Rasilez - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Patient leaflet - Rasilez

- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Rasilez is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Rasilez
3. How to take Rasilez
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Rasilez
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Rasilez is and what it is used for

This medicine contains an active substance called aliskiren. Aliskiren belongs to a class of medicines called renin inhibitors. Renin inhibitors reduce the amount of angiotensin II the body can produce. Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to tighten, which increases the blood pressure. Reducing the amount of angiotensin II allows the blood vessels to relax, which lowers blood pressure.

This helps to lower high blood pressure in adult patients. High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart and arteries. If this continues for a long time, it can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart and kidneys, and may result in a stroke, heart failure, heart attack or kidney failure. Lowering the blood pressure to a normal level reduces the risk of developing these disorders.

2. What you need to know before you take Rasilez

Do not take Rasilez

– if you are allergic to aliskiren or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). If you think you may be allergic, ask your doctor for advice.
– if you have experienced the following forms of angioedema (difficulties in breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, hands and feet, eyes, lips and/or tongue):

– angioedema when taking aliskiren.
– hereditary angioedema.
– angioedema without any known cause.

– during the last 6 months of pregnancy or if you are breast-feeding, see section “Pregnancy and breastfeeding”.
– if you are taking ciclosporin (a medicine used in transplantation to prevent organ rejection or for other conditions, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or atopic dermatitis), itraconazole (a medicine used to treat fungal infections) or quinidine (a medicine used to correct heart rhythm).
– if you have diabetes or impaired kidney function and you are treated with either of the following classes of medicines used to treat high blood pressure:

– an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor such as enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril or
– an angiotensin II receptor blocker such as valsartan, telmisartan, irbesartan.

– if the patient is less than 2 years of age.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before taking Rasilez:

– if you are taking a diuretic (a type of medicine also known as “water” tablets which increases the amount of urine you produce).
– if you are taking either of the following classes of medicines used to treat high blood pressure:

– an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor such as enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril or
– an angiotensin II receptor blocker such as valsartan, telmisartan, irbesartan.

– if you have impaired kidney function, your doctor will carefully consider whether this medicine is suitable for you and may wish to monitor you carefully.
– if you have already experienced angioedema (difficulties in breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, hands and feet, eyes, lips and/or tongue). If this happens, stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor.
– if you have renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessels to one or both kidneys).
– if you have serious congestive heart failure (a type of heart disease where the heart cannot pump

enough blood around the body).

If you have severe and persistent diarrhoea you should stop taking Rasilez.

Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure and the amount of electrolytes (e.g. potassium) in your blood at regular intervals.

See also section “Do not take Rasilez”.

Children and adolescents

This medicine must not be used in babies from birth to less than 2 years of age. It should not be used in children from 2 to less than 6 years of age, and is not recommended for use in children and adolescents from 6 to less than 18 years of age. This is because the safety and benefits of this medicine are not known in this population.

Elderly

The usual recommended starting dose of aliskiren in elderly patients aged 65 years or older is 150 mg.

In the majority of patients aged 65 years or older, the 300 mg dose of Rasilez shows no additional benefit in reducing blood pressure compared to the 150 mg dose.

Other medicines and Rasilez

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

Your doctor may need to change your dose and/or to take other precautions if you are taking one of the following medicines:

– medicines that increase the amount of potassium in your blood. These include potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements.
– furosemide or torasemide, medicines belonging to the type known as diuretics, or “water”

tablets, which are used to increase the amount of urine you produce.

– an angiotensin II receptor blocker or an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (see sections “Do not take Rasilez” and “Warnings and precautions”).
– ketoconazole, a medicine used to treat fungal infections.
– verapamil, a medicine used to lower high blood pressure, to correct heart rhythm or to treat

angina pectoris.

– certain types of pain killers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).

Rasilez with food and drink

You should take this medicine either with a light meal or without a meal once a day, preferably at the same time each day. You should avoid taking this medicine together with fruit juice and/or drinks containing plant extracts (including herbal teas), as it could cause a decrease in the effectiveness of this medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Pregnancy

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant (see section “Do not take Rasilez”). If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, stop taking it immediately and talk to your doctor. If you think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Your doctor will normally advise you to stop taking this medicine before you become pregnant and will advise you to take another medicine instead of this medicine. It is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used after the third month of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. This medicine is not recommended for mothers who are breast-feeding, and your doctor may choose another treatment for you if you wish to breast-feed.

Driving and using machines

This medicine may make you feel dizzy and this can affect your ability to concentrate. Before you drive a vehicle, use machinery, or carry out other activities that require concentration, you should make sure you know how you react to the effects of this medicine.

3. How to take Rasilez

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

People who have high blood pressure often do not notice any signs of the problem. Many may feel quite normal. It is very important that you take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to get the best results and reduce the risk of side effects. Keep your appointments with the doctor even if you are feeling well.

The usual starting dose is one 150 mg tablet once daily. The blood pressure lowering effect is present within two weeks after beginning treatment.

Elderly people

The usual recommended starting dose of aliskiren in elderly patients is 150 mg. In the majority of patients aged 65 years or older, the 300 mg dose of aliskiren shows no additional benefit in reducing blood pressure compared to the 150 mg dose.

Depending on how you respond to the treatment your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of one 300 mg tablet once daily. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine together with other medicines used to treat high blood pressure.

Method of administration

Swallow the tablet whole with some water. You should take this medicine once a day, always with or always without food, preferably at the same time each day. You should establish a convenient daily schedule to take the medicine the same way each day, in a regular pattern with respect to the timing of your meals. You should avoid taking this medicine together with fruit juice and/or drinks containing plant extracts (including herbal teas). During your treatment, your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your blood pressure response.

If you take more Rasilez than you should

If you have accidentally taken too many tablets of this medicine, consult a doctor immediately. You may require medical attention.

If you forget to take Rasilez

If you forget to take a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember and then take the next dose at its usual time. However, if it is almost time for your next dose you should simply take the next tablet at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

4. Possible side effects

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

Some side effects can be serious (frequency not known):

A few patients have experienced these serious side effects. If any of the following occur, tell your doctor straight away:

Severe allergic reaction with symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling of face or lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness.

Possible side effects:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) : Diarrhoea, joint pain (arthralgia), high level of potassium in the blood, dizziness.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) : Skin rash (this may also be a sign of allergic reactions or angioedema – see “Rare” side effects below), kidney problems including acute renal failure (severely decreased urine output), swelling of hands, ankles or feet (peripheral oedema), severe skin reactions (toxic epidermal necrolysis and/or oral mucosal reactions – red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth, skin peeling, fever), low blood pressure, palpitations, cough, itching, itchy rash (urticaria), increased liver enzymes.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) : increased level of creatinine in the blood, decreased level of haemoglobin in the blood (anaemia), decreased level of red blood cells, red skin (erythema).

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data) : spinning sensation, low level of sodium in the blood, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, signs of liver disorder (nausea, loss of appetite, dark coloured urine or yellowing of skin and eyes).

If any of these affect you severely, tell your doctor. You may need to stop Rasilez.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Rasilez

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

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

Do not store above 25°C.

Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.

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 Rasilez contains

– The active substance is aliskiren (as hemifumarate).

Rasilez 150 mg film-coated tablets

– Each tablet contains 150 mg aliskiren (as hemifumarate). The other ingredients are crospovidone type A, hypromellose substitution type 2910 (3 mPa s), magnesium stearate, macrogol 4000, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K-30, colloidal anhydrous silica, talc, titanium dioxide (E 171), black iron oxide (E 172), red iron oxide (E 172).

Rasilez 300 mg film-coated tablets

– Each tablet contains 300 mg aliskiren (as hemifumarate). The other ingredients are

crospovidone type A, hypromellose substitution type 2910 (3 mPa s), magnesium stearate, macrogol 4000, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K-30, colloidal anhydrous silica, talc, titanium dioxide (E 171), black iron oxide (E 172), red iron oxide (E 172).

What Rasilez looks like and contents of the pack

Rasilez 150 mg film-coated tablets are light-pink, biconvex round tablets, imprinted “IL” on one side and “NVR” on the other side.

Rasilez 300 mg film-coated tablets are light-red, biconvex, ovaloid tablets, imprinted “IU” on one side and “NVR” on the other side.

Rasilez 150 mg film-coated tablets are available in the following packs:

– Unit packs containing 14, 28, 30, 50, 56, 90 or 98 tablets
– Unit packs containing 56×1 tablets in perforated unit-dose blisters
– Multipacks containing 280 (20×14) tablets
– Multipacks containing 98 (2×49×1) tablets in perforated unit-dose blisters

Rasilez 300 mg film-coated tablets are available in the following packs:

– Unit packs containing 14, 28, 30, 50, 56, 90 or 98 tablets
– Unit packs containing 56×1 tablets in perforated unit-dose blisters
– Multipacks containing 280 (20×14) tablets
– Multipacks containing 98 (2×49×1) tablets in perforated unit-dose blisters