Febuxostat Krka - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

B. PACKAGE LEAFLET

Package leaflet: Information for the patient

Febuxostat Krka 80 mg film-coated tablets Febuxostat Krka 120 mg film-coated tablets febuxostat

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking 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 or pharmacist.

• – 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 or pharmacist. This includes any possible side

effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

• 1. What Febuxostat Krka is and what it is used for

• 2. What you need to know before you take Febuxostat Krka

• 3. How to take Febuxostat Krka

• 4. Possible side effects

• 5. How to store Febuxostat Krka

• 6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Febuxostat Krka is and what it is used for

Febuxostat Krka tablets contain the active substance febuxostat and are used to treat gout, which is associated with an excess of a chemical called uric acid (urate) in the body. In some people, the amount of uric acid builds up in the blood and may become too high to remain soluble. When this happens, urate crystals may form in and around the joints and kidneys. These crystals can cause sudden, severe pain, redness, warmth and swelling in a joint (known as a gout attack). Left untreated, larger deposits called tophi may form in and around joints. These tophi may cause joint and bone damage.

Febuxostat Krka works by reducing uric acid levels. Keeping uric acid levels low by taking Febuxostat Krka once every day stops crystals building up, and over time it reduces symptoms. Keeping uric acid levels sufficiently low for a long enough period can also shrink tophi.

Febuxostat Krka 120 mg tablets are also used to treat and prevent high blood levels of uric acid that may occur when you start to receive chemotherapy for blood cancers.

When chemotherapy is given, cancer cells are destroyed, and uric acid levels increase in the blood accordingly, unless the formation of uric acid is prevented.

Febuxostat Krka is for adults.

2. What you need to know before you take Febuxostat Krka

Do not take Febuxostat Krka

• – if you are allergic to febuxostat or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section

6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Febuxostat Krka: – if you have or have had heart failure or heart problems or stroke,

• – if you have or have had kidney disease and/or serious allergic reaction to Allopurinol (a

medicine used for the treatment of gout),

• – if you have or have had liver disease or liver function test abnormalities,

• – if you are being treated for high uric acid levels as a result of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (a rare

inherited condition in which there is too much uric acid in the blood),

• – if you have thyroid problems.

Should you experience allergic reactions to Febuxostat Krka, stop taking this medicine (see also section 4). Possible symptoms of allergic reactions might be:

• – rash including severe forms (e.g. blisters, nodules, itchy, exfoliative rash), itchiness

• – swelling of limbs or face

• – difficulties in breathing

• – fever with enlarged lymph nodes

• – but also serious life threatening allergic conditions with cardiac and circulatory arrest.

Your doctor might decide to permanently stop treatment with Febuxostat Krka.

There have been rare reports of potentially life-threatening skin rashes (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome) with the use of febuxostat, appearing initially as reddish target-like spots or circular patches often with central blister on the trunk. It may also include ulcers in the mouth, throat, nose, genitals and conjunctivitis (red and swollen eyes). The rash may progress to widespread blistering or peeling of the skin.

If you have developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome with the use of febuxostat, you must not be re-started on Febuxostat Krka at any time. If you develop a rash or these skin symptoms, seek immediate advice from a doctor and tell that you are taking this medicine.

If you are having a gout attack at the moment (a sudden onset of severe pain, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling in a joint), wait for the gout attack to subside before first starting treatment with Febuxostat Krka.

For some people, gout attacks may flare up when starting certain medicines that control uric acid levels. Not everyone gets flares, but you could get a flare-up even if you are taking Febuxostat Krka, and especially during the first weeks or months of treatment. It is important to keep taking Febuxostat Krka even if you have a flare, as Febuxostat Krka is still working to lower uric acid. Over time, gout flares will occur less often and be less painful if you keep taking Febuxostat Krka every day.

Your doctor will often prescribe other medicines, if they are needed, to help prevent or treat the symptoms of flares (such as pain and swelling in a joint).

In patients with very high urate levels (e.g. those undergoing cancer chemotherapy), treatment with uric acid-lowering medicines could lead to the build-up of xanthine in the urinary tract, with possible stones, even though this has not been observed in patients being treated with febuxostat for Tumor Lysis Syndrome.

Your doctor may ask you to have blood tests to check that your liver is working normally.

Children and adolescents

Do not give this medicine to children under the age of 18 because the safety and efficacy have not been established.

Other medicines and Febuxostat Krka

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

It is especially important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medicines containing any of the following substances as they may interact with Febuxostat Krka and your doctor may wish to consider necessary measures:

• – Mercaptopurine (used to treat cancer)

• – Azathioprine (used to reduce immune response)

• – Theophylline (used to treat asthma)

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

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.

It is not known if Febuxostat Krka may harm your unborn child. Febuxostat Krka should not be used during pregnancy. It is not known if Febuxostat Krka may pass into human breast milk. You should not take Febuxostat Krka if you are breast feeding, or if you are planning to breastfeed.

Driving and using machines

Be aware that you may experience dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision and numbness or tingling sensation during treatment with this medicine and should not drive or operate machines if affected.

Febuxostat Krka contains lactose and sodium

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3. How to take Febuxostat Krka

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

• – The usual dose is one tablet daily. The score line is only there to help you break the tablet if you

have difficulty swallowing it whole.

• – The tablets should be taken by mouth and can be taken with or without food.

Gout

Febuxostat Krka is available as either an 80 mg tablet or a 120 mg tablet. Your doctor will have prescribed the strength most suitable for you.

Continue to take Febuxostat Krka every day even when you are not experiencing gout flare or attack.

Prevention and treatment of high uric acid levels in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy Febuxostat Krka is available as a 120 mg tablet.

Start taking Febuxostat Krka two days before chemotherapy and continue its use according to your doctor’s advice. The treatment is usually short-term.

If you take more Febuxostat Krka than you should

In the event of an accidental overdose ask your doctor what to do, or contact your nearest accident and emergency department.

If you forget to take Febuxostat Krka

If you miss a dose of Febuxostat Krka take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose, in which case miss out the forgotten dose and take your next dose at the normal time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Febuxostat Krka

Do not stop taking Febuxostat Krka without the advice of your doctor even if you feel better. If you stop taking Febuxostat Krka your uric acid levels may begin to rise and your symptoms may worsen due to the formation of new crystals of urate in and around your joints and kidneys.

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

4. Possible side effects

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

Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately or go to an emergency department nearby if the following rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) side effects occur, because a serious allergic reaction might follow:

• – anaphylactic reactions, drug hypersensitivity (see also section 2 “Warnings and precautions”)

• – potentially life-threatening skin rashes characterised by formation of blisters and shedding of

the skin and inner surfaces of body cavities, e.g. mouth and genitals, painful ulcers in the mouth and/or genital areas, accompanied by fever, sore throat and fatigue (Stevens- Johnson Syndrome/ Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis), or by enlarged lymph nodes, liver enlargement, hepatitis (up to liver failure), raising of the white-cells count in the blood (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms-DRESS) (see section 2)

• – generalised skin rashes.

The common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) are:

• – abnormal liver test results

• – diarrhoea

• – headache

• – rash (including various types of rash, please see below under “uncommon” and “rare” sections)

• – nausea

• – increase in gout symptoms

• – localised swelling due to retention of fluids in tissues (oedema).

Other side effects which are not mentioned above are listed below.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• – decreased appetite, change in blood sugar levels (diabetes) of which a symptom may be

excessive thirst, increased blood fat levels, weight increase

• – loss of sex drive

• – difficulty in sleeping, sleepiness.

• – dizziness, numbness, tingling, reduced or altered sensation (hypoesthesia, hemiparesis or

paraesthesia), altered sense of taste, diminished sense of smell (hyposmia)

• – abnormal ECG heart tracing, irregular or rapid heartbeats, feeling your heart beat (palpitation)

• – hot flushes or flushing (e.g. redness of the face or neck), increased blood pressure, bleeding

(hemorrhage, seen only in patients taking chemotherapy for blood disorders)

• – cough, shortness of breath, chest discomfort or pain, inflammation of nasal passage and/or

throat (upper respiratory tract infection), bronchitis

• – dry mouth, abdominal pain/discomfort or wind, heartburn/indi­gestion, constipation, more

frequent passing of stools, vomiting, stomach discomfort

• – itching, hives, skin inflammation, skin discoloration, small red or purple spots on the skin,

small, flat red spots on the skin, flat, red area on the skin that is covered with small confluent bumps, rash, areas of redness and spots on the skin, other type of skin conditions

• – muscle cramp, muscle weakness, pain/ache in muscles/joints, bursitis or arthritis (inflammation

of joints usually accompanied by pain, swelling and/or stiffness), pain in extremity, back pain, muscle spasm

• – blood in the urine, abnormal frequent urination, abnormal urine tests (increased level of proteins

in the urine), a reduction in the ability of the kidneys to function properly

• – fatigue, chest pain, chest discomfort

• – stones in the gallbladder or in bile ducts (cholelithiasis)

• – increase in blood thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level

• – changes in blood chemistry or amount of blood cells or platelets (abnormal blood test results)

• – kidney stones

• – erectile difficulties.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• – muscle damage, a condition which on rare occasions can be serious. It may cause muscle

problems and particularly, if at the same time, you feel unwell or have a high temperature it may be caused by an abnormal muscle breakdown. Contact your doctor immediately if you

experience muscle pain, tenderness or weakness

• – severe swelling of the deeper layers of the skin, especially around the lips, eyes, genitals, hands,

feet or tongue, with possible sudden difficult breathing

• – high fever in combination with measles-like skin rash, enlarged lymph nodes, liver enlargement,

hepatitis (up to liver failure), raising of the white-cells count in the blood (leukocytosis, with or without eosinophilia)

• – reddening of the skin (erythema), rash in various types (e.g. itchy, with white spots, with

blisters, with blisters containing pus, with shedding of the skin, measles-like rash), widespread erythema, necrosis, and bullous detachment of the epidermis and mucous membranes, resulting in exfoliation and possible sepsis (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic epidermal necrolysis)

• – nervousness

• – feeling thirsty

• – ringing in the ears

• – blurred vision, change in vision

• – hair loss

• – mouth ulceration

• – inflammation of the pancreas: common symptoms are abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting

• – increased sweating

• – weight decrease, increased appetite, uncontrolled loss of appetite (anorexia)

• – muscle and/or joint stiffness

• – abnormally low blood cell counts (white or red blood cells or platelets)

• – urgent need to urinate

• – changes or decrease in urine amount due to inflammation in the kidneys (tubulointerstitial

nephritis)

• – inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

• – yellowing of the skin (jaundice)

• – liver damage

• – increased level of creatine phosphokinase in blood (an indicator of muscle damage)

• – sudden cardiac death.

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 national reporting system listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Febuxostat Krka

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the packaging after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Febuxostat Krka contains

• – The active substance is febuxostat.

Each film-coated tablet contains 80 mg febuxostat.

Each film-coated tablet contains 120 mg febuxostat.

• – The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl­cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal hydrated silica and magnesium stearate in the tablet core and poly(vinyl alcohol), macrogol 3350, titanium dioxide (E171), talc, yellow iron oxide (E172) - only for 120 mg film-coated tablets and red iron oxide (E172) – only for 80 mg film-coated tablets in the film coating.

What Febuxostat Krka looks like and contents of the pack

Febuxostat Krka 80 mg film-coated tablets (tablets) are off pink, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablets scored on one side. Tablet dimension: approximately 16 mm x 8 mm. The score line is only to facilitate breaking for ease of swallowing and not to divide into equal doses.

Febuxostat Krka 120 mg film-coated tablets (tablets) are brownish yellow, slightly biconvex, capsule shaped film-coated tablets scored on both sides. Tablet dimension: approximatelly 19 mm x 8 mm. The score line is only to facilitate breaking for ease of swallowing and not to divide into equal doses.

Febuxostat Krka is available in boxes containing 14, 28, 56 or 84 film-coated tablets in blisters.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Smarjeska cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia

Manufacturer

KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Smarjeska cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia

TAD Pharma GmbH, Heinz-Lohmann-StraBe 5, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:

This leaflet was last revised in

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site:

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