MSD-SP LTD

Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 9BU
Telephone: +44 (0)1992 467 272
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Medical Information Fax: +44 (0)1707 363 763

Summary of Product Characteristics last updated on the eMC: 10/08/2009
SPC Ezetrol 10mg Tablets


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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

EZETROL® 10 mg Tablets


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2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each tablet contains 10 mg of ezetimibe.

Excipients(s):

Each tablet contains 55 mg of lactose monohydrate.

For a full list of excipients see section 6.1.


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3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Tablet.

White to off-white, capsule-shaped tablets debossed with '414' on one side.


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4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

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4.1 Therapeutic indications

Primary hypercholesterolaemia

'Ezetrol', co-administered with an HMGNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for use in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hypercholesterolaemia who are not appropriately controlled with a statin alone.

'Ezetrol' monotherapy is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for use in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hypercholesterolaemia in whom a statin is considered inappropriate or is not tolerated.

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH)

'Ezetrol' co-administered with a statin, is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for use in patients with HoFH. Patients may also receive adjunctive treatments (e.g. LDL apheresis).

Homozygous sitosterolaemia (phytosterolaemia)

'Ezetrol' is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for use in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolaemia.

A beneficial effect of Ezetrol on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not yet been demonstrated.


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4.2 Posology and method of administration

The patient should be on an appropriate lipidNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)lowering diet and should continue on this diet during treatment with 'Ezetrol'.

Route of administration is oral. The recommended dose is one 'Ezetrol' 10 mg tablet daily. 'Ezetrol' can be administered at any time of the day, with or without food.

When 'Ezetrol' is added to a statin, either the indicated usual initial dose of that particular statin or the already established higher statin dose should be continued. In this setting, the dosage instructions for that particular statin should be consulted.

Co-administration with bile acid sequestrants

Dosing of 'Ezetrol' should occur either GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)2 hours before or GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)4 hours after administration of a bile acid sequestrant.

Use in the elderly

No dosage adjustment is required for elderly patients (see section 5.2).

Use in paediatric patients

Children and adolescents GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)10 years: No dosage adjustment is required (see section 5.2). However, clinical experience in paediatric and adolescent patients (ages 9 to 17) is limited.

Children <10 years: 'Ezetrol' is not recommended for use in children below age 10 due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy (see section 5.2).

Use in hepatic impairment

No dosage adjustment is required in patients with mild hepatic insufficiency (Child Pugh score 5 to 6). Treatment with 'Ezetrol' is not recommended in patients with moderate (Child Pugh score 7 to 9) or severe (Child Pugh score >9) liver dysfunction. (See sections 4.4 and 5.2.)

Use in renal impairment

No dosage adjustment is required for renally impaired patients (see section 5.2).


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4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

When 'Ezetrol' is co-administered with a statin, please refer to the SPC for that particular medicinal product.

Therapy with 'Ezetrol' co-administered with a statin is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

'Ezetrol' co-administered with a statin is contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in serum transaminases.


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4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

When 'Ezetrol' is co-administered with a statin, please refer to the SPC for that particular medicinal product.

Liver enzymes

In controlled co-administration trials in patients receiving 'Ezetrol' with a statin, consecutive transaminase elevations (GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)3 X the upper limit of normal [ULN]) have been observed. When 'Ezetrol' is co-administered with a statin, liver function tests should be performed at initiation of therapy and according to the recommendations of the statin. (See section 4.8.)

Skeletal muscle

In post-marketing experience with 'Ezetrol', cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported. Most patients who developed rhabdomyolysis were taking a statin concomitantly with 'Ezetrol'. However, rhabdomyolysis has been reported very rarely with 'Ezetrol' monotherapy and very rarely with the addition of 'Ezetrol' to other agents known to be associated with increased risk of rhabdomyolysis. If myopathy is suspected based on muscle symptoms or is confirmed by a creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level>10 times the ULN, 'Ezetrol', any statin, and any of these other agents that the patient is taking concomitantly should be immediately discontinued. All patients starting therapy with 'Ezetrol' should be advised of the risk of myopathy and told to report promptly any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness (see section 4.8).

Hepatic insufficiency

Due to the unknown effects of the increased exposure to ezetimibe in patients with moderate or severe hepatic insufficiency, 'Ezetrol' is not recommended (see section 5.2).

Fibrates

The safety and efficacy of 'Ezetrol' administered with fibrates have not been established.

If cholelithiasis is suspected in a patient receiving 'Ezetrol' and fenofibrate, gallbladder investigations are indicated and this therapy should be discontinued (see sections 4.5 and 4.8).

Ciclosporin

Caution should be exercised when initiating 'Ezetrol' in the setting of ciclosporin. Ciclosporin concentrations should be monitored in patients receiving 'Ezetrol' and ciclosporin (see section 4.5).

Anticoagulants

If 'Ezetrol' is added to warfarin, another coumarin anticoagulant, or fluindione, the International Normalised Ratio (INR) should be appropriately monitored (see section 4.5).

Excipient

Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.


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4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

In preclinical studies, it has been shown that ezetimibe does not induce cytochrome P450 drug metabolising enzymes. No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions have been observed between ezetimibe and drugs known to be metabolised by cytochromes P450 1A2, 2D6, 2C8, 2C9, and 3A4, or N-acetyltransferase.

In clinical interaction studies, ezetimibe had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of dapsone, dextromethorphan, digoxin, oral contraceptives (ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel), glipizide, tolbutamide, or midazolam, during co-administration. Cimetidine, co-administered with ezetimibe, had no effect on the bioavailability of ezetimibe.

Antacids: Concomitant antacid administration decreased the rate of absorption of ezetimibe but had no effect on the bioavailability of ezetimibe. This decreased rate of absorption is not considered clinically significant.

Colestyramine: Concomitant colestyramine administration decreased the mean area under the curve (AUC) of total ezetimibe (ezetimibe + ezetimibe glucuronide) approximately 55%. The incremental lowNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C) reduction due to adding 'Ezetrol' to colestyramine may be lessened by this interaction (see section 4.2).

Fibrates: In patients receiving fenofibrate and 'Ezetrol', physicians should be aware of the possible risk of cholelithiasis and gallbladder disease (see section 4.4 and 4.8).

If cholelithiasis is suspected in a patient receiving 'Ezetrol' and fenofibrate, gallbladder investigations are indicated and this therapy should be discontinued (see section 4.8).

Concomitant fenofibrate or gemfibrozil administration modestly increased total ezetimibe concentrations (approximately 1.5- and 1.7-fold respectively).

Co-administration of 'Ezetrol' with other fibrates has not been studied.

Fibrates may increase cholesterol excretion into the bile, leading to cholelithiasis. In animal studies, ezetimibe sometimes increased cholesterol in the gallbladder bile, but not in all species (see section 5.3). A lithogenic risk associated with the therapeutic use of 'Ezetrol' cannot be ruled out.

Statins: No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions were seen when ezetimibe was co-administered with atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin or rosuvastatin.

Ciclosporin: In a study of eight post-renal transplant patients with creatinine clearance of >50 ml/min on a stable dose of ciclosporin, a single 10-mg dose of 'Ezetrol' resulted in a 3.4-fold (range 2.3 to 7.9-fold) increase in the mean AUC for total ezetimibe compared to a healthy control population, receiving ezetimibe alone, from another study (n=17). In a different study, a renal transplant patient with severe renal insufficiency who was receiving ciclosporin and multiple other medications, demonstrated a 12-fold greater exposure to total ezetimibe compared to concurrent controls receiving ezetimibe alone. In a two-period crossover study in 12 healthy subjects, daily administration of 20 mg ezetimibe for 8 days with a single 100NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)mg dose of ciclosporin on Day 7 resulted in a mean 15 % increase in ciclosporin AUC (range 10 % decrease to 51 % increase) compared to a single 100NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)mg dose of ciclosporin alone. A controlled study on the effect of co-administered ezetimibe on ciclosporin exposure in renal transplant patients has not been conducted. Caution should be exercised when initiating Ezetrol in the setting of ciclosporin. Ciclosporin concentrations should be monitored in patients receiving Ezetrol and ciclosporin (see section 4.4).

Anticoagulants:Concomitant administration of ezetimibe (10 mg once daily) had no significant effect on bioavailability of warfarin and prothrombin time in a study of twelve healthy adult males. However, there have been post-marketing reports of increased International Normalised Ratio (INR) in patients who had 'Ezetrol' added to warfarin or fluindione. If 'Ezetrol' is added to warfarin, another coumarin anticoagulant, or fluindione, INR should be appropriately monitored (see Section 4.4).


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4.6 Pregnancy and lactation

'Ezetrol' co-administered with a statin is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation (see section 4.3), please refer to the SPC for that particular statin.

Pregnancy:

'Ezetrol' should be given to pregnant women only if clearly necessary. No clinical data are available on the use of 'Ezetrol' during pregnancy. Animal studies on the use of ezetimibe in monotherapy have shown no evidence of direct or indirect harmful effects on pregnancy, embryofoetal development, birth or postnatal development (see section 5.3).

Lactation:

'Ezetrol' should not be used during lactation. Studies on rats have shown that ezetimibe is secreted into breast milk. It is not known if ezetimibe is secreted into human breast milk.


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4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, when driving vehicles or operating machines, it should be taken into account that dizziness has been reported.


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4.8 Undesirable effects

Clinical Studies

In clinical studies of up to 112 weeks duration, 'Ezetrol' 10 mg daily was administered alone in 2396 patients, or with a statin in 11,308 patients or with fenofibrate in 185 patients. Adverse reactions were usually mild and transient. The overall incidence of side effects was similar between 'Ezetrol' and placebo. Similarly, the discontinuation rate due to adverse experiences was comparable between 'Ezetrol' and placebo.

'Ezetrol' administered alone or co-administered with a statin:

The following adverse reactions were observed in patients treated with 'Ezetrol' (N=2396) and at a greater incidence than placebo (N=1159) or in patients treated with 'Ezetrol' co-administered with a statin (N=11308) and at a greater incidence than statin administered alone (N=9361):

Frequencies are defined as: very common (GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)1/10); common (GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)1/10,000 to <1/1,000) and very rare (<1/10,000)

'Ezetrol' monotherapy

System organ class

Adverse reactions

Frequency

Investigations

ALT and/or AST increased; blood CPK increased; gamma-glutamyltransferase increased; liver function test abnormal

Uncommon

Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders

cough

Uncommon

Gastrointestinal Disorders

abdominal pain; diarrhoea; flatulence

Common

dyspepsia; gastrooesophageal reflux disease; nausea

Uncommon

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders

arthralgia; muscle spasms; neck pain

Uncommon

Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders

decreased appetite

Uncommon

Vascular Disorders

hot flush; hypertension

Uncommon

General Disorders and Administration Site Condition

fatigue

Common

chest pain, pain

Uncommon

Additional adverse reactions with 'Ezetrol' co-administered with a statin

System organ class

Adverse reactions

Frequency

Investigations

ALT and/or AST increased

Common

Nervous System Disorders

headache

Common

paraesthesia

Uncommon

Gastrointestinal Disorders

dry mouth; gastritis

Uncommon

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

pruritus; rash; urticaria

Uncommon

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders

myalgia

Common

back pain; muscular weakness; pain in extremity

Uncommon

General Disorders and Administration Site Condition

asthenia; oedema peripheral

Uncommon

'Ezetrol' co-administered with fenofibrate:

Gastrointestinal disorders: abdominal pain.

In a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study in patients with mixed hyperlipidaemia, 625 patients were treated for up to 12 weeks and 576 patients for up to 1 year. In this study, 172 patients treated with 'Ezetrol' and fenofibrate completed 12 weeks of therapy, and 230 patients treated with 'Ezetrol' and fenofibrate (including 109 who received 'Ezetrol' alone for the first 12 weeks) completed 1 year of therapy. This study was not designed to compare treatment groups for infrequent events. Incidence rates (95% CI) for clinically important elevations (>3 X ULN, consecutive) in serum transaminases were 4.5% (1.9, 8.8) and 2.7% (1.2, 5.4) for fenofibrate monotherapy and 'Ezetrol' co-administered with fenofibrate, respectively, adjusted for treatment exposure. Corresponding incidence rates for cholecystectomy were 0.6% (0.0, 3.1) and 1.7% (0.6, 4.0) for fenofibrate monotherapy and 'Ezetrol' co-administered with fenofibrate, respectively (see sections 4.4 and 4.5).

Laboratory values

In controlled clinical monotherapy trials, the incidence of clinically important elevations in serum transaminases (ALT and/or AST GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)3 X ULN, consecutive) was similar between 'Ezetrol' (0.5%) and placebo (0.3%). In co-administration trials, the incidence was 1.3% for patients treated with 'Ezetrol' co-administered with a statin and 0.4% for patients treated with a statin alone. These elevations were generally asymptomatic, not associated with cholestasis, and returned to baseline after discontinuation of therapy or with continued treatment. (See section 4.4.)

In clinical trials, CPK >10 X ULN was reported for 4 of 1,674 (0.2%) patients administered 'Ezetrol' alone vs 1 of 786 (0.1%) patients administered placebo, and for 1 of 917 (0.1%) patients co-administered 'Ezetrol' and a statin vs 4 of 929 (0.4%) patients administered a statin alone. There was no excess of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis associated with 'Ezetrol' compared with the relevant control arm (placebo or statin alone). (See section 4.4.)

Post-marketing Experience

The following additional adverse reactions have been reported in post-marketing experience. Because these adverse experiences have been identified from spontaneous reports, their true frequencies are not known and cannot be estimated.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders: thrombocytopenia

Nervous system disorders: dizziness; paraesthesia

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnoea

Gastro-intestinal disorders: pancreatitis; constipation

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: myalgia; myopathy/rhabdomyolysis (see section 4.4).

General disorders and administration site conditions: asthenia

Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity, including rash, urticaria, anaphylaxis and angioedema

Hepatobiliary disorders: hepatitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis

Psychiatric disorders: depression.


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4.9 Overdose

In clinical studies, administration of ezetimibe, 50 mg/day, to 15 healthy subjects for up to 14 days, or 40 mg/day to 18 patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia for up to 56 days, was generally well tolerated. In animals, no toxicity was observed after single oral doses of 5,000 mg/kg of ezetimibe in rats and mice and 3,000 mg/kg in dogs.

A few cases of overdosage with 'Ezetrol' have been reported: most have not been associated with adverse experiences. Reported adverse experiences have not been serious. In the event of an overdose, symptomatic and supportive measures should be employed.


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5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

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5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other lipid modifying agents. ATC code: C10A X09

'Ezetrol' is in a new class of lipid-lowering compounds that selectively inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and related plant sterols. 'Ezetrol' is orally active, and has a mechanism of action that differs from other classes of cholesterolNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)reducing compounds (e.g. statins, bile acid sequestrants [resins], fibric acid derivatives, and plant stanols). The molecular target of ezetimibe is the sterol transporter, Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), which is responsible for the intestinal uptake of cholesterol and phytosterols.

Ezetimibe localises at the brush border of the small intestine and inhibits the absorption of cholesterol, leading to a decrease in the delivery of intestinal cholesterol to the liver; statins reduce cholesterol synthesis in the liver and together these distinct mechanisms provide complementary cholesterol reduction. In a 2NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)week clinical study in 18 hypercholesterolaemic patients, 'Ezetrol' inhibited intestinal cholesterol absorption by 54%, compared with placebo.

A series of preclinical studies was performed to determine the selectivity of ezetimibe for inhibiting cholesterol absorption. Ezetimibe inhibited the absorption of [14C]-cholesterol with no effect on the absorption of triglycerides, fatty acids, bile acids, progesterone, ethinyl estradiol, or fat soluble vitamins A and D.

Epidemiologic studies have established that cardiovascular morbidity and mortality vary directly with the level of totalNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C and LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C and inversely with the level of HDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C. A beneficial effect of 'Ezetrol' on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not yet been demonstrated.

CLINICAL TRIALS

In controlled clinical studies, 'Ezetrol', either as monotherapy or co-administered with a statin significantly reduced total cholesterol (totalNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), and trigylcerides (TG) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C) in patients with hypercholesterolaemia.

Primary hypercholesterolaemia

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week study, 769 patients with hypercholesterolaemia already receiving statin monotherapy and not at National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C goal (2.6 to 4.1 mmol/l [100 to 160 mg/dl], depending on baseline characteristics) were randomised to receive either 'Ezetrol' 10 mg or placebo in addition to their on-going statin therapy.

Among statin-treated patients not at LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C goal at baseline (~82%), significantly more patients randomised to 'Ezetrol' achieved their LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C goal at study endpoint compared to patients randomised to placebo, 72% and 19% respectively. The corresponding LDL-C reductions were significantly different (25% and 4% for 'Ezetrol' versus placebo, respectively). In addition, 'Ezetrol', added to on-going statin therapy, significantly decreased total-C, Apo B, TG and increased HDL-C, compared with placebo. 'Ezetrol' or placebo added to statin therapy reduced median CNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)reactive protein by 10% or 0% from baseline, respectively.

In two, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled, 12-week studies in 1,719 patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia, 'Ezetrol' 10 mg significantly lowered totalNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C (13%), LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C (19%), Apo B (14%), and TG (8%) and increased HDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C (3%) compared to placebo. In addition, 'Ezetrol' had no effect on the plasma concentrations of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E, no effect on prothrombin time, and, like other lipid-lowering agents, did not impair adrenocortical steroid hormone production.

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH)

A doubleNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)blind, randomised, 12NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)week study enrolled 50 patients with a clinical and/or genotypic diagnosis of HoFH, who were receiving atorvastatin or simvastatin (40 mg) with or without concomitant LDL apheresis. 'Ezetrol' co-administered with atorvastatin (40 or 80 mg) or simvastatin (40 or 80 mg), significantly reduced LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C by 15% compared with increasing the dose of simvastatin or atorvastatin monotherapy from 40 to 80 mg.

Homozygous sitosterolaemia (phytosterolaemia)

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week trial, 37 patients with homozygous sitosterolaemia were randomised to receive 'Ezetrol' 10 mg (n=30) or placebo (n=7). Some patients were receiving other treatments (e.g. statins, resins). 'Ezetrol' significantly lowered the two major plant sterols, sitosterol and campesterol, by 21% and 24% from baseline, respectively. The effects of decreasing sitosterol on morbidity and mortality in this population are not known.


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5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption: After oral administration, ezetimibe is rapidly absorbed and extensively conjugated to a pharmacologically-active phenolic glucuronide (ezetimibe-glucuronide). Mean maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) occur within 1 to 2 hours for ezetimibe-glucuronide and 4 to 12 hours for ezetimibe. The absolute bioavailability of ezetimibe cannot be determined as the compound is virtually insoluble in aqueous media suitable for injection.

Concomitant food administration (high fat or non-fat meals) had no effect on the oral bioavailability of ezetimibe when administered as 'Ezetrol' 10NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)mg tablets. 'Ezetrol' can be administered with or without food.

Distribution: Ezetimibe and ezetimibeNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)glucuronide are bound 99.7% and 88 to 92% to human plasma proteins, respectively.

Biotransformation: Ezetimibe is metabolised primarily in the small intestine and liver via glucuronide conjugation (a phase II reaction) with subsequent biliary excretion. Minimal oxidative metabolism (a phase I reaction) has been observed in all species evaluated. Ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide are the major drug-derived compounds detected in plasma, constituting approximately 10 to 20 % and 80 to 90 % of the total drug in plasma, respectively. Both ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide are slowly eliminated from plasma with evidence of significant enterohepatic recycling. The half-life for ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide is approximately 22 hours.

Elimination: Following oral administration of 14CNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)ezetimibe (20 mg) to human subjects, total ezetimibe accounted for approximately 93% of the total radioactivity in plasma. Approximately 78% and 11% of the administered radioactivity were recovered in the faeces and urine, respectively, over a 10NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)day collection period. After 48 hours, there were no detectable levels of radioactivity in the plasma.

Special populations:

Paediatric patients

The absorption and metabolism of ezetimibe are similar between children and adolescents (10 to 18 years) and adults. Based on total ezetimibe, there are no pharmacokinetic differences between adolescents and adults. Pharmacokinetic data in the paediatric population <10 years of age are not available. Clinical experience in paediatric and adolescent patients (ages 9 to 17) has been limited to patients with HoFH or sitosterolaemia.

Geriatric patients

Plasma concentrations for total ezetimibe are about 2NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)fold higher in the elderly (GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)65 years) than in the young (18 to 45 years). LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C reduction and safety profile are comparable between elderly and young subjects treated with 'Ezetrol'. Therefore, no dosage adjustment is necessary in the elderly.

Hepatic insufficiency

After a single 10NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)mg dose of ezetimibe, the mean AUC for total ezetimibe was increased approximately 1.7NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)fold in patients with mild hepatic insufficiency (Child Pugh score 5 or 6), compared to healthy subjects. In a 14NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)day, multiple-dose study (10 mg daily) in patients with moderate hepatic insufficiency (Child Pugh score 7 to 9), the mean AUC for total ezetimibe was increased approximately 4NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)fold on Day 1 and Day 14 compared to healthy subjects. No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with mild hepatic insufficiency. Due to the unknown effects of the increased exposure to ezetimibe in patients with moderate or severe (Child Pugh score >9) hepatic insufficiency, 'Ezetrol' is not recommended in these patients (see section 4.4).

Renal insufficiency

After a single 10NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)mg dose of ezetimibe in patients with severe renal disease (n=8; mean CrCl LESS-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8804)30 ml/min/1.73m2), the mean AUC for total ezetimibe was increased approximately 1.5NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)fold, compared to healthy subjects (n=9). This result is not considered clinically significant. No dosage adjustment is necessary for renally impaired patients.

An additional patient in this study (post-renal transplant and receiving multiple medications, including ciclosporin) had a 12NON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)fold greater exposure to total ezetimibe.

Gender

Plasma concentrations for total ezetimibe are slightly higher (approximately 20%) in women than in men. LDLNON-BREAKING HYPHEN (8209)C reduction and safety profile are comparable between men and women treated with 'Ezetrol'. Therefore, no dosage adjustment is necessary on the basis of gender.


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5.3 Preclinical safety data

Animal studies on the chronic toxicity of ezetimibe identified no target organs for toxic effects. In dogs treated for four weeks with ezetimibe (GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)0.03 mg/kg/day) the cholesterol concentration in the cystic bile was increased by a factor of 2.5 to 3.5. However, in a one-year study on dogs given doses of up to 300 mg/kg/day no increased incidence of cholelithiasis or other hepatobiliary effects were observed. The significance of these data for humans is not known. A lithogenic risk associated with the therapeutic use of 'Ezetrol' cannot be ruled out.

In co-administration studies with ezetimibe and statins the toxic effects observed were essentially those typically associated with statins. Some of the toxic effects were more pronounced than observed during treatment with statins alone. This is attributed to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions in co-administration therapy. No such interactions occurred in the clinical studies. Myopathies occurred in rats only after exposure to doses that were several times higher than the human therapeutic dose (approximately 20 times the AUC level for statins and 500 to 2,000 times the AUC level for the active metabolites).

In a series of in vivo and in vitro assays ezetimibe, given alone or co-administered with statins, exhibited no genotoxic potential. Long-term carcinogenicity tests on ezetimibe were negative.

Ezetimibe had no effect on the fertility of male or female rats, nor was it found to be teratogenic in rats or rabbits, nor did it affect prenatal or postnatal development. Ezetimibe crossed the placental barrier in pregnant rats and rabbits given multiple doses of 1,000 mg/kg/day. The co-administration of ezetimibe and statins was not teratogenic in rats. In pregnant rabbits a small number of skeletal deformities (fused thoracic and caudal vertebrae, reduced number of caudal vertebrae) were observed. The co-administration of ezetimibe with lovastatin resulted in embryolethal effects.


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6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

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6.1 List of excipients

Croscarmellose sodium

Lactose monohydrate

Magnesium stearate

Microcrystalline cellulose

Povidone (K29-32)

Sodium laurilsulphate


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6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.


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6.3 Shelf life

3 years.


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6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 30°C.

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

Bottles: Keep the bottle tightly closed in order to protect from moisture.


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6.5 Nature and contents of container

Unit Dose peelable blisters of clear polychlorotrifluoroethylene/PVC sealed to vinyl coated aluminium backed with paper and polyester in packs of 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 98, 100, or 300 tablets.

Push through blisters of clear polychlorotrifluoroethylene/PVC sealed to vinyl coated aluminium in packs of 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 84, 90, 98, 100, or 300 tablets.

Unit dose push through blisters of clear polychlorotrifluoroethylene/PVC coated aluminium in packs of 50, 100, or 300 tablets.

HDPE bottles with polypropylene cap, containing 100 tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.


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6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special requirements.


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7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

MSD-SP Limited

Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 9BU, UK


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8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 19945/0001


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9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

3 April 2003/ 17 October 2007


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10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

31 July 2009


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LEGAL CATEGORY

POM

® denotes registered trademark of MSP Singapore Company, LLC

© Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, 2009. All rights reserved.

SPC.EZE.09.UK.3136



More information about this product

Link to this document from your website: http://emc.medicines.org.uk/medicine/12091/SPC/Ezetrol 10mg Tablets/


Active Ingredients/Generics

 
   ezetimibe


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