Sortis 20
Poland
Table of Contents
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Warning! Keep this leaflet! Information on the immediate packaging in a foreign language.
Sortis 20, 20 mg, film-coated tablets
Atorvastatin
Please read this leaflet carefully before taking this medicine, as it contains
important information for the patient.
- Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
- This medicine has been prescribed for a specific individual. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm others, even if their symptoms are the same.
- If you experience any adverse effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. See section 4.
Leaflet contents
- What Sortis 20 is and what it is used for
- Important information before taking Sortis 20
- How to take Sortis 20
- Possible side effects
- How to store Sortis 20
- Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Sortis 20 is and what it is used for
Sortis 20 belongs to a group of medicines called statins, which regulate lipid (fat) metabolism in the body.
Sortis 20 is used to reduce blood levels of lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides when a low-fat diet and lifestyle changes alone are not effective. Sortis 20 may also be used to reduce the risk of heart disease, even when cholesterol levels are normal. During treatment, the patient should continue a standard low-cholesterol diet.
2. Important information before using Sortis 20
When not to use Sortis 20:
- if the patient is allergic to atorvastatin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),
- if the patient currently has or has previously had liver disease,
- if the patient has unexplained abnormal results of liver function tests,
- in women of childbearing age who are not using effective contraceptive methods,
- in pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant,
- in breastfeeding women,
- if the patient is concurrently taking glecaprevir with pibrentasvir for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.
Warnings and precautions
Before starting treatment with Sortis 20, discuss the following with your doctor, pharmacist, or
nurse:
- if the patient has severe respiratory insufficiency,
- if the patient is taking or has taken within the last 7 days oral or injectable fusidic acid (a medicine used to treat bacterial infections). Concomitant use of fusidic acid with Sortis 20 may lead to serious muscle problems (rhabdomyolysis),
- in case of haemorrhagic stroke, or if there is a small amount of fluid in the brain from a previous stroke,
- in case of kidney problems,
- in case of hypothyroidism,
- in case of recurrent or unexplained muscle pain or muscle problems in the past, or similar problems in family members,
- in case of muscle problems during previous treatment with other lipid-lowering medicines (e.g. other statins or fibrates),
- in case of regular consumption of large amounts of alcohol,
- in case of previous liver disease,
- in patients over 70 years of age.
In patients with any of the above conditions, the doctor will order a blood test before starting treatment with Sortis 20 and, where possible, during treatment to monitor the risk of muscle-related adverse effects. It is known that the risk of muscle-related adverse effects, such as rhabdomyolysis, is higher when certain medicines are used concomitantly (see section 2 "Sortis 20 with other medicines").
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if muscle weakness persists. Additional tests and additional medicines may be necessary to diagnose and treat this condition.
During treatment, your doctor will closely monitor you for the development of diabetes or risk of developing diabetes. Patients with high levels of blood sugar and fats, overweight patients, and those with high blood pressure may be more susceptible to the risk of developing diabetes.
Sortis 20 with other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking, have recently taken, or plan to take. Some medicines may alter the effect of Sortis 20 or their effect on the body may be altered by Sortis 20.
This type of interaction may reduce the effectiveness of one or both medicines. It may also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including severe muscle damage known as rhabdomyolysis, described in section 4:
- immunosuppressive medicines, e.g. cyclosporine,
- certain antibiotics or antifungal medicines, e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, rifampicin, fusidic acid,
- other lipid-regulating medicines, e.g. gemfibrozil, other fibrates, colestipol,
- certain calcium channel blockers used for angina or hypertension, e.g. amlodipine, diltiazem; and medicines regulating heart rhythm, e.g. digoxin, verapamil, amiodarone,
- letermovir, a medicine used to prevent cytomegalovirus infection,
- medicines used to treat HIV infection, e.g. ritonavir, lopinavir, atazanavir, indinavir, darunavir, tipranavir in combination with ritonavir, etc.,
- certain medicines used to treat hepatitis C virus infection, e.g. telaprevir, boceprevir, and fixed-dose combinations containing elbasvir with grazoprevir, ledipasvir with sofosbuvir,
- other medicines known to interact with Sortis 20 include ezetimibe (which lowers cholesterol levels), warfarin (which reduces blood clotting), oral contraceptives, stiripentol (an anticonvulsant used in epilepsy treatment), cimetidine (used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers), phenazone (a painkiller),
- colchicine (a medicine used to treat gout), and antacids (medicines used for indigestion containing aluminium or magnesium),
- over-the-counter medicines: St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum),
- if the patient needs to take oral fusidic acid to treat a bacterial infection, treatment with this medicine should be temporarily suspended. The doctor will inform the patient when it is safe to restart treatment with Sortis 20. Taking Sortis 20 together with fusidic acid may rarely lead to muscle weakness, tenderness or pain (rhabdomyolysis). More information on rhabdomyolysis can be found in section 4.
Sortis 20 with food, drink and alcohol
Information on the use of Sortis 20 can be found in section 3. However, please pay attention to the following:
Grapefruit juice
Do not drink more than one or two small glasses of grapefruit juice per day, as larger quantities may alter the effect of Sortis 20.
Alcohol
During treatment with this medicine, avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
Further information on this topic is provided in section 2 "Warnings and precautions".
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Use of Sortis 20 in women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant is contraindicated.
Use of Sortis 20 in women of childbearing potential is contraindicated if they are not using effective contraceptive methods.
Use of Sortis 20 during breastfeeding is contraindicated.
The safety of Sortis 20 during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.
Before taking any medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Driving and using machines
Sortis 20 usually does not affect the ability to drive or operate machinery. However, patients should not drive if this medicine affects their ability to do so. Do not use any tools or machines if taking this medicine affects your ability to operate them.
Sortis 20 contains lactose monohydrate
Patients who have been informed by their doctor that they have an intolerance to certain sugars should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.
Sortis 20 contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per tablet, meaning the medicine is considered "sodium-free".
Sortis 20 contains benzoic acid (E 210)
This medicine contains 0.00008 mg of benzoic acid per tablet.
3. How to use the medicine Sortis 20
Before starting treatment, your doctor will recommend a low-cholesterol diet; this diet should be continued during treatment with Sortis 20.
The following products are available on the market: Sortis 10 (10 mg), Sortis 20 (20 mg), Sortis 40 (40 mg), Sortis 80 (80 mg).
The usual starting dose of Sortis for adults and children aged 10 years or older is 10 mg once daily. If necessary, your doctor may increase this dose gradually, up to the dose appropriate for the individual patient. Your doctor will adjust the dose at intervals of at least 4 weeks. The maximum dose of Sortis is 80 mg once daily.
Sortis 20 tablets should be swallowed whole with water and may be taken at any time of day, with or without food. However, it is recommended to take the tablet at approximately the same time each day.
This medicine should always be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The duration of treatment with Sortis 20 will be determined by your doctor.
If you feel that the effect of Sortis 20 is too strong or too weak, consult your doctor.
Taking more Sortis 20 than prescribed
If you accidentally take too many Sortis 20 tablets (more than the usual daily dose), contact your doctor or the nearest hospital for advice.
Missing a dose of Sortis 20
If you forget to take your dose, simply take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Stopping Sortis 20
If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible adverse reactions
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse reactions, although not everyone will experience them.
If the patient experiences any of the serious adverse reactions or symptoms listed below, they should
stop taking the medicine immediately and contact their doctor or go to the emergency department of
the nearest hospital.
Rare: may occur in no more than 1 in 1,000 people
- Severe allergic reaction causing swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, which may lead to severe breathing difficulties.
- Severe illness characterized by skin peeling and swelling, skin blisters, blisters in the mouth, eyes, genitals, and fever. Skin rash with pink-red spots, particularly on the palms or soles, possibly with blisters.
- Weakness, tenderness, muscle pain or muscle rupture, or red-brown discoloration of urine. If accompanied by malaise or high fever, this may be due to rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of striated muscle). Rhabdomyolysis does not always resolve even after discontinuation of atorvastatin, and may be life-threatening and lead to kidney problems.
Very rare: may occur in no more than 1 in 10,000 people
- Unexpected or unusual bleeding or bruising, which may indicate liver abnormalities. Medical advice should be sought immediately.
- Lupus-like syndrome (including rash, joint disorders, and effects on blood cells).
Other possible adverse reactions of Sortis 20:
Common: may occur in no more than 1 in 10 people
- Nasal congestion, sore throat, nosebleeds
- Allergic reactions
- Increased blood glucose levels (in patients with diabetes, blood glucose levels should continue to be closely monitored), increased blood creatine kinase levels
- Headache
- Nausea, constipation, flatulence, indigestion, diarrhoea
- Joint pain, muscle pain, and back pain
- Blood test results indicating abnormal liver function.
Uncommon: may occur in no more than 1 in 100 people
- Anorexia (loss of appetite), weight gain, decreased blood glucose levels (in patients with diabetes, blood glucose levels should continue to be closely monitored)
- Nightmares, insomnia
- Dizziness, numbness or tingling in fingers, hands, and feet, reduced sensitivity to pain and touch, altered taste, memory loss
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears and (or) in the head
- Vomiting, regurgitation, pain in the upper and lower abdomen, pancreatitis (causing abdominal pain)
- Hepatitis
- Rash, skin rash and itching, urticaria, hair loss
- Neck pain, muscle fatigue
- Fatigue, malaise, weakness, chest pain, swelling especially in the ankles, elevated temperature
- Presence of white blood cells in urine analysis.
Rare: may occur in no more than 1 in 1,000 people
- Visual disturbances
- Unexpected bleeding or bruising (bruises)
- Cholestasis (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Tendon rupture.
Very rare: may occur in no more than 1 in 10,000 people
- Allergic reactions – symptoms may include sudden shortness of breath and chest pain or tightness, eyelid swelling, facial swelling, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue or throat, breathing difficulties, collapse
- Hearing loss
- Gynaecomastia (excessive growth of glandular breast tissue in males).
Frequency unknown: frequency cannot be estimated from available data
- Persistent muscle weakness.
Other possible adverse reactions reported during treatment with some statins (medicines of the same type):
- Sexual dysfunction
- Depression
- Breathing problems, including persistent cough and (or) shortness of breath or fever
- Diabetes; the likelihood of developing this condition is higher in patients with high blood sugar and fat levels, overweight patients, and those with high blood pressure. During treatment with this medicine, the doctor will perform appropriate tests on the patient.
Reporting of adverse reactions
If any adverse reactions occur, including any possible adverse reactions not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. Adverse reactions can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring Adverse Drug Reactions of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, tel.: +48 22 49 21 301, fax: +48 22 49 21 309, website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl.
Reporting adverse reactions helps provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Sortis 20
Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of the specified month.
No special storage instructions apply.
Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. Such practices help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Sortis 20 contains
- The active substance is atorvastatin. Each coated tablet contains 20 mg of atorvastatin (as atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).
- The other ingredients are: calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, sodium croscarmellose, polysorbate 80, hydroxypropylcellulose, and magnesium stearate.
The coating of Sortis 20 tablets contains: hypromellose, macrogol 8000, titanium dioxide (E 171), talc,
simethicone emulsion containing simethicone and stearyl emulsifiers (polysorbate 65, stearic acid macrogol 400, glycerol monostearate 40-55), thickening agents (methylcellulose, xanthan gum), benzoic acid (E 210), sorbic acid, and sulfuric acid.
What Sortis 20 looks like and contents of the pack
White, round, film-coated tablets with a diameter of 7.1 mm, embossed with "20" on one side and "ATV" on the other.
Sortis 20 is available in poliamide/Al/PVC-Al/vinyl blisters containing 30 film-coated tablets, packed in a cardboard box.
For more detailed information, please contact the marketing authorisation holder or the parallel importer.
Marketing Authorisation Holder in Latvia, country of export:
Upjohn EESV
Rivium Westlaan 142
2909 LD Capelle aan den IJssel
The Netherlands
Manufacturer:
Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH
Betriebsstätte Freiburg
Mooswaldallee 1
79090 Freiburg
Germany
Mylan Hungary Kft.
Mylan utca 1
Komárom, 2900
Hungary
Parallel Importer:
InPharm Sp. z o.o.
ul. Strumykowa 28/11
03-138 Warsaw
Poland
Repackaged in:
InPharm Sp. z o.o. Services sp. k.
ul. Chełmżyńska 249
04-458 Warsaw
Poland
Marketing Authorisation Number in Latvia, country of export: 98-0599
Parallel Import Authorisation Number: 206/23