Triage Information: 1. Duration of HPSJ Membership 2. Age 3. Fill history of Seasonal Allergy Medications

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1 MEDICATION COVERAGE POLICY PHARMACY AND THERAPEUTICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE POLICY: Seasonal Allergy Medications LAST REVIEW: 5/28/2015 THERAPEUTIC CLASS: Rheumatologic/Immunologic REVIEW HISTORY: 5/15, 9/14 LOB AFFECTED: MCL, SJHA (MONTH/YEAR) This policy has been developed through review of medical literature, consideration of medical necessity, generally accepted medical practice standards, and approved by the HPSJ Pharmacy and Therapeutic Advisory Committee. Overview: Many treatment modalities exist for the treatment of seasonal allergies. Each treatment modality has benefits and weaknesses depending on each patient s specific symptomatology. Considerations for PA Approval: HPSJ must have clinical documentation of agents tried. If an intolerance is reported, there must be clinical documentation of the intolerance and pharmacy fill history of that medication. For treatment failure, an adequate trial of the medication at appropriate doses and for an appropriate duration based on the properties of that therapeutic class must be documented. Clinical Justification: Oral allergy medications can provide symptom relief for the broadest range of allergy symptoms (rhinitis, conjunctivitis, itching). 2 nd generation antihistamines are less sedating than first generation antihistamines and all 2 nd generation oral antihistamines have approximately the same level of efficacy and work quickly. All Intranasal corticosteroids also all have approximately the same level of efficacy. These medications may take up to a week or more to control symptoms, but are effective for a broad range of symptoms when used regularly. Please refer to Table 1 for age specific restrictions for each agent. Ocular antihistamines are a good target for patients with conjunctivitis not controlled by an oral antihistamine alone. OTC Visine A, while effective, frequent dosing makes it a less convenient choice than Ketotifen. Non Pharmacological Measures: Allergen avoidance should be recommended to patients. Take steps to reduce poor air quality in the home and make strides to eliminate the offending allergen. During allergy season, time outdoors should be limited. Patients should close windows, wash bedding frequently, and use vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters. Triage Information: 1. Duration of HPSJ Membership 2. Age 3. Fill history of Seasonal Allergy Medications Medication Coverage Policy: Seasonal Allergies Page 1

2 Class Agents for Seasonal Allergies: Table 1: Drugs Reviewed Antihistamines Route of Admin Brand Name Generic Name Medi Cal Limits Benadryl Diphenhydramine Notes Clinical Pearls Cost/Rx* $3.67 Oral May cause 1 st Generation Antihistamine sedation and Periactin Cyproheptadine dizziness. $24.73 Chlor Trimeton Chlorpheniramine $2.98 Tavist Clemastine $16.14 Claritin Loratadine $6.31 Zyrtec Cetirizine 2 nd Generation Antihistamine $5.64 Intraocular Allegra Fexofenadine PA HPSJ third line therapy. $22.07 Visine A Naphazoline/ $8.70 Pheniramine Alaway Ketotifen $11.23 Patanol Olopatadine PA Pataday is nonformulary. Astelin Azelastine ST; PA Azelastine is Step therapy to failure of a 14 day trial of Fluticasone Corticosteroids Nasarel Flunisolide $ $73.97 $48.66 Flonase Fluticasone Propionate $14.22 Mast Cell Stabilizers Intranasal Anticholinergics Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist Intranasal Oral May take 2 Nasacort OTC Triamcinolone Nasacort AQ is $ weeks to non formulary see full Beconase AQ Beclomethasone PA Second Line $ benefit. Rhinocort Aqua Budesonide PA Second Line $ Nasonex Mometasone PA Third Line $ Nasalcrom Cromolyn Sodium $8.60 Atrovent Nasal Spray Ipratropium Bromide NF Singulair Montelukast For use in $21.74 patients with asthma only. QL = Quantity Limit; FL = Fill Limit, NF = Non Formulary *based on HPSJ utilization historical data based on data from 11/2014 4/2015 Medication Coverage Policy: Seasonal Allergies Page 2

3 EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL/EXCEPTION CONSIDERATION Below are the coverage criteria and required information for each agent. These coverage criteria have been reviewed approved by the HPSJ Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Advisory Committee. For conditions not covered under this Coverage Policy, HPSJ will make the determination based on Medical Necessity as described in HSPJ Medical Review Guidelines (UM06). 1 st Generation Oral Antihistamines Benadryl (Diphenhydramine), Periactin (Cyproheptadine), Chlor Trimeton (Chlorpheniramine), Tavist (Clemastine) 2 st Generation Oral Antihistamines Claritin (Loratadine), Zyrtec (Cetirizine) Allegra (Fexofenadine) o Fexofenadine is reserved for patient with treatment failure of both loratadine and cetirizine. o Drug refill history showing trials of both loratadine and cetirizine and chart notes documenting an intolerance or treatment failure to Loratadine and Cetirizine. Nasal Antihistamines Astelin (Azelastine) o It is step therapy to failing a 14 day trial of formulary intranasal corticosteroids (e.g, fluticasone, flunisolide). o Drug refill history showing trials of a formulary first line intranasal corticosteroid in the previous month and chart notes documenting inadequate control of allergy symptoms with intranasal corticosteroids alone. Other Notes: Consider use of oral antihistamines for a more convenient method of administration, or intranasal corticosteroids for increased efficacy over nasal antihistamines. Ocular Antihistamines Visine A (Naphazoline/Pheniramine), Alaway (Ketotifen). Patanol (Olopatadine) Olopatadine is step therapy to treatment failure of Visine A AND Alaway. Limits: 10 ml per 30 days Clinical documentation of treatment failure of both Visine A and Alaway, including pharmacy fill history. Other Notes: Pataday is non formulary. Mast Cell Stabilizers Nasalcrom (Cromolyn Sodium Nasal Spray) Medication Coverage Policy: Seasonal Allergies Page 3

4 Intranasal Corticosteroids Flonase (Fluticasone), Nasacort 24hr (Triamcinolone), Nasarel (Flunisolide) Rhinocort Aqua (Budesonide), Beconase AQ (Beclomethasone) o Reserved for treatment failure of an adequate trial (7 14 days) of any 2 (two) first line agents (fluticasone, flunisolide, triamcinolone). o Drug refill history showing trials of 2 (two) formulary first line intranasal corticosteroid in the recent past history and chart notes documenting inadequate control of allergy symptoms or intolerance to other intranasal corticosteroids. Nasonex (Mometasone) o Nasonex is reserved for treatment failure of an adequate trial (7 14 days) of any 2 (two) first line agents (fluticasone, flunisolide, Nasacort OTC) AND one second line agent (Beconase AQ, Rhinocort Aqua). Limits: 1 inhaler per 30 days. o Drug refill history showing trials of 2 (two) formulary first line intranasal corticosteroid and 1 (one) second line agent in the recent past history and chart notes documenting inadequate control of allergy symptoms or intolerance to other intranasal corticosteroids. Leukotriene Receptor Blocker Singulair (Montelukast) Limits: 30 tablets per 30 days Other Notes: Restricted for use in patients with asthma. Prepared by: Anil Mallya, PharmD Reviewed by: Jonathan Szkotak, PharmD BCACP REFERENCES 1. Am Fam Physician Jun 15;81(12): HPSJ Formulary Criteria REVIEW & EDIT HISTORY Document Changes Reference Date P&T Chairman Creation of Policy Azelastine doc 5/2007 Allen Shek PharmD BCPS Update to Policy INC Class review 5 07.doc 5/2007 Allen Shek PharmD BCPS Medication Coverage Policy: Seasonal Allergies Page 4

5 Update to Policy NSAH 5 07.doc 5/2007 Allen Shek PharmD BCPS Update to Policy Ophthalmics Feb 08.doc 2/2008 Allen Shek PharmD BCPS Update to Policy Veramyst monograph 6 08.doc 6/2008 Allen Shek PharmD BCPS Update to Policy NSAH doc 9/2008 Allen Shek PharmD BCPS Update to Policy ICS Review doc 9/2008 Allen Shek PharmD BCPS Update to Policy ICS post P&T survey recap.doc 3/2009 Allen Shek PharmD BCPS Update to Policy Azelastine Monograph docx 5/2011 Allen Shek PharmD BCPS Update to Policy Allergy Review docx 9/2014 Jonathan Szkotak PharmD BCACP Note: All changes are approved by the HPSJ P&T Committee before incorporation into the utilization policy Medication Coverage Policy: Seasonal Allergies Page 5