LARGACTIL 25 MG / ML SOLUTION FOR INJECTION - summary of medicine characteristics

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Largactil 25mg/ml Solution for Injection.

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

25 mg/ml chlorpromazine hydrochloride.

Excipient(s) with known effect:

Sodium metabisulphite (see section 4.4).

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Sterile solution for injection.

A clear, colourless or almost colourless solution.

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Largactil injection is indicated in the following conditions:

Schizophrenia and other psychoses (especially paranoid) mania and hypomania.

Anxiety, psychomotor agitation, excitement, violent or dangerously impulsive behaviour. Largactil is used as an adjunct in the short-term treatment of these conditions.

Intractable hiccup.

Nausea and vomiting of terminal illness (where other drugs have failed or are not available).

Childhood schizophrenia and autism.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Route of administration: Deep intramuscular injection.

Oral route administration should be used wherever possible.

Parenteral formulations may be used in emergencies. They may only be administered by deep intramuscular injection. Largactil is too irritant to give subcutaneously. Repeated injections should be avoided if possible.

ADULTS: A single deep intramuscular injection of 25–50mg followed by oral therapy will suffice in many cases, but the intramuscular dose may be repeated if required at 6 to 8 hour intervals. As soon as possible oral administration should be substituted.

ELDERLY: Should be started on half or even quarter of the adult dosage.

Dosage of chlopromazine in schizophrenia, other psychoses, anxiety and agitation, childhood schizophrenias and autism:

Hiccup:

Nausea and vomiting of terminal illness:

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to chlorpromazine or to any of the excipients (see section 6.1)

Bone marrow depression

Risk of angle-closure glaucoma

Risk of urinary retention related to urethroprostatic disorders

History of agranulocytosis

Dopaminergic anti-parkinsonian agents (see section 4.5)

Nursing mothers (see section 4.6)

Citalopram, escitalopram (see section 4.5)

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Largactil should be avoided in patients with:

hypothyroidism

phaeochromocytoma

myasthenia gravis

prostate hypertrophy

known hypersensitivity to phenothiazines

a history of narrow angle glaucoma or agranulocytosis

Except under exceptional circumstances, this drug must not be administered to patients with Parkinson’s di­sease.

Patients are strongly advised not to consume alcohol and alcohol-containing drugs throughout treatment (see section 4.5).

The concomitant use of chlorpromazine with lithium, other QT prolonging agents, and dopaminergic antiparkinsonian agents is not recommended (see section 4.5).

Because of the risk of photosensitisation, patients should be advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight (see section 4.8).

In those frequently handling preparations of phenothiazines, the greatest care must be taken to avoid contact of the drug with the skin.

Blood disorders

All patients must be advised that, if they experience fever, sore throat or any other infection, they should inform their physician immediately and undergo a complete blood count. Treatment will be discontinued if any marked changes (hyperleucocytosis, granulocytopenia) are observed in the latter.

As agranulocytosis has been reported, regular monitoring of the complete blood count is recommended. The occurrence of unexplained infections or fever may be evidence of blood dyscrasia (see section 4.8) and requires immediate haematological investigation.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Treatment must be interrupted in the event of unexplained hyperpyrexia since this can be one of the signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (pallor, hyperthermia, autonomic dysfunction, altered consciousness, muscle rigidity). Signs of autonomic instability, such as hyperhydrosis and irregular blood pressure, can precede the onset of hyperthermia and as such constitute premonitory signs of this syndrome. While this neuroleptic-related effect can be of idiosyncratic origin, certain risk factors such as dehydration and brain damage would seem to indicate a predisposition.

Withdrawal

Acute withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and insomnia, have very rarely been reported following the abrupt cessation of high doses of neuroleptics. Relapse may also occur, and the emergence of extrapyramidal reactions has been reported. Therefore, gradual withdrawal is advisable.

In schizophrenia, the response to neuroleptic treatment may be delayed. If treatment is withdrawn, the recurrence of symptoms may not become apparent for some time.

QT prolongation

Neuroleptic phenothiazines may potentiate QT interval prolongation which increases the risk of onset of serious ventricular arrhythmias of the torsade de pointes type, which is potentially fatal (sudden death). QT prolongation is exacerbated, in particular, in the presence of bradycardia, hypokalaemia, and congenital or acquired (i.e. drug induced) QT prolongation. If the clinical situation permits, medical and laboratory evaluations should be performed to rule out possible risk factors before initiating treatment with a neuroleptic agent and as deemed necessary during treatment (see section 4.8).

Where clinically possible, the absence of any factors favouring the onset of ventricular arrhythmias should be ensured before administration:

Bradycardia less than 55 beats per minute

Hypokalemia

Hypocalcaemia

Hypomagnesaemia

Starvation

Alcohol abuse

Concomitant therapy with other drugs known to prolong the QT interval

Congenital long QT interval

Ongoing treatment with any drug which could induce marked bradycardia (<55 beats per minute), hypokalemia, intracardiac conduction depression or QT prolongation (see section 4.5).

With the exception of emergencies, it is recommended that the initial work up of patients receiving a neuroleptic should include an ECG.

Stroke

In randomised clinical trials versus placebo performed in a population of elderly patients with dementia and treated with certain atypical antipsychotic drugs, a 3-fold increase of the risk of cerebrovascular events has been observed. The mechanism of such risk increase is not known. An increase in the risk with other antipsychotic drugs or other populations of patients cannot be excluded. Largactil should be used with caution in patients with stroke risk factors.

Elderly Patients with Dementia

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotics drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 – 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death in clinical trials with atypical antipsychotics were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g. heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g. pneumonia) in nature.

Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear.

Largactil is not licensed for the treatment of dementia-related behavioural disturbances.

As with all antipsychotic drugs, Largactil should not be used alone where depression is predominant. However, it may be combined with antidepressant therapy to treat those conditions in which depression and psychosis coexist.

Treatment should be discontinued immediately and another antipsychotic drug should be considered as an alternative in the following situations:

Severe liver toxicity

Severe liver toxicity, resulting sometimes in death, has been reported with chlorpromazine use. Patients or caregivers should immediately report signs and symptoms such as asthenia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or icterus to a physician. Investigations including clinical examination and biological assessment of liver function should be undertaken immediately (see section 4.8).

Eosinophilia

The presence of eosinophilia may indicate an allergic reaction to chlorpromazine. A thorough clinical examination and a repeat complete blood count (CBC) with differential count to confirm the presence of eosinophilia should be performed (see section 4.8).

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) which can be lifethreatening or fatal, have been reported in association with chlorpromazine treatment.

At the time of prescription patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms and monitored closely for skin reactions. If signs and symptoms suggestive of these reactions appear, chlorpromazine should be withdrawn immediately and not be restarted.

Venous thromboembolism

Cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE), sometimes fatal have been reported with antipsychotic drugs. Since patients treated with antipsychotics often present with acquired risk factors for VTE, all possible risk factors for VTE should be identified before and during treatment with Largactil and preventative measures undertaken.

The following populations must be closely monitored after administration of chlorpromazine:

Epileptics, since chlorpromazine may lower the seizure threshold. Treatment must be discontinued if seizures occur.

Elderly patients presenting with heightened susceptibility to orthostatic hypotension, sedation and extrapyramidal effects, chronic constipation (risk of paralytic ileus), and potentially prostatic hypertrophy. It should be used with caution particularly during very hot or cold weather (risk of hyper-, hypothermia). The onset of paralytic ileus, potentially indicated by abdominal bloating and pain, must be treated as an emergency (see section 4.8).

Patients presenting with certain forms of cardiovascular disease, since this class of drug has quinidine-like effects can induce tachycardia and hypotension.

Patients with severe liver and/or renal failure because of the risk of accumulation.

Monitoring recommendations

Patients on long-term treatment should receive regular ophthalmological and haematological examinations.

Owing to the risk of hypotension, patients should be advised to remain supine for at least half an hour after injection. Tachycardia as well as local pain or nodule formation may occur after intramuscular administration. Blood pressure should be monitored when receiving parenteral chlorpromazine

Since there is a potential impact on cognitive function, children should undergo a yearly clinical examination to evaluate learning capacity. The dosage should be adjusted regularly as a function of the clinical status of the child.

Hyperglycaemia or intolerance to glucose has been reported in patients treated with Largactil. Patients with established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or with risk factors for the development of diabetes who are started on Largactil, should get appropriate glycaemic monitoring during treatment (see section 4.8).

Excipient(s) with known effect

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

Sulphites:May rarely cause severe allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) and difficulty in breathing (bronchospasm).

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Adrenaline must not be used in patients overdosed with Largactil.

Anticholinergic drugs may reduce the antipsychotic effect of Largactil and the mild anticholinergic effect of Largactil may be enhanced by other anticholinergic drugs possibly leading to constipation, heat stroke, etc.

The action of some drugs may be opposed by Largactil; these include amphetamine, levodopa, clonidine, guanethidine and adrenaline.

Increases or decreases in the plasma concentrations of a number of drugs, e.g. propranolol Phenobarbital have been observed but were not of clinical significance.

Simultaneous administration of deferoxamine and prochlorperazine has been observed to induce a transient metabolic encephalopathy characterised by loss of consciousness for 48–72 hours. It is possible this may occur with Largactil since it shares many of the pharmacological properties of prochlorperazine.

There is an increased risk of agranulocytosis when neuroleptics are used concurrently with drugs with myelosuppressive potential, such as carbamazepine or certain antibiotics and cytotoxics.

Combinations contraindicated

Dopaminergics (quinaglide, cabergoline), not including dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents, are contraindicated (see Section 4.3); reciprocal antagonism of the dopaminergic agent and neuroleptic.

Citalopram and escitalopram are contraindicated.

Combinations not recommended

Dopaminergic antiparkinsonium agents (amantadine, bromocriptine, cabergoline, levodopa, lisuride, pergolide, piribedil, ropinirole) are not recommended: reciprocal antagonism of the antiparkinsonism agent and neuroleptic (see Section 4.4). Neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal syndrome should be treated with an anticholinergic rather than a dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agent (dopaminergic receptors blocked by neuroleptics).

Levodopa: reciprocal antagonism of levodopa and the neuroleptic. In Parkinson’s pa­tients, it is recommended to use the minimal doses of each drug.

QT prolonging drugs: There is an increased risk of arrhythmias when neuroleptics are used with concomitant QT prolonging drugs (including certain antiarrhythmics, antidepressants and other antipsychotics including sultopride) and drugs causing electrolyte imbalance.(see Section 4.4)

Alcohol: alcohol potentiates the sedative effect of neuroleptics. Changes in alertness can make it dangerous to drive or operate machinery. Alcoholic beverages and medication containing alcohol should be avoided (see section 4.4)

Lithium (high doses of neuroleptics): concomitant use can cause confusional syndrome, hypertonia and hyper-reflexivity, occasionally with a rapid increase in serum concentrations of lithium (see Section 4.4). There have been rare cases of neurotoxicity Lithium can interfere with the absorption of neuroleptic agents.

Combinations requiring precautions

Anti-diabetic agents: concomitant administration of high chlorpromazine doses (100mg/day) and anti-diabetic agents can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels (decreased insulin release). Forewarn the patient and advise increased self-monitoring of blood and urine levels. If necessary, adjust the anti-diabetic dosage during and after discontinuing neuroleptic treatment.

Topical gastrointestinal agents (magnesium, aluminium and calcium salts, oxides and hydroxides): decreased GI absorption of phenothiazine neuroleptics. Do not administer phenothiazine neuroleptics simultaneously with topical GI agents (administer more than 2 hours apart if possible).

CYP1A2 inhibitors

Administration of chlorpromazine with CYP1A2 inhibitors, in particular strong or moderate inhibitors may lead to an increase of chlorpromazine plasma concentrations. Therefore patients may experience a chlorpromazine dose-dependent adverse drug reaction.

There is a possible pharmacokinetic interaction between inhibitors of CYP2D6, such as phenothiazines, and CYP2D6 substrates.

Combinations to be taken into consideration

Antihypertensive agents: potentiation of the antihypertensive effect and risk of orthostatic hypotension (additive effects). Guanethidine has adverse clinically significant interactions documented.

Atropine and other atropine derivatives: imipramine, antidepressants, histamine H1-receptor antagonists, anticholinergic antiparkinsonism agents, atropinic antispasmodics, dispyramide: build-up of atropine-associated adverse effects such as urinary retention, constipation and dry mouth, heat stroke etc.

Other CNS depressants: morphine derivatives (analgesics, antitussives and substitution treatments), barbiturates, benzodiazepines, anxiolytics other than benzodiazepines, hypnotics, sedative antidepressants, histamine H1 receptor antagonists, central antihypertensive agents increased central depression.

Changes in alertness can make it dangerous to drive or operate machinery.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There is inadequate evidence of the safety of Largactil in human pregnancy. There is evidence of harmful effects in animals. Like other drugs it should be avoided in pregnancy unless the physician considers it essential. It may occasionally prolong labour and at such a time should be withheld until the cervix is dilated 3–4 cm.

Possible adverse effects on the foetus include lethargy or paradoxical hyperexcitability, tremor and low Apgar score.

A large amount of exposure to chlorpromazine during pregnancy did not reveal any teratogenic effect.

It is advised to keep an adequate maternal psychic balance during pregnancy in order to avoid decompensation. If a treatment is necessary to ensure this balance, the treatment should be started or continued at effective dose all through pregnancy.

Neonates exposed to antipsychotics (including Largactil) during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk of adverse reactions including extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms that may vary in severity and duration following delivery. There have been reports of agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress, bradycardia, tachycardia, feeding disorder, meconium ileus, delayed meconium passage, abdominal bloating. Consequently, newborns should be monitored carefully in order to plan appropriate treatment.

Lactation

Largactil may be excreted in milk, therefore breastfeeding should be suspended during treatment.

Fertility

A decrease in fertility was observed in female animals treated with chlorpromazine.

In male animals data are insufficient to assess fertility.

In humans, because of the interaction with dopamine receptors, chlorpromazine may cause hyperprolactinaemia which can be associated with impaired fertility in women (see Section 4.8). In men, data on consequences of hyperprolactinaemia are insufficient with regard to fertility.

4.7. Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

Patients should be warned about drowsiness during the early days of treatment and advised not to drive or operate machinery.

4.8 Undesirable effects

The following CIOMS frequency rating is used, when applicable: 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 data).

1may be seen without evidence of clinical disease

2particularly at the start of treatment

3particularly during long term treatment; may occur after the neuroleptic is withdrawn and resolve after reintroduction of treatment or if the dose is increased.

4linked to anticholinergic effects

5in the anterior segment of the eye caused by accumulation of the drug but generally without any impact on sight

6 Cases of hepatocellular, cholestatic and mixed liver injury sometimes resulting in death have been reported in patients treated with chlorpromazine (see section 4.4).

7 The development of a metallic greyish-mauve coloration of exposed skin has been noted in some individuals, mainly females, who have received chlorpromazine continuously for long periods (4 – 8 years).

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 at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms

Symptoms of chlorpromazine overdosage include drowsiness or loss of consciousness, hypotension, tachycardia, ECG changes, ventricular arrhythmia’s, hypothermia, Parkinsonism, convulsions and coma. Severe extra-pyramidal dyskinesias may occur.

Management

Treatment should be symptomatic with continuous respiratory and cardiac monitoring (risk of prolonged QT interval) until the patient’s con­ditions resolves.

If the patient is seen sufficiently soon (up to 6 hours) after ingestion of a toxic dose, gastric lavage may be attempted. Pharmacological induction of emesis is unlikely to be of any use. Activated charcoal should be given. There is no specific antidote.

Treatment is supportive.

Generalised vasodilation may result in circulatory collapse; raising the patient’s legs may suffice. In severe cases, volume expansion by intravenous fluids may be needed; infusion fluids should be warmed before administration in order not to aggravate hypothermia.

Positive inotropic agents such as dopamine may be tried if fluid replacement is insufficient to correct the circulatory collapse. Peripheral vasoconstriction agents are not generally recommended; avoid the use of adrenaline.

Ventricular or supraventricular tachy-arrhythmias usually respond to restoration of normal body temperature and correction of circulatory or metabolic disturbances. If persistent or life threatening, appropriate anti-arrhythmic therapy may be considered. Avoid lidocaine and, as far as possible, long acting anti-arrhythmic drugs.

Pronounced central nervous system depression requires airway maintenance or, in extreme circumstances, assisted respiration. Severe dystonic reactions usually respond to procyclidine (5 – 10 mg) or orphenadrine (20 – 40 mg) administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Convulsions should be treated with intravenous diazepam.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome should be treated with cooling. Dantrolene sodium may be tried.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Antipsychotics, ATC Code: N05AA01

Largactil is a phenothiazine neuroleptic.

5.2. Pharmacokinetic Properties

Chlorpromazine is rapidly absorbed and widely distributed in the body. It is metabolised in the liver and excreted in the urine and bile. Whilst plasma concentration of chlorpromazine itself rapidly declines excretion of chlorpromazine metabolites is very slow. The drug is highly bound to plasma protein. It readily diffuses across the placenta. Small quantities have been detected in milk from treated women. Children require smaller dosages per kg than adults.

5.3. Pre-clinical Safety Data

There are no preclinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SPC.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Sodium sulphite anhydrous (E221)

Sodium citrate

Sodium metabisulphite (E223)

Sodium chloride

Water for Injections

6.2 Incompati­bilities

Largactil injection solutions have a pH of 5.0–6.5; they are incompatible with benzylpenicillin potassium, pentobarbital sodium and phenobarbital sodium.

6.3 Shelf life

36 months

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Keep ampoules in outer carton in order to protect from light. Discoloured solution should not be used.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Largactil Injection 2.5% w/v is supplied in boxes containing 10 × 1 ml or 10 × 2 ml in glass ampoules.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

None.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Aventis Pharma Limited

410 Thames Valley Park Drive

Reading

Berkshire

RG6 1PT

UK

Trading as:

Sanofi

410 Thames Valley Park Drive

Reading

Berkshire

RG6 1PT

UK

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 04425/0582

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THEAUTHORISATION

Date of First Authorisation: 22 February 1973

Date of latest renewal: 28 March 2002