Friday, October 28, 2016

Iglu Gel





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



IGLÜ® GEL


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Lidocaine Hydrochloride 0.66% w/w; Aminoacridine Hydrochloride 0.05% w/w.



For excipients, see section List of Excipients.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Soft, pale yellow, slightly opalescent oromucosal gel.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



For fast, effective relief from the pain of common mouth ulcers, soreness of gums and denture rubbing.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



For use in the mouth.



For adults, the elderly and children over 7 years old.



Apply sparingly, directly to the affected area(s) with a clean finger tip or a cotton wool bud. Re-apply as necessary – the aim being to keep the affected area(s) protected with a thin layer of gel. As a guide, each application should normally last for an hour or more, although eating and/or drinking may necessitate more frequent re-application. In some cases, applications may remain in place for several hours.



4.3 Contraindications



Do not use in cases of known sensitivity to lidocaine hydrochloride (or other local anaesthetics of the amide-type), aminoacridine hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Keep Iglü Gel away from the eyes. In case of accidental contact, wash eye immediately with water: keep rinsing for 10 to 15 minutes, holding the eyelids well apart and avoid getting the rinse liquid into the other eye. Consult a doctor if irritation persists.



If symptoms persist consult your doctor or dentist.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



None stated.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Animal studies are insufficient with respect to effects on pregnancy and lactation (see section Preclinical Safety Data). The potential risk for humans is unknown.



Caution should therefore be exercised before recommending this treatment for use during pregnancy and lactation.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



None stated.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



Rare instances of hypersensitivity reactions to lidocaine and aminoacridine have been reported.



4.9 Overdose



Overdosage is unlikely to be a problem because of the low formulated concentrations. Severe overdosage (e.g. if a large quantity is swallowed) may impair swallowing and this enhances the risk of aspiration. Likewise, generalised numbness of the tongue or buccal membranes may lead to biting trauma when eating. Systemic adverse reactions to excessive overdosage include excitory and depressant effects on the CNS and depressant cardiovascular reactions. Emergency treatment of such systemic side effects should be directed to assuring adequate ventilation and averting convulsions. In the meantime, use of this product should be discontinued.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Iglü Gel is strongly mucoadhesive, thereby localising the active ingredients in a depot over the site(s) of application and forming a physical barrier to protect the sensitive and delicate underlying lesion as it heals.



Applied topically to mucous membranes, lidocaine hydrochloride produces rapid, local and superficial anaesthesia which lasts for up to 30 minutes. Its mode of action is to prevent initiation of nerve impulses.



Aminoacridine hydrochloride acts as a broad spectrum antiseptic by disrupting microbial metabolic pathways.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



The active ingredients are readily absorbed through mucous membranes. Both are rapidly metabolised, even when swallowed. This, and the low doses involved, means that systemic effects are very unlikely.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



No relevant information additional to that contained elsewhere in this SPC.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Carbomer; Hydroxypropylcellulose; White Soft Paraffin; Liquid Paraffin; Peppermint Oil.



6.2 Incompatibilities



None encountered.



6.3 Shelf Life



36 months.



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Do not store above 25°C.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



8 g plastic tube and nozzle with polypropylene cap.



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



Not applicable.



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Diomed Developments Limited



Tatmore Place, Gosmore



Hitchin, Herts SG4 7QR, UK.



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



00173/0186.



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



7 March 2001.



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



August 2010.





Imigran Radis 50mg and 100mg Tablets





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



Imigran Radis 50mg Tablets



Imigran Radis 100mg Tablets


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



50mg sumatriptan base as the succinate salt.



100mg sumatriptan base as the succinate salt.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Film-coated dispersible tablet



Pink film-coated, triangular shaped, biconvex tablets debossed with 'GS 1YM' on one face and '50' on the other.



White film-coated, triangular shaped, biconvex tablets debossed with 'GS YE7' on one face and '100' on the other.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Imigran Radis tablets are indicated for the acute relief of migraine attacks, with or without aura. Imigran should only be used where there is a clear diagnosis of migraine.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Adults



Imigran Radis is indicated for the acute intermittent treatment of migraine. It should not be used prophylactically.



It is advisable that Imigran be given as early as possible after the onset of migraine attack but it is equally effective at whatever stage of the attack it is administered.



The recommended dose of oral Imigran is a single 50mg tablet. Some patients may require 100mg. If the patient has responded to the first dose but the symptoms recur a second dose may be given in the next 24 hours provided that there is a minimum interval of two hours between the two doses and no more than 300mg is taken in any 24 hour period.



Patients who do not respond to the prescribed dose of Imigran Radis should not take a second dose for the same attack. Imigran Radis may be taken for subsequent attacks.



Imigran Radis is recommended as monotherapy for the acute treatment of migraine and should not be given concomitantly with ergotamine or derivatives of ergotamine (including methysergide) (see section 4.3).



If a patient fails to respond to a single dose of Imigran Radis there are no reasons, either on theoretical grounds or from limited clinical experience, to withhold products containing aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for further treatment of the attack.



The tablets should be swallowed whole with water. Patients with swallowing difficulties may choose to disperse a tablet in a small amount of water before administration. Sumatriptan dispersed in water has a bitter taste.



Children (under 12 years of age)



Sumatriptan tablets are not recommended for use in children below 12 as sumatriptan tablets have not been studied in children.



Adolescents (12 to 17 years of age)



The efficacy of sumatriptan tablets in adolescents could not be demonstrated in the clinical studies performed in this age group. Therefore the use in adolescent is not recommended (see section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties).



Elderly (Over 65)



Experience of the use of Imigran Radis in patients aged over 65 years is limited. The pharmacokinetics do not differ significantly from a younger population but until further clinical data are available, the use of Imigran Radis in patients aged over 65 years is not recommended



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation.



Sumatriptan should not be given to patients who have had myocardial infarction or have ischaemic heart disease, coronary vasospasm (Prinzmetal's angina), peripheral vascular disease or patients who have symptoms or sign consistent with ischaemic heart disease.



Sumatriptan should not be administered to patients with a history of cerebovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).



Sumatriptan should not be administered to patients with severe hepatic impairment.



The use of sumatriptan in patients with moderate and severe hypertension and mild uncontrolled hypertension is contraindicated.



The concomitant administration of ergotamine or derivatives of ergotamine (including methysergide) or any triptan/5-hydroxytryptamine1 (5-HT1) receptor agonist with sumatriptan is contraindicated. (see section 4.5)



Concurrent administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and sumatriptan is contraindicated. Sumatriptan must not be used within two weeks of discontinuation of therapy with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Imigran Radis should only be used where there is a clear diagnosis of migraine.



Sumatriptan is not indicated for use in the management of hemiplegic, basilar or ophthalmoplegic migraine.



The recommended doses of sumatriptan should not be exceeded. As with other migraine therapies, before treating headaches in patients not previously diagnosed as migraineurs, and in migraineurs who present atypical symptoms, care should be taken to exclude other potentially serious neurological conditions.



It should be noted that migraineurs may be at risk of certain cerebrovascular events (e.g. cerebrovascular accident, transient ischaemic attack).



Following administration, sumatriptan can be associated with transient symptoms including chest pain and tightness which may be intense and involve the throat (see section 4.8). Where such symptoms are thought to indicate ischaemic heart disease, no further doses of sumatriptan should be given and appropriate evaluation should be carried out.



Sumatriptan should not be given to patients with risk factors for ischaemic heart disease, including those patients who are heavy smokers or users of nicotine substitution therapies, without prior cardiovascular evaluation (see section 4.3). Special consideration should be given to postmenopausal women and males over 40 with these risk factors. These evaluations however, may not identify every patient who has cardiac disease and, in very rare cases, serious cardiac events have occurred in patients without underlying cardiovascular disease.



Sumatriptan should be administered with caution to patients with controlled hypertension as transient increases in blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance have been observed in a small proportion of patients.



There have been rare post-marketing reports describing patients with serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability and neuromuscular abnormalities) following the use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and sumatriptan. Serotonin syndrome has been reported following concomitant treatment with triptans and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).



If concomitant treatment with sumatriptan and an SSRI/SNRI is clinically warranted, appropriate observation of the patient is advised (see section 4.5).



Sumatriptan should be administered with caution to patients with conditions which may affect significantly the absorption, metabolism or excretion of drugs, e.g. impaired hepatic or renal function. A 50mg dose should be considered in patients with hepatic impairment.



Sumatriptan should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizures or other risk factors which lower the seizure threshold, as seizures have been reported in association with sumatriptan (see section 4.8).



Patients with known hypersensitivity to sulphonamides may exhibit an allergic reaction following administration of sumatriptan. Reactions may range from cutaneous hypersensitivity to anaphylaxis. Evidence of cross-sensitivity is limited, however, caution should be exercised before using sumatriptan in these patients.



Undesirable effects may be more common during concomitant use of triptans and herbal preparations containing St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).



Prolonged use of any type of painkiller for headaches can make them worse. If this situation is experienced or suspected, medical advice should be obtained and treatment should be discontinued. The diagnosis of medication overuse headache (MOH) should be suspected in patients who have frequent or daily headaches despite (or because of) the regular use of headache medications.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Studies in healthy subjects show that sumatriptan does not interact with propranolol, flunarizine, pizotifen or alcohol.



There are limited data on an interaction with preparations containing ergotamine or another triptan/5-HT1 receptor agonist. The increased risk of coronary vasospasm is a theoretical possibility and concomitant administration is contraindicated (see section 4.3).



The period of time that should elapse between the use of sumatriptan and ergotamine-containing preparations or another triptan/5-HT1 receptor agonist is not known. This will also depend on the doses and types of products used. The effects may be additive. It is advised to wait at least 24 hours following the use of ergotamine-containing preparations or another triptan/5-HT1 receptor agonist before administering sumatriptan. Conversely, it is advised to wait at least 6 hours following use of sumatriptan before administering an ergotamine-containing product and at least 24 hours before administering another triptan/5-HT1 receptor agonist.



An interaction may occur between sumatriptan and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and concomitant administration is contraindicated (see section 4.3).



There have been rare post-marketing reports describing patients with serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability and neuromuscular abnormalities) following the use of SSRIs and sumatriptan. Serotonin syndrome has also been reported following concomitant treatment with triptans and SNRIs (see section 4.4).



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Post-marketing data from the use of sumatriptan during the first trimester in over 1,000 women are available. Although these data contain insufficient information to draw definitive conclusions, they do not point to an increased risk of congenital defects. Experience with the use of sumatriptan in the second and third trimester is limited.



Evaluation of experimental animal studies does not indicate direct teratogenic effects or harmful effects on peri- and postnatal development. However, embryofoetal viability might be affected in the rabbit (see section 5.3). Administration of sumatriptan should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus.



It has been demonstrated that following subcutaneous administration, sumatriptan is excreted into breast milk. Infant exposure can be minimised by avoiding breast feeding for 12 hours after treatment, during which time any breast milk expressed should be discarded.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Drowsiness may occur as a result of migraine or its treatment with sumatriptan. This may influence the ability to drive and to operate machinery.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



Adverse events 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 (>1/10,000, <1/1000) and very rare (<1/10,000) including isolated reports.



Clinical Trial Data





































































Nervous System Disorders
 

Common:

Dizziness, drowsiness, sensory disturbance including paraesthesia and hypoaesthesia.

Vascular Disorders
 

Common:

Transient increases in blood pressure arising soon after treatment. Flushing.

Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders
 

Common

Dyspnoea.

Gastrointestinal Disorders
 

Common:

Nausea and vomiting occurred in some patients but it is unclear if this is related to sumatriptan or the underlying condition.

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders
 

Common:

Sensations of heaviness (usually transient and may be intense and can affect any part of the body including the chest and throat). Myalgia.

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions
 

Common:

Pain, sensations of heat or cold, pressure or tightness (these events are usually transient and may be intense and can affect any part of the body including the chest and throat).


Feelings of weakness, fatigue (both events are mostly mild to moderate in intensity and transient).



Investigations
 

Very rare:

Minor disturbances in liver function tests have occasionally been observed.


Post-Marketing Data


 

Immune System Disorders
 

Not known:

Hypersensitivity reactions ranging from cutaneous hypersensitivity to anaphylaxis.

Nervous System Disorders
 

Not known:

Seizures, although some have occurred in patients with either a history of seizures or concurrent conditions predisposing to seizures there are also reports in patients where no such predisposing factors are apparent.


Tremor, dystonia, nystagmus, scotoma.



Eye Disorders
 

Not known:

Flickering, diplopia, reduced vision. Loss of vision including reports of permanent defects. However, visual disorders may also occur during a migraine attack itself.

Cardiac Disorders
 

Not known:

Bradycardia, tachycardia, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, transient ischaemic ECG changes, coronary artery vasospasm, angina, myocardial infarction (see Contraindications, Warnings and Precautions).

Vascular Disorders
 

Not known:

Hypotension, Raynaud's phenomenon.

Gastrointestinal Disorders
 

Not known:

Ischaemic colitis.


Diarrhoea.



Musculoskeletal, Connective Tissue and Bone Disorders
 

Not known:

Neck stiffness.


Arthralgia.



Psychiatric disorders
 

Not known:

Anxiety.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
 

Not known:

Hyperhidrosis.


4.9 Overdose



There have been some reports of overdosage with Imigran Tablets. Doses in excess of 400mg orally were not associated with side effects other than those mentioned.



If overdosage occurs, the patient should be monitored for at least ten hours and standard supportive treatment applied as required.



It is unknown what effect haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis has on the plasma concentrations of Imigran



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Pharmacotherapeutic group: Analgesics: Selective 5-HT1 receptor agonists.



ATC code: N02CC01



Sumatriptan has been demonstrated to be a specific and selective 5-Hydroxytryptamine1 (5HT1D) receptor agonist with no effect on other 5HT receptor (5-HT2-5-HT7) subtypes. The vascular 5-HT1D receptor is found predominantly in cranial blood vessels and mediates vasoconstriction. In animals, sumatriptan selectively constricts the carotid arterial circulation but does not alter cerebral blood flow. The carotid arterial circulation supplies blood to the extracranial and intracranial tissues such as the meninges and dilatation of and/or oedema formation in these vessels is thought to be the underlying mechanism of migraine in man.



In addition, evidence from animal studies suggests that sumatriptan inhibits trigeminal nerve activity. Both these actions (cranial vasoconstriction and inhibition of trigeminal nerve activity) may contribute to the anti-migraine action of sumatriptan in humans.



Sumatriptan remains effective in treating menstrual migraine i.e. migraine without aura that occurs between 3 days prior and up to 5 days post onset of menstruation. Sumatriptan should be taken as soon as possible in an attack.



Clinical response begins around 30 minutes following a 100mg oral dose.



Although the recommended dose of oral sumatriptan is 50mg, migraine attacks vary in severity both within and between patients. Doses of 25-100mg have shown greater efficacy than placebo in clinical trials, but 25mg is statistically significantly less effective than 50 and 100mg.



A number of placebo-controlled clinical studies assessed the safety and efficacy of oral sumatriptan in approximately 600 adolescent migraineurs aged 12 - 17 years. These studies failed to demonstrate relevant differences in headache relief at 2 hours between placebo and any sumatriptan dose. The undesirable effects profile of oral sumatriptan in adolescents aged 12 - 17 years was similar to that reported from studies in the adult population.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Following oral administration, sumatriptan is rapidly absorbed, 70% of maximum concentration occurring at 45 minutes. After 100mg dose, the maximum plasma concentration is 54ng/ml. Mean absolute oral bioavailability is 14% partly due to presystemic metabolism and partly due to incomplete absorption. The elimination phase half-life is approximately 2 hours, although there is an indication of a longer terminal phase. Plasma protein binding is low (14-21%), mean volume of distribution is 170 litres. Mean total plasma clearance is approximately 1160ml/min and the mean renal plasma clearance is approximately 260ml/min. Non-renal clearance accounts for about 80% of the total clearance. Sumatriptan is eliminated primarily by oxidative metabolism mediated by monoamine oxidase A. The major metabolite, the indole acetic acid analogue of Sumatriptan is mainly excreted in the urine, where it is present as a free acid and the glucuronide conjugate. It has no known 5HT1 or 5HT2 activity. Minor metabolites have not been identified. The pharmacokinetics of oral Sumatriptan do not appear to be significantly affected by migraine attacks.



In a pilot study, no significant differences were found in the pharmacokinetic parameters between the elderly and young healthy volunteers.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



Sumatriptan was devoid of genotoxic and carcinogenic activity in in-vitro systems and animal studies.



In a rat fertility study oral doses of sumatriptan resulting in plasma levels approximately 200 times those seen in man after a 100 mg oral dose were associated with a reduction in the success of insemination.



This effect did not occur during a subcutaneous study where maximum plasma levels achieved approximately 150 times those in man by the oral route.



In rabbits embryolethality, without marked teratogenic defects, was seen. The relevance for humans of these findings is unknown.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate, Anhydrous



Microcrystalline Cellulose



Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate



Croscarmellose Sodium



Magnesium Stearate



Hypromellose



Titanium Dioxide



Glycerol Triacetate



Iron Oxide Red



6.2 Incompatibilities



None stated.



6.3 Shelf Life



36 months



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Do not store above 30oC



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



Aluminium double foil blister packs in a cardboard carton, containing either 2, 4, 6, 12 or 18 tablets.



Not all pack sizes may be marketed.



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



None stated



Administrative Data


7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd.



Stockley Park West



Uxbridge



Middlesex. UB11 1BT



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 19494/0013



PL 19494/0014



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



8th June 2004



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



21st September 2010



11. LEGAL CATEGORY


POM





Rynacrom 4% Nasal Spray





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



Rynacrom 4% Nasal Spray


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Sodium Cromoglicate BP 4% w/v



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Rynacrom 4% Nasal Spray is presented as an aqueous solution, containing 4% w/v sodium cromoglicate in a metered dose spray pack, for nasal administration.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Rynacrom 4% Nasal Spray is indicated for the preventative treatment of allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial).



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



For nasal administration



Adults (including the Elderly) and Children:



One spray into each nostril two to four times daily.



Each actuation of the pump unit delivers approximately 5.2mg of sodium cromoglicate.



Since therapy is essentially preventative, regular doses, distinct from using the drug intermittently to relieve symptoms, should be observed.



4.3 Contraindications



Rynacrom 4% Nasal Spray is contraindicated in patients with known sensitivity to sodium cromoglicate, or any of the ingredients.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



None known.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



There are no known interactions between sodium cromoglicate and other drugs. A reduction in concomitant antihistamine therapy will often be possible during treatment with Rynacrom 4% Nasal Spray.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Cumulative experience with sodium cromoglicate suggests that it has no effect on foetal development. It should only be used in pregnancy if there is a clear need.



On the basis of animal studies and its physico-chemical properties, sodium cromoglicate is unlikely to pass into human breast milk. There is no evidence to suggest that the use of sodium cromoglicate by nursing mothers has any undesirable effects on the baby.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



None known.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



Occasional irritation of the nasal mucosa may occur during the first days of use. In rare cases wheezing or tightness of the chest have been reported by patients.



4.9 Overdose



No action other than medical supervision should be necessary.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Sodium cromoglicate inhibits the release of mediators of the allergic reaction from sensitised mast cells. In the nose, the inhibition of mediator release prevents the symptoms of rhinitis.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



After instillation of Rynacrom 4% Nasal Spray into the nose, less than 7% of the total dose administered is absorbed via the nasal mucosa. This fraction is excreted unchanged in the bile and urine. The remainder of the dose is expelled from the nose, or swallowed and excreted via the alimentary tract.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



There are no pre-clinical safety data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to those already included in other sections of the Summary of Product Characteristics.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Disodium edetate



Benzalkonium chloride



Purified water



6.2 Incompatibilities



None known.



6.3 Shelf Life



36 months.



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Store below 25°C. Protect from direct sunlight.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



Rynacrom 4% Nasal Spray is presented as a transparent, colourless to pale yellow liquid in a 22ml high density polyethylene bottle, fitted with a metered dose pump unit, protected by a polypropylene cover.



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



A patient information leaflet is included in each pack.



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Sanofi-aventis



One Onslow Street



Guildford



Surrey



GU1 4YS



UK



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 04425/0371



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



1st May 2005



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



December 2006



11. LEGAL CATEGORY


P





Thursday, October 27, 2016

Prednisolone Tablets 1mg, 5mg (Actavis UK Ltd)





Prednisolone tablets 1mg and 5mg



  • Prednisolone is a steroid medicine, prescribed for many different conditions, including serious illnesses.


  • You need to take it regularly to get the maximum benefit.


  • Don’t stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor - you may need to reduce the dose gradually.


  • Prednisolone can cause side effects in some people (read section 4 below).
    Some problems such as mood changes (feeling depressed, or ‘high’), or stomach problems can happen straight away.
    If you feel unwell in any way, keep taking your tablets, but see your doctor straight away.


  • Some side effects only happen after weeks or months. These include weakness of arms and legs, or developing
    a rounder face (read section 4 for more information).


  • If you take it for more than 3 weeks, you will get a blue ‘steroid card’: always keep it with you and show it to any doctor or nurse treating you.


  • Keep away from people who have chicken-pox or shingles, if you have never had them. They could affect you
    severely. If you do come into contact with chicken pox or shingles, see your doctor straight away.

Now read the rest of this leaflet. It includes other important information on the safe and effective use of this medicine that might be especially important for you.




Index:



  • 1 What Prednisolone tablets are and what they are used for

  • 2 Before you take Prednisolone tablets

  • 3 How to take Prednisolone tablets

  • 4 Possible side effects

  • 5 How to store Prednisolone tablets

  • 6 Further information





What Prednisolone tablets are and what they are used for



Prednisolone belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. Their full name is corticosteroids. These corticosteroids occur naturally in the body, and help to maintain health and well-being. Boosting your body with extra corticosteroid (such as Prednisolone) is an effective way to treat various illnesses involving inflammation in the body.



Prednisolone reduces this inflammation, which could otherwise go on making your condition worse. You must take this medicine regularly to get maximum benefit from it.





Before you take Prednisolone tablets




Do not take Prednisolone tablets if you:



  • are allergic (hypersensitive) to prednisolone or any of the other ingredients in Prednisolone tablets (see section 6). An allergic reaction may include a rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue.


  • have cold sores that affect the eyes


  • have an untreated infection.




Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Prednisolone tablets if you:



  • have been in contact with anyone who has chickenpox or shingles. Contact your doctor immediately for advice


  • have or have a family history of diabetes or glaucoma


  • have brittle bones, high blood pressure, a stomach ulcer, epilepsy, tuberculosis or septicaemia


  • have taken prednisolone tablets (or a similar medicine) before and had muscular problems (steroid myopathy)


  • have heart, kidney or liver disease


  • suffer or have suffered from any mental illness


  • are being treated with vaccines


  • have ever had severe depression or manic-depression (bipolar disorder).

    This includes having had depression before while taking steroid medicines like Prednisolone tablets or any of your close family has had these illnesses


  • Mental problems while taking Prednisolone tablets:
    Mental health problems can happen while taking steroids like Prednisolone tablets (see also section 4 Possible Side Effects)



    • These illnesses can be serious

    • Usually they start within a few days or weeks of starting the medicine.

    • They are more likely to happen at high doses.

    • Most of these problems go away if the dose is lowered or the medicine is stopped. However, if problems do happen, they might need treatment.


Talk to a doctor if you (or someone taking this medicine), show any signs of mental problems. This is particularly important if you are depressed, or might be thinking about suicide. In a few cases, mental problems have happened when doses are being lowered or stopped.





Taking other medicines



Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription:



  • medicines to treat high blood pressure or diuretics (‘water tablets’)


  • medicines to treat epilepsy such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, other barbiturates, phenytoin, primidone, phenylbutazone


  • medicines for diabetes including insulin


  • medicines to treat infections such as rifabutin, rifampicin, amphotericin


  • anticoagulant drugs used to thin blood


  • oral contraceptives (the ‘pill’)


  • other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin


  • aminoglutethimide, acetazolomide, carboxolone or salicylates.




Driving and using machines



If you do not have enough sleep you may be less alert and patients should make sure they are not affected before driving or operating machinery.





Pregnancy and breastfeeding



Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.





Sugar intolerance



If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact them before taking this medicine, as it contains lactose.



If you see another doctor or go into hospital, let them know what medicines you are taking.






How to take Prednisolone tablets



You will be supplied with a ‘Steroid Treatment Card’ which includes important details of your treatment. This card should be carried at all times.



Always take Prednisolone tablets exactly as your doctor has told you, especially if you are elderly. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.



Swallow the tablets whole, with a little water as a single dose in the morning after breakfast unless otherwise directed by the doctor.




The usual doses are:



Adults - 20-40mg daily initially up to 80mg daily, reducing to a maintenance dose of 5-20mg daily.



Children - Children do not take as many tablets as adults. Your doctor will suggest the correct number of tablets for them to take.



Once a dose is established, it may be changed to use the lowest effective dose depending on your response to the drug.



If you are diabetic, you may find that you need to take more medication to balance the effect of Prednisolone tablets. You should discuss this with your doctor.



Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Also, your progress may have to be checked after you have stopped using this medicine, since some of the effects may continue.





If you forget to take Prednisolone tablets



If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember and then your next dose at the usual time. Never take two doses at the same time.





If you take more Prednisolone tablets than you should



If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of tablets at the same time, or you think a child may have swallowed any contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately.





If you stop taking Prednisolone tablets



If you stop taking the tablets suddenly you may develop muscle or joint pain, conjunctivitis, fever, weight loss, painful itchy skin lumps or runny nose. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking the tablets and follow their advice.






Possible side effects



Like all medicines, Prednisolone tablets can cause side effects, particularly when you first start taking it although not everybody gets them. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following effects or any effects not listed.




Stop taking Prednisolone tablets and contact your doctor straight away if the following allergic reaction happens:



puffy, swollen face, tongue or body, which may cause shortness of breath, shock and collapse.





Tell your doctor straight away if the following happens:



  • inflammation of the pancreas (very severe abdominal pains)

  • Steroids including Prednisolone tablets can cause serious mental health problems.

    These are common in both adults and children. They can affect about 5 in every 100 people taking medicines like Prednisolone tablets:



    • feeling depressed, including thinking about suicide

    • feeling high (mania) or moods that go up and down

    • feeling anxious, having problems sleeping, difficulty in thinking or being confused and losing your memory

    • feeling, seeing or hearing things which do not exist. Having strange and frightening thoughts, changing how you act or having feelings of being alone.




Tell your doctor if the following occur:



Infections - lowered resistance to infections, such as a cold, existing eye infections may become worse or symptoms of a previous infection such as tuberculosis (TB) may happen more easily. This is especially important regarding chickenpox or measles.



Stomach and intestines – increased appetite, indigestion, a feeling of being full or bloated, very sore throat and white areas inside your mouth (oral thrush), feeling sick, weight gain, stomach ulcers.



Heart – high blood pressure.



Nervous system – unusual tiredness or weakness, nervousness, worsening of schizophrenia, increased pressure in the skull (causing painful eyes, changes in vision or a bad headache, especially behind your eyes).



Skin – reddish purple lines, thin skin, unusual bruising, acne, wounds that will not heal.



Muscle or bones – muscle weakness or wasting, pain in back, hips, ribs, arms, shoulders or legs. Osteoporosis (may be easier to fracture your bones or to tear your tendons).



Hormones - filling or rounding out of the face, periods become irregular or stop altogether, unusual increase in hair growth on body or face. Growth in infancy, childhood and adolescence may be reduced.



Kidney - urinating at night, water and salt retention.



Blood - blood clots, changes in the balance of minerals in the blood (detected by a blood test).



Eyes – cataracts, increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma), thinning of the tissues of the eye, pressure on the nerve of the eye.



Withdrawal symptoms – muscle or joint pain, conjunctivitis, fever, weight loss, runny nose and painful, itchy skin lumps.






How to store Prednisolone tablets



Keep out of the reach and sight of children.



Store below 25°C in a dry place and protect from light.



Do not use Prednisolone tablets after the expiry date stated on the label, carton or bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.



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 Prednisolone tablets contain



  • The active substance (the ingredient that makes the tablets work) is prednisolone. Each tablet contains either 1mg or 5mg of the active ingredient.


  • The tablet also contains lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, purified talc, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate.




Contents of the pack



Prednisolone are white, circular, flat bevelled edge tablets.



Pack sizes are 28.





Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer




Actavis

Barnstaple

EX32 8NS

UK





Date of last revision: November 2008






Actavis

Barnstaple

EX32 8NS

UK



50130081






Zavesca (miglustat) 100 mg hard capsules






Zavesca 100 mg hard capsules


Miglustat



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


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

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

  • This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are 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 Zavesca is and what it is used for

2. Before you take Zavesca

3. How to take Zavesca

4. Possible side effects

5. How to store Zavesca

6. Further information





What Zavesca Is And What It Is Used For


Zavesca belongs to a group of medicines that affect metabolism. It is used to treat two conditions:



  • Zavesca is used to treat mild to moderate type 1 Gaucher disease.

In type 1 Gaucher disease, a substance called glucosylceramide is not removed from your body. It starts to build up in certain cells of the body’s immune system. This can result in liver and spleen enlargement, changes in the blood, and bone disease.


The usual treatment for type 1 Gaucher disease is enzyme replacement therapy. Zavesca is only used when a patient is considered unsuitable for treatment with enzyme replacement therapy.



  • Zavesca is also used to treat progressive neurological symptoms in Niemann-Pick type C disease.

If you have Niemann-Pick type C disease, fats such as glycosphingolipids build up in the cells of your brain. This can result in disturbances in neurological functions such as eye movements, balance, swallowing, and memory, and in seizures.


Zavesca works by inhibiting the enzyme called ‘glucosylceramide synthase’ which is responsible for the first step in the synthesis of most glycosphingolipids.




Before You Take Zavesca



Do not take Zavesca


  • if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to miglustat or any of the other ingredients of Zavesca. If this applies to you, tell your doctor. Don’t take Zavesca.



Take special care with Zavesca


  • if you suffer from kidney disease

  • if you suffer from liver disease

If any of these apply to you, tell your doctor before you take Zavesca.


Your doctor will perform the following tests before treatment and during treatment with Zavesca:


  • an examination to check the nerves in your arms and legs

  • measurement of vitamin B12 levels

  • monitoring growth if you are a child or adolescent with Niemann-Pick type C disease

  • monitoring of blood platelet counts if you are a patient with Niemann-Pick type C disease

The reason for these tests is that some patients have had tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, or a decrease in body weight, while taking Zavesca. The tests will help the doctor decide whether these effects are due to your disease or other existing conditions, or due to side effects of Zavesca (see section 4 for further details).


If you have diarrhoea, your doctor may ask you to change your diet to reduce your lactose and carbohydrate intake, or not to take Zavesca together with food, or to temporarily reduce your dose. In some cases the doctor may prescribe anti-diarrhoeal medicines such as loperamide. If your diarrhoea does not respond to these measures, or if you have any other abdominal complaint, consult your doctor. In such case, your doctor may decide to conduct further investigations.


Male patients should use reliable birth control methods during their treatment with Zavesca, and for 3 months after finishing treatment.




Using other medicines


Talk to your doctor if you are using Cerezyme, or other medicines containing imiglucerase, which are sometimes used at the same time as Zavesca. They may lower the amount of Zavesca in your body. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, or have recently used, any other medicines, including medicines obtained without prescription.




Taking Zavesca with food and drink


Zavesca can be taken with or without food. You should swallow the whole capsule with a glass of water.




Pregnancy and breast-feeding


You should not use Zavesca if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. Your doctor can give you more information. You must use effective birth control while using Zavesca. Do not breast-feed while you are using Zavesca.


Male patients should use reliable birth control methods during their treatment with Zavesca, and for 3 months after finishing treatment.


Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.




Driving and using machines


Zavesca may make you feel dizzy. Do not drive or use any tools or machines if you feel dizzy.





How To Take Zavesca


Always take Zavesca exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about any of the instructions.



  • For type 1 Gaucher disease: For adults, the usual dose is one capsule (100 mg) three times a day (morning, afternoon and evening). This means a daily maximum of three capsules (300 mg).


  • For Niemann-Pick type C disease: For adults and adolescents, the usual dose is two capsules (200 mg) three times a day (morning, afternoon and evening). This means a daily maximum of six capsules (600 mg).

If you are less than 12 years old, your doctor will adjust your dose for Niemann-Pick type C disease.


If you have a problem with your kidneys you may receive a lower starting dose. Your doctor may reduce your dose, e.g., to one capsule (100 mg) once or twice a day, if you suffer from diarrhoea when taking Zavesca (see section 4). Your doctor will tell you how long your treatment will last.



To remove the capsule:



1. Separate at perforations

2. Peel back paper at arrows

3. Push product through foil


The Zavesca capsule should be swallowed whole with water.




If you take more Zavesca than you should


If you take more capsules than you were told to, consult your doctor immediately. Zavesca has been used in clinical trials at doses ten times higher than the recommended dose: this caused decreases in white blood cells and other side effects similar to those described in section 4.




If you forget to take Zavesca


Take the next capsule at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.




If you stop taking Zavesca


Don't stop Zavesca without talking to your doctor.



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




Possible Side Effects


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



Very common effects - likely to affect more than 1 in 10 people


The most common side effects are weight loss, tremor, diarrhoea, flatulence (wind), abdominal (stomach) pain.



Common effects - likely to affect less than 1 in 10 people and more than 1 in 100 people


Common side effects of treatment include anorexia (lack of appetite), decreased appetite, headache, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, paraesthesia (tingling or numbness), abnormal coordination, hypoaesthesia (reduced sensation to touch), dyspepsia (heartburn), nausea (feeling sick), constipation and vomiting, swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (stomach) and thrombocytopenia (reduced levels of blood platelets). The neurological symptoms and thrombocytopenia could be due to the underlying disease.


Other possible side effects are muscular spasms or weakness, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and less libido.


Most patients get one or more of these side effects, usually at the start of treatment or at intervals during treatment. Most cases are mild and disappear quite quickly. If any of these side effects cause problems, consult your doctor. He or she may reduce the dose of Zavesca or recommend other medicines to help control side effects.



Some patients have had tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. They could be signs of peripheral neuropathy, due to side effects of Zavesca or they could be due to existing conditions. Your doctor will perform some tests before and during treatment with Zavesca to assess this (see section 2).



If you do get any of these effects, please report them to your doctor as soon as possible.



If you do lose some weight when you start treatment with Zavesca don't worry. People usually stop losing weight as treatment goes on.



If you get a slight tremor, usually trembling hands, report it to your doctor as soon as possible. The tremor often disappears without needing to stop the treatment. Sometimes your doctor will need to reduce the dose or stop Zavesca treatment to stop the tremor.



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.



For storage and other information, please turn over.




How To Store Zavesca


Keep out of the reach and sight of children.


Do not use Zavesca after the expiry date stated on the carton.


Store below 30 °C.



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 Zavesca contains



The active substance is miglustat 100 mg.



Other ingredients in the capsule are:


Sodium starch glycollate,


Povidone (K30),


Magnesium stearate.



Other ingredients in the capsule shell are:


Gelatin,


Water,


Titanium dioxide (E171).



Other ingredients in the Printing ink are:


Black iron oxide (E172)


Shellac.




What Zavesca looks like and contents of the pack


Zavesca is a white 100 mg capsule with “OGT 918” printed in black on the cap and “100” printed in black on the body.


Box of 4 blister strips, each blister strip containing 21 capsules providing a total of 84 capsules.




Marketing Authorisation Holder:



Actelion Registration Ltd

BSI Building 13th Floor

389 Chiswick High Road

London

W4 4AL

United Kingdom




Manufacturer responsible for batch release:



Actelion Pharmaceuticals Deutschland GmbH

Basler strasse 63-65

79100 Freiburg

Germany



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




United Kingdom

Actelion Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd

Tel:+44-(0)845 075 0555




This leaflet was last approved in: June 2010


This medicine has been authorised under "Exceptional Circumstances". This means that because of the rarity of this disease it has been impossible to get complete information on this medicine. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will review any new information on the medicine every year and this leaflet will be updated as necessary.


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






Oruvail 200mg Capsules





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



Oruvail 200


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Ketoprofen 200mg



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Controlled release capsules



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Oruvail is recommended in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute articular and peri-articular disorders, (bursitis, capsulitis, synovitis, tendinitis), cervical spondylitis, low back pain (strain, lumbago, sciatica, fibrositis), painful musculo-skeletal conditions, acute gout, dysmenorrhoea and control of pain and inflammation following orthopaedic surgery.



Oruvail reduces joint pain and inflammation and facilitates increase in mobility and functional independence. As with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, it does not cure the underlying disease.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Adults: 100 - 200mg once daily, depending on patient weight and on severity of symptoms.



The maximum daily dose is 200mg. The balance of risks and benefits should be carefully considered before commencing treatment with 200mg daily, and higher doses are not recommended (see also section 4.4).



Elderly: The elderly are at increased risk of the serious consequences of adverse reactions. If an NSAID is considered necessary, the lowest effective dose should be used and for the shortest possible duration. The patient should be monitored regularly for GI bleeding during NSAID therapy.



Paediatric dosage not established.



Oruvail capsules are for oral administration. To be taken preferably with or after food.



Undesirable effects may be minimised by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to control symptoms (see section 4.4).



4.3 Contraindications



Ketoprofen is contraindicated in patients who have a history of hypersensitivity reactions such as bronchospasm, asthmatic attacks, rhinitis, angioedema, urticaria or other allergic-type reactions to ketoprofen, any other ingredients in this medicine, ASA or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic reactions have been reported in such patients (see section 4.8 Undesirable effects).



Ketoprofen is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any of the excipients of the drug.



Ketoprofen is also contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy.



Ketoprofen is contraindicated in the following cases:



- severe heart failure



- active or history of recurrent peptic ulcer/haemorrhage (two or more distinct episodes of proven ulceration or bleeding)



- history of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation, related to previous NSAIDs therapy



- haemorrhagic diathesis



- severe hepatic insufficiency



- severe renal insufficiency



- third trimester of pregnancy



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Undesirable effects may be minimised by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to control symptoms (see section 4.2 Posology and method of administration, and GI and cardiovascular risks below).



The use of ketoprofen with concomitant NSAIDs including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors should be avoided (see section 4.5 Interactions).



Elderly:



The elderly have an increased risk of adverse reactions to NSAIDs, especially gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation which may be fatal (see Section 4.2 Posology and method of administration).



Cardiovascular, Renal and Hepatic impairment:



At the start of treatment, renal function must be carefully monitored in patients with heart impairment, heart failure, liver dysfunction, cirrhosis and nephrosis, in patients receiving diuretic therapy, in patients with chronic renal impairment, particularly if the patient is elderly. In these patients, administration of ketoprofen may induce a reduction in renal blood flow caused by prostaglandin inhibition and lead to renal decomposition. (see Section 4.3 Contra-indications)



NSAIDs have also been reported to cause nephrotoxicity in various forms and this can lead to interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and renal failure.



In patients with abnormal liver function tests or with a history of liver disease, transaminase levels should be evaluated periodically, particularly during long-term therapy. Rare cases of jaundice and hepatitis have been described with ketoprofen.



Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects



Appropriate monitoring and advice are required for patients with a history of hypertension and/or mild to moderate congestive heart failure as fluid retention and oedema have been reported in association with NSAID therapy.



Clinical trial and epidemiological data suggest that use of some NSAIDs (particularly at high doses and in long-term treatment) may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke). There are insufficient data to exclude such a risk for ketoprofen.



Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure, established ischaemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and/or cerebrovascular disease should only be treated with ketoprofen after careful consideration. Similar consideration should be made before initiating long-term treatment in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking).



Respiratory disorders:



Patients with asthma combined with chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and/or nasal polyposis have a higher risk of allergy to aspirin and/or NSAIDs than the rest of the population. Administration of this medicinal product can cause asthma attacks or bronchospasm, particularly in subjects allergic to aspirin or NSAIDs (see section 4.3).



Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration and perforation:



GI bleeding, ulceration or perforation, which can be fatal, has been reported with all NSAIDs at any time during treatment, with or without warning symptoms or a previous history of serious GI events.



Some epidemiological evidence suggests that ketoprofen may be associated with a high risk of serious gastrointestinal toxicity, relative to some other NSAIDs, especially at high doses (see also section 4.2 and 4.3).



The risk of GI bleeding, ulceration or perforation is higher with increasing NSAlD doses, in patients with a history of ulcer, particularly if complicated with haemorrhage or perforation (see section 4.3), and in the elderly. These patients should commence treatment on the lowest dose available. Combination therapy with protective agents (e.g. misoprostol or proton pump inhibitors) should be considered for these patients, and also for patients requiring concomitant low dose aspirin, or other drugs likely to increase gastrointestinal risk (see below and section 4.5).



NSAIDs should only be given with care to patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease (e.g. ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) as these conditions may be exacerbated (see Section 4.8 Undesirable effects).



Patients with a history of gastrointestinal toxicity, particularly when elderly, should report any unusual abdominal symptoms (especially GI bleeding), particularly in the initial stages of treatment.



Caution should be advised in patients receiving concomitant medications which could increase the risk of ulceration or bleeding, such as corticosteroids, or anticoagulants such as warfarin, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors or anti-platelet agents such as aspirin (see Section 4.5).



When GI bleeding or ulceration occurs in patients receiving ketoprofen, the treatment should be withdrawn.



SLE and mixed connective tissue disease:



In patients with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disorders, there may be an increased risk of aseptic meningitis (see Section 4.8 Undesirable effects).



Female fertility:



The use of ketoprofen, as with other NSAIDs, may impair female fertility and is not recommended in women attempting to conceive. In women who have difficulty conceiving or who are undergoing investigation of infertility, withdrawal of ketoprofen should be considered.



Skin reactions:



Serious skin reactions, some of them fatal, including exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported very rarely in association with the use of NSAIDs. Patients appear to be at highest risk of these reactions early in the course of therapy, the onset of the reaction occurring in the majority of cases within the first month of treatment. Treatment should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash, mucosal lesions, or any other sign of hypersensitivity.



Infectious disease:



As with other NSAIDs, in the presence of an infectious disease, it should be noted that the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and the antipyretic properties of ketoprofen may mask the usual signs of infection progression such as fever.



Visual disturbances:



If visual disturbances such as blurred vision occur, treatment should be discontinued.



Patients with active or a past history of peptic ulcer.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Anticoagulants (heparin and warfarin) and platelet aggregation inhibitors (i.e. ticlopidine, clopidogrel):



Increased risk of bleeding (see section 4.4)



If coadministration is unavoidable, patient should be closely monitored.



Lithium:



Risk of elevation of lithium plasma levels, sometimes reaching toxic levels due to decreased lithium renal excretion. Where necessary, plasma lithium levels should be closely monitored and the lithium dosage levels adjusted during and after NSAIDs therapy.



Other analgesics/NSAIDs (including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors) and high dose salicylates:



Avoid concomitant use of two or more NSAIDs (including aspirin) as this may increase the risk of adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding. (see Section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).



Methotrexate:



Serious interactions have been recorded after the use of high dose methotrexate with NSAIDs, including ketoprofen, due to decreased elimination of methotrexate. At doses greater than 15mg/week:



Increased risk of haematologic toxicity of methotrexate, particularly if administered at high doses (> 15 mg/week), possibly related to displacement of protein-bound methotrexate and to its decreased renal clearance. At doses lower than 15mg/week: During the first weeks of combination treatment, full blood count should be monitored weekly. If there is any alteration of the renal function or if the patient is elderly, monitoring should be done more frequently.



Mifepristone:



NSAIDs should not be used for 8-12 days after mifepristone administration as NSAIDs can reduce the effect of mifepristone.



Pentoxifylline:



There is an increased risk of bleeding. More frequent clinical monitoring and monitoring of bleeding time is required.



Antihypertensive agents (beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics):



Risk of decreased antihypertensive potency (inhibition of vasodilator prostaglandins by NSAIDs).



Diuretics:



Risk of reduced diuretic effect. Patients and particularly dehydrated patients taking diuretics are at a greater risk of developing renal failure secondary to a decrease in renal blood flow caused by prostaglandin inhibition. Such patients should be rehydrated before initiating coadministration therapy and renal function monitored when the treatment is started (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).



Cardiac glycosides:



NSAIDs may exacerbate cardiac failure, reduce GFR and increase plasma glycoside levels.



Ciclosporin:



Increased risk of nephrotoxicity, particularly in elderly subjects.



Corticosteroids:



Increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding. (see Section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).



Quinolone antibiotics:



Animal data indicate that NSAIDs can increase the risk of convulsions associated with quinolone antibiotics. Patients taking NSAIDs and quinolones may have an increased risk of developing convulsions.



Tacrolimus:



Possible increased risk of nephrotoxicity when NSAIDs are given with tacrolimus, particularly in elderly subjects.



Thrombolytics:



Increased risk of bleeding.



Probenecid:



Concomitant administration of probenecid may markedly reduce the plasma clearance of ketoprofen.



Anti-platelet agents and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):



Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).



ACE inhibitors and Angiotensin II Antagonists:



In patients with compromised renal function (e.g. dehydrated patients or elderly patients the co-administration of an ACE inhibitor or Angiotensin II antagonist and agents that inhibit cyclooxygenase may result in further deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure.



Zidovudine:



Increased risk of haematological toxicity when NSAIDs are given with zidovudine. There is evidence of an increased risk of haemarthroses and haematoma in HIV(+) haemophiliacs receiving concurrent treatment with zidovudine and ibuprofen.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Pregnancy



Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis may adversely affect the pregnancy and/or the embryo/foetal development. Data from epidemiological studies suggest an increased risk of miscarriage and of cardiac malformation and gastroschisis after use of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor in early pregnancy. The absolute risk for cardiovascular malformation was increased from less than 1%, up to approximately 1.5%. The risk is believed to increase with dose and duration of therapy. In animals, administration of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor has been shown to result in increased pre- and post-implantation loss and embryo-foetal lethality. In addition, increased incidences of various malformations, including cardiovascular, have been reported in animals given a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor during the organogenetic period. During the first and second trimester of pregnancy, ketoprofen should not be given unless clearly necessary. If ketoprofen is used by a woman attempting to conceive, or during the first and second trimester of pregnancy, the dose should be kept as low and duration of treatment as short as possible.



During the third trimester of pregnancy, all prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors may expose the foetus to:



- cardiopulmonary toxicity (with premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hypertension);



- renal dysfunction, which may progress to renal failure with oligo-hydroamniosis; the mother and the neonate, at the end of the pregnancy, to:



- possible prolongation of bleeding time, an anti-aggregating effect which may occur even at very low doses.



- Inhibition of uterine contractions resulting in delayed or prolonged labour.



Consequently, ketoprofen is contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy.



Lactation



No data are available on excretion of ketoprofen in human milk. Ketoprofen is not recommended in nursing mothers.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



Patients should be warned about the potential for somnolence, dizziness or convulsions, drowsiness, fatigue and visual disturbances and be advised not to drive or operate machinery if these symptoms occur.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



The following CIOMS frequency rating is used, when applicable:



Very common (



The following adverse reactions have been reported with Ketoprofen in adults:



Blood and lymphatic system disorders



- rare: haemorrhagic anaemia, anaemia due to bleeding



- not known: agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, bone marrow failure, neutropenia



Immune system disorders



- rare: anaphylactic reactions (including shock)



Psychiatric disorders



- not known: mood altered



Nervous system disorders



- uncommon: headache, dizziness, somnolence



- rare: paraesthesia



- not known: convulsions, dysgeusia, depression, confusion, hallucinations, vertigo, malaise, drowsiness, reports of aseptic meningitis (especially in patients with existing auto-immune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosis, mixed connective tissue disease) with symptoms such as stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever or disorientation (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).



Eye disorders



- rare: visual disturbances such as blurred vision (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use)



- not known: optic neuritis



Ear and labyrinth disorders



- rare: tinnitus



Cardiac disorders



- not known: heart failure, oedema



Vascular disorders



- not known: hypertension, vasodilatation



Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders



- rare: asthma, asthmatic attack



- not known: bronchospasm (particularly in patients with known hypersensitivity to ASA and other NSAIDs), rhinitis, non-specific allergic reactions, dyspnoea



Gastrointestinal disorders



- common: dyspepsia, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting



- uncommon: constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, gastritis



- rare: stomatitis, peptic ulcer



- very rare: pancreatitis (very rare reports of pancreatitis have been noted with NSAIDs)



- not known: exacerbation of colitis and Crohn's disease, gastrointestinal haemorrhage and perforation, gastralgia, melaena, haematemesis



Gastrointestinal bleeding may sometimes be fatal, particularly in the elderly (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).



Hepatobiliary disorders



- rare: hepatitis, transaminases increased, elevated serum bilirubin due to hepatitis disorders



- not known: abnormal liver function, jaundice



Skin and subcutaneous disorders



- uncommon: rash, pruritis



- not known: photosensitivity reactions, alopecia, urticaria, angioedema, bullous eruption including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative and bullous dermatoses (including epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme), purpura



Renal and urinary disorders



- not known: renal failure acute, tubulointerstitial nephritis, nephritic syndrome, renal function tests abnormal



General disorders and administration site conditions



- uncommon: oedema, fatigue



- not known: headache, taste perversion



Investigations



- rare: weight increased



Clinical trial and epidemiological data suggest that use of some NSAIDs (particularly at high doses and in long term treatment) may be associated with an increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke) (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).



In all cases of major adverse effects Oruvail should be withdrawn at once.



4.9 Overdose



Symptoms



Cases of overdose have been reported with doses up to 2.5g of ketoprofen. In most instances, the symptoms have been benign and limited to lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and epigastric pain. Headache, rarely diarrhoea, disorientation, excitation, coma, dizziness, tinnitus, fainting, occasionally convulsions may also occur. Adverse effects seen after overdose with propionic acid derivatives such as hypotension, bronchospasm and gastro-intestinal haemorrhage should be anticipated.



In cases of significant poisoning, acute renal failure and liver damage are possible.



If renal failure is present, haemodialysis may be useful to remove circulating medicinal product.



Therapeutic measures:



There are no specific antidotes to ketoprofen overdosages. In cases of suspected massive overdosages, a gastric lavage is recommended and symptomatic and supportive treatment should be instituted to compensate for dehydration, to monitor urinary excretion and to correct acidosis, if present.



Owing to the slow release characteristics of Oruvail, it should be expected that ketoprofen will continue to be absorbed for up to 16 hours after ingestion.



Within one hour of ingestion, consideration should be given to administering activated charcoal in an attempt to reduce absorption of slowly-released ketoprofen.



Alternatively, in adults, gastric lavage, aimed at recovering pellets that may still be in the stomach, should be considered if the patient presents within 1 hour of ingesting a potentially toxic amount.



It should be possible to identify the pellets in the gastric contents. Correction of severe electrolyte abnormalities may need to be considered.



Good urine output should be ensured.



Renal and liver function should be closely monitored.



Patients should be observed for at least four hours after ingestion of potentially toxic amounts.



Frequent or prolonged convulsions should be treated with intravenous diazepam.



The benefit of gastric decontamination is uncertain.



Other measures may be indicated by the patient's clinical condition.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Ketoprofen overall has the properties of a potent non-steroidal anti- inflammatory agent. It has the following pharmacological effects:



Anti-inflammatory



It inhibits the development of carageenan-induced abscesses in rats at 1mg/kg, UV-radiation induced erythema in guinea pigs at 6mg/kg. It is also a potent inhibitor of PGE2 and PFG2∝ synthesis in guinea pig and human chopped lung preparations.



Analgesic



Ketoprofen effectively reduced visceral pain in mice caused by phenyl benzoquinone or by bradykinin following p.o. Administration at about 6mg/kg.



Antipyretic



Ketoprofen (2 and 6mg/kg) inhibited hyperthermia caused by s.c injection of brewer's yeast in rats and, at 1mg/kg hyperthermia caused by i.v. administration of anticoagulant vaccine to rabbits.



Ketoprofen at 10mg/kg i.v. did not affect the cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous system or autonomic nervous systems.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Ketoprofen is slowly but completely absorbed from Oruvail capsules. Maximum plasma concentration occurs after 6 - 8 hours. It declines thereafter with a half-life of about 8 hours. There is no accumulation on continued daily dosing. Ketoprofen is very highly bound to plasma protein



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



No additional data of relevance to the prescriber.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Pellets



Sugar spheres



Colloidal anhydrous silica



Shellac



Ethylcellulose



Talc



Capsule shell-body



Gelatin



Erythrosine (E127)



Capsule shell – cap



Gelatin



Titanium dioxide (E171)



6.2 Incompatibilities



None stated



6.3 Shelf Life



36 months



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Store below 25°C in a dry place and protect from light.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



UPVC/Aluminium foil blister or UPVC coated with PVDC aluminium foil blister containing either 28 capsules



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



None stated



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Sanofi-aventis



One Onslow Street



Guildford



Surrey



GU1 4YS



UK



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 04425/0599



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



21 September 2006



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



11 May 2011



LEGAL CLASSIFICATION


POM