Package leaflet: information for the user

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

(Terlipressin acetate)

 

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

 

■ Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

 

■ If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

 

■ This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.

 

■ If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

 

What is in this leaflet:

 

1. What Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection is and what it is used for

 

2. What you need to know before you use Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

3. How to use Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

4. Possible side effects

 

5. How to store Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

6. Contents of the pack and other information

 

 

1 What Terlipressin Acetate 1 mg solution for injection is and what it is used for

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection is a synthetic pituitary hormone

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection is used for the treatment of:

 

■ bleeding from dilated (widening) veins in the food pipe leading to your stomach (called bleeding oesophageal varices).

 

 

2 What you need to know before you start using Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

Do not use Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

■ if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to terlipressin or any of the other ingredients of Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection (see section 6).

 

Warnings and precautions

 

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you start using Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

This medicine will be given to you if you have:

 

■ Severe or life threatening bleeding in your food pipe (oesophagus).

 

It is given under continous monitoring of your heart and blood circulation.

 

If you are able, please tell the doctor if you have any of the conditions shown below:

 

■ if you are suffering from a severe infection known as septic shock

 

■ if you suffer from bronchial asthma or other conditions that affect your breathing

 

■ if you suffer from uncontrolled high blood pressure, insufficient blood circulation in the heart vessels (e.g. angina), have previously had a heart attack (myocardial infarction), or you have hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)

 

■ if you suffer from irregular heart beats (cardiac arrythmias)

 

■ if you have poor blood circulation to your brain (e.g. you have had a stroke) or to your limbs (peripheral vascular disease)

 

■ if you suffer from impaired kidney function (renal insufficiency)

 

■ if you suffer from disturbances in the level of salt (electrolytes) in your blood

 

■ if you are suffering from reduced amount of fluid in your circulation or have already lost a large amount of blood

 

■ if you are pregnant

 

■ if you are over the age of 70 years

 

Other medicines and Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.

 

Please inform your doctor immediately if you take any of the following medicines:

 

n drugs that have an effect on your heart rate (e.g. beta-blockers, sufentanil or propofol)

 

n drugs that can trigger irregular beating of the heart (arrhythmia) such as the following:

 

■ anti-arryhthmic drugs known as Class IA (quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide) and Class III (amiodarone, solatol, ibutilide, dofetilide)

 

■ an antibiotic called erythromycin

 

■ antihistamines (mainly used to treat allergies but also found in certain cough and cold remedies)

 

■ a type of medicine used to treat depression called tricyclic antidepressants

 

■ medicines that may alter the level of salt or electrolytes in your blood, particularly diuretics (used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure)

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection with food and drink

 

There are no limitations.

 

Pregnancy and breast-feeding and fertility

 

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

 

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection should only be used during pregnancy if it is vital to treat your condition.

 

It is not known if Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection is present in breast milk, therefore it is not known if there may be an effect on your baby. You should discuss the potential risk to your baby with your doctor.

 

Driving and using machines

 

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.

 

Important information about some ingredients of Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection contains sodium

 

This medicinal product contains 30.6mg (1.33mmol) sodium per ampoule. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

 

 

3 How to use Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

This medicine is not to be used by yourself but will always be administered to you by your doctor. Please ask your doctor for further information regarding its use.

 

Adults

 

The dose will be determined by the doctor depending on patient’s weight.

 

Initially 1-2mg terlipressin acetate equivalent to 1-2 ampoules of Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection are administered. Your dose will depend on your body weight.

 

After the initial injection, your dose may be reduced to 1mg every 4 to 6 hours.

 

Treatment should be maintained for 24 consecutive hours until bleeding is under control or for a maximum period of 48 hours. After the initial injection, the following doses can be reduced to 1 milligram

 

(1 ampoule) of Terlipressin Acetate 1 mg solution for injection if necessary as, for example, by the occurrence of adverse reactions.

 

The maximum dose you can receive each day is approximately 120 microgrammes/kg body weight.

 

Elderly

 

If you are over 70 years of age speak with your doctor before you receive Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

Use in children and adolescents

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection is not recommended for use in children and adolescents due to insufficient experience.

 

Method and route of administration

 

After opening the ampoule, remove the solution with a syringe and inject it slowly intravenously.

 

Duration of treatment

 

The use of this medicine is limited to 2 – 3 days, depending on the course of your condition.

 

If you use more Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection than you should

 

You must not use more Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection than the recommended dose.

 

If you are given too much then you may have a rapid increase in your blood pressure, especially if you already suffer with high blood pressure. If this happens then you need another medicine called an alpha blocker (e.g. clonidine) to control your blood pressure.

 

You may also experience a low heart rate. This can be treated with a medicine called atropine.

 

If you forget to use Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

You will be given Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection in hospital under the supervision of a doctor.

 

If you stop using Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection

 

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist or nurse.

 

 

4 Possible side effects

 

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

 

Important side effects which need immediate attention:

 

In very rare cases, there may be severe side effects when you are given Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection.

 

If you are affected by any of the following side effects, please tell your doctor immediately if you are able to. Your doctor should not give you any more Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection to you.

 

■ severe shortness of breath due to an asthma attack

 

■ severe difficulty with or stopping breathing

 

■ severe pain in the chest (angina)

 

■ severe and persistent irregular heart beats

 

■ locally dead skin (necrosis)

 

■ convulsions (seizure)

 

■ kidney failure.

 

 

 

The following information is intended for medicinal or healthcare professionals only

 

Posology

 

Initially 1-2mg terlipressin acetate (equivalent to 1-2 ampoules of Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection) are administered.

 

Depending on the patient’s body weight the dose can be adjusted as follows:

 

■ weight less than 50kg: 1mg (1 ampoule of 8.5ml)

 

■ weight 50kg to 70kg: 1.5mg (1.5 ampoules of 8.5ml)

 

■ weight exceeding 70kg: 2mg (2 ampoules of 8.5ml).

 

After the initial injection, the dose can be reduced to 1mg every 4 to 6 hours.

 

The approximate value for the maximum daily dose of Terlipressin Acetate 1 mg solution for injection is 120 micrograms/kg body weight.

 

The therapy is to be limited to 2 – 3 days in adaptation to the course of the disease.

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection is injected intravenously and should be given over a period of one minute.

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection should only be used with caution in patients over 70 years, and patients with chronic renal failure.

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection is not recommended in children and adolescents due to insufficient experience on safety and efficacy.

 

A dose adjustment is not required in patients with liver failure.

 

Preparation of the injection:

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection is dissolved with the accompanying solvent and is applied intravenously.

 

The solution should be inspected visually for particles and discolouration prior to administration.

 

Do not use Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection if you notice

 

■ That the solution discolours. Store in a refrigerator at 2-8˚C.

Keep the vial in the outer carton to protect from light.

 

After reconstitution the solution should be used immediately.

 

For single use only. Discard any unused solution.

 

Frequency of possible side effects:

 

Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people):

 

Heart and circulation

 

■ very slow heart rate

 

■ signs of insufficient blood circulation in the heart vessels in the ECG

 

■ high or low blood pressure

 

■ insufficient blood circulation in arms, legs and skin

 

■ paleness of face

 

■ pale skin

 

General

 

■ headache

 

Stomach and gut

 

■ temporary abdominal cramps

 

■ temporary diarrhoea

 

■ abdominal cramps (in women)

 

Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people):

 

Mind and nervous system

 

■ triggering of a fit

 

Heart and circulation

 

■ chest pain

 

■ rapid increase in blood pressure

 

■ heart attack

 

■ irregular heart rate

 

■ too fast heart rate (palpitations)

 

■ bluish colouration of the skin or lips

 

■ hot flushes

 

■ heart failure (Torsade de Pointes)

 

Lungs and breathing

 

■ excess fluid on the lungs

 

■ shortness of breath due to spasm in the bronchial muscles

 

■ severe difficulty with or stopping breathing

 

Stomach and gut

 

■ temporary nausea

 

■ temporary vomiting

 

General

 

■ inflammation of the lymph vessels

 

■ reduced blood supply to the intestinal system

 

■ uterine cramps

 

■ decreased blood flow to the uterus

 

■ dead skin (necrosis) not related to the injection site

 

Results of blood tests

 

■ too little sodium in the blood (hyponatraemia) if not monitored

 

Rare (affects less than 1 in 1000 people):

 

Lungs and breathing

 

■ shortness of breath

 

Very rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people):

 

Heart and circulation

 

■ stroke

 

■ severe angina

 

Results of blood tests

 

■ too much sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia)

 

Reporting of side effects

 

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the United Kingdom Yellow Card Scheme.

 

Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

 

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

What Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection looks like and contents of the pack

 

This medicine is presented as a solution for injection. It is supplied in clear Type I glass ampoules containing solution for injection.

 

Each ampoule contains 8.5ml of solvent.

 

Terlipressin Acetate 1mg solution for injection is a clear, colourless solution for injection.

 

This medicine is available in pack sizes of:

 

One carton with 5 ampoules with 8.5ml of solution.

 

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

 

Marketing Authorisation Holder

 

Inresa Arzneimittel GmbH

Obere Hardtstraße 18

79114 Freiburg

Germany

 

Manufacturer

 

GENFARMA LABORATORIO, S.L.

Avda de la Constitución 199, P.I. Monte Boyal 45950 Casarrubios del Monte (Toledo) Spain

 

and

 

Inresa Arzneimittel GmbH

Obere Hardtstraße 18

79114 Freiburg

Germany

 

This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:

 

DE: TERLIPRESSIN 1mg SOLUTION FOR INJECTION

 

UK: TERLIPRESSIN ACETATE 1mg SOLUTION FOR INJECTION

 

This leaflet was last revised in October 2016