Diclegis Drug Information

is indicated for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in women who do not respond to conservative management. Limitations of Use DICLEGIS has not been studied in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. DICLEGIS is a fixed dose combination drug product of doxylamine succinate, an antihistamine, and pyridoxine hydrochloride, a Vitamin B6 analog, indicated for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in women who do not respond to conservative management.

Dosage Information Initially, take two

DICLEGIS delayed-release tablets orally at bedtime (Day 1). If this dose adequately controls symptoms the next day, continue taking two tablets daily at bedtime. However, if symptoms persist into the afternoon of Day 2, take the usual dose of two tablets at bedtime that night then take three tablets starting on Day 3 (one tablet in the morning and two tablets at bedtime). If these three tablets adequately control symptoms on Day 4, continue taking three tablets daily. Otherwise take four tablets starting on Day 4 (one tablet in the morning, one tablet mid-afternoon and two tablets at bedtime). The maximum recommended dose is four tablets (one in the morning, one in the mid-afternoon and two at bedtime) daily.

Take on an empty stomach with a glass of water. Swallow tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, or split DICLEGIS tablets.

Take as a daily prescription and not on an as needed basis. Reassess the woman for continued need for DICLEGIS as her pregnancy progresses.

Clinical Trial Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The safety and efficacy of DICLEGIS were compared to placebo in a double-blind, randomized, multi-center trial in 261 women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. The mean gestational age at enrollment was 9.3 weeks, range 7 to 14 weeks gestation . Adverse reactions for DICLEGIS that occurred at an incidence ≥5 percent and exceeded the incidence for placebo are summarized in Table 1. Table 1: Number (Percent) of Subjects with ≥ 5 Percent Adverse Reactions in a 15‑Day Placebo-Controlled Study of DICLEGIS (Only Those Adverse Reactions Occurring at an Incidence ≥ 5 Percent and at a Higher Incidence with DICLEGIS than Placebo are Shown) Diclegis (N = 133) Placebo (n = 128) Somnolence 19 (14.3%) 15 (11.7%)

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse events, listed alphabetically, have been identified during post-approval use of the combination of 10 mg doxylamine succinate and 10 mg pyridoxine hydrochloride. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiac disorders : dyspnea, palpitation, tachycardia Ear and labyrinth disorders : vertigo Eye disorders : vision blurred, visual disturbances Gastrointestinal disorders : abdominal distension, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea General disorders and administration site conditions : chest discomfort, fatigue, irritability, malaise Immune system disorders : hypersensitivity Nervous system disorders : dizziness, headache, migraines, paresthesia, psychomotor hyperactivity Psychiatric disorders : anxiety, disorientation, insomnia, nightmares Renal and urinary disorders : dysuria, urinary retention Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : hyperhidrosis, pruritus, rash, rash maculo-papular

Drug Interactions Use of

DICLEGIS is contraindicated in women who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which prolong and intensify the anticholinergic (drying) effects of antihistamines. Concurrent use of alcohol and other CNS depressants (such as hypnotic sedatives and tranquilizers) with DICLEGIS is not recommended.

Drug-Food Interactions

A food-effect study demonstrated that the delay in the onset of action of DICLEGIS may be further delayed, and a reduction in absorption may occur when tablets are taken with food . Therefore, DICLEGIS should be taken on an empty stomach with a glass of water.

False Positive Urine Tests for Methadone, Opiates and

PCP False positive drug screens for methadone, opiates, and PCP can occur with doxylamine succinate/pyridoxine hydrochloride use. Confirmatory tests, such as Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), should be used to confirm the identity of the substance in the event of a positive immunoassay result.

Pregnancy Risk Summary DICLEGIS is intended for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in women who do not respond to conservative management. Maternal risks are discussed throughout the labeling. No increased risk for congenital malformations has been reported in epidemiologic studies in pregnant women.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks for major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Human Data The combination of doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride has been the subject of many epidemiological studies (cohort, case control and meta-analyses) designed to detect possible teratogenicity. A meta-analysis of 16 cohort and 11 case-control studies published between 1963 and 1991 reported no increased risk for malformations from first trimester exposures to doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride, with or without dicyclomine hydrochloride.

A second meta-analysis of 12 cohort and 5 case-control studies published between 1963 and 1985 reported no statistically significant relationships between fetal abnormalities and the first trimester use of the combination doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride with or without dicyclomine hydrochloride.

Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of DICLEGIS in children under 18 years of age have not been established. Fatalities have been reported from doxylamine overdose in children. The overdose cases have been characterized by coma, grand mal seizures and cardiorespiratory arrest.

Children appear to be at a high risk for cardiorespiratory arrest. A toxic dose for children of more than 1.8 mg/kg has been reported. A 3 year old child died 18 hours after ingesting 1,000 mg doxylamine succinate.

However, there is no correlation between the amount of doxylamine ingested, the doxylamine plasma level and clinical symptomatology.

is contraindicated in women with any of the following conditions: Known hypersensitivity to doxylamine succinate, other ethanolamine derivative antihistamines, pyridoxine hydrochloride or any inactive ingredient in the formulation Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors intensify and prolong the adverse central nervous system effects of DICLEGIS . Known hypersensitivity to doxylamine succinate, other ethanolamine derivative antihistamines, pyridoxine hydrochloride or any inactive ingredient in the formulation Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors

Signs and Symptoms of Overdose

DICLEGIS is a delayed-release formulation, therefore, signs and symptoms of intoxication may not be apparent immediately. Signs and symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, dryness of mouth, dilated pupils, sleepiness, vertigo, mental confusion and tachycardia. At toxic doses, doxylamine exhibits anticholinergic effects, including seizures, rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure and death.

Management of Overdose

If treatment is needed, it consists of gastric lavage or activated charcoal, whole bowel irrigation and symptomatic treatment. For additional information about overdose treatment, call a poison control center ( 1‑800-222-1222 ).