Prescription Drug Information: Diclofenac Sodium and Misoprostol

DICLOFENAC SODIUM AND MISOPROSTOL- diclofenac sodium and misoprostol tablet, delayed release
Bryant Ranch Prepack

WARNING: RISK OF UTERINE RUPTURE, ABORTION, PREMATURE BIRTH, BIRTH DEFECTS; AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS

DICLOFENAC SODIUM AND MISOPROSTOL DELAYED-RELEASE TABLETS CONTAIN DICLOFENAC SODIUM AND MISOPROSTOL. ADMINISTRATION OF MISOPROSTOL TO WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT CAN CAUSE ABORTION, PREMATURE BIRTH, BIRTH DEFECTS, OR UTERINE RUPTURE. UTERINE RUPTURE HAS BEEN REPORTED WHEN MISOPROSTOL WAS ADMINISTERED IN PREGNANT WOMEN TO INDUCE LABOR OR TO INDUCE ABORTION. THE RISK OF UTERINE RUPTURE INCREASES WITH ADVANCING GESTATIONAL AGES AND WITH PRIOR UTERINE SURGERY, INCLUDING CESAREAN DELIVERY. DICLOFENAC SODIUM AND MISOPROSTOL DELAYED-RELEASE TABLETS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN BY PREGNANT WOMEN [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.11), and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

PATIENTS MUST BE ADVISED OF THE ABORTIFACIENT PROPERTY AND WARNED NOT TO GIVE THE DRUG TO OTHERS. Diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets should not be used in women of childbearing potential unless the patient requires nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy and is at high risk of developing gastric or duodenal ulceration or for developing complications from gastric or duodenal ulcers associated with the use of the NSAID. In such patients, diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets may be prescribed if the patient:

  • has had a negative serum pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to beginning therapy.
  • is capable of complying with effective contraceptive measures.
  • has received both oral and written warnings of the hazards of misoprostol, the risk of possible contraception failure, and the danger to other women of childbearing potential should the drug be taken by mistake.
  • will begin diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets only on the second or third day of the next normal menstrual period [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].

Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events

  • NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
  • Diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Contraindications (4), and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation

NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets are indicated for treatment of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in patients at high risk of developing NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers and their complications. For a list of factors that may increase the risk of NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers and their complications [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see Warnings and Precautions (5)].

After observing the response to initial therapy with diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient’s needs.

For the relief of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the dosage is given below.

Diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets are administered as diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets, 50 mg diclofenac sodium and 200 mcg misoprostol or as diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets 75 mg diclofenac sodium and 200 mcg misoprostol. Note: See Special Dosing Considerations section below.

For osteoarthritis, the dosage for maximal GI mucosal protection is diclofenac sodium 50 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg three times a day. For patients who experience intolerance, diclofenac sodium 75 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg two times a day or diclofenac sodium 50 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg two times a day can be used, but are less effective in preventing ulcers. This fixed combination product, diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets, is not recommended for patients who would not receive the appropriate dose of both ingredients. Doses of the components delivered with these regimens are as follows:

Osteoarthritis

Regimen

Diclofenac sodium

(mg/day)

Misoprostol

(mcg/day)

diclofenac sodium
50 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg

three times a day 150 600
two times a day 100 400

diclofenac sodium
75 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg

two times a day 150 400

For rheumatoid arthritis, the dosage is diclofenac sodium 50 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg three or four times a day. For patients who experience intolerance, diclofenac sodium 75 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg two times a day or diclofenac sodium 50 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg two times a day can be used, but are less effective in preventing ulcers. This fixed combination product, diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets, is not recommended for patients who would not receive the appropriate dose of both ingredients. Doses of the components delivered with these regimens are as follows:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Regimen

Diclofenac sodium

(mg/day)

Misoprostol

(mcg/day)

diclofenac sodium 50 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg four times a day 200 800
three times a day 150 600
two times a day 100 400
diclofenac sodium 75 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg two times a day 150 400

Special Dosing Considerations:

Diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets contain misoprostol, which provides protection against gastric and duodenal ulcers [see Clinical Studies (14)]. For gastric ulcer prevention, the 200 mcg four and three times a day regimens are therapeutically equivalent, but more protective than the two times a day regimen. For duodenal ulcer prevention, the four times a day regimen is more protective than the three or two times a day regimens. However, the four times a day regimen is less well tolerated than the three times a day regimen because of usually self-limited diarrhea related to the misoprostol dose [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)] , and the two times a day regimen may be better tolerated than three times a day in some patients.

Dosages may be individualized using the separate products (misoprostol and diclofenac sodium), after which the patient may be changed to the appropriate dose of diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets. If clinically indicated, misoprostol co-therapy with diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets, or use of the individual components to optimize the misoprostol dose and/or frequency of administration, may be appropriate. The total dose of misoprostol should not exceed 800 mcg/day, and no more than 200 mcg of misoprostol should be administered at any one time. Doses of diclofenac sodium higher than 150 mg/day in osteoarthritis or higher than 200 mg/day in rheumatoid arthritis are not recommended.

When concomitant use of CYP2C9 inhibitors is necessary, the total daily dose of diclofenac should not exceed the lowest recommended dose of diclofenac sodium 50 mg and misoprostol 200 mcg two times a day.

For additional information, it may be helpful to refer to the prescribing information for the individual products of diclofenac sodium and misoprostol.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Delayed-release tablets:

  • 50 mg diclofenac sodium and 200 mcg misoprostol as white to off-white, round shaped, biconvex, debossed with “AN” on one side and “436” on the other side.
  • 75 mg diclofenac sodium and 200 mcg misoprostol as white to off-white, round shaped, biconvex, debossed with “AN” on one side and “438” on the other side.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets are contraindicated in the following patients:

  • Known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reactions and serious skin reactions) to diclofenac sodium and misoprostol, other prostaglandins, or any components of the drug product [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7, 5.9)]
  • History of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, sometimes fatal, anaphylactic reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7, 5.8)]
  • In the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Pregnancy. Use of diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets during pregnancy can result in maternal and fetal harm, including abortion, premature birth, birth defects, and uterine rupture [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]
  • Active gastrointestinal bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events

Clinical trials of several cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective and nonselective NSAIDs of up to three years duration have shown an increased risk of serious cardiovascular (CV) thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, which can be fatal. Based on available data, it is unclear that the risk for CV thrombotic events is similar for all NSAIDs. The relative increase in serious CV thrombotic events over baseline conferred by NSAID use appears to be similar in those with and without known CV disease or risk factors for CV disease. However, patients with known CV disease or risk factors had a higher absolute incidence of excess serious CV thrombotic events, due to their increased baseline rate. Some observational studies found that this increased risk of serious CV thrombotic events began as early as the first weeks of treatment. The increase in CV thrombotic risk has been observed most consistently at higher doses.

To minimize the potential risk for an adverse CV event in NSAID-treated patients, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Physicians and patients should remain alert for the development of such events, throughout the entire treatment course, even in the absence of previous CV symptoms. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious CV events and the steps to take if they occur.

There is no consistent evidence that concurrent use of aspirin mitigates the increased risk of serious CV thrombotic events associated with NSAID use. The concurrent use of aspirin and an NSAID, such as diclofenac, increases the risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Status Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery

Two large, controlled clinical trials of a COX-2 selective NSAID for the treatment of pain in the first 10 to 14 days following CABG surgery found an increased incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke. NSAIDs are contraindicated in the setting of CABG [see Contraindications (4)].

Post-MI Patients

Observational studies conducted in the Danish National Registry have demonstrated that patients treated with NSAIDs in the post-MI period were at increased risk of reinfarction, CV-related death, and all-cause mortality beginning in the first week of treatment. In this same cohort, the incidence of death in the first year post-MI was 20 per 100 person years in NSAID-treated patients compared to 12 per 100 person years in non-NSAID exposed patients. Although the absolute rate of death declined somewhat after the first year post-MI, the increased relative risk of death in NSAID users persisted over at least the next four years of follow-up.

Avoid the use of diclofenac sodium and misoprostol in patients with a recent MI unless the benefits are expected to outweigh the risk of recurrent CV thrombotic events. If diclofenac sodium and misoprostol is used in patients with a recent MI, monitor patients for signs of cardiac ischemia.

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