Elecor 25 mg film-coated tablets

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

Patient Information Leaflet

Elecor 25 mg film-coated tablets

eplerenone

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, as it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, as 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 may harm them.
• If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of this leaflet:

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

1. What Elecor is and what it is used for

Elecor belongs to a group of medicines known as selective aldosterone blockers. These blockers inhibit the action of aldosterone, a substance produced by the body that regulates blood pressure and heart function. Elevated levels of aldosterone can cause changes in the body that may lead to heart failure.

Elecor is used to treat heart failure to prevent worsening of the condition and to reduce hospitalization in patients who have:

1. recently had a myocardial infarction, in combination with other medicines used to treat heart failure, or
2. persistent mild symptoms despite ongoing treatment received up to now.

2. What you need to know before taking Elecor

Do not take Elecor

• if you are allergic to eplerenone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you have high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalaemia).
• if you are taking medicines from groups that help your body eliminate excess fluid (potassium-sparing diuretics).
• if you have severe renal impairment.
• if you have severe hepatic impairment.
• if you are taking medicines used to treat fungal infections (ketoconazole or itraconazol).
• if you are taking medicines used to treat HIV infections (ritonavir or nelfinavir).
• if you are taking antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections (clarithromycin or telithromycin).
• if you are taking nefazodone for depression.
• if you are taking, at the same time, medicines used to treat certain heart conditions or hypertension such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARAs).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before starting to take Elecor.

• if you have kidney or liver disease (see "Do not take Elecor")
• if you are taking lithium (commonly used for manic-depressive disorders, also called bipolar disorder)
• if you are taking tacrolimus or cyclosporine (used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema and to prevent rejection of transplanted organs)

Children and adolescents

The safety and efficacy of eplerenone in children and adolescents have not been established.

Other medicines and Elecor

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

• Itraconazole or ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections), ritonavir, nelfinavir (antiviral medicines for treating AIDS), clarithromycin, telithromycin (used to treat bacterial infections), or nefazodone (used to treat depression), as these medicines reduce the metabolism of Elecor, thereby prolonging its effect in the body.
• Diuretics known as potassium-sparing diuretics (medicines that help your body eliminate excess fluid) or potassium supplements (salt tablets), as these medicines increase the risk of developing high potassium levels in the blood.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARAs) taken together (used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, or certain kidney diseases), as these medicines may increase the risk of high potassium levels in the blood.
• Lithium (commonly used for manic-depressive disorders, also called bipolar disorder). The use of lithium together with diuretics and ACE inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease) has been shown to cause excessively high levels of lithium in the blood, which may lead to the following adverse reactions: loss of appetite, vision disturbances, fatigue, muscle weakness, and muscle cramps.
• Cyclosporine or tacrolimus (used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema and to prevent rejection of transplanted organs). These medicines may cause kidney problems and thus increase the risk of high potassium levels in the blood.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs – certain painkillers such as ibuprofen, used to relieve pain, stiffness, and inflammation). These medicines may cause kidney problems and thus increase the risk of high potassium levels in the blood.
• Trimethoprim (used to treat bacterial infections): may increase the risk of high potassium levels in the blood.
• Alpha-1 blockers, such as prazosin or alfuzosin (used to treat high blood pressure and certain prostate conditions): may lead to a drop in blood pressure and dizziness upon standing.
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline or amoxapine (for the treatment of depression), antipsychotics (known as neuroleptics) such as chlorpromazine or haloperidol (for the treatment of psychiatric disorders), amifostine (used during cancer chemotherapy), and baclofen (used to treat muscle spasms). These medicines may lead to a drop in blood pressure and dizziness upon standing.
• Glucocorticoids, such as hydrocortisone or prednisone (used to treat inflammation and certain skin conditions) and tetracosactide (used mainly to diagnose and treat adrenal cortex disorders), may reduce the blood pressure-lowering effect of Elecor.
• Digoxin (used in the treatment of heart conditions). Blood levels of digoxin may increase when taken together with Elecor.
• Warfarin (an anticoagulant medicine): caution is required when administering warfarin doses, as high levels of warfarin in the blood may be affected by changes caused by Elecor in the body.
• Erythromycin (used to treat bacterial infections), saquinavir (an antiviral medicine for treating HIV infections), fluconazole (used to treat fungal infections), amiodarone, diltiazem, and verapamil (for the treatment of heart problems and high blood pressure) may reduce the metabolism of Elecor, thereby prolonging its effect in the body.
• Hypericum perforatum or St. John's wort (herbal remedy), rifampicin (used to treat bacterial infections), carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital (used, among others, to treat epilepsy) may increase the metabolism of Elecor and thus reduce its effect.

Taking Elecor with food and drink

Elecor can be taken with or without food.

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. The effect of Elecor during pregnancy has not been evaluated in humans.

It is unknown whether eplerenone is excreted in human breast milk. Your doctor will decide with you whether to discontinue treatment or breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

After taking Elecor, you may feel dizzy. If this occurs, do not drive or operate machinery.

Elecor contains lactose

Elecor contains lactose (a type of sugar). If your doctor has informed you of an intolerance to certain sugars, consult him before taking this medicine.

Elecor contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per tablet; this is essentially "sodium-free".

3. How to take Elecor

Follow exactly the instructions for using this medicine as given by your doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Elecor tablets can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with plenty of water.

Elecor is usually administered together with other medications for heart failure, for example, beta-blockers. The usual initial dose is one 25 mg tablet once daily, increasing after approximately 4 weeks to 50 mg daily (one 50 mg tablet or two 25 mg tablets). The maximum dosage regimen is 50 mg per day.

Blood potassium levels should be measured before starting treatment with Elecor, during the first week, and one month after starting treatment or after any dose adjustment. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your blood potassium levels.

If you have mild renal impairment, you should start treatment with one 25 mg tablet daily. If you have moderate renal impairment, you should start treatment with one 25 mg tablet on alternate days. These doses may be adjusted, as directed by your doctor and according to your blood potassium levels.

Elecor is not recommended for patients with severe renal disease.

No initial dose adjustment is required for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. If you have liver or kidney disease, more frequent blood potassium monitoring may be necessary (see also "Do not take Elecor").

In elderly patients: no initial dose adjustment is required.

In children and adolescents: Elecor is not recommended.

If you take more Elecor than you should

If you take more Elecor than you should, inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If you have taken too much medicine, the most likely symptoms are low blood pressure (manifested as dizziness, blurred vision, weakness, acute loss of consciousness) or hyperkalemia, high levels of potassium in the blood (manifested by muscle cramps, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, or headache).

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service at telephone number 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.

If you forget to take Elecor

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next tablet at the scheduled time.

Otherwise, take the tablet as soon as you remember, provided that more than 12 hours remain before the next dose is due. Then continue taking your medicine as usual.

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

If you stop taking Elecor

It is important to continue taking Elecor as directed, unless your doctor advises you to stop treatment.

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 experiences them.

If any of the following occur:

Seek immediate medical attention

• swelling of the face, tongue or throat
• difficulty swallowing
• blistering and difficulty breathing

These are symptoms of angioedema, an uncommon adverse effect (affecting up to 1 in 100 people).

Other reported adverse effects include:

Frequent adverse effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• elevated blood potassium levels (symptoms include muscle cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, dizziness or headache)
• fainting
• dizziness
• elevated blood cholesterol levels
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• headache
• heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat and heart failure
• cough
• constipation
• low blood pressure
• diarrhoea
• nausea
• vomiting
• abnormal kidney function
• rash
• itching
• back pain
• weakness
• muscle spasms
• increased blood urea levels
• elevated blood creatinine levels, which may indicate kidney problems

Uncommon adverse effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• infection
• eosinophilia (increase in certain white blood cells)
• low blood sodium levels
• dehydration
• elevated blood triglyceride levels (fats)
• rapid heartbeat
• inflammation of the gallbladder
• drop in blood pressure that may cause dizziness upon standing
• thrombosis (blood clot) in the legs
• sore throat
• flatulence
• underactive thyroid
• increased blood glucose
• reduced sense of touch
• increased sweating
• musculoskeletal pain
• general malaise
• kidney inflammation
• breast enlargement in men
• changes in certain blood tests

Reporting of adverse effects

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

5. Storage of Elecor

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging and outer carton, following EXP. The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.

Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of empty containers and unused medicines at the SIGRE collection point at your pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of containers and medicines you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Composition of Elecor

The active substance in Elecor film-coated tablets is eplerenone. Each tablet contains 25 mg of eplerenone.

The other components are monohydrate lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (E460), sodium croscarmellose (E468), hypromellose (E464), sodium lauryl sulfate, talc (E553b), and magnesium stearate (E470b).

The yellow opadry coating of Elecor 25 mg film-coated tablets contains hypromellose (E464), titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 400, polysorbate 80 (E433), yellow iron oxide (E172), and red iron oxide (E172).

Appearance of Elecor and contents of the pack

The Elecor 25 mg tablet is a yellow film-coated tablet. It is marked with “NSR” above “25”.

Elecor 25 mg film-coated tablets are available in cartons with blisters containing 30, 50 or 200 tablets. Only certain pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Almirall, S.A. General Mitre, nº 151 08022 – Barcelona (Spain).

Manufacturer

Fareva Amboise. Zone Industrielle-29 route des Industries. 37530 Pocé-sur-Cisse (France)

Date of the most recent review of this leaflet: August 2022

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