Dexamethasone Abdrug 20 mg tablets

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Introduction

Package leaflet: information for the user

Dexamethasone ABDrug 20 mg tablets

Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet; you may need to read it again.
• If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only, and you should not give it to others, even if they have the same symptoms as you, because it could harm them.
• If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Leaflet contents

1. What Dexamethasone ABDrug is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before taking Dexamethasone ABDrug
3. How to take Dexamethasone ABDrug
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Dexamethasone ABDrug
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Dexamethasone ABDrug is and what it is used for

Dexamethasone ABDrug is a synthetic glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids are hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. This medicine has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiallergic effects, and suppresses the immune system.

Dexamethasone ABDrug is indicated for the treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases (e.g., myositis), skin disorders (e.g., pemphigus vulgaris), blood disorders (e.g., idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults), treatment of symptomatic multiple myeloma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in combination with other medications, metastatic spinal cord compression (pressure on spinal cord nerves caused by a tumor), and for the prophylaxis and treatment of nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy as part of antiemetic therapy.

2. What you need to know before taking Dexametasona ABDrug

Do not take Dexametasona ABDrug:

• if you are allergic to dexamethasone or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you have a systemic infection (unless you are receiving treatment).
• if you have a stomach or duodenal ulcer.
• if you are about to be vaccinated with live vaccines.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Dexametasona ABDrug:

• if you have ever had severe depression or manic depression (bipolar disorder). This includes having had depression before or while taking steroid medicines such as dexamethasone.
• if anyone in your immediate family has suffered from this condition.

Mental problems may occur while taking steroids such as Dexametasona ABDrug:

• These conditions can be serious.
• They usually begin within a few days or weeks after starting treatment.
• They are more likely to occur at high doses.
• Most of these problems resolve if the dose is reduced or treatment is stopped. However, if problems occur, you may need treatment.

Consult your doctor if you (or someone taking this medicine) show any signs of mental health problems.

This is especially important if you are depressed or may be thinking about suicide. In a few cases, mental health problems have occurred when doses were reduced or treatment was discontinued.

Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine:

• if you have kidney or liver problems (liver cirrhosis or severe renal failure),
• if you have or suspect you have a pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal glands),
• if you have high blood pressure, heart problems, or have recently had a heart attack (myocardial rupture has been reported),
• if you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes,
• if you have osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), particularly if you are a postmenopausal woman,
• if you have previously experienced muscle weakness with this or other steroids,
• if you have glaucoma (increased eye pressure) or a family history of glaucoma, or cataracts (clouding of the eye's lens causing vision loss),
• if you have myasthenia gravis (a disease causing muscle weakness),
• if you have an intestinal disorder or peptic ulcer,
• if you have psychiatric problems or have previously had psychiatric disorders worsened by this type of medicine,
• if you have epilepsy (a condition causing repeated seizures or fits),
• if you suffer from migraines,
• if you have an underactive thyroid gland,
• if you have a parasitic infection,
• if you have tuberculosis, sepsis, or fungal eye infection,
• if you have cerebral malaria,
• if you have herpes (cold sores, genital herpes, or ocular herpes simplex due to possible corneal perforation),
• if you have asthma,
• if you are being treated for blood vessel blockage due to blood clots (thromboembolism),
• if you have corneal ulcers or corneal damage.

Treatment with corticosteroids may reduce your body’s ability to fight infections. This may sometimes lead to infections caused by organisms that rarely cause disease under normal circumstances (called opportunistic infections). If you develop any infection while being treated with this medicine, contact your doctor immediately. This is especially important if you notice signs of pneumonia: cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. You may also feel confused, especially if you are elderly. You should also inform your doctor if you have had tuberculosis or if you have visited regions where intestinal worm infections are common.

While taking this medicine, it is important to avoid contact with anyone who has had chickenpox, shingles, or measles. If you think you may have been exposed to any of these diseases, you must consult your doctor immediately. You should also inform your doctor if you have ever had infectious diseases such as measles or chickenpox and whether you have been vaccinated.

Contact your doctor if you experience symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome such as muscle cramps, muscle weakness, confusion, visual loss or changes, and difficulty breathing, especially if you have a malignant hematological disorder.

Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

Treatment with this medicine may trigger a pheochromocytoma crisis, which can be fatal. Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal glands. A crisis may include symptoms such as headaches, sweating, palpitations, and hypertension. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Treatment with this medicine may cause central serous chorioretinopathy, an eye disorder causing blurred or distorted vision. This usually affects one of the two eyes. Treatment with this medicine may also cause tendon inflammation. In extremely rare cases, tendons may rupture. This risk is increased when taking certain antibiotics or in patients with kidney problems. Contact your doctor if you experience pain, or swelling or stiffness in your joints or tendons.

Treatment with Dexametasona ABDrug may cause a condition called adrenal insufficiency. This may affect how your body responds to stress and trauma, surgery, childbirth, or illness, and your body may not respond normally to severe stress such as accidents, surgery, childbirth, or illness.

If you have an accident, are ill, are under any other specific physical stress, or require surgery (including dental procedures), or are to be vaccinated (particularly with live viral vaccines) while taking or after stopping dexamethasone, you must inform the healthcare provider that you are taking or have taken steroids.

If you need suppression tests (tests measuring hormone levels), skin allergy tests, or bacterial infection tests, inform the person performing the test that you are taking dexamethasone, as it may interfere with test results.

Your doctor may reduce the amount of salt in your diet and prescribe potassium supplements while you are taking this medicine.

If you are elderly, some of the adverse effects of this medicine may be more serious, particularly bone thinning (osteoporosis), high blood pressure, low potassium levels, diabetes, increased susceptibility to infections, and skin thinning. Your doctor will monitor you more closely.

Children and adolescents

If a child is taking this medicine, it is important that their doctor regularly monitors their growth and development. Dexametasona ABDrug should not be routinely used in premature infants with respiratory problems.

Other medicines and Dexametasona ABDrug

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might need to take any other medicines:

• Anticoagulant medicines that thin the blood (e.g., warfarin)
• Acetylsalicylic acid or similar (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), e.g., indomethacin
• Medicines used to treat diabetes
• Medicines used to treat high blood pressure
• Medicines used to treat heart problems
• Diuretics (water tablets)
• Amphotericin B injection
• Phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone (medicines for epilepsy)
• Rifabutin, rifampicin, isoniazid (antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis)
• Antacids – particularly those containing magnesium trisilicate
• Barbiturates (medicines used to help sleep and relieve anxiety)
• Aminoglutethimide (anticancer treatment)
• Carbenoxolone (used in the treatment of stomach ulcers)
• Ephedrine (nasal decongestant)
• Acetazolamide (used for glaucoma and epilepsy)
• Hydrocortisone, cortisone, and other corticosteroids
• Ketoconazole, itraconazole (for fungal infections)
• Ritonavir (for HIV)
• Antibiotics including erythromycin, fluoroquinolones
• Medicines that help muscle movement in patients with myasthenia gravis (e.g., neostigmine)
• Cholestyramine (for high cholesterol)
• Estrogen hormones including oral contraceptives
• Tetracosactide used in adrenal function tests
• Sulpiride used to calm emotional disturbances
• Cyclosporine used to prevent transplant rejection
• Thalidomide used, for example, for multiple myeloma
• Praziquantel administered for certain worm infections
• Vaccination with live vaccines
• Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and mefloquine (for malaria)
• Somatotropin
• Protirelin

Tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription. You may have an increased risk of serious adverse effects if you take dexamethasone together with these medicines.

• Some medicines may increase the effects of Dexametasona ABDrug, and your doctor may wish to monitor you closely if you are taking these medicines (including some HIV medicines: ritonavir, cobicistat).
• Acetylsalicylic acid or similar (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), e.g., indomethacin
• Medicines for the treatment of diabetes
• Medicines used to treat heart problems
• Diuretics (water tablets)
• Amphotericin B injections
• Acetazolamide (used for glaucoma and epilepsy)
• Tetracosactide used in adrenal function tests
• Carbenoxolone (used in the treatment of stomach ulcers)
• Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and mefloquine (for malaria)
• Medicines used to treat high blood pressure
• Thalidomide used, for example, for multiple myeloma
• Vaccination with live vaccines
• Medicines that help muscle movement in myasthenia gravis (e.g., neostigmine)
• Antibiotics including fluoroquinolones.

You should read the leaflet of all medicines you are taking together with Dexametasona ABDrug for information about these medicines before starting treatment with Dexametasona ABDrug. Special attention to pregnancy testing and prevention requirements is needed when thalidomide, lenalidomide, or pomalidomide are used.

Dexametasona ABDrug with food, drinks, and alcohol

Dexamethasone should be taken with or after food to minimize gastrointestinal irritation. Drinks containing alcohol or caffeine should be avoided. It is recommended to eat small, frequent meals and, if advised by your doctor, to consider taking antacids.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

Dexametasona ABDrug should only be prescribed during pregnancy, and particularly during the first trimester, if the benefits outweigh the risks to the mother and unborn child. If you become pregnant while using this medicine, do not stop taking Dexametasona ABDrug, but inform your doctor immediately.

Corticosteroids may pass into breast milk. Risk to newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision on whether to continue breastfeeding or discontinue dexamethasone therapy should be made, taking into account the benefit of breastfeeding for the child and the benefit of dexamethasone treatment for the mother.

Driving and using machines

Do not drive, operate tools or machinery, or perform any hazardous tasks if you experience adverse effects such as confusion, hallucinations, dizziness, fatigue, sleepiness, fainting, or blurred vision.

Dexametasona ABDrug contains lactose

This medicine contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medicine.

Each 20 mg tablet contains 370 mg of lactose (185 mg glucose and 185 mg galactose).

This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Sodium

This medicine contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per tablet; i.e., it is essentially “sodium-free”.

3. How to take Dexametasona ABDrug

Follow exactly the instructions for administering this medicine as given by your doctor. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Dexamethasone is available in 4 mg, 8 mg, and 20 mg tablets. The tablet may be divided into equal halves to allow for additional 10 mg doses or to facilitate swallowing.

Please note that this is a high-dose medication.

Dexametasona ABDrug is recommended to be used at the lowest effective dose as prescribed by your doctor.

Dexametasona ABDrug is usually taken at doses of 0.5 to 10 mg per day, depending on the condition being treated.

In more severe diseases, doses above 10 mg per day may be required. The dose should be adjusted according to the individual patient's response and the severity of the disease. To minimize adverse effects, the lowest effective dose possible should be used.

Unless otherwise directed, the following dosage recommendations apply:

The dosage recommendations listed below are for guidance only. The initial and daily doses must always be determined based on the individual patient's response and the severity of the disease.

• Pemphigus: initial dose of 300 mg for 3 consecutive days, followed by a downward dose adjustment based on clinical need.
• Myositis: 40 mg for 4 days in cycles.
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: 40 mg for 4 days in cycles.
• Metastatic spinal cord compression: the initial dose and duration of treatment depend on the cause and severity. Very high doses of up to 96 mg may be used for palliative treatment. For optimal dosing and reduction in the number of tablets, combinations of lower doses (4 mg and 8 mg) and higher doses (20 mg) may be used.
• Prophylaxis and treatment of cytostatic-induced emesis, emetogenic chemotherapy within antiemetic treatment: 8–20 mg (one 20 mg tablet) prior to chemotherapy, followed by 4–16 mg/day on days 2 and 3.
• Treatment of symptomatic multiple myeloma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in combination with other medications: the usual regimen is 40 mg or 20 mg once daily.

The dose and frequency of administration vary according to the therapeutic protocol and associated treatment(s). The administration of dexamethasone should follow the instructions for dexamethasone administration when described in the summary of product characteristics of the associated treatments. If this is not the case, local or international treatment protocols and guidelines should be followed. Prescribing physicians must carefully evaluate which dose of dexamethasone should be used, taking into account the patient's condition and disease status.

Long-term treatment

For long-term treatment of various diseases, after initial therapy, glucocorticoid treatment with dexamethasone should be switched to prednisone/prednisolone to reduce suppression of adrenal cortex function.

Use in children and adolescents

If a child is taking this medicine, it is important that the doctor monitors their growth and development at regular intervals.

If you take more Dexametasona ABDrug than you should

If you take too much medicine, contact your doctor or hospital immediately.

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service at 91 562 04 20, stating the medication and the amount ingested. It is recommended to bring the packaging and the package leaflet to the healthcare professional.

If you forget to take Dexametasona ABDrug

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose.

Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses.

If you stop taking Dexametasona ABDrug

If your treatment is to be discontinued, you should follow your doctor's recommendations. Your doctor may advise you to gradually reduce the amount of medication you are taking until you stop completely. Various symptoms have been reported when treatment is stopped too quickly, such as low blood pressure and, in some cases, relapse of the disease for which the treatment was prescribed. A "withdrawal syndrome" may also occur, including fever, muscle and joint pain, inflammation of the nasal lining (rhinitis), weight loss, skin itching, and eye inflammation (conjunctivitis). If you stop treatment too early and experience any of the symptoms mentioned, you should speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

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

4. Possible adverse effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone will experience them.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience serious mental health problems. These may affect 5 out of every 100 people taking medicines such as dexamethasone. These problems include:

• feeling depressed, including suicidal thoughts,
• feeling overly euphoric (mania) or experiencing mood swings,
• feeling anxious, having sleep problems, difficulty thinking or confusion, and memory loss,
• feeling, seeing, or hearing things that do not exist; having strange or frightening thoughts, changes in behavior, or feeling isolated.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience:

• severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, profound muscle weakness and fatigue, extremely low blood pressure, weight loss, and fever, as these may be signs of adrenal insufficiency,
• sudden abdominal pain, tenderness, nausea, vomiting, fever, and blood in the stools, which may be signs of intestinal perforation, particularly if you have or have had a bowel disease.

This medicine may worsen existing heart problems. If you experience shortness of breath or swelling of the ankles, consult your doctor immediately.

Other possible adverse effects (frequency not known) may include:

• Increased risk of infections, including viral and fungal infections, e.g., oral thrush; reactivation of tuberculosis or other infections, e.g., eye infections if previously experienced,
• Reduction in the number of white blood cells or increase in white blood cell count, abnormal blood clotting,
• Allergic reaction to the medicine, including potentially life-threatening allergic reactions (which may present as rash and swelling of the throat and tongue, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing or dizziness),
• Problems with the body's hormonal regulation, swelling and weight gain, moon-shaped face (Cushingoid state), altered endocrine system response following stress and trauma, surgery, childbirth, or illness; your body may be unable to respond normally to severe stress such as accidents, surgery, childbirth, or illness; growth delay in children and adolescents; irregular or absent menstrual cycles (periods); excessive growth of body hair (particularly in women),
• Weight gain, loss of protein and calcium imbalance, increased appetite, electrolyte imbalance, fluid retention, potassium loss which may cause rhythm disorders, increased requirement for diabetes medication, previously undiagnosed diabetes becoming apparent, high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood (hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia),
• Extreme mood changes, schizophrenia (mental disorder) which may worsen, depression, inability to sleep,
• Unusually severe headache with visual disturbances due to treatment withdrawal, seizures, and worsening of epilepsy, dizziness,
• Increased intraocular pressure, papilledema, thinning of ocular membranes, increased risk of viral, bacterial, and fungal eye infections, worsening of symptoms associated with corneal ulcers, worsening of existing eye infections, protrusion of the eyeballs, cataracts, blurred vision, visual disturbances, vision loss,
• Congestive heart failure in susceptible individuals, cardiac muscle rupture following a recent heart attack, cardiac decompensation,
• High blood pressure, blood clots: formation of blood clots that may block blood vessels, for example in the legs or lungs (thromboembolic complications),
• Hiccups,
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, and bloated abdomen; inflammation and ulcers in the esophagus; peptic ulcers that may perforate and bleed; inflamed pancreas (which may present as back and abdominal pain); flatulence; esophageal candidiasis,
• Thinning of delicate skin, unusual skin markings, bruising, redness and inflammation of the skin, stretch marks, visible inflammation, capillaries, acne, increased sweating, skin rash, swelling, hair loss, unusual fat deposits, excessive hair growth, fluid retention in the body, weakened capillaries leading to easy rupture seen as bleeding under the skin (increased capillary fragility), irritation of the skin around the mouth (perioral dermatitis),
• Weakening of bones with an increased risk of fractures (osteoporosis), bone necrosis, tendinitis, tendon rupture, muscle loss, myopathy, muscle weakness, premature interruption of bone growth (premature closure of epiphyses),
• Changes in sperm count and motility, impotence,
• Reduced response to vaccines and skin tests, slow wound healing, malaise,
• A “withdrawal syndrome” may also occur, including fever, muscle and joint pain, inflammation of the nasal lining (rhinitis), weight loss, painful itchy skin nodules, and eye inflammation (conjunctivitis).

Reporting of adverse effects:

If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are possible adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. You may also report them directly via the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Dexamethasone ABDrug

Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month indicated.

This medicine does not require any special storage temperature.

Store in the original packaging to protect from light.

Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of unused medicines and their packaging at the SIGRE point in your pharmacy. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused medicines and packaging. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the package and other information

Composition of Dexamethasone ABDrug

The active substance is dexamethasone.

Each tablet contains 20 mg of dexamethasone.

The other components are lactose, pregelatinized corn starch, anhydrous colloidal silica (E551), magnesium stearate (E470b), and sodium stearyl fumarate. See section 2 "Dexamethasone ABDrug contains lactose".

Appearance of the product and contents of the container

White to off-white, round tablets, scored on one side, with a diameter of 12 mm.

The tablet can be divided into equal doses.

PVC/PVDC90-Aluminum blisters in cardboard cartons.

Dexamethasone ABDrug is available in packages containing 20 and 30 tablets.

Only certain package sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Mabo-Farma S.A.

Calle Rejas 2, 1st floor

28821 Coslada, Madrid

Spain

Manufacturer responsible

Adamed Pharma S.A.

ul. Marszalka Józefa Pilsudskiego 5

95-200 Pabianice

Poland

This medicinal product is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:

Date of latest review of this leaflet: February 2021

Detailed and up-to-date information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/