Risk Summary

There are no available data on RHOFADE cream use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. A literature article describing intranasal decongestant use in pregnant women identified a potential association between second-trimester exposure to oxymetazoline (with no decongestant exposure in the first trimester) and renal collecting system anomalies [see Data]. In animal reproduction studies, there were no adverse developmental effects observed after oral administration of oxymetazoline hydrochloride in pregnant rats and rabbits at systemic exposures up to 3 times and 73 times, respectively, the exposure associated with the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) [see Data]. The estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions

Following repeated use of oxymetazoline hydrochloride solution nasal spray for the treatment of nasal congestion at a dose 5 times higher than recommended, one case of fetal distress was reported in a 41-week pregnant patient. The fetal distress resolved hours later, prior to the delivery of the healthy infant. The anticipated exposures for the case are 8- to 18-fold higher than plasma exposures after topical administration of RHOFADE cream.

Data

Human Data

No adequate and well-controlled trials of RHOFADE cream have been conducted in pregnant women. Across all clinical trials of RHOFADE cream, two pregnancies were reported. One pregnancy resulted in the delivery of a healthy child. One pregnancy resulted in a spontaneous abortion, which was considered to be unrelated to the trial medication. A literature article summarizing the results of exploratory analyses of intranasal decongestant use during pregnancy identified a potential association between second-trimester exposure to oxymetazoline hydrochloride solution (with no decongestant exposure in the first trimester) and renal collecting system anomalies.

Animal Data

Effects on embryo-fetal development were evaluated in rats and rabbits following oral administration of oxymetazoline hydrochloride during the period of organogenesis. Oxymetazoline hydrochloride did not cause adverse effects to the fetus at oral doses up to 0.2 mg/kg/day in pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis (3 times the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis). Oxymetazoline hydrochloride did not cause adverse effects to the fetus at oral doses up to 1 mg/kg/day in pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis (73 times the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis). Maternal toxicity, such as decreased maternal body weight, was produced at the high dose of 1 mg/kg/day in pregnant rabbits and was associated with findings of delayed skeletal ossification.

In a rat perinatal and postnatal development study, oxymetazoline hydrochloride was orally administered to pregnant rats once daily from gestation day 6 through lactation day 20. Maternal toxicity was produced at the high dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day (3 times the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis) in pregnant rats and was associated with an increase in pup mortality and reduced pup body weights. Delayed sexual maturation was noted at 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg/day (2 times the MRHD and 3 times the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis, respectively). Oxymetazoline hydrochloride did not have any adverse effects on fetal development at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg/day (one-half of the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis).