Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Thyrogen 0.9 mg powder for solution for injection





THYROGEN 0.9 mg powder for solution for injection.


thyrotropin alfa



Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.


  • Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

  • If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or your pharmacist.

  • If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.


In this leaflet:


  • 1. What Thyrogen is and what it is used for

  • 2. Before you use Thyrogen

  • 3. How to use Thyrogen

  • 4. Possible Side Effects

  • 5. How to store Thyrogen

  • 6. Further Information



What Thyrogen Is And What It Is Used For


Thyrogen is a human thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) manufactured using biotechnology processes.


Thyrogen is used to detect certain types of thyroid cancer in patients who have had their thyroid gland removed and who are taking thyroid hormones. One of the effects is that it stimulates any remaining thyroid tissue to take up iodine which is important for radioiodine imaging. It also stimulates the production of thyroglobulin and thyroid hormones if there is any thyroid tissue left.


These hormones can be measured in your blood.


Thyrogen is also used with radioiodine treatment to eliminate (ablate) the thyroid tissue left over after surgical removal of the thyroid gland (remnant) in patients who do not have secondaries (metastases) and who are taking thyroid hormone.




Before You Use Thyrogen



Do not use Thyrogen


Tell your doctor:


  • if have ever had an allergic reaction (for example, rash or itchiness) to bovine or human thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

  • if you are allergic to any of the other ingredients before you take this medicine (these are listed in Section 6; see also at the end of Section 2).

  • if you are pregnant.



Take special care with Thyrogen


Thyrogen should never be injected into a vein.


Tell your doctor if you have:


  • kidney disease that require dialysis and he/she will decide how much Thyrogen to give to you as you may have more chance of experiencing headache and nausea.

  • reduced kidney function and he/she will decide how much radioiodine to give you.

  • reduced liver function; you should still be able to receive Thyrogen.



Elderly patients


No special precautions for elderly patients are necessary. However if your thyroid gland has not been removed completely and you are also suffering from heart disease, your doctor will help you decide if Thyrogen should be given to you.



Effect on tumour growth


In patients with thyroid cancer, tumour growth has been reported during withdrawal of thyroid hormones for diagnostic procedures. This was thought to be related to the elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels over a longer period. It is possible that Thyrogen may also cause tumour growth. In clinical trials this was not seen.


Due to elevation of TSH levels after Thyrogen, patients with secondary cancer growths (metastases) can experience local swelling or bleeding at the site of these metastases which may become bigger. If the metastases are present in narrow spaces e.g. intracerebral (in the brain) or in the spinal cord, patients could experience rapid symptoms such as partial paralysis affecting one side of the body (hemiparesis), breathing problems or loss of vision.


Your doctor will decide if you belong to a specific group of patients for which pre-treatment with corticosteroids is to be considered (for example, if you have secondary cancer growths in your brain or spinal cord ). Please talk to your doctor about this if you have concerns.




Using other medicines


There are no known drug interactions with Thyrogen and the thyroid hormones you may be taking.


Please tell you doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines including medicines obtained without prescription.


Your doctor will determine the exact activity of radioiodine to use for radioiodine imaging, taking into consideration the fact that you continue to take thyroid hormones.




Pregnancy and breast-feeding


Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine.


Do not take Thyrogen if you are pregnant. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.


Thyrogen should not be given to breastfeeding women. Breast-feeding should only be resumed following advice from your doctor.




Driving and using machines


Some patients may feel dizzy or have headaches after administration of Thyrogen which may affect the ability to drive and use machines.




Important information about some of the ingredients of Thyrogen


This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per injection, i.e. essentially ‘sodium- free’.





How To Use Thyrogen



Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will prepare the injection for you.


Your treatment should be supervised by a doctor who has expertise in thyroid cancer. Thyrogen powder must be dissolved in water for injection. Only one vial of Thyrogen is required per injection. The injection must be given intra-muscularly. Thyrogen must not be mixed with other medicines in the same injection



Use in children


Your child’s doctor will help you decide if Thyrogen should be given to your child.



Dosage:


The recommended dose of Thyrogen is two doses administered 24 hours apart. Your doctor or nurse will inject 1.0 ml of the Thyrogen solution.



Thyrogen should only be administered into the buttock muscle. Thyrogen solution should never be injected into a vein.


If you have


  • reduced liver function you should still be able to receive Thyrogen.

  • kidney disease that require dialysis and your doctor will decide how much Thyrogen to give to you. You may have more chance of experiencing headache and nausea after receiving Thyrogen.

  • reduced kidney function your doctor will decide how much radioiodine to give you.

When you undergo radioiodine imaging or elimination (ablation), your doctor will give you radioiodine 24 hours after your final Thyrogen injection.


Diagnostic scanning should be performed 48 to 72 hours after the radioiodine administration (72 to 96 hours after the final injection of Thyrogen).


Post-treatment scanning may be delayed a few days to allow background radioactivity to decline.


For thyroglobulin (Tg) testing, your doctor or nurse will take a serum sample 72 hours after the last injection of Thyrogen.




If you are given more Thyrogen than you should receive


Patients who accidentally received too much Thyrogen have reported nausea, weakness, dizziness, headache, vomiting and hot flashes.



If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor.




Possible Side Effects


Like all medicines, Thyrogen can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.


The following effects have been reported with Thyrogen:



Very common (affects more than 1 user in 10):


  • nausea


Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100):


  • vomiting

  • fatigue

  • dizziness

  • headache,

  • diarrhoea,

  • weakness,

  • prickling or tingling sensation (paraesthesia).


Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000):


  • feeling hot

  • hives (urticaria)

  • rash

  • flu symptoms

  • fever

  • chills

  • back pain


Frequency not known


(frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)


  • swelling of the tumour

  • pain (including pain at the site of metastases (secondary cancer growths))

  • tremor

  • palpitations

  • flushing

  • shortness of breath

  • itching (pruritus)

  • excessive sweating

  • muscle or joint pain

  • injection site reactions (including: redness, discomfort, itching, local pain or stinging, and an itchy rash)

  • low TSH

  • hypersensitivity (allergic reactions), these reactions include hives (urticaria), itching, flushing, difficulty in breathing and rash.

Very rare cases of hyperthyroidism (increased activity of the thyroid gland) or atrial fibrillation have been reported when Thyrogen was administered to patients who had not undergone total or partial removal of the thyroid gland.


If any of the side effects gets serious, or if any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.




How To Store Thyrogen


Keep out of the reach and sight of children.


Do not use after the expiry date which is stated on the label after "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.


Store in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C).


Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.


Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.




Further Information



What Thyrogen contains


The active substance in Thyrogen is thyrotropin alfa.


Each vial contains 0.9 mg/ml of thyrotropin alfa when reconstituted with 1.2 ml water for injection. Only 1 ml should be withdrawn equal to 0.9 mg of thyrotropin alfa.


The other ingredients are:


  • mannitol

  • sodium phosphate monobasic, monohydrate

  • sodium phosphate dibasic, heptahydrate

  • sodium chloride

(see at the end of Section 2 "Important information about some of the ingredients of Thyrogen")




What Thyrogen looks like and contents of the pack


Powder for solution for injection. White to off-white lyophilised powder.


Pack sizes: one or two vials of Thyrogen per carton.


Not all pack sizes may be marketed.




Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer


Marketing authorisation holder:



Genzyme Europe B.V.

Gooimeer 10

1411 DD Naarden

The Netherlands


Manufacturing authorisation holder:



Genzyme Ltd.

37 Hollands Road

Haverhill

Suffolk

CB9 8PU

United Kingdom



For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:




















United Kingdom/Ireland

Genzyme Therapeutics

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1865 405200




This leaflet was last approved in 01/2010


Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) website: http://www.emea.europa.eu. There are also links to other websites about rare diseases and treatments.






Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Telzir 700 mg film-coated tablets





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



Telzir® 700 mg film-coated tablets


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Each film-coated tablet contains 700 mg of fosamprenavir as fosamprenavir calcium (equivalent to approximately 600 mg of amprenavir).



For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Film-coated tablet



Pink film coated, capsule shaped, biconvex tablets, marked with GXLL7 on one side.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Telzir in combination with low dose ritonavir is indicated for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) infected adults, adolescents and children of 6 years and above in combination with other antiretroviral medicinal products.



In moderately antiretroviral experienced adults, Telzir in combination with low dose ritonavir has not been shown to be as effective as lopinavir / ritonavir. No comparative studies have been undertaken in children or adolescents.



In heavily pretreated patients the use of Telzir in combination with low dose ritonavir has not been sufficiently studied.



In protease inhibitor (PI) experienced patients the choice of Telzir should be based on individual viral resistance testing and treatment history (see section 5.1).



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration





Telzir must only be given with low dose ritonavir as a pharmacokinetic enhancer of amprenavir and in combination with other antiretroviral medicinal products. The Summary of Product Characteristics of ritonavir must therefore be consulted prior to initiation of therapy with Telzir.



Therapy should be initiated by a physician experienced in the management of HIV infection.



Fosamprenavir is a pro-drug of amprenavir and must not be administered concomitantly with other medicinal products containing amprenavir.



The importance of complying with the full recommended dosing regimen should be stressed to all patients.



Caution is advised if the recommended doses of Telzir with ritonavir detailed below are exceeded (see section 4.4).



Telzir tablet is administered orally.



Telzir tablet can be taken with or without food.



Telzir is also available as an oral suspension for use in patients unable to swallow tablets, and in paediatric patients less than 39 kg (please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for Telzir oral suspension).



Adults



The recommended dose is 700 mg fosamprenavir twice daily with 100 mg ritonavir twice daily.



Paediatric patients from 6 years of age



The adult dose of Telzir tablet 700 mg twice daily with ritonavir 100 mg twice daily may be used in children weighing at least 39 kg and able to swallow tablets.



For children weighing less than 39 kg, Telzir oral suspension is the recommended option for the most accurate dosing in children based on body weight (please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for Telzir oral suspension).



Children less than 6 years of age: Telzir with ritonavir is not recommended in children below 6 years due to insufficient data on pharmacokinetics, safety and antiviral response (see section 5.2).



Elderly (over 65 years of age)



The pharmacokinetics of fosamprenavir have not been studied in this patient population (see section 5.2). Therefore, no recommendations can be made in this patient population.



Renal impairment



No dose adjustment is considered necessary in patients with renal impairment (see section 5.2).



Hepatic impairment



For adults with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score: 5-6) the recommended dose is 700 mg fosamprenavir twice daily with 100 mg ritonavir once daily.



For adults with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score: 7-9) the recommended dose is 450 mg fosamprenavir twice daily with 100 mg ritonavir once daily. As it is not possible to achieve this fosamprenavir dose using the tablet formulation, these patients should be treated with fosamprenavir oral suspension.



For adults with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score: 10-15): fosamprenavir should be used with caution and at a reduced dose of 300 mg fosamprenavir twice daily with 100 mg ritonavir once daily. As it is not possible to achieve this fosamprenavir dose using the tablet formulation, these patients should be treated with fosamprenavir oral suspension.



Even with these dose adjustments for adults, some patients with hepatic impairment may have higher or lower than anticipated amprenavir and/or ritonavir plasma concentrations as compared to patients with normal hepatic function, due to increased inter-patient variability (see section 5.2), therefore a close monitoring of safety and virologic response is warranted.



No dose recommendation can be made for children and adolescents with hepatic impairment as no studies have been conducted in these age groups.



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to fosamprenavir, amprenavir, or ritonavir, or to any of the excipients.



Telzir must not be administered concurrently with medicinal products with narrow therapeutic windows that are substrates of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), e.g. alfuzosin amiodarone, astemizole, bepridil, cisapride, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, pimozide, quinidine, terfenadine, oral midazolam (for caution on parenterally administered midazolam, see section 4.5), oral triazolam sildenafil used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (for use of sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction, see sections 4.4 and 4.5)..



Concomitant use of Telzir with simvastatin or lovastatin is contraindicated because of increased plasma concentrations of lovastatin and simvastatin which can increase the risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis (see section 4.5).



Telzir with ritonavir must not be co-administered with medicinal products with narrow therapeutic windows that are highly dependent on CYP2D6 metabolism, e.g. flecainide and propafenone (see section 4.5).



Combination of rifampicin with Telzir with concomitant low-dose ritonavir is contraindicated (see section 4.5).



Herbal preparations containing St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) must not be used while taking Telzir due to the risk of decreased plasma concentrations and reduced clinical effects of amprenavir (see section 4.5).



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Patients should be advised that treatment with Telzir, or any other current antiretroviral therapy, does not cure HIV and that they may still develop opportunistic infections and other complications of HIV infection. Current antiretroviral therapies, including Telzir, have not been proven to prevent the risk of transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. Appropriate precautions should continue to be taken.



Fosamprenavir contains a sulphonamide moiety. The potential for cross-sensitivity between medicinal products in the sulphonamide class and fosamprenavir is unknown. In the pivotal studies of Telzir, in patients receiving fosamprenavir with ritonavir there was no evidence of an increased risk of rashes in patients with a history of sulphonamide allergy versus those who did not have a sulphonamide allergy. Yet, Telzir should be used with caution in patients with a known sulphonamide allergy.



Co-administration of Telzir 700 mg twice daily with ritonavir in doses greater than 100 mg twice daily has not been clinically evaluated. The use of higher ritonavir doses might alter the safety profile of the combination and therefore is not recommended.



Liver disease



Telzir with ritonavir should be used with caution and at reduced doses in adults with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).



Patients with chronic hepatitis B or C and treated with combination antiretroviral therapy are at an increased risk of severe and potentially fatal hepatic adverse reactions. In case of concomitant antiviral therapy for hepatitis B or C, please refer also to the relevant Summary of Product Characteristics for these medicinal products.



Patients with pre-existing liver dysfunction, including chronic active hepatitis, have an increased frequency of liver function abnormalities during combination antiretroviral therapy and should be monitored according to standard practice. If there is evidence of worsening liver disease in such patients, interruption or discontinuation of treatment must be considered.



Medicinal products – interactions



The use of Telzir concomitantly with halofantrine or lidocaine (systemic) is not recommended (see section 4.5).



PDE5 inhibitors used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: The use of Telzir concomitantly with PDE5 inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) is not recommended (see section 4.5).



Co-administration of Telzir with low dose ritonavir and these medicinal products is expected to substantially increase their concentrations and may result in PDE5 inhibitor-associated adverse events such as hypotension, visual changes and priapism (see section 4.5). Note that co-administration of Telzir with low dose ritonavir with sildenafil used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension is contraindicated (see section 4.3).



A reduction in the rifabutin dosage by at least 75 % is recommended when administered with Telzir with ritonavir. Further dose reduction may be necessary (see section 4.5).



Because there may be an increased risk of hepatic transaminase elevations and hormonal levels may be altered with co-administration of fosamprenavir, ritonavir and oral contraceptives, alternative non-hormonal methods of contraception are recommended for women of childbearing potential (see section 4.5).



No data are available on the co-administration of fosamprenavir and ritonavir with oestrogens and/or progestogens when used as hormonal replacement therapies. The efficacy and safety of these therapies with fosamprenavir and ritonavir has not been established.



Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenobarbital) should be used with caution. Telzir may be less effective due to decreased amprenavir plasma concentrations in patients taking these medicinal products concomitantly (see section 4.5).



Therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for immunosuppressant medicinal products (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, rapamycin) when co-administered with Telzir (see section 4.5).



Therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. desipramine and nortriptyline) when coadministered with Telzir (see section 4.5).



When warfarin or other oral anticoagulants are coadministered with Telzir a reinforced monitoring of INR (International Normalised Ratio) is recommended (see section 4.5).



Concomitant use of Telzir with ritonavir and fluticasone or other glucocorticoids that are metabolised by CYP3A4 is not recommended unless the potential benefit of treatment outweighs the risk of systemic corticosteroid effects, including Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression (see section 4.5).



Rash / cutaneous reactions



Most patients with mild or moderate rash can continue Telzir. Appropriate antihistamines (e.g. cetirizine dihydrochloride) may reduce pruritus and hasten the resolution of rash. Severe and life-threatening skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, were reported in less than 1 % of patients included in the clinical development programme. Telzir should be permanently discontinued in case of severe rash, or in case of rash of moderate intensity with systemic or mucosal symptoms (see section 4.8).



Haemophiliac patients



There have been reports of increased bleeding including spontaneous skin haematomas and haemarthroses in haemophiliac patients type A and B treated with protease inhibitors (PIs). In some patients administration of factor VIII was necessary. In more than half of the reported cases, treatment with protease inhibitors was continued, or reintroduced if treatment had been discontinued. A causal relationship has been evoked, although the mechanism of action has not been elucidated. Haemophiliac patients should therefore be informed of the possibility of increased bleeding.



Hyperglycaemia



New onset of diabetes mellitus, hyperglycaemia or exacerbations of existing diabetes mellitus have been reported in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy, including protease inhibitors. In some of these, the hyperglycaemia was severe and in some cases also associated with ketoacidosis. Many of the patients had confounding medical conditions, some of which required therapy with medicinal products that have been associated with the development of diabetes mellitus or hyperglycaemia. Blood glucose testing should be performed prior to initiating therapy with Telzir and at periodic intervals during therapy.



Lipodystrophy



Combination antiretroviral therapy has been associated with the redistribution of body fat (lipodystrophy) in HIV patients. The long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown. Knowledge about the mechanism is incomplete. A connection between visceral lipomatosis and protease inhibitors and lipoatrophy and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors has been hypothesised. A higher risk of lipodystrophy has been associated with individual factors such as older age, and with drug related factors such as longer duration of antiretroviral treatment and associated metabolic disturbances. Clinical examination should include evaluation for physical signs of fat redistribution.



Lipid elevations



Treatment with fosamprenavir has resulted in increases in the concentration of triglycerides and cholesterol. Triglyceride and cholesterol testing should be performed prior to initiating therapy with Telzir and at periodic intervals during therapy (see section 4.8).



Lipid disorders should be managed as clinically appropriate



Immune Reactivation Syndrome



In HIV-infected patients with severe immune deficiency at the time of institution of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), an inflammatory reaction to asymptomatic or residual opportunistic pathogens may arise and cause serious clinical conditions, or aggravation of symptoms. Typically, such reactions have been observed within the first few weeks or months of initiation of CART. Relevant examples are cytomegalovirus retinitis, generalised and/or focal mycobacterium infections, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Any inflammatory symptoms should be evaluated and treatment instituted when necessary.



Osteonecrosis:



Although the aetiology is considered to be multifactorial (including corticosteroid use, alcohol consumption, severe immunosuppression, higher body mass index), cases of osteonecrosis have been reported particularly in patients with advanced HIV-disease and/or long-term exposure to combination antiretroviral therapy (CART). Patients should be advised to seek medical advice if they experience joint aches and pain, joint stiffness or difficulty in movement.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction





When fosamprenavir and ritonavir are co-administered, the ritonavir metabolic drug interaction profile may predominate because ritonavir is a more potent CYP3A4 inhibitor. The full prescribing information for ritonavir must therefore be consulted prior to initiation of therapy with Telzir with ritonavir. Ritonavir also inhibits CYP2D6 but to a lesser extent than CYP3A4. Ritonavir induces CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and glucuronosyl transferase.



Additionally, both amprenavir, the active metabolite of fosamprenavir, and ritonavir are primarily metabolised in the liver by CYP3A4. Therefore, any medicinal products that either share this metabolic pathway or modify CYP3A4 activity may modify the pharmacokinetics of amprenavir and ritonavir. Similarly administration of fosamprenavir with ritonavir may modify the pharmacokinetics of other active substances that share this metabolic pathway.



Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.



Unless otherwise stated, studies detailed below have been performed with the recommended dosage of fosamprenavir/ritonavir (i.e. 700/100 mg twice daily), and the interaction was assessed under steady-state conditions where drugs were administered for 10 to 21 days.


































Drugs by Therapeutic Area




Interaction



Geometric mean change (%)



(Possible mechanism)




Recommendation concerning co-administration




ANTIRETROVIRAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS



Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors:


  


Efavirenz



600 mg once daily




No clinically significant interaction is observed.




No dosage adjustment necessary.




Nevirapine



200 mg twice daily




No clinically significant interaction is observed.




No dosage adjustment necessary.




Etravirine



 



 



(Study conducted in 8 patients)




Amprenavir AUC ↑ 69%



Amprenavir Cmin↑ 77%



Amprenavir Cmax↑ 62%



Etravirine AUC ↔a



Etravirine Cmina



Etravirine Cmaxa



a Comparison based on historic control.




Telzir may require dose reduction (using oral suspension)




Nucleoside / Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors:


  


Abacavir



Lamivudine



Zidovudine



Study performed with amprenavir.



No FPV/RTV drug interaction studies.




No clinically significant interaction is expected.




No dosage adjustment necessary.




Didanosine chewable tablet



No drug interaction studies.




No clinically significant interaction is expected.




No dose separation or dosage adjustment necessary (see Antacids).




Didanosine gastro-resistant capsule



No drug interaction studies.




No clinically significant interaction is expected.




No dosage adjustment necessary.




Tenofovir



300mg once daily




No clinically significant interaction observed.




No dosage adjustment necessary.






















Protease Inhibitors:



According to current treatment guidelines, dual therapy with protease inhibitors is generally not recommended.


  


Lopinavir / ritonavir



400 mg/100 mg twice daily



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



Lopinavir / ritonavir



533 mg/133 mg twice daily



(Telzir 1400 mg twice daily)




Lopinavir: Cmax↑ 30%



Lopinavir: AUC ↑ 37%



Lopinavir: Cmin↑ 52%



Amprenavir: Cmax



Amprenavir: AUC



Amprenavir: Cmin 65%



Lopinavir: Cmax↔*



Lopinavir: AUC ↔*



Lopinavir: Cmin↔*



* compared to lopinavir / ritonavir 400 mg/100 mg twice daily



Amprenavir: Cmax



Amprenavir: AUC



Amprenavir: Cmin



* compared to fosamprenavir / ritonavir 700 mg/100 mg twice daily



(Mixed CYP3A4 induction/inhibition, Pgp induction)




Concomitant use is not recommended.




Indinavir



Saquinavir



Nelfinavir



No drug interaction studies.



 


No dose recommendations can be given.




Atazanavir



300 mg once daily




Atazanavir: Cmax



Atazanavir: AUC



Atazanavir: Cmin↔*



*compared to atazanavir/ ritonavir 300 mg/ 100 mg once daily



Amprenavir: Cmax



Amprenavir: AUC ↔



Amprenavir: Cmin




No dosage adjustment necessary.




Integrase inhibitors


  


Raltegravir



400 mg twice daily




Fasting state



Amprenavir :



Cmax



AUC



Cmin



Raltegravir:



Cmax



AUC



Cmin



Fed state



Amprenavir:



Cmax



AUC



Cmin



Raltegravir:



Cmax



AUC



Cmin




Concomitant use is not recommended. Significant reductions in exposure and Cmin observed for both amprenavir and raltegravir (especially in fed conditions) may result in virological failure in patients.




















































ANTIARRHYTHMICS


  


Amiodarone



Bepridil



Quinidine



Flecainide



Propafenone




Amiodarone: ↑ expected



Bepridil: ↑ expected



Quinidine: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)



Flecainide: ↑ expected



Propafenone: ↑ expected



(CYP2D6 inhibition by RTV)




Contraindicated (see section 4.3). Potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias.




ERGOT DERIVATIVES


  


Dihydroergotamine



Ergotamine



Ergonovine



Methylergonovine




Dihydroergotamine: ↑ expected



Ergonovine: ↑ expected



Ergotamine: ↑ expected



Methylergonovine: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Contraindicated (see section 4.3). Potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as acute ergot toxicity characterized by peripheral vasospasm and ischemia of the extremities and other tissues.




GASTROINTESTINAL MOTILITY AGENTS


  


Cisapride




Cisapride: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Contraindicated (see section 4.3). Potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias.




ANTIHISTAMINES (HISTAMINE H1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS)


  


Astemizole



Terfenadine




Astemizole: ↑ expected



Terfenadine: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Contraindicated (see section 4.3). Potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias.




NEUROLEPTIC


  


Pimozide




Pimozide: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Contraindicated (see section 4.3). Potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias.




INFECTION



Antibacterials:


  


Clarithromycin



Study performed with amprenavir.



No FPV/RTV drug interaction studies.




Clarithromycin: moderate ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition)




Use with caution




Erythromycin



No drug interaction studies.




Erythromycin: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Use with caution.




Anti-mycobacterial:



 

 


Rifabutin



150 mg every other day




Rifabutin: Cmax



Rifabutin: AUC(0-48) ↔*



25-O-desacetylrifabutin: Cmax↑ 6-fold*



25-O-desacetylrifabutin: AUC(0-48) ↑ 11-fold*



*compared to rifabutin 300 mg once daily



Amprenavir exposure unchanged when compared to historical data.



(Mixed CYP3A4 induction/inhibition)




The increase of 25-O-desacetylrifabutin (active metabolite) could potentially lead to an increase of rifabutin related adverse events, notably uveitis.



A 75 % reduction of the standard rifabutin dose (i.e. to 150 mg every other day) is recommended. Further dose reduction may be necessary (see section 4.4).




Rifampicin



600mg once daily



(Amprenavir without ritonavir)



No FPV/RTV drug interaction studies




Amprenavir: AUC



Significant



(CYP3A4 induction by rifampicin)




Contraindicated (see section 4.3.)



The decrease in amprenavir AUC can result in virological failure and resistance development. During attempts to overcome the decreased exposure by increasing the dose of other protease inhibitors with ritonavir, a high frequency of liver reactions was seen.






















Anti-fungals:


  


Ketoconazole



200 mg once daily for four days



 



 



 



Itraconazole



No drug interaction studies.




Ketoconazole: Cmax↑ 25%



Ketoconazole: AUC ↑ 2.69-fold.



Amprenavir: Cmax



Amprenavir: AUC ↔



Amprenavir: Cmin



Itraconazole: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




High doses (> 200 mg/day) of ketoconazole or itraconazole are not recommended.




ANTACIDS, HISTAMINE H2 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST AND PROTON-PUMP INHIBITORS


  


Single 30 ml dose of antacid suspension (equivalent to 3.6 grams aluminium hydroxide and 1.8 grams magnesium hydroxide



(Telzir 1400 mg single dose)



Ranitidine



300 mg single dose



(Telzir 1400 mg single dose)



Esomeprazole



20 mg once daily




Amprenavir: Cmax



Amprenavir: AUC



Amprenavir: Cmin (C12h) ↔



Amprenavir: Cmax



Amprenavir: AUC



Amprenavir: Cmin (C12h) ↔



Amprenavir Cmax



Amprenavir AUC ↔



Amprenavir Cmin (C12h) ↔



(Increase in gastric pH)




No dosage adjustment necessary with antacids, proton-pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor antagonists.




ANTICONVULSANTS


  


Phenytoin



300 mg once daily




Phenytoin: Cmax



Phenytoin: AUC



Phenytoin: Cmin



(Modest induction of CYP3A4 by FPV/RTV)



Amprenavir: Cmax



Amprenavir: AUC ↑ 20%



Amprenavir: Cmin ↑ 19%




It is recommended that phenytoin plasma concentrations be monitored and phenytoin dose increased as appropriate.































Phenobarbital



Carbamazepine



No drug interaction studies.




Amprenavir:



 



(Modest CYP3A4 induction)




Use with caution (see section 4.4).




Lidocaine



(by systemic route)



No drug interaction studies.




Lidocaine: ↑ expected



 



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Concomitant use is not recommended. It may cause serious adverse reactions (see section 4.4).




Halofantrine



No drug interaction studies.




Halofantrine: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Concomitant use is not recommended. It may cause serious adverse reactions (see section 4.4).




PDE5 inhibitors


  


Sildenafil



Vardenafil



Tadalafil



No drug interaction studies.




PDE5 inhibitors: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Concomitant use is not recommended. It may result in an increase in PDE5 inhibitorassociated adverse reactions, including hypotension, visual changes and priapism (refer to PDE5 inhibitor prescribing information). Patients should be warned about these possible side effects when using PDE5 inhibitors with Telzir/ritonavir (see section 4.4). Note that co-administration of Telzir with low dose ritonavir with sildenafil used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension is contraindicated (see section 4.3).




INHALED/NASAL STEROIDS


  


Fluticasone propionate



50 µg intranasal 4 times daily) for 7 days



(Ritonavir 100 mg capsules twice daily for 7 days)




Fluticasone propionate: ↑



Intrinsic cortisol levels:



The effects of high fluticasone systemic exposure on ritonavir plasma levels are unknown.



Greater effects may be expected when fluticasone propionate is inhaled.



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Concomitant use is not recommended unless the potential benefit of treatment outweighs the risk of systemic corticosteroid effects (see section 4.4). A dose reduction of the glucocorticoid with close monitoring of local and systemic effects or a switch to a glucocorticoid, which is not a substrate for CYP3A4 (e.g. beclomethasone) should be considered. In case of withdrawal of glucocorticoids, progressive dose reduction may have to be performed over a longer period (see section 4.4).




ALPHA 1-ADRENORECEPTOR ANTAGONIST



 

 


Alfuzosin,




Potential for increased alfuzosin concentrations which can result in hypotension. The mechanism of interaction is CYP3A4 inhibition by fosamprenavir/ritonavir.




Co-administration of TELZIR/ritonavir with alfuzosin is contraindicated (see section 4.3)






















HERBAL PRODUCTS


  


St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)




Amprenavir



(CYP3A4 induction by St. John's wort)




Herbal preparations containing St John's wort must not be combined with Telzir (see section 4.3). If a patient is already taking St John's wort, check amprenavir, ritonavir and HIV RNA and stop St John's wort. Amprenavir and ritonavir levels may increase on stopping St John's wort. The inducing effect may persist for at least 2 weeks after cessation of treatment with St John's wort.




HMG-COA REDUCTASE INHIBITORS


  


Lovastatin



Simvastatin



No drug interaction studies.




Lovastatin: ↑ expected



Simvastatin: ↑ expected



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Concomitant use is not recommended.



Increased concentrations of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis.



Pravastatin or fluvastatin are recommended because their metabolism is not dependent on CYP 3A4 and interactions are not expected with protease inhibitors (see section 4.4).




Atorvastatin



10 mg once daily for 4 days




Atorvastatin: Cmax ↑ 184%



Atorvastatin: AUC ↑ 153%



Atorvastatin: Cmin↑ 73%



Amprenavir: Cmax



Amprenavir: AUC ↔



Amprenavir: Cmin ↔



(CYP3A4 inhibition by FPV/RTV)




Doses of atorvastatin no greater than 20 mg/day should be administered, with careful monitoring for atorvastatin toxicity.




IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS


  


Cyclosporin


Tegretol Retard





Geigy



TEGRETOL Retard 200 and 400 mg Tablets



(carbamazepine)




What you need to know about Tegretol Retard Tablets


Your doctor has decided that you need this medicine to help treat your condition.



Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. It contains important information. Keep the leaflet in a safe place because you may want to read it again.


If you have any other questions, or if there is something you don’t understand, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.


This medicine has been prescribed for you. Never give it to someone else. It may not be the right medicine for them even if their symptoms seem to be the same as yours.


If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.




In this leaflet:


  • 1. What Tegretol Retard Tablets are and what they are used for

  • 2. Things to consider before you start to take Tegretol Retard Tablets

  • 3. How to take Tegretol Retard Tablets

  • 4. Possible side effects

  • 5. How to store Tegretol Retard Tablets

  • 6. Further information




What Tegretol Retard Tablets are and what they are used for


Tegretol Retard Tablets are specially formulated to release the active ingredient gradually.


Carbamazepine, the active ingredient, can affect the body in several different ways. It is an anti-convulsant medicine (prevents fits), it can also modify some types of pain and can control mood disorders.


Tegretol Retard Tablets are used


  • To treat some forms of epilepsy

  • To treat a painful condition of the face called trigeminal neuralgia

  • To help control serious mood disorders when some other medicines don’t work.



Things to consider before you start to take Tegretol Retard Tablets



Some people MUST NOT take Tegretol Retard Tablets. Talk to your doctor if:


  • you think you may be hypersensitive (allergic) to carbamazepine or similar drugs such as oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), or to any of a related group of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline or imipramine). If you are allergic to carbamazepine there is a one in four (25%) chance that you could also have an allergic reaction to oxcarbazepine.

  • you think you may be allergic to any of the other ingredients of Tegretol Retard Tablets (these are listed at the end of the leaflet). Signs of a hypersensitivity reaction include swelling of the face or mouth (angioedema), breathing problems, runny nose, skin rash, blistering or peeling.

  • you have any heart problems,

  • you have ever had problems with your bone marrow,

  • you have a blood disorder called porphyria,

  • you have taken drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), used to treat depression, within the last 14 days.

A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics such as carbamazepine have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts, immediately contact your doctor.


Serious skin side effects can rarely occur during treatment with carbamazepine. This risk can be predicted with a blood sample in people of Chinese and Thai origin. Discuss this with your doctor before taking carbamazepine if you are of such origin.



You should also ask yourself these questions before taking Tegretol Retard Tablets. If the answer to any of these questions is YES, discuss your treatment with your doctor or pharmacist because Tegretol Retard Tablets might not be the right medicine for you.


  • Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?

  • Are you breastfeeding?

  • Do you suffer from the sort of epilepsy where you get mixed seizures which include absences?

  • Do you have any mental illness?

  • Are you allergic to an epilepsy medicine called phenytoin?

  • Do you have liver problems?

  • Are you elderly?

  • Do you have any eye problems such as glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)?



Are you taking other medicines?


Because of the way that Tegretol works, it can affect, and be affected by, lots of other things that you might be eating or medicines that you are taking. It is very important to make sure that your doctor knows all about what else you are taking, including anything that you have bought from a chemist or health food shop. It may be necessary to change the dose of some medicines, or stop taking something altogether.



Tell the doctor if you are taking:


  • Hormone contraceptives, e.g. pills, patches, injections or implants. Tegretol affects the way the contraceptive works in your body, and you may get breakthrough bleeding or spotting. It may also make the contraceptive less effective and there will be a risk of getting pregnant. Your doctor will be able to advise you about this, and you should think about using other contraceptives.

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Tegretol can make HRT less effective.

  • Any medicines for depression or anxiety.

  • Corticosteroids (‘steroids’). You might be taking these for inflammatory conditions such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, muscle and joint pains.

  • Anticoagulants to stop your blood clotting.

  • Antibiotics to treat infections including skin infections and TB.

  • Antifungals to treat fungal infections.

  • Painkillers containing paracetamol, dextropropoxyphene, tramadol, methadone or buprenorphine.

  • Other medicines to treat epilepsy.

  • Medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems.

  • Antihistamines (medicines to treat allergy such as hayfever, itch, etc).

  • Diuretics (water tablets).

  • Cimetidine or omeprazole (medicines to treat gastric ulcers).

  • Isotretinoin (a medicine for the treatment of acne).

  • Metoclopramide (an anti-sickness medication).

  • Acetazolamide (a medicine to treat glaucoma - increased pressure in the eye).

  • Danazol or gestrinone (treatments for endometriosis).

  • Theophylline or aminophylline (used in the treatment of asthma).

  • Ciclosporin (an immunosuppressant, used after transplant operations, but also sometimes in the treatment of arthritis or psoriasis).

  • Drugs to treat schizophrenia.

  • Cancer drugs.

  • The anti-malarial drug, mefloquine.

  • Drugs to treat HIV.

  • Levothyroxine (used to treat hypothyroidism).

  • Muscle relaxant drugs.

  • Bupropion (used to help stop smoking).

  • A herbal remedy called St John’s Wort or Hypericum.

  • Drugs or supplements containing Vitamin B (nicotinamide).



Pregnancy and breastfeeding


You must discuss your epilepsy treatment with your doctor well before you become pregnant. If you do get pregnant while you’re taking Tegretol Retard Tablets you must tell the doctor straightaway. It is important that your epilepsy remains well controlled, but, as with other anti-epilepsy treatments, there is a risk of harm to the foetus. Make sure you are very clear about the risks and the benefits of taking Tegretol Retard Tablets.


Mothers taking Tegretol Retard Tablets can breastfeed their babies, but you must tell the doctor as soon as possible if you think that the baby is suffering side effects such as excessive sleepiness or skin reactions because you are taking Tegretol Retard Tablets.




Will there be any problems with driving or using machinery?


Tegretol Retard Tablets can make you feel dizzy or drowsy, especially at the start of treatment or when the dose is changed. If you are affected in this way, or if your eyesight is affected, you should not drive or operate machinery.




Other special warnings


  • Drinking alcohol may affect you more than usual. Discuss whether you should stop drinking with your doctor.

  • Eating grapefruit, or drinking grapefruit juice, may increase your chance of experiencing side effects.

  • Your doctor may want you to have a number of blood tests before you start taking Tegretol and from time to time during your treatment. This is quite usual and nothing to worry about.




How to take Tegretol Retard Tablets



The doctor will tell you how many Tegretol Retard Tablets to take and when to take them. Always follow his/her instructions carefully. The dose will be on the pharmacist’s label. Check the label carefully. It is important to take the tablets at the right times. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Keep taking your tablets for as long as you have been told, unless you have any problems. In that case, check with your doctor.


Your doctor will usually start Tegretol at a fairly low dose which can then be increased to suit you individually. The dose needed varies between patients. You can take Tegretol Retard Tablets during, after or between meals. Swallow the tablets with a drink. Do not chew them. You are usually told to take a dose two or three times a day. If necessary you may break the tablets in half along the scored line.



To treat epilepsy the usual doses are:



Adults: 800-1,200 mg a day, although higher doses may be necessary. If you are elderly you might require a lower dose.



Children:


Aged 5-10 years: 400-600 mg a day


Aged 10-15 years: 600-1,000 mg a day.


Tegretol Retard Tablets are not recommended for children under 5.



To treat trigeminal neuralgia the usual dose is: 600-800 mg a day.



To treat mood swings the usual dose is: 400-600 mg a day



What if you forget to take a dose?


If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your next dose, though, just take the next dose and forget about the one you missed.




What if you take too many tablets?


If you accidentally take too many Tegretol Retard Tablets, tell your doctor or your nearest hospital casualty department. Take your medicine pack with you so that people can see what you have taken.





Tegretol Retard Side Effects


Tegretol Retard Tablets do not usually cause problems, but like all medicines, they can sometimes cause side effects.




Some side effects can be serious



Stop taking Tegretol Retard Tablets and tell your doctor straight away if you notice:


  • Serious skin reactions such as rash, red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth, or skin peeling accompanied by fever. These reactions may be more frequent in patients of Chinese or Thai origin

  • Mouth ulcers or unexplained bruising or bleeding

  • Sore throat or high temperature, or both

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

  • Swollen ankles, feet or lower legs

  • Any signs of nervous illness or confusion

  • Pain in your joints and muscles, a rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks and problems with breathing (these may be the signs of a rare reaction known as lupus erythematosus)

  • Fever, skin rash, joint pain, and abnormalities in blood and liver function tests (these may be the signs of a multi-organ sensitivity disorder)

  • Bronchospasm with wheezing and coughing, difficulty in breathing, feeling faint, rash, itching or facial swelling (these may be the signs of a severe allergic reaction)

  • Pain in the area near the stomach.




The side effects listed below have also been reported.



More than 1 in 10 people have experienced:


Leucopenia (a reduced number of the cells which fight infection making it easier to catch infections); dizziness and tiredness; feeling unsteady or finding it difficult to control movements; feeling or being sick; changes in liver enzyme levels (usually without any symptoms); skin reactions which may be severe.



Up to 1 in 10 people have experienced:


Changes in the blood including an increased tendency to bruise or bleed; fluid retention and swelling; weight increase; low sodium in the blood which might result in confusion; headache; double or blurred vision; dry mouth.



Up to 1 in 100 people have reported:


Abnormal involuntary movements including tremor or tics; abnormal eye movements; diarrhoea; constipation.



Up to 1 in 1,000 people have reported:


Disease of the lymph glands; folic acid deficiency; a generalised allergic reaction including rash, joint pain, fever, problems with the kidneys and other organs; hallucinations; depression; loss of appetite; restlessness; aggression; agitation; confusion; speech disorders; numbness or tingling in the hands and feet; muscle weakness; high blood pressure (which may make you feel dizzy, with a flushed face, headache, fatigue and nervousness); low blood pressure (the symptoms of which are feeling faint, light headed, dizzy, confused, having blurred vision); changes to heart beat; stomach pain; liver problems including jaundice; symptoms of lupus.



Up to 1 in 10,000 people have reported:


Changes to the composition of the blood including anaemia; porphyria; meningitis; swelling of the breasts and discharge of milk which may occur in both male and females; abnormal thyroid function tests; osteomalacia (which may be noticed as pain on walking and bowing of the long bones in the legs); osteoporosis; increased blood fat levels; taste disturbances; conjunctivitis; glaucoma; cataracts; hearing disorders; heart and circulatory problems including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the symptoms of which could include tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration and prominent superficial veins; lung or breathing problems; severe skin reactions including Stevens- Johnson syndrome (These reactions may be more frequent in patients of Chinese or Thai origin); sore mouth or tongue; liver failure; increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight; alterations in skin pigmentation; acne; excessive sweating; hair loss; increased hair growth on the body and face; muscle pain or spasm; sexual difficulties which may include reduced male fertility, loss of libido or impotence; kidney failure; blood spots in the urine; increased or decreased desire to pass urine or difficulty in passing urine.



Do not be alarmed by this list. Most people take Tegretol Retard Tablets without any problems.




If any of the symptoms become troublesome, or if you notice anything else not mentioned here, please go and see your doctor. He/she may want to give you a different medicine.




How to store Tegretol Retard Tablets


Tegretol Retard Tablets should be stored in a dry place below 25°C.


Keep out of the reach and sight of children.


Do not take Tegretol Retard Tablets after the expiry date which is printed on the outside of the pack.


If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets, please take any unused tablets back to your pharmacist to be destroyed. Do not throw them away with your normal household water or waste. This will help to protect the environment.




Further information


The tablets come in two strengths containing either 200 or 400 mg of the active ingredient carbamazepine. The tablets also contain the inactive ingredients colloidal silicon dioxide, ethylcellulose aqueous dispersion, microcrystalline cellulose, ethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymer, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium type A, talc, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, glyceryl polyoxyethylene glycol stearate, red and yellow iron oxide (E172) and titanium dioxide (E171).


Tegretol Retard 200 mg Tablets are oval, beige-orange tablets with a score on each side. One side bears the imprint “HC”, the other “CG”.


Tegretol Retard 400 mg are oval, brownish-orange tablets with a score on each side. One side bears the imprint “ENE/ENE”, the other “CG/CG”.


They come in blister packs of 56 and 100.



The Product licence holder is



Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited

trading as Geigy Pharmaceuticals

Frimley Business Park

Frimley

Camberley

Surrey
GU16 7SR

England




The tablets are released onto the market by



Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited

Wimblehurst Road

Horsham

West Sussex

RH12 5AB

England





This leaflet was revised in November 2009.


If you would like any more information, or would like the leaflet in a different format, please contact Medical Information at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, telephone number 01276 698370.


TEGRETOL is a registered trade mark


Copyright Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited





TAGAMET SYRUP





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



TAGAMET SYRUP


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



The syrup contains 200mg cimetidine in each 5ml dose.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



A clear, orange-coloured, peach flavoured syrup.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



'Tagamet' is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist which rapidly inhibits both basal and stimulated gastric secretion of acid and reduces pepsin output.



'Tagamet' is indicated in the treatment of duodenal and benign gastric ulceration, including that associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, recurrent and stomal ulceration, oesophageal reflux disease and other conditions where reduction of gastric acid by 'Tagamet' has been shown to be beneficial: persistent dyspeptic symptoms with or without ulceration, particularly meal- related upper abdominal pain, including such symptoms associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents; the prophylaxis of gastrointestinal haemorrhage from stress ulceration in critically ill patients; before general anaesthesia in patients thought to be at risk of acid aspiration (Mendelson's) syndrome, particularly obstetric patients during labour; to reduce malabsorption and fluid loss in the short bowel syndrome; and in pancreatic insufficiency to reduce degradation of enzyme supplements. 'Tagamet' is also recommended in the management of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



The total daily dose by any route should not normally exceed 2.4 g. Dosage should be reduced in patients with impaired renal function (see Section 4.4).



ADULTS



Oral: For patients with duodenal or benign gastric ulceration, a single daily dose of 800mg at bedtime is recommended. Otherwise the usual dosage is 400mg twice a day with breakfast and at bedtime. Other effective regimens are 200mg three times a day with meals and 400mg at bedtime (1.0g/day) and, if inadequate, 400mg four times a day (1.6 g/day) also with meals and at bedtime.



Symptomatic relief is usually rapid. Treatment should be given initially for at least four weeks (six weeks in benign ulcer, eight weeks in ulcer associated with continued non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents). Most ulcers will have healed by that stage, but those which have not will usually do so after a further course of treatment.



Treatment may be continued for longer periods in those patients who may benefit from reduction of gastric secretion and the dosage may be reduced as appropriate to 400mg at bedtime or 400mg in the morning and at bedtime.



In patients with benign peptic ulcer disease, relapse may be prevented by continued treatment, usually with 400mg at bedtime; 400mg in the morning and at bedtime has also been used.



In oesophageal reflux disease, 400mg four times a day, with meals and at bedtime, for four to eight weeks is recommended to heal oesophagitis and relieve associated symptoms.



In patients with very high gastric acid secretion (e.g. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) it may be necessary to increase the dose to 400mg four times a day, or in occasional cases further.



Antacids can be made available to all patients until symptoms disappear.



In the prophylaxis of haemorrhage from stress ulceration in seriously ill patients, doses of 200-400mg can be given every four to six hours, by oral or nasogastric routes.



In patients thought to be at risk of acid aspiration syndrome an oral dose of 400mg can be given 90-120minutes before induction of general anaesthesia or, in obstetric practice prior to the start of labour. While such a risk persists, a dose of up to 400mg may be repeated at four-hourly intervals as required up to the usual daily maximum of 2.4g. Tagamet Syrup should not be used. The usual precautions to avoid acid aspiration should be taken.



In the short bowel syndrome, e.g. following substantial resection for Crohn's disease, the usual dosage range (see above) can be used according to individual response. To reduce degradation of pancreatic enzyme supplements, 800 – 1600mg a day may be given according to response in four divided doses, one to one and a half hours before meals.



ELDERLY



The normal adult dosage may be used unless renal function is markedly impaired (see Section 4.4).



CHILDREN



Experience in children is less than that in adults. In children more than one year old, Tagamet 25 – 30 mg/kg body weight per day in divided doses may be administered.



The use of Tagamet in infants under one year old is not fully evaluated; 20 mg/kg body weight per day in divided doses has been used.



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to cimetidine.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Dosage should be reduced in patients with impaired renal function according to creatinine clearance. The following dosages are suggested: creatinine clearance of 0 to 15ml per minute, 200mg twice a day; 15 to 30ml per minute, 200mg three times a day; 30 to 50ml per minute, 200mg four times a day; over 50ml per minute, normal dosage. Cimetidine is removed by haemodialysis, but not to any significant extent by peritoneal dialysis.



Clinical trials of over six years' continuous treatment and more than 15 years' widespread use have not revealed unexpected adverse reactions related to long-term therapy. The safety of prolonged use is not, however, fully established and care should be taken to observe periodically patients given prolonged treatment.



'Tagamet' treatment can mask the symptoms and allow transient healing of gastric cancer. The potential delay in diagnosis should particularly be borne in mind in patients of middle age and over with new or recently changed dyspeptic symptoms.



Care should be taken that patients with a history of peptic ulcer, particularly the elderly, being treated with Tagamet and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent are observed regularly.



Due to possible interaction with coumarins, close monitoring of prothrombin time is recommended when cimetidine is concurrently used.



Co-administration of therapeutic agents with a narrow therapeutic index, such as phenytoin or theophylline, may require dosage adjustment when starting or stopping concomitantly administered cimetidine (see Section 4.5).



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Tagamet can prolong the elimination of drugs metabolised by oxidation in the liver. Although pharmacological interactions with a number of drugs, e.g. diazepam, propranolol, have been demonstrated, only those with oral anticoagulants, phenytoin, theophylline and intravenous lidocaine appear, to date, to be of clinical significance. Close monitoring of patients on Tagamet receiving oral anticoagulants or phenytoin is recommended and a reduction in the dosage of these drugs may be necessary.



In patients on drug treatment or with illnesses that could cause falls in blood cell count, the possibility that H2-receptor antagonism could potentiate this effect should be borne in mind.



Cimetidine has the potential to affect the absorption, metabolism or renal excretion of other drugs which is particularly important when drugs with a narrow therapeutic index are administered concurrently. The altered pharmacokinetics may necessitate dosage adjustment of the affected drug or discontinuation of treatment (see Section 4.4).



Interactions may occur by several mechanisms including:



1) Inhibition of certain cytochrome P450 enzymes (including CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A3/A4, and CYP2C18); Inhibition of these enzymes may result in increased plasma levels of certain drugs including warfarin-type coumarin anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), class I antiarrhythmics (e.g. lidocaine), calcium channel blockers (e.g. nifedipine, diltiazem), oral sulfonylureas (e.g. glipizide), phenytoin, theophylline and metoprolol.



2) Competition for renal tubular secretion; This may result in increased plasma levels of certain drugs including procainamide, metformin, ciclosporin and tacrolimus.



3) Alteration of gastric pH; The bioavailability of certain drugs may be affected. This can result in either an increase in absorption (e.g. atazanavir) or a decrease in absorption (e.g. some azole antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole or posaconazole).



4) Unknown mechanisms; Cimetidine may potentiate the myelosuppressive effects (e.g. neutropenia, agranulocytosis) of chemotherapeutic agents such as carmustine, fluorouracil, epirubicin, or therapies such as radiation. Isolated cases of clinically relevant interactions have been documented with narcotic analgesics (e.g. morphine).



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Although tests in animals and clinical evidence have not revealed any hazards from the administration of 'Tagamet' during pregnancy or lactation, both animal and human studies have shown that it does cross the placental barrier and is excreted in milk. As with most drugs, the use of 'Tagamet' should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation unless essential.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



Not applicable.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



Adverse experiences with cimetidine are listed below by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (>1/10), common (>1/100, <1/10), uncommon (>1/1000, <1/100), rare (>1/10000, <1/1000), very rare (<1/10000).



Blood and lymphatic system disorders



Uncommon: Leukopenia



Rare: Thrombocytopenia, aplastic anaemia



Very rare: Pancytopenia, agranulocytosis



Immune system disorders



Very rare: Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is usually cleared on withdrawal of the drug.



Psychiatric disorders



Uncommon: Depression, confusional states, hallucinations. Confusional states, reversible within a few days of withdrawing cimetidine, have been reported, usually in elderly or ill patients.



Nervous system disorders



Common: Headache, dizziness



Cardiac disorders



Uncommon: Tachycardia



Rare: Sinus bradycardia



Very rare: Heart block



Gastrointestinal disorders



Common: Diarrhoea



Very rare: Pancreatitis. Pancreatitis cleared on withdrawal of the drug.



Hepatobiliary disorders



Uncommon: Hepatitis



Rare: Increased serum transaminase levels. Hepatitis and increased serum transaminase levels cleared on withdrawal of the drug.



Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders



Common: Skin rashes



Very rare: Reversible alopecia and hypersensitivity vasculitis. Hypersensitivity vasculitis



usually cleared on withdrawal of the drug.



Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders



Common: Myalgia



Very rare: Arthralgia



Renal and urinary disorders



Uncommon: Increases in plasma creatinine



Rare: Interstitial nephritis. Interstitial nephritis cleared on withdrawal of the drug. Small increases in plasma creatinine have been reported, unassociated with changes in glomerular filtration rate. The increases do not progress with continued therapy and



disappear at the end of therapy.



Reproductive system and breast disorders



Uncommon: Gynaecomastia and reversible impotence. Gynaecomastia is usually reversible upon discontinuation of cimetidine therapy. Reversible impotence has been reported particularly in patients receiving high doses (e.g. in Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome). However, at regular dosage, the incidence is similar to that in the general population.



Very rare: Galactorrhoea



General disorders and administration site conditions



Common: Tiredness



Very rare: Fever. Fever cleared on withdrawal of the drug.



4.9 Overdose



Acute overdosage of up to 20 grams has been reported several times with no significant ill effects. Induction of vomiting and/or gastric lavage may be employed together with symptomatic and supportive therapy.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Cimetidine is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist which rapidly inhibits both basal and stimulated gastric secretion of acid and reduces pepsin output.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Cimetidine is well absorbed after oral administration, metabolised in the liver and excreted mainly through the kidney with half-life of about two hours. The effects on acid secretion are of longer duration.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



Not applicable.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



The syrup contains saccharin sodium, hydrochloric acid (E507), ethyl alcohol, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), propylene glycol, sodium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate (E339), sorbitol (E420), sucrose, FD & C Yellow No. 6 (E110), peach flavour, spearmint flavour, Mafco Magnasweet 180, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide polymer and water. The sodium content per 5ml of syrup is 12.8mg.



6.2 Incompatibilities



Not applicable.



6.3 Shelf Life



3 years.



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Store below 25oC.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



Amber glass or white opaque HDPE bottles with screw cap containing 600ml.



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



None



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Chemidex Pharma Ltd



Chemidex House



Egham Business Village



Crabtree Road



Egham



Surrey



TW20 8RB



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 17736/0067



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



25 June 2004



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



February 2009