Desoximetasone

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Desoximetasone topical spray is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in patients 18 years of age or older. Desoximetasone topical spray is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in patients 18 years of age or older ( 1 ).

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply Desoximetasone Topical Spray as a thin film to the affected skin areas twice daily. Rub in gently. The treated skin area should not be bandaged or otherwise covered or wrapped unless directed by the physician. Desoximetasone Topical Spray should be discontinued when control is achieved. Treatment beyond 4 weeks is not recommended. Do not use if atrophy is present at the treatment site. Avoid use on the face, axilla or groin. Desoximetasone Topical Spray is for external use only. It is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. Apply a thin film to the affected skin areas twice daily. Rub in gently. ( 2 ) Desoximetasone Topical Spray should be discontinued when control is achieved. ( 2 ) Treatment beyond 4 weeks is not recommended. ( 2 ) Do not use if atrophy is present at the treatment site. ( 2 ) Do not use with occlusive dressings, unless directed by the physician ( 2 ) Avoid use on the face, axilla or groin. ( 2 ) Desoximetasone Topical Spray is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. ( 2 )

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Effect on Endocrine System: Desoximetasone topical spray can produce reversible HPA axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency during or after treatment. ( 5.1 ) • Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and unmasking of latent diabetes mellitus can result from systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids. ( 5.1 ) • Because of the potential for systemic absorption, use of topical corticosteroids may require that patients be periodically evaluated for HPA axis suppression. ( 5.1 ) • Modify use if HPA axis suppression develops. ( 5.1 ) • High potency corticosteroids, large treatment surface areas, prolonged use, use of occlusive dressings, altered skin barrier, liver failure and young age may predispose patients to HPA axis suppression. ( 5.1 ) • Pediatric patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity when treated with topical corticosteroids. Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients and use in pediatric patients is not recommended. ( 5.1 , 8.4 ) • Ophthalmic Adverse Reactions: Topical corticosteroid products may increase the risk of cataracts and glaucoma. If visual symptoms occur, consider referral to an ophthalmologist. ( 5.3 ). • Flammability: Desoximetasone topical spray is flammable; keep away from heat or flame. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Effect on Endocrine System Desoximetasone topical spray is a topical corticosteroid that has been shown to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible HPA axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency. This may occur during treatment or upon withdrawal of the topical corticosteroid. In a study including 21 evaluable subjects 18 years of age or older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, adrenal suppression was identified in 1 out of 12 subjects having involvement of 10 to 15% of body surface area (BSA) and 2 out of 9 subjects having involvement of >15% of BSA after treatment with desoximetasone topical spray twice a day for 28 days [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . Because of the potential for systemic absorption, use of topical corticosteroids may require that patients be periodically evaluated for HPA axis suppression. Factors that predispose a patient using a topical corticosteroid to HPA axis suppression include the use of high potency steroids, larger treatment surface areas, prolonged use, use of occlusive dressings, altered skin barrier, liver failure and young age. An ACTH stimulation test may be helpful in evaluating patients for HPA axis suppression. If HPA axis suppression is documented, an attempt should be made to gradually withdraw the drug, to reduce the frequency of application, or to substitute a less potent steroid. Manifestations of adrenal insufficiency may require supplemental systemic corticosteroids. Recovery of HPA axis function is generally prompt and complete upon discontinuation of topical corticosteroids. Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and unmasking of latent diabetes mellitus can also result from systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids. Use of more than one corticosteroid-containing product at the same time may increase the total systemic corticosteroid exposure. Pediatric patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity from use of topical corticosteroids. Use in patients under 18 years of age is not recommended due to numerically high rates of HPA axis suppression (the safety and effectiveness of desoximetasone topical spray have not been established in pediatric patients) [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . 5.2 Local Adverse Reactions with Topical Corticosteroids Local adverse reactions may be more likely to occur with occlusive use, prolonged use or use of higher potency corticosteroids. Reactions may include atrophy, striae, telangiectasias, burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, and miliaria. Some local adverse reactions may be irreversible. 5.3 Ophthalmic Adverse Reactions Use of topical corticosteroids, including desoximetasone topical spray, may increase the risk of posterior subcapsular cataracts and glaucoma. Cataracts and glaucoma have been reported with the postmarketing use of topical corticosteroid products [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Avoid contact of desoximetasone topical spray with eyes. Desoximetasone topical spray may cause eye irritation. Advise patients to report any visual symptoms and consider referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation. 5.4 Allergic Contact Dermatitis with Topical Corticosteroids Allergic contact dermatitis to any component of topical corticosteroids is usually diagnosed by a failure to heal rather than a clinical exacerbation. Clinical diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis can be confirmed by patch testing. 5.5 Concomitant Skin Infections Concomitant skin infections should be treated with an appropriate antimicrobial agent. If the infection persists, desoximetasone topical spray should be discontinued until the infection has been adequately treated. 5.6 Flammability Desoximetasone topical spray is flammable; keep away from heat or flame.

CONTRAINDICATIONS Desoximetasone cream USP, 0.05%, desoximetasone cream USP, 0.25%, and desoximetasone gel USP, 0.05% are contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation.

ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (≥ 1%) are application site dryness, application site irritation and application site pruritus. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Padagis ® at 1-866-634-9120 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 randomized, multicenter, prospective vehicle-controlled clinical trials, subjects with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis of the body applied desoximetasone topical spray or vehicle spray twice daily for 4 weeks. A total of 149 subjects applied desoximetasone topical spray. Adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 1% of subjects treated with desoximetasone topical spray are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Number (%) of Subjects with Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 1% Desoximetasone Topical Spray, 0.25% b.i.d. (N = 149) Vehicle spray b.i.d. (N = 135) Number of Subjects with Adverse Reactions 13 (8.7%) 18 (13.3%) Application site dryness 4 (2.7%) 7 (5.2%) Application site irritation 4 (2.7%) 5 (3.7%) Application site pruritus 3 (2.0%) 5 (3.7%) Another less common adverse reaction (<1% but >0.1%) was folliculitis. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Because adverse reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Postmarketing reports for local adverse reactions to topical corticosteroids included atrophy, striae, telangiectasias, itching, dryness, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, secondary infection, and miliaria. Ophthalmic adverse reactions of cataracts, glaucoma, and increased intraocular pressure have been reported during use of topical corticosteroids.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Topical corticosteroids share anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive actions. The mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of the topical corticosteroids is unclear. Various laboratory methods, including vasoconstrictor assays, are used to compare and predict potencies and/or clinical efficacies of the topical corticosteroids. There is some evidence to suggest that a recognizable correlation exists between vasoconstrictor potency and therapeutic efficacy in man. Pharmacokinetics The extent of percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids is determined by many factors including the vehicle, the integrity of the epidermal barrier, and the use of occlusive dressings. Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from normal intact skin. Inflammation and/or other disease processes in the skin increase percutaneous absorption. Occlusive dressings substantially increase the percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids. Thus, occlusive dressings may be a valuable therapeutic adjunct for treatment of resistant dermatoses. Once absorbed through the skin, topical corticosteroids are handled through pharmacokinetic pathways similar to systemically administered corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are bound to plasma proteins in varying degrees. Corticosteroids are metabolized primarily in the liver and are then excreted by the kidneys. Some of the topical corticosteroids and their metabolites are also excreted into the bile. Pharmacokinetic studies in men with desoximetasone cream USP, 0.25% with tagged desoximetasone showed a total of 5.2% ± 2.9% excretion in urine (4.1% ± 2.3%) and feces (1.1% ± 0.6%) and no detectable level (limit of sensitivity: 0.005 mcg/mL) in the blood when it was applied topically on the back followed by occlusion for 24 hours. Seven days after application, no further radioactivity was detected in urine or feces. The half-life of the material was 15 ± 2 hours (for urine) and 17 ± 2 hours (for feces) between the third and fifth trial day. Studies with other similarly structured steroids have shown that predominant metabolite reaction occurs through conjugation to form the glucuronide and sulfate ester.