benzalkonium chloride 1.5 MG/ML Topical Cream

INDICATIONS: Diabecin HR™ Cream is indicated for the temporary relief of pain and itching associated with minor skin irritations. It combines the anesthetic properties of Lidocaine, and the antiseptic effects of Benzalkonium Chloride to provide effective care for damaged skin.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Apply to the affected area of the heel two or three times daily or as directed by a licensed healthcare practitioner. Use under the direction of a licensed healthcare practitioner.

WARNINGS: For external use only. Not for ophthalmic use. EXCESSIVE DOSING: Excessive dosing by applying Diabecin HR™ Cream to larger areas or for longer than the recommended wearing time could result in increased absorption of lidocaine and high blood concentrations, leading to serious adverse effects (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Systemic Reactions). Lidocaine toxicity could be expected at lidocaine blood concentrations above 5 mcg/mL. The blood concentration of lidocaine is determined by the rate of systemic absorption and elimination. Longer duration of application, application of more than the recommended number of patches, smaller patients, or impaired elimination may all contribute to increasing the blood concentration of lidocaine. With recommended dosing, the average peak blood concentration is about 0.13 mcg/ mL, but concentrations higher than 0.25 mcg/mL have been observed in some individuals.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Tuberculosis or fungal lesions of the skin vaccinia, varicella and acute herpes simplex and in persons who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components. Lidocaine is contraindicated in patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to local anesthetics of the amide type.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacodynamics Lidocaine- is a common local anesthetic that relieves itching, burning, and pain. Topically, it blocks both initiation and conduction or nerve impulses by decreasing ionic flux through the neuronal membrane. Since it penetrates the skin, it creates an anesthetic effect by not just preventing pain signals from propagating to the brain out by stopping them before they begin. Benzalkonium Chloride serves as an antiseptic, preventing infection in minor skin injuries. Pharmacokinetics Absorption: Lidocaine- Lidocaine may be absorbed following topical administration to mucous membranes, its rate and extent of absorption depending upon the specific site of application, duration of exposure, concentration and total dosage. In general, the rate of absorption of local anesthetic agents following topical application occurs most rapidly after intratracheal administration. Lidocaine is also well-absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but little intact drug appears in the circulation because of biotransformation in the liver. Lidocaine is metabolized rapidly by the liver and metabolites and unchanged drug are excreted by the kidneys. Biotransformation includes oxidative N-dealkylation, ring hydroxylation, cleavage of the amide linkage and conjugation. N-dealkylation, a major pathway of biotransformation, yields the metabolites monoethylglycinexylidide and glycinexylidide. The pharmacological/ toxicological actions of these metabolites are similar to, but less potent than, those of lidocaine. Approximately 90% of lidocaine administered is excreted in the form of various metabolites and less than 10% is excreted unchanged. The primary metabolite in urine is a conjugate of 4-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethylaniline. The plasma binding of lidocaine is dependent on drug concentration and the fraction bound decreases with increasing concentration. At concentrations of 1 to 4 g of free base per mL, 60 to 80 percent of lidocaine is protein bound. Binding is also dependent on the plasma concentration of the alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. Lidocaine crosses the blood-brain and placental barriers, presumably by passive diffusion. Studies of lidocaine metabolism following intravenous bolus injections have shown that the elimination half-life of this agent is typically 1.5 to 2 hours. Because of the rapid rate at which lidocaine is metabolized, any condition that affects liver function may alter lidocaine kinetics. The half-life may be prolonged two-fold or more in patients with liver dysfunction. Renal dysfunction does not affect lidocaine kinetics but may increase the accumulation of metabolites. Factors such as acidosis and the use of CNS stimulants and depressants affect the CNS levels of lidocaine required to produce overt systemic effects. Objective adverse manifestations become increasingly apparent with increasing venous plasma levels above 6 g free base per mL. In the rhesus monkey, arterial blood levels of 18-21 g/mL have been shown to be threshold for convulsive activity. Benzalkonium Chloride acts locally with minimal systemic absorption. Excretion: Lidocaine- Lidocaine and its metabolites are excreted by the kidneys. Less than 10% of Lidocaine is excreted unchanged. The half-life of lidocaine elimination from the plasma following IV administration is 81 to 149 minutes (mean 107 ± 22 SD, n = 15). The systemic clearance is 0.33 to 0.90 L/min (mean 0.64 ± 0.18 SD, n = 15). Benzalkonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium compound, is also minimally absorbed through the skin when applied topically. If some systemic absorption occurs, benzalkonium chloride is metabolized in the liver and the metabolites are primarily excreted via the kidneys into the urine. The small amount absorbed is eliminated relatively quickly, reducing the potential for systemic toxicity.