Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Robitussin Chesty Cough with Congestion





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



Robitussin Chesty Cough with Congestion


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Guaifenesin, 100mg per 5ml



Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride, 30mg per 5ml



For full list of excipients see section 6.1



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Pale pink clear liquid for oral administration.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Nasal decongestant and expectorant for the symptomatic relief of respiratory tract disorders.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Oral Administration.



Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years: One 10ml measure up to four times daily.



Children under 12 years: Do not use.



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.



Use in patients with ischaemic heart disease, thyrotoxicosis, glaucoma, diabetes, enlargement of the prostate or urinary retention.



Patients taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or for 14 days after stopping the MAOI drug. (See section 4.5).



Use in children under 12 years of age.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Sympathomimetics (such as pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) may occasionally cause an increase in blood pressure when used in combination with other sympathimometics and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and therefore special care is advisable in patients receiving antihypertensive therapy (See section 4.5).



Causes of chronic cough should be excluded if symptoms are persistent. Any accompanying symptoms should be actively sought and appropriately investigated/ treated.



Stop use and ask your healthcare professional if your cough lasts more than 7 days, comes back or is accompanied by a fever, rash or persistent headache.



Keep out of reach and sight of children



Do not exceed recommended dose.



Excipient warnings:



- Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicine because this product contains Sorbitol and Maltitol.



- This product contains Amaranth (E123), which may cause allergic reactions.



- This medicinal product contains 2.7 % w/v ethanol (alcohol), up to 214 mg per dose (equivalent to approx 2 ml wine per dose). Harmful for those suffering from alcoholism. To be taken into account in pregnant or breast-feeding women and high-risk groups such as patients with liver disease, or epilepsy.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Not to be used in patients taking monoamine inhibitors or within 14 days of stopping treatment as there is a risk of hypertensive crisis when MOAI are taken in combination with sympathomimetics.



An increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias may occur if sympathomimetics are given to patients receiving cardiac glycosides.



Concomitant use of pseudoephedrine-containing products in very high doses with other sympathomimetic agents such as decongestants, inhaled beta-agonists or tricyclic antidepressants may occasionally cause a rise in blood pressure.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Pregnancy



Guaifenesin:



Although adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not been done, the Collaborative Perinatal Project monitored 197 mother-child pairs exposed to guaifenesin during the first trimester. An increased occurrence of inguinal hernias was found in the neonates. However, congenital defects were not strongly associated with guaifenesin use during pregnancy in 2 large groups of mother-child pairs.



Pseudoephedrine:



Data on pregnancy outcomes after maternal exposure to pseudoephedrine are limited. Two analyses of health maintenance organsation pharmacy data identified 9 malformed infants among 902 first-trimester pseudoephedrine exposures suggesting no specific association with birth defects overall. However the related compounds epinephrine, ephedrine and phenylephrine have been associated with haemorrhages and cardiovascular and limb malformations in animal models. The vasoconstrictive effects of these drugs may indicate that their use in early pregnancy might increases the risk of vascular disruption defects.



Breastfeeding:



Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine are excreted in breast milk in small quantities. It is estimated that 0.5% to 0.7% of a single dose of pseudoephedrine ingested by the mother will be excreted in breast milk over 24 hours.



Caution should therefore be exercised by balancing the potential benefit of treatment against any possible risks.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



No or negligible influence.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



The following side effects may be associated with the use of guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine:




















Immune System Disorders




Hypersensitivity reactions




Psychiatric Disorders




Agitation (anxiety, irritability, nervousness, restlessness), insomnia (sleeplessness), hallucinations




Nervous System Disorders




Dizziness, headache, hyperactivity (psychomotor hyperactivity), cerebral stimulation




Cardiac Disorders




Palpitation, tachycardia




Vascular Disorders




Increased blood pressure




Gastrointestinal Disorders




Nausea, vomiting




Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders




Skin rash, urticaria




Renal and urinary Disorders




Urinary retention



4.9 Overdose



Symptoms:



Guaifenesin overdose: nausea and vomiting.



Pseudoephedrine overdose: Bradycardia, palpitation, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, convulsion (seizure), dizziness, tremor, agitation, insomnia, increased blood pressure.



Treatment:



Appropriate supportive therapy dependent upon individual response to the preparation.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Guaifenesin



Pharmacotherapeutic group: Expectorant



ATC code: RO5CAO3



Guaifenesin has an expectorant action which increases the output of respiratory tract fluid by reducing adhesiveness and surface tension. The increased flow of less viscid secretion promotes ciliary action and facilitates the removal of mucus. This changes a dry unproductive cough to a cough that is more productive and less frequent.



Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride



Pharmacotherapeutic group: Sympathomimetic



ATC code: R01BA02



Pseudoephedrine is a stereoisomer of ephedrine and has a similar action, but has been stated to have less pressor activity and central nervous system effects.



It is a sympathomimetic agent with indirect and direct effects on adrenergic receptors and is an orally effective upper respiratory tract decongestant. It has alpha- and beta-Adrenergic activity and has pronounced stimulating effects on the central nervous system. In therapeutic doses it raises the blood pressure by increasing cardiac output and also by inducing peripheral vasoconstriction.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Guaifenesin is well absorbed from the gastro intestinal tract following oral administration. Guaifenesin has a plasma half-life of approximately 1 hour. It is rapidly hydrolyzed (60% within seven hours) and then excreted in the urine, with beta-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-lactic acid as its major urinary metabolite.



Pseudoephedrine is absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. It is resistant to metabolism by monoamine oxidase and is largely excreted unchanged (55-75%) in the urine together with small amounts of its hepatic metabolite. It has a half-life of several hours; elimination is enhanced and half-life accordingly shorter in acid urine.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



No relevant information additional to that already contained elsewhere in the SPC.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Glycerol



Carmellose Sodium



Disodium Edetate



Sodium Benzoate (E211)



Sodium Cyclamate



Amaranth (E123)



Ethanol (96%)



Levomenthol



Maltitol (E965)



Sorbitol Solution 70%



Natural Cherry Flavouring



Citric Acid Anhydrous



Caramel (E150)



Acesulfame Potassium



Purified Water.



6.2 Incompatibilities



Not applicable



6.3 Shelf Life



36 months



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Do not store above 25°C.



Keep out of the sight and reach of children.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



PET bottles containing 100ml with PET lined PP/HDPE screw caps.



A clear polypropylene measuring cap also included.



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



No special requirements.



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Ltd



Ramsgate Road



Sandwich



Kent



CT13 9NJ



United Kingdom



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 00165/0098



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



1 September 1993



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



October 2011




Rythmodan Injection





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



Rythmodan Injection.


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Each glass ampoule contains 12.88mg disopyramide phosphate (equivalent to 10mg of disopyramide) per 1ml of solution.



For excipients, see section 6.1.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Intravenous.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Conversion of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction, including patients not responding to lignocaine or other intravenous treatment.



Control of ventricular and atrial extrasystoles, supraventricular tachycardia, and Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome.



Control of arrhythmias following digitalis or similar glycosides when Rythmodan cannot be given orally.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Route of Administration: Rythmodan Injection is intended for intravenous use only.



Adults



The recommended dosage can be given by two different regimes:



1. An initial direct intravenous injection of 2mg/kg (but not exceeding 150mg (15ml) irrespective of body weight) should be given slowly over not less than five minutes, ie, the rate of injection must not exceed 30mg (3ml) per minute in order to reduce or avoid unwanted haemodynamic effects. If conversion occurs during this time the injection should be stopped. If the arrhythmia is to respond to Rythmodan it will usually do so within 10–15 minutes after completion of the injection.



If conversion is achieved by intravenous Rythmodan but the arrhythmia subsequently recurs, a further slow direct intravenous injection over not less than five minutes may be administered cautiously and preferably under ECG control. The total administration by the intravenous route should not exceed 4mg/kg (maximum 300mg) in the first hour, nor should the combined administration by the intravenous and oral routes exceed 800mg in 24 hours.



2. An initial direct intravenous injection as above, ie over not less than five minutes, maintained by intravenous infusion by drip of 20–30mg/hour (or 0.4mg/kg/hour) up to a maximum of 800mg daily. This regime should be employed if the patient is unable to take oral medication or in particularly serious arrhythmias being treated in coronary care units.



Children



Not applicable.



Rythmodan Injection is not intended for use in children.



Elderly



A dose reduction due to reduced renal and hepatic function in the elderly (especially elderly non-smokers) should be considered (see section 4.4).



4.3 Contraindications



Disopyramide is contra–indicated in un–paced second or third degree atrioventricular block; bundle–branch block associated with first degree atrioventricular block; un-paced bifascicular block; pre-existing long QT syndromes; severe sinus node dysfunction; severe heart failure, unless secondary to cardiac arrhythmia; and hypersensitivity to disopyramide. It is also contra–indicated in concomitant administration with other anti–arrhythmics or other drugs liable to provoke ventricular arrhythmias, especially Torsade de Pointes (see section 4.5). The sustained release formulation is contra–indicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



In view of the serious nature of many of the conditions being treated it is suggested that Rythmodan Injection should only be used when facilities exist for cardiac monitoring or defibrillation, should the need arise.



Antiarrhythmic drugs belonging to the class 1c (Vaughan Williams Classification) were included in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST), a long term multicentre randomised, double blind study in patients with asymptomatic non life–threatening ventricular arrhythmia who had a myocardial infarction more than six days but less than two years previously. A significant increase in mortality and non–fatal cardiac arrest rate was seen in patients treated with class 1c antiarrhythmic drugs when compared with a matched placebo group. The applicability of the CAST results to other antiarrhythmics and other populations (eg. those without recent infarction) is uncertain. At present, it is best to assume that the risk extends to other antiarrhythmic agents for patients with structural heart disease.



There is no evidence that prolonged suppression of ventricular premature contractions with antiarrhythmic drugs prevents sudden death. For this reason, antiarrhythmic drugs should not be prescribed for the treatment of patients with asymptomatic ventricular premature contractions.



All antiarrhythmic drugs can produce unwanted effects when they are used to treat symptomatic but not life threatening arrhythmia; the expected benefits should be balanced against their risks.



In patients with structural heart disease, proarrhythmia and cardiac decompensation are special risks associated with antiarrhythmic drugs. Special caution should be exercised when prescribing in this taken context.



Disopyramide should not be used in patients with uncompensated congestive heart failure, unless this heart failure is secondary to cardiac arrhythmia. If disopyramide is to be given under these circumstances, special care and monitoring are essential.



Life-threatening and haemodynamically significant arrhythmias are difficult to treat and affected patients have a high mortality risk. Treatment of these arrhythmias, by whatever modality, must be initiated in hospital.



Owing to its negative inotropic effect, disopyramide should be used with caution in patients suffering from significant cardiac failure. This group may be specially sensitive to the negative inotropic properties of disopyramide. Such patients should be fully digitalised or controlled with other therapy before treatment with disopyramide is commenced.



Aggravation of existing arrhythmia, or emergence of a new type of arrhythmia, demands urgent review of disopyramide treatment.



Similarly, if an atrioventricular block or a bifascicular block occurs during treatment, the use of disopyramide should be reviewed.



There have been reports of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and Torsade de Pointes in patients receiving disopyramide. These have usually, but not always, been associated with significant widening of the QRS complex or prolonged QT interval. The QT interval and QRS duration must be monitored and disopyramide should be stopped if these are increased by more than 25%. If these changes or arrhythmias develop the drug should be discontinued. Disopyramide should be used with caution in patients with atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia with block as conversion of a partial AV block to a 1:1 response may occur, leading to a potentially more serious tachyarrhythmia.



The occurrence of hypotension following disopyramide administration, requires prompt discontinuation of the drug. This has been observed especially in patients with cardiomyopathy or uncompensated congestive heart failure. Any resumption of therapy should be at a lower dose with close patient monitoring. Disopyramide should be used with caution in the treatment of digitalis intoxication.



Potassium imbalance: Antiarrhythmic drugs may be hazardous in patients with potassium imbalance, as potassium abnormalities can induce arrhythmias.



During treatment with disopyramide, potassium levels should be checked regularly. Patients treated with diuretics or stimulant laxatives are at particular risk of hypokalaemia.



Renal insufficiency: In renal insufficiency, the dosage of disopyramide should be reduced by adjusting the interval between administrations.



Hepatic insufficiency: Hepatic impairment causes an increase in the plasma half–life of Rythmodan and a reduced dosage may be required.



Hypoglycaemia: Hypoglycaemia has been reported in association with disopyramide administration. The risk of hypoglycaemia, sometimes severe, occurs particularly in elderly or malnourished subjects, treated diabetics and patients with renal insufficiency or cardiac failure. Blood sugar levels should be monitored in all patients. Strict adherence to the dosing recommendations is advised. If hypoglycaemia occurs then treatment with disopyramide should be stopped.



Hypoglycaemia may be associated with interactions with drugs metabolised by hepatic CYP3A (see Section 4.5 Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction).



Atropine–like effect: There is a risk of:



- ocular hypertension in patients with narrow–angle glaucoma,



- acute urinary retention in patients with prostatic enlargement,



- aggravation of myasthenia gravis



- cognitive disorders, especially in elderly patients (see also section 4.8).



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Combination with other antiarrhythmic drugs: Combinations of antiarrhythmic drugs are not well researched and their effect may be unpredictable. Thus, antiarrhythmic combination should be avoided except under certain circumstances, eg. beta–blockers for angina pectoris; digoxin with beta–blocker and/or verapamil for the control of atrial fibrillation, when defined as effective for an individual.



Interaction with drugs associated with risk of Torsade de Pointes, such as:



– tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants



– All macrolide antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin etc)



– astemizole; cisapride; pentamidine; pimozide; sparfloxacin; terfenadine and thioridazone.



Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors:



There is evidence that phosphodiesterase Type 5 inhibitors may be potentially associated with a risk of QT prolongation. Concomitant administration of disopyramide with such drugs may potentially enhance this QT prolongation effect and is not recommended.



The concomitant use of these medications whilst undergoing treatment with disopyramide increases the chance of cardiac arrhythmia.



There is some evidence that disopyramide is metabolised by hepatic CYP3A. Concomitant administration of significant inhibitors of this isozyme (e.g. certain macrolide or azole antifungal antibiotics) may therefore increase the serum levels of disopyramide. On the other hand, inducers of CYP3A (e.g. rifampicin and certain anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, primidone and phenobarbital) may reduce disopyramide and increase MN–disopyramide serum levels. Since the magnitude of such potential effects is not foreseeable, such drug combinations are not recommended.



When prescribing a drug metabolised by CYP3A [such as theophylline, HIV protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir), ciclosporin A, warfarin] it should be kept in mind that disopyramide is probably also a substrate of this isozyme and thus competitive inhibition of metabolism might occur, possibly increasing serum levels of these drugs.



Interactions with hypokalaemia inducing drugs: Concomitant use with drugs that can induce hypokalaemia such as: diuretics, amphotericin B, tetracosactide (corticotropin analogue), gluco and mineralo–corticoids may reduce the action of the drug, or potentiate proarrhythmic effects. Stimulant laxatives are not recommended to be given concomitantly, due to their potassium lowering potential.



Other drug interactions:



Atropine and other anticholinergic drugs, including phenothiazines, may potentiate the atropine–like effects of disopyramide.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Pregnancy: Although Rythmodan has undergone animal tests for teratogenicity without evidence of any effect on the developing foetus, its safety in human pregnancy has not been established. Rythmodan has been reported to stimulate contractions of the pregnant uterus. The drug should only be used during pregnancy if benefits clearly outweigh the possible risks to the mother and foetus.



Lactation: No data for Rythmodan Injection, but studies have shown that oral disopyramide is secreted in breast milk, although no adverse effects to the infant have been noted. However, clinical experience is limited and disopyramide should only be used in lactation if, in the clinician's judgement, it is essential for the welfare of the patient. The infant should be closely supervised, particularly for anticholinergic effects and drug levels determined if necessary. Ideally, if the drug is considered essential, an alternative method of feeding should be used.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



Some adverse reactions may impair the patients' ability to concentrate and react, and hence the ability to drive or operate machinery. (See section 4.8).



4.8 Undesirable Effects



Cardiac: It is accepted that the arrhythmogenic potential of disopyramide is weak. However, as with all antiarrhythmic drugs, disopyramide may worsen or provoke arrhythmias. This proarrhythmic effect is more likely to occur in the presence of hypokalemia with the associated use of antiarrhythmic drugs, in patients with severe structural heart disease with prolongation of the QT interval.



Intra–cardiac conduction abnormalities may occur: QT interval prolongation, widening of the QRS complex, atrioventricular block and bundle–branch block.



Other types of arrhythmia have been reported: Bradycardia, sinus block, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes.



Episodes of severe heart failure or even cardiogenic shock have also been described particularly in patients with severe structural heart disease. The resulting low cardiac output can cause hypotension, renal insufficiency and/or acute hepatic ischemia.



Other adverse reactions include:



Atropine-like effects (see also section 4.4):













 


urinary: dysuria; acute urinary retention, especially in prostatism



 


ocular: disorders of accommodation; diplopia



 


gastrointestinal: dry mouth; abdominal pain; nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhoea; constipation



 


impotence



 


cognitive disorders



Psychiatric disorders.



Skin reactions: very rarely, rashes; isolated reports of anaphylactic–type reactions possibly culminating in shock (only reported in association with the injectable formulation).



Rarely: Hypoglycaemia, sometimes severe (see Section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use). In some cases, severe hypoglycaemia resulted in coma.



Very rarely: cholestatic jaundice, headache, dizzy sensation, neutropenia.



Rapid infusion may cause profuse sweating.



4.9 Overdose



There is no specific antidote for disopyramide. Prostigmine derivatives can be used to treat anticholinergic effects. Symptomatic supportive measures may include: early gastric lavage; administration of a cathartic followed by activated charcoal by mouth or stomach tube; IV administration of isoprenaline, other vasopressors and/or positive inotropic agents; if needed - infusion of lactate and/or magnesium, electro–systolic assistance, cardioversion, insertion of an intra–aortic balloon for counterpulsion and mechanically assisted ventilation. Haemodialysis, haemofiltration or haemoperfusion with activated charcoal has been employed to lower the serum concentration of the drug.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Class 1 antiarrhythmic agent.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Following intravenous administration, disopyramide is rapidly distributed. Doses of 1.5–2mg/kg produce plasma levels of about 10microg/ml, declining rapidly to 3.8–4.2microg/ml at 5 minutes and to less than 3microg/ml at 15 minutes.



In multidose studies, direct slow intravenous injection of 2mg/kg followed by an infusion of 20mg/hr, maintained plasma levels of disopyramide between 2.5 and 2.8microg/ml from the first hour onwards.



Distribution T1/2: 2–4 minutes in healthy volunteers. Longer (15 minutes) in patients with acute myocardial infarct.



Elimination Phase Of Plasma T1/2: 5–8 hours. Increased in renal impairment, cardiac and hepatic disease.



Protein Binding: 50–60%. Saturable and concentration dependent.



Volume Of Distribution: Variable according to method of determination



Metabolism: Approximately 25% of a dose metabolised to a mono–n–dealkylated derivative. Additional 10% as other metabolites.



Excretion: 75% unchanged drug via urine, remainder in faeces. Mono–n–dealkylated metabolite 25% in urine, 64% via faeces.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



Not applicable.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Benzyl Alcohol



Sorbitol



Water for Injection.



6.2 Incompatibilities



Not applicable.



6.3 Shelf Life



60 months.



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Store below 25°C



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



Colourless neutral glass ampoules are available as 5ml.



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



Not Applicable.



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Sanofi-aventis



One Onslow Street



Guildford



Surrey GU1 4YS



UK



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 04425/0660



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



Date of first authorisation: 10 March 2010



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



10 March 2010



Legal Status


POM




Risperdal Tablets, Liquid & Quicklet





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



RISPERDAL



RISPERDAL LIQUID



RISPERDAL Quicklet



*Intensive monitoring is requested only when used for the recently licensed indications of short-term treatment of persistent aggression in Alzheimer's dementia and conduct disorder in children


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Film-coated Tablets:



Each film-coated tablet contains 0.5,1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 mg of risperidone



Excipients:



Each 0.5 mg film-coated tablet contains 91 mg lactose



Each 1 mg film-coated tablet contains 131 mg lactose



Each 2 mg film-coated tablet contains 130 mg lactose and 0.05 mg sunset yellow (E110)



Each 3 mg film-coated tablet contains 195 mg lactose



Each 4 mg film-coated tablet contains 260 mg lactose



Each 6 mg film-coated tablet contains 115 mg lactose and 0.01 mg sunset yellow (E110)



Oral Solution:



1 ml oral solution contains 1 mg of risperidone



Orodispersible Tablets:



Each orodispersible tablet contains 0.5,1,2,3 or 4 mg of risperidone



Excipients:



Each 0.5 mg orodispersible tablet contains 0.25 mg aspartame (E951)



Each 1 mg orodispersible tablet contains 0.5 mg aspartame (E951)



Each 2 mg orodispersible tablet contains 0.75 mg aspartame (E951)



Each 3 mg orodispersible tablet contains 1.125 mg aspartame (E951)



Each 4 mg orodispersible tablet contains 1.5 mg aspartame (E951)



For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Film-coated tablet



0.5 mg risperidone as brownish-red half-scored oblong biconvex tablets.



1 mg risperidone as white half-scored oblong tablets.



2 mg risperidone as orange half-scored oblong tablets.



3 mg risperidone as yellow half-scored oblong tablets



4 mg risperidone as green half-scored oblong tablets.



6 mg risperidone as yellow circular biconvex tablets.



The score line is only to facilitate breaking for ease of swallowing and not to divide into equal doses.



Oral solution.



The solution is clear and colourless



Orodispersible tablet



0.5 mg risperidone as light coral, round, biconvex tablets



1 mg risperidone as light coral, square, biconvex tablets



2 mg risperidone as coral, square, biconvex tablets



3 mg risperidone as coral, round, biconvex tablets



4 mg risperidone as coral, round, biconvex tablets



Oro-dispersible tablets are etched on one side with R 0.5, R1, R2, R3, and R4 respectively.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



RISPERDAL is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia.



RISPERDAL is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe manic episodes associated with bipolar disorders.



RISPERDAL is indicated for the short-term treatment (up to 6 weeks) of persistent aggression in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia unresponsive to non-pharmacological approaches and when there is a risk of harm to self or others.



RISPERDAL is indicated for the short-term symptomatic treatment (up to 6 weeks) of persistent aggression in conduct disorder in children from the age of 5 years and adolescents with subaverage intellectual functioning or mental retardation diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, in whom the severity of aggressive or other disruptive behaviours require pharmacologic treatment. Pharmacological treatment should be an integral part of a more comprehensive treatment programme, including psychosocial and educational intervention. It is recommended that risperidone be prescribed by a specialist in child neurology and child and adolescent psychiatry or physicians well familiar with the treatment of conduct disorder of children and adolescents.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Schizophrenia



Adults



RISPERDAL may be given once daily or twice daily.



Patients should start with 2 mg/day risperidone. The dosage may be increased on the second day to 4 mg. Subsequently, the dosage can be maintained unchanged, or further individualised, if needed. Most patients will benefit from daily doses between 4 and 6 mg. In some patients, a slower titration phase and a lower starting and maintenance dose may be appropriate.



Doses above 10 mg/day have not demonstrated superior efficacy to lower doses and may cause increased incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms. Safety of doses above 16 mg/day has not been evaluated, and are therefore not recommended.



Elderly



A starting dose of 0.5 mg twice daily is recommended. This dosage can be individually adjusted with 0.5 mg twice daily increments to 1 to 2 mg twice daily.



Paediatric population



Risperidone is not recommended for use in children below age 18 with schizophrenia due to a lack of data on efficacy.



Manic episodes in bipolar disorder



Adults



RISPERDAL should be administered on a once daily schedule, starting with 2 mg risperidone. Dosage adjustments, if indicated, should occur at intervals of not less than 24 hours and in dosage increments of 1 mg per day. Risperidone can be administered in flexible doses over a range of 1 to 6 mg per day to optimize each patient's level of efficacy and tolerability. Daily doses over 6 mg risperidone have not been investigated in patients with manic episodes.



As with all symptomatic treatments, the continued use of RISPERDAL must be evaluated and justified on an ongoing basis.



Elderly



A starting dose of 0.5 mg twice daily is recommended. This dosage can be individually adjusted with 0.5 mg twice daily increments to 1 to 2 mg twice daily. Since clinical experience in elderly is limited, caution should be exercised.



Paediatric population



Risperidone is not recommended for use in children below age 18 with bipolar mania due to a lack of data on efficacy.



Persistent aggression in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia



A starting dose of 0.25 mg twice daily is recommended. This dosage can be individually adjusted by increments of 0.25 mg twice daily, not more frequently than every other day, if needed. The optimum dose is 0.5 mg twice daily for most patients. Some patients, however, may benefit from doses up to 1 mg twice daily.



RISPERDAL should not be used more than 6 weeks in patients with persistent aggression in Alzheimer's dementia. During treatment, patients must be evaluated frequently and regularly, and the need for continuing treatment reassessed.



Conduct disorder



Children and adolescents from 5 to 18 years of age



For subjects



As with all symptomatic treatments, the continued use of RISPERDAL must be evaluated and justified on an ongoing basis.



RISPERDAL is not recommended in children less than 5 years of age, as there is no experience in children less than 5 years of age with this disorder.



Renal and hepatic impairment



Patients with renal impairment have less ability to eliminate the active antipsychotic fraction than in adults with normal renal function. Patients with impaired hepatic function have increases in plasma concentration of the free fraction of risperidone.



Irrespective of the indication, starting and consecutive dosing should be halved, and dose titration should be slower for patients with renal or hepatic impairment.



RISPERDAL should be used with caution in these groups of patients.



Method of administration



RISPERDAL is for oral use. Food does not affect the absorption of RISPERDAL.



Upon discontinuation, gradual withdrawal is advised. Acute withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, sweating, and insomnia have very rarely been described after abrupt cessation of high doses of antipsychotic medicines (see section 4.8). Recurrence of psychotic symptoms may also occur, and the emergence of involuntary movement disorders (such as akathisia, dystonia and dyskinesia) has been reported.



Switching from other antipsychotics.



When medically appropriate, gradual discontinuation of the previous treatment while RISPERDAL therapy is initiated is recommended. Also, if medically appropriate, when switching patients from depot antipsychotics, initiate RISPERDAL therapy in place of the next scheduled injection. The need for continuing existing anti-Parkinson medicines should be re-evaluated periodically.



RISPERDAL oral solution:



For instructions on handling RISPERDAL oral solution see section 6.6.



RISPERDAL orodispersible tablets:



Do not open the blister until ready to administer. Peel open the blister to expose the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil because it may break. Remove the tablet from the blister with dry hands.



Immediately place the tablet on the tongue. The tablet will begin disintegrating within seconds. Water may be used if desired.



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Elderly patients with dementia



Increased mortality in elderly people with dementia



In a meta-analysis of 17 controlled trials of atypical antipsychotic drugs, including RISPERDAL, elderly patients with dementia treated with atypical antipsychotics have an increased mortality compared to placebo. In placebo-controlled trials with oral RISPERDAL in this population, the incidence of mortality was 4.0% for RISPERDAL-treated patients compared to 3.1% for placebo-treated patients. The odds ratio (95% exact confidence interval) was 1.21 (0.7, 2.1). The mean age (range) of patients who died was 86 years (range 67-100). Data from two large observational studies showed that elderly people with dementia who are treated with conventional antipsychotics are also 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. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear.



Concomitant use with furosemide



In the RISPERDAL placebo-controlled trials in elderly patients with dementia, a higher incidence of mortality was observed in patients treated with furosemide plus risperidone (7.3%; mean age 89 years, range 75-97) when compared to patients treated with risperidone alone (3.1%; mean age 84 years, range 70-96) or furosemide alone (4.1%; mean age 80 years, range 67-90). The increase in mortality in patients treated with furosemide plus risperidone was observed in two of the four clinical trials. Concomitant use of risperidone with other diuretics (mainly thiazide diuretics used in low dose) was not associated with similar findings.



No pathophysiological mechanism has been identified to explain this finding, and no consistent pattern for cause of death observed. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised and the risks and benefits of this combination or co-treatment with other potent diuretics should be considered prior to the decision to use. There was no increased incidence of mortality among patients taking other diuretics as concomitant treatment with risperidone. Irrespective of treatment, dehydration was an overall risk factor for mortality and should therefore be carefully avoided in elderly patients with dementia.



Cerebrovascular Adverse Events (CVAE)



An approximately 3-fold increased risk of cerebrovascular adverse events have been seen in randomised placebo controlled clinical trials in the dementia population with some atypical antipsychotics. The pooled data from six placebo-controlled studies with RISPERDAL in mainly elderly patients (>65 years of age) with dementia showed that CVAEs (serious and non-serious, combined) occurred in 3.3% (33/1009) of patients treated with risperidone and 1.2% (8/712) of patients treated with placebo. The odds ratio (95% exact confidence interval) was 2.96 (1.34, 7.50). The mechanism for this increased risk is not known. An increased risk cannot be excluded for other antipsychotics or other patient populations. RISPERDAL should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for stroke.



The risk of CVAEs was significantly higher in patients with mixed or vascular type of dementia when compared to Alzheimer's dementia. Therefore, patients with other types of dementias than Alzheimer's should not be treated with risperidone.



Physicians are advised to assess the risks and benefits of the use of RISPERDAL in elderly patients with dementia, taking into account risk predictors for stroke in the individual patient. Patients/caregivers should be cautioned to immediately report signs and symptoms of potential CVAEs such as sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arms or legs, and speech or vision problems. All treatment options should be considered without delay, including discontinuation of risperidone.



RISPERDAL should only be used short term for persistent aggression in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia to supplement non-pharmacological approaches which have had limited or no efficacy and when there is potential risk of harm to self or others.



Patients should be reassessed regularly, and the need for continuing treatment reassessed.



Orthostatic hypotension



Due to the alpha-blocking activity of risperidone, (orthostatic) hypotension can occur, especially during the initial dose-titration period. Clinically significant hypotension has been observed postmarketing with concomitant use of risperidone and antihypertensive treatment. RISPERDAL should be used with caution in patients with known cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure, myocardial infarction, conduction abnormalities, dehydration, hypovolemia, or cerebrovascular disease), and the dosage should be gradually titrated as recommended (see section 4.2). A dose reduction should be considered if hypotension occurs.



Tardive dyskinesia/extrapyramidal symptoms (TD/EPS)



Medicines with dopamine receptor antagonistic properties have been associated with the induction of tardive dyskinesia characterised by rhythmical involuntary movements, predominantly of the tongue and/or face. The onset of extrapyramidal symptoms is a risk factor for tardive dyskinesia. If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear, the discontinuation of all antipsychotics should be considered.



Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)



Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, characterised by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, altered consciousness and elevated serum creatine phosphokinase levels has been reported to occur with antipsychotics. Additional signs may include myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis) and acute renal failure. In this event, all antipsychotics, including RISPERDAL, should be discontinued.



Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies



Physicians should weigh the risks versus the benefits when prescribing antipsychotics, including RISPERDAL, to patients with Parkinson's Disease or Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Parkinson's Disease may worsen with risperidone. Both groups may be at increased risk of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome as well as having an increased sensitivity to antipsychotic medicinal products; these patients were excluded from clinical trials. Manifestation of this increased sensitivity can include confusion, obtundation, postural instability with frequent falls, in addition to extrapyramidal symptoms.



Hyperglycaemia and diabetes mellitus



Hyperglycaemia, diabetes mellitus and exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes have been reported during treatment with RISPERDAL. In some cases, a prior increase in body weight has been reported which may be a predisposing factor. Association with ketoacidosis has been reported very rarely, and rarely with diabetic coma. Appropriate clinical monitoring is advisable in accordance with utilised antipsychotic guidelines. Patients treated with any atypical antipsychotic, including RISPERDAL should be monitored for symptoms of hyperglycaemia (such as polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia and weakness) and patients with diabetes mellitus should be monitored regularly for worsening of glucose control.



Weight gain



Significant weight gain has been reported with RISPERDAL use. Weight should be monitored regularly.



Hyperprolactinaemia



Tissue culture studies suggest that cell growth in human breast tumours may be stimulated by prolactin. Although no clear association with the administration of antipsychotics has so far been demonstrated in clinical and epidemiological studies, caution is recommended in patients with relevant medical history. RISPERDAL should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing hyperprolactinaemia and in patients with possible prolactin-dependent tumours.



QT prolongation



QT prolongation has very rarely been reported postmarketing. As with other antipsychotics, caution should be exercised when risperidone is prescribed in patients with known cardiovascular disease, family history of QT prolongation, bradycardia, or electrolyte disturbances (hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia), as it may increase the risk of arrhythmogenic effects, and in concomitant use with medicines known to prolong the QT interval.



Seizures



RISPERDAL should be used cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or other conditions that potentially lower the seizure threshold.



Priapism



Priapism may occur with RISPERDAL treatment due to its alpha-adrenergic blocking effects.



Body temperature regulation



Disruption of the body's ability to reduce core body temperature has been attributed to antipsychotic medicines. Appropriate care is advised when prescribing RISPERDAL to patients who will be experiencing conditions which may contribute to an elevation in core body temperature, e.g., exercising strenuously, exposure to extreme heat, receiving concomitant treatment with anticholinergic activity, or being subject to dehydration.



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 RISPERDAL and preventative measures undertaken.



Children and adolescents



Before risperidone is prescribed to a child or adolescent with conduct disorder they should be fully assessed for physical and social causes of the aggressive behaviour such as pain or inappropriate environmental demands.



The sedative effect of risperidone should be closely monitored in this population because of possible consequences on learning ability. A change in the time of administration of risperidone could improve the impact of the sedation on attention faculties of children and adolescents.



Risperidone was associated with mean increases in body weight and body mass index (BMI). Changes in height in the long-term open-label extension studies were within expected age-appropriate norms. The effect of long-term risperidone treatment on sexual maturation and height have not been adequately studied.



Because of the potential effects of prolonged hyperprolactinemia on growth and sexual maturation in children and adolescents, regular clinical evaluation of endocrinological status should be considered, including measurements of height, weight, sexual maturation, monitoring of menstrual functioning, and other potential prolactin-related effects.



During treatment with risperidone regular examination for extrapyramidal symptoms and other movement disorders should also be conducted.



For specific posology recommendations in children and adolescents see Section 4.2.



Excipients



The film-coated tablets contain lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.



The 2 mg and 6 mg film-coated tablets contain sunset yellow (E110). May cause allergic reactions.



The orodispersible tablets contain aspartame. Aspartame is a source of phenylalanine which may be harmful for people with phenylketonuria.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



As with other antipsychotics, caution is advised when prescribing risperidone with medicinal products known to prolong the QT interval, e.g., class Ia antiarrhythmics (e.g., quinidine, dysopiramide, procainamide), class III antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol), tricyclic antidepressant (i.e., amitriptyline), tetracyclic antidepressants (i.e., maprotiline), some antihistaminics, other antipsychotics, some antimalarials (i.e., chinice and mefloquine), and with medicines causing electrolyte imbalance (hypokalaemia, hypomagnesiaemia), bradycardia, or those which inhibit the hepatic metabolism of risperidone. This list is indicative and not exhaustive.



Potential for RISPERDAL to affect other medicinal products



Risperidone should be used with caution in combination with other centrally-acting substances notably including alcohol, opiates, antihistamines and benzodiazepines due to the increased risk of sedation.



RISPERDAL may antagonise the effect of levodopa and other dopamine agonists. If this combination is deemed necessary, particularly in end-stage Parkinson's disease, the lowest effective dose of each treatment should be prescribed.



Clinically significant hypotension has been observed postmarketing with concomitant use of risperidone and antihypertensive treatment.



RISPERDAL does not show a clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of lithium, valproate, digoxin or topiramate.



Potential for other medicinal products to affect RISPERDAL



Carbamazepine has been shown to decrease the plasma concentrations of the active antipsychotic fraction of risperidone. Similar effects may be observed with e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin and phenobarbital which also induce CYP 3A4 hepatic enzyme as well as P-glycoprotein. When carbamazepine or other CYP 3A4 hepatic enzyme/P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inducers are initiated or discontinued, the physician should re-evaluate the dosing of RISPERDAL.



Fluoxetine and paroxetine, CYP 2D6 inhibitors, increase the plasma concentration of risperidone, but less so of the active antipsychotic fraction. It is expected that other CYP 2D6 inhibitors, such as quinidine, may affect the plasma concentrations of risperidone in a similar way. When concomitant fluoxetine or paroxetine is initiated or discontinued, the physician should re-evaluate the dosing of RISPERDAL.



Verapamil, an inhibitor of CYP 3A4 and P-gp, increases the plasma concentration of risperidone.



Galantamine and donepezil do not show a clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of risperidone and on the active antipsychotic fraction.



Phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, and some beta-blockers may increase the plasma concentrations of risperidone but not those of the active antipsychotic fraction. Amitriptyline does not affect the pharmacokinetics of risperidone or the active antipsychotic fraction. Cimetidine and ranitidine increase the bioavailability of risperidone, but only marginally that of the active antipsychotic fraction. Erythromycin, a CYP 3A4 inhibitor, does not change the pharmacokinetics of risperidone and the active antipsychotic fraction.



The combined use of psychostimulants (e.g., methylphenidate) with RISPERDAL in children and adolescents did not alter the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of RISPERDAL.



See section 4.4 regarding increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia concomitantly receiving furosemide.



Concomitant use of oral RISPERDAL with paliperidone is not recommended as paliperidone is the active metabolite of risperidone and the combination of the two may lead to additive active antipsychotic fraction exposure.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Pregnancy



There are no adequate data from the use of risperidone in pregnant women. According to postmarketing data reversible extrapyramidal symptoms in the neonate were observed following the use of risperidone during the last trimester of pregnancy. Consequently newborns should be monitored carefully. Risperidone was not teratogenic in animal studies but other types of reproductive toxicity were seen (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. Therefore, RISPERDAL should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. If discontinuation during pregnancy is necessary, it should not be done abruptly.



Lactation



In animal studies, risperidone and 9-hydroxy-risperidone are excreted in the milk. It has been demonstrated that risperidone and 9-hydroxy-risperidone are also excreted in human breast milk in small quantities. There are no data available on adverse reactions in breast-feeding infants. Therefore, the advantage of breast-feeding should be weighed against the potential risks for the child.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



RISPERDAL can have minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines due to potential nervous system and visual effects (see section 4.8). Therefore, patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery until their individual susceptibility is known.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (incidence



The following are all the ADRs that were reported in clinical trials and postmarketing. The following terms and frequencies are applied: very common (



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
























































































































































Adverse Drug Reactions by System Organ Class and Frequency


 


Investigations


 


Common




Blood prolactin increaseda, Weight increased




Uncommon




Electrocardiogram QT prolonged, Electrocardiogram abnormal, Transaminases increased, White blood cell count decreased Body temperature increased, Eosinophil count increased, Haemoglobin decreased, Blood creatine phosphokinase increased




Rare




Body temperature decreased




Cardiac disorders


 


Common




Tachycardia




Uncommon




Atrioventricular block, Bundle branch block, Atrial fibrillation, Sinus bradycardia, Palpitations




Blood and lymphatic system disorders


 


Uncommon




Anaemia, Thrombocytopenia




Rare




Granulocytopenia




Not known




Agranulocytosis




Nervous system disorders


 


Very common




Parkinsonismb, Headache




Common




Akathisiab, Dizziness, Tremorb, Dystoniab, Somnolence, Sedation, Lethargy, Dyskinesiab




Uncommon




Unresponsive to stimuli, Loss of consciousness, Syncope, Depressed level of consciousness, Cerebrovascular accident, Transient ischaemic attack, Dysarthria, Disturbance in attention, Hypersomnia, Dizziness postural, Balance disorder, Tardive dyskinesia, Speech disorder, Coordination abnormal, Hypoaesthesia




Rare




Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, Diabetic coma, Cerebrovascular disorder, Cerebral ischaemia, Movement disorder




Eye disorders


 


Common




Vision blurred




Uncommon




Conjunctivitis, Ocular hyperaemia, Eye discharge, Eye swelling, Dry eye, Lacrimation increased, Photophobia




Rare




Visual acuity reduced, Eye rolling, Glaucoma




Ear and labyrinth disorders


 


Uncommon




Ear pain, Tinnitus




Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders


 


Common




Dyspnoea, Epistaxis, Cough, Nasal congestion, Pharyngolaryngeal pain




Uncommon




Wheezing, Pneumonia aspiration, Pulmonary congestion, Respiratory disorder, Rales, Respiratory tract congestion, Dysphonia




Rare




Sleep apnea syndrome, Hyperventilation




Gastrointestinal disorders


 


Common




Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Nausea, Abdominal pain, Dyspepsia, Dry mouth, Stomach discomfort




Uncommon




Dysphagia, Gastritis, Faecal incontinence, Faecaloma




Rare




Intestinal obstruction, Pancreatitis, Lip swelling, Cheilitis




Renal and urinary disorders


 


Common




Enuresis




Uncommon




Urinary retention, Dysuria, Urinary incontinence, Pollakiuria




Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders


 


Common




Rash, Erythema




Uncommon




Angioedema, Skin lesion, Skin disorder, Pruritus, Acne, Skin discolouration, Alopecia, Seborrhoeic dermatitis, Dry skin, Hyperkeratosis




Rare




Dandruff




Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders


 


Common




Arthralgia, Back pain, Pain in extremity




Uncommon




Muscular weakness, Myalgia, Neck pain, Joint swelling, Posture abnormal, Joint stiffness, Musculoskeletal chest pain




Rare




Rhabdomyolysis




Endocrine disorders


 


Rare




Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion




Metabolism and nutrition disorders


 


Common




Increased appetite, Decreased appetite




Uncommon




Diabetes mellitusc, Anorexia, Polydipsia, Hyperglycaemia




Rare




Hypoglycaemia




Very rare




Diabetic ketoacidosis




Not known




Water intoxication




Infections and infestations


 


Common




Pneumonia, Influenza, Bronchitis, Upper respiratory tract infection, Urinary tract infection




Uncommon




Sinusitis, Viral infection, Ear infection, Tonsillitis, Cellulitis, Otitis media, Eye infection, Localised infection, Acarodermatitis, Respiratory tract infection, Cystitis, Onychomycosis




Rare




Otitis media chronic




Vascular disorders


 


Uncommon




Hypotension, Orthostatic hypotension, Flushing




General disorders and administration site conditions


 


Common




Pyrexia, Fatigue, Peripheral oedema, Asthenia, Chest pain




Uncommon




Face oedema, Gait disturbance, Feeling abnormal, Sluggishness, Influenza like illness, Thirst, Chest discomfort, Chills




Rare




Generalised oedema, Hypothermia, Drug withdrawal syndrome, Peripheral coldness




Immune system disorders


 


Uncommon




Hypersensitivity




Rare




Drug hypersensitivity




Not known




Anaphylactic reaction




Hepatobiliary disorders


 


Rare




Jaundice




Reproductive system and breast disorders


 


Uncommon




Amenorrhoea, Sexual dysfunction, Erectile dysfunction, Ejaculation disorder, Galactorrhoea, Gynaecomastia, Menstrual disorder, Vaginal discharge,




Not known




Priapism




Psychiatric disorders


 


Very common




Insomnia




Common




Anxiety, Agitation, Sleep disorder




Uncommon




Confusional state, Mania, Libido decreased, Listless, Nervousness




Rare




Anorgasmia, Blunted affect



a Hyperprolactinemia can in some cases lead to gynaecomastia, menstrual disturbances, amenorrhoea, galactorrhea.



b Extrapyramidal disorder may occur: Parkinsonism (salivary hypersecretion, musculoskeletal stiffness, parkinsonism, drooling, cogwheel rigidity, bradykinesia, hypokinesia, masked facies, muscle tightness, akinesia, nuchal rigidity, muscle rigidity, parkinsonian gait, and glabellar reflex abnormal),akathisia ( akathisia, restlessness, hyperkinesia, and restless leg syndrome), tremor, dyskinesia (dyskinesia, muscle twitching, choreoathetosis, athetosis, and myoclonus), dystonia.



Dystonia includes dystonia, muscle spasms, hypertonia, torticollis, muscle contractions involuntary, muscle contracture, blepharospasm, oculogyration, tongue paralysis, facial spasm, laryngospasm, myotonia, opisthotonus, oropharyngeal spasm, pleurothotonus, tongue spasm, and trismus. Tremor includes tremor and parkinsonian rest tremor. It should be noted that a broader spectrum of symptoms are included, that do not necessarily have an extrapyramidal origin.



cIn placebo-controlled trials diabetes mellitus was reported in 0.18%

RENVELA 2.4 g Powder for oral suspension






RENVELA 2.4 g Powder for oral suspension



sevelamer carbonate



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 further questions, ask your doctor or your 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 Renvela is and what it is used for

  • 2. Before you take Renvela

  • 3. How to take Renvela

  • 4. Possible side effects

  • 5. How to store Renvela

  • 6. Further information




What Renvela Is And What It Is Used For


Renvela contains sevelamer carbonate as the active ingredient. It binds phosphate from food in the digestive tract and so reduces serum phosphorus levels in the blood.


Patients who have kidneys that do not work properly are not able to control the level of serum phosphorus in their blood. The amount of phosphate then rises (your doctor will call this hyperphosphataemia). Increased levels of serum phosphorus can lead to hard deposits in your body called calcification. These deposits can stiffen your blood vessels and make it harder for blood to be pumped around the body. Increased serum phosphorus can also lead to itchy skin, red eyes, bone pain and fractures.




Before You Take Renvela



Do not take Renvela if:


  • you have low levels of phosphate in your blood (your doctor will check this for you)

  • you have bowel obstruction

  • you are allergic (hypersensitive) to the active substance or to any of the other ingredients of the product (see Section 6).



Take special care with Renvela


If any of the following applies to you, please consult your doctor before taking Renvela:


  • swallowing problems

  • problems with motility (movement) in your stomach and bowel

  • being sick frequently

  • active inflammation of the bowel

  • have undergone major surgery on your stomach or bowel.

The safety and efficacy in children (below the age of 18 years) has not been established.


Therefore Renvela is not recommended for use in children.



Additional treatments:


Due to either your kidney condition or your dialysis treatment you may:


  • develop low or high levels of calcium in your blood. Since Renvela does not contain calcium your doctor might prescribe additional calcium tablets.

  • have a low amount of vitamin D in your blood. Therefore, your doctor may monitor the levels of vitamin D in your blood and prescribe additional vitamin D as necessary. If you do not take multivitamin supplements you may also develop low levels of vitamins A, E, K and folic acid in your blood and therefore your doctor may monitor these levels and prescribe supplemental vitamins as necessary.


Special note for patients on peritoneal dialysis:


You may develop peritonitis (infection of your abdominal fluid) associated with your peritoneal dialysis. This risk can be reduced by careful adherence to sterile techniques during bag changes. You should tell your doctor immediately if you experience any new signs or symptoms of abdominal distress, abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, or abdominal rigidity, constipation, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting.


You should expect to be monitored more carefully for problems with low levels of vitamins A, D, E, K and folic acid.




Taking other medicines


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


Renvela should not be taken at the same time as ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic).


If you are taking medicines for heart rhythm problems or for epilepsy, you should consult your doctor when taking Renvela.


The effects of medicines such as ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus (medicines used to suppress the immune system) may be reduced by Renvela. Your doctor will advise you if you are taking these medicines.


Thyroid hormone deficiency may uncommonly be observed in certain people taking levothyroxine (used to treat low thyroid hormone levels) and Renvela. Therefore your doctor may monitor the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone in your blood more closely.


Your doctor will check for interactions between Renvela and other medicines on a regular basis.




Taking Renvela with food and drink


You must take Renvela powder with meals.




Pregnancy and breast-feeding


Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. It is unknown whether Renvela has any affect on unborn babies.


Tell your doctor if you wish to breast-feed your baby. It is unknown whether Renvela may pass through breast milk and affect your baby.


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




Driving and using machines


No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines has been performed. If you are affected, do not drive and do not use any tools or machines.





How To Take Renvela


You must take Renvela as prescribed by your doctor. They will base the dose on your serum phosphorus level.


The 2.4 g powder for oral suspension should be dispersed in 60 ml of water per sachet. Drink within 30 minutes of being prepared. It is important to drink all of the liquid and it may be necessary to rinse the glass with water and drink this as well to ensure that all of the powder is swallowed.


The recommended starting dose of Renvela powder for oral suspension, for adults and the elderly (> 65 years) is one 2.4 g sachet with each meal, 3 times a day.


In some cases where Renvela should be taken at the same time as another medicine. Your doctor may advise you to take this medicine 1 hour before or 3 hours after Renvela intake, or they may consider monitoring the blood levels of that medicine.


Your doctor will check the levels of phosphorus in your blood periodically and they may adjust the dose of Renvela when necessary to reach an adequate phosphate level.



If you take more Renvela than you should


There are no reported overdoses in patients.


In the event of a possible overdose you should contact your doctor immediately.




If you forget to take Renvela


If you have missed one dose, this dose should be omitted and the next dose should be taken at the usual time with a meal. Do not a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.





Possible Side Effects


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


The following side effects have been reported in patients taking Renvela:



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


vomiting, constipation, upper abdominal pain, nausea



Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100):


diarrhoea, abdominal pain, indigestion, flatulence



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


blockage in your intestine


Since constipation may be an early symptom of a blockage in your intestine, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.


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




How To Store Renvela


Keep out of the reach and sight of children.


Do not use Renvela after the expiry date stated on the sachet after the letters "EXP". The reconstituted suspension must be administered within 30 minutes of reconstitution.


The 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 Renvela contains


  • The active substance is sevelamer carbonate. Each Renvela sachet will contain 2.4 g of sevelamer carbonate as indicated on the sachet.

  • The other ingredients are propylene glycol alginate, citrus cream flavour, sodium chloride, sucralose and ferric oxide (E172).



What Renvela looks like and contents of the pack


Renvela powder for oral suspension is a pale yellow powder supplied in a foil sachet with a heat seal. The foil sachets are packaged in an outer carton.


Pack sizes:


60 sachets per carton


90 sachets per carton


Not all pack sizes may be marketed.




Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer


Marketing authorisation holder:



Genzyme Europe B.V.

Gooimeer 10

1411 DD Naarden

The Netherlands


Manufacturer:



Genzyme Ltd.

37 Hollands Road

Haverhill, Suffolk

CB9 8PU

United Kingdom



Genzyme Ireland Ltd.

IDA Industrial Park

Old Kilmeaden Road

Waterford

Ireland



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





















United Kingdom/Ireland

Genzyme Therapeutics

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1865 405200




This leaflet was last approved in 07/2009


Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) web site: http://www.emea.europa.eu.