Product Elements:
Metronidazole metronidazole metronidazole metronidazole betadex edetate disodium methylparaben niacinamide phenoxyethanol propylene glycol propylparaben water hydroxyethyl cellulose (4000 mpa.s at 1%)
Drug Interactions:
7 drug interactions oral metronidazole has been reported to potentiate the anticoagulant effect of coumarin and warfarin, resulting in a prolongation of prothrombin time. drug interactions should be kept in mind when metronidazole gel is prescribed for patients who are receiving anticoagulant treatment, although they are less likely to occur with topical metronidazole administration because of low absorption. oral metronidazole has been reported to potentiate the anticoagulant effect of coumarin and warfarin, resulting in a prolongation of prothrombin time. use caution when administering metronidazole gel concomitantly to patients who are receiving anticoagulant treatment. ( 7 )
Indications and Usage:
1 indications and usage metronidazole gel, 1% is indicated for the topical treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. metronidazole gel, 1% is a nitroimidazole indicated for the topical treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea ( 1 )
Warnings and Cautions:
5 warnings and precautions neurologic disease: peripheral neuropathy, characterized by numbness or paresthesia of an extremity has been reported in patients treated with systemic metronidazole. peripheral neuropathy has been reported with the post approval use of topical metronidazole. the appearance of abnormal neurologic signs should prompt immediate reevaluation of metronidazole gel therapy. ( 5.1 ) blood dyscrasias: metronidazole is a nitroimidazole and should be used with care in patients with evidence of, or history of, blood dyscrasia. ( 5.2 ) contact dermatitis: if dermatitis occurs, patients may need to discontinue use. ( 5.3 ) eye irritation: topical metronidazole has been reported to cause tearing of the eyes. therefore, avoid contact with the eyes. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 neurologic disease peripheral neuropathy, characterized by numbness or paresthesia of an extremity, has been reported in patients treated with systemic metronidazole. peripheral neuropathy has been reported with the p
Read more...ost approval use of topical metronidazole. the appearance of abnormal neurologic signs should prompt immediate reevaluation of metronidazole gel therapy. metronidazole should be administered with caution to patients with central nervous system diseases. 5.2 blood dyscrasias metronidazole is a nitroimidazole; use with care in patients with evidence of, or history of, blood dyscrasia. 5.3 contact dermatitis irritant and allergic contact dermatitis have been reported with metronidazole gel. if dermatitis occurs, patients may need to discontinue use. 5.4 eye irritation topical metronidazole has been reported to cause tearing of the eyes. avoid contact with the eyes.
Dosage and Administration:
2 dosage and administration for topical use only, not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. cleanse treated areas before the application of metronidazole gel. apply and rub in a thin film of metronidazole gel once daily to affected area(s). cosmetics may be applied after the application of metronidazole gel. not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use. ( 2 ) cleanse treated areas before the application of metronidazole gel. ( 2 ) apply and rub in a thin film of metronidazole gel once daily to affected area(s). ( 2 ) cosmetics may be applied after the application of metronidazole gel. ( 2 )
Dosage Forms and Strength:
3 dosage forms and strengths gel, 1%. metronidazole gel usp is a clear, colorless to pale yellow gel. each gram of metronidazole gel usp contains 10 mg (1%) of metronidazole usp. gel, 1%.
Contraindications:
4 contraindications metronidazole gel is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to metronidazole or to any other ingredient in the formulation. metronidazole gel is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to metronidazole or to any other ingredient in this formulation. ( 4 )
Adverse Reactions:
6 adverse reactions most common adverse reactions (incidence > 2%) are nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache. ( 6 ) to report suspected adverse reactions, contact alembic pharmaceuticals, inc. at 1-866-210-9797 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. in a controlled clinical trial, 557 subjects used metronidazole gel, 1% and 189 subjects used the gel vehicle once daily for up to 10 weeks. the following table summarizes selected adverse reactions that occurred at a rate of â¥1%: table 1: adverse reactions that occurred at a rate of â¥1% system organ class/preferred term metronidazole gel, 1% vehicle n= 557 n= 189 patients with at least one ae number (%
Read more...) of patients 186 (33.4) 51 (27.0) infections and infestations 76 (13.6) 28 (14.8) bronchitis 6 (1.1) 3 (1.6) influenza 8 (1.4) 1 (0.5) nasopharyngitis 17 (3.1) 8 (4.2) sinusitis 8 (1.4) 3 (1.6) upper respiratory tract infection 14 (2.5) 4 (2.1) urinary tract infection 6 (1.1) 1 (0.5) vaginal mycosis 1 (0.2) 2 (1.1) musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders 19 (3.4) 5 (2.6) back pain 3 (0.5) 2 (1.1) neoplasms 4 (0.7) 2 (1.1) basal cell carcinoma 1 (0.2) 2 (1.1) nervous system disorders 18 (3.2) 3 (1.6) headache 12 (2.2) 1 (0.5) respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders 22 (3.9) 5 (2.6) nasal congestion 6 (1.1) 3 (1.6) skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders 36 (6.5) 12 (6.3) contact dermatitis 7 (1.3) 1 (0.5) dry skin 6 (1.1) 3 (1.6) vascular disorders 8 (1.4) 1 (0.5) hypertension 6 (1.1) 1 (0.5) table 2: local cutaneous signs and symptoms of irritation that were worse than baseline metronidazole gel, 1% vehicle sign/symptom n= 544 n= 184 dryness 138 (25.4) 63 (34.2) mild 93 (17.1) 41 (22.3) moderate 42 (7.7) 20 (10.9) severe 3 (0.6) 2 (1.1) scaling 134 (24.6) 60 (32.6) mild 88 (16.2) 32 (17.4) moderate 43 (7.9) 27 (14.7) severe 3 (0.6) 1 (0.5) pruritus 86 (15.8) 35 (19.0) mild 53 (9.7) 21 (11.4) moderate 27 (5.0) 13 (7.1) severe 6 (1.1) 1 (0.5) stinging/burning 56 (10.3) 28 (15.2) mild 39 (7.2) 18 (9.8) moderate 7 (1.3) 9 (4.9) severe 10 (1.8) 1 (0.5) the following additional adverse experiences have been reported with the topical use of metronidazole: transient redness, metallic taste, tingling or numbness of extremities, and nausea. 6.2 post marketing experience the following adverse reaction has been identified during post-approval use of topical metronidazole. because this reaction is reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. nervous system disorders: peripheral neuropathy [see warnings and precautions (5.1)]
Adverse Reactions Table:
Table 1: Adverse Reactions That Occurred at a Rate of ≥1%| System Organ Class/Preferred Term | Metronidazole Gel, 1% | Vehicle |
| | N= 557 | N= 189 |
| Patients with at least one AE Number (%) of Patients | 186 (33.4) | 51 (27.0) |
| Infections and infestations | 76 (13.6) | 28 (14.8) |
| Bronchitis | 6 (1.1) | 3 (1.6) |
| Influenza | 8 (1.4) | 1 (0.5) |
| Nasopharyngitis | 17 (3.1) | 8 (4.2) |
| Sinusitis | 8 (1.4) | 3 (1.6) |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 14 (2.5) | 4 (2.1) |
| Urinary tract infection | 6 (1.1) | 1 (0.5) |
| Vaginal mycosis | 1 (0.2) | 2 (1.1) |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 19 (3.4) | 5 (2.6) |
| Back pain | 3 (0.5) | 2 (1.1) |
| Neoplasms | 4 (0.7) | 2 (1.1) |
| Basal cell carcinoma | 1 (0.2) | 2 (1.1) |
| Nervous system disorders | 18 (3.2) | 3 (1.6) |
| Headache | 12 (2.2) | 1 (0.5) |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 22 (3.9) | 5 (2.6) |
| Nasal congestion | 6 (1.1) | 3 (1.6) |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 36 (6.5) | 12 (6.3) |
| Contact dermatitis | 7 (1.3) | 1 (0.5) |
| Dry skin | 6 (1.1) | 3 (1.6) |
| Vascular disorders | 8 (1.4) | 1 (0.5) |
| Hypertension | 6 (1.1) | 1 (0.5) |
Table 2: Local Cutaneous Signs and Symptoms of Irritation That Were Worse Than Baseline | Metronidazole Gel, 1% | Vehicle |
| Sign/Symptom | N= 544 | N= 184 |
| Dryness | 138 (25.4) | 63 (34.2) |
| Mild | 93 (17.1) | 41 (22.3) |
| Moderate | 42 (7.7) | 20 (10.9) |
| Severe | 3 (0.6) | 2 (1.1) |
| Scaling | 134 (24.6) | 60 (32.6) |
| Mild | 88 (16.2) | 32 (17.4) |
| Moderate | 43 (7.9) | 27 (14.7) |
| Severe | 3 (0.6) | 1 (0.5) |
| Pruritus | 86 (15.8) | 35 (19.0) |
| Mild | 53 (9.7) | 21 (11.4) |
| Moderate | 27 (5.0) | 13 (7.1) |
| Severe | 6 (1.1) | 1 (0.5) |
| Stinging/burning | 56 (10.3) | 28 (15.2) |
| Mild | 39 (7.2) | 18 (9.8) |
| Moderate | 7 (1.3) | 9 (4.9) |
| Severe | 10 (1.8) | 1 (0.5) |
Drug Interactions:
7 drug interactions oral metronidazole has been reported to potentiate the anticoagulant effect of coumarin and warfarin, resulting in a prolongation of prothrombin time. drug interactions should be kept in mind when metronidazole gel is prescribed for patients who are receiving anticoagulant treatment, although they are less likely to occur with topical metronidazole administration because of low absorption. oral metronidazole has been reported to potentiate the anticoagulant effect of coumarin and warfarin, resulting in a prolongation of prothrombin time. use caution when administering metronidazole gel concomitantly to patients who are receiving anticoagulant treatment. ( 7 )
Use in Specific Population:
8 use in specific populations lactation: breastfeeding not recommended. ( 8.2 ) 8.1 pregnancy risk summary available data have not established an association with metronidazole use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. no fetotoxicity was observed after oral administration of metronidazole in pregnant rats or mice. the available data do not allow the calculation of relevant comparisons between the systemic exposures of metronidazole observed in animal studies to the systemic exposures that would be expected in humans after topical use of metronidazole gel. the background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. all pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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. 8.2 lacta
Read more...tion risk summary it is not known whether metronidazole is present in human milk after topical administration. published literature reports the presence of metronidazole in human milk after oral administration. there are reports of diarrhea and candida infection in breastfed infants of mothers receiving oral treatment with metronidazole. there are no data on the effects of metronidazole on milk production. because of the potential for serious adverse reactions, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with metronidazole gel. 8.4 pediatric use safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established . 8.5 geriatric use sixty-six subjects aged 65 years and older were treated with metronidazole gel, 1% in the clinical study. no overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
Use in Pregnancy:
8.1 pregnancy risk summary available data have not established an association with metronidazole use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. no fetotoxicity was observed after oral administration of metronidazole in pregnant rats or mice. the available data do not allow the calculation of relevant comparisons between the systemic exposures of metronidazole observed in animal studies to the systemic exposures that would be expected in humans after topical use of metronidazole gel. the background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. all pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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.
Pediatric Use:
8.4 pediatric use safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established .
Geriatric Use:
8.5 geriatric use sixty-six subjects aged 65 years and older were treated with metronidazole gel, 1% in the clinical study. no overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
Description:
11 description metronidazole gel usp, 1% contains metronidazole, usp. it is intended for topical use. chemically, metronidazole is 2-methyl-5-nitro-1 h -imidazole-1-ethanol. the molecular formula for metronidazole is c 6 h 9 n 3 o 3 . it has the following structural formula: metronidazole has a molecular weight of 171.16. it is a white to pale yellow crystalline powder. it is slightly soluble in alcohol and has solubility in water of 10 mg/ml at 20Ëc. metronidazole belongs to the nitroimidazole class of compounds. metronidazole gel usp, 1% is a clear, colorless to pale yellow, aqueous gel; each gram contains 10 mg of metronidazole in a base of betadex, edetate disodium, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylparaben, niacinamide, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, propylparaben and purified water. image
Clinical Pharmacology:
12 clinical pharmacology 12.1 mechanism of action the mechanism of action of metronidazole in the treatment of rosacea is unknown. 12.2 pharmacodynamics the pharmacodynamics of metronidazole in association with the treatment of rosacea are unknown. cardiac electrophysiology: the effect of metronidazole gel on the qtc interval has not been adequately characterized. 12.3 pharmacokinetics topical administration of a one-gram dose of metronidazole gel to the face of 13 subjects with moderate to severe rosacea once daily for 7 days resulted in a mean ± sd c max of metronidazole of 32 ± 9 ng/ml. the mean ± sd auc (0 to 24) was 595 ± 154 ng*hr/ml. the mean c max and auc (0 to 24 ) are less than 1% of the value reported for a single 250 mg oral dose of metronidazole. the time to maximum plasma concentration (t max ) was 6 to 10 hours after topical application.
Mechanism of Action:
12.1 mechanism of action the mechanism of action of metronidazole in the treatment of rosacea is unknown.
Pharmacodynamics:
12.2 pharmacodynamics the pharmacodynamics of metronidazole in association with the treatment of rosacea are unknown. cardiac electrophysiology: the effect of metronidazole gel on the qtc interval has not been adequately characterized.
Pharmacokinetics:
12.3 pharmacokinetics topical administration of a one-gram dose of metronidazole gel to the face of 13 subjects with moderate to severe rosacea once daily for 7 days resulted in a mean ± sd c max of metronidazole of 32 ± 9 ng/ml. the mean ± sd auc (0 to 24) was 595 ± 154 ng*hr/ml. the mean c max and auc (0 to 24 ) are less than 1% of the value reported for a single 250 mg oral dose of metronidazole. the time to maximum plasma concentration (t max ) was 6 to 10 hours after topical application.
Nonclinical Toxicology:
13 nonclinical toxicology 13.1 carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility metronidazole has shown evidence of carcinogenic activity in studies involving chronic oral administration in mice and rats, but not in studies involving hamsters. in several long-term studies in mice, oral doses of approximately 225 mg/m 2 /day or greater were associated with an increase in pulmonary tumors and lymphomas. several long-term oral studies in the rat have shown statistically significant increases in mammary and hepatic tumors at doses >885 mg/m 2 /day. metronidazole has shown evidence of mutagenic activity in several in vitro bacterial assay systems. in addition, a dose-related increase in the frequency of micronuclei was observed in mice after intraperitoneal injections. an increase in chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes was reported in patients with crohn's disease who were treated with 200 to 1200 mg/day of metronidazole for 1 to 24 months. however, in another study,
Read more... no increase in chromosomal aberrations in circulating lymphocytes was observed in patients with crohn's disease treated with the drug for 8 months.
Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility:
13.1 carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility metronidazole has shown evidence of carcinogenic activity in studies involving chronic oral administration in mice and rats, but not in studies involving hamsters. in several long-term studies in mice, oral doses of approximately 225 mg/m 2 /day or greater were associated with an increase in pulmonary tumors and lymphomas. several long-term oral studies in the rat have shown statistically significant increases in mammary and hepatic tumors at doses >885 mg/m 2 /day. metronidazole has shown evidence of mutagenic activity in several in vitro bacterial assay systems. in addition, a dose-related increase in the frequency of micronuclei was observed in mice after intraperitoneal injections. an increase in chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes was reported in patients with crohn's disease who were treated with 200 to 1200 mg/day of metronidazole for 1 to 24 months. however, in another study, no increase in chromosoma
Read more...l aberrations in circulating lymphocytes was observed in patients with crohn's disease treated with the drug for 8 months.
Clinical Studies:
14 clinical studies in a randomized, vehicle-controlled trial, 746 subjects with rosacea were treated with metronidazole gel,1% or vehicle once daily for 10 weeks. most subjects had a disease severity score of 3 ("moderate") on the 5-point investigator global assessment (iga) scale, with 8 to 50 inflammatory lesions and no more than two nodules at baseline. the co-primary efficacy endpoints were the percent reduction in inflammatory lesion counts and percentage of subjects with success on iga, defined as an iga score of 0 ("clear") or 1 ("almost clear") at week 10. the efficacy results are shown in the following table: table 3: inflammatory lesion counts and global scores in a clinical trial of rosacea metronidazole gel, 1% vehicle n results n (%) n results n (%) inflammatory lesions 557 189 baseline, mean count 18.3 18.4 week-10, mean count 8.9 12.8 reduction 9.4 (50.7) 5.6 (32.6) investigator global assessment 557 189 subject clear or almost clear 214 (38.42) 52 (27.51) subject with
Read more...no change 159 (28.5) 77 (40.7) subjects treated with metronidazole gel, 1% experienced a mean reduction of 9.4 inflammatory lesions in the week-10 locf group, compared to a reduction of 5.6 for those treated with vehicle, or a difference in means of 3.8 lesions. the contribution to efficacy of individual components of the vehicle has not been established.
How Supplied:
16 how supplied/storage and handling 16.1 how supplied metronidazole gel usp, 1% is a clear, colorless to pale yellow in color, and supplied as follows: 45 gram tube- ndc 62332-630-45 60 gram tube- ndc 62332-630-60 55 gram pump- ndc 62332-630-55 16.2 storage and handling storage conditions: store at 20Ë to 25Ëc (68Ë to 77Ëf); excursions permitted between 15Ë to 30Ëc (59Ë to 86Ëf) [see usp controlled room temperature].
Information for Patients:
17 patient counseling information advise the patient to read the fda-approved patient labeling (patient information). administration instructions use as directed. avoid contact with the eyes. cleanse treated areas before the application of metronidazole gel. advise patients to report any adverse reaction to their healthcare providers. lactation advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with metronidazole gel [see use in specific populations (8.2)]. rx only manufactured for: alembic pharmaceuticals, inc. bedminster, nj 07921, usa manufactured by: alembic pharmaceuticals limited (derma division), karakhadi, vadodara 391450, india. mfg. license no.: g/25/2216
Package Label Principal Display Panel:
Package label.principal display panel metronidazole gel usp, 1% for topical use only ndc 62332-630-45 rx only 45 grams for topical use only. not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use. store at 20° to 25°c (68° to 77°f); excursions permitted between 15° to 30°c (59° to 86°f) [see usp controlled room temperature]. keep out of reach of children. usual dosage: apply a thin film once a day to affected areas. see prescribing information for complete instructions. each gram contains: 10 mg (1%) metronidazole usp, as active ingredient in a gel base consisting of betadex, edetate disodium, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylparaben, niacinamide, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, propylparaben, and purified water. manufactured for: alembic pharmaceuticals, inc. bedminster, nj 07921, usa manufactured by: alembic pharmaceuticals limited (derma division), karakhadi, vadodara 391450, india. mfg. license no.: g/25/2216 label carton label