Pregabalin Aurovitas 150 mg hard capsules EFG

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Introduction

Package leaflet: information for the user

Pregabalin Aurovitas 150 mg hard capsules EFG

Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start using 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 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 adverse effects, consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse, even if they are adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Leaflet contents

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

1. What Pregabalin Aurovitas is and what it is used for

Pregabalin Aurovitas belongs to a group of medicines used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults.

Peripheral and central neuropathic pain: Pregabalin is used to treat chronic pain caused by nerve damage. Various diseases can cause peripheral neuropathic pain, such as diabetes or herpes. The pain sensation may be described as heat, burning, throbbing, shooting, stabbing, sharp pain, spasms, continuous pain, tingling, numbness, and prickling sensations. Peripheral and central neuropathic pain may also be associated with mood changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue (tiredness), and may affect physical and social activity and overall quality of life.

Epilepsy: Pregabalin is used in the treatment of certain types of epilepsy (partial seizures with or without secondary generalization) in adults. Your doctor will prescribe pregabalin to treat epilepsy when your current treatment does not adequately control the condition. You should take pregabalin in addition to your current treatment. Pregabalin must not be used as monotherapy, but should always be used in combination with other antiepileptic treatments.

Generalized anxiety disorder: Pregabalin is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Symptoms of GAD include excessive and prolonged anxiety and worry that are difficult to control. GAD may also cause restlessness or a feeling of being keyed up or on edge, easy fatigue, difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance. This is different from everyday stress and worries.

2. What you need to know before taking Pregabalin Aurovitas

Do not take Pregabalin Aurovitas

• If you are allergic to pregabalin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before starting Pregabalin Aurovitas if you have:

• Some patients treated with pregabalin have reported symptoms indicating an allergic reaction. These symptoms include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat, as well as development of widespread skin rash. If you experience any of these symptoms, you must seek medical attention immediately.
• Pregabalin has been associated with dizziness and somnolence, which could increase the incidence of accidental injuries (falls) in elderly patients. Therefore, you should exercise caution until you become familiar with the effects this medicine may have.
• Pregabalin may cause blurred vision, vision loss, or other changes in eyesight, many of which are transient. If you experience any visual disturbances, you must inform your doctor immediately.
• Diabetic patients who gain weight while taking pregabalin may require adjustments in their diabetes medications.
• Certain adverse effects, such as somnolence, may be more frequent because patients with spinal cord injury may be taking other medications for conditions such as pain or spasticity (stiff or rigid muscles), which have similar adverse effects to pregabalin; thus, the intensity of these effects may increase when taken concomitantly.
• Cases of heart failure have been reported in some patients treated with pregabalin. Most of these patients were elderly with cardiovascular disease. Before using this medicine, you must inform your doctor if you have a history of heart disease.
• Cases of renal failure have been reported in some patients treated with pregabalin. If during treatment with pregabalin you notice a decrease in your ability to urinate, inform your doctor, as discontinuation of treatment may improve this condition.
• Some patients taking antiepileptic medicines such as pregabalin have had thoughts of harming themselves or of suicide, or have exhibited suicidal behavior. If at any time you experience such thoughts or behaviors, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
• When pregabalin is taken together with other medicines that may cause constipation (such as certain types of pain medications), gastrointestinal problems (e.g., constipation and intestinal blockage or paralysis) may occur. Inform your doctor if you suffer from constipation, especially if you are prone to this problem.
• Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or illegal drugs; this may mean you have a higher risk of becoming dependent on Pregabalin Aurovitas.
• Seizures have been reported during treatment with pregabalin or shortly after discontinuation of pregabalin treatment. If you experience seizures, contact your doctor immediately.
• Cases of reduced brain function (encephalopathy) have been reported in some patients taking pregabalin who had other underlying diseases. Inform your doctor if you have a history of serious illness, including liver or kidney disease.
  • Cases of difficulty breathing have been reported. If you have nervous system disorders, respiratory disorders, renal failure, or are over 65 years of age, your doctor may prescribe a different dose. Contact your doctor if you experience breathing problems or shallow breathing.
  • Serious skin rashes, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported in association with pregabalin treatment. Stop taking pregabalin and seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms related to these serious skin reactions described in section 4.

Dependence

Some people may become dependent on Pregabalin Aurovitas (a need to keep taking the medicine). They may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using Pregabalin Aurovitas (see section 3, “How to take Pregabalin Aurovitas” and “If you stop taking Pregabalin Aurovitas”). If you are concerned about possibly becoming dependent on Pregabalin Aurovitas, it is important to consult your doctor.

If you notice any of the following signs while taking Lyrica, it could indicate that you have become dependent:

• You need to take the medicine for longer than recommended by your doctor.
• You feel the need to take more than the recommended dose.
• You are using the medicine for reasons other than those prescribed.
• You have made repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or control your use of the medicine.
• When you stop taking the medicine, you feel unwell and feel better once you take it again.

If you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor to discuss the best care plan for you, including when it is appropriate to stop treatment and how to do so safely.

Children and adolescents

The safety and efficacy have not been established in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age); therefore, pregabalin should not be used in this age group.

Other medicines and Pregabalin Aurovitas

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

Pregabalin and certain medicines can interact with each other. When pregabalin is used together with certain medicines that have a sedative effect (including opioids), these effects may be enhanced and may trigger respiratory failure, coma, and death. The degree of dizziness, somnolence, and reduced concentration may increase if pregabalin is taken together with other medicines containing:

Oxycodone (used as an analgesic)

Lorazepam (used to treat anxiety)

Alcohol

Pregabalin can be taken with oral contraceptives.

Taking Pregabalin Aurovitas with food, drinks, and alcohol

Pregabalin capsules can be taken with or without food.

It is recommended not to drink alcohol during treatment with pregabalin.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

You should not take pregabalin during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless your doctor has specifically instructed you to do so. The use of pregabalin during the first 3 months of pregnancy may cause congenital malformations in the fetus that require medical treatment. In a study reviewing data from women in Nordic countries who took pregabalin during the first 3 months of pregnancy, 6 out of every 100 babies had such congenital malformations. This compares with 4 out of every 100 babies born to women not treated with pregabalin in the study. Malformations reported include facial clefts, eyes, nervous system (including the brain), kidneys, and genitals.

An effective method of contraception should be used in women of childbearing potential. 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 using machines

Pregabalin may cause dizziness, somnolence, and reduced concentration. You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or engage in other potentially hazardous activities until you know whether this medicine affects your ability to perform these activities.

Pregabalin Aurovitas contains sodium:

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

3. How to take Pregabalin Aurovitas

Follow exactly the instructions given by your doctor for taking this medicine. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again. Do not take a higher dose than the one prescribed for you.

Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose for you.

Pregabalin is for oral use only.

Peripheral and central neuropathic pain, epilepsy, or generalized anxiety disorder:

• Take the number of capsules indicated by your doctor.
• The dose, adjusted according to your condition, will generally range between 150 mg and 600 mg daily.
• Your doctor will instruct you to take pregabalin two or three times a day. If twice daily, take pregabalin once in the morning and once at night, approximately at the same time each day. If three times daily, take pregabalin in the morning, at midday, and at night, approximately at the same time each day.

If you feel that the effect of pregabalin is too strong or too weak, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are an elderly patient (over 65 years of age), you should take pregabalin as usual, unless you have kidney problems.

Your doctor may prescribe a different dosing regimen or different doses if you have kidney problems.

Swallow the capsule whole with water.

Continue taking pregabalin until your doctor tells you to stop.

If you take more Pregabalin Aurovitas than you should

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 amount taken. It is recommended to bring the medicine’s packaging and leaflet to the healthcare professional. As a result of taking more pregabalin than recommended, you may feel drowsy, confused, agitated, or restless. Seizures and loss of consciousness (coma) have also been reported.

If you forget to take Pregabalin Aurovitas

It is important that you take pregabalin capsules regularly at the same time each day. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, continue with your next dose as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

If you stop taking Pregabalin Aurovitas

Do not stop taking pregabalin suddenly. If you wish to discontinue Pregabalin Aurovitas, speak to your doctor first. Your doctor will advise you on how to do this. If you are going to stop treatment, it should be done gradually over a minimum of one week.

After stopping short- or long-term treatment with pregabalin, you should be aware that you may experience certain adverse effects known as withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include: sleep disturbances, headache, nausea, anxiety, diarrhoea, flu-like symptoms, seizures, nervousness, depression, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, pain, sweating, and dizziness. These effects may occur more frequently or severely if you have been taking pregabalin for a longer period of time. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

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.

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• Dizziness, somnolence, headache.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Increased appetite.
• Feeling of euphoria, confusion, disorientation, decreased sex drive, irritability.
• Attention disturbance, clumsiness of movement, memory impairment, memory loss, tremors, difficulty speaking, tingling sensation, numbness, sedation, lethargy, insomnia, fatigue, abnormal sensation.
• Blurred vision, double vision.
• Vertigo, balance problems, falls.
• Dry mouth, constipation, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, bloated abdomen.
• Difficulty in erection.
• Body swelling including limbs.
• Feeling of drunkenness, disturbances in gait.
• Weight gain.
• Muscle cramp, joint pain, back pain, limb pain.
• Sore throat.

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

• Loss of appetite, weight loss, low blood sugar levels, high blood sugar levels.
• Change in self-perception, restlessness, depression, agitation, mood changes, difficulty finding words, hallucinations, strange dreams, panic attacks, apathy, aggressiveness, elevated mood, mental deterioration, difficulty thinking, increased sex drive, sexual relationship problems including inability to reach climax, delayed ejaculation.
• Changes in vision, unusual eye movements, visual disturbances including tunnel vision, flashes of light, spasmodic movements, diminished reflexes, hyperactivity, dizziness upon standing, sensitive skin, loss of taste, burning sensation, tremor on movement, decreased consciousness, loss of consciousness, fainting, increased sensitivity to noise, general malaise.
• Dry eyes, eye swelling, eye pain, tired eyes, watery eyes, eye irritation.
• Heart rhythm disturbances, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, changes in heartbeat, heart failure.
• Flushing, hot flushes.
• Difficulty breathing, nasal dryness, nasal congestion.
• Increased saliva production, burning sensations, numbness around the mouth.
• Sweating, rash, chills, fever.
• Muscle spasms, joint swelling, muscle stiffness, pain including muscle pain, neck pain.
• Breast pain.
• Difficulty or pain when urinating, inability to control urine.
• Weakness, thirst, chest tightness.
• Changes in blood and liver test results (elevated blood creatine phosphokinase, elevated alanine aminotransferase, elevated aspartate aminotransferase, decreased platelet count, neutropenia, increased blood creatinine, decreased blood potassium).
• Hypersensitivity, facial swelling, itching, urticaria, runny nose, nosebleeds, cough, snoring.
• Painful menstrual periods.
• Feeling of coldness in hands and feet.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• Altered sense of smell, fluctuating vision, depth perception disturbance, visual glare, vision loss.
• Dilated pupils, strabismus.
• Cold sweat, throat tightness, tongue swelling.
• Pancreatitis.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Slow or reduced body mobility.
• Difficulty writing correctly.
• Increased fluid in the abdominal area.
• Fluid in the lungs.
• Seizures.
• Changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) corresponding to heart rhythm disturbances.
• Muscle damage.
• Milk secretion, abnormal breast growth, breast enlargement in men.
• Interruption of menstrual periods.
• Kidney failure, reduced urine output, urine retention.
• Decreased white blood cell count.
• Inappropriate behavior, suicidal behavior, suicidal thoughts.
• Allergic reactions which may include difficulty breathing, eye inflammation (keratitis), and a severe skin reaction characterized by flat red patches, or circular or coin-shaped patches on the chest, often with central blisters, skin peeling, mouth ulcers, and ulcers in the throat, nose, genitals, and eyes. These severe skin rashes may be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
  • Parkinsonism, Parkinson-like symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia (reduced ability to move), and muscle rigidity.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):

• Liver failure.
• Hepatitis (liver inflammation).

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from available data):

• Becoming dependent on Pregabalina Aurovitas (“drug dependence”).

After stopping short-term or long-term treatment with Pregabalina Aurovitas, you should be aware that you may experience certain adverse effects known as withdrawal effects (see “If you stop taking Pregabalina Aurovitas”).

If you experience swelling of the face or tongue, or if your skin becomes red with blisters or peeling, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Certain adverse effects, such as somnolence, may be more frequent because patients with spinal cord injury may be taking other medications to treat, for example, pain or spasticity (tight or rigid muscles), which have similar adverse effects to pregabalin, so the intensity of these effects may increase when taken together.

The following adverse reaction has been reported during post-marketing experience: difficulty breathing, shallow breathing.

Reporting of adverse effects

If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, 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: www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Pregabalin Aurovitas

Keep this medicine out of the 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 conditions.

Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of unused medicines and their containers at the SIGRE Point at your pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist how to properly discard medicines and containers you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Composition of Pregabalin Aurovitas

• The active substance is pregabalin. Each hard capsule contains 150 mg of pregabalin.
• The other components are:

Capsule contents: maize starch, talc.

Capsule shell: titanium dioxide (E171), gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate.

Printing ink: shellac glaze, propylene glycol, iron oxide black (E172), potassium hydroxide.

Appearance of the product and pack contents

Hard gelatin capsule of size “2”, with white cap and white body, printed with “Z” on the cap and “14” on the body in black ink, containing a white or almost white granular powder.

Pregabalin Aurovitas is available in transparent PVC/Aluminum blister packs.

Pack sizes: 14, 21, 56, 84 and 100 hard capsules.

Only some pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorization Holder:

Aurovitas Spain, S.A.U.

Avda. de Burgos, 16-D

28036 Madrid

Spain

Manufacturer:

APL Swift Services (Malta) Limited

HF26, Hal Far Industrial Estate, Hal Far

Birzebbugia, BBG 3000

Malta

Or

Generis Farmacêutica, S.A.

Rua João de Deus, nº 19, Venda Nova

2700-487 Amadora

Portugal

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

Date of the most recent review of this leaflet: February 2024

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) (http://www.aemps.gob.es/).