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.

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%

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.

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

There are no available data on desoximetasone use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Observational studies suggest maternal use of high to super-high potency topical steroids, including desoximetasone topical spray, may be associated with an increased risk of low birthweight infants (see Data). Advise pregnant woman that desoximetasone topical spray may increase the potential risk of low birth weight infants and to use desoximetasone topical spray on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible. Desoximetasone has been shown to cause malformations and be embryotoxic in mice, rats, and rabbits when given by subcutaneous or dermal routes of administration at doses 3 to 30 times the human dose of desoximetasone topical spray based on a body surface area comparison.

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.

Data

Human Data

Available observational studies in pregnant women did not identify a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, preterm delivery, or fetal mortality with the use of topical corticosteroids of any potency. However, when the dispensed amount of high to super-high potency topical corticosteroids exceeded 300g during the entire pregnancy, maternal use was associated with an increased risk of low birth weight in infants.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There is no information on the presence of topically administered desoximetasone in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in breast milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for desoximetasone topical spray and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from desoximetasone topical spray or from the underlying maternal condition.

Clinical Considerations

To minimize potential exposure to the breastfed infant via breast milk, use desoximetasone topical spray on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible while breastfeeding. Advise breastfeeding women not to apply desoximetasone topical spray directly to the nipple and areola to avoid direct infant exposure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of desoximetasone topical spray have not been established in pediatric patients for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Desoximetasone topical spray is not recommended for use in patients less than 18 years of age due to the high incidence of HPA axis suppression observed [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) Axis Suppression

The HPA axis suppression potential of desoximetasone topical spray was assessed in an open-label, sequential cohort, safety trial in 129 subjects 2 years to less than 18 years of age with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis defined as a Physician Global Assessment (PGA) score of ≥3 with involvement of at least 10% of their body surface area (excluding the face and scalp). In total, 100 pediatric subjects were evaluated for HPA axis function via cosyntropin stimulation testing at baseline and following 4 weeks of twice daily application of desoximetasone topical spray. Overall, 36% of pediatric subjects 2 years to less than 18 years of age demonstrated HPA axis suppression defined as a serum cortisol level ≤ 18 mcg/dL 30-minutes post cosyntropin stimulation. The proportion of subjects demonstrating HPA axis suppression was 35.0% in Cohort 1 (12 years to less than 18 years of age) and 43.3% in Cohort 2 (6 years to less than 12 years of age). Trial enrollment in the youngest cohort (2 years to less than 6 years of age) was discontinued early due to high incidence of HPA axis suppression observed in the two oldest cohorts (6 years to less than 18 years of age) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

Because of a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass, pediatric patients are at a greater risk than adults of HPA axis suppression and Cushing’s syndrome when they are treated with topical corticosteroids. They are therefore at greater risk of adrenal insufficiency during and/or after withdrawal of treatment. Adverse reactions including striae have been reported with inappropriate use of topical corticosteroids in infants and children.

HPA axis suppression, Cushing’s syndrome, linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain, and intracranial hypertension have been reported in children receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal suppression in children include low plasma cortisol levels and absence of response to ACTH stimulation. Manifestations of intracranial hypertension include bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral papilledema.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of desoximetasone topical spray did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, 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.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Corticosteroids play a role in cellular signaling, immune function, inflammation and protein regulation; however, the precise mechanism of action in psoriasis is unknown.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Vasoconstrictor Assay

Vasoconstrictor studies performed with desoximetasone topical spray in healthy subjects indicate that it is in the high to super-high range of potency as compared with other topical corticosteroids.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) Axis Suppression

The potential for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression was evaluated in two trials. Desoximetasone topical spray was applied twice a day for 28 days and HPA axis suppression was defined as serum cortisol level ≤18 mcg/dL 30-min post cosyntropin stimulation.

In the first trial, out of 24 adult subjects with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, 21 subjects had evaluable serum cortisol levels. The proportion of subjects demonstrating HPA axis suppression was 8.3% (1 out of 12) in subjects having psoriasis involvement of 10-15% of body surface area (BSA), and 22.2% (2 out of 9) in subjects having psoriasis involvement of >15% of their BSA. In the 2 subjects with available follow-up values, suppression reversed 28 days after the end of treatment.

In another trial, the HPA axis suppression was evaluated in 106 pediatric subjects with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. One hundred subjects had evaluable serum cortisol levels. The proportion of subjects demonstrating HPA axis suppression was 35.0% (21 out of 60) in Cohort 1 (12 years to less than 18 years of age, with a mean baseline BSA involvement of 16%), and 43.3% (13 out of 30) in Cohort 2 (6 years to less than 12 years of age, with a mean baseline BSA involvement of 19%). Trial enrollment in the youngest cohort (2 years to less than 6 years of age) was discontinued early due to high incidence of HPA axis suppression observed in the two oldest cohorts (6 years to less than 18 years of age).

The overall HPA axis suppression rate was 36% in pediatric subjects 2 years to less than 18 years of age. Due to high incidence of HPA axis suppression observed from this trial, desoximetasone topical spray is not recommended for use in pediatric patients less than 18 years of age [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

12.3 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. 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.

Plasma concentrations of desoximetasone were measured at two single random time points in the HPA axis suppression trial in 24 adult subjects with psoriasis [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. The mean (% Coefficient of Variation) concentration of desoximetasone was 449 pg/mL (86%) at Day 14 and 678 pg/mL (135%) at Day 28. The concentration time profile following application of desoximetasone topical spray is not known.

In the pediatric HPA axis suppression trial, plasma concentrations of desoximetasone were measured in a subset of subjects in Cohorts 1 and 2 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. High inter subject variability in plasma concentrations was observed in both cohorts. The mean (% Coefficient of Variation) maximum concentration on Day 29 was 1881 pg/mL (127%) in Cohort 1 (n=11) and 1116 pg/mL (94%) in Cohort 2 (n=8).

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of desoximetasone topical spray.

In a 13-week repeat-dose toxicity study in rats, topical administration of desoximetasone spray at concentrations of 0.001, 0.005 and 0.02% BID (which corresponds to dose levels of 0.01, 0.05, or 0.2 mg/kg/dose BID, respectively) resulted in a toxicity profile consistent with long-term exposure to corticosteroids, including adrenal atrophy and histopathological changes in several organ systems indicative of severe immune suppression. A no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) could not be determined in this study. Although the clinical relevance of the findings in animals to humans is not clear, sustained glucocorticoid-related immune suppression may increase the risk of infection and possibly the risk for carcinogenesis.

Desoximetasone revealed no evidence of mutagenic or clastogenic potential based on the results of two in vitro genotoxicity tests (Ames assay and Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosome aberration assay) and one in vivo genotoxicity test (mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay).

No evidence of impairment of male or female fertility was observed at subcutaneous desoximetasone doses up to 0.1 mg/kg/day (0.6 mg/m2/day) in Sprague-Dawley rats.

16.1 How Supplied/Storage

Desoximetasone Topical Spray, 0.25% is a clear colorless liquid supplied in white, opaque bottles with white, opaque screw caps in the following size:

•

100 mL (NDC 45802-807-98)

Store at controlled room temperature between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Spray is flammable; avoid heat, flame or smoking when using this product.

Each unit is co-packaged with a manual spray pump for installation by the pharmacist.

16.2 Instructions for the Pharmacist

1. Remove the spray pump from the wrapper

2. Remove and discard the cap from the bottle

3. Keeping the bottle vertical, puncture seal, insert the spray pump into the bottle and turn clockwise until well-fastened

4. Dispense the bottle with the spray pump inserted

5. Label the bottle with “discard the product 30 days after dispensing”