Sortis 40

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Warning! Keep this leaflet. Information on the immediate packaging is in a foreign language.
SORTIS 40 (Lipitor), 40 mg, film-coated tablets
Atorvastatinum
SORTIS 40 and Lipitor are different trade names for the same medicinal product.
Please read the entire leaflet carefully before taking this medicine, as it contains
important information for the patient.

• Keep this leaflet for future reference.
• If you have any questions, please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
• This medicine has been prescribed for a specific individual. Do not share it with others. This medicine may harm other people, even if their symptoms are identical.
• If you experience any adverse reactions, including any not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. See section 4.

Table of contents of the leaflet

1. What SORTIS 40 is and what it is used for
2. Important information before taking SORTIS 40
3. How to take SORTIS 40
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store SORTIS 40
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What SORTIS 40 is and what it is used for

SORTIS 40 belongs to a group of medicines called statins, which regulate lipid (fat) metabolism in the body.
SORTIS 40 is used to lower blood levels of lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides when a low-fat diet and lifestyle changes alone are not effective. SORTIS 40 may also be used to reduce the risk of heart disease, even when cholesterol levels are within the normal range. A standard low-cholesterol diet should be continued during treatment.

2. Important information before using the medicine SORTIS 40

When not to use SORTIS 40:

• 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 liver function test results,
• 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 40, discuss the following with your doctor, pharmacist, or
nurse:

• if the patient has severe respiratory failure,
• if the patient is taking or has taken, within the last 7 days, fusidic acid (a medicine used to treat bacterial infections) orally or by injection. Concomitant use of fusidic acid with SORTIS 40 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 affected by any of the above conditions, the doctor will order a blood test before starting treatment with SORTIS 40 and, as appropriate, 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 40 and 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 patients with high blood pressure may be at increased risk of developing diabetes.

SORTIS 40 and 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 40 or their effect on the body may be altered by SORTIS 40.
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 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 fixed-dose combinations containing elbasvir with grazoprevir, ledipasvir with sofosbuvir,

• other medicines known to interact with SORTIS 40 include ezetimibe (which reduces cholesterol levels), warfarin (which reduces blood clotting), oral contraceptives, stiripentol (an anticonvulsant used in the treatment of epilepsy), 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, during treatment of a bacterial infection, the patient must 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 40. Taking SORTIS 40 together with fusidic acid may, in rare cases, lead to muscle weakness, tenderness or pain (rhabdomyolysis). More information on rhabdomyolysis can be found in section 4.

SORTIS 40 with food, drink and alcohol
Information on the use of SORTIS 40 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 40.

Alcohol
During treatment with this medicine, avoid consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
Further information on this topic is provided in section 2 "Warnings and precautions".

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The use of SORTIS 40 in women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant is contraindicated.
The use of SORTIS 40 in women of childbearing age is contraindicated if they are not using effective methods of contraception.
The use of SORTIS 40 during breastfeeding is contraindicated.
The safety of SORTIS 40 during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.
Before taking any medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Driving and using machines
This medicine 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 40 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 40 contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per tablet, i.e. the medicine is considered "sodium-free".

SORTIS 40 contains benzoic acid
This medicine contains 0.00016 mg of benzoic acid per tablet.

3. How to use SORTIS 40

The following are available in the market: 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 40.
The usual initial dose of SORTIS 40 in adults and children aged 10 years or older is 10 mg once daily. If necessary, your doctor may increase this dose 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 40 is 80 mg once daily.
SORTIS 40 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 used according to your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The duration of treatment with SORTIS 40 is determined by your doctor.
If you feel that the effect of SORTIS 40 is too strong or too weak, consult your doctor.
Taking more SORTIS 40 than recommended
If you accidentally take too many SORTIS 40 tablets (more than the usual daily dose), contact your doctor or the nearest hospital for advice.
If you forget to take SORTIS 40
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 40
If you have any further doubts about using 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 any of the serious adverse reactions or symptoms occur in the patient, 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 cause severe breathing difficulties.
• Severe illness characterized by skin peeling and swelling, skin blisters, sores in the mouth, eyes, genitals, and fever. Skin rash with pink-red spots, especially 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 breakdown of striated muscles (rhabdomyolysis). Rhabdomyolysis may 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 40:

Common: may occur in no more than 1 in 10 people

• Inflammation of nasal passages, 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, 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 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 head
• Vomiting, belching, pain in the upper and lower abdomen, pancreatitis (causing abdominal pain)
• Hepatitis
• Rash, skin eruptions and itching, urticaria, hair loss
• Neck pain, muscle fatigue
• Fatigue, malaise, weakness, chest pain, swelling especially in ankles, elevated 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 development of breast glandular tissue in males)

Frequency unknown: 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, and high blood pressure. During treatment with this medicine, the doctor will perform appropriate tests in 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 to provide more information on the safety of the medicine.

5. How to store SORTIS 40

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 stated 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 measures help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What SORTIS 40 contains

• The active substance is atorvastatin. Each coated tablet contains 40 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 40 tablets contains: hypromellose, macrogol 8000, titanium dioxide (E 171), talc, simethicone emulsion containing simethicone, stearic emulsifiers (polyethylene glycol sorbitan tristearate, polyoxyethylene stearate, glycerides), thickening agents (methylcellulose, xanthan gum), benzoic acid, sorbic acid and sulfuric acid.

What SORTIS 40 looks like and contents of the pack
White, round coated tablets, 9.5 mm in diameter, with "40" debossed on one side and "ATV" on the other side.
Blisters made of polyamide/Al/PVC covered with an Al/vinyl layer, packed in a cardboard box.
SORTIS 40 is available in blisters containing 28 coated tablets.
For more detailed information, please contact the responsible party or parallel importer.
Marketing Authorisation Holder in the United Kingdom, country of export:
Upjohn UK Limited
Ramsgate Road, Sandwich
Kent, CT13 9NJ
United Kingdom
Manufacturer:
Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH
Betriebsstätte Freiburg, Mooswaldallee 1, D-79090 Freiburg, Germany
Parallel Importer:
Delfarma Sp. z o.o., ul. Św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus 111, 91-222 Łódź
Repackaged in:
Delfarma Sp. z o.o., ul. Św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus 111, 91-222 Łódź
UK Marketing Authorisation Number, country of export: PL 50622/0041
Parallel Import Licence Number: 70/17