20 ML ropivacaine hydrochloride 10 MG/ML Injection [Naropin]

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Injection is indicated for the production of local or regional anesthesia for surgery and for acute pain management. Surgical Anesthesia : epidural block for surgery including cesarean section; major nerve block; local infiltration Acute Pain Management : epidural continuous infusion or intermittent bolus, e.g., postoperative or labor; local infiltration Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Injection is an amide local anesthetic indicated in adults for the production of local or regional anesthesia for surgery and for acute pain management ( 1 ). Surgical Anesthesia : epidural block for surgery including cesarean section; major nerve block; local infiltration ( 1 ) Acute Pain Management : epidural continuous infusion or intermittent bolus, e.g., postoperative or labor; local infiltration ( 1 )

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • See Table 1 for Dosage Recommendations ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions There have been adverse event reports of chondrolysis in patients receiving intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics following arthroscopic and other surgical procedures. Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Injection is not approved for this use [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3) ]. The rapid injection of a large volume of local anesthetic solution should be avoided and fractional (incremental) doses should always be used. The smallest dose and concentration required to produce the desired result should be administered. The dose of any local anesthetic administered varies with the anesthetic procedure, the area to be anesthetized, the vascularity of the tissues, the number of neuronal segments to be blocked, the depth of anesthesia and degree of muscle relaxation required, the duration of anesthesia desired, individual tolerance, and the physical condition of the patient. Patients in poor general condition due to aging or other compromising factors such as partial or complete heart conduction block, advanced liver disease or severe renal dysfunction require special attention although regional anesthesia is frequently indicated in these patients. To reduce the risk of potentially serious adverse reactions, attempts should be made to optimize the patient's condition before major blocks are performed, and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly. Use an adequate test dose (3 to 5 mL of a short acting local anesthetic solution containing epinephrine) prior to induction of complete block. This test dose should be repeated if the patient is moved in such a fashion as to have displaced the epidural catheter. Allow adequate time for onset of anesthesia following administration of each test dose. These products are intended for single dose and are free from preservatives. Any solution remaining from an opened container should be discarded promptly. In addition, continuous infusion bottles should not be left in place for more than 24 hours. 2.2 Dosage Recommendations Table 1 Dosage Recommendations Conc Volume Dose Onset Duration mg/mL (%) (%) mL mg min hours SURGICAL ANESTHESIA Lumbar Epidural 5 (0.5%) 15 to 30 75 to 150 15 to 30 2 to 4 Administration 7.5 (0.75%) 15 to 25 113 to 188 10 to 20 3 to 5 Surgery 10 (1%) 15 to 20 150 to 200 10 to 20 4 to 6 Lumbar Epidural 5 (0.5%) 20 to 30 100 to 150 15 to 25 2 to 4 Administration 7.5 (0.75%) 15 to 20 113 to150 10 to 20 3 to 5 Cesarean Section Thoracic Epidural 5 (0.5%) 5 to 15 25 to 75 10 to 20 n/a* Administration 7.5 (0.75%) 5 to 15 38 to 113 10 to 20 n/a* Surgery Major Nerve Block † 5 (0.5%) 35 to 50 175 to 250 15 to 30 5 to 8 (e.g., brachial plexus block) 7.5 (0.75%) 10 to 40 75 to 300 10 to 25 6 to 10 Field Block (e.g., minor nerve blocks and infiltration) 5 (0.5%) 1 to 40 5 to 200 1 to 15 2 to 6 LABOR PAIN MANAGEMENT Lumbar Epidural Administration Initial Dose 2 (0.2%) 10 to 20 20 to 40 10 to 15 0.5 to 1.5 Continuous Infusion ‡ 2 (0.2%) 6 to 14 mL/h 12 to 28 mg/h n/a* n/a* Incremental injections (top-up) ‡ 2 (0.2%) 10 to 15 mL/h 20 to 30 mg/h n/a* n/a* POST OPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT Lumbar Epidural Administration Continuous Infusion § 2 (0.2%) 6 to 14 mL/h 12 to 28 mg/h n/a* n/a* Thoracic Epidural Administration 2 (0.2%) 6 to 14 mL/h 12 to 28 mg/h n/a* n/a* Continuous Infusion§ Infiltration 2 (0.2%) 1 to 100 2 to 200 1 to 5 2 to 6 (e.g., minor nerve block) 5 (0.5%) 1 to 40 5 to 200 1 to 5 2 to 6 * = Not Applicable † = The dose for a major nerve block must be adjusted according to site of administration and patient status. Supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks may be associated with a higher frequency of serious adverse reactions, regardless of the local anesthetic used [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )]. ‡ = Median dose of 21 mg per hour was administered by continuous infusion or by incremental injections (top-ups) over a median delivery time of 5.5 hours. § = Cumulative doses up to 770 mg of Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Injection over 24 hours (intraoperative block plus postoperative infusion); Continuous epidural infusion at rates up to 28 mg per hour for 72 hours have been well tolerated in adults, i.e., 2016 mg plus surgical dose of approximately 100 to 150 mg as top-up The doses in the table are those considered to be necessary to produce a successful block and should be regarded as guidelines for use in adults. Individual variations in onset and duration occur. The figures reflect the expected average dose range needed. For other local anesthetic techniques standard current textbooks should be consulted. When prolonged blocks are used, either through continuous infusion or through repeated bolus administration, the risks of reaching a toxic plasma concentration or inducing local neural injury must be considered. Experience to date indicates that a cumulative dose of up to 770 mg ropivacaine hydrochloride injection administered over 24 hours is well tolerated in adults when used for postoperative pain management: i.e., 2016 mg. Caution should be exercised when administering ropivacaine hydrochloride injection for prolonged periods of time, e.g., >70 hours in debilitated patients. For treatment of postoperative pain, the following technique can be recommended: If regional anesthesia was not used intraoperatively, then an initial epidural block with 5 to 7 mL ropivacaine hydrochloride injection is induced via an epidural catheter. Analgesia is maintained with an infusion of ropivacaine hydrochloride injection, 2 mg/mL (0.2%). Clinical studies have demonstrated that infusion rates of 6 to 14 mL (12 to 28 mg) per hour provide adequate analgesia with nonprogressive motor block. With this technique a significant reduction in the need for opioids was demonstrated. Clinical experience supports the use of ropivacaine hydrochloride injection epidural infusions for up to 72 hours. 2.3 Other Administration Considerations Disinfecting agents containing heavy metals, which cause release of respective ions (mercury, zinc, copper, etc.) should not be used for skin or mucous membrane disinfection since they have been related to incidents of swelling and edema. When chemical disinfection of the container surface is desired, either isopropyl alcohol (91%) or ethyl alcohol (70%) is recommended. It is recommended that chemical disinfection be accomplished by wiping stopper thoroughly with cotton or gauze that has been moistened with the recommended alcohol just prior to use. When a container is required to have a sterile outside, a Sterile-Pak should be chosen. Glass containers may, as an alternative, be autoclaved once. Stability has been demonstrated using a targeted F 0 of 7 minutes at 121°C. The solubility of ropivacaine is limited at pH above 6. Thus, care must be taken as precipitation may occur if ropivacaine hydrochloride injection is mixed with alkaline solutions. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Solutions which are discolored or which contain particulate matter should not be administered.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Delay in proper management of dose-related toxicity, under ventilation, and/or altered sensitivity may lead to the development of acidosis, cardiac arrest and, possibly, death. ( 5.1 ) • In performing Ropivacaine Hydrochloride blocks, unintended intravenous injection is possible and may result in cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. ( 5.2 ) • Intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics may cause chondrolysis. Ropivacaine Hydrochloride is not approved for this use. ( 5.3 ). • Signs of methemoglobinemia may occur. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 General Warnings and Precautions Prior to receiving major blocks the general condition of the patient should be optimized and the patient should have an IV line inserted. All necessary precautions should be taken to avoid intravascular injection. Local anesthetics should only be administered by clinicians who are well versed in the diagnosis and management of dose-related toxicity and other acute emergencies which might arise from the block to be employed, and then only after insuring the immediate (without delay) availability of oxygen, other resuscitative drugs, cardiopulmonary resuscitative equipment, and the personnel resources needed for proper management of toxic reactions and related emergencies [see Adverse Reactions ( 6) and Overdosage ( 10.1 )]. Delay in proper management of dose-related toxicity, underventilation from any cause, and/or altered sensitivity may lead to the development of acidosis, cardiac arrest and, possibly, death. The safe and effective use of local anesthetics depends on proper dosage, correct technique, adequate precautions and readiness for emergencies. Resuscitative equipment, oxygen and other resuscitative drugs should be available for immediate use [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )]. The lowest dosage that results in effective anesthesia should be used to avoid high plasma levels and serious adverse events. Injections should be made slowly and incrementally, with frequent aspirations before and during the injection to avoid intravascular injection. When a continuous catheter technique is used, syringe aspirations should also be performed before and during each supplemental injection. During the administration of epidural anesthesia, it is recommended that a test dose of a local anesthetic with a fast onset be administered initially and that the patient be monitored for central nervous system and cardiovascular toxicity, as well as for signs of unintended intrathecal administration before proceeding. When clinical conditions permit, consideration should be given to employing local anesthetic solutions, which contain epinephrine for the test dose because circulatory changes compatible with epinephrine may also serve as a warning sign of unintended intravascular injection. An intravascular injection is still possible even if aspirations for blood are negative. Administration of higher than recommended doses of Ropivacaine Hydrochloride to achieve greater motor blockade or increased duration of sensory blockade may result in cardiovascular depression, particularly in the event of inadvertent intravascular injection. Tolerance to elevated blood levels varies with the physical condition of the patient. Debilitated, elderly patients and acutely ill patients should be given reduced doses commensurate with their age and physical condition. Local anesthetics should also be used with caution in patients with hypotension, hypovolemia or heart block. Solutions of Ropivacaine Hydrochloride should not be used for the production of obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia, retrobulbar block, or spinal anesthesia (subarachnoid block) due to insufficient data to support such use. Intravenous regional anesthesia (bier block) should not be performed due to a lack of clinical experience and the risk of attaining toxic blood levels of ropivacaine. It is essential that aspiration for blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (where applicable), be done prior to injecting any local anesthetic, both the original dose and all subsequent doses, to avoid intravascular or subarachnoid injection. However, a negative aspiration does not ensure against an intravascular or subarachnoid injection. 5.2 Unintended Intravenous Injection In performing Ropivacaine Hydrochloride blocks, unintended intravenous injection is possible and may result in cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. The potential for successful resuscitation has not been studied in humans. There have been rare reports of cardiac arrest during the use of Ropivacaine Hydrochloride for epidural anesthesia or peripheral nerve blockade, the majority of which occurred after unintentional accidental intravascular administration in elderly patients and in patients with concomitant heart disease. In some instances, resuscitation has been difficult. Should cardiac arrest occur, prolonged resuscitative efforts may be required to improve the probability of a successful outcome. Ropivacaine Hydrochloride should be administered in incremental doses. It is not recommended for emergency situations, where a fast onset of surgical anesthesia is necessary. Historically, pregnant patients were reported to have a high risk for cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac/circulatory arrest and death when 0.75% bupivacaine (another member of the amino amide class of local anesthetics) was inadvertently rapidly injected intravenously. 5.3 Intra-Articular Infusions and Risk of Chondrolysis Intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics following arthroscopic and other surgical procedures is an unapproved use, and there have been post-marketing reports of chondrolysis in patients receiving such infusions. The majority of reported cases of chondrolysis have involved the shoulder joint; cases of gleno-humeral chondrolysis have been described in pediatric and adult patients following intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics with and without epinephrine for periods of 48 to 72 hours. There is insufficient information to determine whether shorter infusion periods are not associated with these findings. The time of onset of symptoms, such as joint pain, stiffness and loss of motion can be variable, but may begin as early as the 2 nd month after surgery. Currently, there is no effective treatment for chondrolysis; patients who experienced chondrolysis have required additional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and some required arthroplasty or shoulder replacement. 5.4 Risk of Methemoglobinemia Cases of methemoglobinemia have been reported in association with local anesthetic use. Although all patients are at risk for methemoglobinemia, patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia, cardiac or pulmonary compromise, infants under 6 months of age, and concurrent exposure to oxidizing agents or their metabolites are more susceptible to developing clinical manifestations of the condition. If local anesthetics must be used in these patients, close monitoring for symptoms and signs of methemoglobinemia is recommended. Signs of methemoglobinemia may occur immediately or may be delayed some hours after exposure, and are characterized by a cyanotic skin discoloration and/or abnormal coloration of the blood. Methemoglobin levels may continue to rise; therefore, immediate treatment is required to avert more serious central nervous system and cardiovascular adverse effects, including seizures, coma, arrhythmias, and death. Discontinue Ropivacaine Hydrochloride and any other oxidizing agents. Depending on the severity of the signs and symptoms, patients may respond to supportive care, i.e., oxygen therapy, hydration. A more severe clinical presentation may require treatment with methylene blue, exchange transfusion, or hyperbaric oxygen. 5.5 Central Nervous System Toxicity Careful and constant monitoring of cardiovascular and respiratory vital signs (adequacy of ventilation) and the patient's state of consciousness should be performed after eac

CONTRAINDICATIONS Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to ropivacaine or to any local anesthetic agent of the amide type. History of hypersensitivity to local anesthetics of the amide type. ( 4 )

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Ropivacaine is a member of the amino amide class of local anesthetics and is supplied as the pure S-(-)-enantiomer. Local anesthetics block the generation and the conduction of nerve impulses, presumably by increasing the threshold for electrical excitation in the nerve, by slowing the propagation of the nerve impulse, and by reducing the rate of rise of the action potential. In general, the progression of anesthesia is related to the diameter, myelination and conduction velocity of affected nerve fibers. Clinically, the order of loss of nerve function is as follows: (1) pain, (2) temperature, (3) touch, (4) proprioception, and (5) skeletal muscle tone. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics Studies in humans have demonstrated that, unlike most other local anesthetics, the presence of epinephrine has no major effect on either the time of onset or the duration of action of ropivacaine. Likewise, addition of epinephrine to ropivacaine has no effect on limiting systemic absorption of ropivacaine. Systemic absorption of local anesthetics can produce effects on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. At blood concentrations achieved with therapeutic doses, changes in cardiac conduction, excitability, refractoriness, contractility, and peripheral vascular resistance have been reported. Toxic blood concentrations depress cardiac conduction and excitability, which may lead to atrioventricular block, ventricular arrhythmias and to cardiac arrest,sometimes resulting in fatalities. In addition, myocardial contractility is depressed and peripheral vasodilation occurs, leading to decreased cardiac output and arterial blood pressure. Following systemic absorption, local anesthetics can produce central nervous system stimulation, depression or both. Apparent central stimulation is usually manifested as restlessness, tremors and shivering, progressing to convulsions, followed by depression and coma, progressing ultimately to respiratory arrest. However, the local anesthetics have a primary depressant effect on the medulla and on higher centers. The depressed stage may occur without a prior excited stage. In 2 clinical pharmacology studies (total n=24) ropivacaine and bupivacaine were infused (10 mg/min) in human volunteers until the appearance of CNS symptoms, e.g., visual or hearing disturbances, perioral numbness, tingling and others. Similar symptoms were seen with both drugs. In 1 study, the mean ± SD maximum tolerated intravenous dose of ropivacaine infused (124 ± 38 mg) was significantly higher than that of bupivacaine (99 ± 30 mg) while in the other study the doses were not different (115 ± 29 mg of ropivacaine and 103 ± 30 mg of bupivacaine). In the latter study, the number of subjects reporting each symptom was similar for both drugs with the exception of muscle twitching which was reported by more subjects with bupivacaine than ropivacaine at comparable intravenous doses. At the end of the infusion, ropivacaine in both studies caused significantly less depression of cardiac conductivity (less QRS widening) than bupivacaine. Ropivacaine and bupivacaine caused evidence of depression of cardiac contractility, but there were no changes in cardiac output. Clinical data in one published article indicate that differences in various pharmacodynamic measures were observed with increasing age. In one study, the upper level of analgesia increased with age, the maximum decrease of mean arterial pressure (MAP) declined with age during the first hour after epidural administration, and the intensity of motor blockade increased with age. However, no pharmacokinetic differences were observed between elderly and younger patients. In non-clinical pharmacology studies comparing ropivacaine and bupivacaine in several animal species, the cardiac toxicity of ropivacaine was less than that of bupivacaine, although both were considerably more toxic than lidocaine. Arrhythmogenic and cardio-depressant effects were seen in animals at significantly higher doses of ropivacaine than bupivacaine. The incidence of successful resuscitation was not significantly different between the ropivacaine and bupivacaine groups. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Absorption The systemic concentration of ropivacaine is dependent on the total dose and concentration of drug administered, the route of administration, the patient's hemodynamic/circulatory condition, and the vascularity of the administration site. From the epidural space, ropivacaine shows complete and biphasic absorption. The half-lives of the 2 phases, (mean ± SD) are 14 ± 7 minutes and 4.2 ± 0.9 h, respectively. The slow absorption is the rate limiting factor in the elimination of ropivacaine that explains why the terminal half-life is longer after epidural than after intravenous administration. Ropivacaine shows dose-proportionality up to the highest intravenous dose studied, 80 mg, corresponding to a mean ± SD peak plasma concentration of 1.9 ± 0.3 mcg/mL. Table 7 Pharmacokinetic (Plasma Concentration-Time) Data From Clinical Trials Route Epidural Infusion* Epidural Infusion* Epidural Block † Epidural Block † Plexus Block ‡ IV Infusion § Dose (mg) 1493 ± 10 2075 ± 206 1217 ± 277 150 187.5 300 40 N 12 12 11 8 8 10 12 C max (mg/L) 2.4 ± 1 ¶ 2.8 ± 0.5 ¶ 2.3 ± 1.1 ¶ 1.1 ± 0.2 1.6 ± 0.6 2.3 ± 0.8 1.2 ± 0.2# T max (min) n/a ♠ n/a n/a 43 ± 14 34 ± 9 54 ± 22 n/a AUC0-(mg.h/L) 135.5 ± 50 145 ± 34 161 ± 90 7.2 ± 2 11.3 ± 4 13 ± 3.3 1.8 ± 0.6 CL (L/h) 11.03 13.7 n/a 5.5 ± 2 5 ± 2.6 n/a 21.2 ± 7 t 1/2 (hr) ♥ 5 ± 2.5 5.7 ± 3 6 ± 3 5.7 ± 2 7.1 ± 3 6.8 ± 3.2 1.9 ± 0.5 * Continuous 72 hour epidural infusion after an epidural block with 5 or 10 mg/mL. † Epidural anesthesia with 7.5 mg/mL (0.75%) for cesarean delivery. ‡ Brachial plexus block with 7.5 mg/mL (0.75%) ropivacaine. § 20 minute IV infusion to volunteers (40 mg). ¶C max measured at the end of infusion (i.e., at 72 hr). # C max measured at the end of infusion (i.e., at 20 minutes). ♠ n/a=not applicable ♥ t½ is the true terminal elimination half-life. On the other hand, t½ follows absorption dependent elimination (flip-flop) after non-intravenous administration. In some patients after a 300 mg dose for brachial plexus block, free plasma concentrations of ropivacaine may approach the threshold for CNS toxicity[see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )]. At a dose of greater than 300 mg, for local infiltration, the terminal half-life may be longer (>30 hours). Distribution After intravascular infusion, ropivacaine has a steady-state volume of distribution of 41 ± 7 liters. Ropivacaine is 94% protein bound, mainly to α1-acid glycoprotein. An increase in total plasma concentrations during continuous epidural infusion has been observed, related to a postoperative increase of α1-acid glycoprotein. Variations in unbound, i.e., pharmacologically active, concentrations have been less than in total plasma concentration. Ropivacaine readily crosses the placenta and equilibrium in regard to unbound concentration will be rapidly reached [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 ) and Use in Specific Population ( 8.1 )]. Metabolism Ropivacaine is extensively metabolized in the liver, predominantly by aromatic hydroxylation mediated by cytochrome P4501A to 3-hydroxy ropivacaine. After a single IV dose approximately 37% of the total dose is excreted in the urine as both free and conjugated 3-hydroxy ropivacaine. Low concentrations of 3-hydroxy ropivacaine have been found in the plasma. Urinary excretion of the 4 hydroxy ropivacaine, and both the 3-hydroxy N-de-alkylated (3-OH-PPX) and 4-hydroxy N-de-alkylated (4-OH-PPX) metabolites account for less than 3% of the dose. An additional metabolite, 2-hydroxy-methyl-ropivacaine, has been identified but not quantified in the urine. The N-de-alkylated metabolite of ropivacaine (PPX) and 3- OH-ropivacaine are the major metabolites excreted in the urine during epidural infusion. Total PPX concentration in the plasma was about half as that of total ropiv