Friday, June 29, 2012

Ebixa Treatment Initiation Pack 5, 10, 15 and 20mg Tablets





Ebixa 5 mg film-coated tablets



Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets



Ebixa 15 mg film-coated tablets



Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets



Memantine hydrochloride




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, 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 Ebixa is and what it is used for

2. Before you take Ebixa

3. How to take Ebixa

4. Possible side effects

5. How to store Ebixa

6. Further information






What Ebixa Is And What It Is Used For




How does Ebixa work



Ebixa belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-dementia medicines.



Memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease is due to a disturbance of message signals in the brain. The brain contains so-called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptors that are involved in transmitting nerve signals important in learning and memory. Ebixa belongs to a group of medicines called NMDA-receptor antagonists. Ebixa acts on these NMDA-receptors improving the transmission of nerve signals and the memory.





What is Ebixa used for



Ebixa is used for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.






Before You Take Ebixa




Do not take Ebixa



  • if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to memantine hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of Ebixa film-coated tablets (see section 6).




Take special care with Ebixa



  • if you have a history of epileptic seizures

  • if you have recently experienced a myocardial infarction (heart attack), or if you are suffering from congestive heart failure or from an uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).

In these situations the treatment should be carefully supervised, and the clinical benefit of Ebixa reassessed by your doctor on a regular basis.



If you suffer from renal impairment (kidney problems), your doctor should closely monitor your kidney function and if necessary adapt the memantine doses accordingly.



The use of medicinal products called amantadine (for the treatment of Parkinson´s disease), ketamine (a substance generally used as an anaesthetic), dextromethorphan (generally used to treat cough) and other NMDA-antagonists at the same time should be avoided.



Ebixa is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.





Using 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.



In particular, Ebixa may change the effects of the following medicines and their dose may need to be adjusted by your doctor:



amantadine, ketamine, dextromethorphan



dantrolene, baclofen



cimetidine, ranitidine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, nicotine



hydrochlorothiazide (or any combination with hydrochlorothiazide)



anticholinergics (substances generally used to treat movement disorders or intestinal cramps)



anticonvulsants (substances used to prevent and relieve seizures)



barbiturates (substances generally used to induce sleep)



dopaminergic agonists (substances such as L-dopa, bromocriptine)



neuroleptics (substances used in the treatment of mental disorders)



oral anticoagulants



If you go into hospital, let your doctor know that you are taking Ebixa.





Taking Ebixa with food and drink



You should inform your doctor if you have recently changed or intend to change your diet substantially (e.g. from normal diet to strict vegetarian diet) or if you are suffering from states of renal tubulary acidosis (RTA, an excess of acid-forming substances in the blood due to renal dysfunction (poor kidney function)) or severe infections of the urinary tract (structure that carries urine), as your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your medicine.





Pregnancy and breast-feeding



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



Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. The use of memantine in pregnant women is not recommended.



Women taking Ebixa should not breast-feed.





Driving and using machines



Your doctor will tell you whether your illness allows you to drive and to use machines safely.



Also, Ebixa may change your reactivity, making driving or operating machinery inappropriate.





Important information about some of the ingredients of Ebixa



Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets contain lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. Your doctor will advise you.






How To Take Ebixa



The Ebixa treatment initiation pack is only to be used for the beginning of the treatment with Ebixa.



Always take Ebixa exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.




Dosage



The recommended treatment dose of 20 mg per day is achieved by a gradual increase of the Ebixa dose during the first 3 weeks of treatment. The treatment scheme is also indicated on the treatment initiation pack. Take one tablet once a day.



Week 1 (day 1-7):



Take one 5 mg tablet once a day (white to off-white, oval-oblong) for 7 days.



Week 2 (day 8-14):



Take one 10 mg tablet once a day (white to off-white, centrally tapered oblong, biconvex, with a single breakline on both sides) for 7 days.



Week 3 (day 15-21):



Take one 15 mg tablet once a day (grey-orange, oval-oblong film) for 7 days.



Week 4 (day 22-28):



Take one 20 mg tablet per day (grey-red, oval-oblong film) for 7 days.





Maintenance dose



The recommended daily dose is 20 mg once a day.



For continuation of the treatment please consult your doctor.



Dosage in patients with impaired kidney function



If you have impaired kidney function, your doctor will decide upon a dose that suits your condition. In this case, monitoring of your kidney function should be performed by your doctor at specified intervals.





Administration



Ebixa should be administered orally once a day. To benefit from your medicine you should take it regularly every day at the same time of the day. The tablets should be swallowed with some water. The tablets can be taken with or without food.





Duration of treatment



Continue to take Ebixa as long as it is of benefit to you. Your doctor should assess your treatment on a regular basis.





If you take more Ebixa than you should



  • In general, taking too much Ebixa should not result in any harm to you. You may experience increased symptoms as described in section 4. “Possible side effects”.

  • If you take a large overdose of Ebixa, contact your doctor or get medical advice, as you may need medical attention.




If you forget to take Ebixa



  • If you find you have forgotten to take your dose of Ebixa, wait and take your next dose at the usual time.

  • Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.



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





Possible Side Effects



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



In general, the observed side effects are mild to moderate.



Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100):



  • Headache, sleepiness, constipation, dizziness, shortness of breath, high blood pressure and drug hypersensitivity.

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



  • Tiredness, fungal infections, confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, abnormal gait, heart failure and venous blood clotting (thrombosis/thromboembolism)

Very Rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000):



  • Seizures

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):



  • Inflammation of the pancreas and psychotic reactions

Alzheimer's disease has been associated with depression, suicidal ideation and suicide. These events have been reported in patients treated with Ebixa.



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.





How To Store Ebixa



Keep out of the reach and sight of children.



Do not use Ebixa after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.



This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.



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 Ebixa contains



The active substance is memantine hydrochloride. Each tablet contains 5/10/15/20 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 4.15/8.31/12.46/16.62 mg memantine.



The other ingredients for Ebixa 5/15 and 20 mg film-coated tablets are microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, all in the tablet core; and hypromellose, macrogol 400, titanium dioxide (E 171) and additional for Ebixa 15 mg and Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets are iron oxide yellow and red (E 172), all in the tablet coating.



The other ingredients for Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets are lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal anhydrous silica, talc and magnesium stearate, all in the tablet core; and methacrylic acid - ethyl acrylate copolymer (1:1), sodium lauryl sulphate, polysorbate 80, talc, triacetin and simethicone emulsion, all in the tablet coating.





What Ebixa looks like and contents of the pack



Ebixa 5 mg film-coated tablets are presented as white to off-white, oval-oblong with imprint ‘5’ on one side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side.



Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets are presented as white to off-white, centrally tapered oblong biconvex, film-coated tablets with a single breakline on both sides. The tablet can be divided into equal halves.



Ebixa 15 mg film-coated tablets are presented as orange to grey-orange, oval-oblong with imprint ‘15’ on one side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side. Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets are presented as are pale red to grey-red, oval-oblong with imprint ‘20’ on one side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side.



One treatment initiation pack contains 28 tablets in 4 blisters with 7 tablets of Ebixa 5 mg, 7 tablets of Ebixa 10 mg, 7 tablets of Ebixa 15 mg and 7 tablets of Ebixa 20 mg.





Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer




H. Lundbeck A/S

Ottiliavej 9

DK-2500 Valby

Denmark




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




























































United Kingdom

Lundbeck Limited

Lundbeck House

Caldecotte Lake Business Park

Caldecotte

Milton Keynes

MK7 8LG

UK

Tel:+44 1908 64 9966




This leaflet was last approved in 06/2010



Detailed information on this product is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) http://www.ema.europa.eu






Thursday, June 28, 2012

salicylic acid and urea topical


Generic Name: salicylic acid and urea topical (sal ih SILL ik AH sid and you REE ah)

Brand names: Kerasal, Salvax Duo, Carb-O-Sal5, Salvax Duo Plus


What is salicylic acid and urea topical?

Salicylic acid is a keratolytic (peeling agent). Salicylic acid causes shedding of the outer layer of skin.


Urea is an emollient (skin softening agent). Urea helps to moisturize the skin.


Salicylic acid and urea topical is used to soften rough, scaly skin and calluses on the feet.


Salicylic acid and urea topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.


What is the most important information I should know about salicylic acid and urea topical?


Do not use salicylic acid and urea topical on other areas or for purposes other than those directed on the package or by your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using salicylic acid and urea topical?


Do not use salicylic acid and urea topical on other areas or for purposes other than those directed on the package or by your doctor. It is not known whether salicylic acid and urea topical will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use salicylic acid and urea topical without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether salicylic acid and urea topical passes into breast milk. Do not use salicylic acid and urea topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use salicylic acid and urea topical?


Use salicylic acid and urea topical exactly as directed by your healthcare provider or as directed on the package. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.


Gently clean and dry the affected area.


Apply the medication to the affected area(s) as directed.


It is important to use salicylic acid and urea topical regularly to get the most benefit. Do not stop using the medication if you do not see results immediately. Use the medication for the full amount of time directed. Store salicylic acid and urea topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?


Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use only the next regularly scheduled dose.


Do not apply a double dose of the medication.


What happens if I overdose?


An overdose of salicylic acid and urea topical is unlikely to be harmful. If you do suspect an overdose, or if the medication has been ingested, call a poison control center or emergency room for advice.

What should I avoid while using salicylic acid and urea topical?


Do not use other topical preparations on the treated area unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider. Other topical products may interfere with treatment or cause skin irritation.


Salicylic acid and urea topical side effects


Serious side effects are expected to occur with the use of salicylic acid and urea topical. If you do experience any of the following rare serious side effects, stop using salicylic acid and urea topical and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor:

  • an rare but serious allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives); or




  • severe skin irritation.



Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


Salicylic acid and urea topical Dosing Information


Usual Adult Dose for Foot Care:

Apply to affected area on feet once or twice daily.


What other drugs will affect salicylic acid and urea topical?


Do not use other topical preparations on the treated area unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider. Other topical products may interfere with treatment or cause skin irritation.


Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with salicylic acid and urea topical. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.



More salicylic acid and urea topical resources


  • Salicylic acid and urea topical Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Salicylic acid and urea topical Drug Interactions
  • Salicylic acid and urea topical Support Group
  • 0 Reviews for Salicylic acid and urea - Add your own review/rating


Compare salicylic acid and urea topical with other medications


  • Foot Care


Where can I get more information?


  • Your pharmacist has additional information about salicylic acid and urea topical written for health professionals that you may read.


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide


Pronunciation: lye-SIN-oh-pril/HYE-droe-KLOR-oh-THYE-a-zide
Generic Name: Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide
Brand Name: Examples include Prinzide and Zestoretic

Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause injury or death to the fetus if taken during pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.





Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is used for:

Treating high blood pressure.


Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and thiazide diuretic combination. It works by removing excess fluid from the body and causing blood vessels to relax or widen.


Do NOT use Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide if:


  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, any other sulfonamide medicine (eg, sulfamethoxazole, glyburide, probenecid), or another ACE inhibitor (eg, captopril)

  • you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or unusual hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an ACE inhibitor

  • you are unable to urinate

  • you are pregnant

  • you are taking dofetilide or ketanserin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.



Before using Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide:


Some medical conditions may interact with Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:


  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

  • if you are able to become pregnant

  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

  • if you have liver problems, blood vessel problems (eg, stroke), heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, aortic stenosis), or high cholesterol

  • if you have a history of kidney problems (eg, renal artery stenosis), you are on dialysis or apheresis, or you have had a kidney transplant

  • if you have gout, or electrolyte imbalances (eg, high or low potassium levels, low blood sodium levels), or you are on a low-salt (sodium) diet

  • if you are dehydrated, drink alcohol, or have low blood volume or low blood pressure

  • if you have a collagen vascular disorder (eg, lupus, scleroderma), bone marrow problems, or severe immune system problems

  • if you have a history of allergies or asthma, or if you are receiving treatments to reduce sensitivity to bee or wasp stings

  • if you have diabetes, especially if you are also taking aliskiren

  • if you are scheduled to have major surgery or receive anesthesia

  • if you have recently had a certain type of nerve surgery (sympathectomy)

  • if you have never taken another medicine for high blood pressure

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:


  • Digoxin, dofetilide, or ketanserin because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased

  • Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aliskiren, potassium preparations, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, triamterene), salt substitutes containing potassium, or trimethoprim because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased

  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), dextran sulfate, diazoxide, diuretics (eg, furosemide), narcotic pain medicine (eg, codeine), or other medicines for high blood pressure because the risk of low blood pressure may be increased

  • Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (eg, losartan) because the risk of serious kidney problems and high blood potassium levels may be increased

  • Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur

  • Cholestyramine, colestipol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib), or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because they may decrease Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide's effectiveness

  • Lithium, or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide

  • Insulin or other diabetes medicines (eg, glyburide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.


How to use Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide:


Use Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.


  • Take Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide by mouth with or without food.

  • If you take cholestyramine or colestipol, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide.

  • Take Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.

  • Taking Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.

  • Continue to use Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

  • If you miss a dose of Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide.



Important safety information:


  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.

  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Black patients may be at greater risk of developing this side effect. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.

  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide contains a sulfonamide called hydrochlorothiazide, which can cause certain eye problems (myopia, angle-closure glaucoma). Your risk may be increased if you are allergic to sulfonamide medicines (eg, sulfamethoxazole) or to penicillin antibiotics (eg, amoxicillin). Untreated angle-closure glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. If these eye problems occur, symptoms usually occur within hours to weeks of starting Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as vision changes (eg, decreased vision clearness) or eye pain.

  • Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.

  • Drink plenty of fluids while taking Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide and avoid engaging in activities that cause excessive sweating. Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may lead to a fall in blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.

  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.

  • Diabetes patients - Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.

  • A persistent, unproductive cough may occur. Tell your doctor if this occurs. If caused by Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, recovery is usually rapid when the medicine is stopped.

  • Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.

  • Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.

  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may interfere with certain lab tests, including parathyroid function. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide.

  • Lab tests, including blood electrolytes, blood pressure, complete blood cell counts, and kidney and liver function, may be performed while you use Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

  • Use Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.

  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause birth defects and fetal or newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. Do not become pregnant while you take Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide.


Possible side effects of Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide:


All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:



Dizziness; headache; light-headedness; nonproductive cough; tiredness.



Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blurred vision or other vision changes (eg, decreased vision clearness); change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain or discomfort; dark urine; difficult or painful urination; drowsiness; dry mouth; eye pain; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; joint pain, stiffness, or swelling; loss of appetite; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); muscle cramps, pain, or weakness; numbness, burning, or tingling; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pale stools; persistent or unusual nausea or vomiting; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; restlessness; severe or persistent cough; severe or persistent headache, dizziness, or light-headedness; shortness of breath; slurred speech; stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); sudden, unusual weight loss or gain; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, fast breathing; flushing; fruit-like breath odor; increase in thirst, hunger, or urination); symptoms of low blood sodium (eg, confusion, mental or mood changes, seizures, sluggishness); trouble swallowing; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual thirst, weakness, or tiredness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.



This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.



If OVERDOSE is suspected:


Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe dizziness or light-headedness; symptoms of blood electrolyte problems (eg, confusion; irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes; muscle cramps, pain, or weakness; seizures; sluggishness); symptoms of dehydration (eg, drowsiness; dry eyes; fast heartbeat; nausea; restlessness; unusual thirst, tiredness, or weakness; vomiting).


Proper storage of Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide:

Store Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in bathroom. Keep Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide out of the reach of children and away from pets.


General information:


  • If you have any questions about Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

  • Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.



Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide resources


  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Drug Images
  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Drug Interactions
  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Support Group
  • 18 Reviews for Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide - Add your own review/rating


Compare Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide with other medications


  • Heart Failure
  • High Blood Pressure

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Solian 200mg Tablets





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



SOLIAN 200


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Amisulpride 200 mg per tablet



For excipients, see 6.1.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Tablet



White to off-white, round, flat-faced, breakable tablet, engraved AMI 200 on one face and with a breakable bar on the other face.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Solian is indicated for the treatment of acute and chronic schizophrenic disorders, in which positive symptoms (such as delusions, hallucinations, thought disorders) and/or negative symptoms (such as blunted affect, emotional and social withdrawal) are prominent, including patients characterised by predominant negative symptoms.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



For acute psychotic episodes, oral doses between 400 mg/d and 800 mg/d are recommended. In individual cases, the daily dose may be increased up to 1200 mg/d. Doses above 1200 mg/d have not been extensively evaluated for safety and therefore should not be used. No specific titration is required when initiating the treatment with Solian. Doses should be adjusted according to individual response.



For patients with mixed positive and negative symptoms, doses should be adjusted to obtain optimal control of positive symptoms.



Maintenance treatment should be established individually with the minimally effective dose.



For patients characterised by predominant negative symptoms, oral doses between 50 mg/d and 300 mg/d are recommended. Doses should be adjusted individually.



Solian can be administered once daily at oral doses up to 300 mg, higher doses should be administered bid.



The minimum effective dose should be used.



Elderly: Solian should be used with particular caution because of a possible risk of hypotension or sedation.



Children: The efficacy and safety of amisulpiride from puberty to the age of 18 years have not been established. There are limited data available on the use of amisulpiride in adolescents in schizophrenia. Therefore, the use of amisulpiride from puberty to the age of 18 years is not recommended; in children up to puberty amisulpiride is contraindicated (see Section 4.3).



Renal insufficiency: Solian is eliminated by the renal route. In renal insufficiency, the dose should be reduced to half in patients with creatinine clearance (CRCL) between 30-60 ml/min and to a third in patients with CRCL between 10-30 ml/min.



As there is no experience in patients with severe renal impairment (CRCL < 10 ml/min) particular care is recommended in these patients (see Section 4.4).



Hepatic insufficiency: since the drug is weakly metabolised a dosage reduction should not be necessary.



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to other ingredients of the medicinal product



Concomitant prolactin-dependent tumours (e.g. pituitary gland prolactinomas or breast cancer)



Phaeochromocytoma



Children before the onset of puberty



Lactation



Combination with levodopa (see Section 4.5)



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



As with other neuroleptics, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, altered consciousness and elevated CPK, may occur. In the event of hyperthermia, particularly with high daily doses, all antipsychotic drugs including Solian should be discontinued.



Hyperglycaemia has been reported in patients treated with some atypical antipsychotic agents, including amisulpride, therefore patients with an established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or with risk factors for diabetes who are started on amisulpride, should get appropriate glycaemic monitoring.



Solian is eliminated by the renal route. In cases of renal insufficiency, the dose should be decreased or intermittent treatment could be considered (see Section 4.2).



Solian may lower the seizure threshold. Therefore patients with a history of epilepsy should be closely monitored during Solian therapy.



In elderly patients, Solian, like other neuroleptics, should be used with particular caution because of a possible risk of hypotension or sedation.



As with other antidopaminergic agents, caution should be also exercised when prescribing Solian to patients with Parkinson's disease since it may cause worsening of the disease. Solian should be used only if neuroleptic treatment cannot be avoided.



Acute withdrawal symptoms including nausea, vomiting and insomnia have very rarely been described after abrupt cessation of high doses of antipsychotic drugs. Recurrence of psychotic symptoms may also occur, and the emergence of involuntary movement disorders (such as akathisia, dystonia and dyskinesia) has been reported. Therefore, gradual withdrawal is advisable.



Prolongation of the QT interval



Caution should be exercised when amisulpride is prescribed in patients with known cardiovascular disease or family history of QT prolongation.



Concomitant antipsychotics should be avoided.



Stroke



In randomized clinical trials versus placebo performed in a population of elderly patients with dementia and treated with certain atypical antipsychotic drugs, a 3-fold increase of the risk of cerebrovascular events has been observed. The mechanism of such risk increase is not known. An increase in the risk with other antipsychotic drugs, or other populations of patients cannot be excluded. Solian should be used with caution in patients with stroke risk factors.



Increased Mortality in Elderly people with Dementia:



Data from two large observational studies showed that elderly people with dementia who are treated with antipsychotics are at a small increased risk of death compared with those who are not treated. There are insufficient data to give a firm estimate of the precise magnitude of the risk and the cause of the increased risk is not known.



Solian is not licensed for the treatment of dementia-related behavioural disturbances.



Venous thromboembolism:



Cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been reported with antipsychotic drugs. Since patients treated with antipsychotics often present with acquired risk factors for VTE, all possible risk factors for VTE should be identified before and during treatment with Solian and preventive measures undertaken.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



COMBINATIONS WHICH ARE CONTRAINDICATED



Levodopa : reciprocal antagonism of effects between levodopa and neuroleptics.



COMBINATIONS WHICH ARE NOT RECOMMENDED



Solian may enhance the central effects of alcohol.



COMBINATIONS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT



CNS depressants including narcotics, anaesthetics, analgesics, sedative H1 antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and other anxiolytic drugs, clonidine and derivatives



Antihypertensive drugs and other hypotensive medications



Caution is advised when prescribing amisulpride with medicines known to prolong the QT interval, e.g., class IA antiarrythmics (e.g., quinidine, disopyramide) and class III antiarrhythmics (e.g. amiodarone, sotalol), some antihistaminics, some other antipsychotics and antimalarials (e.g., mefloquine) (see Section 4.4).



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Pregnancy



In animals, Solian did not show reproductive toxicity. A decrease in fertility linked to the pharmacological effects of the drug (prolactin mediated effect) was observed. No teratogenic effects of Solian were noted.



Very limited clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available. Therefore, the safety of Solian during human pregnancy has not been established.



Use of the drug is not recommended during pregnancy unless the benefits justify the potential risks. If amisulpride is used during pregnancy, neonates may show adverse effects of amisulpride and thus appropriate monitoring should be considered.



For women of childbearing potential, effective contraception should be fully discussed with the physician prior to treatment.



Neonates exposed to antipsychotics (including Solian) during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk of adverse reactions including extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms that may vary in severity and duration following delivery. There have been reports of agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress, or feeding disorder. Consequently, newborns should be monitored carefully.



Lactation



It is not known whether Solian is excreted in breast milk, breast-feeding is therefore contra-indicated.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



Even used as recommended, Solian may cause somnolence so that the ability to drive vehicles or operate machinery can be impaired (see Section 4.8 Undesirable effects).



4.8 Undesirable Effects



Adverse effects have been ranked under headings of frequency using the following convention: very common (1/10); common (1/100; <1/10); uncommon (1/1,000;<1/100); rare (1/10,000;<1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000); frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).



Clinical trials data



The following adverse effects have been observed in controlled clinical trials. It should be noted that in some instances it can be difficult to differentiate adverse events from symptoms of the underlying disease.



• Nervous system disorders:



Very common: Extrapyramidal symptoms may occur: tremor, rigidity, hypokinesia, hypersalivation, akathisia, dyskinesia. These symptoms are generally mild at optimal dosages and partially reversible without discontinuation of amisulpride upon administration of antiparkinsonian medication. The incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms which is dose related, remains very low in the treatment of patients with predominantly negative symptoms with doses of 50-300 mg/day.



Common: Acute dystonia (spasm torticollis, oculogyric crisis, trismus) may appear. This is reversible without discontinuation of amisulpride upon treatment with an antiparkinsonian agent. Somnolence.



Uncommon: Tardive dyskinesia characterized by rhythmic, involuntary movements primarily of the tongue and/or face have been reported, usually after long term administration. Antiparkinsonian medication is ineffective or may induce aggravation of the symptoms. Seizures.



• Psychiatric disorders:



Common: Insomnia, anxiety, agitation, orgasmic dysfunction



• Gastrointestinal disorders



Common: Constipation, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth



• Endocrine disorders:



Common: Amisulpride causes an increase in plasma prolactin levels which is reversible after drug discontinuation. This may result in galactorrhoea, amenorrhoea, gynaecomastia, breast pain, and erectile dysfunction.



Metabolism and nutrition disorders



Uncommon: Hyperglycemia (see Section 4.4).



• Cardiovascular disorders



Common: Hypotension



Uncommon: Bradycardia



Investigations:



Common: Weight gain



Uncommon: Elevations of hepatic enzymes, mainly transaminases



• Immune system disorders



Uncommon: Allergic reaction



Post Marketing data



In addition, cases of the following adverse reactions have been reported through spontaneous reporting only:



Nervous system disorders:



Frequency not known: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (see Section 4.4).



Cardiac disorders:



Frequency not known: QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias such as torsade de pointes, ventricular tachycardia, which may result in ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrest, sudden death (see Section 4.4).



Vascular disorders:



Frequency not known: Cases of venous thromboembolism, including cases of pulmonary embolism and cases of deep vein thrombosis have been reported with antipsychotic drugs.



Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:



Frequency not known: Angioedema, urticaria



Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions:



Frequency not known: Drug withdrawal syndrome neonatal (see section 4.6)



4.9 Overdose



Experience with Solian in overdosage is limited. Exaggeration of the known pharmacological effects of the drug have been reported. These include drowsiness and sedation, coma, hypotension and extrapyramidal symptoms. Fatal outcomes have been reported mainly in combination with other psychotropic agents.



In cases of acute overdosage, the possibility of multiple drug intake should be considered.



Since Solian is weakly dialysed, hemodialysis is of no use to eliminate the drug.



There is no specific antidote to Solian.



Appropriate supportive measures should therefore be instituted with close supervision of vital functions including continuous cardiac monitoring due to the risk of prolongation of the QT interval until the patient recovers.



If severe extrapyramidal symptoms occur, anticholinergic agents should be administered.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antipsychotics, ATC code N05A L05



Amisulpride binds selectively with a high affinity to human dopaminergic D2/D3 receptor subtypes whereas it is devoid of affinity for D1, D4 and D5 receptor subtypes.



Unlike classical and atypical neuroleptics, amisulpride has no affinity for serotonin, 1 and cholinergic receptors. In addition, amisulpride does not bind to sigma sites.



In animal studies, at high doses, amisulpride blocks dopamine receptors located in the limbic structures in preference to those in the striatum.



At low doses it preferentially blocks pre-synaptic D2/D3 receptors, producing dopamine release responsible for its disinhibitory effects.



This pharmacological profile explains the clinical efficacy of Solian against both negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



In man, amisulpride shows two absorption peaks: one which is attained rapidly, one hour post-dose and a second between 3 and 4 hours after administration. Corresponding plasma concentrations are 39 ± 3 and 54 ± 4 ng/ml after a 50 mg dose.



The volume of distribution is 5.8 l/kg, plasma protein binding is low (16%) and no drug interactions are suspected.



Absolute bioavailability is 48%. Amisulpride is weakly metabolised: two inactive metabolites, accounting for approximately 4% of the dose, have been identified. There is no accumulation of amisulpride and its pharmacokinetics remain unchanged after the administration of repeated doses. The elimination half-life of amisulpride is approximately 12 hours after an oral dose.



Amisulpride is eliminated unchanged in the urine. Fifty percent of an intravenous dose is excreted via the urine, of which 90% is eliminated in the first 24 hours. Renal clearance is in the order of 20 l/h or 330 ml/min.



A carbohydrate rich meal (containing 68% fluids) significantly decreases the AUCs, Tmax and Cmax of amisulpride but no changes were seen after a high fat meal. However, the significance of these findings in routine clinical use is not known.



Hepatic insufficiency: since the drug is weakly metabolised a dosage reduction should not be necessary in patients with hepatic insufficiency.



Renal insufficiency: The elimination half-life is unchanged in patients with renal insufficiency while systemic clearance is reduced by a factor of 2.5 to 3. The AUC of amisulpride in mild renal failure increased two fold and almost tenfold in moderate renal failure (see chapter 4.2). Experience is however limited and there is no data with doses greater than 50 mg.



Amisulpride is very weakly dialysed.



Limited pharmacokinetic data in elderly subjects (> 65 years) show that a 10-30 % rise occurs in Cmax, T1/2 and AUC after a single oral dose of 50 mg. No data are available after repeat dosing.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



An overall review of the completed safety studies indicates that Solian is devoid of any general, organ-specific, teratogenic, mutagenic or carcinogenic risk. Changes observed in rats and dogs at doses below the maximum tolerated dose are either pharmacological effects or are devoid of major toxicological significance under these conditions. Compared with the maximum recommended dosages in man, maximum tolerated doses are 2 and 7 times greater in the rat (200 mg/kg/d) and dog (120 mg/kg/d) respectively in terms of AUC. No carcinogenic risk, relevant to man, was identified in the rat at up to 1.5 to 4.5 times the expected human AUC.



A mouse carcinogenicity study (120 mg/kg/d) and reproductive studies (160, 300 and 500 mg/kg/d respectively in rat, rabbit and mouse) were performed. The exposure of the animals to amisulpride during these latter studies was not evaluated.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Sodium starch glycolate, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate.



6.2 Incompatibilities



None known.



6.3 Shelf Life



3 years



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



No special precautions.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



PVC/aluminium foil blister packs containing 60 tablets



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



No special precautions



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Sanofi-aventis



One Onslow Street



Guildford



Surrey



GU1 4YS



UK



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 04425/0652



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



7 February 2009



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



7 November 2011



LEGAL STATUS


POM




Isopto Carpina




Isopto Carpina may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Isopto Carpina



Pilocarpine

Pilocarpine hydrochloride (a derivative of Pilocarpine) is reported as an ingredient of Isopto Carpina in the following countries:


  • Argentina

  • Spain

International Drug Name Search

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Gabapentin 300 mg capsules (Aurobindo Pharma Ltd)





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



Gabapentin 300 mg capsules, hard


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Each 300 mg hard capsule contains 300 mg gabapentin.



For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Capsule, hard



Gabapentin 300 mg capsules, hard, imprinted with 'D' on yellow cap and '03' on yellow body, containing white to off-white crystalline powder.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Epilepsy



Gabapentin is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures with and without secondary generalization in adults and children aged 6 years and above (see section 5.1).



Gabapentin is indicated as monotherapy in the treatment of partial seizures with and without secondary generalization in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and above.



Treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain



Gabapentin is indicated for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain such as painful diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia in adults.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



For oral use.



Gabapentin can be given with or without food and should be swallowed whole with sufficient fluid intake (e.g. a glass of water).



For all indications a titration scheme for the initiation of therapy is described in Table 1, which is recommended for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and above. Dosing instructions for children under 12 years of age are provided under a separate sub-heading later in this section.



Table 1:



Dosing Chart – Initial Titration



Day 1 – 300 mg once a day



Day 2 – 300 mg two times a day



Day 3 - 300 mg three times a day



Discontinuation of gabapentin



In accordance with current clinical practice, if gabapentin has to be discontinued it is recommended this should be done gradually over a minimum of 1 week independent of the indication.



Epilepsy



Epilepsy typically requires long-term therapy. Dosage is determined by the treating physician according to individual tolerance and efficacy.



Adults and adolescents:



In clinical trials, the effective dosing range was 900 to 3600 mg/day. Therapy may be initiated by titrating the dose as described in Table 1 or by administering 300 mg three times a day (TID) on Day 1. Thereafter, based on individual patient response and tolerability, the dose can be further increased in 300 mg/day increments every 2-3 days up to a maximum dose of 3600 mg/day. Slower titration of gabapentin dosage may be appropriate for individual patients. The minimum time to reach a dose of 1800 mg/day is one week, to reach 2400 mg/day is a total of 2 weeks, and to reach 3600 mg/day is a total of 3 weeks. Dosages up to 4800 mg/day have been well tolerated in long-term open-label clinical studies. The total daily dose should be divided in three single doses, the maximum time interval between the doses should not exceed 12 hours to prevent breakthrough convulsions.



Children aged 6 years and above:



The starting dose should range from 10 to 15 mg/kg/day and the effective dose is reached by upward titration over a period of approximately three days. The effective dose of gabapentin in children aged 6 years and older is 25 to 35 mg/kg/day. Dosages up to 50 mg/kg/day have been well tolerated in a long-term clinical study. The total daily dose should be divided in three single doses, the maximum time interval between doses should not exceed 12 hours.



It is not necessary to monitor gabapentin plasma concentrations to optimize gabapentin therapy. Further, gabapentin may be used in combination with other antiepileptic medicinal products without concern for alteration of the plasma concentrations of gabapentin or serum concentrations of other antiepileptic medicinal products.



Peripheral neuropathic pain



Adults



The therapy may be initiated by titrating the dose as described in Table 1. Alternatively, the starting dose is 900 mg/day given as three equally divided doses. Thereafter, based on individual patient response and tolerability, the dose can be further increased in 300 mg/day increments every 2-3 days up to a maximum dose of 3600 mg/day. Slower titration of gabapentin dosage may be appropriate for individual patients. The minimum time to reach a dose of 1800 mg/day is one week, to reach 2400 mg/day is a total of 2 weeks, and to reach 3600 mg/day is a total of 3 weeks.



In the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain such as painful diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia, efficacy and safety have not been examined in clinical studies for treatment periods longer than 5 months. If a patient requires dosing longer than 5 months for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, the treating physician should assess the patient's clinical status and determine the need for additional therapy.



Instruction for all areas of indication



In patients with poor general health, i.e., low body weight, after organ transplantation etc., the dose should be titrated more slowly, either by using smaller dosage strengths or longer intervals between dosage increases.



Use in elderly patients (over 65 years of age)



Elderly patients may require dosage adjustment because of declining renal function with age (see Table 2). Somnolence, peripheral oedema and asthenia may be more frequent in elderly patients.



Use in patients with renal impairment



Dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with compromised renal function as described in Table 2 and/or those undergoing haemodialysis. Gabapentin 100 mg capsules can be used to follow dosing recommendations for patients with renal insufficiency.




















Table 2


 


Dosage of Gabapentin in adults based on renal function


 


Creatinine Clearance (ml/min)




Total daily dosea (mg/day)







900-3600




50-79




600-1800




30-49




300-900




15-29




150b-600




< 15c




150b-300



a Total daily dose should be administered as three divided doses. Reduced dosages are for patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 79 ml/min).



b To be administered as 300 mg every other day.



c For patients with creatinine clearance <15 ml/min, the daily dose should be reduced in proportion to creatinine clearance (e.g., patients with a creatinine clearance of 7.5 ml/min should receive one-half the daily dose that patients with a creatinine clearance of 15 ml/min receive).



Use in patients undergoing haemodialysis



For anuric patients undergoing haemodialysis who have never received gabapentin, a loading dose of 300 to 400 mg, then 200 to 300 mg of gabapentin following each 4 hours of haemodialysis, is recommended. On dialysis-free days, there should be no treatment with gabapentin.



For renally impaired patients undergoing haemodialysis, the maintenance dose of gabapentin should be based on the dosing recommendations found in Table 2. In addition to the maintenance dose, an additional 200 to 300 mg dose following each 4-hour haemodialysis treatment is recommended.



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to gabapentin or to any of the excipients.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Suicidal ideation and behaviour have been reported in patients treated with anti-epileptic agents in several indications. A meta-analysis of randomised placebo controlled trials of anti-epileptic drugs has also shown a small increased risk of suicidal ideation and behaviour. The mechanism of this risk is not known and the available data do not exclude the possibility of an increased risk for gabapentin



Therefore patients should be monitored for signs of suicidal ideation and behaviours and appropriate treatment should be considered. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be advised to seek medical advice should signs of suicidal ideation or behaviour emerge



If a patient develops acute pancreatitis under treatment with gabapentin, discontinuation of gabapentin should be considered (see section 4.8).



Although there is no evidence of rebound seizures with gabapentin, abrupt withdrawal of anticonvulsant agents in epileptic patients may precipitate status epilepticus (see section 4.2).



As with other antiepileptic medicinal products, some patients may experience an increase in seizure frequency or the onset of new types of seizures with gabapentin.



As with other anti-epileptics, attempts to withdraw concomitant anti-epileptics in treatment refractive patients on more than one anti-epileptic, in order to reach gabapentin monotherapy have a low success rate.



Gabapentin is not considered effective against primary generalized seizures such as absences and may aggravate these seizures in some patients. Therefore, gabapentin should be used with caution in patients with mixed seizures including absences.



No systematic studies in patients 65 years or older have been conducted with gabapentin. In one double blind study in patients with neuropathic pain, somnolence, peripheral oedema and asthenia occurred in a somewhat higher percentage in patients aged 65 years or above, than in younger patients. Apart from these findings, clinical investigations in this age group do not indicate an adverse event profile different from that observed in younger patients.



The effects of long-term (greater than 36 weeks) gabapentin therapy on learning, intelligence, and development in children and adolescents have not been adequately studied. The benefits of prolonged therapy must therefore be weighed against the potential risks of such therapy.



Laboratory tests



False positive readings may be obtained in the semi-quantitative determination of total urine protein by dipstick tests. It is therefore recommended to verify such a positive dipstick test result by methods based on a different analytical principle such as the Biuret method, turbidimetric or dye-binding methods, or to use these alternative methods from the beginning.



Notice: The HDPE bottle contains desiccant. Do not swallow.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



In a study involving healthy volunteers (N=12), when a 60 mg controlled-release morphine capsule was administered 2 hours prior to a 600 mg gabapentin capsule, mean gabapentin AUC increased by 44% compared to gabapentin administered without morphine. Therefore, patients should be carefully observed for signs of CNS depression, such as somnolence, and the dose of gabapentin or morphine should be reduced appropriately.



No interaction between gabapentin and phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid, or carbamazepine has been observed.



Gabapentin steady-state pharmacokinetics are similar for healthy subjects and patients with epilepsy receiving these anti-epileptic agents.



Coadministration of gabapentin with oral contraceptives containing norethindrone and/or ethinyl estradiol, does not influence the steady-state pharmacokinetics of either component.



Coadministration of gabapentin with antacids containing aluminium and magnesium, reduces gabapentin bioavailability up to 24%. It is recommended that gabapentin be taken at the earliest two hours following antacid administration.



Renal excretion of gabapentin is unaltered by probenecid.



A slight decrease in renal excretion of gabapentin that is observed when it is coadministered with cimetidine is not expected to be of clinical importance.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Risk related to epilepsy and antiepileptic medicinal products in general



The risk of birth defects is increased by a factor of 2 – 3 in the offspring of mothers treated with an antiepileptic medicinal product. Most frequently reported are cleft lip, cardiovascular malformations and neural tube defects. Multiple antiepileptic drug therapy may be associated with a higher risk of congenital malformations than monotherapy, therefore it is important that monotherapy is practiced whenever possible. Specialist advice should be given to women who are likely to become pregnant or who are of childbearing potential and the need for antiepileptic treatment should be reviewed when a woman is planning to become pregnant. No sudden discontinuation of antiepileptic therapy should be undertaken as this may lead to breakthrough seizures, which could have serious consequences for both mother and child. Developmental delay in children of mothers with epilepsy has been observed rarely. It is not possible to differentiate if the developmental delay is caused by genetic, social factors, maternal epilepsy or the antiepileptic therapy.



Risk related to gabapentin



There are no adequate data from the use of gabapentin in pregnant women.



Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. Gabapentin should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the potential risk to the foetus.



No definite conclusion can be made as to whether gabapentin is associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations when taken during pregnancy, because of epilepsy itself and the presence of concomitant antiepileptic medicinal products during each reported pregnancy.



Gabapentin is excreted in human milk. Because the effect on the breast-fed infant is unknown, caution should be exercised when gabapentin is administered to a breast-feeding mother. Gabapentin should be used in breast-feeding mothers only if the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



Gabapentin may have minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Gabapentin acts on the central nervous system and may cause drowsiness, dizziness or other related symptoms. Even, if they were only of mild or moderate degree, these undesirable effects could be potentially dangerous in patients driving or operating machinery. This is especially true at the beginning of the treatment and after increase in dose.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



The adverse reactions observed during clinical studies conducted in epilepsy (adjunctive and monotherapy) and neuropathic pain have been provided in a single list below by class and frequency [very common (



Additional reactions reported from post-marketing experience are included as frequency Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data) in italics in the list below.



Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.






















































































































Infections and infestations


 


Very Common:




Viral infection




Common:




Pneumonia, respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, infection, otitis media




Blood and the lymphatic system disorders


 


Common:




leucopenia




Not known:




thrombocytopenia




Immune system disorders


 


Uncommon:




allergic reactions (e.g. urticaria)




Not known:




hypersensitivity syndrome, a systemic reaction with a variable presentation that can include fever, rash, hepatitis, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia, and sometimes other signs and symptoms




Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders


 


Common:




anorexia, increased appetite




Psychiatric disorders


 


Common:




hostility, confusion and emotional lability, depression, anxiety, nervousness, thinking abnormal




Not known:




hallucinations




Nervous system disorders


 


Very Common:




somnolence, dizziness, ataxia,




Common:




convulsions, hyperkinesias, dysarthria, amnesia, tremor, insomnia, headache, sensations such as paresthesia, hypaesthesia, coordination abnormal, nystagmus, increased, decreased, or absent reflexes




Uncommon:




hypokinesia




Not known:




other movement disorders (e.g. choreoathetosis, dyskinesia, dystonia)




Eye disorders


 


Common:




visual disturbances such as amblyopia, diplopia




Ear and Labyrinth disorders


 


Common:




vertigo




Not known:




tinnitus




Cardiac disorders


 


Uncommon:




palpitations




Vascular disorder


 


Common:




hypertension, vasodilatation




Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders


 


Common:




dyspnoea, bronchitis, pharyngitis, cough, rhinitis




Gastrointestinal disorders


 


Common:




vomiting, nausea, dental abnormalities, gingivitis, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation, dry mouth or throat, flatulence




Not known:




pancreatitis




Hepatobiliary disorders


 


Not known:




hepatitis, jaundice




Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders


 


Common:




facial oedema, purpura most often described as bruises resulting from physical trauma, rash, pruritus, acne




Not known:




Stevens-Johnson syndrome, angioedema, erythema multiforme, alopecia




Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders


 


Common:




arthralgia, myalgia, back pain, twitching




Not known:




myoclonus




Renal and urinary disorders


 


Not known:




acute renal failure, incontinence




Reproductive system and breast disorders


 


Common:




impotence




Not known:




breast hypertrophy, gynaecomastia




General disorders and administration site conditions


 


Very Common:




fatigue, fever




Common:




peripheral oedema, abnormal gait, asthenia, pain, malaise, flu syndrome




Uncommon:




generalized oedema




Not known:




withdrawal reactions (mostly anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pains, sweating), chest pain. Sudden unexplained deaths have been reported where a causal relationship to treatment with gabapentin has not been established.




Investigations


 


Common:




WBC (white blood cell count) decreased, weight gain




Uncommon:




elevated liver function tests SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT) and bilirubin




Not known:




blood glucose fluctuations in patients with diabetes




Injury and poisoning


 


Common:




accidental injury, fracture, abrasion



Under treatment with gabapentin cases of acute pancreatitis were reported. Causality with gabapentin is unclear (see section 4.4).



In patients on haemodialysis due to end-stage renal failure, myopathy with elevated creatine kinase levels has been reported.



Respiratory tract infections, otitis media, convulsions and bronchitis were reported only in clinical studies in children. Additionally, in clinical studies in children, aggressive behaviour and hyperkinesias were reported commonly.



4.9 Overdose



Acute, life-threatening toxicity has not been observed with gabapentin overdoses of up to 49 g. Symptoms of the overdoses included dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, drowsiness, lethargy and mild diarrhoea. All patients recovered fully with supportive care. Reduced absorption of gabapentin at higher doses may limit drug absorption at the time of overdosing and, hence, minimize toxicity from overdoses.



Overdoses of gabapentin, particularly in combination with other CNS depressant medications, may result in coma.



Although gabapentin can be removed by haemodialysis, based on prior experience it is not usually required. However, in patients with severe renal impairment, haemodialysis may be indicated.



An oral lethal dose of gabapentin was not identified in mice and rats given doses as high as 8000 mg/kg. Signs of acute toxicity in animals included ataxia, laboured breathing, ptosis, hypoactivity, or excitation.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other Antiepileptics



ATC code: N03AX12



The precise mechanism of action of gabapentin is not known.



Gabapentin is structurally related to the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) but its mechanism of action is different from that of several other active substances that interact with GABA synapses including valproate, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, GABA transaminase inhibitors, GABA uptake inhibitors, GABA agonists, and GABA prodrugs. In vitro studies with radiolabeled gabapentin have characterized a novel peptide binding site in rat brain tissues including neocortex and hippocampus that may relate to anticonvulsant and analgesic activity of gabapentin and its structural derivatives.



The binding site for gabapentin has been identified as the alpha2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels.



Gabapentin at relevant clinical concentrations does not bind to other common drug or neurotransmitter receptors of the brain including GABAA, GABAB, benzodiazepine, glutamate, glycine or N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors.



Gabapentin does not interact with sodium channels in vitro and so differs from phenytoin and carbamazepine. Gabapentin partially reduces responses to the glutamate agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) in some test systems in vitro, but only at concentrations greater than 100 µM, which are not achieved in vivo. Gabapentin slightly reduces the release of monoamine neurotransmitters in vitro.



Gabapentin administration to rats increases GABA turnover in several brain regions in a manner similar to valproate sodium, although in different regions of brain. The relevance of these various actions of gabapentin to the anticonvulsant effects remains to be established. In animals, gabapentin readily enters the brain and prevents seizures from maximal electroshock, from chemical convulsants including inhibitors of GABA synthesis, and in genetic models of seizures.



A clinical trial of adjunctive treatment of partial seizures in paediatric subjects, ranging in age from 3 to 12 years, showed a numerical but not statistically significant difference in the 50% responder rate in favour of the gabapentin group compared to placebo. Additional post-hoc analyses of the responder rates by age did not reveal a statistically significant effect of age, either as a continuous or dichotomous variable (age groups 3-5 and 6-12 years).



The data from this additional post-hoc analysis are summarised in the table below:




















Response (


   


Age category




Placebo




Gabapentin




P-value




< 6 Years Old




4/21 (19.0%)




4/17 (23.5%)




0.7362




6 to 12 Years Old




17/99 (17.2%)




20/96 (20.8%)




0.5144



*The modified intent to treat population was defined as all patients randomised to study medication who also had evaluable seizure diaries available for 28 days during both the baseline and double-blind phases.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Absorption



Following oral administration, peak plasma gabapentin concentrations are observed within 2 to 3 hours.



Gabapentin bioavailability (fraction of dose absorbed) tends to decrease with increasing dose. Absolute bioavailability of a 300 mg capsule is approximately 60%.



Food, including a high-fat diet, has no clinically significant effect on gabapentin pharmacokinetics.



Gabapentin pharmacokinetics are not affected by repeated administration. Although plasma gabapentin concentrations were generally between 2 µg/ml and 20 µg/ml in clinical studies, such concentrations were not predictive of safety or efficacy. Pharmacokinetic parameters are given in Table 3.



Table 3



Summary of gabapentin mean (%CV) steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters following every eight hours administration





















































Pharmacokinetic parameter




300 mg (N = 7)




400 mg (N = 14)




800 mg (N = 14)


   


Mean




% CV




Mean




% CV




Mean




% CV


 


Cmax (µg/ml)




4.02




(24)




5.74




(38)




8.71




(29)




Tmax (hr)




2.7




(18)




2.1




(54)




1.6




(76)




T1/2 (hr)




5.2




(12)




10.8




(89)




10.6




(41)




AUC0-t (µg.hr/ml)




24.8




(24)




34.5




(34)




51.4




(27)




Ae% (%)




NA




NA




47.2




(25)




34.4




(37)



Cmax = Maximum steady state plasma concentration



tmax = Time for Cmax



T1/2 = Elimination half-life



AUC(0-8) = Steady state area under plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to 8 hours postdose



Ae% = Percent of dose excreted unchanged into the urine from time 0 to 8 hours postdose



NA = Not available



Distribution



Gabapentin is not bound to plasma proteins and has a volume of distribution equal to 57.7 litres. In patients with epilepsy, gabapentin concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are approximately 20% of corresponding steady-state trough plasma concentrations. Gabapentin is present in the breast milk of breast-feeding women.



Metabolism



There is no evidence of gabapentin metabolism in humans. Gabapentin does not induce hepatic mixed function oxidase enzymes responsible for drug metabolism.



Elimination



Gabapentin is eliminated unchanged solely by renal excretion. The elimination half-life of gabapentin is independent of dose and averages 5 to 7 hours.



In elderly patients, and in patients with impaired renal function, gabapentin plasma clearance is reduced. Gabapentin elimination-rate constant, plasma clearance, and renal clearance are directly proportional to creatinine clearance.



Gabapentin is removed from plasma by haemodialysis. Dosage adjustment in patients with compromised renal function or undergoing haemodialysis is recommended (see section 4.2).



Gabapentin pharmacokinetics in children were determined in 50 healthy subjects between the ages of 1 month and 12 years. In general, plasma gabapentin concentrations in children > 5 years of age are similar to those in adults when dosed on a mg/kg basis.



Linearity/Non-linearity



Gabapentin bioavailability (fraction of dose absorbed) decreases with increasing dose which imparts non-linearity to pharmacokinetic parameters which include the bioavailability parameter (F) e.g. Ae%, CL/F, Vd/F. Elimination pharmacokinetics (pharmacokinetic parameters which do not include F such as CLr and T1/2), are best described by linear pharmacokinetics. Steady state plasma gabapentin concentrations are predictable from single-dose data.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



Carcinogenesis



Gabapentin was given in the diet to mice at 200, 600, and 2000 mg/kg/day and to rats at 250, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day for two years. A statistically significant increase in the incidence of pancreatic acinar cell tumors was found only in male rats at the highest dose. Peak plasma drug concentrations in rats at 2000 mg/kg/day are 10 times higher than plasma concentrations in humans given 3600 mg/day. The pancreatic acinar cell tumors in male rats are low-grade malignancies, did not affect survival, did not metastasize or invade surrounding tissue, and were similar to those seen in concurrent controls. The relevance of these pancreatic acinar cell tumors in male rats to carcinogenic risk in humans is unclear.



Mutagenesis



Gabapentin demonstrated no genotoxic potential. It was not mutagenic in vitro in standard assays using bacterial or mammalian cells. Gabapentin did not induce structural chromosome aberrations in mammalian cells in vitro or in vivo, and did not induce micronucleus formation in the bone marrow of hamsters.



Impairment of Fertility



No adverse effects on fertility or reproduction were observed in rats at doses up to 2000 mg/kg (approximately five times the maximum daily human dose on a mg/m2 of body surface area basis).



Teratogenesis



Gabapentin did not increase the incidence of malformations, compared to controls, in the offspring of mice, rats, or rabbits at doses up to 50, 30 and 25 times respectively, the daily human dose of 3600 mg, (four, five or eight times, respectively, the human daily dose on a mg/m2 basis).



Gabapentin induced delayed ossification in the skull, vertebrae, forelimbs, and hindlimbs in rodents, indicative of fetal growth retardation. These effects occurred when pregnant mice received oral doses of 1000 or 3000 mg/kg/day during organogenesis and in rats given 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg prior to and during mating and throughout gestation. These doses are approximately 1 to 5 times the human dose of 3600 mg on a mg/m2 basis.



No effects were observed in pregnant mice given 500 mg/kg/day (approximately 1/2 of the daily human dose on a mg/m2 basis).



An increased incidence of hydroureter and/or hydronephrosis was observed in rats given 2000 mg/kg/day in a fertility and general reproduction study, 1500 mg/kg/day in a teratology study, and 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day in a perinatal and postnatal study. The significance of these findings is unknown, but they have been associated with delayed development. These doses are also approximately 1 to 5 times the human dose of 3600 mg on a mg/m2 basis.



In a teratology study in rabbits, an increased incidence of post-implantation fetal loss, occurred in doses given 60, 300, and 1500 mg/kg/day during organogenesis. These doses are approximately 1/4 to 8 times the daily human dose of 3600 mg on a mg/m2 basis.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Capsule Fill:



Maize starch



Talc



Capsule Shell:



Yellow iron oxide (E172)



Titanium dioxide (E171)



Sodium lauril sulfate



gelatin



Printing ink



Shellac



Propylene glycol



Black iron oxide



Potassium hydroxide



6.2 Incompatibilities



Not applicable.



6.3 Shelf Life



2 years.



In use shelf life for HDPE bottle pack: 30 days



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Store below 25°C.



Blister pack: Store in the original package.



HDPE bottle pack: Store in the original container.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



Blister pack of Polyamide/Aluminium /PVC and Aluminium foil:



10, 20, 30, 50, 60, 90, 100 and 200 capsules, hard.



HDPE bottle with polypropylene cap containing silica gel desiccant:



100, 200 and 1000 capsules, hard.



Not all pack sizes may be marketed



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



No special requirements.



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Milpharm Limited



Ares, Odyssey Business Park



West End Road, South Ruislip HA4 6QD



United Kingdom



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 16363/0286



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



23/12/2010



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



07/05/2011