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Prescribing Information as of March 1999
AVC™ is a preparation for vaginal administration for the treatment of Candida albicans infections and available in the following forms:
Each tube contains:
Sulfanilamide ............. 15.0%
in a water-miscible, non-staining base made from lactose, propylene glycol, stearic acid, diglycol stearate, methylparaben, propylparaben, trolamine, and water; buffered with lactic acid to an acid pH of approximately 4.3.
Each suppository contains:
Sulfanilamide. 1.05 g
with lactose, in a base made from polyethylene glycol 400, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol 3350, and glycerin, buffered with lactic acid to an acid pH of approximately 4.5. AVC Suppositories have an inert, white, non-staining covering, which dissolves promptly in the vagina. The covering is composed of gelatin, glycerin, water, methylparaben, propylparaben, and coloring.
Sulfanilamide is an anti-infective agent. It is p -amino-benzenesulfonamide with the chemical structure:
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Sulfanilamide occurs as a white odorless crystalline powder with a slightly bitter taste and sweet aftertaste. It is slightly soluble in water, alcohol, acetone, glycerin, propylene glycol, hydrochloric acid, and solutions of potassium and sodium hydroxide. It is practically insoluble in chloroform, ether, benzene, and petroleum ether.
Sulfanilamide has been a useful ingredient of vaginal formulations for about four decades. It blocks certain metabolic processes essential for the growth of susceptible bacteria. In AVC, the sulfanilamide is in a specially compounded base buffered to the pH (about 4.3) of the normal vagina to encourage the presence of the normally occurring Döderlein's bacilli of the vagina.
The use of AVC for the treatment of vulvovaginitis caused by Candida albicans is supported by three clinical investigations. The three studies show AVC with sulfanilamide to be significantly more effective (p </= 0.01) than placebo as follows:
In Study I, the ratio of effectiveness was 71% for the AVC with sulfanilamide versus 49% for placebo with 30 days of treatment;
In Study II, the percentages were 48% and 24%, respectively, with 15 days of treatment;
In Study III, the percentages were 66% versus 33%, respectively, with 30 days of treatment.
For the treatment of vulvovaginitis caused by Candida albicans . (See .)
AVC should not be used in patients known to be sensitive to this product or to the sulfonamides.
Because sulfonamides are absorbed from the vaginal mucosa, the usual precautions for oral sulfonamides apply. Patients should be observed for skin rash or evidence of systemic toxicity, and if these develop, the medications should be discontinued.
Deaths associated with administration of oral sulfonamides have reportedly occurred from hypersensitivity reactions, agranlocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias.
Goiter production, diuresis, and hypoglycemia have reportedly occurred rarely in patients receiving oral sulfonamides. Cross-sensitivity may exist with these agents. Rats appear to be especially susceptible to the goitrogenic effects of sulfonamides, and long-term administration has reportedly produced thyroid malignancies in this species.
Vaginal applicators or inserters should be used with caution after the seventh month of pregnancy.
The doctor should advise the patient that in the even unusual local itching and burning occur, or other unusual symptoms develop, medication should be discontinued and not restarted without further consultation.
Drug interactions have not been documented with AVC.
No data are available on long-term potential of AVC for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or impairment of fertility in animals or humans.
Animal reproductive studies have been conducted with sulfonamides, including sulfanilamide (see below). It is not known whether AVC can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. AVC should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Sulfonamides, including sulfanilamide, readily pass through the placenta and reach fetal circulation. The concentration in the fetus is from 50-90% of that in the maternal blood and if high enough, can cause toxic effects. The safe use of sulfonamides, including sulfanilamide, in pregnancy has not been established. The teratogenic potential of most sulfonamides has not been thoroughly investigated in either animals or humans. However, a significant increase in the incidence of cleft palate and other bony abnormalities of off-spring has been observed with certain sulfonamides of the short-, intermediate-, and long-acting types (including sulfanilamide) when given to pregnant rats and mice at high oral doses (seven to 25 times the human therapeutic oral dose).
Sulfanilamide should be avoided in nursing mothers because absorbed sulfonamides will appear in maternal milk, and have caused kernicterus in the newborn. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from sulfonamides, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug.
Safety and effectiveness of AVC in pediatric patients have not been established.
Local sensitivity reactions such as increased discomfort or a burning sensation have occasionally been reported following the use of topical sulfonamides. With the use of AVC Cream, sensitivity reactions (only local) were reported for 0.2% of the investigational patients.
Treatment should be discontinued if either local or systemic manifestations of sulfonamide toxicity or sensitivity occur.
Tolerance, abuse, or dependence with AVC have not been reported.
There have been no reports of accidental overdosage with AVC.
The acute oral LD 50 of sulfanilamide is 3700-4200 mg/kg in mice.
The minimum human lethal dose of AVC has not been established.
It is not known if AVC is dialyzable.
One applicatorful (about 6 g) or one suppository intravaginally once or twice daily. Improvements in symptoms should occur within a few days, but treatment should be continued for a period of 30 days.
Douching with a suitable solution before insertion may be recommended for hygienic purposes.
NDC 61570-103-04 4 oz tube with applicator
Store at room temperature, below 86°F. Protect from cold.
Product darkens with age. Potency is maintained throughout labeled shelf life when stored as directed.
NDC 61570-084-16 Box of 16 white gelatin suppositories with inserter
Store at room temperature, below 86°F. Protect from excessive cold and moisture.
Prescribing Information as of February 1999
Suppositories Manufactured by:
R.P. Scherer, North America
Saint Petersburg, Florida 33716
Distributed by:
Monarch Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Bristol, TN 37620
50007637