SYNAREL^® Medication Guide (nafarelin acetate)

SYNAREL
nafarelin acetate
Nasal Spray

Patient Instructions for Use

Introduction

Your doctor has prescribed SYNAREL Nasal Solution to treat your symptoms of endometriosis. This pamphlet has two purposes:

1.)

to review information your doctor has given you about SYNAREL; and

2.)

to give you information about how to use SYNAREL properly.

Please read this pamphlet carefully. If you still have questions after reading it or if you have questions at any time during your treatment with SYNAREL, be sure to check with your doctor.

SYNAREL is used to relieve the symptoms of endometriosis. The lining of the uterus is called the endometrium, and part of it is shed during menses. In endometriosis, endometrial tissue is also found outside the uterus and, like normal endometrial tissue, can bleed during a menstrual cycle. It is, in part, this monthly activity that causes you to have symptoms during your cycle. Most often, this out-of-place endometrial tissue is found around the uterus, ovaries, the intestine or other organs in the pelvis. Although some women with endometriosis have no symptoms, many have problems such as severe menstrual cramps, pain during sexual intercourse, low back pain, and painful bowel movements.

Endometrial tissue is affected by the body's hormones, especially estrogen, which is made by the ovaries. When estrogen levels are low, endometrial tissue shrinks (perhaps even disappears), and symptoms of endometriosis ease. SYNAREL temporarily reduces estrogen in the body and temporarily relieves the symptoms of endometriosis.

Important Information about SYNAREL

1.

You should not use SYNAREL if

•

you are pregnant.

•

you are breast feeding.

•

you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked into by your doctor.

•

you are allergic to any of the ingredients of SYNAREL (nafarelin acetate, benzalkonium chloride, acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, sorbitol, purified water).

2.

SYNAREL is a prescription medicine that should be used according to your doctor's directions. SYNAREL comes as a special nasal spray that gives a measured amount of medicine. To be effective, SYNAREL must be used every day, twice a day, for the whole treatment period.

3.

It is important to use a non-hormonal method of contraception (such as diaphragm with contraceptive jelly, IUD, condoms) while taking SYNAREL. You should not use birth control pills while taking SYNAREL.

4.

If you miss 1 or more doses of SYNAREL, vaginal bleeding (often called breakthrough bleeding) may occur. If you miss successive doses of SYNAREL and have not been using contraception as described above, release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation) may occur, with the possibility of pregnancy. Under these circumstances you must see your physician to make sure you are not pregnant. If you should become pregnant while using SYNAREL, you must discuss the possible risks to the fetus and the choices available to you with your physician.

5.

Because SYNAREL works by temporarily reducing the body's production of estrogen, a female hormone produced by the ovary, you may have some of the same changes that normally occur at the time of menopause, when the body's production of estrogen naturally decreases. For the first two months after you start using SYNAREL, you may experience some irregular vaginal spotting or bleeding. The duration and intensity of this bleeding may vary; it may be similar to your usual menstruation, or it may be lighter or heavier. The duration may also vary from brief to prolonged. In any case, you can expect this bleeding to stop by itself. After the first two months of treatment with SYNAREL, you can expect a decrease in menstrual flow, and your periods may stop altogether. However, if you miss one or more doses of SYNAREL, you may continue to experience vaginal bleeding. If you continue to experience normal menstrual cycles after two months use of SYNAREL, you should see your doctor about the continued periods. Other changes due to decreased estrogen include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood changes, and decreased interest in sex. Most of these changes are caused by low estrogen levels and may occur during treatment with SYNAREL. Some patients may also experience acne, muscle pain, reduced breast size, and irritation of the tissues inside the nose. These symptoms should disappear after you stop taking the drug.

6.

When you take SYNAREL, your estrogen levels will be low. Low estrogen levels can result in a small loss of mineral from bone, some of which may not be reversible. During one six-month treatment period, this small loss of mineral from bone should not be important.
There are certain conditions that may increase the possibility of the thinning of your bones when you take a drug such as SYNAREL. They are:

•

excessive use of alcohol;

•

smoking;

•

family history of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones with fractures);

•

taking other medications that can cause thinning of the bones.

You should discuss the possibility of osteoporosis or thinning of the bones with your physician before starting SYNAREL. You should also be aware that repeat treatments are not recommended since they may put you at greater risk of bone thinning, particularly if you have the above conditions.

 

7. Depression may occur or worsen during treatment with GnRH agonists, including SYNAREL 2 mg/mL, especially in patients with a history of depression. Immediately report thoughts and behaviors of concern to your healthcare providers.

 

8. During studies, menstruation usually resumed within 2 to 3 months of stopping treatment with SYNAREL. At the end of treatment 60% of patients treated with SYNAREL were symptom free, 32% had mild symptoms, 7% had moderate symptoms and 1% had severe symptoms.

Of the 60% of patients who had complete relief of symptoms at the end of treatment, 17% had moderate symptoms at the end of the six month post-treatment period; 33% had mild symptoms; 50% were symptom free; no patient had severe symptoms.

 

9. Retreatment cannot be recommended since the safety of such retreatment is not known.

 

10. It is all right to use a nasal decongestant spray while you are being treated with SYNAREL if you follow these simple rules. Use SYNAREL first. Wait at least 2 hours after using SYNAREL before you use the decongestant spray.

 

11. You should avoid sneezing during or immediately after using SYNAREL, if possible, since sneezing may impair drug absorption.

Proper use of SYNAREL for Treatment of Endometriosis

1.

When you start to use SYNAREL, the first dose should be taken between the second and fourth day after the beginning of your menstrual bleeding. You should continue taking SYNAREL every day as prescribed.
Do not miss a single dose.

2.

Unless your doctor has given you special instructions, follow the steps for using SYNAREL twice each day, about 12 hours between doses:

•

once in the morning in one nostril (for example, 7 a.m.)

•

once in the evening in the other nostril (for example, 7 p.m.)

The length of treatment is usually about 6 months, unless your doctor has given you special instructions.

3.

Because it is so important that you do not miss a single dose of SYNAREL, here are some suggestions to help you remember:

•

Keep your SYNAREL in a place where you will be reminded to use it each morning and each evening — next to your toothbrush is one possibility.

•

Keep track of each dose on a calendar.

•

Make a note on your calendar on the day you start a new bottle of SYNAREL. You can also mark the date you started right on the bottle. Be sure to refill your prescription before the 30 days are up so you will have a new bottle on hand.

4.

A bottle of SYNAREL should not be used for longer than 30 days (60 sprays). Each bottle contains sufficient quantity of nasal solution for initial priming of the pump and 30 days (60 sprays) of treatment. At the end of 30 days, a small amount of liquid will be left in the bottle. Do not try to use up that leftover amount because you might get too low a dose, which could interfere with the effectiveness of your treatment. Dispose of the bottle and do not reuse.

5.

If your doctor increases your daily dose of SYNAREL, then your bottle will not last the standard 30 days. Please discuss this with your doctor to be sure that you have an adequate supply for uninterrupted treatment with SYNAREL to complete the recommended treatment period.

Preparation of the SYNAREL Nasal Spray unit

For use in your nose only.

Before you use SYNAREL nasal spray for the first time, you will need to prime it. This will ensure that you get the right dose of medicine each time you use it.

Important Tips about using SYNAREL

•

Your pump should produce a fine mist, which can only happen by a quick and firm pumping action. It is normal to see some larger droplets of liquid within the fine mist. However, if SYNAREL comes out of the pump as a thin stream of liquid instead of a fine mist, SYNAREL may not work as well, and you should talk to your pharmacist.

•

Be sure to clean the Spray Tip before and after every use. (See Step 4). Failure to do this may result in a clogged tip that may cause you not to get the right amount of medicine that is prescribed for you.

•

The pump is made to deliver only a set amount of medicine, no matter how hard you pump it.

•

Do Not try to make the tiny hole in the spray tip larger. If the hole is made larger the pump will deliver a wrong dose of SYNAREL.

Figure A

To Prime the Pump:

Figure B	1. Remove and save the white safety clip and the clear plastic dust cover from the spray bottle (See Figure B).
Figure C	2. Hold the bottle in an upright position away from you. Put two fingers on the "shoulders" of the spray bottle and put your thumb on the bottom of the bottle. Apply pressure evenly to the "shoulders" and push down quickly and firmly 7 to 10 times, until you see a fine spray. Usually you will see the spray after about 7 pumps. (See Figure C).
	3. The pump is now primed. Priming only needs to be done 1 time, when you start using a new bottle of SYNAREL. You will waste your medicine if you prime the pump every time you use it and may not have enough medicine for 30 days of treatment.
Figure D	4. Clean the Spray Tip after Priming: • Hold the bottle in a horizontal position. Rinse the spray tip with warm water while wiping the tip with your finger or soft cloth for 15 seconds. • Wipe the spray tip with a soft cloth or tissue to dry. • Replace the white safety clip and the clear plastic dust cover on the spray bottle (See Figure D). • Do Not try to clean the spray tip using a pointed object. Do Not take apart the pump.

How to use the SYNAREL Nasal Spray unit for the treatment of Endometriosis

Figure E	5. Gently blow your nose to clear both nostrils before you use SYNAREL nasal spray (See Figure E).
Figure F	6. Clean the Spray Tip. Remove and save the white safety clip and the clear plastic dust cover from the spray bottle (See Figure F). • Hold the bottle in a horizontal position. Rinse the spray tip with warm water while wiping the tip with your finger or soft cloth for 15 seconds. • Wipe the spray tip with a soft cloth or tissue to dry. • Do Not try to clean the spray tip using a pointed object. • Do Not try to take apart the pump.
Figure G
	7. Bend your head forward and put the spray tip into one nostril. The tip should not reach too far into your nose. Aim the spray tip toward the back and outer side of your nose (See Figure G).
Figure H	8. Close the other nostril with your finger (See Figure H).
	9. Apply pressure evenly to the "shoulders" and push down quickly and firmly. Pump the sprayer 1 time, at the same time as you sniff in gently. If the sprayer fails to deliver the dose clean the spray tip (See Step 6 Clean the Spray Tip).
Figure I	10. Remove the spray tip from your nose and tilt your head backwards for a few seconds. This lets the SYNAREL spray spread over the back of your nose (See Figure I). Do not spray in your other nostril unless your doctor has instructed you to do so.
Figure J	11. Clean the Spray Tip after use (See Step 4).

It is important that you clean the spray tip before and after every use. Failure to do this may result in a clogged tip that may cause you to get the wrong dose of medicine.

This product's label may have been updated. For current full prescribing information, please visit www.pfizer.com.

LAB-0278-9.0
Revised: January 2023

Instructions for Use
SYNAREL (sin-na-rell)
(nafarelin acetate)
nasal solution

For use in the nose only.

Figure A

Before you use SYNAREL nasal spray for the first time, you will need to prime it. This will make sure that you get the right dose of medicine each time you use it. Priming only needs to be done 1 time, when you start using a new bottle of SYNAREL.

To Prime the Pump:

How to use the SYNAREL Nasal Spray for the treatment of Central Precocious Puberty

It is important that you clean the spray tip before and after every use. Not doing this may result in a clogged tip that may cause you to get the wrong dose of medicine.

How should I store SYNAREL?

•

Store SYNAREL at room temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).

•

Store the SYNAREL bottle upright.

•

Keep SYNAREL out of the light.

Keep SYNAREL and all medicines out of the reach of children.

For more information call 1-800-438-1985.

This Medication Guide and Instructions for Use have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Manufactured for: Pfizer Inc., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10017

LAB-1049-3.0
Revised: April 2022