FENCINO 75 MICROGRAMS / HOUR TRANSDERMAL PATCH - summary of medicine characteristics

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Fencino 75 micrograms/hour transdermal patch

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Fencino 75 micrograms/hour: 1 transdermal patch contains 15.3 mg fentanyl in a patch size of 25.5 cm2 and releases 75 micrograms fentanyl per hour Excipient with known effect: soya oil

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Transdermal patch

Fencino is an Opaque, colourless, rectangular shaped patch with round corners and imprint on the backing foil:

“Fentanyl 75^g/h” for Fencino 75 micrograms/hour

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indicationsAdults

Long -term management of severe chronic pain which can be managed adequately only with opioid analgesics.

Long-term management of severe chronic pain which can be managed adequately only with opioid analgesics in opioid-tolerant children receiving opioid therapy from 2 years of age (see section 4.2).

4.2 Posology and method of administration

The appropriate dose of Fencino and the need for continued treatment should be assessed at regular intervals.

Fencino transdermal patches release fentanyl for a period of 72 hours (corresponding to a release rate of 12.5, 25, 50, 75 and 100 micrograms/hour with a releasing surface of 4.25, 8.5, 17, 25.5 and 34 cm2 respectively).

Posology:

Adults

Initial dose selection

For the determination of the appropriate dose for the treatment of chronic pain, the analgesic – especially opioid analgesics – which has been administered so far must be taken into consideration. The dose, effectiveness and possible tolerance development are all reviewed for the calculation of the quantity of fentanyl required. Other factors to be considered are the current general condition and medical status of the patient, including body size, age, and extent of debilitation as well as degree of opioid tolerance.

Initial adjustment in opioid-naive patients

Clinical experience with Fencino is limited in opioid-naive patients. In the circumstances in which therapy with Fencino is considered appropriate in opioid-naive patients, it is recommended for these patients to be titrated with low doses of short acting analgesics. Only then the patients can be transfered to fentanyl transdermal patches. Patches with a release rate of 12.5 micrograms/h are available and should be used for initial adjustment. After an initial assessment period, patients can be transfered to fentanyl transdermal patches with a release rate of 25 micrograms/h. The dose may subsequently be titrated upwards or downwards, if required, in increments of 12 or 25 micrograms/h to achieve the lowest appropriate dose of Fencino depending on the response and supplementary analgesic requirements (see also section 4.4). In elderly or weak opioid-naive patients, who are particularly susceptible to opioid treatments, it is not recommended to initiate an opioid treatment with Fencino. In these cases, it would be preferable to initiate a treatment with low doses of immediate release morphine and to prescribe Fencino after determination of the optimal dosage.

Changes from other intensively active opioids

When changing over from oral or parenteral opioids to Fencino, the initial dosage should be calculated as follows:

1. The quantity of analgesics required over the last 24 hours should be determined and converted to the equianalgesic oral morphine dose.

2. The corresponding fentanyl dosage should be determined as follows: a) using Table 1 for patients who have a need for opioid rotation (conversion ratio from oral morphine to transdermal fentanyl equals 150:1)

b) using Table 2 for patients on stable and well tolerated opioid therapy (conversion ratio from oral morphine to transdermal fentanyl equals 100:1)

Table 1: Recommended initial dose of Fencino based on daily oral morphine dose (for patients who have a need for opioid rotation due to experienced adverse drug reactions) / conversion ratio 150:1

Table 2: Recommended initial dose of Fencino based on daily oral morphine dose

(for patients on stable and well tolerated opioid therapy) / conversion ratio 100:1

In the cases of initial adjustment and changing from other analgesics, the maximum analgesic effect cannot be evaluated until about 24 hours have elapsed, due to gradual increase in the serum fentanyl concentrations up to this time.

Previous analgesic therapy should be phased out gradually from the time of the first patch application until analgesic efficacy with Fencino is attained. By combining several transdermal patches, a fentanyl release rate of more than 100 micrograms/h can be achieved.

Dose titration and maintenance therapy

For a dose titration Fencino 12 micrograms/h with the lowest dosage is available.

Fencino patches should be replaced every 72 hours. The dose should be titrated individually until analgesic efficacy is attained. If analgesia is insufficient at the end of the initial application period, the dose may be increased after three days. Subsequently, dose adjustments may be made every three days. Following initiation of therapy, some patients may require replacement after 48 hours instead of 72 hours should analgesia be insufficient on day 3. Replacement earlier than at 72 hours may result in an increase of fentanyl serum concentration (see section 5.2). Dose adjustment, when necessary, should normally increase from 12 micrograms/h to 25 micrograms/h while the supplementary analgesic requirements (45/90 mg oral morphine/day ~ Fencino 12/25 micrograms/h) and pain status of the patient should be taken into account. More than one Fencino patch may be used to achieve the desired dose. Patients may require periodic supplementary doses of a short-acting analgesic for ‚breakthrough‘ pain. Additional or alternative methods of analgesia should be considered when the Fencino dose exceeds 300 micrograms/h.

Changing or ending therapy

If discontinuation of Fencino is necessary, any replacement with other opioids should be gradual, starting at a low dose and increasing slowly. This is because fentanyl levels fall gradually after the patch is removed. It takes at least 17 hours for the fentanyl serum concentration to decrease by 50%. As a general rule, the discontinuation of opioid analgesia should be gradual, in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms are possible in some patients after conversion or dose adjustment (see section 4.8). Tables 1 and 2 should not be used to calculate the switch from Fencino to other therapies in order to avoid an overestimation of the new analgesic dose and potential overdose.

Elderly patients

Elderly should be observed carefully and the dose reduced if necessary (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Liver and renal impairments

Patients with hepatic or renal impairment should be observed carefully and the dose reduced if necessary (see section 4.4).

Children aged 16 years and above: Follow adult dosage.

Children aged 2 to 16 years old:

Fencino should be administered only to opioid-tolerant paediatric patients (ages 2 to 16 years) who are already receiving at least 30 mg oral morphine equivalent per day.

Initiation / conversion of treatment to Fencino

To convert from oral or parenteral opioids to Fencino, the initial dose should be determined on the previous needs and the pain status (see table 3).

Table 3: Recommended Fencino dose based upon daily oral morphine dose1

1 In clinical trials these ranges of daily oral morphine doses were used as a basis for conversion to Fencino

2 Conversions to Fencino for doses greater than 25 micrograms/h are similar for adult and paediatric patients.

For children who receive more than 90 mg oral morphine equivalent a day, only limited information is currently available from clinical trials with transdermal fentanyl. In the paediatric studies, the required fentanyl transdermal patch dose was calculated conservatively: 30 mg to 44 mg oral morphine per day or its equivalent opioid dose was replaced by one Fencino 12 micrograms/h patch. It should be noted that this conversion schedule for children only applies to the switch from oral morphine (or its equivalent) to Fencino. The conversion schedule should not be used to convert from Fencino into other analgesics, as overdosing could then occur.

The analgesic effect of the first dose of Fencino will not be optimal within the first 24 hours. Therefore, during the first 12 hours after switching to Fencino, the patient should be given regular doses of the previous analgesics. In the following 12 hours, these previous analgesics should be provided based on clinical need.

Since peak fentanyl levels occur after 12 to 24 hours of treatment, monitoring of the patient for adverse events, e.g. hypoventilation, is recommended for at least 48 hours after initiation of fentanyl therapy or up-titration of the dose (see also section 4.4).

Dose titration and maintenance

If the analgesic effect of Fencino is insufficient, supplementary morphine or another short-duration opioid should be administered in paediatric patients. Depending on the additional analgesic needs and the pain status of the child, it may be decided to increase the dose. Dose adjustments should be done in 12 micrograms fentanyl/hour step­s.

Method of administration:

For transdermal use.

Immediately after the transdermal patch has been removed from the package and the release film as well as both sections of the backing film have been detached, the transdermal patch is attached to a hairless part of the skin or if this is not possible, hair at the application site should be clipped (not shaved) prior to application to the upper body (chest, back, upper arm). In young children, the upper back is the preferred location to apply the patch, to minimize the potential of the child removing the patch.

The skin should be cleaned carefully with clean water and thoroughly dried before the transdermal patch is applied (no cleaning agents should be used!). The transdermal patch is then fixed to the skin with light pressure of the hand held flat over it (about 30 seconds). It must be ensured that the application area does not show any microlesions (e.g. due to radiation or shaving) or irritation. As the outside of the transdermal patch is protected by a waterproof foil, the patch does not need to be removed to take a shower.

No creams, oils, lotions or powders should be used on the application area as they may impair the effective adhesion of the transdermal patch to the skin. Duration of administration:

The transdermal patch should be changed after a period of 72 hours. If necessary in individual cases, the transdermal patch may be changed earlier but not earlier than 48 hours after application, as this could cause an increase of the mean concentration of fentanyl in serum. A new skin area must be selected for each application. However, an area of skin can be used again if a 7-day interval is observed since the removal of the last transdermal patch. The analgesic effect may persist for some time after the transdermal patch has been removed. If residue is found on the skin after the patch has been removed, it can be removed with soap and water. The cleaning should not be performed using alcohol or other solvents, as these may penetrate the skin based on the specific effects of the transdermal patch.

If progressive dose increases are made, the active skin surface area required may reach a point where no further increase is possible.

4.3 Contraindications

– hypersensitivity to the active substance, soya, peanuts or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Fencino must not be used in the case of:

– Acute or postoperative pain, since dosage titration is not possible during shortterm use and a serious or life-threatening hypoventilation may occur

– severe impairment of central nervous system

– severe respiratory depression

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Patients who have experienced serious adverse events should be monitored for at least 24 hours after removal of Fencino, or more, as clinical symptoms dictate, because serum fentanyl concentrations decline gradually and are reduced by about 50% 20 to 27 hours later.

Patients and their carers must be instructed that Fencino contains an active substance in an amount that can be fatal, especially to a child. Therefore, they must keep all patches out of the sight and reach of children, both before and after use.

Opioid-naive and not opioid-tolerant states

Use of Fencino in the opioid-naive patient has been associated with very rare cases of significant respiratory depression and/or fatality when used as initial opioid therapy, especially in patients with non-cancer pain. The potential for serious or lifethreatening hypoventilation exists even if the lowest dose of Fencino is used in initiating therapy in opioid-naive patients, especially in elderly or patients with hepatic or renal impairment. The tendency of tolerance development varies widely among individuals. It is recommended that Fencino is used in patients who have demonstrated opioid tolerance (see section 4.2).

Respiratory depression

Some patients may experience significant respiratory depression with Fencino; patients must be observed for these effects. Respiratory depression may persist beyond the removal of the Fencino patch. The incidence of respiratory depression increases as the Fencino dose is increased (see section 4.9). Central nervous system depressants may increase the respiratory depression (see section 4.5).

Risk  from concomitant use of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs:

Concomitant use of Fencino and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing with these sedative medicines should be reserved for patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible. If a decision is made to prescribe Fencino concomitantly with sedative medicines, the lowest effective dose should be used, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible.

The patients should be followed closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In this respect, it is strongly recommended to inform patients and their caregivers to be aware of these symptoms (see section 4.5).

Chronic pulmonary disease

Fencino may have more severe adverse effects in patients with chronic obstructive or other pulmonary disease. In such patients, opioids may decrease respiratory drive and increase airway resistance.

Drug dependence and, potential for abuse

Tolerance, physical dependence, and psychological dependence may develop upon repeated administration of opioids.

Fentanyl can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists. Abuse or intentional misuse of Fencino may result in overdose and/or death. Patients with a prior history of drug dependence/alcohol abuse are more at risk to develop dependence and abuse in opioid treatment. Patients at increased risk of opioid abuse may still be appropriately treated with modified-release opioid formulations; however, these patients will require monitoring for signs of misuse, abuse, or addiction.

Central Nervous System conditions including increased intracranial pressure Fencino should be used with caution in patients who may be particularly susceptible to the intracranial effects of CO2 retention such as those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure, impaired consciousness, or coma. Fencino should be used with caution in patients with brain tumours.

Cardiac disease

Fentanyl may produce bradycardia and should therefore be administered with caution to patients with bradyarrhythmias.

Hypotension

Opioids may cause hypotension, especially in patients with acute hypovolaemia. Underlying, symptomatic hypotension and/or hypovolaemia should be corrected before treatment with fentanyl transdermal patches is initiated.

Hepatic impairment

Because fentanyl is metabolised to inactive metabolites in the liver, hepatic impairment might delay its elimination. If patients with hepatic impairment receive

Fencino, they should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose of Fencino reduced if necessary (see section 5.2).

Renal impairment

Even though impairment of renal function is not expected to affect fentanyl elimination to a clinically relevant extent, caution is advised because fentanyl pharmacokinetics has not been evaluated in this patient population (see section 5.2). If patients with renal impairment receive Fencino, they should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose reduced if necessary. Additional restrictions apply to opioid-naive patients with renal impairment (see section 4.2).

Fever/external heat application

Fentanyl concentrations may increase if the skin temperature increases (see section 5.2). Therefore, patients with fever should be monitored for opioid undesirable effects and the Fencino dose should be adjusted if necessary. There is a potential for temperature-dependent increases in fentanyl released from the system resulting in possible overdose and death.

All patients should be advised to avoid exposing the Fencino application site to direct external heat sources such as heating pads, electric blankets, heated water beds, heat or tanning lamps, sunbathing, hot water bottles, prolonged hot baths, saunas and hot whirlpool spa baths.

Serotonin syndrome

Caution is advised when Fencino is co-administered with medicinal products that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter systems.

The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with the concomitant use of serotonergic active substances such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin Norepinephrine Re-uptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), and with active substances which impair metabolism of serotonin (including Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors [MAOIs]). This may occur within the recommended dose.

Serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes (eg, agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (eg, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular abnormalities (eg, hyperreflexia, incoordination, rigidity), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (eg, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea).

If serotonin syndrome is suspected, treatment with Fencino should be discontinued.

Interactions with other medicinal products CYP3A4 inhibitors

The concomitant use of Fencino with cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors may result in an increase in fentanyl plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong both the therapeutic and adverse effects, and may cause serious respiratory depression. Therefore, the concomitant use of Fencino and CYP3A4 inhibitors is not recommended unless the benefits outweigh the increased risk of adverse effects. Generally, a patient should wait for 2 days after stopping treatment with a CYP3A4 inhibitor before applying the first Fencino patch. However, the duration of inhibition varies and for some CYP3A4 inhibitors with a long elimination half-life, such as amiodarone, or for time-dependent inhibitors such as erythromycin, idelalisib, nicardipine and ritonavir, this period may need to be longer. Therefore, the product information of the CYP3A4 inhibitor must be consulted for the active substance’s half-life and duration of the inhibitory effect before applying the first Fencino patch. A patient who is treated with Fencino should wait at least 1 week after removal of the last patch before initiating treatment with a CYP3A4 inhibitor. If concomitant use of Fencino with a CYP3A4 inhibitor cannot be avoided, close monitoring for signs or symptoms of increased or prolonged therapeutic effects and adverse effects of fentanyl (in particular respiratory depression) is warranted, and the Fencino dosage must be reduced or interrupted as deemed necessary (see section 4.5).

Accidental exposure by , patch transfer

Accidental transfer of a fentanyl patch to the skin of a non-patch wearer (particularly a child), while sharing a bed or being in close physical contact with a patch wearer, may result in an opioid overdose for the non-patch wearer. Patients should be advised that if accidental patch transfer occurs, the transferred patch must be removed immediately from the skin of the non-patch wearer (see section 4.9).

Use in elderly patients

Data from intravenous studies with fentanyl suggest that elderly patients may have reduced clearance, a prolonged half-life, and they may be more sensitive to the active substance than younger patients. If elderly patients receive Fencino, they should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose reduced if necessary (see section 5.2).

Gastrointestinal tract

Opioids increase the tone and decrease the propulsive contractions of the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract. The resultant prolongation in gastrointestinal transit time may be responsible for the constipating effect of fentanyl. Patients should be advised on measures to prevent constipation and prophylactic laxative use should be considered. Extra caution should be used in patients with chronic constipation. If paralytic ileus is present or suspected, treatment with Fencino should be stopped.

Patients with myasthenia gravis

Non-epileptic (myo)clonic reactions can occur. Caution should be exercised when treating patients with myasthenia gravis.

Concomitant use of mixed opioid agonists/anta­gonists

The concomitant use of buprenorphine, nalbuphine or pentazocine is not recommended (see also section 4.5).

Paediatric population

Fencino should not be administered to opioid-naïve paediatric patients (see section 4.2). The potential for serious or life-threatening hypoventilation exists regardless of the dose of Fencino transdermal system administered.

Fencino has not been studied in children under 2 years of age. Fencino should be administered only to opioid-tolerant children age 2 years or older (see section 4.2).

To guard against accidental ingestion by children, use caution when choosing the application site for Fencino (see sections 4.2 and 6.6) and monitor adhesion of the patch closely.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Pharmacodynamic-related interactions

Centrally-acting medicinal, products and alcohol

The concomitant use of other central nervous system depressants, (including opioids, sedatives, hypnotics, general anaesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, sedating antihistamines, and alcoholic beverages) and skeletal muscle relaxants, may produce additive depressant effects; hypoventilation, hypotension, profound sedation, coma or death may occur. Therefore, the use of any of these medicinal products concomitantly with Fencino requires special patient care and observation.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI)

Fencino is not recommended for use in patients who require the concomitant administration of an MAOI. Severe and unpredictable interactions with MAOIs, involving the potentiation of opiate effects or the potentiation of serotoninergic effects, have been reported. Therefore, Fencino should not be used within 14 days after discontinuation of treatment with MAOIs.

Sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs

The concomitant use of opioids with sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death because of additive CNS depressant effect. The dose and duration of concomitant use should be limited (see section 4.4).

Serotonergic medicinal products

Co-administration of fentanyl with a serotonergic medicinal products, such as a Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor (SSRI) or a Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) or a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life threatening condition.

Concomitant use of mixed opioid agonists/anta­gonists

The concomitant use of buprenorphine, nalbuphine or pentazocine is not recommended. They have high affinity to opioid receptors with relatively low intrinsic activity and therefore partially antagonise the analgesic effect of fentanyl and may induce withdrawal symptoms in opioid dependent patients (see also section 4.4).

Pharmacokinetic-related interactions

CYP3A4 Inhibitors

Fentanyl, a high clearance active substance, is rapidly and extensively metabolised mainly by CYP3A4.

The concomitant use of Fencino with cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors may result in an increase in fentanyl plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong both the therapeutic and adverse effects, and may cause serious respiratory depression. The extent of interaction with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is expected to be greater than with weak or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Cases of serious respiratory depression after coadministration of CYP3A4 inhibitors with transdermal fentanyl have been reported, including a fatal case after coadministration with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. The concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors and Fencino is not recommended, unless the patient is closely monitored (see section 4.4). Examples of active substances that may increase fentanyl concentrations include: amiodarone, cimetidine, clarithromycin, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, ritonavir, verapamil and voriconazole (this list is not exhaustive). After coadministration of weak, moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with short-term intravenous fentanyl administration, decreases in fentanyl clearance were generally <25%, however with ritonavir (a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor), fentanyl clearance decreased on average 67%. The extent of the interactions of CYP3A4 inhibitors with long-term transdermal fentanyl administration is not known, but may be greater than with short-term intravenous administration.

CYP3A4 Inducers

The concomitant use of transdermal fentanyl with CYP3A4 inducers may result in a decrease in fentanyl plasma concentrations and a decreased therapeutic effect. Caution is advised upon concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers and Fencino. The dose of Fencino may need to be increased or a switch to another analgesic active substance may be needed. A fentanyl dose decrease and careful monitoring is warranted in anticipation of stopping concomitant treatment with a CYP3A4 inducer. The effects of the inducer decline gradually and may result in increased fentanyl plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong both the therapeutic and adverse effects, and may cause serious respiratory depression. Careful monitoring should be continued until stable drug effects are achieved. Examples of active substances that may decrease fentanyl plasma concentrations include: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and rifampicin (this list is not exhaustive).

Paediatric population

Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no adequate data from the use of fentanyl in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown some reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. fentanyl crosses the placenta. Neonatal withdrawal syndrome has been reported in newborn infants with chronic maternal use of transdermal fentanyl during pregnancy. Fencino should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

Use of transdermal patch during childbirth (including caesarean) is not recommended because it should not be used in the management of acute or postoperative pain (see section 4.3). Moreover, because fentanyl passes through the placenta, the use of Fencino during childbirth might result in respiratory depression in the new-born infant.

Lactation

Fentanyl is excreted into breast milk and may cause sedation and/or respiratory depression in the breast-fed infant. Breast-feeding should therefore be discontinued during treatment with Fencino for at least 72 hours after the removal of the patch.

Fertility

In animal studies impaired fertility was observed with high doses (see section 5.3).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Fencino may impair the mental and/or physical ability required to perform potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery. In patients with stable fentanyl dose adjustment (without further influence of other active ingredients), significant impairment of the ability to drive and use machines is not expected.

However at the onset of treatment, upon increase of dose or upon combination with other medicinal products, reactivity may be affected in individual cases, leading to impairment of the ability to drive or use machines. Such situations should be handled with caution.

This medicine can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient’s ability to drive safely. This class of medicine is in the list of drugs included in regulations under 5a of the Road Traffic Act 1988. When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told:

The medicine is likely to affect your ability to drive

Do not drive until you know how the medicine affects you

It is an offence to drive while under the influence of this medicine

However, you would not be committing an offence (called ‘statutory defence’) if:

o The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem and

o You have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber and in the information provided with the medicine and

o It was not affecting your ability to drive safely

4.8 Undesirable effects

The safety of fentanyl patches was evaluated in 1565 adult and 289 paediatric subjects who participated in 11 clinical studies (1 double-blind, placebo-controlled; 7 openlabel, active-controlled; 3 open-label, uncontrolled) used for the management of chronic malignant or non-malignant pain. These subjects received at least one dose of fentanyl and provided safety data. Based on pooled safety data from these clinical studies, the most commonly reported (ie >10% incidence) adverse reactions were: nausea (35.7%), vomiting (23.2%), constipation (23.1%), somnolence (15.0%), dizziness (13.1%), and headache (11.8%).

The adverse reactions reported with the use of fentanyl patches from these clinical studies, including the above-mentioned adverse reactions, and from post-marketing experiences are listed below in Table 5.

The displayed frequency categories use the following convention: very common (>1/10); common (>1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available clinical data). The adverse reactions are presented by System Organ Class and in order of decreasing seriousness within each frequency category.

*

the assigned frequency (uncommon) is based on analyses of incidence including only adult and paediatric clinical study subjects with non-cancer pain.

In very rare cases soya oil may cause allergic reactions.

Paediatric population

The safety of fentanyl transdermal patches was evaluated in 289 paediatric subjects (<18 years) who participated in 3 clinical studies for the management of chronic or continuous pain of malignant or non-malignant origin. These subjects received at least one dose of fentanyl and provided safety data (see section 5.1).

The safety profile in children and adolescents treated with fentanyl patches was similar to that observed in adults. No risk was identified in the paediatric population beyond that expected with the use of opioids for the relief of pain associated with serious illness and there does not appear to be any paediatric-specific risk associated with fentanyl patch use in children as young as 2 years old when used as directed.

Based on pooled safety data from these 3 clinical studies in paediatric subjects, the most commonly reported (i.e. >10% incidence) adverse reactions were vomiting (33.9%), nausea (23.5%), headache (16.3%), constipation (13.5%), diarrhoea (12.8%), and pruritus (12.8%).

Tolerance, physical dependence, and psychological dependence can develop on repeated use of Fencino (see section 4.4).

Opioid withdrawal symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anxiety and shivering) are possible in some patients after conversion from their previous opioid analgesic to Fencino or if therapy is stopped suddenly (see section 4.2).

There have been very rare reports of newborn infants experiencing neonatal withdrawal syndrome when mothers chronically used Fencino during pregnancy (see section 4.6).

Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported when fentanyl was administered concomitantly with highly serotonergic drugs (see sections 4.4. and 4.5).

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 the Yellow Card scheme at www. mhra.gov.uk/y­ellowcard.

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms

The manifestations of fentanyl overdosage are an extension of its pharmacological actions, the most serious effect being respiratory depression.

Treatment

In case of a respiratory depression Fencino must be removed immediately and the patient should be encouraged to breath using verbal or physical stimulation. A specific antagonist such as naloxone may then be administered, but the respiratory depression may persist longer than the effect of the antagonist. The interval between the intravenous administered antagonist doses should be carefully chosen because of the possibility of re-narcotization after removal of the patch; repeated administration or a continuous infusion of naloxone may be necessary. Sudden pain and the release of catecholamines may be the consequence of the antagonisation.

If the clinical situation warrants, a patent airway should be established and maintained, possibly with an oropharyngeal airway or endotracheal tube., Oxygen should be administered and respiration assisted or controlled, as appropriate. Adequate body temperature and fluid intake should be maintained.

If severe or persistent hypotension occurs, hypovolemia should be considered, and the condition should be managed with appropriate parenteral fluid therapy.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: analgesics, opioids; phenylpiperidine derivatives ATC Code: N02AB03

Fentanyl is an opioid analgesic which interacts in particular with the u-receptor. The most important therapeutic effects are analgesia and sedation. The serum concentrations of fentanyl leading to a minimal analgesic effect in opioid-naive patients, ranges between 0.3–1.5 ng/ml; the frequency of undesirable effects increases above serum levels of 2 ng/ml.

The concentration leading to opioid-induced undesirable effects increases with duration of exposure of the patient to fentanyl. The predisposition to a development of tolerance varies considerably from individual to individual.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Resorption

Fentanyl is continuously absorbed through the skin over a period of 72 hours following the application of the Fencino. The rate of release is relatively constant due to the releasing polymer matrix and the diffusion of fentanyl through the layers of the skin. The concentration gradient existing between the matrix and the lower concentration in the skin drives drug release. After the initial application of Fencino, the serum concentration of fentanyl increases gradually reaching steady state between 12 and 24 hours after application and remains relatively constant for the entire rest of a 72-hour period. The concentration in serum attained is proportional to the size of the fentanyl transdermal patch. Following repeated applications for 72 hours each, the concentration in serum reaches a steady state which is maintained at a constant level for subsequent applications of patches of the same size.

A pharmacokinetic model has suggested that serum fentanyl concentrations may increase by 14% (range 0– 26%) if a new patch is applied after 24 hours rather than the recommended 72-hour application.

Distribution

The plasma protein binding for fentanyl is about 84 %.

Biotransformation

Fentanyl is a high clearance drug and is rapidly and extensively metabolised primarily by CYP3A4 in the liver. The major metabolite, norfentanyl, is inactive. Skin does not appear to metabolise fentanyl delivered transdermally. This was determined in a human keratinocyte cell assay and in clinical studies in which 92% of the dose delivered from the system was accounted for as unchanged fentanyl that appeared in the systemic circulation.

Elimination

After the removal of the transdermal patch containing fentanyl, serum fentanyl concentrations decline gradually, falling with a half-life time of about 17 (range 13–22) hours for adults and 22 – 25 hours in children following a 24-hour application. In another study the mean half-life ranges from 20–27 hours following a 72-hour application.Con­tinued absorption of fentanyl from the skin accounts for a slower disappearance of the drug from the serum than is seen after an IV infusion, where the apparent half-life is approximately 7 (range 3–12) hours. Within 72 hours of IV fentanyl administration, approximately 75% of the fentanyl dose is excreted into the urine, mostly as metabolites, with less than 10% as unchanged drug. About 9% of the dose is recovered in the faeces, primarily as metabolites.

Special populations:

Elderly

Data from intravenous studies with fentanyl suggest that elderly patients may have reduced clearance, a prolonged half-life, and they may be more sensitive to the drug than younger patients. In a study conducted with fentanyl transdermal patches, healthy elderly subjects had fentanyl pharmacokinetics which did not differ significantly from healthy young subjects, although peak serum concentrations tended to be lower and mean half-life values were prolonged to approximately 34 hours. Elderly patients should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose reduced if necessary (see section 4.4).

Paediatric Patients

The safety of Fentanyl transdermal patches was evaluated in 289 paediatric subjects (<18 years) who participated in 3 clinical trials for the management of chronic or continuous pain of malignant or non-malignant origin. These subjects took at least one dose of Fentanyl and provided safety data. Although the enrolment criteria for the paediatric studies restricted enrolment to subjects who were a minimum of 2 years of age, 2 subjects in these studies received their first dose of Fentanyl at an age of 23 months.

Fencino has not been studied in children under 2 years. Investigations in older children with dose adaptation according to body weight demonstrated that clearance in paediatric patients is approximately 20% higher compared to adults. These findings have been taken into consideration in determining the dosing recommendations for paediatric patients. Fencino should be administered only to opioid-tolerant paediatric patients (ages 2 to 16 years) (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

Hepatic impairment

In a study conducted in patients with hepatic cirrhosis, the pharmacokinetics of a single 50 micrograms/h application was assessed. Although tmax and t1/2 were not altered, the mean plasma Cmax and AUC values increased by approximately 35% and 73%, respectively, in these patients. Patients with hepatic impairment should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose reduced if necessary (see section 4.4).

Renal impairment

Data obtained from a study administering intravenous fentanyl in patients undergoing renal transplantation suggest that the clearance of fentanyl may be reduced in this patient population. If patients with renal impairment receive fentanyl transdermal patches, they should be observed carefully for signs of fentanyl toxicity and the dose reduced if necessary (see section 4.4).

The transdermal patch is an application form for the systemic administration of fentanyl, which ensures that an adequate serum level of fentanyl will be maintained over a period of 72 hours with a constant rate of release.

The transdermal patch consists of two functional layers:

The topside consists of a waterproof backing film with a selfadhesive fentanyl-containing matrix layer on it. This matrix layer is covered by a removable foil which – due to slits – can be easily removed prior to use.

Corresponding to the different sizes of absorption surfaces of the five systems of 4.25, 8.5, 17, 25.5 and 34 cm2 approximately 12, 25, 50, 75 or 100 micrograms/hour fentanyl are released to the skin. This is achieved by means of the polymer matrix: A concentration gradient is created between the polymer matrix with high concentrations of the active substance fentanyl and the skin with low concentration of fentanyl. Over a period of 72 hours fentanyl diffuses towards the lower concentration, i.e. towards the skin.

The relative bioavailability of fentanyl from the patch is 92%. The serum fentanyl concentrations attained are proportional to the patch size.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Based on conventional studies on safety pharmacology, toxicity, repeated dose, genotoxicity and carcinogenic potential, preclinical data do not indicate specials risk for humans.

In a study in rats no influence on male fertility was seen. In another study on fertility and early embryonic development in rats after high doses (300 microgram­s/kg/day s.c.), an effect mediated by male animals was observed which was presumably related to the sedative effects of fentanyl in animal experiments. Investigations in female rats showed reduced fertility and embryonic mortality. Newer studies demonstrated that the embryotoxic effects are indirectly induced by maternal toxicity and are not based on a direct effect of the active substance on the developing embryo. Investigations in two species did not indicate teratogenic effects. In a pre- and postnatal study, survival rate of the offsprings was significantly lowered on day 4 of the lactation period when doses were administered that induced a mild reduction in maternal body weight. In a study investigating developmental and reproduction toxicity in rats receiving maternally toxic doses of fentanyl, a delay in physical development, sensory functions, reflexes and behavior of offsprings was observed. These effects could either be due to changes in brood caring by the dam or a direct effect of fentanyl on the offsprings.

In a two-year carcinogenicity study conducted in rats, fentanyl was not associated with an increased incidence of tumours at subcutaneous doses up to 33 micrograms/kg/day in males or 100 microgram­s/kg/day in females (corresponding to the 0.16– and 0.39-fold of the daily human dose achieved by the 100 micrograms/h patch, based on a comparison of AUC0–24h).

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Matrix Components:

Aloe vera leaf extract oil (on the basis of soya oil tocopherol acetate) Colophonium resin Poly (2-ethylhexylacry­late,vinylace­tate) (50:50)

Release liner:

Polyethylene terephtalat, polyester, siliconized

Backing foil with imprint:

Polyethylene terephthalat foil,

Printing ink

6.2 Incompati­bilities

To prevent interference with the adhesive properties of the patch, no creams, oils, lotions or powder should be applied to the skin area when the patch is applied.

6.3 Shelf life

2 years.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Each transdermal patch is packed individually into a sealed child resistant sachet. The sachet is composed of different layers, polyester, aluminium foil and surlyn and is tightly sealed.

5, 10, 20 transdermal patches

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Note for handling:

See section 4.2

Note for disposal:

Used transdermal patches should be folded with the adhesive surfaces inwards and discarded safely or whenever possible returned to the pharmacy. Patches which have not been used should be disposed of after consultation with the pharmacist.

Other notes:

Fencino is exclusively for use on the skin of persons to whom it was prescribed. In rare cases, the patch could be attached to another person’s skin following close physical contact. In such a case the patch has to be removed immediately.

Please wash hands after application or removal of a patch (do not use cleansing or soap-like products).