Ventavis 10 microgram/ml nebuliser solution

Treatment of adult patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, classified as NYHA functional class III, to improve exercise capacity and symptoms.

Ventavis should only be initiated and monitored by a physician experienced in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Posology

Dose per inhalation session

At initiation of Ventavis treatment the first inhaled dose should be 2.5 microgram iloprost as delivered at the mouthpiece of the nebuliser. If this dose is well tolerated, dosing should be increased to 5 microgram iloprost and maintained at that dose. In case of poor tolerability of the 5 microgram dose, the dose should be reduced to 2.5 microgram iloprost.

Daily dose

The dose per inhalation session should be administered 6 to 9 times per day according to the individual need and tolerability.

Duration of treatment

The duration of treatment depends on clinical status and is left to the physician's discretion. Should patients deteriorate on this treatment intravenous prostacyclin treatment should be considered.

Special populations

Hepatic impairment

Iloprost elimination is reduced in patients with hepatic dysfunction (see section 5.2).

To avoid undesired accumulation over the day, special caution has to be exercised with these patients during initial dose titration. Initially, doses of 2.5 microgram iloprost should be administered using Ventavis 10 microgram/ml with dosing intervals of 3-4 hours (corresponds to administration of max. 6 times per day). Thereafter, dosing intervals may be shortened cautiously based on individual tolerability. If a dose up to 5 microgram iloprost is indicated, again dosing intervals of 3-4 hours should be chosen initially and shortened according to individual tolerability. An accumulation of iloprost following treatment over several days is not likely due to the overnight break in administration of the medicinal product.

Renal impairment

There is no need for dose adaptation in patients with a creatinine clearance >30 ml/min (as determined from serum creatinine using the Cockroft and Gault formula). Patients with a creatinine clearance of ≤30 ml/min were not investigated in the clinical trials. Data with intravenously administered iloprost indicated that the elimination is reduced in patients with renal failure requiring dialysis. Therefore, the same dosing recommendations as in patients with hepatic impairment (see above) are to be applied.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Ventavis in children aged up to 18 years have not been established.

No data from controlled clinical trials are available.

Method of administration

Ventavis is intended for inhalation use by nebulisation.

To minimize accidental exposure it is recommended to keep the room well ventilated.

The ready-to-use Ventavis nebuliser solution is administered with a suitable inhalation device (nebuliser) (see below and section 6.6).

Patients stabilised on one nebuliser should not switch to another nebuliser without supervision by the treating physician as different nebulisers have been shown to produce aerosols with slightly different physical characteristics and delivery of the solution that may be faster (see section 5.2).

• Breelib

Breelib is a small handheld, battery-powered, breath activated, vibrating mesh technology system.

Ventavis 10 microgram/ml (1 ml ampoule) and Ventavis 20 microgram/ml nebuliser solution

Ventavis 10 microgram/ml nebuliser solution (1 ml ampoule) delivers 2.5 microgram and Ventavis 20 microgram/ml nebuliser solution delivers 5 microgram at the mouthpiece of the Breelib nebuliser.

At initiation of Ventavis treatment or if the patient is switched from an alternative device, the first inhalation should be made with 1 ml ampoule of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml (see section 4.4). If inhalation with Ventavis 10 microgram/ml is well tolerated, the dose should be increased by using Ventavis 20 microgram/ml. This dose should be maintained. In case of poor tolerability of Ventavis 20 microgram/ml, the dose should be reduced by using 1 ml ampoule of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml (see section 4.4).

The duration of an inhalation session with Breelib nebuliser is approximately 3 minutes, which reflects the higher delivery rate of the Breelib compared to other nebulisers.

Patients initiating Ventavis treatment or switching from an alternative device to Breelib should be closely supervised by the treating physician to ensure that dose and speed of inhalation are well tolerated.

When using the Breelib nebuliser please follow the instructions for use provided with the device.

Fill the medication chamber with Ventavis immediately before use.

• I-Neb AAD

The I-Neb AAD system is a portable, hand-held, vibrating mesh technology nebuliser system. This system generates droplets by ultrasound, which forces the solution through a mesh. The I-Neb AAD nebuliser has been shown to be suitable for the administration of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml (1 ml ampoule) and 20 microgram/ml nebuliser solution. The Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) of the aerosol measured using I-Neb nebulising systems equipped with power level 10 disc was similar between Ventavis 20 microgram/ml (golden programme) and Ventavis 10 microgram/ml (purple programme) nebuliser solutions (i.e.: around 2 micrometres) but with faster delivery when using Ventavis 20 microgram/ml.

The dose delivered by the I-Neb AAD system is controlled by the medication chamber in combination with a control disc. Each medication chamber is colour coded and has a corresponding colour coded control disc.

Ventavis 10 microgram/ml nebuliser solution (1 ml ampoule)

At initiation of Ventavis treatment with I-Neb system the first inhaled dose should be 2.5 microgram iloprost as delivered at the mouthpiece of the nebuliser using 1 ml ampoule of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml. If this dose is well tolerated, dosing should be increased to 5 microgram iloprost using 1 ml ampoule of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml and maintained at that dose. In case of poor tolerability of the 5 microgram dose, the dose should be reduced to 2.5 microgram iloprost.

This nebuliser monitors the breathing pattern to determine the aerosol pulse time required to deliver the pre-set dose of 2.5 or 5 microgram iloprost.

For the 2.5 microgram dose of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml the medication chamber with the red coloured latch is used together with the red control disc.

For the 5 microgram dose of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml the medication chamber with the purple coloured latch is used together with the purple control disc.

For each inhalation session with the I-Neb AAD, the content of one 1 ml ampoule of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml, with two coloured rings (white - yellow), is transferred into the medication chamber immediately before use.

• Venta-Neb

Venta-Neb, a portable ultrasonic battery-powered nebuliser, has been shown to be suitable for the administration of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml nebuliser solution (2 ml ampoule). The measured MMAD of the aerosol droplets was 2.6 micrometres.

At initiation of Ventavis treatment with Venta-Neb the first inhaled dose should be 2.5 microgram iloprost as delivered at the mouthpiece of the nebuliser using 2 ml ampoule of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml. If this dose is well tolerated, dosing should be increased to 5 microgram iloprost using 2 ml ampoule of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml and maintained at that dose. In case of poor tolerability of the 5 microgram dose, the dose should be reduced to 2.5 microgram iloprost.

For each inhalation session with the Venta-Neb, the content of one 2 ml ampoule of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml with two coloured rings (white – pink) is transferred into the nebuliser medication chamber immediately before use.

Two programmes can be operated:

P1 Programme 1: 5 microgram active substance on the mouth piece 25 inhalation cycles.

P2 Programme 2: 2.5 microgram active substance on the mouth piece 10 inhalation cycles.

The selection of the pre-set programme is made by the physician.

Venta-Neb prompts the patient to inhale by an optical and an acoustic signal. It stops after the pre-set dose has been administered.

To obtain the optimal droplet size for the administration of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml nebuliser solution the green baffle plate should be used. For details refer to the instruction manual of the Venta-Neb nebuliser.

Other nebulising systems

The efficacy and tolerability of inhaled iloprost when administered with other nebulising systems, which provide different nebulisation characteristics of iloprost solution, have not been established.

- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

- Conditions where the effects of Ventavis on platelets might increase the risk of haemorrhage (e.g. active peptic ulcers, trauma, intracranial haemorrhage).

- Severe coronary heart disease or unstable angina.

- Myocardial infarction within the last six months.

- Decompensated cardiac failure if not under close medical supervision.

- Severe arrhythmias.

- Cerebrovascular events (e.g. transient ischaemic attack, stroke) within the last 3 months.

- Pulmonary hypertension due to venous occlusive disease.

- Congenital or acquired valvular defects with clinically relevant myocardial function disorders not related to pulmonary hypertension.

The use of Ventavis is not recommended in patients with unstable pulmonary hypertension, with advanced right heart failure. In case of deterioration or worsening of right heart failure transfer to other medicinal products should be considered.

Hypotension

Blood pressure should be checked while initiating Ventavis. In patients with low systemic blood pressure and in patients with postural hypotension or receiving medicinal products known to reduce blood pressure levels, care should be taken to avoid further hypotension. Ventavis should not be initiated in patients with systolic blood pressure less than 85 mmHg.

Physicians should be alerted to the presence of concomitant conditions or medicinal products that might increase the risk of hypotension and syncope (see section 4.5).

Syncope

The pulmonary vasodilatory effect of inhaled iloprost is of short duration (one to two hours).

Syncope is a common symptom of the disease itself and can also occur under therapy. Patients who experience syncope in association with pulmonary hypertension should avoid any exceptional straining, for example during physical exertion. Before physical exertion it might be useful to inhale. The increased occurrence of syncope can reflect therapeutic gaps, insufficient effectiveness and/or deterioration of the disease. The need to adapt and/or change the therapy should be considered (see section 4.8).

Patients with diseases of the respiratory tract

Ventavis inhalation might entail the risk of inducing bronchospasm, especially in patients with bronchial hyperactivity (see section 4.8). Moreover, the benefit of Ventavis has not been established in patients with concomitant Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and severe asthma. Patients with concomitant acute pulmonary infections, COPD and severe asthma should be carefully monitored.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease

Pulmonary vasodilators may significantly worsen the cardiovascular status of patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Should signs of pulmonary oedema occur, the possibility of associated pulmonary veno-occlusive disease should be considered and treatment with Ventavis should be discontinued.

Interruption of therapy

In case of interruption of Ventavis therapy, the risk of rebound effect is not formally excluded. Careful monitoring of the patient should be performed, when inhaled iloprost therapy is stopped and an alternative treatment should be considered in critically ill patients.

Renal or hepatic impairment

Data with intravenously administered iloprost indicated that the elimination is reduced in patients with hepatic dysfunction and in patients with renal failure requiring dialysis (see section 5.2). A cautious initial dose titration using dosing intervals of 3-4 hours is recommended (see section 4.2).

Serum glucose levels

Prolonged oral treatment with iloprost clathrate in dogs up to one year was associated with slightly increased fasted serum glucose levels. It cannot be excluded that this is also relevant to humans on prolonged Ventavis therapy.

Undesirable exposure to Ventavis

To minimise accidental exposure, it is recommended to use Ventavis with nebulisers with inhalation-triggered systems (such Breelib or I-Neb), and to keep the room well ventilated.

Newborns, infants and pregnant women should not be subjected to Ventavis in the room air.

Skin and eye contact, oral ingestion

Ventavis nebuliser solution should not come into contact with skin and eyes; oral ingestion of Ventavis solution should be avoided. During nebulisation sessions a facial mask must be avoided and only a mouthpiece should be used.

Ventavis contains ethanol

Ventavis 10 microgram/ml contains 0.81 mg alcohol (ethanol) in each ml which is equivalent to 0.081% (w/v). The amount of 0.81 mg of alcohol in 1 ml of this medicine is equivalent to less than 1 ml beer or wine.

The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.

Switching to the Breelib nebuliser

Limited data are available on the use of the Breelib nebuliser. For patients being switched from an alternative device to the Breelib nebuliser the first inhalation should be made with Ventavis 10 microgram/ml (1ml ampoule) delivering 2.5 microgram iloprost at the mouthpiece and under close medical supervision to ensure that the faster inhalation provided by Breelib is well tolerated. First dosing with 2.5 microgram should be done even if patients had already been stable on 5 microgram inhaled with an alternative device (see section 4.2).

Iloprost may increase the effects of vasodilatators and antihypertensive agents and then favour the risk of hypotension (see section 4.4). Caution is recommended in case of co-administration of Ventavis with other antihypertensive or vasodilatating agents as dose adjustment might be required.

Since iloprost inhibits platelet function its use with the following substances may enhance iloprost-mediated platelet inhibition, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding:

• anticoagulants such as

- heparin,

- oral anticoagulants (either coumarin-type or direct)

• or other inhibitors of platelet aggregation, such as

- acetylsalicylic acid,

- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicinal products,

- non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors like pentoxifylline,

- selective phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) inhibitors like cilostazol or anagrelide

- ticlopidine,

- clopidogrel,

- glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists, like:

o abciximab,

o eptifibatide

o tirofiban

o defibrotide.

A careful monitoring of the patients taking anticoagulants or other inhibitors of platelet aggregation according to common medical practice is recommended.

Intravenous infusion of iloprost has no effect either on the pharmacokinetics of multiple oral doses of digoxin or on the pharmacokinetics of co-administered tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) in patients.

Although, clinical studies have not been conducted, in vitro studies investigating the inhibitory potential of iloprost on the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes revealed that no relevant inhibition of drug metabolism via these enzymes by iloprost is to be expected.

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraceptive measures during treatment with Ventavis.

Pregnancy

Women with pulmonary hypertension (PH) should avoid pregnancy as it may lead to life-threatening exacerbation of the disease.

Animal studies have shown reproductive effects (see section 5.3).

There is a limited amount of data from the use of iloprost in pregnant women. If a pregnancy occurs, taking into account the potential maternal benefit, the use of Ventavis during pregnancy may be considered, only following careful benefit-risk evaluation, in those women who choose to continue their pregnancy, despite the known risks of pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether iloprost/metabolites are excreted in human breast milk. Very low levels of iloprost into milk were observed in rats (see section 5.3). A potential risk to the breast-feeding child cannot be excluded and it is preferable to avoid breast-feeding during Ventavis therapy.

Fertility

Animal studies have not shown harmful effect of iloprost on fertility.

Ventavis has major influence on the ability to drive and use machines for patients experiencing hypotensive symptoms such as dizziness.

Care should be exercised during initiation of therapy until any effects on the individual have been determined.

Summary of the safety profile

In addition to local effects resulting from administration of iloprost by inhalation such as cough, adverse reactions with iloprost are related to the pharmacological properties of prostacyclins.

The most frequently observed adverse reactions (≥ 20 %) in clinical trials include vasodilatation (including hypotension), headache and cough. The most serious adverse reactions were hypotension, bleeding events, and bronchospasm.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The adverse reactions reported below are based on pooled clinical trial data from phase II and III clinical trials involving 131 patients taking the medicinal product and on data from post-marketing surveillance. The frequencies of adverse reactions are defined as very common (≥1/10) and common (≥1/100 to <1/10). The adverse reactions identified only during post-marketing surveillance, and for which a frequency could not be estimated from clinical trial data, are listed under "Frequency not known".

Within each frequency grouping, adverse reaction are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

* Life-threatening and/or fatal cases have been reported.

§ see section “Description of selected adverse reactions”

Description of selected adverse reactions

Bleeding events (mostly epistaxis and haemoptysis) were very common as expected in this patient population with a high proportion of patients taking anticoagulant co-medication. The risk of bleeding may be increased in patients when potential inhibitors of platelet aggregation or anticoagulants are given concomitantly (see section 4.5). Fatal cases included cerebral and intracranial haemorrhage.

Syncope is a common symptom of the disease itself, but can also occur under therapy. The increased occurrence of syncope can be related to the deterioration of the disease or insufficient effectiveness of the product (see section 4.4).

In clinical trials peripheral oedema was reported in 12.2% of patients on iloprost and 16.2% of patients on placebo. Peripheral oedema is a very common symptom of the disease itself, but can also occur under therapy. The occurrence of peripheral oedema can be related to the deterioration of the disease or insufficient effectiveness of the product.

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.

Symptoms

Cases of overdose were reported. Symptoms of overdoses are mainly related to the vasodilatory effect of iloprost. Frequently observed symptoms following overdose are dizziness, headache, flushing, nausea, jaw pain or back pain. Hypotension, an increase of blood pressure, bradycardia or tachycardia, vomiting, diarrhoea and limb pain might also be possible.

Management

A specific antidote is not known. Interruption of the inhalation session, monitoring and symptomatic measures are recommended.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antithrombotic agents, platelet aggregation inhibitors excluding heparin, ATC code: B01AC11

Iloprost, the active substance of Ventavis, is a synthetic prostacyclin analogue. The following pharmacological effects have been observed in vitro:

• Inhibition of platelet aggregation, platelet adhesion and release reaction

• Dilatation of arterioles and venules

• Increase of capillary density and reduction of increased vascular permeability caused by mediators such as serotonin or histamine in the microcirculation

• Stimulation of endogenous fibrinolytic potential

The pharmacological effects after inhalation of Ventavis are:

Direct vasodilatation of the pulmonary arterial bed occur with consecutive significant improvement of pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance and cardiac output as well as mixed venous oxygen saturation.

In a small, randomised, 12-week double-blinded, placebo-controlled study (the STEP trial), 34 patients treated with bosentan 125 mg twice per day for at least 16 weeks who were in stable haemodynamic conditions before enrolment, tolerated the addition of inhaled iloprost at the concentration of 10 microgram/ml (up to 5 microgram 6 to 9 times per day during waking hours). The mean daily inhaled dose was 27 microgram and the mean number of inhalations per day was 5.6. The acute adverse effects in patients receiving concomitant bosentan and iloprost were consistent with those observed in the larger experience of the phase 3 study in patients receiving only iloprost. No reliable conclusion could be drawn on efficacy of the association as the sample size was limited and the study was of short duration.

No clinical trial data are available comparing directly in intra-patient observations the acute haemodynamic response after intravenous to that after inhaled iloprost. The haemodynamics observed suggest an acute response with preferential effect of inhaled treatment on the pulmonary vessels. The pulmonary vasodilatory effect of each single inhalation levels off within one to two hours.

However, the predictive value of these acute haemodynamic data are considered to be of limited value as acute response does not in all cases correlate with long-term benefit of treatment with inhaled iloprost.

Efficacy in adult patients with pulmonary hypertension

A randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled phase III trial (study RRA02997) has been conducted in 203 adult patients (inhaled iloprost at the concentration of 10 microgram/ml: n=101; placebo n=102) with stable pulmonary hypertension. Inhaled iloprost (or placebo) was added to patients' current therapy, which could include a combination of anticoagulants, vasodilators (e.g. calcium channel blockers), diuretics, oxygen, and digitalis, but not PGI2 (prostacyclin or its analogues). 108 of the patients included were diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension, 95 were diagnosed with secondary pulmonary hypertension of which 56 were associated with chronic thromboembolic disease, 34 with connective tissue disease (including CREST and scleroderma) and 4 were considered appetite suppressant medicinal product related. The baseline 6-minute walk test values reflected a moderate exercise limitation: in the iloprost group the mean was 332 metres (median value: 340 metres) and in the placebo group the mean was 315 metres (median value: 321 metres). In the iloprost group, the median daily inhaled dose was 30 microgram (range 12.5 to 45 microgram/day). The primary efficacy endpoint defined for this study, was a combined response criterion consisting of improvement in exercise capacity (6-minute walk test) at 12 weeks by at least 10% versus baseline, and improvement by at least one NYHA class at 12 weeks versus baseline, and no deterioration of pulmonary hypertension or death at any time before 12 weeks. The rate of responders to iloprost was 16.8% (17/101) and the rate of responders in the placebo group was 4.9% (5/102) (p = 0.007).

In the iloprost group, the mean change from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment in the 6-minute walking distance was an increase of 22 metres (-3.3 metres in the placebo group, no data imputation for death or missing values).

In the iloprost group the NYHA class was improved in 26% of patients (placebo: 15%) (p = 0.032), unchanged in 67.7% of patients (placebo: 76%) and deteriorated in 6.3% of patients (placebo: 9%). Invasive haemodynamic parameters were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks treatment.

A subgroup analysis showed that no treatment effect was observed as compared to placebo on the 6 minute walk test in the subgroup of patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension.

A mean increase in the 6-minute walk test of 44.7 metres from a baseline mean value of 329 metres vs. a change of -7.4 metres from a baseline mean value of 324 metres in the placebo group (no data imputation for death or missing values) was observed in the subgroup of 49 patients with primary pulmonary hypertension receiving treatment of inhaled iloprost for 12 weeks (46 patients in the placebo group).

Paediatric population

No study has been performed with Ventavis in children with pulmonary hypertension.

Absorption

When iloprost at the concentration of 10 microgram/ml is administered via inhalation in patients with pulmonary hypertension or healthy volunteers (iloprost dose at the mouthpiece: 5 microgram: inhalation time in between 4.6 – 10.6 min), mean peak serum concentrations of about 100 to 200 picogram/ml were observed at the end of inhalation session. These concentrations decline with half-lives between approximately 5 and 25 minutes. Within 30 minutes to 2 hours after the end of inhalation, iloprost is not detectable in the central compartment (limit of quantification 25 picogram/ml).

Distribution

No studies performed following inhalation.

Following intravenous infusion, the apparent steady-state volume of distribution was 0.6 to 0.8 l/kg in healthy subjects. Total plasma protein binding of iloprost is concentration-independent in the range of 30 to 3,000 picogram/ml and amounts to approximately 60%, of which 75% is due to albumin binding.

Biotransformation

No studies to investigate the metabolism of iloprost were performed following inhalation of Ventavis.

After intravenous administration, iloprost is extensively metabolised via ß-oxidation of the carboxyl side chain. No unchanged substance is eliminated. The main metabolite is tetranor-iloprost, which is found in the urine in free and conjugated form. Tetranor-iloprost is pharmacologically inactive as shown in animal experiments. Results of in vitro studies reveal that CYP 450-dependent metabolism plays only a minor role in the biotransformation of iloprost. Further in vitro studies suggest that metabolism of iloprost in the lungs is similar after intravenous administration or inhalation.

Elimination

No studies performed following inhalation.

In subjects with normal renal and hepatic function, the disposition of iloprost following intravenous infusion is characterised in most cases by a two-phase profile with mean half-lives of 3 to 5 minutes and 15 to 30 minutes. The total clearance of iloprost is about 20 ml/kg/min, which indicates extrahepatic contribution to the metabolism of iloprost.

A mass-balance study was done using ³H-iloprost in healthy subjects. Following intravenous infusion, the recovery of total radioactivity is 81 %, and the respective recoveries in urine and faeces are 68% and 12%. The metabolites are eliminated from plasma and urine in 2 phases, for which half-lives of about 2 and 5 hours (plasma) and 2 and 18 hours (urine) have been calculated.

Pharmacokinetics after use with different nebulisers

Breelib nebuliser:

Pharmacokinetics of iloprost were investigated in a randomised, crossover study with 27 patients, stable on Ventavis 10 microgram/ml inhaled with I-Neb, following inhalation of single doses of 2.5 or 5 microgram iloprost using the Breelib or the I-Neb AAD nebuliser. Following inhalation of these doses with the Breelib the maximum plasma concentrations (C_max) and systemic exposures (AUC (0–t_last)) increased dose-proportionally.

C_max and AUC (0–t_last) after inhalation of 5 microgram iloprost administered as Ventavis 20 microgram/ml using the Breelib were 77% and 42%, respectively higher compared to inhalation of the same dose using Ventavis 10 microgram/ml and the I-Neb AAD system. C_max and AUC (0–t_last) of iloprost after inhalation with Breelib were, however, still in the range of values observed with Ventavis 10 microgram/ml using other inhalers across different studies.

I-Neb AAD nebuliser:

Pharmacokinetics under the specific study conditions of extended inhalation time, were investigated in a randomised, crossover study with 19 healthy adult men following inhalation of single doses of Ventavis 10 microgram/ml and Ventavis 20 microgram/ml (dose of 5 microgram iloprost at the mouthpiece) using the I-Neb. Comparable systemic exposures (AUC (0–t_last)) and approximately 30% higher maximum serum concentrations (C_max) were found following inhalation of Ventavis 20 microgram/ml compared to Ventavis 10 microgram/ml which was in line with the observed shorter inhalation time using Ventavis 20 microgram/ml.

Other special populations

Renal impairment

In a study with intravenous infusion of iloprost, patients with end-stage renal failure undergoing intermittent dialysis treatment are shown to have a significantly lower clearance (mean CL = 5 ± 2 ml/minute/kg) than that observed in patients with renal failure not undergoing intermittent dialysis treatment (mean CL = 18 ± 2 ml/minute/kg).

Hepatic impairment

Because iloprost is extensively metabolised by the liver, the plasma levels of the active substance are influenced by changes in hepatic function. In an intravenous study, results were obtained involving 8 patients suffering from liver cirrhosis. The mean clearance of iloprost is estimated to be 10 ml/minute/kg.

Gender

Gender is not of clinical relevance to the pharmacokinetics of iloprost.

Elderly

Pharmacokinetics in elderly patients have not been investigated

Systemic toxicity

In acute toxicity studies, single intravenous and oral doses of iloprost caused severe symptoms of intoxication or death (intravenous) at doses about two orders of magnitude above the intravenous therapeutic dose. Considering the high pharmacological potency of iloprost and the absolute doses required for therapeutic purposes the results obtained in acute toxicity studies do not indicate a risk of acute adverse effects in humans. As expected for a prostacyclin, iloprost produced haemodynamic effects (vasodilatation, reddening of skin, hypotension, inhibition of platelet function, respiratory distress) and general signs of intoxication such as apathy, gait disturbances, and postural changes.

Continuous intravenous/subcutaneous infusion of iloprost up to 26 weeks in rodents and non-rodents did not cause any organ toxicity at dose levels which exceeded the human therapeutic systemic exposure between 14 and 47 times (based on plasma levels). Only expected pharmacological effects like hypotension, reddening of skin, dyspnoea, increased intestinal motility were observed.

In a chronic inhalation study in rats over 26 weeks, the highest achievable dose of 48.7 microgram/kg/day was identified as 'no observed adverse effect level' (NOAEL). Systemic exposures exceeded human therapeutic exposures after inhalation by factors of more than 10 (Cmax, cumulative AUC).

Genotoxic potential, tumourigenicity

In vitro (bacterial, mammalian cells, human lymphocytes) and in vivo studies (micronucleus test) for genotoxic effects have not produced any evidence for a mutagenic potential.

No tumourigenic potential of iloprost was observed in tumourigenicity studies in rats and mice.

Reproductive toxicology

In embryo- and foetotoxicity studies in rats continuous intravenous administration of iloprost led to anomalies of single phalanges of the forepaws in a few foetuses/pups without dose dependence.

These alterations are not considered as teratogenic effects, but are most likely related to iloprost induced growth retardation in late organogenesis due to haemodynamic alterations in the foetoplacental unit. No disturbance of postnatal development and reproductive performance was seen in the offspring that were raised, indicating that the observed retardation in rats was compensated during the postnatal development. In comparable embryotoxicity studies in rabbits and monkeys no such digit anomalies or other gross-structural anomalies were observed even after considerably higher dose levels which exceeded the human dose multiple times.

In rats, passage of low levels of iloprost and/or metabolites into the milk was observed (less than 1% of iloprost dose given intravenously). No disturbance of post-natal development and reproductive performance was seen in animals exposed during lactation.

Local tolerance, contact sensitising and antigenicity potential

In inhalation studies in rats, the administration of an iloprost formulation with a concentration of 20 microgram/ml up to 26 weeks did not cause any local irritation of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

A dermal sensitisation (maximisation test) and an antigenicity study in guinea pigs showed no sensitising potential.

Trometamol

Ethanol 96%

Sodium chloride

Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)

Water for injections

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

Ventavis 10 microgram/ml nebuliser solution

4 years.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Ventavis 10 microgram/ml nebuliser solution

• 1 ml ampoules, colourless, glass type I, containing 1 ml nebuliser solution, ring coded with two coloured rings (white - yellow).

• 3 ml ampoules, colourless, glass type I, containing 2 ml nebuliser solution, ring coded with two coloured rings (white - pink).

Ampoules with 1 ml nebuliser solution (for the use of Breelib or I-Neb AAD):

Packages containing

• 30 ampoules

• 42 ampoules.

Multipacks containing:

• 168 (4x42) ampoules

• 168 (4x42) ampoules co-packed with Breelib consumables set (containing 1 mouthpiece and 1 medication chamber).

Ampoules with 2 ml nebuliser solution (for the use of Venta-Neb):

Packages containing

• 30 ampoules

• 90 ampoules

• 100 ampoules

• 300 ampoules.

Multipacks containing:

• 90 (3x30) ampoules

• 300 (10x30) ampoules.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

For each inhalation session the content of one opened ampoule of Ventavis has to be transferred completely into the medication chamber immediately before use.

After each inhalation session, any solution remaining in the nebuliser should be discarded. In addition, instructions for hygiene and cleaning of the nebulisers provided by the device manufacturers should be followed carefully.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.