Fluorescein angiography of the ocular fundus.

This medicinal product is for diagnostic use only.

Use in adults, including the elderly

One 5ml ampoule of fluorescein sodium 100mg/ml to be injected intravenously into the antecubital vein after taking precautions to avoid extravasation.

Use in paediatric patients

Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection has not been studied in children and dose-adaptation data are not available. Therefore Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection should not be used in patients below 18 years as efficacy and safety in this group has not been established.

Use in patients with renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate below 20ml/min)

There is limited data regarding the use of Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection in renally impaired patients (glomerular filtration rate below 20ml/min) and indicates, in general, no dose adjustment is required. Patients with renal impairment will exhibit a slower excretion rate (see section 5.2)

In dialysis patients: Reduce the dose to 2.5ml (half an ampoule) as an intravenous injection.

Method of administration and fluorescence angiography

Fluorescein Sodium 100 mg/ml Solution for Injection should be used exclusively by qualified physicians with technical expertise in performing and interpreting fluorescence angiography.

This product should only be administered intravenously.

Flush intravenous cannulas with sterile sodium chloride solution (0.9%) before and after medicinal products are injected to avoid physical incompatibility reactions. The injection should be administered into the antecubital vein, after taking precautions to avoid extravasation using a 23 gauge butterfly needle for injection. Luminescence usually appears in the retina and choroidal vessels in 8 to 20 seconds.

For further instructions on the correct administration/use of this product, see sections 6.2 and 6.6.

Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection should not be injected by the intrathecal or intra-arterial routes.

Hypersensitivity to fluorescein or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Special warning

• Fluorescein sodium can trigger severe allergic reactions:

A detailed medical history of each patient must be carried out before examination including any history of allergy, cardiopulmonary disease or concomitant treatments (in particular beta-blocking drugs, including those in ophthalmic dosage forms). If the examination appears to be necessary for a patient taking beta-blocking drugs, then the examination should be performed under the supervision of a physician experienced in intensive care and resuscitation. Beta-blocking drugs can reduce the vascular compensation reactions to anaphylactic shock and reduce the effectiveness of adrenaline in the case of cardiovascular collapse. Before any fluorescein sodium injection, the physician should check if the patient is treated with beta blocking drugs.

These allergic reactions are most of the time unpredictable but they occur more frequently in patients who have poorly tolerated a previous injection of fluorescein sodium (other than by nausea and vomiting) or in patients who have displayed a history of allergy such as food-induced or iatrogenic urticaria, asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis. These allergic reactions may not be detected by carrying out a specific intradermal skin allergy fluorescein test, whose results are unreliable and sometimes possibly dangerous. A specialised allergy consultation may provide a more precise diagnosis.

The risk of hypersensitivity reactions to fluorescein sodium means that it is necessary throughout the examination:

- to ensure close patient monitoring by the ophthalmologist carrying out the examination throughout the duration of the examination and for at least 30 minutes following completion of the examination.

- to maintain the venous infusion line for at least 5 minutes, in order to treat any severe adverse drug reaction without delay;

- to have available the facilities required for emergency resuscitation, which are based on inserting a second intravenous line, permitting vascular filling (polyionic solution or colloidal plasma substitute) and the intravenous injection of adrenaline at an appropriate dose (see paragraph 4.5).

- Due to the alkaline pH of the solution, care must be taken not to inject the fluorescein solution outside the vein as this can result in severe local tissue damage (severe pain in the arm for several hours, sloughing of the skin, superficial phlebitis). It is important to make sure that the needle is inserted properly into the vein before beginning to inject the fluorescein; if the product passes into the surrounding tissues (extravasation), the injection must be stopped immediately.

- If an X-ray procedure is conducted within 36 hours of injection (maximum duration of fluorescein elimination from the body), the resultant high visibility of the excretory organs in the X-ray image may lead to misinterpretation of the results.

- Each 5ml ampoule of Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection contains 2.54 mmol (58.5 mg) sodium per dose. The amount of sodium should be taken into consideration by patients who are on a controlled sodium diet.

Fluorescein sodium is a relatively inert dye and specific drug interaction studies have not been reported. There are few case reports on potential interactions with organic anion transporters (e.g. probenecid) and interference with other diagnostic procedures.

Concomitant intravenous injections of other solutions, especially those with an acid pH (in particular antihistamines) may induce precipitation of fluorescein because of its alkaline pH. This constitutes a contraindication for their use via the same intravenous line. It is recommended that the concomitant use of or the mixing of Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection, with other solutions should be avoided as the possibility of interactions cannot be excluded.

Analytical interference is possible with blood and urine tests, due to the fluorescence, for up to 3 days after the procedure has been conducted.

Pregnancy

There are insufficient data available concerning the use of Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection in pregnancy. Animal studies do not show any teratogenic effect (see section 5.3) with no specific clinical malformative or fœ totoxic effect being observed. Consequently, the use of Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection should be avoided during pregnancy unless the benefit of the procedure is likely to exceed the risk.

Lactation

Fluorescein sodium is excreted in human milk for up to 4 days. Following fluorescein angiography, breast-feeding should therefore be discontinued for 4 days and the milk should be pumped off and discarded during this period.

Due to the mydriasis induced by the angiography examination, patients must abstain from driving a vehicle or operating machinery until visual acuity (glare, blurred vision) returns to normal.

The most frequently reported, treatment related, undesirable effects were nausea, vomiting, syncope and pruritus. Less frequent, but more severe, adverse reactions have been reported shortly after fluorescein injection such as: angioedema, respiratory disorders (bronchospasm, laryngeal oedema, respiratory failure), anaphylactic shock, hypotension, loss of consciousness, convulsion, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest.

The following undesirable effects have been observed to be treatment related and are classified according the convention: very common (> 1/10), common (>1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (>1/10,000). Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented by decreasing order of seriousness.

A yellowish discolouration of the skin can appear within a few minutes after dosing, but fades after 6 to 12 hours. Urine may also exhibit a bright yellow colouration, but returns to normal after 24 to 36 hours.

Extravasation of the solution can involve intense pain and can be followed by tissue necrosis (see section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

No case of overdose has been reported.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: – DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS, COLOURING AGENTS

ATC code: S01JA

Fluorescein sodium is a fluorochrome and when exposed to blue light (465 to 490 nm) exhibits yellow-green fluorescence (520 to 530 nm). It is used in medicine as a diagnostic stain. The fluorescence exhibited under certain wavelengths of light makes it possible to detect pathological changes (angiography) in the retinal circulation (ocular fundus).

Distribution.

After intravenous injection into the antecubital vein, fluorescein is quickly distributed and appears in the retinal tissue within 8 to 20 seconds. It is rapidly distributed and distributes well into the interstitial space (volume of distribution estimated at 0.5L/Kg). A yellowish discolouration of the skin appears within a few minutes which fades within 6 to 12 hours after dosing.

Approximately 80%-90% of fluorescein is bound to plasma proteins (mainly to albumin), the remainder being the free salt.

Metabolism.

After intravenous administration, fluorescein undergoes rapid metabolism to fluorescein monoglucuronide which has also fluorescent properties. Following intravenous administration approximately 80% of flourescein is conjugated within 1 hour. After 4 to 5 hours, almost all plasma fluorescence is due to fluorescein glucuronide.

Excretion.

Fluorescein and its metabolites are eliminated in bile and urine, but mainly via renal excretion. Renal clearance of 1.75ml/min/Kg and hepatic clearance (due to conjugation) of 1.50 ml/min/kg have been estimated. Plasma elimination half-lives of fluorescein and fluorescein glucuronide are respectively about 23.5 and 264 minutes. 90% of elimination occurs within 48 hours and is essentilally complete within 72 hours. Fluorescein is detectable in urine for 24 to 36 hours post dose.

Plasma pharmacokinetics of fluorescein is the same with diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

There is limited data regarding the use of Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection in renally impaired patients (glomerular filtration rate below 20ml/min) and indicates, in general, no dose adjustment is required. Patients with renal impairment will exhibit a slower excretion rate

In vitro and in vivo genotoxicity studies conducted with fluorescein sodium are negative in an Ames' test, in chromosomal aberration tests and in a micronucleus test in mice. In mouse lymphomas tests, in-vitro CHO cells and in-vivo mouse bone-marrow cells sister chromatides exchange tests are positive.

Neither embryotoxic nor teratogenic effects in rats and rabbits have been shown with fluorescein.

Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment),

Water for injections.

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

To avoid physical incompatibilities, Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection should not be administered simultaneously with other solutions for injection, especially those with an acid pH (especially antihistamines) by the same intravenous route.

Before opening: 3 years.

After opening, the product must be used immediately.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions

Glass (type 1 - colourless) 5ml ampoule packed in outer carton of 10 ampoules

For single use only. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. Do not use Fluorescein Sodium 100mg/ml Solution for Injection if the ampoule is cracked or damaged or if there is any visible particulate matter or discolouration.

After drawing up the solution into a syringe, the solution should be inspected visually again for particulate matter prior to administration. The solution should only be used if the solution is clear and free from particles

Instructions to open the ampoule:

The ampoules are equipped with the OPC (One Point Cut) opening system and must be opened following the below instructions:

• Hold the bottom part of the ampoule between your thumb and index finger of one hand.

• Gently tab the top part of the ampoule with a finger of the other hand to get all liquid into the bottom part.

• Put the other hand on the top of the ampoule positioning the thumb above the coloured point.

• Press with light, even pressure. The ampoule should break with a clean snap.

• Using too much force can cause the ampoule to shatter. If the ampoule shatters or if the opened ampoule contains visible glass particles after opening, discard it and use a new ampoule.