Finacea

What is Finacea and how is it used?

Finacea is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of Acne Vulgaris and inflammatory papules and pustules of Mild to Moderate Rosecea. Finacea may be used alone or with other medications.

Finacea belongs to a class of drugs called Acne Agents, Topical.

It is not known if Finacea is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years.

What are the possible side effects of Finacea?

Finacea may cause serious side effects including:

• severe burning, stinging, or warmth,
• severe itching or tingling,
• severe redness, dryness, peeling, or other irritation, and
• changes in skin color

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

The most common side effects of Finacea include:

• feeling of pins and needles on the skin,
• stinging sensation of the skin,
• dry skin,
• erythema or skin redness,
• itching, and
• skin inflammation

Tell the doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Finacea. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

DESCRIPTION

FINACEA (azelaic acid) Gel, 15%, is an aqueous gel which contains azelaic acid, a naturally-occurring saturated dicarboxylic acid. Chemically, azelaic acid is 1,7-heptanedicarboxylic acid. The molecular formula for azelaic acid is C₉H₁₆O₄ It has the following structure:

Azelaic acid has a molecular weight of 188.22. It is a white, odorless crystalline solid. It is poorly soluble in water at 20°C (0.24%) but freely soluble in boiling water and in ethanol.

FINACEA Gel is a white to yellowish white opaque gel for topical use; each gram contains 0.15 gm azelaic acid (15%w/w) in an aqueous gel base containing benzoic acid (as a preservative), disodium EDTA, lecithin, medium-chain triglycerides, polyacrylic acid, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, purified water, and sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

INDICATIONS

FINACEA Foam, 15% is indicated for topical treatment of the inflammatory papules and pustules of mild to moderate rosacea.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Shake well before use.
• Cleanse affected area(s) using only very mild soaps or soapless cleansing lotion and pat dry with a soft towel before application of FINACEA Foam.
• Apply FINACEA Foam twice daily (morning and evening) to the entire facial area (cheeks, chin, forehead, and nose). For a single application, dispense the smallest amount of foam necessary to adequately cover the affected area(s) with a thin layer.
• Use FINACEA Foam continuously over 12 weeks.
• Wash hands immediately following application of FINACEA Foam.
• Cosmetics may be applied after the application of FINACEA Foam has dried.
• Reassess the diagnosis if no improvement is observed upon completing 12 weeks of therapy.
• Avoid the use of occlusive dressings or wrappings.
• Instruct patients to avoid use of alcoholic cleansers, tinctures and astringents, abrasives and peeling agents.
• For topical use.
• Not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use.

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Each gram of FINACEA (azelaic acid) Foam contains 0.15 g of azelaic acid (15% w/w) in a white to off-white foam.

FINACEA (azelaic acid) Foam 15% is a white to off-white emulsion supplied in a pressurized 50 g (NDC 50222-303-50) aluminum can.

Storage And Handling

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted between 15–30°C (59–86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Flammable. Avoid fire, flame, or smoking during and immediately following application. Contents under pressure. Do not puncture or incinerate. Do not expose to heat or store at temperatures above 120°F (49°C).

Manufactured by: ASM Aerosol-Service AG, Industriestrasse 11, 4313 Moehlin, Switzerland. Revised: Dec 2020

SIDE EFFECTS

The following adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the prescribing information:

• Hypopigmentation [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Eye and Mucous Membranes Irritation [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Clinical Trials 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 practice.

FINACEA Foam was evaluated for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea in two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, 12-week clinical trials involving a total of 1362 (FINACEA Foam, 15%: 681; vehicle: 681) subjects. Overall, 95.7% of subjects were White, 73.4% were female, and the mean age was 50.6 years.

Table 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 0.5% of Subjects Treated with FINACEA Foam Compared with Subjects Treated with Vehicle

System/Organ Class Preferred	FINACEA Foam, 15% (N=681) n (%)	Vehicle (N=681) n (%)
General disorders and application site conditions
Application site pain*	42 (6.2%)	10 (1.5%)
Application site pruritus	17 (2.5%)	2 (0.3%)
Application site dryness	5 (0.7%)	5 (0.7%)
Application site erythema	5 (0.7%)	6 (0.9%)
* “Application site pain” is a term used to describe disagreeable skin sensations, including burning, stinging, paraesthesia and tenderness.

Local Tolerability Studies

In a 21-day cumulative irritation study under occlusive conditions, mild-to-moderate irritation was observed for azelaic acid pre-foam emulsion. In a human repeat insult patch test (HRIPT) study, no sensitization potential was observed for azelaic acid pre-foam emulsion.

Postmarketing Experience

Hypersensitivity, rash and worsening of asthma have been reported from the postmarketing experience of azelaic acid-containing formulations. 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.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

No Information Provided

WARNINGS

Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section

PRECAUTIONS

Hypopigmentation

There have been reports of hypopigmentation after use of azelaic acid. Because azelaic acid has not been well studied in patients with dark complexion, monitor these patients for early signs of hypopigmentation.

Eye And Mucous Membranes Irritation

Azelaic acid has been reported to cause irritation of the eyes. Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth and other mucous membranes. If FINACEA Foam does come in contact with the eyes, wash the eyes with large amounts of water and consult a physician if eye irritation persists.

Flammability

The propellant in FINACEA Foam is flammable. Instruct the patient to avoid fire, flame, and smoking during and immediately following application. Do not puncture and/or incinerate the containers. Do not expose containers to heat and/or store at temperatures above 120°F (49°C).

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

In a 2-year dermal mouse carcinogenicity study, azelaic acid pre-foam emulsion was administered twice daily to CD-1 mice at topical doses of 5%, 15%, and 30% (500, 1500, and 3000 mg/kg/day azelaic acid). No drug-related tumors were noted at concentrations up to 30% azelaic acid (527 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison).

Azelaic acid was not mutagenic or clastogenic in a battery of in vitro [Ames assay, HGPRT assay in V79 cells (Chinese hamster lung cells), and chromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes] and in vivo (dominant lethal assay in mice and mouse micronucleus assay) genotoxicity tests.

Oral administration of azelaic acid at dose levels up to 2500 mg/kg/day (162 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison) did not affect fertility or reproductive performance in male or female rats.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Azelaic acid is minimally absorbed systemically following topical route of administration, and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

In animal reproduction studies, embryofetal toxicity was noted when azelaic acid was administered orally during the period of organogenesis at doses 162, 19, and 65 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) in rats, rabbits, and monkeys, respectively. Maternal toxicity was noted at these doses but no malformations were observed in these embryofetal developmental studies (see Data).

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is 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 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Dermal embryofetal developmental toxicology studies have not been performed with azelaic acid, 15% foam. Oral embryofetal developmental studies were conducted with azelaic acid in rats, rabbits, and cynomolgus monkeys. Azelaic acid was administered during the period of organogenesis in all three animal species. Embryotoxicity was observed in rats, rabbits, and monkeys at oral doses of azelaic acid that generated some maternal toxicity. Embryotoxicity was observed in rats given 2500 mg/kg/day [162 times the MRHD based on body surface area (BSA) comparison], rabbits given 150 or 500 mg/kg/day (19 or 65 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison) and cynomolgus monkeys given 500 mg/kg/day (65 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison) azelaic acid. No malformations were observed in the oral embryofetal developmental studies conducted in rats, rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys.

An oral peri-and post-natal developmental study was conducted in rats. Azelaic acid was administered from gestational day 15 through day 21 postpartum up to a dose level of 2500 mg/kg/day. Embryotoxicity was observed in rats at an oral dose of 2500 mg/kg/day (162 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison) that generated some maternal toxicity. In addition, slight disturbances in the post-natal development of fetuses was noted in rats at oral doses that generated some maternal toxicity (500 and 2500 mg/kg/day; 32 and 162 times the MRHD based on BSA comparison). No effects on sexual maturation of the fetuses were noted in this study.

Lactation

Risk Summary

Azelaic acid is naturally present in human milk. When used as prescribed, azelaic acid is unlikely to be absorbed through the skin in clinically relevant amounts to cause a change in azelaic acid concentration in milk or milk production; therefore, breastfeeding is not expected to result in exposure of the infant to FINACEA Foam. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for FINACEA Foam and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from FINACEA Foam or from the underlying maternal condition.

Pediatric Use

The safety and efficacy of FINACEA Foam have not been established in pediatric patients.

Geriatric Use

Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of FINACEA Foam, 18.8 percent were 65 and over, while 7.2 percent were 75 and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

OVERDOSE

No information provided.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Mechanism Of Action

The mechanism(s) by which azelaic acid interferes with the pathogenic events in rosacea are unknown.

Pharmacodynamics

The efficacy of FINACEA Foam is being driven by local mechanisms of azelaic acid within the skin.

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics of azelaic acid and its metabolite pimelic acid was assessed in 21 adult subjects with moderate papulopustular rosacea with a minimum of 15 and no more than 50 inflammatory lesions (papules and/or pustules). Endogenous plasma concentrations of azelaic acid (range <1-105 ng/mL) and pimelic acid (range 0.69-27 ng/mL) were measured over various time points over 2 days prior to treatment initiation. The endogenous plasma concentrations varied widely across subjects and the mean ± SD values of endogenous azelaic acid plasma concentrations ranged between 4.5 ± 2.4 ng/mL and 14.6 ± 5.6 ng/mL and pimelic acid plasma concentrations ranged between 2.2 ± 1.1 ng/mL and 3.7 ± 3.1 ng/mL.

Following topical dermal applications of a mean dose of 0.94 g of FINACEA Foam (141 mg azelaic acid) twice daily for 7 consecutive days, systemic concentrations of azelaic acid were at steady state by Day 5. On Day 7, a wide range of maximum azelaic acid (22.2 to 90.1 ng/mL) and pimelic acid (2.3-16.9 ng/mL) plasma concentrations (Cmax) was also observed after treatment with FINACEA Foam. The mean ± SD Cmax for azelaic acid and pimelic acid were 51.8 ± 18.5 ng/mL and 5.0 ± 3.0 ng/mL, respectively. The mean ± SD systemic exposure of azelaic acid and pimelic acid within a dosing interval (AUC0-12h) were 442.0 ± 177.6 ng.h/mL and 43.4 ± 15.4 ng.h/mL, respectively.

Azelaic acid is mainly excreted unchanged in the urine, but undergoes some ß-oxidation to shorter chain dicarboxylic acids.

Clinical Studies

The efficacy and safety of FINACEA Foam was evaluated in two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, 12-week clinical trials (Trials 1 and 2) in subjects with papulopustular rosacea, with a mean lesion count of 21.3 (range 12 to 50) inflammatory papules and pustules. A total of 1362 (active: 681; vehicle: 681) subjects aged 19 to 92 years (mean age = 50.6 years), 95.7% Caucasian, and 73.4% female participated in the trials. The following subjects were excluded: a) those with ocular rosacea, phymatous rosacea or plaque-type rosacea lesions; b) those with rosacea that requires systemic treatment; c) those who are known non-responders to azelaic acid, and d) those with a known hypersensitivity to any ingredients of the study drug. FINACEA Foam or its vehicle were to be applied twice daily for 12 weeks; no other topical or systemic medication affecting the course of rosacea and/or evaluability was to be used during the studies. Subjects were instructed to avoid any food and beverages that, by their own experience, may provoke erythema, flushing and blushing, including spicy food, hot drinks and alcoholic beverages during the study. Subjects were also instructed to avoid use of products which may cause local irritation such as soaps, alcohol-containing cleansers, tinctures and astringents, abrasives and peeling agents during the study.

The efficacy endpoints were 1) nominal change in inflammatory lesion count from baseline and 2) success defined as a score of “clear” or “minimal” with at least 2-step reduction from baseline on a 5-point Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA). Details on IGA are specified below:

Clear	no papules and/or pustules; no erythema
Minimal	rare papules and/or pustules; faint, up to but not including mild erythema
Mild	few papules and/or pustules; mild erythema
Moderate	pronounced number of papules and/or pustules, but less than numerous papules and/or pustules; moderate erythema
Severe	numerous papules and/or pustules, occasionally with confluent areas of inflamed lesions; moderate to severe erythema

FINACEA Foam was superior to its vehicle in the treatment of rosacea in reducing the number of inflammatory papules and pustules and demonstrating success according to IGA at the end of treatment (Table 2).

Table 2: IGA Success Rate and Nominal Change in Inflammatory Lesion Count from Baseline to End of the 12-Week Treatment Period

	Trial 1		Trial 2
	FINACEA Foam, 15% N=483	Vehicle N=478	FINACEA Foam, 15% N=198	Vehicle N=203
IGA success rate	32.1%	23.4%	43.4%	32.5%
Mean nominal change in inflammatory lesion count from baseline	-13.2	-10.3	-13.3	-9.5

PATIENT INFORMATION

Inform patients using FINACEA Foam of the following:

Administration Instructions

• For topical use only.
• Shake well before use.
• Before applying FINACEA Foam, cleanse affected area(s) with a very mild soap or a soapless cleansing lotion and pat dry with a soft towel.
• Wash hands immediately following application of FINACEA Foam.
• Cosmetics may be applied after the application of FINACEA Foam has dried.
• Avoid the use of occlusive dressings and wrappings.
• Avoid use of alcoholic cleansers, tinctures and astringents, abrasives and peeling agents.
• If allergic reactions occur, discontinue use and consult your physician.
• Discard product 8 weeks after opening [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Hypopigmentation

• Advise patients to report abnormal changes in skin color to their healthcare provider [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Eye And Mucous Membranes Irritation

• Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth and other mucous membranes. If FINACEA Foam does come in contact with the eyes, wash the eyes with large amounts of water and consult your physician if eye irritation persists [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Flammability

• The propellant in FINACEA Foam is flammable. Avoid fire, flame, or smoking during and immediately following application [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].