Thursday, October 27, 2016

Chondroitine




Chondroitine may be available in the countries listed below.


In some countries, this medicine may only be approved for veterinary use.

Ingredient matches for Chondroitine



Chondroitin Polysulfate

Chondroitin Polysulfate is reported as an ingredient of Chondroitine in the following countries:


  • France

International Drug Name Search


Betametasona L. D.A




Betametasona L.D.A. may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Betametasona L.D.A.



Betamethasone

Betamethasone 17α-valerate (a derivative of Betamethasone) is reported as an ingredient of Betametasona L.D.A. in the following countries:


  • Argentina

International Drug Name Search


Tvindal




Tvindal may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Tvindal



Cefuroxime

Cefuroxime sodium salt (a derivative of Cefuroxime) is reported as an ingredient of Tvindal in the following countries:


  • Slovenia

International Drug Name Search


Fertifol




Fertifol may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Fertifol



Folic Acid

Folic Acid is reported as an ingredient of Fertifol in the following countries:


  • Italy

  • Switzerland

International Drug Name Search


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Cloxacilina IPS




Cloxacilina IPS may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Cloxacilina IPS



Cloxacillin

Cloxacillin sodium salt (a derivative of Cloxacillin) is reported as an ingredient of Cloxacilina IPS in the following countries:


  • Spain

International Drug Name Search


Bac Neo Poly




In some countries, this medicine may only be approved for veterinary use.

Ingredient matches for Bac Neo Poly



Bacitracin

Bacitracin zinc salt (a derivative of Bacitracin) is reported as an ingredient of Bac Neo Poly in the following countries:


  • United States

Neomycin

Neomycin sulfate (a derivative of Neomycin) is reported as an ingredient of Bac Neo Poly in the following countries:


  • United States

Polymyxin B

Polymyxin B sulfate (a derivative of Polymyxin B) is reported as an ingredient of Bac Neo Poly in the following countries:


  • United States

International Drug Name Search


Mainvate




Mainvate may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Mainvate



Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone 17α,21-dipropionate (a derivative of Dexamethasone) is reported as an ingredient of Mainvate in the following countries:


  • Japan

International Drug Name Search


Irinotecan Zyo




Irinotecan Zyo may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Irinotecan Zyo



Irinotecan

Irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate (a derivative of Irinotecan) is reported as an ingredient of Irinotecan Zyo in the following countries:


  • Germany

International Drug Name Search


Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Telsan




Telsan may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Telsan



Telmisartan

Telmisartan is reported as an ingredient of Telsan in the following countries:


  • Bangladesh

International Drug Name Search


Pivmecillinam Hydrochloride




Pivmecillinam Hydrochloride may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Pivmecillinam Hydrochloride



Pivmecillinam

Pivmecillinam Hydrochloride (BANM, JAN) is also known as Pivmecillinam (Rec.INN)

International Drug Name Search

Glossary

BANMBritish Approved Name (Modified)
JANJapanese Accepted Name
Rec.INNRecommended International Nonproprietary Name (World Health Organization)

Click for further information on drug naming conventions and International Nonproprietary Names.

Avistar




Avistar may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Avistar



Amlodipine

Amlodipine besilate (a derivative of Amlodipine) is reported as an ingredient of Avistar in the following countries:


  • Mexico

International Drug Name Search


Monday, October 24, 2016

Melicam




Melicam may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Melicam



Meloxicam

Meloxicam is reported as an ingredient of Melicam in the following countries:


  • Taiwan

International Drug Name Search


Aminohydroxybutyric Acid, þ-




CAS registry number (Chemical Abstracts Service)

0000352-21-6

Chemical Formula

C4-H9-N-O3

Molecular Weight

119

Therapeutic Categories

Vasodilator

Antiepileptic agent

Chemical Names

4-Amino-3-hydroxybuyric acid

Butanoic acid, 4-amino-3-hydroxy-

Foreign Name

  • 4-Amino-3-hydroxybuttersäure (German)

Generic Names

  • Bussamina (IS)
  • Buxamine (IS)
  • GABOB (IS)

Brand Names

  • Gabimex
    Sanofi-Aventis, Argentina


  • Gabomade
    Esfar, Portugal


  • Gamibetal
    Italmex, Mexico; SIT, Italy


  • Gamibetal (Aminohydroxybutyric Acid, þ- and Diazepam)
    SIT, Italy

International Drug Name Search

Glossary

ISInofficial Synonym

Click for further information on drug naming conventions and International Nonproprietary Names.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Trazep




Trazep may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Trazep



Diazepam

Diazepam is reported as an ingredient of Trazep in the following countries:


  • Indonesia

International Drug Name Search


Cibalgin




Cibalgin may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Cibalgin



Propyphenazone

Propyphenazone is reported as an ingredient of Cibalgin in the following countries:


  • Bahrain

  • Ghana

  • Kenya

  • Libya

  • Nigeria

  • Sudan

  • Tanzania

  • Zimbabwe

International Drug Name Search


Saturday, October 22, 2016

Mirena




In the US, Mirena (levonorgestrel systemic) is a member of the following drug classes: contraceptives, progestins and is used to treat Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and Birth Control.

US matches:

  • Mirena

  • Mirena IUD

UK matches:

  • Mirena

Ingredient matches for Mirena



Levonorgestrel

Levonorgestrel is reported as an ingredient of Mirena in the following countries:


  • Antigua & Barbuda

  • Aruba

  • Australia

  • Austria

  • Bahamas

  • Barbados

  • Belgium

  • Belize

  • Bermuda

  • Brazil

  • Canada

  • Cayman Islands

  • Chile

  • China

  • Colombia

  • Croatia (Hrvatska)

  • Czech Republic

  • Denmark

  • Dominican Republic

  • Estonia

  • Finland

  • France

  • Georgia

  • Germany

  • Greece

  • Grenada

  • Guyana

  • Haiti

  • Hong Kong

  • Hungary

  • Indonesia

  • Ireland

  • Israel

  • Italy

  • Jamaica

  • Latvia

  • Lithuania

  • Luxembourg

  • Malaysia

  • Malta

  • Mexico

  • Netherlands

  • Netherlands Antilles

  • New Zealand

  • Norway

  • Peru

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • Romania

  • Russian Federation

  • Saint Lucia

  • Serbia

  • Singapore

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • South Africa

  • Spain

  • Suriname

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • Taiwan

  • Thailand

  • Trinidad & Tobago

  • Turkey

  • United Kingdom

  • United States

  • Vietnam

International Drug Name Search


Fluphenazine DBL




Fluphenazine DBL may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Fluphenazine DBL



Fluphenazine

Fluphenazine decanoate (a derivative of Fluphenazine) is reported as an ingredient of Fluphenazine DBL in the following countries:


  • Singapore

Fluphenazine dihydrochloride (a derivative of Fluphenazine) is reported as an ingredient of Fluphenazine DBL in the following countries:


  • Bangladesh

International Drug Name Search


Triaval




Triaval may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Triaval



Estradiol

Estradiol 17ß-valerate (a derivative of Estradiol) is reported as an ingredient of Triaval in the following countries:


  • Switzerland

Medroxyprogesterone

Medroxyprogesterone is reported as an ingredient of Triaval in the following countries:


  • Switzerland

International Drug Name Search


Friday, October 21, 2016

Enalapril Naturgen




Enalapril Naturgen may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Enalapril Naturgen



Enalapril

Enalapril is reported as an ingredient of Enalapril Naturgen in the following countries:


  • Peru

International Drug Name Search


Utinor 400mg Tablets






UTINOR 400 mg Tablets



(norfloxacin)



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


  • Keep this leaflet. You may want 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 get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.



In this leaflet:


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

  • 2. Before you take Utinor

  • 3. How to take Utinor

  • 4. Possible side effects

  • 5. How to store Utinor

  • 6. Further information




What Utinor is and what it is used for



What Utinor is


Utinor contains a medicine called norfloxacin. This is an antibiotic which works against a large number of bacteria.




What Utinor is used for


Utinor is used for infections of the urinary system. It works by killing bacteria that can cause infections of your urinary system.





Before you take Utinor



Do not use Utinor if:


  • you are allergic (hypersensitive) to norfloxacin or any of the other ingredients of Utinor (listed in Section 6)

  • you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant (see ‘Pregnancy and breast-feeding’ section below)

  • you have had a reaction to a similar medicine in the past

  • the patient is a child or young person who is still growing.

Do not take Utinor if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Utinor.




Take special care with Utinor


Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine if:


  • you have ever had fits (convulsions)

  • you have ever had an illness that causes fits, such as epilepsy

  • you have an illness called myasthenia gravis which causes muscle weakness

  • you or anyone in your family has anaemia caused by an illness called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (also called G-6-PD deficiency)

  • you or anyone in your family have ever had any problems with uneven heart beats (arrhythmias). This might include something called prolonged QT interval.

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Utinor.




Diarrhoea


Diarrhoea is a common problem caused by antibiotics, which usually ends when the antibiotic is discontinued. Sometimes after starting the treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two more months after having taken the last dose of the antibiotic. If this occurs, you should speak to your doctor as soon as possible.




Taking other medicines


Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines. This is because Utinor can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some other medicines can affect the way Utinor works.


Some medicines can reduce the amount of Utinor that gets into the body. Leave a gap of at least two hours after taking Utinor before taking any of these medicines:


  • antacids - used for indigestion or heartburn

  • sucralfate - used for stomach ulcers or an inflamed stomach (gastritis)

  • didanosine - used for HIV or AIDS

  • medicines containing iron or zinc including multivitamins and minerals.

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Utinor.


It is also particularly important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take:


  • theophylline - used for asthma and also found in some cough and cold medicines

  • medicines used to thin the blood, such as warfarin

  • fenbufen - used for joint pain

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDS)- used for pain and other illnesses

  • ciclosporin - used after transplants and for some other illnesses

  • probenecid - used for gout and arthritis caused by gout

  • nitrofurantoin - used for water-works infection

  • caffeine - found in some cough and cold medicines and also in some drinks for example tea, coffee and cola drinks

  • clozapine – used to treat schizophrenia

  • ropinirole – used to treat Parkinson's disease

  • tizanadine –used to treat muscle spasms

  • glibenclamide - used for diabetes

  • cisapride - used for indigestion, heartburn, feeling sick or being sick

  • erythromycin - an antibiotic

  • medicines used for mental illness called neuroleptics ( such as phenothiazine or antipsychotics

  • medicines used for depression called tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine and nortriptyline

  • medicines used for uneven heart beats (arrhythmias), such as quinidine, procainamide, sotalol and amiodarone

  • medicines used for lots of types of illness called corticosteroids, such as prednisolone, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone.

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Utinor.




Taking Utinor with food and drink


Take Utinor with a glass of water. Take Utinor at least one hour before or two hours after food or milk.




Utinor and the sun


Keep out of the sun as much as possible while taking Utinor. This is because the medicine may cause an allergic reaction in some patients when they go in the sun.




Pregnancy and breast-feeding


Do not take Utinor if you are pregnant or think you might become pregnant. This is because it may affect the baby.


Do not breast-feed if you are taking Utinor. This is because small amounts may pass into the mother’s milk.


Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.




Driving and using machines


You may feel dizzy while taking Utinor. If this happens do not drive or use any tools or machines.





How to take Utinor


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


REMEMBER, this medicine is for you. Do not share it with anyone else. It may not suit them.



Taking this medicine


  • Take at least one hour before or two hours after food or milk

  • Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.



How much to take


The dose depends on your illness and how bad it is. The usual dose is:


  • for less serious infections - one tablet twice a day for 3 days

  • for more serious infection - one tablet twice a day for 7 to 10 days

If the infection comes back, your treatment can be for up to 12 weeks.




If you take more Utinor than you should


If you take more Utinor than you should, talk to your doctor straight away.




If you forget to take Utinor


  • If you forget to take a tablet, skip the missed dose.

  • Take the next dose as usual.

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



If you stop taking Utinor


Keep taking these tablets until the course is finished. Keep taking them, even if you start to feel better after a few days.



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




Possible side effects


Like all medicines Utinor can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine:



Stop taking and tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects, you may need urgent medical treatment.


  • Allergic reaction – the signs may include swelling of your face, lips, tongue and throat. This may make it difficult to breathe or swallow.

  • Skin rashes with itching and lumps under the skin (nettle rash).



Other side effects include:


Heart and circulation


  • uneven heart beats (arrhythmias)

  • Changes in blood flow to some parts of your body, such as the skin, head or leg caused by inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis).

Skin and hair


  • a serious skin reaction that causes blisters and bleeding called ‘Stevens-Johnson’ syndrome

  • dermatitis

  • skin reactions to sunlight

Nervous system


  • headache

  • dizziness

  • pins and needles

  • diminished sensibility

  • partial loss of sensation

  • fits (convulsions)

  • shaking movements (tremors)

  • confusion

  • an illness called ‘Gullain-Barré’ syndrome. This makes you weak and can make it difficult to breath.

Eyes or ears


  • ringing in the ears

  • hearing loss

  • overflow of tears

  • changes in your eyesight

Infections


  • thrush (vaginal)

Stomach and gut


  • changes in taste

  • sickness, stomach cramps, indigestion or diarrhoea

  • loss of appetite

  • severe pain in your guts, high temperature, fever, diarrhoea (which may contain blood), vomiting and yellow colour to skin (all caused by inflammation of the colon, liver or pancreas)

Blood


  • low white blood cells which may cause frequent infections, fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth

  • increased white blood cells

  • bleed for a long time after a cut or bruise very easily

  • changes in blood tests that check for liver problems

  • being pale and tired. This may be due to anaemia especially in patients with something called ‘glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency’ due to a red cell loss.

Joints and muscles


  • making worse the illness called ‘myasthenia gravis’ (this illness causes muscle weakness).

  • inflammation of the tendons, tendon rupture

  • swelling of joints causing pain and stiffness

  • swelling of the muscles causing aches or pains

  • pain and swelling of tendons, often around your ankles. This is more common if you are an older person, or are taking steroid medicines such as prednisolone, dexamethasone or hydrocortisone. Try to rest the painful areas until a doctor is seen.

  • involuntary muscle twitches

Urinary


  • poor or no kidney function

  • high temperature or pain in your lower back or side. This may be due to inflammation of the kidneys.

  • pain on passing urine

Mental illness


  • not sleeping very well

  • depression

  • feeling nervous (anxiety)

  • feeling restless (irritability)

  • loss of contact with reality (pychosis)

  • feeling disorientated

  • seeing things that are not really there (hallucination)

  • feeling confused


If any of these 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 Utinor


Keep your tablets out of the reach of children.


Your tablets should be kept below 25°C, in a dry place out of direct sunlight.


Do not put your tablets in another container, as they might get mixed up.


If you have any tablets left over when your doctor tells you to stop taking them, return them to the pharmacist.


Do not take them after the expiry date that is clearly marked on the pack.


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 Utinor contains:


  • The active ingredient in your tablets is norfloxacin. Each tablet contains 400 mg of norfloxacin.

  • The other ingredients in Utinor are Croscarmellose Sodium, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Hypromellose, Titanium Dioxide, Carnauba Wax.



What Utinor looks like and the contents of the pack


Utinor tablets are off-white oval shaped tablets marked ‘MSD 705’.


Utinor Tablets are available in blister packs of 2, 6, 7 and 14 tablets, and bottles of 50.


Not all pack sizes may be marketed.




Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer


The marketing Authorisation Holder is



Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited

Hertford Road

Hoddesdon

Hertfordshire

EN11 9BU

UK


Utinor tablets are made by



Merck Manufacturing Division
Merck Sharp & Dohme (Italia) SpA

Via Emilia 21

27100 Pavia

Italy




This leaflet was last approved in March 2009


This leaflet gives you some of the most important patient information about Utinor. If you have any questions after you have read it, ask your doctor or pharmacist, who will give you further information.


denotes registered trademark of



Merck & Co., Inc.

Whitehouse Station

NJ

USA


© Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited 2009. All rights reserved.


(logo) MSD



Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited

Hertford Road

Hoddesdon

Hertfordshire

EN11 9BU

UK


PIL.NRX.08.UK.2828






Fenacop Retard




Fenacop Retard may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Fenacop Retard



Diclofenac

Diclofenac sodium salt (a derivative of Diclofenac) is reported as an ingredient of Fenacop Retard in the following countries:


  • Denmark

International Drug Name Search


Penicillin G Sodium Panpharma




Penicillin G Sodium Panpharma may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Penicillin G Sodium Panpharma



Benzylpenicillin

Benzylpenicillin is reported as an ingredient of Penicillin G Sodium Panpharma in the following countries:


  • Hong Kong

International Drug Name Search


Pressolat




Pressolat may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Pressolat



Nifedipine

Nifedipine is reported as an ingredient of Pressolat in the following countries:


  • Israel

International Drug Name Search


Atracurium-DeltaSelect




Atracurium-DeltaSelect may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Atracurium-DeltaSelect



Atracurium Besilate

Atracurium Besilate is reported as an ingredient of Atracurium-DeltaSelect in the following countries:


  • Germany

  • Serbia

International Drug Name Search


Thursday, October 20, 2016

Mitotax




Mitotax may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Mitotax



Paclitaxel

Paclitaxel is reported as an ingredient of Mitotax in the following countries:


  • Myanmar

  • Russian Federation

  • Sri Lanka

International Drug Name Search


Permitil




In the US, Permitil (fluphenazine systemic) is a member of the drug class phenothiazine antipsychotics and is used to treat Psychosis.

US matches:

  • Permitil

Ingredient matches for Permitil



Sildenafil

Sildenafil citrate (a derivative of Sildenafil) is reported as an ingredient of Permitil in the following countries:


  • Argentina

International Drug Name Search


Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Panadol Extend




In the US, Panadol Extend is a member of the drug class miscellaneous analgesics and is used to treat Fever, Muscle Pain, Pain and Sciatica.

Ingredient matches for Panadol Extend



Paracetamol

Paracetamol is reported as an ingredient of Panadol Extend in the following countries:


  • Switzerland

International Drug Name Search


Epirubicin Lemery




Epirubicin Lemery may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Epirubicin Lemery



Epirubicin

Epirubicin hydrochloride (a derivative of Epirubicin) is reported as an ingredient of Epirubicin Lemery in the following countries:


  • Sri Lanka

International Drug Name Search


Terracortril Ophth




Terracortril Ophth may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Terracortril Ophth



Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone is reported as an ingredient of Terracortril Ophth in the following countries:


  • Indonesia

Oxytetracycline

Oxytetracycline is reported as an ingredient of Terracortril Ophth in the following countries:


  • Indonesia

International Drug Name Search


Farsorbid




Farsorbid may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Farsorbid



Isosorbide Dinitrate

Isosorbide Dinitrate is reported as an ingredient of Farsorbid in the following countries:


  • Indonesia

International Drug Name Search


Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Ciclosterona




Ciclosterona may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Ciclosterona



Progesterone

Progesterone is reported as an ingredient of Ciclosterona in the following countries:


  • Peru

International Drug Name Search


Hétacilline




Hétacilline may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Hétacilline



Hetacillin

Hétacilline (DCF) is also known as Hetacillin (Prop.INN)

International Drug Name Search

Glossary

DCFDénomination Commune Française
Prop.INNProposed International Nonproprietary Name (World Health Organization)

Click for further information on drug naming conventions and International Nonproprietary Names.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Padrin




Padrin may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Padrin



Prifinium Bromide

Prifinium Bromide is reported as an ingredient of Padrin in the following countries:


  • Japan

International Drug Name Search


Risedronat Teva




Risedronat Teva may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Risedronat Teva



Risedronic Acid

Risedronic Acid monosodium (a derivative of Risedronic Acid) is reported as an ingredient of Risedronat Teva in the following countries:


  • Slovakia

International Drug Name Search


Hysan




Hysan may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Hysan



Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid sodium salt (a derivative of Hyaluronic Acid) is reported as an ingredient of Hysan in the following countries:


  • Israel

International Drug Name Search


Sunday, October 16, 2016

Brucarcer




Brucarcer may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Brucarcer



Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine is reported as an ingredient of Brucarcer in the following countries:


  • Mexico

International Drug Name Search


Relanium




Relanium may be available in the countries listed below.


Ingredient matches for Relanium



Diazepam

Diazepam is reported as an ingredient of Relanium in the following countries:


  • Bulgaria

  • Georgia

  • Latvia

  • Lithuania

  • Poland

  • Russian Federation

International Drug Name Search


Rivastigmine Sandoz 4.5 mg hard capsules





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



Rivastigmine Sandoz 4.5 mg hard capsules


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Each capsule contains rivastigmine hydrogen tartrate corresponding to rivastigmine 4.5 mg.



For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Hard capsule



Off-white to slightly yellow powder in a capsule with red cap and red body, with white imprint “RIV 4.5 mg” on the body.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's dementia.



Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe dementia in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Treatment should be initiated and supervised by a physician experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's dementia or dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. Diagnosis should be made according to current guidelines. Therapy with rivastigmine should only be started if a caregiver is available who will regularly monitor intake of the medicinal product by the patient.



Rivastigmine should be administered twice a day, with morning and evening meals. The capsules should be swallowed whole.



Initial dose



1.5 mg twice a day.



Dose titration



The starting dose is 1.5 mg twice a day. If this dose is well tolerated after a minimum of two weeks of treatment, the dose may be increased to 3 mg twice a day. Subsequent increases to 4.5 mg and then 6 mg twice a day should also be based on good tolerability of the current dose and may be considered after a minimum of two weeks of treatment at that dose level.



If adverse reactions (e.g. nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or loss of appetite), weight decrease or worsening of extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g. tremor) in patients with dementia associated with Parkinson's disease are observed during treatment, these may respond to omitting one or more doses. If adverse reactions persist, the daily dose should be temporarily reduced to the previous well-tolerated dose or the treatment may be discontinued.



Maintenance dose



The effective dose is 3 to 6 mg twice a day; to achieve maximum therapeutic benefit patients should be maintained on their highest well tolerated dose. The recommended maximum daily dose is 6 mg twice a day.



Maintenance treatment can be continued for as long as a therapeutic benefit for the patient exists. Therefore, the clinical benefit of rivastigmine should be reassessed on a regular basis, especially for patients treated at doses less than 3 mg twice a day. If after 3 months of maintenance dose treatment the patient's rate of decline in dementia symptoms is not altered favourably, the treatment should be discontinued. Discontinuation should also be considered when evidence of a therapeutic effect is no longer present.



Individual response to rivastigmine cannot be predicted. However, a greater treatment effect was seen in Parkinson's disease patients with moderate dementia. Similarly a larger effect was observed in Parkinson's disease patients with visual hallucinations (see section 5.1).



Treatment effect has not been studied in placebo-controlled trials beyond 6 months.



Re-initiation of therapy



If treatment is interrupted for more than several days, it should be re-initiated at 1.5 mg twice daily. Dose titration should then be carried out as described above.



Renal and hepatic impairment



Due to increased exposure in moderate renal and mild to moderate hepatic impairment, dosing recommendations to titrate according to individual tolerability should be closely followed (see section 5.2).



Patients with severe liver impairment have not been studied (see section 4.3).



Children



Rivastigmine is not recommended for use in children.



4.3 Contraindications



The use of this medicinal product is contraindicated in patients with



- hypersensitivity to the active substance, other carbamate derivatives or to any of the excipients used in the formulation,



- severe liver impairment, as it has not been studied in this population.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



The incidence and severity of adverse reactions generally increase with higher doses. If treatment is interrupted for more than several days, it should be re-initiated at 1.5 mg twice daily to reduce the possibility of adverse reactions (e.g. vomiting).



Dose titration: Adverse reactions (e.g. hypertension and hallucinations in patients with Alzheimer's dementia and worsening of extrapyramidal symptoms, in particular tremor, in patients with dementia associated with Parkinson's disease) have been observed shortly after dose increase. They may respond to a dose reduction. In other cases, rivastigmine has been discontinued (see section 4.8).



Gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea and vomiting may occur particularly when initiating treatment and/or increasing the dose. These adverse reactions occur more commonly in women. Patients with Alzheimer's disease may lose weight. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including rivastigmine, have been associated with weight loss in these patients. During therapy patient's weight should be monitored.



In case of severe vomiting associated with rivastigmine treatment, appropriate dose adjustments as recommended in section 4.2 must be made. Some cases of severe vomiting were associated with oesophageal rupture (see section 4.8). Such events appeared to occur particularly after dose increments or high doses of rivastigmine.



Care must be taken when using rivastigmine in patients with sick sinus syndrome or conduction defects (sino-atrial block, atrio-ventricular block) (see section 4.8).



Rivastigmine may cause increased gastric acid secretions. Care should be exercised in treating patients with active gastric or duodenal ulcers or patients predisposed to these conditions.



Cholinesterase inhibitors should be prescribed with care to patients with a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease.



Cholinomimetics may induce or exacerbate urinary obstruction and seizures. Caution is recommended in treating patients predisposed to such diseases.



The use of rivastigmine in patients with severe dementia of Alzheimer's disease or associated with Parkinson's disease, other types of dementia or other types of memory impairment (e.g. age-related cognitive decline) has not been investigated and therefore use in these patient populations is not recommended.



Like other cholinomimetics, rivastigmine may exacerbate or induce extrapyramidal symptoms. Worsening (including bradykinesia, dyskinesia, gait abnormality) and an increased incidence or severity of tremor have been observed in patients with dementia associated with Parkinson's disease (see section 4.8). These events led to the discontinuation of rivastigmine in some cases (e.g. discontinuations due to tremor 1.7% on rivastigmine vs 0% on placebo). Clinical monitoring is recommended for these adverse reactions.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



As a cholinesterase inhibitor, rivastigmine may exaggerate the effects of succinylcholine-type muscle relaxants during anaesthesia. Caution is recommended when selecting anaesthetic agents. Possible dose adjustments or temporarily stopping treatment can be considered if needed.



In view of its pharmacodynamic effects, rivastigmine should not be given concomitantly with other cholinomimetic substances and might interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medicinal products.



No pharmacokinetic interaction was observed between rivastigmine and digoxin, warfarin, diazepam or fluoxetine in studies in healthy volunteers. The increase in prothrombin time induced by warfarin is not affected by administration of rivastigmine. No untoward effects on cardiac conduction were observed following concomitant administration of digoxin and rivastigmine.



According to its metabolism, metabolic interactions with other medicinal products appear unlikely, although rivastigmine may inhibit the butyrylcholinesterase mediated metabolism of other substances.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



For rivastigmine no clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available. No effects on fertility or embryofoetal development were observed in rats and rabbits, except at doses related to maternal toxicity. In peri/postnatal studies in rats, an increased gestation time was observed. Rivastigmine should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.



In animals, rivastigmine is excreted into milk. It is not known if rivastigmine is excreted into human milk. Therefore, women on rivastigmine should not breast-feed.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



Alzheimer's disease may cause gradual impairment of driving performance or compromise the ability to use machinery. Furthermore, rivastigmine can induce dizziness and somnolence, mainly when initiating treatment or increasing the dose. As a consequence, rivastigmine has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Therefore, the ability of patients with dementia on rivastigmine to continue driving or operating complex machines should be routinely evaluated by the treating physician.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



The most commonly reported adverse reactions are gastrointestinal, including nausea (38%) and vomiting (23%), especially during titration. Female patients in clinical studies were found to be more susceptible than male patients to gastrointestinal adverse reactions and weight loss.



The following adverse reactions, listed below in Table 1, have been accumulated in patients with Alzheimer's dementia treated with rivastigmine.



Adverse reactions in Table 1 are listed according to MedDRA system organ class and frequency category. Frequency categories are defined using the following convention: very common (



Table 1




























Infections and infestations



Very rare




 



Urinary infection




Metabolism and nutritional disorders



Very common




 



Anorexia




Psychiatric disorders



Common



Common



Uncommon



Uncommon



Very rare




 



Agitation



Confusion



Insomnia



Depression



Hallucinations




Nervous system disorders



Very common



Common



Common



Common



Uncommon



Rare



Very rare




 



Dizziness



Headache



Somnolence



Tremor



Syncope



Seizures



Extrapyramidal symptoms (including worsening of Parkinson's disease)




Cardiac disorders



Rare



Very rare




 



Angina pectoris



Cardiac arrhythmia (e.g. bradycardia, atrio-ventricular block, atrial fibrillation and tachycardia)




Vascular disorders



Very rare




 



Hypertension




Gastrointestinal disorders



Very common



Very common



Very common



Common



Rare



Very rare



Very rare



Not known




 



Nausea



Vomiting



Diarrhoea



Abdominal pain and dyspepsia



Gastric and duodenal ulcers



Gastrointestinal haemorrhage



Pancreatitis



Some cases of severe vomiting were associated with oesophageal rupture (see section 4.4).



 

 


Hepatobiliary disorders



Uncommon




 



Elevated liver function tests




Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders



Common



Rare



Not known




 



Sweating increased



Rash



Pruritus




General disorders and administration site conditions



Common



Common



Uncommon




 



Fatigue and asthenia



Malaise



Accidental fall




Investigations



Common




 



Weight loss



The following additional adverse reactions have been observed with rivastigmine transdermal patches: anxiety, delirium, pyrexia (common).



Table 2 shows the adverse reactions reported in patients with dementia associated with Parkinson's disease treated with rivastigmine.



Table 2






















Metabolism and nutritional disorders



Common



Common




 



Anorexia



Dehydration




Psychiatric disorders



Common



Common



Common




 



Insomnia



Anxiety



Restlessness




Nervous system disorders



Very common



Common



Common



Common



Common



Common



Common



Uncommon




 



Tremor



Dizziness



Somnolence



Headache



Worsening of Parkinson's disease



Bradykinesia



Dyskinesia



Dystonia




Cardiac disorders



Common



Uncommon



Uncommon




 



Bradycardia



Arial fibrillation



Atrioventricular block




Gastrointestinal disorders



Very common



Very common



Common



Common



Common




 



Nausea



Vomiting



Diarrhoea



Abdominal pain and dyspepsia



Salivary hypersecretion




Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders



Common




 



Sweating increased




Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders



Common




 



Muscle rigidity




  




  




General disorders and administration site conditions



Common



Common




 



Fatigue and asthenia



Gait abnormality



Table 3 lists the number and percentage of patients from the specific 24-week clinical study conducted with rivastigmine in patients with dementia associated with Parkinson's disease with pre-defined adverse events that may reflect worsening of parkinsonian symptoms.



Table 3













Pre-defined adverse events that may reflect worsening of parkinsonian symptoms in patients with dementia associated with Parkinson's disease




Rivastigmine



n (%)




Placebo



n (%)




Total patients studied



Total patients with pre-defined AE(s)




362 (100)



99 (27.3)




179 (100)



28 (15.6)




Tremor



Fall



Parkinson's disease (worsening)



Salivary hypersecretion



Dyskinesia



Parkinsonism



Hypokinesia



Movement disorder



Bradykinesia



Dystonia



Gait abnormality



Muscle rigidity



Balance disorder



Musculoskeletal stiffness



Rigors



Motor dysfunction




37 (10.2)



21 (5.8)



12 (3.3)



5 (1.4)



5 (1.4)



8 (2.2)



1 (0.3)



1 (0.3)



9 (2.5)



3 (0.8)



5 (1.4)



1 (0.3)



3 (0.8)



3 (0.8)



1 (0.3)



1 (0.3)




7 (3.9)



11 (6.1)



2 (1.1)



0



1 (0.6)



1 (0.6)



0



0



3 (1.7)



1 (0.6)



0



0



2 (1.1)



0



0



0



4.9 Overdose



Symptoms



Most cases of accidental overdose have not been associated with any clinical signs or symptoms and almost all of the patients concerned continued rivastigmine treatment. Where symptoms have occurred, they have included nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, hypertension or hallucinations. Due to the known vagotonic effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on heart rate, bradycardia and/or syncope may also occur. Ingestion of 46 mg occurred in one case; following conservative management the patient fully recovered within 24 hours.



Treatment



As rivastigmine has a plasma half-life of about 1 hour and a duration of acetylcholinesterase inhibition of about 9 hours, it is recommended that in cases of asymptomatic overdose no further dose of rivastigmine should be administered for the next 24 hours. In overdose accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting, the use of antiemetics should be considered. Symptomatic treatment for other adverse reactions should be given as necessary.



In massive overdose, atropine can be used. An initial dose of 0.03 mg/kg intravenous atropine sulphate is recommended, with subsequent doses based on clinical response. Use of scopolamine as an antidote is not recommended.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Pharmacotherapeutic group: anticholinesterases, ATC code: N06DA03



Rivastigmine is an acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor of the carbamate type, thought to facilitate cholinergic neurotransmission by slowing the degradation of acetylcholine released by functionally intact cholinergic neurones. Thus, rivastigmine may have an ameliorative effect on cholinergic-mediated cognitive deficits in dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.



Rivastigmine interacts with its target enzymes by forming a covalently bound complex that temporarily inactivates the enzymes. In healthy young men, an oral 3 mg dose decreases acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in CSF by approximately 40% within the first 1.5 hours after administration. Activity of the enzyme returns to baseline levels about 9 hours after the maximum inhibitory effect has been achieved. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, inhibition of AChE in CSF by rivastigmine was dose-dependent up to 6 mg given twice daily, the highest dose tested. Inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase activity in CSF of 14 Alzheimer patients treated by rivastigmine was similar to that of AChE.



Clinical studies in Alzheimer's dementia



The efficacy of rivastigmine has been established through the use of three independent, domain specific, assessment tools which were assessed at periodic intervals during 6 month treatment periods. These include the ADAS-Cog (a performance based measure of cognition), the CIBIC-Plus (a comprehensive global assessment of the patient by the physician incorporating caregiver input), and the PDS (a caregiver-rated assessment of the activities of daily living including personal hygiene, feeding, dressing, household chores such as shopping, retention of ability to orient oneself to surroundings as well as involvement in activities relating to finances, etc.).



The patients studied had an MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) score of 10–24.



The results for clinically relevant responders pooled from two flexible dose studies out of the three pivotal 26-week multicentre studies in patients with mild-to-moderately severe Alzheimer's Dementia, are provided in Table 4 below. Clinically relevant improvement in these studies was defined a priori as at least 4-point improvement on the ADAS-Cog, improvement on the CIBIC-Plus, or at least a 10% improvement on the PDS.



In addition, a post-hoc definition of response is provided in the same table. The secondary definition of response required a 4-point or greater improvement on the ADAS-Cog, no worsening on the CIBIC-Plus, and no worsening on the PDS. The mean actual daily dose for responders in the 6-12 mg group, corresponding to this definition, was 9.3 mg. It is important to note that the scales used in this indication vary and direct comparisons of results for different therapeutic agents are not valid.



Table 4






































 


Patients with Clinically Significant Response (%)


   


 




Intent to Treat




Last Observation Carried Forward


  


Response Measure




Rivastigmine



6–12 mg



N=473




Placebo



N=472




Rivastigmine



6–12 mg



N=379




Placebo



N=444




ADAS-Cog: improvement of at least 4 points




21***




12




25***




12




CIBIC-Plus: improvement




29***




18




32***




19




PDS: improvement of at least 10%




26***




17




30***




18




At least 4 points improvement on ADAS-Cog with no worsening on CIBIC-Plus and PDS




10*




6




12**




6



*p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001



Clinical studies in dementia associated with Parkinson's disease



The efficacy of rivastigmine in dementia associated with Parkinson's disease has been demonstrated in a 24-week multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled core study and its 24-week open-label extension phase. Patients involved in this study had an MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) score of 10–24. Efficacy has been established by the use of two independent scales which were assessed at regular intervals during a 6-month treatment period as shown in Table 5 below: the ADAS-Cog, a measure of cognition, and the global measure ADCS-CGIC (Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Clinician's Global Impression of Change).



Table 5





























Dementia associated with Parkinson's Disease




ADAS-Cog



Rivastigmine




ADAS-Cog



Placebo




ADCS-CGIC



Rivastigmine




ADCS-CGIC



Placebo




ITT + RDO population



Mean baseline ± SD



Mean change at 24 weeks ± SD




(n=329)



23.8 ± 10.2



2.1 ± 8.2




(n=161)



24.3 ± 10.5



-0.7 ± 7.5




(n=329)



n/a



3.8 ± 1.4




(n=165)



n/a



4.3 ± 1.5




Adjusted treatment difference



p-value versus placebo




2.881



<0.0011




n/a



0.0072


  


ITT - LOCF population



Mean baseline ± SD



Mean change at 24 weeks ± SD




(n=287)



24.0 ± 10.3



2.5 ± 8.4




(n=154)



24.5 ± 10.6



-0.8 ± 7.5




(n=289)



n/a



3.7 ± 1.4




(n=158)



n/a



4.3 ± 1.5




Adjusted treatment difference



p-value versus placebo




3.541



<0.0011




n/a



<0.0012


  


1 Based on ANCOVA with treatment and country as factors and baseline ADAS-Cog as a covariate. A positive change indicates improvement.



2 Mean data shown for convenience, categorical analysis performed using van Elteren test



ITT: Intent-To-Treat; RDO: Retrieved Drop Outs; LOCF: Last Observation Carried Forward



Although a treatment effect was demonstrated in the overall study population, the data suggested that a larger treatment effect relative to placebo was seen in the subgroup of patients with moderate dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. Similarly a larger treatment effect was observed in those patients with visual hallucinations (see Table 6).



Table 6







































Dementia associated with Parkinson's Disease




ADAS-Cog



Rivastigmine




ADAS-Cog



Placebo




ADAS-Cog



Rivastigmine




ADAS-Cog



Placebo




 




Patients with visual hallucinations




Patients without visual hallucinations


  


ITT + RDO population



Mean baseline ± SD



Mean change at 24 weeks ± SD




(n=107)



25.4 ± 9.9



1.0 ± 9.2




(n=60)



27.4 ± 10.4



-2.1 ± 8.3




(n=220)



23.1 ± 10.4



2.6 ± 7.6




(n=101)



22.5 ± 10.1



0.1 ± 6.9




Adjusted treatment difference



p-value versus placebo




4.271



0.0021




2.091



0.0151


  


 




Patients with moderate dementia (MMSE 10-17)




Patients with mild dementia (MMSE 18-24)


  


ITT + RDO population



Mean baseline ± SD



Mean change at 24 weeks ± SD




(n=87)



32.6 ± 10.4



2.6 ± 9.4




(n=44)



33.7 ± 10.3



-1.8 ± 7.2




(n=237)



20.6 ± 7.9



1.9 ± 7.7




(n=115)



20.7 ± 7.9



-0.2 ± 7.5




Adjusted treatment difference



p-value versus placebo




4.731



0.0021




2.141



0.0101


  


1 Based on ANCOVA with treatment and country as factors and baseline ADAS-Cog as a covariate. A positive change indicates improvement.



ITT: Intent-To-Treat; RDO: Retrieved Drop Outs



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Absorption



Rivastigmine is rapidly and completely absorbed. Peak plasma concentrations are reached in approximately 1 hour. As a consequence of rivastigmine's interaction with its target enzyme, the increase in bioavailability is about 1.5-fold greater than that expected from the increase in dose. Absolute bioavailability after a 3 mg dose is about 36%±13%. Administration of rivastigmine with food delays absorption (tmax) by 90 min and lowers Cmax and increases AUC by approximately 30%.



Distribution



Protein binding of rivastigmine is approximately 40%. It readily crosses the blood brain barrier and has an apparent volume of distribution in the range of 1.8–2.7 l/kg.



Metabolism



Rivastigmine is rapidly and extensively metabolised (half-life in plasma approximately 1 hour), primarily via cholinesterase-mediated hydrolysis to the decarbamylated metabolite. In vitro, this metabolite shows minimal inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (<10%). Based on evidence from in vitro and animal studies the major cytochrome P450 isoenzymes are minimally involved in rivastigmine metabolism. Total plasma clearance of rivastigmine was approximately 130 l/h after a 0.2 mg intravenous dose and decreased to 70 l/h after a 2.7 mg intravenous dose.



Excretion



Unchanged rivastigmine is not found in the urine; renal excretion of the metabolites is the major route of elimination. Following administration of 14C-rivastigmine, renal elimination was rapid and essentially complete (>90%) within 24 hours. Less than 1% of the administered dose is excreted in the faeces. There is no accumulation of rivastigmine or the decarbamylated metabolite in patients with Alzheimer's disease.



Elderly subjects



While bioavailability of rivastigmine is greater in elderly than in young healthy volunteers, studies in Alzheimer patients aged between 50 and 92 years showed no change in bioavailability with age.



Subjects with hepatic impairment



The Cmax of rivastigmine was approximately 60% higher and the AUC of rivastigmine was more than twice as high in subjects with mild to moderate hepatic impairment than in healthy subjects.



Subjects with renal impairment



Cmax and AUC of rivastigmine were more than twice as high in subjects with moderate renal impairment compared with healthy subjects; however there were no changes in Cmax and AUC of rivastigmine in subjects with severe renal impairment.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



Repeated-dose toxicity studies in rats, mice and dogs revealed only effects associated with an exaggerated pharmacological action. No target organ toxicity was observed. No safety margins to human exposure were achieved in the animal studies due to the sensitivity of the animal models used.



Rivastigmine was not mutagenic in a standard battery of in vitro and in vivo tests, except in a chromosomal aberration test in human peripheral lymphocytes at a dose 104 times the maximum clinical exposure. The in vivo micronucleus test was negative.



No evidence of carcinogenicity was found in studies in mice and rats at the maximum tolerated dose, although the exposure to rivastigmine and its metabolites was lower than the human exposure. When normalised to body surface area, the exposure to rivastigmine and its metabolites was approximately equivalent to the maximum recommended human dose of 12 mg/day; however, when compared to the maximum human dose, a multiple of approximately 6-fold was achieved in animals.



In animals, rivastigmine crosses the placenta and is excreted into milk. Oral studies in pregnant rats and rabbits gave no indication of teratogenic potential on the part of rivastigmine.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Gelatin



Magnesium stearate



Hypromellose



Microcrystalline cellulose



Silica, colloidal anhydrous



Yellow iron oxide (E172)



Red iron oxide (E172)



Titanium dioxide (E171)



6.2 Incompatibilities



Not applicable.



6.3 Shelf Life



5 years



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Do not store above 30°C.



6.5 Nature And Contents