drug interactions in Table 5 are based on information with a similar azole antifungal, ketoconazole, these interactions are expected to occur with TOLSURA.

Itraconazole is an azole antifungal drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ] .

When itraconazole was administered intravenously to anesthetized dogs, a dose-related negative inotropic effect was documented.

In three toxicology studies using rats, itraconazole (dosed in feed or via oral gavage) induced bone defects at dosage levels as low as 20 mg/kg/day (3×MRHD, based on mg/kg comparisons). The induced defects included reduced bone plate activity, thinning of the zona compacta of the large bones, and increased bone fragility. At a dosage level of 80 mg/kg/day (12×MRHD) over 1 year or 160 mg/kg/day (25×MRHD) for 6 months, itraconazole induced small tooth pulp with hypocellular appearance in some rats.

Overview of the Clinical Studies

Clinical studies in invasive mycoses listed in this section were conducted with itraconazole 100 mg capsules. Dosage for TOLSURA is different from that of other itraconazole formulations. TOLSURA is not interchangeable or substitutable with other itraconazole products [see Indications and Usage (1) , Dosage and Administration (2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]

Analyses were conducted on data from two open-label, non-concurrently controlled studies (N=73 combined) in patients with normal or abnormal immune status treated with the100 mg itraconazole capsules. The median dose was 200 mg/day (2 × 100 mg). A response for most signs and symptoms was observed within the first 2 weeks, and all signs and symptoms cleared between 3 and 6 months. Results of these two studies demonstrated substantial evidence of the effectiveness of itraconazole for the treatment of blastomycosis compared with the natural history of untreated cases.

Analyses were conducted on data from two open-label, non-concurrently controlled studies (N=34 combined) in patients with normal or abnormal immune status (not including HIV-infected patients) treated with the 100 mg itraconazole capsules. The median dose was 200 mg/day (2 × 100 mg). A response for most signs and symptoms was observed within the first 2 weeks, and all signs and symptoms cleared between 3 and 12 months. Results of these two studies demonstrated substantial evidence of the effectiveness of itraconazole for the treatment of histoplasmosis, compared with the natural history of untreated cases.

Data from a small number of HIV-infected patients treated with the 100 mg itraconazole capsules suggested that the response rate of histoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients is similar to that of non-HIV-infected patients. The clinical course of histoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients is more severe and usually requires maintenance therapy to prevent relapse.

Analyses were conducted on data from an open-label, "single-patient-use" protocol designed to make itraconazole available in the U.S. for patients who either failed or were intolerant of amphotericin B therapy (N=190). The findings were corroborated by two smaller open-label studies (N=31 combined) in the same patient population. Most adult patients were treated with a daily dose of 200 (2 × 100 mg) to 400 (4 × 100 mg) mg, with a median duration of 3 months. Results of these studies demonstrated substantial evidence of effectiveness of the 100 mg itraconazole capsules as a second-line therapy for the treatment of aspergillosis compared with the natural history of the disease in patients who either failed or were intolerant of amphotericin B therapy.

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense in a tight, light resistant container.