Eplerenone Kern Pharma 50 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Introduction

PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Eplerenone Kern Pharma 50 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because 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 must not be given to other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you. It could harm them.
• If you experience any adverse reactions, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are adverse reactions not listed in this leaflet.

Leaflet contents

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

1. What Eplerenone Kern Pharma is and what it is used for

Eplerenone Kern Pharma 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.

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

1. Recently suffered a myocardial infarction, in combination with other medicines used to treat their heart failure, or

2. Persistent mild symptoms, despite ongoing treatment received up to now.

2. What you need to know before taking Eplerenone Kern Pharma

Do not take Eplerenone Kern Pharma

• If you are hypersensitive (allergic) to eplerenone or to any of the other components of Eplerenone Kern Pharma.
• If you have high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalaemia).
• If you are taking medicines from groups that help eliminate excess fluid from the body (potassium-sparing diuretics) or "salt tablets" (potassium supplements).
• If you have severe renal failure.
• If you have severe hepatic impairment.
• If you are taking medicines used to treat fungal infections (ketoconazole or itraconazole).
• If you are taking antiviral medicines for the treatment of HIV (ritonavir or nelfinavir).
• If you are taking antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections (clarithromycin or telithromycin).
• If you are taking nefazodone for the treatment of depression.
• If you are simultaneously taking medicines used to treat certain heart conditions or hypertension (such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARBs)).

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take eplerenone:

• If you have kidney or liver disease (see “Do not take Eplerenone Kern Pharma”)
• If you are taking lithium (commonly used for manic-depressive disorders, also known as bipolar disorder)
• If you are taking tacrolimus or cyclosporine (used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis or eczema and to prevent rejection of transplanted organs)

Use of Eplerenone Kern Pharma with other medicines

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used, or might need to use any other medicine.

Eplerenone may affect other medicines. In turn, these medicines may affect the proper functioning of eplerenone.

You must not take Eplerenone Kern Pharma with the following medicines (see section “Do not use Eplerenone Kern Pharma”):

• Itraconazole or ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections), ritonavir, nelfinavir (antiviral medicines for treating HIV), clarithromycin, telithromycin (used to treat bacterial infections), or nefazodone (used to treat depression), as these medicines reduce the metabolism of Eplerenone Kern Pharma, thereby prolonging its effect in the body.

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (medicines that help eliminate excess fluid from the body) or potassium supplements (salt tablets), as these medicines increase the risk of developing high levels of potassium in the blood.

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARBs) taken together (used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, or certain kidney diseases), as these medicines may increase the risk of developing high levels of potassium in the blood.

Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Lithium (commonly used for manic-depressive disorders, also known as 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 diseases such as psoriasis or eczema and to prevent rejection of transplanted organs). These medicines may cause kidney problems and thus increase the risk of developing high levels of potassium 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 diseases) and tetracosactide (used mainly to diagnose and treat adrenal cortex disorders), may reduce the blood pressure-lowering effect of Eplerenone Kern Pharma.
• Digoxin (used in the treatment of heart conditions). Blood levels of digoxin may increase when taken together with Eplerenone Kern Pharma.
• Warfarin (an anticoagulant medicine): Caution is required when taking warfarin, as high levels of warfarin in the blood may affect the action of Eplerenone Kern Pharma 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) reduce the metabolism of Eplerenone Kern Pharma, 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 Eplerenone Kern Pharma and thus reduce its effect.

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

Taking Eplerenone Kern Pharma with food and drink

Eplerenone Kern Pharma may be taken with or without food.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The effect of Eplerenone Kern Pharma during pregnancy has not been evaluated in humans.

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

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.

Driving and use of machines

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

Eplerenone Kern Pharma contains lactose

If your doctor has informed you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with him before taking this medicine.

3. How to take Eplerenona Kern Pharma

Follow exactly the administration instructions for Eplerenona Kern Pharma given by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist again if you have any doubts.

Eplerenona Kern Pharma tablets can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with plenty of water.

Eplerenona Kern Pharma 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 dosing regimen is 50 mg per day.

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

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

Eplerenona Kern Pharma is not recommended in patients with severe renal disease.

No initial dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. If you have liver or kidney problems, more frequent blood potassium measurements may be required (see also “Do not take Eplerenona Kern Pharma”).

In elderly patients: no initial dose adjustment is required.

In children and adolescents: Eplerenona Kern Pharma is not recommended.

If you take more Eplerenona Kern Pharma than you should

If you take more Eplerenona Kern Pharma 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 hyperkalaemia, high levels of potassium in the blood (manifested by muscle cramps, diarrhoea, 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 Eplerenona Kern Pharma

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 scheduled dose. Then continue taking your medicine as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

If you stop taking Eplerenona Kern Pharma

It is important to continue taking Eplerenona Kern Pharma 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, Eplerenone Kern Pharma may have 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 angioneurotic edema.

Other reported adverse effects include:

Common adverse effects (occur in 1 to 10 out of every 100 patients):

• Myocardial infarction
• elevated potassium levels in blood (these symptoms include muscle cramps, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness or headache)
• dizziness
• fainting
• infection
• cough
• constipation
• low blood pressure
• diarrhea
• nausea
• abnormal kidney function
• rash
• itching
• muscle spasm and pain
• increased levels of urea in blood

Uncommon adverse effects (occur in 1 to 10 out of every 1,000 patients):

• eosinophilia (increase in certain white blood cells)
• dehydration
• elevated cholesterol or triglycerides (fats) in blood
• low sodium levels in blood
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• headache
• heart-related discomfort such as irregular heartbeat, rapid heartbeat, and heart failure
• inflammation of the gallbladder
• drop in blood pressure that may cause dizziness upon standing
• thrombosis (blood clot) in the legs
• sore throat
• flatulence
• vomiting
• underactive thyroid
• increased blood glucose
• reduced sense of touch
• increased sweating
• back pain
• weakness and general malaise
• elevated creatinine levels in blood, which may indicate kidney problems
• kidney inflammation
• breast enlargement in men
• changes in certain blood tests

If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are adverse effects not listed in this leaflet.

5. Storage of Eplerenone Kern Pharma

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

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

No special storage conditions are required.

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

6. Contents of the container and other information

Composition of Eplerenone Kern Pharma

• The active substance is eplerenone. Each tablet contains 50 mg of eplerenone.
• The other components are monohydrate lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (type 101), sodium croscarmellose, hypromellose (type 2910), microcrystalline cellulose (type 102), sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, magnesium stearate (tablet core);

Opadry II. white OY-L-28900: monohydrate lactose, hypromellose (Type 2910), titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 4000 (tablet coating).

Appearance of the product and contents of the pack

50 mg tablet: white to almost white, round, biconvex, film-coated tablets, marked “CG4” on one side of the tablet and smooth (unmarked) on the other side.

Eplerenone Kern Pharma 50 mg film-coated tablets EFG is available in blister packs containing 30 and 50 tablets.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorization Holder: Kern Pharma, S.L.

Venus, 72. Poligono Industrial Colon II.

08228 Terrassa, Barcelona

Manufacturer:

Laboratorios LICONSA S.A.

Avenida Miralcampo 7, Polígono Industrial Miralcampo

19200 Azuqueca de Henares, Guadalajara

Spain

Date of the most recent review of this leaflet: August 2012

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