METHOFILL 25 MG SOLUTION FOR INJECTION IN PRE-FILLED INJECTOR - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. What Methofill is and what it is used for

Methofill contains methotrexate as active substance

Methotrexate is a substance with following properties:

• it interferes with the growth of certain cells in the body that reproduce quickly
• it reduces the activity of the immune system (the body’s own defence mechanism)
• it has anti-inflammatory effects

Methofill is indicated for the treatment of

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adult patients- (RA) is a chronic disease, characterised by inflammation of the joint membranes. These membranes produce a fluid which acts as a lubricant for many joints. The inflammation causes thickening of the membrane and swelling of the joint.
• Polyarthritic forms of severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis when treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have not helped. (Juvenile arthritis concerns children and adolescents less than 16 years.)
• Severe Psoriatic arthritis in adult patients (psoriatic arthritis is a kind of arthritis with psoriatric lesions of the skin and nails, especially at the joints of fingers and toes.)
• Severe Psoriasis which has not responded to other forms of treatment (psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease, characterised by red patches covered by thick, dry, silvery, adherent scales.)
• Crohn’s Disease in adult patients (Crohn’s Disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting or weight loss.)

Methofill modifies and slows down the progression of the disease.

2. what you need to know before you use methofill

Do not use Methofill if you:

• are allergic to methotrexate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),
• suffer from severe liver or kidney diseases or blood diseases.
• regularly drink large amounts of alcohol.
• suffer from a severe infection, e.g. tuberculosis, HIV or other immunodeficiency syndromes.
• suffer from mouth ulcers, stomach ulcer or intestinal ulcer.
• receive vaccinations with live vaccines at the same time.
• are pregnant or breast-feeding (see section “Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility”)

Warnings and precautions

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse before taking Methofill if: you are elderly or if you feel generally unwell and weak.
• you have liver problems
• you suffer from dehydration (water loss).

Acute bleeding from the lungs in patients with underlying rheumatologic disease has been reported with methotrexate. If you experience symptoms of spitting or coughing up blood you should contact your doctor immediately.

Special precautionary measures for treatment with Methofill Methotrexate temporarily affects sperm and egg production, which is reversible in most cases. Methotrexate can cause miscarriage and severe birth defects. You must avoid becoming pregnant when using methotrexate and for at least six months after treatment has stopped. See also section “Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility”.

Recommended follow-up examinations and safety measures: Even when Methofill is administered in low doses, severe side effects can occur. In order to detect them in time, check-ups and laboratory tests have to be carried out by your doctor.

Before therapy:

Before starting the treatment, blood samples will be taken in order to check that you have enough blood cells, tests to check your liver function, serum albumin (a protein in the blood) and kidney function. Your doctor will also check if you suffer from tuberculosis (infectious disease in combination with little nodules in the affected tissue) and a chest X-ray will be taken.

During therapy:

You will have the following tests at least once a month during the first six months and at least every three months thereafter:

• Examination of the mouth and throat for alterations of the mucosa
• Blood tests
• Check of liver function
• Check of kidney function
• Check of respiratory system and if necessary lung function test

Inactive, chronic infections (e.g. herpes zoster [shingles], tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C) may flare up during methotrexate treatment.

Radiation induced dermatitis and sun-burn can reappear under methotrexate therapy (recall-reaction). Psoriatic lesions can become worse if you are exposed to UV-irradiation during treatment with methotrexate.

Enlarged lymph nodes (lymphoma) may occur and therapy must then be stopped.

Diarrhoea can be a toxic effect of Methofill and requires an interruption of therapy. If you suffer from diarrhoea please speak to your doctor.

Certain brain disorders (encephalopathy/ leukoencephalo­pathy) have been reported in cancer patients receiving methotrexate.Such side effects cannot be excluded when methotrexate is used to treat other diseases.

Other medicines and Methofill

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

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• The effect of the treatment may be affected if Methofill is administered at the same time as certain other drugs: Antibiotics such as: tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and non-absorbable broad-spectrum antibiotics, penicillines, glycopeptides, sulphonamides, ciprofloxacin and cefalotin (medicines to prevent/fight certain infections)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or salicylates (medicines against pain and/or inflammation such as acetylsalicylic acid, diclofenac and ibuprofen or pyrazole)
• Probenecid (medicine against gout)
• Weak organic acids like loop diuretics (“water tablets”)
• Medicines, which may have adverse effects on the bone marrow, e.g. trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (an antibiotic) and pyrimethamine
• Other medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis such as leflunomide, sulphasalazine and Azathioprine
• Mercaptopurine (a cytostatic agent)
• Retinoids (medicine against psoriasis and other dermatological diseases)
• Theophylline (medicine against bronchial asthma and other lung diseases)
• Some medicines against stomach trouble such as omeprazole and pantoprazole
• Hypoglycaemics (medicines that are used to lower the blood sugar)

Vitamins containing folic acid may impair the effect of your treatment and should only be taken when advised by your doctor.

Vaccination with live vaccine must be avoided.

Methofill with food, drink and alcohol

Alcohol as well as large amounts of coffee, caffeine-containing soft drinks and black tea should be avoided during treatment with Methofill.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

Pregnancy

Do not use Methofill during pregnancy or if you are trying to become pregnant. Methotrexate can cause birth defects, harm the unborn child or cause miscarriage. It is associated with malformations of the skull, face, heart and blood vessels, brain and limbs. Therefore, it is very important that Methotrexate is not given to pregnant patients or patients planning to become pregnant. In women of child-bearing age any possibility of pregnancy must be excluded with appropriate measures, e.g. a pregnancy test before starting treatment. You must avoid becoming pregnant whilst taking methotrexate and for at least 6 months after treatment is stopped by using reliable contraception throughout this time (see also section “Warnings and precautions”).

If you do become pregnant during treatment or suspect you might be pregnant, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. You should be offered advice regarding the risk of harmful effects on the child through treatment.

If you wish to become pregnant you should consult your doctor, who may refer you for specialist advice before the planned start of treatment.

Male fertility

The available evidence does not indicate an increased risk of malformations or miscarriage if the father takes methotrexate less than 30 mg/week. However, a risk cannot be completely excluded. Methotrexate may be genotoxic. This means that the medicine may cause genetic mutation. Methotrexate can affect sperm production with the potential to cause birth defects. Therefore, you must should avoid fathering a child or to donate semen whilst taking methotrexate and for at least 6 months after treatment is stopped.

Breast-feeding has to be stopped prior to and during treatment with Methofill.

Driving and using machines

Treatment with Methofill may cause adverse reactions affecting the central nervous system, e.g. tiredness and dizziness. Thus the ability to drive a vehicle and/or to operate machines may, in certain cases, be compromised. If you feel tired or drowsy you should not drive or use machines.

Methofill contains sodium

This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, i.e. essentially “sodium-free”.

3. how to use methofill

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

Your doctor decides on the dosage, which is adjusted individually. Usually it takes 4 – 8 weeks before there is any effect of the treatment.

Methofill is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) by or under the supervision of a physician or healthcare staff as an injection once a week only. Together with your doctor you decide on a suitable weekday each week on which you receive your injection.

Important warning about the dose of Methofill (methotrexate): Use Methofill only once a week for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis, Juvenile arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Psoriasis, Crohn’s disease. Using too much of Methofill (methotrexate) may be fatal. Please read section 3 of this leaflet very carefully. If you have any questions, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before ^ou take this medicine. _____________­_____________________

Use in children and adolescents

The doctor decides on the appropriate dose in children and adolescents with polyarthritic forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Methofill is not recommended in children less than 3 years of age due to insufficient experience in this age group.

Method and duration of administration Methofill is injected once weekly!

The duration of the treatment is determined by the treating physician. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis and Crohn’s disease with Methofill is a long-term treatment.

Methotrexate should only be prescribed by physicians, who are familiar with the various characteristics of the medicinal product and its mode of action. If considered appropriate, the treating physician can, in selected cases, delegate subcutaneous administration to the patient.

Patients must be educated to use the proper injection technique. Under no circumstances should you try to inject Methofill yourself before you have received such training.

For single use only. Please note that all of the contents have to be used.

The manner of handling and disposal must be consistent with that of other cytostatic preparations in accordance with local requirements. Pregnant health care personnel should not handle and/or administer Methofill.

Methotrexate should not come into contact with the surface of the skin or mucosa. In the event of contamination, the affected area must be rinsed immediately with plenty of water.

Instructions for use:

Please read these instructions in full before using Methofill pre-filled injector. This injector requires training by a healthcare professional before use.

For any problem or question, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

Before you begin

• Choose a clean, well-lit space to administer your medication.
• Check expiration date on package. Do not use if expiration date has passed.
• Gather an alcohol swab and a sharps container

Preparation

• Wash hands with soap under warm running water.
• Choose injection site (Abdomen or thigh if a patient is injecting himself/herself, with the additional option of the back of the arm if a Healthcare Provider or caregiver is assisting them)
• Clean injection site: use an alcohol swab to wipe site clean. Allow to air dry.

1. Pre-Injection

• Inspect liquid in window. Check for any changes in colour, cloudiness or large particles.
• Remove bottom cap: Twist and pull bottom cap to remove. Keep hands away from needle guard after cap is removed. Do not recap. Dispose of bottom cap immediately. Do not inject if you drop the pre-filled injector after removing cap.
• Inject within 5 minutes of removing bottom cap.

2. Injection

• Place the injector straight onto your skin (about 90 degrees).
• Push the handle straight down: The medicine will be injected as you push. Do this at a speed that is comfortable for you.
• Do not lift the injector during injection.
• Injection is completed when the handle has been pushed down as far as possible, you hear a click and the orange body is no longer visible.
• Lift straight up: The yellow band indicates that the needle guard is locked.

3. Disposal

• Dispose of the used Methofill pre-filled injector: Place injector in an approved sharps container. Regulations vary by region. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for proper disposal instructions. Do not dispose of injector in household trash.

Methotrexate should not come into contact with the surface of the skin or mucosa. In the event of contamination, the affected area must be rinsed immediately with plenty of water.

If you or someone around you is injured by the needle, consult your doctor immediately and do not use this Methofill pre-filled injector.

If you use more Methofill than you should

If you use more Methofill than you should, talk to your doctor immediately.

If you forget to use Methofill

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop using Methofill

If you stop using Methofill, talk to your doctor immediately.

4. possible side effects

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

The frequency as well as the degree of severity of the side effects depends on the dosage level and the frequency of administration. As severe side effects may occur even at low dosage, it is important that you are monitored regularly by your doctor. Your doctor will do tests to check for abnormalities developing in the blood (such as low white blood cells, low platelets, lymphoma) and changes in the kidneys and the liver.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms, as these may indicate a serious, potentially life-threatening side effect, which require urgent specific treatment:

• persistent dry, non-productive cough, shortness of breath and fever; these may be signs of an inflammation of the lungs [common]
• spitting or coughing blood
• symptoms of liver damage such as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes; methotrexate can cause chronic liver damage (liver cirrhosis), formation of scar tissue in the liver (liver fibrosis), fatty degeneration of the liver [all uncommon], inflammation of the liver (acute hepatitis) [rare] and liver failure [very rare]
• allergy symptoms such as skin rash including red itchy skin, swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat (which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing) and feeling you are going to faint; these may be signs of severe allergic reactions or an anaphylactic shock [rare]
• symptoms of kidney damage such as swelling of the hands, ankles or feet or changes in frequency of urination or decrease(oliguria) or absence of urine(anuria); these may be signs of kidney failure [rare]
• symptoms of infections, e.g. fever, chills, achiness, sore throat; methotrexate can make you more susceptible to infections. Severe infections like a certain type of pneumonia (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) or blood poisoning (sepsis) may occur [rare]
• symptoms such as weakness of one side of the body (stroke) or pain, swelling, redness and unusual warmth in one of your legs (deep vein thrombosis); This may happen when a dislodged blood clot causes a blockage of a blood vessel (thromboembolic event) [rare]
• fever and serious deterioration of your general condition, or sudden fever accompanied by a sore throat or mouth, or urinary problems; methotrexate can cause a sharp fall in certain white blood cells (agranulocytosis) and severe bone marrow suppression [very rare]
• unexpected bleeding, e.g. bleeding gums, blood in the urine, vomiting blood or bruising, these can be signs of a severely reduced number of blood platelets caused by severe courses of bone marrow depression [very rare]
• symptoms such as severe headache often in combination with fever, neck stiffness, feeling sick, vomiting, disorientation and

sensitivity to light may indicate an inflammation of the membranes of the brain (acute aseptic meningitis) [very rare]

• certain brain disorders (encephalopathy/ leukoencephalo­pathy) have been reported in cancer patients receiving methotrexate. Such side effects cannot be excluded when methotrexate therapy is used to treat other diseases. Signs of this kind of brain disorders may be altered mental state, movement disorders (ataxia), visual disturbances or disturbances of memory [not known]
• severe skin rash or blistering of the skin (this can also affect your mouth, eyes and genitals); these may be signs of conditions called Stevens Johnson syndrome or burned skin syndrome (toxic epidermal necrolysis/Ly­ell’s syndrome) [very rare]

In the following, please find the other side effects that may occur: Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

• Inflammation of the mouth lining, indigestion, feeling sick, loss of appetite, abdominal pain.
• Abnormal liver function test (ASAT, ALAT, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase).

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

• Mouth ulcers, diarrhoea.
• Rash, reddening of the skin, itching.
• Headache, tiredness, drowsiness.
• Reduced blood cell formation with decrease in white and/or red blood cells and/or platelets.

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• Throat inflammation,
• Inflammation of the bowels, vomiting, inflammation of pancreas, black or tarry stools, gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding.
• Increased sensitivity to light, loss of hair, increased number of rheumatic nodules, skin ulcer, shingles, inflammation of blood vessels, herpes-like skin rash, hives.
• Onset of diabetes mellitus.
• Dizziness, confusion, depression.
• Decrease in serum albumin.
• Decrease in the number of all blood cells and platelets.
• Inflammation and ulcer of the urinary bladder or vagina, reduced kidney function, disturbed urination.
• Joint pain, muscle pain, reduction of bone mass.

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

• Inflammation of gum tissue
• Increased skin pigmentation, acne, blue spots on the skin due to vessel bleeding(ecchy­mosis, petechiae),allergic inflammation of blood vessels
• Decreased number of anti-bodies in the blood.
• Infection (incl. reactivation of inactive chronic infection), red eyes (conjunctivitis).
• Mood swings (mood alterations).
• Visual disturbances
• Inflammation of the sac around the heart, accumulation of fluid in the sac around the heart, obstruction of cardiac filling due to fluid in the sac around the heart.
• Low blood pressure.
• Formation of scar tissue in the lung (pulmonary fibrosis, shortness of breath and bronchial asthma, accumulation of fluid in the sac around the lung.
• Stress fracture.
• Electrolyte disturbances.
• Fever, wound-healing impairment.

Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

• Acute toxic dilatation of the gut (toxic megacolon).
• Increased pigmentation of the nails, inflammation of the cuticles (acute paronychia), deep infection of hair follicles (furunculosis) , visible enlargement of small blood vessels.
• Pain, loss of strength or sensation of numbness or tingling in arms and legs, changes in taste (metallic taste), convulsions, paralysis, meningism.
• Impaired vision, non-inflammatory eye disorder (retinopathy).
• Loss of sexual drive, impotence, male breast enlargement, defective sperm formation (oligospermia), menstrual disorder, vaginal discharge.
• Enlargement of lymphatic nodes (lymphoma).
• Lymphoproliferative disorders (excessive growth of white blood cells)

Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

• Increased number of certain white blood cells.
• Nosebleed.
• Proteins in urine.
• Feeling of weakness.
• Bleeding from the lungs
• Bone damage in the jaw (secondary to excessive growth of white blood cells)
• Tissue destruction at injection site

Subcutaneous application of methotrexate is locally well tolerated. Only mild local skin reactions (such as burning sensations, erythema, swelling, discolouration, severe itching, pain) were observed, decreasing during therapy.

Reporting of side effects

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

You can also report side effects directly via (see details below). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

For UK- You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme, Website: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

For Ireland- You can also report side effects directly via HPRA Pharmacovigilance

Earlsfort Terrace, IRL – Dublin 2

Tel: +353 1 6764971, Fax: +353 1 6762517

Website: , e-mail:

5. how to store methofill

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

Store below 30 °C.

Keep the pre-filled injector in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

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

Do not use Methofill if you notice any change in colour or visible particles.

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 Methofill contains

• The active substance is methotrexate.

1 pre-filled injector with 0.15 ml solution contains 7.5 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled injector with 0.20 ml solution contains 10 mg methotrexate

1 pre-filled injector with 0.25 ml solution contains 12.5 mg methotrexate

1 pre-filled injector with 0.30 ml solution contains 15 mg methotrexate

1 pre-filled injector with 0.35 ml solution contains 17.5 mg methotrexate

1 pre-filled injector with 0.40 ml solution contains 20 mg methotrexate

1 pre-filled injector with 0.45 ml solution contains 22.5 mg methotrexate

1 pre-filled injector with 0.50 ml solution contains 25 mg methotrexate

1 pre-filled injector with 0.55 ml solution contains 27.5 mg methotrexate

1 pre-filled injector with 0.60 ml solution contains 30 mg methotrexate

• The other ingredients are sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) and water for injections.

What Methofill looks like and contents of the pack

Methofill contains a clear, yellow to brown solution.

The following pack sizes are available:

• For 0.15 mL, 0.20 mL, 0.25 mL, 0.30 mL, 0.35 mL, 0.40 mL, 0.45 mL,0.50 mL, 0.55 mL and 0.60 mL: pack of 1, multipacks of 4 (4 packs of 1) or 8 (8 packs of 1) pre-filled injectors in a carton.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder

United Kingdom

A ccord Healthcare Limited

Sage House, 319 Pinner Road, North Harrow, Middlesex,

HA1 4HF, United Kingdom

Ireland

Accord Healthcare Ireland Limited

Euro House, Euro Business Park, Little Island

Cork T45 K857, Ireland

Manufacturer

Accord Healthcare Limited,

Sage House, 319 Pinner Road, North Harrow,

Middlesex, HA1 4HF, United Kingdom

Accord Healthcare Polska Sp.z o.o.,

ul. Lutomierska 50,95–200 Pabianice, Poland

This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of
the EEA under the following names:
Name of the Member State	Name of the medicinal product
Ireland	Methofill 7.5 mg/10 mg/12.5 mg/15 mg/17.5 mg/ 20 mg/22.5 mg/25 mg/27.5 mg/30 mg solution for injection in pre-filled injector
Poland	Methofill SD
Sweden	Injexate 7.5 mg/10 mg/12.5 mg/15 mg/17.5 mg/ 20 mg/22.5 mg/25 mg/27.5 mg/30 mg injektionsvatska i forfylld injektions
United Kingdom	Methofill 7.5 mg/10 mg/12.5 mg/15 mg/17.5 mg/ 20 mg/22.5 mg/25 mg/27.5 mg/30 mg solution for injection in pre-filled injector

BBBA7679

UKP014

GB02 2953 0 9005832