USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

hikma pharmaceuticals usa inc. - methadone hydrochloride (unii: 229809935b) (methadone - unii:uc6vbe7v1z) - methadone hydrochloride 10 mg in 1 ml - methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate (intensol ™) contains methadone, an opioid agonist indicated for the: limitations of use limitations of use methadone products used for the treatment of opioid addiction in detoxification or maintenance programs are subject to the conditions for distribution and use required under 21 cfr, title 42, sec 8 [see dosage and administration (2.1)] . methadone hydrochloride intensol ™ is contraindicated in patients with: risk summary the majority of available data from clinical trials, observational studies, case series, and case reports on methadone use in pregnancy do not indicate an increased risk of major malformations specifically due to methadone. pregnant women involved in methadone maintenance programs have been reported to have improved prenatal care leading to reduced incidence of obstetric and fetal complications and neonatal morbidity and mortality when compared to women using illicit drugs. several factors, including maternal use of illicit drugs, nutrition, infection and psychosocial circumstances, complicate the interpretation of investigations of the children of women who take methadone during pregnancy. information is limited regarding dose and duration of methadone use during pregnancy, and most maternal exposure in these studies appears to occur after the first trimester of pregnancy (see data ). neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (nows) is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy [see warnings and precautions (5.6)] . in published animal reproduction studies, methadone administered subcutaneously during the early gestational period produced neural tube defects (i.e., exencephaly and cranioschisis) in the hamster at doses 2 times the human daily oral dose of 120 mg/day on a mg/m2 basis (hdd) and in mice at doses equivalent to the hdd. administration of methadone to pregnant animals during organogenesis and through lactation resulted decreased litter size, increased pup mortality, decreased pup body weights, developmental delays, and long-term neurochemical changes in the brain of offspring which correlate with altered behavioral responses that persist through adulthood at exposures comparable to and less than the hdd. administration of methadone to male rodents prior to mating with untreated females resulted in increased neonatal mortality and significant differences in behavioral tests in the offspring at exposures comparable to and less than the hdd (see data ). based on animal data, advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. the estimated 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. clinical considerations disease-associated maternal and embryo-fetal risk: untreated opioid addiction in pregnancy is associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and fetal death. in addition, untreated opioid addiction often results in continued or relapsing illicit opioid use. dosage adjustment during pregnancy: dosage adjustment using higher doses or administering the daily dose in divided doses may be necessary in pregnant women treated with methadone hydrochloride intensol ™. pregnant women appear to have significantly lower trough plasma methadone concentrations, increased plasma methadone clearance, and shorter methadone half-life than after delivery [see dosage and administration (2.9), clinical pharmacology (12.3)] . withdrawal signs and symptoms should be closely monitored and the dose adjusted as necessary. fetal/neonatal adverse reactions: neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome may occur in newborn infants of mothers who are receiving treatment with methadone hydrochloride intensol™ . neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome presents as irritability, hyperactivity and abnormal sleep pattern, high pitched cry, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or failure to gain weight. signs of neonatal withdrawal usually occur in the first days after birth. the duration and severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome may vary. observe newborns for signs of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and manage accordingly [see warnings and precautions (5.6)] . labor or delivery: opioid-dependent women on methadone maintenance therapy may require additional analgesia during labor. monitor neonates exposed to opioid analgesics during labor for signs of excess sedation and respiratory depression. data human data: the majority of available data from clinical trials, observational studies, case series, and case reports on methadone use in pregnancy do not indicate an increased risk of major malformations specifically due to methadone. findings regarding specific major malformations, decreased fetal growth, premature birth and sudden infant death syndrome have been inconsistent. children prenatally exposed to methadone have been reported to demonstrate mild but persistent deficits in performance on psychometric and behavioral tests and visual abnormalities. in a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial [maternal opioid treatment: human experimental research (mother)] designed primarily to assess neonatal opioid withdrawal effects, opioid-dependent pregnant women were randomized to buprenorphine (n=86) or methadone (n=89) treatment, with enrollment at an average gestational age of 18.7 weeks in both groups. a total of 28 of the 86 women in the buprenorphine group (33%) and 16 of the 89 women in the methadone group (18%) discontinued treatment before the end of pregnancy. among women who remained in treatment until delivery, there was no difference between methadone-treated and buprenorphine-treated groups in the number of neonates requiring nows treatment or in the peak severity of nows. buprenorphine-exposed neonates required less morphine (mean total dose, 1.1 mg vs. 10.4 mg), had shorter hospital stays (10.0 days vs. 17.5 days), and shorter duration of treatment for nows (4.1 days vs. 9.9 days) compared to the methadone-exposed group. there were no differences between groups in other primary outcomes (neonatal head circumference,) or secondary outcomes (weight and length at birth, preterm birth, gestational age at delivery, and 1-minute and 5-minute apgar scores), or in the rates of maternal or neonatal adverse events. the outcomes among mothers who discontinued treatment before delivery and may have relapsed to illicit opioid use are not known. because of the imbalance in discontinuation rates between the methadone and buprenorphine groups, the study findings are difficult to interpret. animal data: formal reproductive and developmental toxicology studies for methadone have not been conducted. exposure margins for the following published study reports are based on a human daily dose (hdd) of 120 mg methadone using a body surface area comparison. in a published study in pregnant hamsters, a single subcutaneous dose of methadone ranging from 31 mg/kg (2 times the hdd) to 185 mg/kg on gestation day 8 resulted in a decrease in the number of fetuses per litter and an increase in the percentage of fetuses exhibiting neural tube defects including exencephaly, cranioschisis, and “various other lesions.” the majority of the doses tested also resulted in maternal death. in a study in pregnant jbt/jd mice, a single subcutaneous dose of 22 to 24 mg/kg methadone (approximately equivalent to the hdd) administered on gestation day 9 produced exencephaly in 11% of the embryos. in another study in pregnant mice, subcutaneous doses up to 28 mg/kg/day methadone (equivalent to the hdd) administered from gestation day 6 to 15 resulted in no malformations, but there were increased postimplantation loss and decreased live fetuses at 10 mg/kg/day or greater (0.4 times the hdd) and decreased ossification and fetal body weight at 20 mg/kg/day or greater (0.8 times the hdd). in a second study of pregnant mice dosed with subcutaneous doses up to 28 mg/kg/day methadone from gestation day 6 to 15, there was decreased pup viability, delayed onset of development of negative phototaxis and eye opening, increased righting reflexes at 5 mg/kg/day or greater (0.2 times the hdd), and decreased number of live pups at birth and decreased pup weight gain at 20 mg/kg/day or greater (0.8 times the hdd). no effects were reported in a study of pregnant rats and rabbits at oral doses up to 40 mg/kg (3 and 6 times, respectively, the hdd) administered from gestation days 6 to 15 and 6 to 18, respectively. when pregnant rats were treated with intraperitoneal doses of 2.5, 5, or 7.5 mg/kg methadone from one week prior to mating, through gestation until the end of lactation period, 5 mg/kg or greater (0.4 times the hdd) methadone resulted in decreases in litter size and live pups born and 7.5 mg/kg (0.6 times the hdd) resulted in decreased birth weights. furthermore, decreased pup viability and pup body weight gain at 2.5 mg/kg or greater (0.2 times the hdd) were noted during the preweaning period. additional animal data demonstrate evidence for neurochemical changes in the brains of offspring from methadone-treated pregnant rats, including changes to the cholinergic, dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and serotonergic systems at doses below the hdd. other animal studies have reported that prenatal and/or postnatal exposure to opioids including methadone alters neuronal development and behavior in the offspring including alterations in learning ability, motor activity, thermal regulation, nociceptive responses, and sensitivity to drugs at doses below the hdd. treatment of pregnant rats subcutaneously with 5 mg/kg methadone from gestation day 14 to 19 (0.4 times the hdd) reduced fetal blood testosterone and androstenedione in males. published animal data have reported increased neonatal mortality in the offspring of male rodents that were treated with methadone at doses comparable to and less than the hdd for 1 to 12 days before and/or during mating (with more pronounced effects in the first 4 days). in these studies, the female rodents were not treated with methadone, indicating paternally-mediated developmental toxicity. specifically, methadone administered to the male rat prior to mating with methadone-naïve females resulted in decreased weight gain in progeny after weaning. the male progeny demonstrated reduced thymus weights, whereas the female progeny demonstrated increased adrenal weights. behavioral testing of these male and female progeny revealed significant differences in behavioral tests compared to control animals, suggesting that paternal methadone exposure can produce physiological and behavioral changes in progeny in this model. examination of uterine contents of methadone-naïve female mice bred to methadone-treated male mice (once a day for three consecutive days) indicated that methadone treatment produced an increase in the rate of preimplantation deaths in all post-meiotic states at 1 mg/kg/day or greater (0.04 times the hdd). chromosome analysis revealed a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities at 1 mg/kg/day or greater. studies demonstrated that methadone treatment of male rats for 21 to 32 days prior to mating with methadone-naïve females did not produce any adverse effects, suggesting that prolonged methadone treatment of the male rat resulted in tolerance to the developmental toxicities noted in the progeny. mechanistic studies in this rat model suggest that the developmental effects of “paternal” methadone on the progeny appear to be due to decreased testosterone production. these animal data mirror the reported clinical findings of decreased testosterone levels in human males on methadone maintenance therapy for opioid addiction and in males receiving chronic intraspinal opioids. risk summary based on two small clinical studies, methadone was present in low levels in human milk, but the exposed infants in these studies did not show adverse reactions. based on an average milk consumption of 150 ml/kg/day, an infant would consume approximately 17.4 mcg/kg/day which is approximately 2% to 3% of the oral maternal dose. there have been rare case reports of sedation and respiratory depression in infants exposed to methadone through breast milk (see data ). monitor infants exposed to methadone through breast milk for excess sedation and respiratory depression. the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for methadone and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition. data in a study of ten breastfeeding women maintained on oral methadone doses of 10 to 80 mg/day, methadone concentrations from 50 to 570 mcg/l in milk were reported, which, in the majority of samples, were lower than maternal serum drug concentrations at steady state. peak methadone levels in milk occur approximately 4 to 5 hours after an oral dose. in a study of twelve breastfeeding women maintained on oral methadone doses of 20 to 80 mg/day, methadone concentrations from 39 to 232 mcg/l in milk were reported. based on an average milk consumption of 150 ml/kg/day, an infant would consume approximately 17.4 mcg/kg/day, which is approximately 2% to 3% of the oral maternal dose. methadone has been detected in very low plasma concentrations in some infants whose mothers were taking methadone. infertility the effect of methadone hydrochloride intensol ™ on fertility is unknown. chronic use of opioids may cause reduced fertility in females and males of reproductive potential. it is not known whether these effects on fertility are reversible [see adverse reactions (6), clinical pharmacology (12.2), nonclinical toxicology (13)] . reproductive function in human males may be decreased by methadone treatment. reductions in ejaculate volume and seminal vesicle and prostate secretions have been reported in methadone-treated individuals. in addition, reductions in serum testosterone levels and sperm motility, and abnormalities in sperm morphology have been reported. in published animal studies, methadone produces a significant regression of sex accessory organs and testes of male mice and rats and administration of methadone to pregnant rats reduced fetal blood testosterone and androstenedione in male offspring [see nonclinical toxicology (13)] . the safety, effectiveness, and pharmacokinetics of methadone in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established. clinical studies of methadone did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently compared to younger subjects. other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients. in general, start elderly patients at the low end of the dosing range, taking into account the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. closely monitor elderly patients for signs of respiratory and central nervous system depression. methadone is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. methadone pharmacokinetics have not been extensively evaluated in patients with hepatic insufficiency. methadone is metabolized by hepatic pathways, therefore, patients with liver impairment may be at risk of increased systemic exposure to methadone after multiple dosing. start these patients on lower doses and titrate slowly while carefully monitoring for signs of respiratory and central nervous system depression. methadone pharmacokinetics have not been extensively evaluated in patients with renal insufficiency. since unmetabolized methadone and its metabolites are excreted in urine to a variable degree, start these patients on lower doses and with longer dosing intervals and titrate slowly while carefully monitoring for signs of respiratory and central nervous system depression. methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate contains methadone, a schedule ii opioid agonist. methadone hydrochloride intensol™ contains methadone, a substance with a high potential for abuse similar to other opioids including fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and tapentadol. methadone hydrochloride intensol™ can be abused and are subject to misuse, addiction, and criminal diversion [see warnings and precautions (5.5)] . all patients treated with opioids for pain management require careful monitoring for signs of abuse and addiction, since use of opioid analgesic products carries the risk of addiction even under appropriate medical use. prescription drug abuse is the intentional non-therapeutic use of a prescription drug, even once, for its rewarding psychological or physiological effects. drug addiction is a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and includes: a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal. “drug-seeking” behavior is very common in persons with substance use disorders. drug-seeking tactics include emergency calls or visits near the end of office hours, refusal to undergo appropriate examination, testing or referral, repeated “loss” of prescriptions, tampering with prescriptions, and reluctance to provide prior medical records or contact information for other treating healthcare provider(s). “doctor shopping” (visiting multiple prescribers to obtain additional prescriptions) is common among people who abuse opioids and people suffering from untreated addiction. abuse and addiction are separate and distinct from physical dependence and tolerance. healthcare providers should be aware that addiction may not be accompanied by concurrent tolerance and symptoms of physical dependence in all people with substance use disorders. in addition, abuse of opioids can occur in the absence of true addiction. preoccupation with achieving adequate pain relief can be appropriate behavior in a patient with poor pain control. methadone hydrochloride intensol™ , like other opioids, can be diverted for non-medical use into illicit channels of distribution. careful record-keeping of prescribing information, including quantity and frequency as required by state and federal law, is strongly advised. proper assessment and selection of the patient, proper prescribing practices, periodic re-evaluation of therapy, and proper dispensing and storage are appropriate measures that help to limit abuse of opioid drugs. risks specific to methadone hydrochloride intensol™ abuse of methadone poses a risk of overdose and death. this risk is increased with concurrent abuse of methadone with alcohol and other substances. methadone hydrochloride intensol™ is intended for oral use only and must not be injected. parenteral drug abuse is commonly associated with transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and hiv. methadone hydrochloride intensol ™, when used for the treatment of opioid addiction in detoxification or maintenance programs, may be dispensed only by opioid treatment programs certified by the substance abuse and mental health services administration (and agencies, practitioners, and institutions by formal agreements with the program sponsor). both tolerance and physical dependence can develop during chronic opioid therapy. tolerance is the need for increasing doses of opioids to maintain a defined effect (in the absence of disease progression or other external factors). tolerance may occur to both the desired and undesired effects of drugs, and may develop at different rates for different effects. physical dependence results in withdrawal symptoms after abrupt discontinuation or significant dose reduction of a drug. withdrawal is also precipitated through the administration of drugs with opioid antagonist activity (e.g., naloxone) or mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics (e.g., pentazocine, butorphanol, nalbuphine), or partial agonists (e.g., buprenorphine). physical dependence may not occur to a clinically significant degree until after several days to weeks of continued opioid usage. physical dependence is expected during opioid agonist therapy of opioid addiction. methadone hydrochloride intensol ™ should not be abruptly discontinued [see dosage and administration (2.6, 2.7)] . if methadone hydrochloride intensol ™ is abruptly discontinued in a physically dependent patient, a withdrawal syndrome may occur. some or all of the following can characterize this syndrome: restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, and mydriasis. other symptoms also may develop, including irritability, anxiety, backache, joint pain, weakness, abdominal cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, or heart rate [see dosage and administration (2.6)] . neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (nows) is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy [see warnings and precautions (5.6)] .

USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

redpharm drug, inc. - oxycodone hydrochloride (unii: c1enj2te6c) (oxycodone - unii:cd35pmg570) - oxycodone hydrochloride 10 mg - oxycodone hcl extended-release tablets are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate in: adults; and opioid-tolerant pediatric patients 11 years of age and older who are already receiving and tolerate a minimum daily opioid dose of at least 20 mg oxycodone orally or its equivalent. limitations of use because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse with opioids, even at recommended doses, and because of the greater risks of overdose and death with extended-release opioid formulations [see warnings and precautions (5.1)], reserve oxycodone hcl extended-release tablets for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g., non-opioid analgesics or immediate-release opioids) are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain. oxycodone hcl extended-release tablets are not indicated as an as-needed (prn) a

USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

padagis us llc - hydromorphone hydrochloride (unii: l960up2krw) (hydromorphone - unii:q812464r06) - hydromorphone hydrochloride 8 mg - hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated for the management of severe and persistent pain that requires an extended treatment period with a daily opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. patients considered opioid tolerant are those who are receiving, for one week or longer, at least 60 mg oral morphine per day, 25 mcg transdermal fentanyl per hour, 30 mg oral oxycodone per day, 8 mg oral hydromorphone per day, 25 mg oral oxymorphone per day, 60 mg oral hydrocodone per day, or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid. limitations of use hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets are contraindicated in: risk summary use of opioid analgesics for an extended period of time during pregnancy may cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome [see warnings and precautions (5.4)]. there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. based on animal data, advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. in animal reproduction studies, reduced postnatal survival of pups, developmental delays, and altered behavioral responses were noted following oral treatment of pregnant rats with hydromorphone during gestation and through lactation at doses 2.1 times the human daily dose of 32 mg/day (hdd), respectively. in published studies, neural tube defects were noted following subcutaneous injection of hydromorphone to pregnant hamsters at doses 4.8 times the hdd and soft tissue and skeletal abnormalities were noted following subcutaneous continuous infusion of 2.3 times the hdd to pregnant mice. no malformations were noted at 2.1 or 17 times the hdd in pregnant rats or rabbits, respectively [see data] . based on animal data, advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. the estimated 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. clinical considerations fetal/neonatal adverse reactions use of opioid analgesics for an extended period of time during pregnancy for medical or nonmedical purposes can result in physical dependence in the neonate and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome shortly after birth. neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome presents as irritability, hyperactivity and abnormal sleep pattern, high pitched cry, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, and failure to gain weight. the onset, duration, and severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome vary based on the specific opioid used, duration of use, timing and amount of last maternal use, and rate of elimination of the drug by the newborn. observe newborns for symptoms of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, and manage accordingly [see warnings and precautions (5.4)] . labor or delivery opioids cross the placenta and may produce respiratory depression and psycho-physiologic effects in neonates. an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone, must be available for reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression in the neonate. hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets are not recommended for use in pregnant women during or immediately prior to labor, when use of shorter-acting analgesics or other analgesic techniques are more appropriate. opioid analgesics, including hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets can prolong labor through actions which temporarily reduce the strength, duration, and frequency of uterine contractions. however, this effect is not consistent and may be offset by an increased rate of cervical dilation, which tends to shorten labor. monitor neonates exposed to opioid analgesics during labor for signs of excess sedation and respiratory depression. data animal data pregnant rats were treated with hydromorphone hydrochloride from gestation day 6 to 17 via oral gavage doses of 1.75, 3.5, or 7 mg/kg/day (0.5, 1.1, or 2.1 times the hdd of 32 mg/day based on body surface area, respectively). maternal toxicity was noted in all treatment groups (reduced food consumption and body weights in the two highest dose groups). there was no evidence of malformations or embryotoxicity reported. pregnant rabbits were treated with hydromorphone hydrochloride from gestation day 6 to 20 via oral gavage doses of 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day (4.3, 8.5, or 17 times the hdd of 32 mg/day based on body surface area, respectively). maternal toxicity was noted in the highest dose group (reduced food consumption and body weights). there was no evidence of malformations or embryotoxicity reported. in a published study, neural tube defects (exencephaly and cranioschisis) were noted following subcutaneous administration of hydromorphone hydrochloride (19 to 258 mg/kg) on gestation day 8 to pregnant hamsters (4.8 to 65.4 times the hdd of 32 mg/day based on body surface area). the findings cannot be clearly attributed to maternal toxicity. no neural tube defects were noted at 14 mg/kg (3.5 times the human daily dose of 32 mg/day). in a published study, cf-1 mice were treated subcutaneously with continuous infusion of 7.5, 15, or 30 mg/kg/day hydromorphone hydrochloride (1.1, 2.3, or 4.6 times the human daily dose of 32 mg based on body surface area) via implanted osmotic pumps during organogenesis (gestation days 7 to 10). soft tissue malformations (cryptorchidism, cleft palate, malformed ventricles and retina), and skeletal variations (split supraoccipital, checkerboard and split sternebrae, delayed ossification of the paws and ectopic ossification sites) were observed at doses 2.3 times the human dose of 32 mg/day based on body surface area. the findings cannot be clearly attributed to maternal toxicity. pregnant rats were treated with hydromorphone hydrochloride from gestation day 6 to lactation day 21 via oral gavage doses of 1.75, 3.5, or 7 mg/kg/day (0.5, 1.1, or 2.1 times the hdd of 32 mg/day based on body surface area, respectively). reduced pup weights were noted at 1.1 and 2.1 times the human daily dose of 32 mg/day and increased pup deaths, delayed ear opening, reduced auditory startle reflex, and reduced open-field activity were also noted at 2.1 times the hdd. maternal toxicity was noted in all treatment groups (reduced food consumption and body weights in all groups) and decreased maternal care in the high dose group. risk summary because of the potential for serious adverse reactions, including excess sedation and respiratory depression in a breastfed infant, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets. low concentrations of hydromorphone have been detected in human milk in clinical trials. withdrawal symptoms can occur in breastfeeding infants when maternal administration of an opioid analgesic is stopped. nursing should not be undertaken while a patient is receiving hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets since hydromorphone is excreted in the milk. clinical considerations monitor infants exposed to hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets through breast milk for excess sedation and respiratory depression. withdrawal symptoms can occur in breastfed infants when maternal administration of an opioid analgesic is stopped, or when breast-feeding is stopped. infertility use of opioids for an extended period of time may cause reduced fertility in females and males of reproductive potential. it is not known whether these effects on fertility are reversible [see adverse reactions (6.2), nonclinical toxicology (13.1)] . the safety and effectiveness of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets in patients 17 years of age and younger have not been established. elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) may have increased sensitivity to hydromorphone. in general, use caution when selecting a dosage for an elderly patient, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. respiratory depression is the chief risk for elderly patients treated with opioids and has occurred after large initial doses were administered to patients who were not opioid-tolerant or when opioids were co-administered with other agents that depress respiration. titrate the dosage of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets slowly in geriatric patients and frequently reevaluate the patient for signs of central nervous system and respiratory depression [see warnings and precautions ( 5.2 )] . hydromorphone is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to regularly evaluate renal function. in a study that used a single 4 mg oral dose of immediate-release hydromorphone tablets, four-fold increases in plasma levels of hydromorphone (cmax and auc0-∞ ) were observed in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (child-pugh group b). start patients with moderate hepatic impairment on 25% of the hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets dose that would be used in patients with normal hepatic function. regularly evaluate patients with moderate hepatic impairment for respiratory and central nervous system depression during initiation of therapy with hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets and during dose titration. the pharmacokinetics of hydromorphone in severe hepatic impairment patients have not been studied. as further increases in cmax and auc0-∞ of hydromorphone in this group are expected, use of alternate analgesics is recommended [see dosage and administration ( 2.6 )] . administration of a single 4 mg dose of immediate-release hydromorphone tablets resulted in two-fold and four-fold increases in plasma levels of hydromorphone (cmax and auc0-48h ) in moderate (clcr = 40 to 60 ml/min) and severe (clcr < 30 ml/min) impairment, respectively. in addition, in patients with severe renal impairment hydromorphone appeared to be more slowly eliminated with longer terminal elimination half-life. start patients with moderate renal impairment on 50% and patients with severe renal impairment on 25% of the hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets dose that would be prescribed for patients with normal renal function. regularly evaluate patients with renal impairment for respiratory and central nervous system depression during initiation of therapy with hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets and during dose titration. as hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets are only intended for once daily administration, consider use of an alternate analgesic that may permit more flexibility with the dosing interval in patients with severe renal impairment [see dosage and administration ( 2.7 )] . hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets contain hydromorphone, a schedule ii controlled substance. hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets contain hydromorphone, a substance with high potential for misuse and abuse, which can lead to the development of substance use disorder, including addiction [see warnings and precautions (5.1)] . misuse is the intentional use, for therapeutic purposes, of a drug by an individual in a way other than prescribed by a healthcare provider or for whom it was not prescribed. abuse is the intentional, non-therapeutic use of a drug, even once, for its desirable psychological or physiological effects. drug addiction is a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that may include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling drug use (e.g., continuing drug use despite harmful consequences, giving a higher priority to drug use than other activities and obligations), and possible tolerance or physical dependence. misuse and abuse of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets increases risk of overdose, which may lead to central nervous system and respiratory depression, hypotension, seizures, and death. the risk is increased with concurrent abuse of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets with alcohol and other cns depressants. abuse of and addiction to opioids in some individuals may not be accompanied by concurrent tolerance and symptoms of physical dependence. in addition, abuse of opioids can occur in the absence of addiction. all patients treated with opioids require careful and frequent reevaluation for signs of misuse, abuse, and addiction, because use of opioid analgesic products carries the risk of addiction even under appropriate medical use. patients at high risk of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets abuse include those with a history of prolonged use of any opioid, including products containing hydromorphone, those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse, or those who use hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets in combination with other abused drugs. "drug-seeking" behavior is very common in persons with substance use disorders. drug-seeking tactics include emergency calls or visits near the end of office hours, refusal to undergo appropriate examination, testing or referral, repeated “loss” of prescriptions, tampering with prescriptions, and reluctance to provide prior medical records or contact information for other treating healthcare provider(s). “doctor shopping” (visiting multiple prescribers to obtain additional prescriptions) is common among people who abuse drugs and people with substance use disorder. preoccupation with achieving adequate pain relief can be appropriate behavior in a patient with inadequate pain control. hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets, like other opioids, can be diverted for nonmedical use into illicit channels of distribution. careful record-keeping of prescribing information, including quantity, frequency, and renewal requests, as required by state and federal law, is strongly advised. proper assessment of the patient, proper prescribing practices, periodic reevaluation of therapy, and proper dispensing and storage are appropriate measures that help to limit abuse of opioid drugs. risks specific to abuse of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets abuse of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets poses a risk of overdose and death. this risk is increased with concurrent use of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets with alcohol and/or other cns depressants. taking cut, broken, chewed, crushed, or dissolved hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets enhances drug release and increases the risk of overdose and death. hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets is approved for oral use only. inappropriate intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous use of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets can result in death, local tissue necrosis, infection, pulmonary granulomas, increased risk of endocarditis, and valvular heart injury, and embolism. parenteral drug abuse is commonly associated with transmission of infectious disease such as hepatitis and hiv. both tolerance and physical dependence can develop during use of opioid therapy. tolerance is a physiological state characterized by a reduced response to a drug after repeated administration (i.e., a higher dose of a drug is required to produce the same effect that was once obtained at a lower dose). physical dependence is a state that develops as a result of a physiological adaptation in response to repeated drug use, manifested by withdrawal signs and symptoms after abrupt discontinuation or a significant dose reduction of a drug. withdrawal may be precipitated through the administration of drugs with opioid antagonist activity (e.g., naloxone), mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics (e.g., pentazocine, butorphanol, nalbuphine), or partial agonists (e.g., buprenorphine). physical dependence may not occur to a clinically significant degree until after several days to weeks of continued use. do not abruptly discontinue hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets in a patient physically dependent on opioids. rapid tapering of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets in a patient physically dependent on opioids may lead to serious withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, and suicide. rapid discontinuation has also been associated with attempts to find other sources of opioid analgesics, which may be confused with drug-seeking for abuse. when discontinuing hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets, gradually taper the dosage using a patient-specific plan that considers the following: the dose of hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets the patient has been taking, the duration of treatment, and the physical and psychological attributes of the patient. to improve the likelihood of a successful taper and minimize withdrawal symptoms, it is important that the opioid tapering schedule is agreed upon by the patient. in patients taking opioids for an extended period of time at high doses, ensure that a multimodal approach to pain management, including mental health support (if needed), is in place prior to initiating an opioid analgesic taper [see dosage and administration ( 2.5 ), warnings and precautions ( 5.13 )] . infants born to mothers physically dependent on opioids will also be physically dependent and may exhibit respiratory difficulties and withdrawal signs [see use in specific populations (8.1)] .

USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

mckesson corporation - oxycodone hydrochloride (unii: c1enj2te6c) (oxycodone - unii:cd35pmg570) - oxycodone hydrochloride 5 mg - oxycodone hydrochloride (hcl) tablets are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. limitations of use because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse with opioids, even at recommended doses [see warnings and precautions (5.1)], reserve oxycodone hcl tablets for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g., non-opioid analgesics or opioid combination products): - have not been tolerated or are not expected to be tolerated, - have not provided adequate analgesia or are not expected to provide adequate analgesia. oxycodone hcl is contraindicated in patients with: - significant respiratory depression [see warnings and precautions (5.2)] - acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment or hypercarbia [see warnings and precautions (5.6)] - known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus [see warnings and precautions (5

USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

international medication systems, limited - naloxone hydrochloride (unii: f850569pqr) (naloxone - unii:36b82amq7n) - naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg in 1 ml - naloxone hydrochloride injection is indicated for the complete or partial reversal of opioid depression, including respiratory depression, induced by natural and synthetic opioids including, propoxyphene, methadone and certain mixed agonist-antagonist analgesics: nalbuphine, pentazocine and butorphanol and cyclazocine. naloxone hydrochloride is also indicated for the diagnosis of suspected or known acute opioid overdosage. naloxone hydrochloride injection may be useful as an adjunctive agent to increase blood pressure in the management of septic shock. (see clinical pharmacology; adjunctive use in septic shock ). naloxone hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to it or to any of the other ingredients in naloxone hydrochloride. naloxone hydrochloride is an opioid antagonist. physical dependence associated with the use of naloxone hydrochloride has not been reported. tolerance to the opioid antagonist effect of naloxone hydrochloride is not known to occur.

USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

general injectables & vaccines, inc - naloxone hydrochloride (unii: f850569pqr) (naloxone - unii:36b82amq7n) - naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg in 1 ml - naloxone hydrochloride injection is indicated for the complete or partial reversal of opioid depression, including respiratory depression, induced by natural and synthetic opioids including, propoxyphene, methadone and certain mixed agonist-antagonist analgesics: nalbuphine, pentazocine and butorphanol and cyclazocine. naloxone hydrochloride is also indicated for the diagnosis of suspected or known acute opioid overdosage. naloxone hydrochloride injection may be useful as an adjunctive agent to increase blood pressure in the management of septic shock. (see clinical pharmacology; adjunctive use in septic shock). naloxone hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to it or to any of the other ingredients in naloxone hydrochloride. naloxone hydrochloride is an opioid antagonist. physical dependence associated with the use of naloxone hydrochloride has not been reported. tolerance to the opioid antagonist effect of naloxone hydrochloride is not known to occur.

USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

general injectables & vaccines, inc. - naloxone hydrochloride (unii: f850569pqr) (naloxone - unii:36b82amq7n) - naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg in 1 ml - naloxone hydrochloride injection is indicated for the complete or partial reversal of opioid depression, including respiratory depression, induced by natural and synthetic opioids including, propoxyphene, methadone and certain mixed agonist-antagonist analgesics: nalbuphine, pentazocine and butorphanol and cyclazocine. naloxone hydrochloride is also indicated for the diagnosis of suspected or known acute opioid overdosage. naloxone hydrochloride injection may be useful as an adjunctive agent to increase blood pressure in the management of septic shock. (see clinical pharmacology; adjunctive use in septic shock). naloxone hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to it or to any of the other ingredients in naloxone hydrochloride. naloxone hydrochloride is an opioid antagonist. physical dependence associated with the use of naloxone hydrochloride has not been reported. tolerance to the opioid antagonist effect of naloxone hydrochloride is not known to occur.

USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

physicians total care, inc. - naloxone hydrochloride (unii: f850569pqr) (naloxone - unii:36b82amq7n) - naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg in 1 ml - naloxone hydrochloride injection is indicated for the complete or partial reversal of narcotic depression, including respiratory depression, induced by opioids including natural and synthetic narcotics, propoxyphene, methadone and certain narcotic-antagonist analgesics: nalbuphine, pentazocine and butorphanol. naloxone hydrochloride is also indicated for the diagnosis of suspected acute opioid overdosage. naloxone hydrochloride injection may be useful as an adjunctive agent to increase blood pressure in the management of septic shock. naloxone hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to it.

USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

ethex corporation - hydromorphone hydrochloride (unii: l960up2krw) (hydromorphone - unii:q812464r06) - tablet - 2 mg - hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the management of pain in patients where an opioid analgesic is appropriate. hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to hydromorphone, patients with respiratory depression in the absence of resuscitative equipment, and in patients with status asthmaticus. hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets are also contraindicated for use in obstetrical analgesia. hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets contain hydromorphone, a schedule ii controlled opioid agonist. schedule ii opioid substances which include morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, fentanyl, and methadone have the highest potential for abuse and risk of fatal overdose. hydromorphone can be abused and is subject to criminal diversion. opioid analgesics may cause psychological and physical dependence. physical dependence results in withdrawal symptoms in patients who abruptly discontinue the drug. physical dependence usually does not occur to a clinically sign

USA - engelska - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

vistapharm, llc - methadone hydrochloride (unii: 229809935b) (methadone - unii:uc6vbe7v1z) - methadone hydrochloride 10 mg in 1 ml - methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate contains methadone, an opioid agonist indicated for the: - detoxification treatment of opioid addiction (heroin or other morphine-like drugs). - maintenance treatment of opioid addiction (heroin or other morphine-like drugs), in conjunction with appropriate social and medical services. limitations of use methadone products used for the treatment of opioid addiction in detoxification or maintenance programs are subject to the conditions for distribution and use required under 21 cfr, title 42, sec 8 [see dosage and administration (2.1)] . methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate is contraindicated in patients with: - significant respiratory depression [see warnings and precautions (5.1)] significant respiratory depression [see warnings and precautions (5.1)] - acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment [see warnings and precautions (5.8)] acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment [see warnings and precautions (5.8)] - known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus [see warnings and precautions (5.13)] known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus [see warnings and precautions (5.13)] - hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to methadone or any other ingredient in methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate [see adverse reactions (6)] hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to methadone or any other ingredient in methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate [see adverse reactions (6)] risk summary the majority of available data from clinical trials, observational studies, case series, and case reports on methadone use in pregnancy do not indicate an increased risk of major malformations specifically due to methadone. pregnant women involved in methadone maintenance programs have been reported to have improved prenatal care leading to reduced incidence of obstetric and fetal complications and neonatal morbidity and mortality when compared to women using illicit drugs. several factors, including maternal use of illicit drugs, nutrition, infection and psychosocial circumstances, complicate the interpretation of investigations of the children of women who take methadone during pregnancy. information is limited regarding dose and duration of methadone use during pregnancy, and most maternal exposure in these studies appears to occur after the first trimester of pregnancy (see data ). neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (nows) is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy [see warnings and precautions (5.6)] . in published animal reproduction studies, methadone administered subcutaneously during the early gestational period produced neural tube defects (i.e., exencephaly and cranioschisis) in the hamster at doses 2 times the human daily oral dose of 120 mg/day on a mg/m2 basis (hdd) and in mice at doses equivalent to the hdd. administration of methadone to pregnant animals during organogenesis and through lactation resulted decreased litter size, increased pup mortality, decreased pup body weights, developmental delays, and long-term neurochemical changes in the brain of offspring which correlate with altered behavioral responses that persist through adulthood at exposures comparable to and less than the hdd. administration of methadone to male rodents prior to mating with untreated females resulted in increased neonatal mortality and significant differences in behavioral tests in the offspring at exposures comparable to and less than the hdd (see data) . based on animal data, advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. the estimated 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. clinical considerations disease-associated maternal and embryo-fetal risk untreated opioid addiction in pregnancy is associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and fetal death. in addition, untreated opioid addiction often results in continued or relapsing illicit opioid use. dosage adjustment during pregnancy dosage adjustment using higher doses or administering the daily dose in divided doses may be necessary in pregnant women treated with methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate. pregnant women appear to have significantly lower trough plasma methadone concentrations, increased plasma methadone clearance, and shorter methadone half-life than after delivery [see dosage and administration (2.9), clinical pharmacology (12.3)] . withdrawal signs and symptoms should be closely monitored and the dose adjusted as necessary. fetal/neonatal adverse reactions neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome may occur in newborn infants of mothers who are receiving treatment with methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate. neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome presents as irritability, hyperactivity and abnormal sleep pattern, high-pitched cry, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or failure to gain weight. signs of neonatal withdrawal usually occur in the first days after birth. the duration and severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome may vary. observe newborns for signs of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and manage accordingly [see warnings and precautions (5.6)] . labor or delivery opioid-dependent women on methadone maintenance therapy may require additional analgesia during labor. monitor neonates exposed to opioid analgesics during labor for signs of excess sedation and respiratory depression. data human data the majority of available data from clinical trials, observational studies, case series, and case reports on methadone use in pregnancy do not indicate an increased risk of major malformations specifically due to methadone. findings regarding specific major malformations, decreased fetal growth, premature birth and sudden infant death syndrome have been inconsistent. children prenatally exposed to methadone have been reported to demonstrate mild but persistent deficits in performance on psychometric and behavioral tests and visual abnormalities. in a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial [maternal opioid treatment: human experimental research (mother)] designed primarily to assess neonatal opioid withdrawal effects, opioid-dependent pregnant women were randomized to buprenorphine (n=86) or methadone (n=89) treatment, with enrollment at an average gestational age of 18.7 weeks in both groups. a total of 28 of the 86 women in the buprenorphine group (33%) and 16 of the 89 women in the methadone group (18%) discontinued treatment before the end of pregnancy. among women who remained in treatment until delivery, there was no difference between methadone-treated and buprenorphine-treated groups in the number of neonates requiring nows treatment or in the peak severity of nows. buprenorphine-exposed neonates required less morphine (mean total dose, 1.1 mg vs. 10.4 mg), had shorter hospital stays (10.0 days vs. 17.5 days), and shorter duration of treatment for nows (4.1 days vs. 9.9 days) compared to the methadone-exposed group. there were no differences between groups in other primary outcomes (neonatal head circumference,) or secondary outcomes (weight and length at birth, preterm birth, gestational age at delivery, and 1-minute and 5-minute apgar scores), or in the rates of maternal or neonatal adverse events. the outcomes among mothers who discontinued treatment before delivery and may have relapsed to illicit opioid use are not known. because of the imbalance in discontinuation rates between the methadone and buprenorphine groups, the study findings are difficult to interpret. animal data formal reproductive and developmental toxicology studies for methadone have not been conducted. exposure margins for the following published study reports are based on a human daily dose (hdd) of 120 mg methadone using a body surface area comparison. in a published study in pregnant hamsters, a single subcutaneous dose of methadone ranging from 31 mg/kg (2 times the hdd) to 185 mg/kg on gestation day 8 resulted in a decrease in the number of fetuses per litter and an increase in the percentage of fetuses exhibiting neural tube defects including exencephaly, cranioschisis, and “various other lesions.” the majority of the doses tested also resulted in maternal death. in a study in pregnant jbt/jd mice, a single subcutaneous dose of 22 to 24 mg/kg methadone (approximately equivalent to the hdd) administered on gestation day 9 produced exencephaly in 11% of the embryos. in another study in pregnant mice, subcutaneous doses up to 28 mg/kg/day methadone (equivalent to the hdd) administered from gestation day 6 to 15 resulted in no malformations, but there were increased postimplantation loss and decreased live fetuses at 10 mg/kg/day or greater (0.4 times the hdd) and decreased ossification and fetal body weight at 20 mg/kg/day or greater (0.8 times the hdd). in a second study of pregnant mice dosed with subcutaneous doses up to 28 mg/kg/day methadone from gestation day 6 to 15, there was decreased pup viability, delayed onset of development of negative phototaxis and eye opening, increased righting reflexes at 5 mg/kg/day or greater (0.2 times the hdd), and decreased number of live pups at birth and decreased pup weight gain at 20 mg/kg/day or greater (0.8 times the hdd). no effects were reported in a study of pregnant rats and rabbits at oral doses up to 40 mg/kg (3 and 6 times, respectively, the hdd) administered from gestation days 6 to 15 and 6 to 18, respectively. when pregnant rats were treated with intraperitoneal doses of 2.5, 5, or 7.5 mg/kg methadone from one week prior to mating, through gestation until the end of lactation period, 5 mg/kg or greater (0.4 times the hdd) methadone resulted in decreases in litter size and live pups born and 7.5 mg/kg (0.6 times the hdd) resulted in decreased birth weights. furthermore, decreased pup viability and pup body weight gain at 2.5 mg/kg or greater (0.2 times the hdd) were noted during the preweaning period. additional animal data demonstrate evidence for neurochemical changes in the brains of offspring from methadone-treated pregnant rats, including changes to the cholinergic, dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and serotonergic systems at doses below the hdd. other animal studies have reported that prenatal and/or postnatal exposure to opioids including methadone alters neuronal development and behavior in the offspring including alterations in learning ability, motor activity, thermal regulation, nociceptive responses, and sensitivity to drugs at doses below the hdd. treatment of pregnant rats subcutaneously with 5 mg/kg methadone from gestation day 14 to 19 (0.4 times the hdd) reduced fetal blood testosterone and androstenedione in males. published animal data have reported increased neonatal mortality in the offspring of male rodents that were treated with methadone at doses comparable to and less than the hdd for 1 to 12 days before and/or during mating (with more pronounced effects in the first 4 days). in these studies, the female rodents were not treated with methadone, indicating paternally-mediated developmental toxicity. specifically, methadone administered to the male rat prior to mating with methadone-naïve females resulted in decreased weight gain in progeny after weaning. the male progeny demonstrated reduced thymus weights, whereas the female progeny demonstrated increased adrenal weights. behavioral testing of these male and female progeny revealed significant differences in behavioral tests compared to control animals, suggesting that paternal methadone exposure can produce physiological and behavioral changes in progeny in this model.  examination of uterine contents of methadone-naïve female mice bred to methadone-treated male mice (once a day for three consecutive days) indicated that methadone treatment produced an increase in the rate of preimplantation deaths in all post-meiotic states at 1 mg/kg/day or greater (0.04 times the hdd). chromosome analysis revealed a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities at 1 mg/kg/day or greater. studies demonstrated that methadone treatment of male rats for 21 to 32 days prior to mating with methadone-naïve females did not produce any adverse effects, suggesting that prolonged methadone treatment of the male rat resulted in tolerance to the developmental toxicities noted in the progeny. mechanistic studies in this rat model suggest that the developmental effects of “paternal” methadone on the progeny appear to be due to decreased testosterone production. these animal data mirror the reported clinical findings of decreased testosterone levels in human males on methadone maintenance therapy for opioid addiction and in males receiving chronic intraspinal opioids. risk summary based on two small clinical studies, methadone was present in low levels in human milk, but the exposed infants in these studies did not show adverse reactions. based on an average milk consumption of 150 ml/kg/day, an infant would consume approximately 17.4 mcg/kg/day which is approximately 2% to 3% of the oral maternal dose. there have been rare case reports of sedation and respiratory depression in infants exposed to methadone through breast milk (see data ). monitor infants exposed to methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate through breast milk for excess sedation and respiratory depression. the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for methadone and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition. data in a study of ten breastfeeding women maintained on oral methadone doses of 10 to 80 mg/day, methadone concentrations from 50 to 570 mcg/l in milk were reported, which, in the majority of samples, were lower than maternal serum drug concentrations at steady state. peak methadone levels in milk occur approximately 4 to 5 hours after an oral dose. in a study of twelve breastfeeding women maintained on oral methadone doses of 20 to 80 mg/day, methadone concentrations from 39 to 232 mcg/l in milk were reported. based on an average milk consumption of 150 ml/kg/day, an infant would consume approximately 17.4 mcg/kg/day, which is approximately 2% to 3% of the oral maternal dose. methadone has been detected in very low plasma concentrations in some infants whose mothers were taking methadone. infertility the effect of methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate on fertility is unknown. chronic use of opioids may cause reduced fertility in females and males of reproductive potential. it is not known whether these effects on fertility are reversible [see adverse reactions ( 6), clinical pharmacology (12.2), nonclinical toxicology (13)] . reproductive function in human males may be decreased by methadone treatment. reductions in ejaculate volume and seminal vesicle and prostate secretions have been reported in methadone-treated individuals. in addition, reductions in serum testosterone levels and sperm motility, and abnormalities in sperm morphology have been reported. in published animal studies, methadone produces a significant regression of sex accessory organs and testes of male mice and rats and administration of methadone to pregnant rats reduced fetal blood testosterone and androstenedione in male offspring [see nonclinical toxicology (13)] . the safety, effectiveness, and pharmacokinetics of methadone in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established. clinical studies of methadone did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently compared to younger subjects. other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients. in general, start elderly patients at the low end of the dosing range, taking into account the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. closely monitor elderly patients for signs of respiratory and central nervous system depression. methadone is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. methadone pharmacokinetics have not been extensively evaluated in patients with hepatic insufficiency. methadone is metabolized by hepatic pathways, therefore, patients with liver impairment may be at risk of increased systemic exposure to methadone after multiple dosing. start these patients on lower doses and titrate slowly while carefully monitoring for signs of respiratory and central nervous system depression. methadone pharmacokinetics have not been extensively evaluated in patients with renal insufficiency. since unmetabolized methadone and its metabolites are excreted in urine to a variable degree, start these patients on lower doses and with longer dosing intervals and titrate slowly while carefully monitoring for signs of respiratory and central nervous system depression. methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate contains methadone, a schedule ii opioid agonist. methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate contains methadone, a substance with a high potential for abuse similar to other opioids including fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and tapentadol. methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate can be abused and is subject to misuse, addiction, and criminal diversion [see warnings and precautions (5.5)] . prescription drug abuse is the intentional non-therapeutic use of a prescription drug, even once, for its rewarding psychological or physiological effects. drug addiction is a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and includes: a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal. “drug-seeking” behavior is very common in persons with substance use disorders. drug-seeking tactics include emergency calls or visits near the end of office hours, refusal to undergo appropriate examination, testing or referral, repeated “loss” of prescriptions, tampering with prescriptions, and reluctance to provide prior medical records or contact information for other treating healthcare provider(s). “doctor shopping” (visiting multiple prescribers to obtain additional prescriptions) is common among people who abuse opioids and people suffering from untreated addiction. abuse and addiction are separate and distinct from physical dependence and tolerance. healthcare providers should be aware that addiction may not be accompanied by concurrent tolerance and symptoms of physical dependence in all people with substance use disorders. in addition, abuse of opioids can occur in the absence of true addiction. methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate, like other opioids, can be diverted for non-medical use into illicit channels of distribution. careful record-keeping of prescribing information, including quantity and frequency as required by state and federal law, is strongly advised. proper assessment and selection of the patient, proper prescribing practices, periodic re-evaluation of therapy, and proper dispensing and storage are appropriate measures that help to limit abuse of opioid drugs. risks specific to methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate abuse of methadone poses a risk of overdose and death. this risk is increased with concurrent abuse of methadone with alcohol and other substances. methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate is intended for oral use only and must not be injected. parenteral drug abuse is commonly associated with transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and hiv. methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate, when used for the treatment of opioid addiction in detoxification or maintenance programs, may be dispensed only by opioid treatment programs certified by the substance abuse and mental health services administration (and agencies, practitioners, and institutions by formal agreements with the program sponsor). both tolerance and physical dependence can develop during chronic opioid therapy. tolerance is the need for increasing doses of opioids to maintain a defined effect (in the absence of disease progression or other external factors). tolerance may occur to both the desired and undesired effects of drugs, and may develop at different rates for different effects. physical dependence results in withdrawal symptoms after abrupt discontinuation or significant dose reduction of a drug. withdrawal is also precipitated through the administration of drugs with opioid antagonist activity (e.g., naloxone) or mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics (e.g., pentazocine, butorphanol, nalbuphine), or partial agonists (e.g., buprenorphine). physical dependence may not occur to a clinically significant degree until after several days to weeks of continued opioid usage. physical dependence is expected during opioid agonist therapy of opioid addiction. methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate should not be abruptly discontinued [see dosage and administration (2.6, 2.7)] . if methadone hydrochloride oral concentrate is abruptly discontinued in a physically dependent patient, a withdrawal syndrome may occur. some or all of the following can characterize this syndrome: restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, and mydriasis. other symptoms also may develop, including irritability, anxiety, backache, joint pain, weakness, abdominal cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, or heart rate [see dosage and administration (2.6)] . neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (nows) is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy [see warnings and precautions (5.6)] .