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TARIM 5 MG / 2.5 MG PROLONGED-RELEASE TABLETS - summary of medicine characteristics

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Summary of medicine characteristics - TARIM 5 MG / 2.5 MG PROLONGED-RELEASE TABLETS

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

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 Overdose

Symptoms 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.

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

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 disposal

Any 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