ZECATRIN 8 MG PROLONGED-RELEASE TABLETS - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

I.What Zecatrin is and what it is used for

Zecatrin contains an active substance called fesoterodine fumarate, and is a so called antimuscarinic treatment which reduces the activity of an overactive bladder and it is used in adults to treat the symptoms.

Zecatrin treats the symptoms of an overactive bladder such as

• – not being able to control when you empty your bladder (called urgency incontinence);

• – suddenly needing to empty your bladder (called urgency);

• – having to empty your bladder more often than usual (called increased urinary frequency).

2.What you need to know before you take Zecatrin

Do not take Zecatrin:

• – if you are allergic to fesoterodine or to any of the other ingredients of Zecatrin (listed in section 6) (see section 2, “Zecatrin contains lactose”);

• – if you are not able to completely empty your bladder (urinary retention);

• – if your stomach empties slowly (gastric retention);

• – if you have an eye disease called narrow angle glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), which is not under control;

• – if you have excessive weakness of the muscles (myasthenia gravis);

• – if you have ulceration and inflammation of the colon (severe ulcerative colitis);

• – if you have an abnormally large or distended colon (toxic megacolon);

• – if you have severe liver problems;

• – if you have kidney problems or moderate to severe liver problems and are taking medicines containing any of the following active substances: itraconazole or ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections), ritonavir, atazanavir, indinavir, saquinavir or nelfinavir (antiviral medicine for treating HIV infection), clarithromycin or telithromycin (used to treat bacterial infections) and nefazodone (used to treat depression).

Warnings and Precautions

• – Fesoterodine may not always be suitable for you. Talk to your doctor before taking Zecatrin, if any of the following apply to you:

• – if you have difficulties in completely emptying your bladder (for example due to prostate enlargement);

• – if you ever experience decreased bowel movements or suffer from severe constipation;

• – if you are being treated for an eye disease called narrow angle glaucoma;

• – if you have serious kidney or liver problems, your doctor may need to adjust your dose;

• – if you have a disease called autonomic neuropathy which you notice from symptoms such as changes in your blood pressure or disorders in the bowel or sexual function; if you have a gastrointestinal disease that affects the passage and/or digestion of food;

• – if you have heartburn or belching;

• – if you have an infection of the urinary tract, your doctor may need to prescribe some antibiotics.

Heart problems: talk to your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions

• – you have an ECG (heart tracing) abnormality known as QT prolongation or you are taking any medicine known to cause this;

• – you have a slow heart rate (bradycardia);

• – you suffer from heart disease such as myocardial ischaemia (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle), irregular heartbeat or heart failure;

• – you have hypokalaemia, which is a manifestation of abnormally low levels of potassium in your blood.

Children and adolescents

Do not give this medicine to children and adolescents below 18 years of age because it is yet to be established whether it would work for them and whether it would be safe.

Other medicines and Zecatrin

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Your doctor will tell you whether you can take Zecatrin with other medicines.

Please inform your doctor if you are taking medicines according to the following list. Taking them at the same time as fesoterodine may make side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, difficulty in completely emptying your bladder or drowsiness more serious or occur more often.

• – Medicines containing the active substance amantadine (used to treat Parkinson’s di­sease).

• – Certain medicines used to enhance gastrointestinal motility or to relieve stomach cramps or spasm and to prevent travel sickness like medicines containing metoclopramide.

• – Certain medicines used to treat psychiatric diseases, like anti-depressives and neuroleptics.

Please also inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: – medicines containing any of the following active substances may increase the break-down of fesoterodine and thus decrease its effect: St. John’s Wort (herbal medicinal product), rifampicin (used to treat bacterial infections), carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital (used, among others, to treat epilepsy);

• – medicines containing any of the following active substances may increase the blood levels of fesoterodine: itraconazole or ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections), ritonavir, atazanavir, indinavir, saquinavir or nelfinavir (antiviral medicine for treating HIV), clarithromycin or telithromycin (used to treat bacterial infections), nefazodone (used to treat depression), fluoxetine or paroxetine (used to treat depression or anxiety), bupropion (used for smoking cessation or to treat depression), quinidine (used to treat arrhythmias) and cinacalcet (used to treat hyperparathyro­idism);

• – medicines containing the active substance methadone (used in the treatment of severe pain and abuse problems).

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

You should not take Zecatrin if you are pregnant, as the effects of fesoterodine on pregnancy and the unborn baby are not known.

It is not known whether fesoterodine is excreted into human milk; therefore, do not breast-feed during treatment with Zecatrin. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Zecatrin can cause blurred vision, dizziness, and sleepiness. If you experience any of these effects, do not drive or use any tools or machines.

Zecatrin contains lactose and sodium Zecatrin contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per prolonged-release tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3.how to take zecatrin

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

The recommended starting dose of Zecatrin is one 4 mg tablet a day. Based on how you respond to the medicine, your doctor may prescribe you a higher dose; one 8 mg tablet a day.

You should swallow your tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not chew the tablet. Zecatrin can be taken with or without food.

To help you remember to take your medicine, you may find it easier to take it at the same time every day.

If you take more Zecatrin than you should If you have taken more tablets than you have been told to take, or if someone else accidentally takes your tablets, contact your doctor or hospital for advice immediately. Show them your pack of tablets.

If you forget to take Zecatrin

If you forget to take a tablet, take your tablet as soon as you remember, but do not take more than one tablet in one day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.

If you stop taking Zecatrin

Do not stop taking Zecatrin without talking to your doctor, as your symptoms of overactive bladder may come back again or become worse once you stop taking Zecatrin.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4.possible side effects

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

Some side effects could be serious Serious allergic reactions including angioedema occurred rarely. You should stop taking Zecatrin and contact your doctor immediately if you develop swelling of the face, mouth or throat.

Other side effects

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

You may get a dry mouth. This effect is usually mild or moderate. This may lead to a greater risk of tooth decay. Therefore, you should brush your teeth regularly twice daily and see a dentist when in doubt.

• Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) dry eye
• constipation
• trouble digesting food (dyspepsia)
• straining or pain when emptying the bladder (dysuria)
• dizziness
• headache
• pain in the stomach
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick (nausea)
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• dry throat

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• urinary tract infection
• sleepiness (somnolence)
• difficulty tasting (dysgeusia)
• vertigo
• rash
• dry skin
• itching
• an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach
• wind (flatulence)
• difficulty in completely emptying the bladder (urinary retention)
• delay in passing urine (urinary hesitation)
• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• increased heart beat (tachycardia)
• palpitations
• liver problems
• cough
• nasal dryness
• throat pain
• stomach acid reflux
• blurred vision

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• urticaria
• confusion

5.how to store zecatrin

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 the blister after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Zecatrin 4 mg

Do not store above 30 °C.

Keep the blister tightly closed in order to protect from moisture.

Zecatrin 8 mg

This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions Keep the blister tightly closed 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 Zecatrin contains

The active substance is fesoterodine fumarate.

Zecatrin 4 mg

Each prolonged-release tablet contains 4 mg fesoterodine fumarate, equivalent to 3.1 mg of fesoterodine.

Zecatrin 8 mg

Each prolonged-release tablet contains 8 mg fesoterodine fumarate, equivalent to 6.2 mg of fesoterodine.

The other ingredients are:

The tablet core: Glycerol dibehenate, Hypromellose, Talc, Lactose monohydrate (see section 2 ‘Zecatrin contains lactose and sodium’), Cellulose, microcrystalline.

The coating:

4mg: Poly(vinyl alcohol) , Talc , Titanium dioxide (E171), Glycerol monocaprylocaprate

Sodium laurilsulfate (see section 2 ‘Zecatrin contains lactose and sodium’),

Indigo carmine aluminum lake (E132) 8mg: Poly(vinyl alcohol), Talc, Titanium dioxide (E171), Glycerol monocaprylocaprate

Sodium laurilsulfate (see section 2 ‘Zecatrin contains lactose and sodium’), Indigo carmine aluminum lake (E132), Iron oxide, red (E172)

What Zecatrin looks like and contents of the pack

Zecatrin 4 mg prolonged-release tablets are light blue, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablets and engraved on one side with the number ‘4’.