Propylene Glycol Used As an Excipient
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9 October 2017 EMA/CHMP/334655/2013 Committee for Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) Propylene glycol used as an excipient Report published in support of the ‘Questions and answers on propylene glycol used as an excipient in medicinal products for human use’ (EMA/CHMP/704195/2013). 30 Churchill Place ● Canary Wharf ● London E14 5EU ● United Kingdom Telephone +44 (0)20 3660 6000 Facsimile +44 (0)20 3660 5555 Send a question via our website www.ema.europa.eu/contact An agency of the European Union © European Medicines Agency, 2017. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Propylene glycol used as an excipient Table of contents Introduction ................................................................................................ 4 Scientific discussion .................................................................................... 5 1. Quality ..................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Physico-chemical properties ................................................................................... 5 1.2. Use in medicinal products ...................................................................................... 5 2. Pharmacokinetics .................................................................................... 6 2.1. Absorption ........................................................................................................... 6 2.1.1. Oral and IV pharmacokinetics.............................................................................. 6 2.1.2. Rectal .............................................................................................................. 8 2.1.3. Dermal ............................................................................................................. 8 2.1.4. Inhalation ......................................................................................................... 9 2.2. Distribution ......................................................................................................... 9 2.3. Metabolism ........................................................................................................ 10 2.3.1. Propylene Glycol Stereospecific Metabolism in Mammals ....................................... 10 2.3.2. Phosphorylated propylene glycol metabolism in mammals .................................... 11 2.3.3. Saturation of metabolic clearance ...................................................................... 11 2.3.4. Placental metabolic capacity ............................................................................. 12 2.3.5. Developmental aspects of metabolic capacity ...................................................... 12 2.4. Excretion ........................................................................................................... 12 2.5. Pharmacokinetic drug/drug interactions ................................................................ 13 2.6. Pharmacokinetics summary ................................................................................. 14 2.7. Special populations ............................................................................................. 15 3. Non-Clinical safety assessment ............................................................. 15 3.1. Pharmacodynamics ............................................................................................. 15 3.1.1. Primary pharmacodynamics .............................................................................. 15 3.1.2. Secondary pharmacodynamics .......................................................................... 15 3.1.3. Safety pharmacology ....................................................................................... 16 3.1.4. Pharmacodynamic drug interactions ................................................................... 16 3.2. Toxicology ......................................................................................................... 16 3.2.1. Cytotoxicity .................................................................................................... 16 3.2.2. Single dose toxicity .......................................................................................... 16 3.2.3. Repeat-dose toxicity ........................................................................................ 17 3.2.4. Genotoxicity ................................................................................................... 18 3.2.5. Carcinogenicity ................................................................................................ 18 3.2.6. Reproductive and developmental toxicity ............................................................ 19 3.2.7. Local tolerance ................................................................................................ 20 3.2.8. Allergy/hypersensitivity .................................................................................... 21 3.3. Summary of non-clinical safety assessment ........................................................... 21 3.3.1. Oral administration .......................................................................................... 21 Propylene glycol used as an excipient EMA/CHMP/334655/2013 Page 2/97 3.3.2. Inhalation ....................................................................................................... 21 3.3.3. Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 22 4. Clinical Safety Assessment .................................................................... 25 4.1. Adults ............................................................................................................... 25 4.1.1. Adult case studies ............................................................................................ 26 4.1.2. Adults retrospective/prospective observational safety studies and reviews .............. 29 4.2. Potentially sensitive populations ........................................................................... 31 4.2.1. Individuals with compromised liver or kidney function .......................................... 31 4.2.2. Children ......................................................................................................... 32 4.2.3. Elderly ........................................................................................................... 34 4.3. Local tolerance/irritation/sensitisation ................................................................... 34 4.4. Summary of clinical safety assessment ................................................................. 34 4.4.1. In adults......................................................................................................... 34 4.4.2. In children ...................................................................................................... 35 Conclusions .............................................................................................................. 38 5. Updated information for the package leaflet ......................................... 39 References ................................................................................................ 42 Appendix 1: Tabulated summaries of clinical pharmacokinetic studies ..... 50 Appendix 2: Tabulated summaries of non-clinical safety studies ............... 64 Appendix 3: Tabulated summaries of clinical safety studies ...................... 72 Propylene glycol used as an excipient EMA/CHMP/334655/2013 Page 3/97 Introduction This document and the related questions and answers [86] have been written in the context of the revision of the Annex of the European Commission Guideline on ‘Excipients in the label and package leaflet of medicinal products for human use’ [5, 34]. Propylene glycol is commonly used as an excipient in a variety of drugs and it is also authorised in food products and cosmetics. In addition it has a wide range of other practical applications e.g. used as antifreeze, dicing solution, and as an additive to latex paints and coatings to improve freeze-thaw capability. Propylene glycol is also used in the generation of artificial mists and fogs used in fire safety training and theatrical and stage productions. According to Lessmann et al. [62], propylene glycol production capacity has been reported to have been about 600,000 tons in the US (1998) and about 325,000 tons in Western Europe (1989). Of this volume, 40–45% is estimated to be used as intermediate in the synthesis of other chemicals, especially unsaturated polyester resins. The remainder of the production volume is used in a multitude of industrial products, for example: (1) as solvent in lacquers and varnishes (about 4% of the production) (2) for certain resins and also as plasticiser, for example, in vinyl resins (about 4–10%) (3) as component in antifreeze products, lubricants, cutting-fluids, inks (about 10–13%) And in many products for private use: (1) as component in many cosmetics and pharmaceutical preparations and as food additive (for example, as solvent for food colours or flavours) due to its low toxicity (about 12–17%) (2) in household cleansers, liquid laundry or detergents (about 9–15%) (3) in pet foods (about 5%) or (4) as humectant in tobacco (about 4%). This widespread use of propylene glycol stems from its assumed low level of toxicity. It is included in the list of food additives generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Agency and is considered to raise negligible concern for