General
Combunox cannot be expected to substitute for corticosteroids or to treat corticosteroid insufficiency. Abrupt discontinuation of corticosteroids may lead to disease exacerbation. Patients on prolonged corticosteroid therapy should have their therapy tapered slowly if a decision is made to discontinue corticosteroids.
The pharmacological activity of Combunox in reducing fever and inflammation may diminish the utility of these diagnostic signs in detecting complications of presumed noninfectious, painful conditions.
Special Risk Patients
As with any opioid analgesic agent, Combunox tablets should be used with caution in elderly or debilitated patients, and those with severe impairment of hepatic, pulmonary or renal function, hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, acute alcoholism, convulsive disorders, CNS depression or coma, delirium tremens, kyphoscoliosis associated with respiratory depression, toxic psychosis, prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture. The usual precautions should be observed and the possibility of respiratory depression, postural hypotension, and altered mental states should be kept in mind.
Use in Pancreatic/Biliary Tract Disease
Combunox may cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi and should be used with caution in patients with biliary tract disease, including acute pancreatitis. Opioids like Combunox may cause increases in the serum amylase level.
Cough Reflex
Oxycodone suppresses the cough reflex; as with other opioid containing products, caution should be exercised when Combunox is used postoperatively and in patients with pulmonary disease.
Hepatic Effects
Borderline elevations of one or more liver tests may occur in up to 15% of
patients taking NSAIDs including ibuprofen as found in Combunox. These laboratory
abnormalities may progress, may remain unchanged, or may be transient with continuing
therapy. Notable elevations of ALT or AST (approximately three or more times
the upper limit of normal) have been reported in approximately 1% of patients
in clinical trials with NSAIDs. In addition, rare cases of severe hepatic reactions,
including jaundice and fatal fulminant hepatitis, liver necrosis and hepatic
failure, some of them with fatal outcomes have been reported.
A patient with symptoms and/or signs suggesting liver dysfunction, or in whom an abnormal liver test has occurred, should be evaluated for evidence of the development of a more severe hepatic reaction while on therapy with Combunox. If clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver disease develop, or if systematic manifestations occur (e.g., eosinophilia, rash, etc.), Combunox should be discontinued.
Hematological Effects
Anemia is sometimes seen in patients receiving NSAIDs, including ibuprofen as found in Combunox. This may be due to fluid retention, occult or gross GI blood loss, or an incompletely described effect upon erythropoiesis. Patients on long-term treatment with NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, should have their hemoglobin or hematocrit checked if they exhibit any signs or symptoms of anemia.
NSAIDs inhibit platelet aggregation and have been shown to prolong bleeding time in some patients. Unlike aspirin, their effect on platelet function is quantitatively less, of shorter duration, and reversible. Patients receiving Combunox who may be adversely affected by alterations in platelet function, such as those with coagulation disorders or patients receiving anticoagulants, should be carefully monitored. Patients previously treated with NSAIDs and currently using Combunox should have their hemoglobin or hematocrit checked if they exhibit any signs or symptoms of anemia.
Pre-existing Asthma
Patients with asthma may have aspirin-sensitive asthma. The use of aspirin in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma has been associated with severe bronchospasm, which can be fatal. Since cross-reactivity between aspirin and other NSAIDs has been reported in such aspirin-sensitive patients, Combunox should not be administered to patients with this form of aspirin sensitivity and should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing asthma.
Aseptic Meningitis
Aseptic meningitis with fever and coma has been observed on rare occasions in patients on ibuprofen as found in COMBUNOX. Although it is probably more likely to occur in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and related connective tissue diseases, it has been reported in patients who do not have an underlying chronic disease. If signs or symptoms of meningitis develop in a patient on Combunox, the possibility of its being related to ibuprofen should be considered.
Information for Patients
- Patients should be informed of the following information before initiating
therapy with an NSAID and periodically during the course of ongoing therapy.
Patients should also be encouraged to read the NSAID Medication Guide that
accompanies each prescription dispensed.
- Combunox, similar to other opioid-containing analgesics, may impair mental
and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous
tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery; patients should be cautioned
accordingly.
- The combination of this product with alcohol and other CNS depressants
may produce an additive CNS depression and should be avoided.
- Combunox can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal
or illicit. Patients should take the drug only for as long as it is prescribed,
in the amounts prescribed, and no more frequently than prescribed.
- Combunox, like other NSAIDs, may cause serious CV side effects, such as
MI or stroke, which may result in hospitalization and even death. Although
serious CV events can occur without warning symptoms, patients should be alert
for the signs and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, slurring
of speech, and should ask for medical advice when observing any indicative
sign or symptoms. Patients should be apprised of the importance of this follow-up
(see WARNINGS; Cardiovascular Effects).
- Combunox, like other NSAIDs, can cause GI discomfort and, rarely, serious
GI side effects, such as ulcers and bleeding, which may result in hospitalization
and even death. Although serious GI tract ulcerations and bleeding can occur
without warning symptoms, patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms
of ulcerations and bleeding, and should ask for medical advice when observing
any indicative sign or symptoms including epigastric pain, dyspepsia, melena,
and hematemesis. Patients should be apprised of the importance of this follow-up
(see WARNINGS; Gastrointestinal Effects - Risk of Ulceration, Bleeding,
and Perforation).
- Combunox, like other NSAIDs, can cause serious skin side effects such as
exfoliative dermatitis, SJS, and TEN, which may result in hospitalizations
and even death. Although serious skin reactions may occur without warning,
patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of skin rash and blisters,
fever or other signs of hypersensitivity, and should ask medical advice when
observing any indicative signs or symptoms. Patients should be advised to
stop the drug immediately if they develop any type of rash and contact their
physician as soon as possible.
- Patients should promptly report signs or symptoms of unexplained weight
gain or edema to their physicians.
- Patients should be informed of the warning signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity
(e.g., nausea, fatigue, lethargy, pruritius, jaundice, right upper quadrant
tenderness, and "flu-like" symptoms). If these occur, patients should be instructed
to seek immediate medical therapy.
- Patients should be informed of the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactoid
reaction (e.g. difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat). If these
occur, patients should be instructed to seek immediate emergency help (see
WARNINGS).
- In late pregnancy, as with other NSAIDs, Combunox should be avoided because
it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.
Laboratory Tests
Because serious GI tract ulcerations and bleeding can occur without warning symptoms, physicians should monitor for signs or symptoms of GI bleeding. Patients on long-term treatment with NSAIDs should have their CBC and a chemistry profile checked periodically. If clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver or renal disease develop, systemic manifestations occur (e.g. eosinophilia, rash, etc.) or if abnormal liver tests persist or worsen, Combunox should be discontinued.
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity and Impairment of Fertility
Studies to evaluate the potential effects of the combination of oxycodone and ibuprofen on carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or impairment of fertility have not been conducted.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category C
Animal studies to assess the potential effects of the combination of oxycodone and ibuprofen on embryo-fetal development were conducted in the rat and rabbit model.
Pregnant rats were treated by oral gavage with combination doses of oxycodone:ibuprofen
mg/kg/day (0.25:20, 0.5:40, 1.0:80, or 2.0:160) on days 7-16 of gestation. There
was no evidence for developmental toxicity or teratogenicity at any dose, although
maternal toxicity was noted at doses of 0.5:40 and above. The highest dose tested
in the rat (2.00:160 mg/kg/day) is equivalent to the maximum recommended human
daily dose (20:1600 mg/day) on a body surface area (mg/m2) basis.
This dose was associated with maternal toxicity (death, clinical signs, decreased
BW).
Pregnant rabbits were treated by oral gavage with combination doses of oxycodone/ibuprofen
(0.38:30, 0.75:60, 1.50:120 or 3.00:240 mg/kg/day) on gestation days 7-19. Oxycodone/ibuprofen
treatment was not teratogenic under the conditions of the assay. Maternal toxicity
was noted at doses of 1.5:120 (reduced body weight and food consumption) and
3:240 mg/kg/day (mortality). The NOAEL for maternal toxicity, 0.75:60 mg/kg/day,
is 0.75 fold the proposed maximum daily human dose based upon the body surface
area. Developmental toxicity, as evidenced by delayed ossification and reduced
fetal body weights, was noted at the highest dose, which is approximately 3
times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis, and is likely due to maternal toxicity.
The fetal no adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 1.50:120 mg/kg/day is approximately
1.5 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response. Combunox should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Non-teratogenic effects
Because of the known effects of NSAIDs on the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of the ductus arteriosus), use in pregnancy, particularly late pregnancy should be avoided.
Babies born to mothers who have been taking opioids regularly prior to delivery will be physical dependent. The withdrawal signs include irritability and excessive crying, tremors, hyperactive reflexes, increased respiratory rate, increased stools, sneezing, yawning, vomiting, and fever. The intensity of the syndrome does not always correlate with the duration of maternal opioid use or dose. There is no consensus on the best method of managing withdrawal.
Labor and Delivery
Combunox should not be used during the third trimester of pregnancy due to the potential for ibuprofen to inhibit prostaglandin synthetase which may prolong pregnancy and inhibit labor. Oxycodone is not recommended for use in women during and immediately prior to labor and delivery because oral opioids may cause respiratory depression in the newborn.
In rat studies with NSAIDs, as with other drugs known to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, an increased incidence of dystocia, delayed parturition, and decreased pup survival occurred. The effects of Combunox on labor and delivery in pregnant women are unknown.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether Combunox is excreted in human milk. Oxycodone is excreted in human milk. Withdrawal symptoms and/or respiratory depression have been observed in neonates whose mothers were taking narcotic analgesics during pregnancy. Although adverse effects in the nursing infant have not been documented, withdrawal can occur in breast-feeding infants when maternal administration of an opioid analgesic is discontinued. Because many drugs are excreted in human-milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Combunox, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
In the placebo-controlled, clinical studies of pain following dental surgery, 109 patients between the ages of 14 and 17 years were administered a single dose of Combunox. No apparent differences were noted in the safety of Combunox in patients below and above 17 years of age. Combunox has not been studied in patients under 14 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 14 have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of Combunox, 89 patients were 65 and over, while 37 patients were 75 and over. No overall differences in safety 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.
However, because the elderly may be more sensitive to the renal and gastrointestinal effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents as well as possible increased risk of respiratory depression with opioids, extra caution should be used when treating the elderly with Combunox.
Last updated on RxList: 1/31/2008