Summary of medicine characteristics - TARIM 5 MG / 2.5 MG PROLONGED-RELEASE TABLETS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Tarim 5 mg/2.5 mg Prolonged-release Tablets
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 5 mg oxycodone hydrochloride (equivalent to 4.5 mg oxycodone) and 2.5 mg naloxone hydrochloride (as 2.74 mg naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate equivalent to 2.25 mg naloxone).
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Prolonged-release Tablet.
White, round, biconvex prolonged-release tablet with a diameter of 4.7 mm and a height of 2.9 – 3.9 mm.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Severe pain, which can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics.
The opioid antagonist naloxone is added to counteract opioid-induced constipation by blocking the action of oxycodone at opioid receptors locally in the gut.
Tarim is indicated in adults.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Posology
Analgesia
The analgesic efficacy of Tarim is equivalent to oxycodone hydrochloride prolonged-release formulations.
The dosage should be adjusted to the intensity of pain and the sensitivity of the individual patient. Unless otherwise prescribed, Tarim should be administered as follows:
Adults
The usual starting dose for an opioid naive patient is 10 mg/5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride at 12 hourly intervals.
Lower strengths are available to facilitate dose titration when initiating opioid therapy and for individual dose adjustment.
Patients already receiving opioids may be started on higher doses of Tarim depending on their previous opioid experience.
The maximum daily dose of Tarim is 160 mg oxycodone hydrochloride and 80 mg naloxone hydrochloride. The maximum daily dose is reserved for patients who have previously been maintained on a stable daily dose of Tarim and who have become in need of an increased dose. Special attention should be given to patients with compromised renal function and patients with mild hepatic impairment if an increased dose is considered. For patients requiring higher doses of Tarim, administration of supplemental prolonged-release oxycodone hydrochloride at the same time intervals should be considered, taking into account the maximum daily dose of 400 mg prolonged-release oxycodone hydrochloride. In the case of supplemental oxycodone hydrochloride dosing, the beneficial effect of naloxone hydrochloride on bowel function may be impaired.
After complete discontinuation of therapy with Tarim with a subsequent switch to another opioid a worsening of the bowel function can be expected.
Some patients taking Tarim according to a regular time schedule require immediate-release analgesics as “rescue” medication for breakthrough pain. Tarim is a prolonged-release formulation and therefore not intended for the treatment of breakthrough pain. For the treatment of breakthrough pain, a single dose of “rescue medication” should approximate one sixth of the equivalent daily dose of oxycodone hydrochloride. The need for more than two “rescues” per day is usually an indication that the dose of Tarim requires upward adjustment. This adjustment should be made every 1–2 days in steps of 5 mg/2.5 mg twice daily, or where necessary 10 mg/5 mg, oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride until a stable dose is reached. The aim is to establish a patient-specific twice daily dose that will maintain adequate analgesia and make use of as little rescue medication as possible for as long as pain therapy is necessary.
Tarim is taken at the determined dosage twice daily according to a fixed time schedule. While symmetric administration (the same dose mornings and evenings) subject to a fixed time schedule (every 12 hours) is appropriate for the majority of patients, some patients, depending on the individual pain situation, may benefit from asymmetric dosing tailored to their pain pattern. In general, the lowest effective analgesic dose should be selected.
In non-malignant pain therapy, daily doses of up to 40 mg/20 mg oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride are usually sufficient, but higher doses may be needed.
For doses not realisable/practicable with this strength other strengths of this medicinal product are available.
Analgesia
Elderly patients
As for younger adults the dosage should be adjusted to the intensity of the pain and the sensitivity of the individual patient.
Hepatic impairment
A clinical trial has shown that plasma concentrations of both oxycodone and naloxone are elevated in patients with hepatic impairment. Naloxone concentrations were affected to a higher degree than oxycodone (see section 5.2). The clinical relevance of a relative high naloxone exposure in hepatic impaired patients is yet not known.
Caution must be exercised when administering Tarim to patients with mild hepatic impairment (see section 4.4). In patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment Tarim is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
Renal impairment
A clinical trial has shown that plasma concentrations of both oxycodone and naloxone are elevated in patients with renal impairment (see section 5.2). Naloxone concentrations were affected to a higher degree than oxycodone. The clinical relevance of a relative high naloxone exposure in renal impaired patients is yet not known. Caution should be exercised when administering Tarim to patients with renal impairment (see section 4.4).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Tarim in children aged below 18 years has not been established. No data are available.
Method of administration
For oral use.
Tarim is taken in the determined dosage twice daily in a fixed time schedule.
The prolonged-release tablets may be taken with or without food with sufficient liquid.
The prolonged-release tablet must be swallowed whole and must not be divided, broken, chewed or crushed.
Duration of use
Tarim should not be administered for longer than absolutely necessary. If long-term treatment is necessary in view of the nature and severity of the illness, careful and regular monitoring is required to establish whether and to what extent further treatment is necessary.
Analgesia
When the patient no longer requires opioid therapy, it may be advisable to taper the dose gradually (see section 4.4).
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1,
Severe respiratory depression with hypoxia and/or hypercapnia,
Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
Cor pulmonale,
Severe bronchial asthma,
Non-opioid induced paralytic ileus,
Moderate to severe hepatic impairment.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Caution must be exercised when administering Tarim to patients:
with severely impaired respiratory function
with sleep apnoea
taking CNS depressants (see below and section 4.5)
taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs, see below and section 4.5)
with tolerance, physical dependence and withdrawal (see below)
with psychological dependence [addiction], abuse profile and history of substance and/or alcohol abuse (see below)
elderly or infirm
with head injury, intracranial lesions or increased intracranial pressure, reduced level of consciousness of uncertain origin
with epileptic disorder or predisposition to convulsions
with hypotension
with hypertension
with pancreatitis
with mild hepatic impairment
with renal impairment
with opioid-induced paralytic ileus
with myxoedema
with hypothyroidism
with Addison’s disease (adrenal cortical insufficiency)
with prostate hypertrophy
with toxic psychosis
with alcoholism
with delirium tremens
with cholelithiasis
with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases
Respiratory depression
The primary risk of opioid excess is respiratory depression.
Sleep-related breathing disorders
Opioids can cause sleep-related breathing disorders including central sleep apnoea (CSA) and sleep-related hypoxemia. Opioid use increases the risk of CSA in a dosedependent manner. In patients who present with CSA, consider decreasing the total opioid dosage.
Risk from concomitant use of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs:
Concomitant use of opioids, including oxycodone hydrochloride 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 Tarim 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).
MAOIs
Tarim must be administered with caution in patients taking MAOIs or who have received MAOIs within the previous two weeks.
Hepatic or renal impairment
Caution must also be exercised when administering Tarim to patients with mild hepatic or renal impairment. Careful medical monitoring is particularly necessary for patients with severe renal impairment.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea may be considered as a possible effect of naloxone.
Tolerance, physical dependence and withdrawal
During long-term administration, the patient may develop tolerance to the medicinal product and require higher doses to maintain the desired effect. Chronic administration of Tarim may lead to physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms may occur upon the abrupt cessation of therapy. If therapy with Tarim is no longer required, it may be advisable to reduce the daily dose gradually in order to avoid the occurrence of withdrawal syndrome (see section 4.2).
Tarim is not suitable for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological dependence [addiction], abuse profile and history of substance and/or alcohol abuse
There is potential for development of psychological dependence (addiction) to opioid analgesics, including Tarim. Tarim should be used with particular care in patients with a history of alcohol and drug abuse. Oxycodone alone has an abuse profile similar to other strong agonist opioids.
Possibly fatal dose of oxycodone
In order not to impair the prolonged-release characteristic of the prolonged-release tablets, the prolonged-release tablets must be taken whole and must not be divided, broken, chewed or crushed. Dividing, breaking, chewing or crushing the prolonged-release tablets for ingestion leads to a faster release of the active substances and the absorption of a possibly fatal dose of oxycodone (see section 4.9).
Somnolence and/or an episode of sudden sleep onset
Patients who have experienced somnolence and/or an episode of sudden sleep onset must refrain from driving or operating machines. Furthermore, a reduction of the dose or termination of therapy may be considered. Because of possible additive effects, caution should be advised when patients are taking other sedating medicinal products in combination with Tarim (see sections 4.5 and 4.7).
Alcohol
Concomitant use of alcohol and Tarim may increase the undesirable effects of Tarim; concomitant use should be avoided.
Cancer
There is no clinical experience in patients with cancer associated to peritoneal carcinomatosis or with sub-occlusive syndrome in advanced stages of digestive and pelvic cancers. Therefore, the use of Tarim in this population is not recommended.
Surgery
Tarim is not recommended for pre-operative use or within the first 12–24 hours post-operatively. Depending on the type and extent of surgery, the anaesthetic procedure selected, other co-medication and the individual condition of the patient, the exact timing for initiating post-operative treatment with Tarim depends on a careful riskbenefit assessment for each individual patient.
Abusive parenteral injections of the prolonged-release tablet constituents (especially talc) can be expected to result in local tissue necrosis and pulmonary granulomas or may lead to other serious, potentially fatal undesirable effects.
Effects upon the endocrine system
Opioids such as oxycodone may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal or -gonadal axes. Some changes that can be seen include an increase in serum prolactin, and decreases in plasma cortisol and testosterone. Clinical symptoms may manifest from these hormonal changes.
Long-term treatment
In patients under long-term opioid treatment, the switch to [Product Name] can initially provoke withdrawal symptoms or diarrhoea. Such patients may require specific attention.
Hyperalgesia
Hyperalgesia that will not respond to a further dose increase of oxycodone may occur in particular in high doses. An oxycodone dose reduction or change in opioid may be required.
Remnants in stool
The empty prolonged-release tablet matrix may be visible in the stool.
Doping
Athletes must be aware that this medicine may cause a positive reaction in ‘antidoping’ tests. The use of Tarim as a doping agent may become a health hazard.
Paediatric population
Studies have not been performed on the safety and efficacy of Tarim in children and adolescents below the age of 18 years. Therefore, their use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age is not recommended.
Excipients
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
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).
Drugs which depress the CNS include, but are not limited to: other opioids, gabapentinoids such as pregabalin, anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives (including benzodiazepines), antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihistamines and antiemetics.
Tarim must be administered with caution in patients taking MAOIs or who have received MAOIs within the previous two weeks.
Concomitant administration of oxycodone with serotonin agents, such as a Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor (SSRI) or a Serotonin Norepinephrine Re-uptake
Inhibitor (SNRI) may cause serotonin toxicity. The symptoms of serotonin toxicity may include mental-status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular abnormalities (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination, rigidity), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea). Oxycodone should be used with caution and the dosage may need to be reduced in patients using these medications.
Alcohol may enhance the pharmacodynamic effects of Tarim; concomitant use should be avoided.
Clinically relevant changes in International Normalised Ratio (INR or Quick-value) in both directions have been observed in individuals if oxycodone and coumarin anticoagulants are co-applied.
Oxycodone is metabolised primarily via the CYP3A4 pathways and partly via the CYP2D6 pathway (see section 5.2). The activities of these metabolic pathways may be inhibited or induced by various co-administered drugs or dietary elements. Tarim doses may need to be adjusted accordingly.
CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as macrolide antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g. ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), cimetidine and grapefruit juice may cause decreased clearance of oxycodone which could lead to an increase in oxycodone plasma concentrations. A reduction in the dose of Tarim and subsequent re-titration may be necessary.
CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St. John's Wort, may induce the metabolism of oxycodone and cause increased clearance of the drug, resulting in a decrease in oxycodone plasma concentrations. Caution is advised, and further titration may be necessary to reach an adequate level of symptom control.
Theoretically, medicinal products that inhibit CYP2D6 activity, such as paroxetine, fluoxetine and quinidine, may cause decreased clearance of oxycodone which could lead to an increase in oxycodone plasma concentrations. Concomitant administration with CYP2D6 inhibitors had an insignificant effect on the elimination of oxycodone and also had no influence on the pharmacodynamic effects of oxycodone.
In vitro metabolism studies indicate that no clinically relevant interactions are to be expected between oxycodone and naloxone. The likelihood of clinically relevant interactions between paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid or naltrexone and the combination of oxycodone and naloxone in therapeutic concentrations is minimal.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There are no data from the use of Tarim in pregnant women and during childbirth. Limited data on the use of oxycodone during pregnancy in humans reveal no evidence of an increased risk of congenital abnormalities. For naloxone, insufficient clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available. However, systemic exposure of the women to naloxone after use of Tarim is relatively low (see section 5.2).
Both oxycodone and naloxone pass into the placenta. Animal studies have not been performed with oxycodone and naloxone in combination (see section 5.3). Animal studies with oxycodone or naloxone administered as single drugs have not revealed any teratogenic or embryotoxic effects.
Long-term administration of oxycodone during pregnancy may lead to withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. If administered during childbirth, oxycodone may evoke respiratory depression in the newborn.
Tarim should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the possible risks to the unborn child or neonate.
Breastfeeding
Oxycodone passes into the breast milk. A milk-plasma concentration ratio of 3.4:1 was measured and oxycodone effects in the suckling infant are therefore conceivable. It is not known whether naloxone also passes into the breast milk. However, after use of Tarim systemic naloxone levels are very low (see section 5.2).
A risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded in particular following intake of multiple doses of Tarim by the breastfeeding mother.
Breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment with Tarim.
Fertility
There are no data with respect to fertility.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Tarim has moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. This is particularly likely at the beginning of treatment with Tarim, after dose increase or product rotation and if Tarim is combined with other CNS depressant agents. Patients stabilised on a specific dosage will not necessarily be restricted. Therefore, patients should consult with their physician as to whether driving or the use of machinery is permitted.
Patients being treated with Tarim and presenting with somnolence and/or sudden sleep episodes must be informed to refrain from driving or engaging in activities where impaired alertness may put themselves or others at risk of serious injury or death (e.g. operating machines) until such recurrent episodes and somnolence have resolved (see also sections 4.4 and 4.5).
4.8 Undesirable effects
Undesirable effects are presented below in three sections: undesirable effects in the treatment of pain, additional undesirable effects known for the active substance oxycodone hydrochloride and undesirable effects in the treatment of another indication.
The following frequencies are the basis for assessing undesirable effects:
Very common Common | >1/10 >1/100 to <1/10 |
Uncommon | >1/1,000 to <1/100 |
Rare | >1/10,000 to <1/1,000 |
Very rare Not known | <1/10,000 cannot be estimated from the available data |
Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
System organ class MedDRA | Common | Uncommon | Rare | Not known |
Immune system disorders | Hypersensiti vity | |||
Metabolism and nutritional disorders | Decreased appetite up to loss of appetite | |||
Psychiatric disorders | Insomnia | Abnormal thinking Anxiety Confusional state Depression Libido | Drug dependence (see section 4.4) | Euphoric mood Hallucination Nightmares Aggression |
decreased Nervousness Restlessness | ||||
Nervous system disorders | Dizziness Headache Somnolence | Convulsions1 Disturbance in attention Dysgeusia Speech disorder Syncope Tremor Lethargy | Paraesthesia Sedation Sleep apnoea syndrome (see section 4.4) |
Undesirable effects in the treatment of pain
Eye disorders | Visual impairment | |||
Ear and labyrinth disorders | Vertigo | |||
Cardiac disorders | Angina pectoris2 Palpitations | Tachycardia | ||
Vascular disorders | Hot flush | Blood pressure decreased Blood pressure increased | ||
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Dyspnoea Rhinorrhoea Cough | Yawning | Respiratory depression | |
Gastrointesti nal disorders | Abdominal pain Constipation Diarrhoea Dry mouth Dyspepsia Vomiting Nausea Flatulence | Abdominal distention | Tooth disorder | Eructation |
Hepatobiliar y disorders | Hepatic enzymes increased Biliary colic | |||
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Pruritus Skin reactions Hyperhidrosi s |
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Muscle spasms Muscle twitching, Myalgia | |||
Renal and urinary disorders | Micturition urgency | Urinary retention | ||
Reproductive system and breast disorders | Erectile dysfunction | |||
General disorders and administrate n site conditions | Asthenia Fatigue | Chest pain Chills Drug withdrawal syndrome Malaise Pain Peripheral oedema Thirst | ||
Investigation s | Weight decreased | Weight increased | ||
Injury, poisoning, and procedural complication s | Injury from accidents |
1 particularly in persons with epileptic disorder or predisposition to convulsions
2 particular in patients with history of coronary artery disease
For the active substance oxycodone hydrochloride, the following additional undesirable effects are known
Due to its pharmacological properties, oxycodone hydrochloride may cause respiratory depression, miosis, bronchial spasm and spasms of nonstriated muscles as well as suppress the cough reflex.
System organ class MedDRA | Common | Uncommon | Rare | Not known |
Infections and infestations | Herpes simplex | |||
Immune system disorders | Anaphylactic reaction | |||
Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Dehydration | Increased appetite | ||
Psychiatric disorders | Altered mood and personality change Decreased activity Psychomotor hyperactivity | Agitation Perception disturbances (e.g. derealisation) | ||
Nervous system disorders | Concentratio n impaired Migraine Hypertonia Involuntary muscle contractions Hypoaesthesi a Abnormal co-ordination | Hyperalgesia | ||
Ear and labyrinth | Hearing impaired |
disorders | ||||
Vascular disorders | Vasodilation | |||
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Dysphonia | |||
Gastrointestin al disorders | Hiccups | Dysphagia Ileus Mouth ulceration Stomatitis | Melaena Gingival bleeding | Dental caries |
Hepatobiliary disorders | Cholestasis | |||
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Dry skin | Urticaria | ||
Renal and urinary disorders | Dysuria | |||
Reproductive system and breast disorders | Hypogonadis m | Amenorrhoea | ||
General disorders and administration site conditions | Oedema Drug tolerance | Drug withdrawal syndrome neonatal |
Undesirable effects in the treatment of another indication
The list below reflects the adverse drug reactions seen with oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride in a 12-week, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial comprising a total of 150 patients on oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride and 154 patients on placebo with daily dosages between 10 mg/5 mg and 80 mg/40 mg oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride. Adverse drug reactions associated with oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride in pain were added with the frequency of not known.
System organ class MedDRA | Very Common | Common | Uncommon | Not known |
Immune system disorders | Hypersensitivi ty | |||
Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Decreased appetite up to loss of appetite | |||
Psychiatric disorders | Insomnia Depression | Libido decreased Sleep attacks | Abnormal thinking Anxiety Confusional state Nervousness Restlessness Euphoric mood Hallucination Nightmares Drug dependence Aggression | |
Nervous system disorders | Headache Somnolence | Dizziness, Disturbance in attention Tremor Paraesthesia | Dysgeusia | Convulsions1 Sedation Speech disorder Syncope Lethargy |
Eye disorders | Visual impairment | |||
Ear and labyrinth disorders | Vertigo | |||
Cardiac disorders | Angina pectoris2 Palpitations Tachycardia | |||
Vascular disorders | Hot flush Blood pressure decreased Blood pressure increased | |||
Respiratory thoracic and | Dyspnoea | Cough Rhinorrhoea |
mediastinal disorders | Respiratory depression Yawning | |||
Gastrointestinal disorders | Constipation, Nausea | Abdominal pain, Dry mouth Vomiting | Flatulence | Abdominal Distention Diarrhea Dyspepsia Eructation Tooth disorder |
Hepatobiliary disorders | Hepatic enzymes increased3 | Biliary colic | ||
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Hyperhidrosis | Pruritus, Skin reactions | ||
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Muscle spasms Muscle twitching Myalgia | |||
Renal and urinary disorders | Micturition urgency Urinary retention | |||
Reproductive systems and breast disorders | Erectile dysfunction | |||
General disorders and administration site conditions | Fatigue | Chest pain Chills Thirst Pain | Drug withdrawal syndrome Oedema peripheral | Malaise Asthenia |
Investigation | Weight decreased Weight increased | |||
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | Injuries from accidents |
1 particularly in persons with epileptic disorder or predisposition to convulsions
2 in particular in patients with history of coronary artery disease
3 alanine aminotransferase increased, gamma-glutamyl transferase increased
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 Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9 Overdose
4.9 OverdoseSymptoms of intoxication
Depending on the history of the patient, an overdose of Tarim may be manifested by symptoms that are either triggered by oxycodone (opioid receptor agonist) or by naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist).
Symptoms of oxycodone overdose include miosis, respiratory depression, somnolence progressing to stupor, hypotonia, bradycardia as well as hypotension. Coma, non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and circulatory failure may occur in more severe cases and may lead to a fatal outcome.
Symptoms of a naloxone overdose alone are unlikely.
Therapy of intoxication
Withdrawal symptoms due to an overdose of naloxone should be treated symptomatically in a closely-supervised environment.
Clinical symptoms suggestive of an oxycodone overdose may be treated by the administration of opioid antagonists (e.g. naloxone hydrochloride 0.4–2 mg intravenously). Administration should be repeated at 2–3 minute intervals, as clinically necessary. It is also possible to apply an infusion of 2 mg naloxone hydrochloride in 500 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose (0.004 mg/ml naloxone). The infusion should be run at a rate aligned to the previously administered bolus doses and to the patient's response.
Consideration may be given to gastric lavage.
Supportive measures (artificial ventilation, oxygen, vasopressors and fluid infusions) should be employed as necessary, to manage the circulatory shock accompanying an overdose. Cardiac arrest or arrhythmias may require cardiac massage or defibrillation. Artificial ventilation should be applied if necessary. Fluid and electrolyte metabolism should be maintained.
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Nervous system; Analgesics; opioids; natural opium alkaloids, ATC code: N02AA55
Mechanism of action
Oxycodone and naloxone have an affinity for kappa, mu and delta opiate receptors in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral organs (e.g. intestine). Oxycodone acts as opioidreceptor agonist at these receptors and binds to the endogenous opioid receptors in the CNS. By contrast, naloxone is a pure antagonist acting on all types of opioid receptors.
Pharmacodynamic effects
Because of the pronounced first-pass metabolism, the bioavailability of naloxone upon oral administration is <3%, therefore a clinically relevant systemic effect is unlikely. Due to the local competitive antagonism of the opioid receptor mediated oxycodone effect by naloxone in the gut, naloxone reduces the bowel function disorders that are typical for opioid treatment.
Clinical efficacy and safety
Opioids can influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal or gonadal axes. Among the changes observed are an increase of prolactin in the serum and a reduced level of cortisol and testosterone in the plasma. Clinical symptoms may occur because of these hormone changes.
Preclinical studies show differing effects of natural opioids on components of the immune system. The clinical significance of these findings is not known. It is not known whether oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid, has similar effects on the immune system to natural opioids.
Analgesia
In a 12 weeks parallel group double-blinded study in 322 patients with opioid-induced constipation, patients who were treated with oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride had on average one extra complete spontaneous (without laxatives) bowel movement in the last week of treatment, compared to patients who continued using similar doses of oxycodone hydrochloride prolonged release tablets (p<0.0001). The use of laxatives in the first four weeks was significantly lower in the oxycodone-naloxone group compared to the oxycodone monotherapy group (31% versus 55%, respectively, p<0.0001). Similar results were shown in a study with 265 non-cancer patients comparing daily doses of oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride of 60 mg/30 mg to up to 80 mg/40 mg with oxycodone hydrochloride monotherapy in the same dose range.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Oxycodone hydrochloride
Absorption
Oxycodone has a high absolute bioavailability of up to 87% following oral administration.
Distribution
Following absorption, oxycodone is distributed throughout the entire body. Approximately 45% is bound to plasma protein. Oxycodone crosses the placenta and may be detected in breast milk.
Biotransformation
Oxycodone is metabolised in the gut and the liver to noroxycodone and oxymorphone and to various glucuronide conjugates. Noroxycodone, oxymorphone and noroxymorphone are produced via the cytochrome P450 system. Quinidine reduces the production of oxymorphone in man without substantially influencing the pharmacodynamics of oxycodone. The contribution of the metabolites to overall pharmacodynamic effect is insignificant.
Elimination
Oxycodone and its metabolites are excreted in both urine and faeces.
Naloxone hydrochloride
Absorption
Following oral administration, naloxone has a very low systemic availability of <3%.
Distribution
Naloxone passes into the placenta. It is not known, whether naloxone also passes into breast milk.
Biotransformation and elimination
After parenteral administration, the plasma half-life is approximately one hour. The duration of action depends upon the dose and route of administration, intramuscular injection producing a more prolonged effect than intravenous doses. It is metabolised in the liver and excreted in the urine. The principal metabolites are naloxone glucuronide, 6[}-naloxol and its glucuronide.
Oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride combination Tarim
Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships
The pharmacokinetic characteristics of oxycodone from Tarim is equivalent to those of prolonged-release oxycodone hydrochloride tablets administered together with prolonged-release naloxone hydrochloride tablets.
All dosage strengths of Tarim are interchangeable.
After the oral administration of Tarim in maximum dose to healthy subjects, the plasma concentrations of naloxone are so low that it is not feasible to carry out a pharmacokinetic analysis. To conduct a pharmacokinetic analysis naloxone-3-glucuronide as surrogate marker is used, since its plasma concentration is high enough to measure.
Overall, following ingestion of a high-fat breakfast, the bioavailability and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of oxycodone were increased by an average of 16% and 30% respectively compared to administration in the fasting state. This was evaluated as clinically not relevant, therefore Tarim prolonged-release tablets may be taken with or without food (see section 4.2).
In vitro drug metabolism studies have indicated that the occurrence of clinically relevant interactions involving Tarim is unlikely.
Elderly patients
Oxycodone
For AUCn of oxycodone, on average there was an increase to 118% (90% C.I.: 103, 135), for elderly compared with younger volunteers. For Cmax of oxycodone, on average there was an increase to 114% (90% C.I.: 102, 127). For Cmin of oxycodone, on average there was an increase to 128% (90% C.I.: 107, 152).
Naloxone
For AUCn of naloxone, on average there was an increase to 182% (90% C.I.: 123, 270), for elderly compared with younger volunteers. For Cmax of naloxone, on average there was an increase to 173% (90% C.I.: 107, 280). For Cmin of naloxone, on average there was an increase to 317% (90% C.I.: 142, 708).
Naloxone-3-glucuronide
For AUCn of naloxone-3-glucuronide, on average there was an increase to 128% (90% C.I.: 113, 147), for elderly compared with younger volunteers. For Cmax of naloxone-3-glucuronide, on average there was an increase to 127% (90% C.I.: 112, 144). For Cmin of naloxone-3-glucuronide, on average there was an increase to 125% (90% C.I.: 105, 148).
Patients with impaired hepatic function
Oxycodone
For AUCINF of oxycodone, on average there was an increase to 143% (90% C.I : 111, 184), 319% (90% C.I.: 248, 411) and 310% (90% C.I.: 241, 398) for mild, moderate and severe hepatically impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. For Cmax of oxycodone, on average there was an increase to 120% (90% C.I.: 99, 144), 201% (90% C.I.: 166, 242) and 191% (90% C.I.: 158, 231) for mild, moderate and severe hepatically impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. For t1/2Z of oxycodone, on average there was an increase to 108% (90% C.I.: 70, 146), 176% (90% C.I.: 138, 215) and 183% (90% C.I.: 145, 221) for mild, moderate and severe hepatically impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers.
Naloxone
For AUCt of naloxone, on average there was an increase to 411% (90% C.I.: 152, 1112), 11518% (90% C.I.: 4259, 31149) and 10666% (90% C.I.: 3944, 28847) for mild, moderate and severe hepatically impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. For Cmax of naloxone, on average there was an increase to 193% (90% C.I.: 115, 324), 5292% (90% C.I: 3148, 8896) and 5252% (90% C.I.: 3124, 8830) for mild, moderate and severe hepatically impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. Due to insufficient amount of data available t1/2Z and the corresponding AUCINF of naloxone were not calculated. The bioavailability comparisons for naloxone were therefore based on AUCt values.
Naloxone-3-glucuronide
For AUCINF of naloxone-3-glucuronide, on average there was an increase to 157% (90% C.I.: 89, 279), 128% (90% C.I.: 72, 227) and 125% (90% C.I.: 71, 222) for mild, moderate and severe hepatically impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. For Cmax of naloxone-3-glucuronide, on average there was an increase to 141% (90% C.I.: 100, 197), 118% (90% C.I.: 84, 166) and a decrease to 98% (90% C.I.: 70, 137) for mild, moderate and severe hepatically impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. For t1/2Z of naloxone-3-glucuronide, on average there was an increase to 117% (90% C.I.: 72, 161), a decrease to 77% (90% C.I.: 32, 121) and a decrease to 94% (90% C.I.: 49, 139) for mild, moderate and severe hepatically impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers.
Patients with impaired renal function
Oxycodone
For AUCINF of oxycodone, on average there was an increase to 153% (90% C.I.: 130, 182), 166% (90% C.I.: 140, 196) and 224% (90% C.I.: 190, 266) for mild, moderate and severe renally impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. For Cmax of oxycodone, on average there was an increase to 110% (90% C.I.: 94, 129), 135% (90% C.I.: 115, 159) and 167% (90% C.I.: 142, 196) for mild, moderate and severe renally impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. For t1/2Z of oxycodone, on average there was an increase to 149%, 123% and 142% for mild, moderate and severe renally impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers.
Naloxone
For AUCt of naloxone, on average there was an increase to 2850% (90% C.I.: 369, 22042), 3910% (90% C.I.: 506, 30243) and 7612% (90% C.I.: 984, 58871) for mild, moderate and severe renally impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. For Cmax of naloxone, on average there was an increase to 1076% (90% C.l.: 154, 7502), 858% (90% C.I.: 123, 5981) and 1675% (90% C.I.: 240, 11676) for mild, moderate and severe renally impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. Due to insufficient amount of data available t1/2Z and the corresponding AUCINF of naloxone were not calculated. The bioavailability comparisons for naloxone were therefore based on AUCt values. The ratios may have been influenced by the inability to fully characterise the naloxone plasma profiles for the healthy subjects.
Naloxone-3-glucuronide
For AUCINF of naloxone-3-glucuronide, on average there was an increase to 220% (90% C.I.: 148, 327), 370% (90% C.I.: 249, 550) and 525% (90% C.I.: 354, 781) for mild, moderate and severe renally impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy subjects. For Cmax of naloxone-3-glucuronide, on average there was an increase to 148% (90% C.I.: 110, 197), 202% (90% C.I.: 151, 271) and 239% (90% C.I.: 179, 320) for mild, moderate and severe renally impaired subjects, respectively, compared with healthy subjects. For t1/2Z of naloxone-3-glucuronide, on average there was no significant change between the renally impaired subjects and the healthy subjects.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Tablet core
Polyvinyl acetate
Povidone
Sodium laurilsulfate
Silica, colloidal anhydrous
Cellulose, microcrystalline
Magnesium stearate
Tablet coating
Polyvinyl alcohol
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Macrogol
Talc
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
6.3 Shelf life
3 years
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Bottles: Do not store above 30°C
Blister: Do not store above 25°C
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Blister
Child resistant aluminium/PVC/PE/PVDC blisters.
Child resistant aluminium/PVC/PE/PVDC perforated unit dose blisters.
Bottles
White high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles with white, tamper-evident child-resistant, closure made of polypropylene (PP).
Pack sizes
Blister: 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 90, 98, 100 prolonged-release tablets
Unit dose blister: 56×1
Bottle: 50, 100, 200, 250 prolonged-release tablets
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
6.6 Special precautions for disposalAny unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
TEVA UK LIMTED
Brampton Road,
Hampden Park,
Eastbourne,
East Sussex BN22 9AG
UNITED KINGDOM