ECONOMYCIN 250 MG FILM-COATED TABLETS, TETRACYCLINE 250 MG FILM-COATED TABLETS - summary of medicine characteristics

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

ECONOMYCIN 250 mg Film-coated Tablets

Tetracycline 250 mg Film-coated Tablets

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each film-coated tablet contains tetracycline hydrochloride BP equivalent to 250 mg of Tetracycline

Excipient with known effect: Also contains colourant E110.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Film-coated tablet

Orange biconvex film-coated tablets

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Tetracycline is a bacteriostatic broad-spectrum antibiotic, active against a wide variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.

Infections caused by tetracycline-sensitive organisms include:

1) Respiratory tract infections: Pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract infections due to susceptible strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and other organisms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Treatment of chronic bronchitis (including the prophylaxis of acute exacerbations) and whooping cough.

2) Urinary tract infections: Caused by susceptible strains of the Klebsiella species. Enterobacter species, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis and other organisms.

3) Sexually transmitted diseases: Infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis including uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infections. Non-gonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum. Tetracycline is also indicated in chancroid, granuloma inguinale and lymphogranuloma venereum.

Tetracycline is an alternative drug in the treatment of penicillin resistant gonorrhoea and syphilis.

4) Skin Infections: Acne vulgaris when antibiotic therapy is considered necessary and severe rosacea.

5) Ophthalmic infections: Trachoma, although the infectious agent, as judged by immunofluorescence, is not always eliminated. Inclusion conjunctivitis may be treated with oral tetracycline alone or in combination with topical agents.

6) Rickettsial infections: Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus group, Q fever and Coxiella endocarditis and tick fevers.

7) Other infections: Stagnant loop syndrome. Psittacosis, brucellosis (in combination with streptomycin), cholera, bubonic plague, louse and tick-borne relapsing fever, tularaemia, glanders, melioidosis and acute intestinal amoebiasis (as an adjunct to amoebicides).

Tetracycline is an alternative drug in the treatment of leptospirosis, gas-gangrene and tetanus.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Tetracycline tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water one hour before or two hours after a meal, since food and some dairy products interfere with absorption. Therapy should be continued for up to three days after symptoms have subsided.

All infections due to Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci should be treated for at least 10 days.

Adults (including the elderly) and children over 12 years:

The minimum recommended dosage is 250mg every six hours. Therapeutic levels are attained more rapidly by the administration of 500mg initially, followed by 250mg every six hours. For severe infections, the dosage may be increased to 500mg every six hours.

Paediatric Population: Contraindicated in children under 12 years of age.

Elderly:

Usual adult dose. Economycin should be used with caution in the treatment of elderly patients as subclinical renal insufficiency may lead to drug accumulation.

Renal impairment: In general tetracyclines are contraindicated in renal impairment and the dosing recommendations only apply if use of this class of drug is deemed absolutely essential. Total dosage should be decreased by reduction of recommended individual doses and/or by extending time intervals between doses.

Dosage recommendations in specific infections:

Skin infections: 250–500mg daily in single or divided doses should be administered for at least three months in the treatment of acne vulgaris and severe rosacea.

Streptococcal infections: A therapeutic dose of tetracycline should be administered for at least 10 days.

Brucellosis: 500mg tetracycline four times daily accompanied by streptomycin.

Sexually transmitted diseases: 500mg four times daily for seven days is recommended in the following infections: Uncomplicated gonococcal infections (except anorectal infections in man); uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis; non-gonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum. Acute epididymo-orchitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, or Neisseria gonorrhoea, 500mg four times daily for 10 days. Primary and secondary syphilis: 500mg four times daily for 15 days. Syphilis of more than one year's duration, (latent syphilis of uncertain or more than one year's duration, cardiovascular or late benign syphilis) except neurosyphilis, should be treated with 500mg, four times daily for 30 days. Patient compliance with this regimen may be difficult so care should be taken to encourage optimal compliance. Close follow-up including laboratory tests, is recommended.

Method of Administration

For oral administration.

4.3 Contraindications

Tetracycline is contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity to tetracycline antibiotics or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1

Chronic renal/hepatic dysfunction

renal impairment, particularly if severe; in systemic lupus erythematosus; tetracyclines may exacerbate renal failure

Acute porphyria

Use during pregnancy or lactation

children under 12 years of age (see sections 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8) as deposition of tetracyclines in growing bone and teeth (by binding to calcium) causes staining and occasionally dental hypoplasia.

Benign intracranial hypertension has been reported following the concomitant use of tetracyclines and Vitamin A or retinoids and therefore concurrent use should be contraindicated (see section 4.5 and 4.8)

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Tetracyclines depress plasma prothrombin activity; therefore reduced dosages of concurrent anticoagulants may be required.

The anti-anabolic action of tetracyclines may cause an increase in BUN. While this is not a problem in those with normal renal function, in patients with significantly impaired renal function, higher serum levels of tetracycline may lead to azotaemia, hyperphosphataemia and acidosis. The use of tetracycline in general should be avoided in renal impairment; small doses of the drug may lead to systemic accumulation with possible hepatic toxicity. They should not be used with penicillins and they should not be discontinued if supra-infection occurs.

In longterm therapy, periodic laboratory evaluation of organ systems, including haematopoietic, renal and hepatic studies should be performed.

High doses of tetracyclines have been associated with a syndrome involving fatty liver degeneration and pancreatitis

Likewise Tetracycline should be used with caution in patients with hepatic dysfunction or those taking other potentially hepatotoxic drugs; high doses should be avoided

Tetracycline may cause permanent tooth discolouration (yellow-brown discolouration), if administered during tooth development, in the last half of pregnancy and in infancy up to twelve years of age (see sections 4.3, 4.6 and 4.8). Enamel hypoplasia has also been reported. This adverse reaction is more common during long-term use of the drug but has been observed following repeated short-term courses.

Photosensitivity reactions may occur in hypersensitive persons. Susceptible patients should avoid direct exposure to natural or artificial sunlight and discontinue therapy at the first sign of skin discomfort.

Care is advised when administered to patients suffering from Myasthenia Gravis as weak neuromuscular blockade (increased muscle weakness) may occur.

Exacerbation of SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) may occur by the use of tetracyclines.

When treating venereal disease, where co-existent syphilis is suspected, proper diagnostic procedures should be utilised. In all such cases, monthly serological tests should be made for at least four months.

In common with all antibiotics, overgrowth of non-susceptible or resistant organisms including Candida (see section 4.8) may occur. Constant observation of the patients is essential. If a resistant organism appears, the antibiotic should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

Diarrhoea, particularly if severe, persistent and/or bloody, during or after treatment (including several weeks after treatment) with Tetracycline tablets, may be symptomatic of Clostridium difficile- associated disease (CDAD). CDAD may range in severity from mild to life threatening, the most severe form of which is pseudomembranous colitis (see section 4.8). It is therefore important to consider this diagnosis in patients who develop serious diarrhoea during or after treatment with Tetracycline tablets. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed Tetracycline tablets should be stopped immediately and appropriate therapy initiated without delay. Anti-peristaltic drugs are contraindicated in this clinical situation.

Economycin tablets contain the colourant sunset yellow E110, which can cause allergic-type reactions including asthma. Allergy is more common in those people who are allergic to aspirin.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Patients receiving concurrent anti-coagulant therapy (e.g. with coumarins or phenindone) should have the doses of those drugs reduced because tetracycline depresses plasma prothrombin activity. Tetracycline may prolong the action of coumarin anticoagulants

There is a possible increased risk of benign intracranial hypertension when tetracyclines are given with retinoids (acitretin, isotretinoin, tretinoin) and concomitant use should be avoided.

Combination of tetracyclines with diuretics may be detrimental to renal function and may aggravate nephrotoxicity by volume depletion.

Food, milk, and milk products impair absorption of tetracyclines.

Tetracyclines bind to di-/tri-valent cations. Absorption from the gastrointestinal tract is impaired by the concomitant administration of iron, calcium, aluminium, magnesium, bismuth and zinc salts. This includes interactions with Antacids, Bismuth containing ulcer-healing drugs (e.g. tripotassium dicitratobismut­hate), quinapril (which may contain a magnesium carbonate excipients) and didanosine (which contains calcium and magnesium excipients). Dosages should be maximally separated.

Antidiarrhoeal preparations such as kaolin-pectin and bismuth subsalicylate hinder the absorption of tetracyclines.

Atovaquone plasma concentration is reduced by tetracycline.

A few cases of pregnancy or breakthrough bleeding have been attributed to the concomitant use of tetracycline with oral contraceptives and alternative contraceptive advice should be sought where necessary.

Since bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin, it is advisable to avoid giving tetracyclines in conjunction with penicillin.

There have been reports of nephrotoxicity (increased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine) and death in some cases when tetracycline therapy has been combined with methoxyflurane.

Tetracycline may increase the hypoglycaemic effects of insulin and sulphonylureas in patients with diabetes mellitus.

The absorption of tetracycline may be reduced by the concomitant administration of sucralfate. Separating administration should be considered.

Tetracycline may cause an increase in serum lithium levels.

Tetracycline may cause an increase in serum digoxin levels.

Tetracycline may cause an increase the risk of methotrexate toxicity. Regular monitoring of toxicity is necessary when taken concurrently.

Absorption of tetracycline is impaired by strontium ranelate (manufacturer of strontium ranelate advises avoid concomitant use).

Absorption of tetracycline is possibly reduced by colestipol and colestyramine.

There is an increased risk of ergotism when tetracyclines are given with ergotamine and methysergide

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation

Tetracycline may be deposited in deciduous and permanent teeth giving permanent discolouration. It should not be used during pregnancy or lactation.

Tetracyclines should only be used during pregnancy or lactation if absolutely essential. It cross the placenta and may have toxic effects on foetal tissues, particularly on skeletal development, (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.8).

If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be appraised of the potential hazard to the foetus.

Tetracyclines are also excreted in breast milk and are therefore contraindicated in nursing mothers.

Use in newborns, infants and children: All tetracyclines form a stable calcium complex in any bone-forming tissue.

A decrease in fibula growth rate has been observed in premature infants given oral tetracycline in doses of 25mg/kg every 6 hours. This reaction was reversed when drug was discontinued.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Not applicable

4.8 Undesirable effects

The following convention has been utilised for the classification of frequency. Very common (> 1/10); common (> 1/100 and < 1/10); uncommon (> 1/1000 and < 1/100); rare (> 1/10,000 and < 1/1000); very rare (< 1/10,000); Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Infections and Infestations

Frequency not known: Overgrowth of resistant organisms (candida albicans in particular); this may cause glossitis, stomatitis, pseudomembranous colitis (Clostridium difficile overgrowth), enterocolitis (caused by resistant staphylococci), rectal and vaginal irritation, inflammatory lesions (with candidial overgrowth) in the anogenital regions (see section 4.4).

Blood and the lymphatic system disorders

Rare: Blood disorders (Haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia and eosinophilia)

Immune system disorders

Frequency not known: hypersensitivity reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, angioedema, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid purpura, pericarditis, and exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (see sections 4.3 and 4.8), fixed drug eruptions, exfoliative dermatitis.

Endocrine disorders:

Frequency not known: brown-black microscopic discolouration of thyroid tissue. No abnormalities of thyroid function are known to occur.

Nervous system disorders

Frequency not known: Headache

Eye disorders:

Frequency not known: visual disturbances, permanent visual loss.

Vascular disorders:

Frequency not known: bulging fontanelles in infants; benign intracranial hypertension in juveniles and adults (see section 4.3). Presenting features were headache, dizziness, tinnitus and visual disturbances including blurring of vision, scotomata and diplopia. Permanent visual loss has been reported. Treatment should cease if evidence of raised intracranial pressure develops.

Cardiac disorders

Rare: Pericarditis

Gastrointestinal disorders

Rare: dysphagia, oesophagitis and oesophageal ulceration (most of these patients took medication immediately before going to bed or with inadequate fluids).

Frequency not known: gastrointestinal irritations, nausea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, pancreatitis, permanent tooth discolouration and enamel hypoplasia in children (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.6). Tooth discolouration has also been seen in adults. If gastric irritation occurs, tablets should be taken with food.

Hepato-biliary disorders

Rare: transient increases in liver function tests, hepatitis, jaundice and hepatic failure

Frequency not known: hepatotoxicity associated with fatty liver.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Frequency not known: Photosensitivity (Patients exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light should be advised to discontinue treatment if any skin reaction occurs), erythematous, and macropapular rashes, skin discoloration, pruritis, bullous dermatoses

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders

Frequency not known: increased muscle weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis (see section 4.4)

Renal and Urinary Disorders

Rare: acute renal failure, nephritis

Frequency not known: raised serum urea, renal dysfunction, especially in patients with pre-existing renal impairment.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms

There may be nausea and vomiting.

Crystalluria and haematuria may occur following very large doses.

Hypersensitivity reactions may occur.

Treatment

There is no specific antidote.

Gastric decontamination is not normally necessary.

Give oral fluids for severe vomiting and diarrhoea if required.

Manage anaphylaxis reactions conventionally.

Single brief convulsions do not require treatment. If frequent or prolonged control with intravenous diazepam or lorazepam.

General symptomatic therapy as indicated by the patient's clinical condition.

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Broad spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotic

ATC code: D06AA04

Tetracycline hydrochloride is a broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotic.

Tetracyclines are taken up into sensitive bacterial cells by an active transport process. Once within the cell they bind reversibly to the 30S subunit of the ribosome, preventing the binding of aminoacyl transfer RNA and inhibiting protein synthesis and hence cell growth. Although tetracyclines also inhibit protein synthesis in mammalian cells they are not actively taken up, permitting selective effects on the infecting organism.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Most tetracyclines are incompletely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, about 60–80% of a dose of tetracycline usually being available. The degree of absorption is diminished by the presence of divalent and trivalent metal ions with which tetracyclines form stable insoluble complexes and to a variable degree by milk or food. Formulation with phosphate may enhance the absorption of tetracycline.

Plasma concentrations will depend upon the degree of absorption. Administration of tetracycline 500mg every 6 hours generally produces steady-state concentrations of 4–5Lig/inl. Peak plasma concentrations occur about 1–3 hours after ingestion. Higher concentrations can be achieved after intravenous administration; concentrations may be higher in women than in men.

In the circulation 20–65% of tetracycline is bound to plasma proteins.

They are widely distributed throughout the body tissues and fluids. Concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid are relatively low, but may be raised if the meninges are inflamed. Small amounts appear in saliva, and the fluids of the eye and lung. Tetracyclines appear in the milk of nursing mothers where concentrations may be 60% or more of those in the plasma. They diffuse across the placenta and appear in the foetal circulation in concentrations of about 25 to 75% of those in the maternal blood. Tetracyclines are retained at sites of new bone formation and recent calcification and in developing teeth.

The tetracyclines have been classified in terms of their duration of action in the body, although the divisions appear to overlap somewhat.

The tetracyclines are excreted in the urine and in the faeces. Renal clearance is by glomerular filtration. Up to 55% of a dose is eliminated unchanged in the urine; concentrations in the urine of up to 300^g/ml of tetracycline may be reached two hours after a usual dose is taken and be maintained for up to 12 hours. Urinary excretion is increased if urine is alkalinised. The tetracyclines are excreted in the bile where concentrations 5–25 times those in plasma can occur. Since there is some enterohepatic reabsorption complete elimination is slow. Considerable quantities occur in the faeces after administration.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Not applicable.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Tablet Core

Povidone

Microcrystalline cellulose

Sodium starch glycollate

Magnesium stearate

Film-Coat

Pigment Blend PB-630007 Orange

Hypromellose

Ethylcellulose

Diethyl phthalate

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known.

6.3 Shelf life

24 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store below 25°C in a dry place in well closed containers.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Container: High density polystyrene containers with polythene lids and/or polypropylene containers with polypropylene or polythene lids and polyurethane/po­lythene inserts.

Pack sizes: 100, 500 and 1000 tablets.

Blister: Blister packs of 250 ^m PVC/ 20 ^m Aluminium.

Pack sizes: 28 tablets.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Not applicable.