Brinzolamide/Brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL eye drops, suspension – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL eye drops, suspension

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

1 mL of suspension contains 10 mg of brinzolamide and 2 mg of brimonidine tartrate equivalent to

1.3 mg of brimonidine.

Excipient with known effect

Each mL of suspension contains 0.03 mg of benzalkonium chloride.

Each mL of suspension contains 3 mg of boric acid.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Eye drops, suspension (eye drops).

White to off white homogenous suspension with a pH of approximately 6.5.

Osmolality – 230-290 mOsm/Kg

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Decrease of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular

hypertension for whom monotherapy provides insufficient IOP reduction (see section 5.1).

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Use in adults, including the elderly

The recommended dose is one drop of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine in the affected eye(s) two times daily.

Missed dose

If a dose is missed, treatment should be continued with the next dose as planned.

Hepatic and/or renal impairment

Brinzolamide + brimonidine has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment and caution is therefore recommended in this population (see section 4.4).

Brinzolamide + brimonidine has not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min) or in patients with hyperchloraemic acidosis. Since the brinzolamide component of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine and its metabolite are excreted predominantly by the kidney, Brinzolamide/Brimonidine is contraindicated in such patients (see section 4.3).

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of brinzolamide + brimonidine in children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years have not been established. No data are available.

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine is contraindicated in neonates and infants aged less than 2 years in the decrease of

elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension for whom

monotherapy provides insufficient IOP reduction because of safety concerns (see section 4.3).

Method of administration

For ocular use.

Patients should be instructed to shake the bottle well before use.

When nasolacrimal occlusion is used and the eyelids are closed for 2 minutes, systemic absorption is reduced. This may result in a decrease in systemic side effects and an increase in local activity (see section 4.4).

To prevent contamination of the dropper tip and solution, care must be taken not to touch the eyelids, surrounding areas or other surfaces with the dropper tip of the bottle. Patients should be instructed to keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic medicinal products to lower intraocular pressure. If more than one topical ophthalmic medicinal product is being used, the medicinal products must be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Hypersensitivity to sulphonamides (see section 4.4).

Patients receiving monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor therapy (see section 4.5).

Patients on antidepressants which affect noradrenergic transmission (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants and mianserin) (see section 4.5).

Patients with severe renal impairment (see section 4.4).

Patients with hyperchloraemic acidosis.

Neonates and infants under the age of 2 years (see section 4.4).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

The medicinal product should not be injected. Patients should be instructed not to swallow

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine.

Ocular effects

Brinzolamide + brimonidine has not been studied in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma and its use is not recommended in these patients.

The possible effect of brinzolamide on corneal endothelial function has not been investigated in patients with compromised corneas (particularly in patients with low endothelial cell count).

Specifically, patients wearing contact lenses have not been studied and careful monitoring of these patients when using brinzolamide is recommended, since carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may affect corneal hydration and wearing contact lenses might increase the risk for the cornea (for further instructions on wearing contact lenses, see below under “Benzalkonium chloride”). Careful monitoring of patients with compromised corneas, such as patients with diabetes mellitus or corneal dystrophies, is recommended.

Brimonidine tartrate may cause ocular allergic reactions. If allergic reactions are observed, treatment

should be discontinued. Delayed ocular hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with

brimonidine tartrate, with some reported to be associated with an increase in IOP.

The potential effects following cessation of treatment with brinzolamide + brimonidine have not been studied. While the duration of IOP-lowering effect for brinzolamide + brimonidine has not been studied, the IOP-lowering effect of brinzolamide is expected to last for 5-7 days. The IOP-lowering effect of brimonidine may be longer.

Systemic effects

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine contains brinzolamide, a sulphonamide inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase and, although administered topically, is absorbed systemically. The same types of adverse drug reactions that are attributable to sulphonamides may occur with topical administration, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). At the time of prescription, patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms and monitored closely for skin reactions. If signs of serious reactions or hypersensitivity occur, brinzolamide should be withdrawn immediately.

Cardiac disorders

Following administration of brinzolamide + brimonidine, small decreases in blood pressure were observed in some patients. Caution is advised when using medicinal products such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides concomitantly with Brinzolamide/Brimonidine or in patients with severe or unstable and uncontrolled cardiovascular disease (see section 4.5).

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud's phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension or thromboangiitis obliterans.

Acid/base disturbances

Acid-base disturbances have been reported with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Brinzolamide/Brimonidine contains brinzolamide, an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, and although administered topically, is absorbed systemically. The same types of adverse reactions that are attributable to oral carbonic inhibitors (i.e. acid-base disturbances) may occur with topical administration (see section 4.5).

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine should be used with caution in patients with risk of renal impairment because of the possible risk of metabolic acidosis.

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment (see section 4.3).

Hepatic impairment

Brinzolamide + brimonidine has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment; caution should be used in treating such patients (see section 4.2).

Mental alertness

Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may impair the ability to perform tasks requiring mental alertness and/or physical coordination in elderly patients. Brinzolamide/Brimonidine is absorbed systemically and this may therefore occur with topical administration (see section 4.7).

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of brinzolamide + brimonidine in children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years have not been established. Symptoms of brimonidine overdose (including loss of consciousness, hypotension, hypotonia, bradycardia, hypothermia, cyanosis and apnoea) have been reported in neonates and infants receiving brimonidine eye drops as part of medical treatment of congenital glaucoma. Brinzolamide/Brimonidine is therefore contraindicated in children below 2 years of age (see section 4.3).

Treatment of children 2 years and above (especially those in the 2-7 age range and/or weighing < 20 kg) is not recommended because of the potential for central nervous system-related adverse reactions (see section 4.9).

Excipients

Benzalkonium chloride

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine contains benzalkonium chloride which may cause eye irritation and is known to discolour soft contact lenses. Contact with soft contact lenses should be avoided. Patients must be instructed to remove contact lens prior to application of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine and wait at least 15 minutes before reinsertion.

Benzalkonium chloride has been reported to cause eye irritation and symptoms of dry eyes and may

affect the tear film and corneal surface. It should be used with caution in dry eye patients and in

patients whose cornea may be compromised. Patients should be monitored in case of prolonged use.

This medicinal product should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice, as it contains boron and may impair fertility in the future.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No specific drug interaction studies have been performed with brinzolamide + brimonidine.

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine is contraindicated in patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors and in patients on antidepressants which affect noradrenergic transmission (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants and mianserin), (see section 4.3). Tricyclic antidepressants may blunt the ocular hypotensive response of

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine.

Caution is advised due to the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants

(e.g. alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives or anaesthetics).

No data on the level of circulating catecholamines after brinzolamide + brimonidine administration are available.

However, caution is advised in patients taking medicinal products which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines (e.g. chlorpromazine, methylphenidate, reserpine, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).

Alpha adrenergic agonists (e.g. brimonidine tartrate), as a class, may reduce pulse and blood pressure.

Following administration of brinzolamide + brimonidine, small decreases in blood pressure were observed in some patients. Caution is advised when using medicinal products such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides concomitantly with Brinzolamide/Brimonidine.

Caution is advised when initiating (or changing the dose of) concomitant systemic medicinal products (irrespective of pharmaceutical form) which may interact with α-adrenergic agonists or interfere with their activity, i.e. agonists or antagonists of the adrenergic receptor (e.g. isoprenaline, prazosin).

Brinzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and, although administered topically, is absorbed systemically. Acid-base disturbances have been reported with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The potential for interactions must be considered in patients receiving Brinzolamide/Brimonidine.

There is a potential for an additive effect on the known systemic effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition in patients receiving an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and topical brinzolamide. The concomitant administration of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is not recommended.

The cytochrome P-450 isozymes responsible for metabolism of brinzolamide include CYP3A4 (main), CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8 and CYP2C9. It is expected that inhibitors of CYP3A4 such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole, ritonavir and troleandomycin will inhibit the metabolism of brinzolamide by CYP3A4. Caution is advised if CYP3A4 inhibitors are given concomitantly.

However, accumulation of brinzolamide is unlikely as renal elimination is the major route.

Brinzolamide is not an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 isozymes.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no or limited amount of data from the use of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL eye drops, suspension in pregnant women.

Brinzolamide was not teratogenic in rats and rabbits, following systemic administration (oral gavage).

Animal studies with oral brimonidine do not indicate direct harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. In animal studies, brimonidine crossed the placenta and entered into the foetal circulation to a limited extent (see section 5.3). Brinzolamide/Brimonidine is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception.

Breast-feeding

It is unknown whether topical brinzolamide + brimonidine is excreted in human milk. Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in animals have shown that following oral administration, minimal levels of brinzolamide are excreted in breast milk. Brimonidine administered orally is excreted in breast milk. Brinzolamide/Brimonidine should not be used by women who are breast-feeding.

Fertility

Non-clinical data do not show any effects of brinzolamide or brimonidine on fertility. There are no

data on the effect of topical ocular administration of brinzolamide + brimonidine on human fertility.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine has a moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine may cause dizziness, fatigue and/or drowsiness, which may impair the ability to drive or use machines.

Temporary blurred vision or other visual disturbances may affect the ability to drive or use machines.

If blurred vision occurs at instillation the patient must wait until the vision clears before driving or

using machines.

Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may impair the ability of elderly patients to perform tasks requiring

mental alertness and/or physical coordination (see section 4.4).

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

In clinical trials involving Brinzolamide/Brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL eye drops, suspension dosed twice daily the most common adverse reactions were ocular hyperaemia and ocular allergic type reactions occurring in approximately 6-7 % of patients, and dysgeusia (bitter or unusual taste in the mouth following instillation) occurring in approximately 3 % of patients.

Tabulated summary of adverse reactions

The following adverse reactions have been reported during clinical studies with Brinzolamide/Brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL eye drops, suspension twice-daily dosing and during clinical studies and post-marketing surveillance with the individual components brinzolamide and brimonidine. They are classified according to the subsequent convention: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1 000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10 000 to < 1/1 000), very rare (< 1/10 000) or not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency-grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Description of selected adverse reactions

Dysgeusia was the most common systemic adverse reaction associated with the use of brinzolamide + brimonidine (3.4 %). It is likely to be caused by passage of the eye drops in the nasopharynx via the nasolacrimal canal and is mainly attributable to the brinzolamide component of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine. Nasolacrimal occlusion or gently closing the eyelid after instillation may help reduce the occurrence of this effect (see section 4.2).

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine contains brinzolamide, which is a sulphonamide inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase with systemic absorption. Gastrointestinal, nervous system, haematological, renal and metabolic effects are generally associated with systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The same type of adverse reactions attributable to oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may occur with topical administration.

Adverse reactions commonly associated with the brimonidine component of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine include the development of ocular allergic type reactions, fatigue and/or drowsiness, and dry mouth. The use of brimonidine has been associated with minimal decreases in blood pressure. Some patients who dosed with brinzolamide + brimonidine experienced decreases in blood pressure similar to those observed with the use of brimonidine as monotherapy.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

If overdose with Brinzolamide/Brimonidine occurs treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. The patient’s airway should be maintained.

Due to the brinzolamide component of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine, electrolyte imbalance, development of an acidotic state, and possible nervous system effects may occur. Serum electrolyte levels (particularly potassium) and blood pH levels must be monitored.

There is very limited information regarding accidental ingestion with the brimonidine component of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine in adults. The only adverse reaction reported to date was hypotension. It was reported that the hypotensive episode was followed by rebound hypertension.

Oral overdoses of other alpha-2-agonists have been reported to cause symptoms such as hypotension, asthenia, vomiting, lethargy, sedation, bradycardia, arrhythmias, miosis, apnoea, hypotonia, hypothermia, respiratory depression and seizure.

Paediatric population

Serious adverse reactions following inadvertent ingestion with the brimonidine component of brinzolamide + brimonidine by paediatric subjects have been reported. The subjects experienced symptoms of CNS depression, typically temporary coma or low level of consciousness, lethargy, somnolence, hypotonia, bradycardia, hypothermia, pallor, respiratory depression and apnoea, and required admission to intensive care with intubation if indicated. All subjects were reported to have made a full recovery, usually within 6-24 hours.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Ophthalmologicals, Antiglaucoma preparations and miotics, ATC

code: S01EC54

Mechanism of action

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine contains two active substances: brinzolamide and brimonidine tartrate. These two components lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT) by suppressing the formation of aqueous humour from the ciliary process in the eye. Although both brinzolamide and brimonidine lower IOP by suppressing aqueous humour formation, their mechanisms of action are different.

Brinzolamide acts by inhibiting the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA-II) in the ciliary epithelium that reduces the formation of bicarbonate ions with subsequent reduction in sodium and fluid transport across the ciliary epithelium, resulting in decreased aqueous humour formation. Brimonidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, inhibits the enzyme adenylate cyclase and suppresses the cAMP-dependent formation of aqueous humour. Additionally, administration of brimonidine results in an increase in uveoscleral outflow.

Pharmacodynamic effects

Clinical efficacy and safety

Monotherapy

In a 6-month, controlled, contribution of elements clinical study enrolling 560 patients with open-angle glaucoma (including pseudoexfoliation or pigment dispersion component) and/or ocular hypertension who, in the investigator’s opinion, were insufficiently controlled on monotherapy or already on multiple IOP-lowering medicinal products, and who had mean baseline diurnal IOP of 26 mmHg, the mean diurnal IOP-lowering effect of brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL dosed twice daily was approximately 8 mmHg. Statistically superior reductions in the mean diurnal IOP were observed with brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL compared to brinzolamide 10 mg/mL or brimonidine 2 mg/mL dosed twice daily at all visits throughout the study (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Mean^a diurnal (9 AM, +2 hrs, +7 hrs) IOP change from baseline (mmHg)

Contribution of elements study

^aLeast squares means derived from a statistical model that accounts for study site, 9 AM baseline IOP stratum, and correlated IOP measurements within patient. All treatment differences (Brinzolamide + Brimonidine versus individual components) were statistically significant with p=0.0001 or less.

Mean IOP reductions from baseline at each time point at each visit were greater with brinzolamide + brimonidine (6 to 9 mmHg) than monotherapy with either brinzolamide (5 to 7 mmHg) or brimonidine (4 to 7 mmHg). Mean percent IOP reductions from baseline with brinzolamide + brimonidine ranged from 23 to 34 %. The percentages of patients with an IOP measurement less than 18 mmHg were greater in the Brinzolamide + Brimonidine group than in the Brinzolamide group at 11 of 12 assessments through Month 6 and were greater in the Brinzolamide + Brimonidine group than in the Brimonidine group at all 12 assessments through Month 6. At the +2 h time point (the time corresponding to the morning efficacy peak) for the primary efficacy visit at Month 3, the percentage of patients with an IOP less than 18 mmHg was 68.8 % in the Brinzolamide+ Brimonidine group, 42.3 % in the Brinzolamide group, and 44.0 % in the Brimonidine group.

In a 6-month, controlled, non-inferiority clinical study enrolling 890 patients with open-angle glaucoma (including pseudoexfoliation or pigment dispersion component) and/or ocular hypertension who, in the investigator’s opinion, were insufficiently controlled on monotherapy or already on multiple IOP-lowering medicinal products, and who had mean baseline diurnal IOP of 26 to 27 mmHg, non-inferiority of brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL compared to brinzolamide 10 mg/mL + brimonidine 2 mg/mL dosed concomitantly was demonstrated at all visits throughout the study with respect to mean diurnal IOP reduction from baseline (Table 1).

Table 1 Comparison of mean diurnal IOP (mmHg) change from baseline – Non-inferiority study

Mean IOP reductions from baseline at each time point at each visit with brinzolamide + brimonidine or the individual components administered concomitantly were similar (7 to 10 mmHg). Mean percent IOP reductions from baseline with brinzolamide + brimonidine ranged from 25 to 37 %. The percentages of patients with an IOP measurement less than 18 mmHg were similar across study visits for the same time point through Month 6 in the Brinzolamide/Brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL and Brinzolamide + Brimonidine groups. At the +2 h time point (the time corresponding to the morning efficacy peak) for the primary efficacy visit at Month 3, the percentage of patients with an IOP less than 18 mmHg was 71.6 % in both study groups.

Adjunct therapy

Clinical data on the use of brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL adjunctive to prostaglandin analogues (PGA) also showed superior IOP-lowering efficacy of brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL + PGA compared with the PGA alone. In study CQVJ499A2401,

brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL + PGA (i.e. travoprost, latanoprost, or bimatoprost) demonstrated superior IOP-lowering efficacy from baseline compared to Vehicle + PGA after 6 weeks of treatment, with between-treatment difference in model-adjusted mean change from baseline in diurnal IOP of -3.44 mmHg (95 % CI, -4.2, -2.7; p-value < 0.001).

Clinical data on the use of brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL adjunctive to travoprost-timolol maleate fixed dose combination eye drops, solution also showed superior IOP-lowering efficacy of

brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL + travoprost-timolol maleate eye drops compared with the travoprost-timolol maleate alone. In study CQVJ499A2402, brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL + travoprost-timolol maleate eye drops demonstrated superior IOP-lowering efficacy from baseline compared to Vehicle + travoprost-timolol maleate eye drops after 6 weeks of treatment, with between-treatment difference in model-adjusted mean change from baseline in diurnal IOP of -2.15 mmHg (95 % CI, -2.8, -1.5; p-value < 0.001).

The safety profile of brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL in adjunct therapy was similar to that observed with brinzolamide/brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL monotherapy.

There are no efficacy and safety data for adjunct therapy beyond 6 weeks.

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies with the reference medicinal product containing Brinzolamide/Brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL in all subsets of the paediatric population in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

Brinzolamide is absorbed through the cornea following topical ocular administration. The substance is also absorbed into the systemic circulation, where it binds strongly to carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells (RBCs). Plasma concentrations are very low. Whole blood elimination half-life is prolonged (> 100 days) in humans due to RBC carbonic anhydrase binding.

Brimonidine is rapidly absorbed into the eye following topical administration. In rabbits, maximum ocular concentrations were achieved in less than one hour in most cases. Maximum human plasma concentrations are < 1 ng/mL and achieved within < 1 hour. Plasma levels decline with a half-life of approximately 2-3 hours. No accumulation occurs during chronic administration.

In a topical ocular clinical study comparing the systemic pharmacokinetics of Brinzolamide/Brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL administered two or three times daily to brinzolamide and brimonidine administered individually using the same two posologies, the steady-state whole blood brinzolamide and N-desethylbrinzolamide pharmacokinetics were similar between the combination product and brinzolamide administered alone.

Likewise, the steady-state plasma pharmacokinetics of brimonidine from the combination were similar to those observed for brimonidine administered alone, with the exception of the twice daily brinzolamide + brimonidine treatment group, for which the mean AUC0-12 hours was about 25 % lower than that for brimonidine alone administered twice daily.

Distribution

Studies in rabbits showed that maximum brinzolamide ocular concentrations following topical administration are in the anterior tissues such as cornea, conjunctiva, aqueous humour and iris-ciliary body. Retention in ocular tissues is prolonged due to binding to carbonic anhydrase. Brinzolamide is moderately (about 60 %) bound to human plasma proteins.

Brimonidine exhibits affinity for pigmented ocular tissues, particularly iris-ciliary body, due to its known melanin binding properties. However, clinical and non-clinical safety data show it to be well-tolerated and safe during chronic administration.

Biotransformation

Brinzolamide is metabolised by hepatic cytochrome P450 isozymes, specifically CYP3A4, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8 and CYP2C9. The primary metabolite is N-desethylbrinzolamide, followed by the N-desmethoxypropyl and O-desmethyl metabolites, as well as an N-propionic acid analogue formed by oxidation of the N-propyl side chain of O-desmethyl brinzolamide. Brinzolamide and N-desethylbrinzolamide do not inhibit cytochrome P450 isozymes at concentrations at least 100-fold above maximum systemic levels.

Brimonidine is extensively metabolised by hepatic aldehyde oxidase, with formation of 2- oxobrimonidine, 3-oxobrimonidine and 2,3-dioxobrimonidine being the major metabolites. Oxidative cleavage of the imidazoline ring to 5-bromo-6-guanidinoquinoxaline is also observed.

Elimination

Brinzolamide is primarily eliminated in urine unchanged. In humans, urinary brinzolamide and N-desethylbrinzolamide accounted for about 60 and 6 % of the dose, respectively. Data in rats showed some biliary excretion (about 30 %), primarily as metabolites.

Brimonidine is primarily eliminated in the urine as metabolites. In rats and monkeys, urinary metabolites accounted for 60 to 75 % of oral or intravenous doses.

Linearity/non-linearity

Brinzolamide pharmacokinetics are inherently non-linear due to saturable binding to carbonic anhydrase in whole blood and various tissues. Steady-state exposure does not increase in a doseproportional manner.

In contrast, brimonidine exhibits linear pharmacokinetics over the clinically therapeutic dose range.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship(s)

Brinzolamide/Brimonidine is intended for local action within the eye. Assessment of human ocular exposure at efficacious doses is not feasible. The

pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship in humans for IOP-lowering has not been established.

Other special populations

Studies to determine the effects of age, race, and renal or hepatic impairment have not been conducted with Brinzolamide/Brimonidine 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL. A study of brinzolamide in Japanese versus non-Japanese subjects showed similar systemic pharmacokinetics between the two groups. In a study of brinzolamide in subjects with renal impairment, a 1.6- to 2.8-fold increase in the systemic exposure to brinzolamide and N-desethylbrinzolamide between normal and moderately renally-impaired subjects was demonstrated.

This increase in steady-state RBC concentrations of substance-related material did not inhibit RBC carbonic anhydrase activity to levels that are associated with systemic side effects. However, the combination product is not recommended for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/minute).

The Cmax, AUC and elimination half-life of brimonidine are similar in elderly (> 65 years of age) subjects compared to young adults. The effects of renal and hepatic impairment on the systemic pharmacokinetics of brimonidine have not been evaluated. Given the low systemic exposure to brimonidine following topical ocular administration, it is expected that changes in plasma exposure would not be clinically relevant.

Paediatric population

The systemic pharmacokinetics of brinzolamide and brimonidine, alone or in combination, in paediatric patients have not been studied.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Brinzolamide

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, single-dose toxicity, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenic potential.

Effects in non-clinical reproduction and development toxicity studies were observed only at exposures considered sufficiently in excess of the maximum human exposure indicating little relevance to clinical use. In rabbits oral, maternally toxic doses of brinzolamide of up to 6 mg/kg/day (261 times the recommended daily clinical dose of 23 μg/kg/day) revealed no effect on foetal development. In rats doses of 18 mg/kg/day (783 times the recommended daily clinical dose), but not 6 mg/kg/day, resulted in slightly reduced ossification of skull and sternebrae of foetuses. These findings were associated with metabolic acidosis with decreased body weight gain in dams and decreased foetal weights. Dose related decreases in foetal weights were observed in pups of dams given 2 to 18 mg/kg/day. During lactation, the no adverse effect level in the offspring was 5 mg/kg/day.

Brimonidine

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, toxicity to reproduction and development.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Benzalkonium chloride

Propylene glycol (E1520)

Carbomer 974P

Boric acid (E284)

Sodium chloride

Tyloxapol

Hydrochloric acid (E507) and/or sodium hydroxide (E524) (to adjust pH) Water for Injection

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

2 years

4 weeks after first opening.

After first opening, this medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

For storage conditions after opening of the medicinal product, see section 6.3

6.5 Nature and contents of container

10 mL white LDPE ophthalmic bottle with a white LDPE sealed dropper tip and a white HDPE/LDPE cap with tamper proof seal, containing 5 mL white homogenous suspension.

Carton containing 1 bottle.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

No special requirements for disposal.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Blumont Pharma Ltd

23 Moortown close

Grantham NG319GG

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL31103/0047

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

AUTHORISATION

14/05/2024

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

01/10/2024