Sortis 20

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Warning! Keep this leaflet. The information on the immediate packaging is in a foreign language.
Sortis 20 (Sortis 20 mg), 20 mg, film-coated tablets
Atorvastatin
Sortis 20 and Sortis 20 mg are different trade names for the same medicinal product.
Please read this leaflet carefully before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.

• Keep this leaflet so that you can read it again if necessary.
• If you have any 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 other people, 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.

Table of contents

1. What Sortis 20 is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before taking Sortis 20
3. How to take Sortis 20
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Sortis 20
6. 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 diet low in fat 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. A standard low-cholesterol diet should be continued during treatment.

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 methods of contraception,
• 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 oral or injectable fusidic acid (a medicine used to treat bacterial infections) within the last 7 days. 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,
• if the patient currently has or has previously had myasthenia (a disease causing generalised muscle weakness, including in some cases muscles involved in breathing) or ocular myasthenia (a disease causing weakness of eye muscles), as statins may occasionally worsen symptoms of the disease or lead to the development of myasthenia (see section 4).

In patients with any of the above conditions, the doctor may 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, e.g. 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 for diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
During treatment, your doctor will closely monitor you for the development of diabetes or risk of developing diabetes. Patients with high blood sugar and lipid levels, overweight patients, and those with high blood pressure may be at increased risk of developing diabetes.

Sortis 20 with other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines you plan to take. Some medicines may alter the effect of Sortis 20 or the effect of these medicines 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, cholestyramine,
• 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 disease,
• 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 combination medicines containing elbasvir with grazoprevir, ledipasvir with sofosbuvir,
• other medicines known to interact with Sortis 20 include ezetimibe (which reduces 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,
• if the patient needs to take oral fusidic acid to treat a bacterial infection, treatment with this medicine should be temporarily discontinued. Your doctor will inform you 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 about 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 note the following:
Grapefruit juice
Do not consume more than one or two small glasses of grapefruit juice per day, as larger quantities may alter the effect of Sortis 20.
Alcohol
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption while taking this medicine.
Further information on this topic is provided in section 2 “Warnings and precautions”.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The use of Sortis 20 in women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant is contraindicated.
The use of Sortis 20 in women of childbearing age is contraindicated if they are not using effective methods of contraception.
The use of Sortis 20 during breastfeeding is contraindicated.
The safety of using 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 of 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, i.e. 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 Sortis 20

The following medicines are available: Sortis 10 (10 mg), Sortis 20 (20 mg), Sortis 40 (40 mg), Sortis 80 (80 mg).
Before starting treatment, your doctor will recommend a low-cholesterol diet; this diet should be continued during treatment with Sortis 20.
The usual starting dose of Sortis in adults and children aged 10 years or older is 10 mg once daily. This dose may be increased by your doctor as needed, up to the dose appropriate for the 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; they may be taken at any time of day, with or without food. However, it is advisable to take the tablet at the same time each day.
This medicine should always be taken according to the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The duration of treatment with Sortis 20 is 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.
If you forget to take Sortis 20
If you forget to take a dose, simply take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the 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, sores in the mouth, eyes, and genital area, and fever. Skin rash with pink-red spots, especially on the palms or soles, possibly accompanied by blisters.
• Weakness, tenderness, muscle pain, or muscle rupture, or red-brown discoloration of urine. If these symptoms are accompanied by malaise or high fever, this may indicate rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of skeletal muscle). Rhabdomyolysis may not resolve even after discontinuation of atorvastatin, can be life-threatening, and may 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 problems. 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

• Nasopharyngitis, sore throat, nosebleeds
• Allergic reactions
• Increased blood glucose levels (in diabetic patients, blood glucose levels should continue to be closely monitored), increased blood creatine kinase levels
• Headaches
• Nausea, constipation, bloating, 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 diabetic patients, blood glucose levels should continue to be closely monitored)
• Nightmares, insomnia
• Dizziness, numbness or tingling in fingers and toes, reduced sensitivity to pain and touch, altered taste, memory loss
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears and/or head
• Vomiting, belching, 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 of the ankles), elevated body temperature
• Presence of white blood cells in urine analysis

Rare: may occur in no more than 1 in 1,000 people

• Vision disorders
• 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, facial, lip, oral cavity, tongue or throat swelling, breathing difficulties, collapse
• Hearing loss
• Gynaecomastia (excessive growth of glandular breast tissue in men)

Frequency not known: cannot be estimated from available data

• Persistent muscle weakness
• Myasthenia (a disease causing general muscle weakness, including in some cases muscles involved in breathing). Ocular myasthenia (a disease causing weakness of the eye muscles). If the patient experiences weakness in the arms or legs that worsens with activity, double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath, they should speak to their doctor.

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 diabetes is higher in patients with high blood sugar and fat levels, overweight, and high blood pressure. The doctor will perform appropriate tests during treatment with this medicine.

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 also be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring Adverse Drug Reactions, 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 the 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 should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer in use. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the packaging and other information

What Sortis 20 contains

• The active substance is atorvastatin. Each coated tablet contains 20 mg of atorvastatin (in the form of 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, polyethylene glycol 8000, titanium dioxide (E 171), talc, simethicone emulsion containing simethicone, stearic acid emulsifiers (polysorbate 65, polyglycol 400 stearate, glyceryl monostearate 40-55), thickeners (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 side.
Packaged in poliamide/Al/PVC-Al/vinyl blisters in a cardboard carton.
Sortis 20 is available in blisters containing 28 film-coated tablets.
For more detailed information, please contact the marketing authorisation holder or parallel importer.
Marketing Authorisation Holder in Lithuania, 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:
Delfarma Sp. z o.o., ul. Św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus 111, 91-222 Łódź, Poland
Repackaged in:
Delfarma Sp. z o.o., ul. Św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus 111, 91-222 Łódź, Poland
Marketing Authorisation Numbers in Lithuania, country of export:
LT/1/98/3805/025
LT/1/98/3805/021
LT/1/98/3805/023
LT/1/98/3805/028
LT/1/98/3805/029
LT/1/98/3805/031
Parallel Import Authorisation Number: 95/24