ASASANTIN^® Retard

Each capsule contains dipyridamole 200 mg and aspirin 25 mg.

Capsule containing aspirin in standard release form and dipyridamole in modified release form.

Capsules consisting of a red cap and an ivory body imprinted with the company logo and the figures “01A”.

Secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attacks.

For oral administration.

Adults, including the elderly

The recommended dose is one capsule twice daily, usually one in the morning and one in the evening preferably with meals.

The capsules should be swallowed whole without chewing together with a glass of water.

Children

ASASANTIN Retard is not indicated for use in children and young people. Do not give to children aged under 16 years, unless specifically indicated (e.g. for Kawasaki's disease)

Alternative regimen in case of intolerable headaches

In the event of intolerable headaches during treatment initiation, switch to one capsule at bedtime and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the morning. Because there are no outcome data with this regimen and headaches become less of a problem as treatment continues, patients should return to the usual regimen as soon as possible, usually within one week.

Hypersensitivity to any component of the product or salicylates.

Patients with active gastric or duodenal ulcers or with bleeding disorders.

Patients in the last trimester of pregnancy.

In case of rare hereditary conditions that may be incompatible with an excipient of the product (please refer to “special warnings and precautions”) the use of the product is contraindicated.

Due to the risk of bleeding, as with other antiplatelet agents, ASASANTIN should be used with caution in patients at increased bleeding risk and patients should be followed carefully for any signs of bleeding, including occult bleeding.

Caution should be advised in patients receiving concomitant medication which may increase the risk of bleeding, such as anti-platelet agents (e.g. clopidogrel, ticlopidine) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), please see section 4.5.

Headache or migraine-like headache which may occur especially at the beginning of ASASANTIN therapy should not be treated with analgesic doses of acetylsalicylic acid.

Among other properties dipyridamole acts as a vasodilator. It should be used with caution in patients with severe coronary artery disease, including unstable angina and/or recent myocardial infarction, left ventricular outflow obstruction, or haemodynamic instability (e.g. decompensated heart failure).

Patients being treated with regular oral doses of ASASANTIN Retard should not receive additional intravenous dipyridamole. Clinical experience suggests that patients being treated with oral dipyridamole who also require pharmacological stress testing with intravenous dipyridamole, should discontinue drugs containing oral dipyridamole twenty-four hours prior to stress testing.

In patients with myasthenia gravis readjustment of therapy may be necessary after changes in dipyridamole dosage (see Interactions).

A small number of cases have been reported in which unconjugated dipyridamole was shown to be incorporated into gallstones to a variable extent (up to 70% by dry weight of stone). These patients were all elderly, had evidence of ascending cholangitis and had been treated with oral dipyridamole for a number of years. There is no evidence that dipyridamole was the initiating factor in causing gallstones to form in these patients. It is possible that bacterial deglucuronidation of conjugated dipyridamole in bile may be the mechanism responsible for the presence of dipyridamole in gallstones.

Due to the aspirin component, ASASANTIN Retard should be used in caution in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, chronic or recurring gastric or duodenal complaints, impaired renal (avoid if severe) or hepatic function or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

In addition, caution is advised in patients hypersensitive to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

ASASANTIN Retard is not indicated for use in children and young people. There is a possible association between aspirin and Reye's syndrome when given to children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare disease, which affects the brain and liver, and can be fatal. For this reason aspirin should not be given to children aged under 16 years unless specifically indicated (e.g. for Kawasaki's disease).

The dose of aspirin in ASASANTIN Retard has not been studied in secondary prevention of myocardial infarction.

The product contains 106 mg of lactose and 22.64 mg sucrose per maximum recommended daily dose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.

When dipyridamole is used in combination with aspirin or with warfarin, the statements regarding precautions, warnings and tolerance for these preparations must be observed.

Aspirin has been shown to enhance the effect of anticoagulants (e.g. coumarin derivatives and heparin), antiplatelet drugs (e.g. clopidogrel, ticlopidine) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and may increase the risk of bleeding.

Aspirin may enhance the effect of valproic acid and phenytoin with possible increased risk of side effects.

Gastrointestinal side effects may increase when aspirin is administered concomitantly with NSAIDs, corticosteroids or chronic alcohol use. The addition of dipyridamole to aspirin does not increase the incidence of bleeding events. When dipyridamole was administered concomitantly with warfarin, bleeding was no greater in frequency or severity than that observed when warfarin was administered alone.

Dipyridamole increases the plasma levels and cardiovascular effects of adenosine. Adjustment of adenosine dosage should therefore be considered if use with dipyridamole is unavoidable.

Dipyridamole may increase the hypotensive effect of blood pressure lowering drugs and may counteract the anticholinesterase effect of cholinesterase inhibitors thereby potentially aggravating myasthenia gravis.

The effect of hypoglycaemic agents and the toxicity of methotrexate may be increased by the concomitant administration of aspirin.

Aspirin may decrease the natriuretic effect of spironolactone and inhibit the effect of uricosuric agents (e.g. probenecid, sulphinpyrazone).

There is some experimental evidence that ibuprofen interferes with aspirin induced inhibition of platelet cyclo-oxygenase. This interaction could reduce the beneficial cardiovascular effects of aspirin, however the evidence for this is not conclusive. Further, in view of the known increased risk of gastrointestinal toxicity associated with NSAID and aspirin co-medication, this combination should be avoided wherever possible. When such a combination is necessary the balance of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks should be considered.

There is inadequate evidence of the safety in human pregnancy regarding dipyridamole and aspirin at low dose.

Animal studies performed with the drug combination revealed no increased teratogenic risk over the individual components alone. Fertility studies and studies covering the peri-postnatal period have not been performed with the combination.

ASASANTIN Retard should only be used with caution in the first and second trimester if considered essential by the physician in terms of benefit and risk. Asasantin Retard should be completely avoided in the third trimester.

Dipyridamole and salicylates are excreted in breast milk. Therefore ASASANTIN Retard should only be administered to nursing mothers if clearly needed.

None stated.

Two large scale trials (ESPS-2, PRoFESS) enrolling a total of 26,934 patients, thereof 11,831 patients treated with ASASANTIN, were used to define the side effects profile of ASASANTIN. In addition, from spontaneous reporting also those events where facts and evidence qualified these as side effects have been included.

Due to the granularity of the coding system, bleeding events are distributed over several System Organ Classes (SOC); therefore, a summary description of bleeding is given in Table 1 below.

Table 1 Bleeding events broken down to any bleeding, major bleeding, haemorrhage intracranial and gastrointestinal haemorrhage

Side effects of ASASANTIN broken down to System Organ Classes:

Frequency: Very common ( 1/10); Common ( 1/100 to < 1/10); Uncommon ( 1/1,000 to < 1/100); Rare ( 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); and Very rare (< 1/10,000) including isolated reports.

*These ADRs were not reported in clinical trials, therefore a frequency could not be calculated.

In addition to those side effects listed for ASASANTIN, for the relevant monocompounds also the below listed side effects are established; however, have not been reported for ASASANTIN yet.

Dipyridamole:

Additional side effects reported with dipyridamole monotherapy were as follows:

Dipyridamole has been shown to be incorporated into gallstones (See "Special warnings and precautions for use").

Acetylsalicylic acid:

Additional side effects reported with acetylsalicylic acid monotherapy were as follows:

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Disseminated intravascular coagulation, coagulopathy

Immune system disorders

Anaphylactic reactions (especially in patients with asthma)

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Hypoglycaemia (children), hyperglycaemia, thirst, dehydration, hyperkaleamia, metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis

Psychiatric disorders

Confusional state

Nervous system disorders

Agitation, brain oedema, lethargy, convulsion

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Tinnitus, deafness

Cardiac disorders

Arrhythmia

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Dyspnoea, gingival bleeding, laryngeal oedema, hyperventilation, pulmonary oedema, tachypnoea

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastric ulcer perforation, duodenal ulcer perforation, melaena, haematemesis, pancreatitis

Hepatobiliary disorders

Hepatitis, Reye's syndrome

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Erythema exsudativum multiforme

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders

Rhabdomyolysis

Renal and urinary disorders

Renal failure, nephritis interstitial, renal papillary necrosis, proteinuria

Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions

Prolonged pregnancy, prolonged labour, small for dates baby, stillbirth, antepartum haemorrhage, postpartum haemorrhage

General disorders and administration site conditions

Pyrexia, hypothermia

Investigations

Liver function test abnormal, blood uric acid increased (may lead to gout attacks), prothrombin time prolonged

Symptoms

Because of the dose ratio of dipyridamole to aspirin, overdosage is likely to be dominated by signs and symptoms of dipyridamole overdose.

Due to the low number of observations, experience with dipyridamole overdose is limited.

Symptoms such as a warm feeling, flushes, sweating, accelerated pulse, restlessness, feeling of weakness, dizziness, drop in blood pressure and anginal complaints can be expected.

Salicylate poisoning is usually associated with plasma concentrations >350 mg/L (2.5 mmol/L). Most adult deaths occur in patients whose concentrations exceed 700 mg/L (5.1 mmol/L). Single doses less than 100 mg/kg are unlikely to cause serious poisoning.

Symptoms of salicylate overdose commonly include vomiting, dehydration, tinnitus, vertigo, deafness, sweating, warm extremities with bounding pulses, increased respiratory rate and hyperventilation. Some degree of acid-base disturbance is present in most cases.

A mixed respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis with normal or high arterial pH (normal or reduced hydrogen ion concentration) is usual in adults and children over the age of four years. In children aged four years or less, a dominant metabolic acidosis with low arterial pH (raised hydrogen ion concentration) is common. Acidosis may increase salicylate transfer across the blood brain barrier.

Uncommon features of salicylate poisoning include haematemesis, hyperpyrexia, hypoglycaemia, hypokalaemia, thrombocytopaenia, increased INR/PTR, intravascular coagulation, renal failure and non-cardiac pulmonary oedema. Central nervous system features including confusion, disorientation, coma and convulsions are less common in adults than in children.

Therapy

Administration of xanthine derivatives (e.g. aminophylline) may reverse the haemodynamic effects of dipyridamole overdose. Due to its wide distribution to tissues and its predominantly hepatic elimination, dipyridamole is not likely to be accessible to enhanced removal procedures.

In the case of salicylate poisoning activated charcoal should be given to adults who present within one hour of ingestion of more than 250 mg/kg. the plasma salicylate concentration should be measured, although the severity of poisoning cannot be determined from this alone and the clinical and biochemical features must be taken into account. Elimination is increased by urinary alkalinisation, which is achieved by the administration of 1.26% sodium bicarbonate. The urine pH should be monitored. Correct metabolic acidosis with intravenous 8.4% sodium bicarbonate (first check serum potassium). Forced diuresis should not be used since it does not enhance salicylate excretion and may cause pulmonary oedema.

Haemodialysis is the treatment of choice for severe poisoning and should be considered in patients with plasma salicylate concentrations> 700 mg/L (5.1 mmol/L), or lower concentrations associated with severe clinical or metabolic features. Patients under ten years or over 70 have increased risk of salicylate toxicity and may require dialysis at an earlier stage.

The antithrombotic action of the Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)/dipyridamole combination is based on the different biochemical mechanisms involved. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) inactivates irreversibly the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase in platelets thus preventing the production of thromboxane A2, a powerful inducer of platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction.

Dipyridamole inhibits the uptake of adenosine into erythrocytes, platelets and endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo; the inhibition amounts to approximately 80% at maximum and occurs dose-dependently at therapeutic concentrations (0.5 – 2 mcg/ml). Consequently, there is an increased concentration of adenosine locally to act on the platelet A₂-receptor, stimulating platelet adenylate cyclase, thereby increasing platelet cAMP levels.

Reduced platelet aggregation reduces platelet consumption towards normal levels. In addition, adenosine has a vasodilator effect and this is one of the mechanisms by which dipyridamole produces vasodilation.

Dipyridamole has also been shown in stroke patients to reduce the density of prothrombotic surface proteins (PAR-1: Thrombin receptor) on platelets as well as to reduce levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) and von Willebrand Factor (vWF). In-vitro investigations have shown that dipyridamole selectively inhibits inflammatory cytokines (MCP-1 and MMP-9) arising from platelet-monocyte interaction. Dipyridamole inhibits phosphodiesterase (PDE) in various tissues.

Whilst the inhibition of cAMP-PDE is weak, therapeutic levels of dipyridamole inhibit cGMP-PDE, thereby augmenting the increase in cGMP produced by EDRF (endothelium-derived relaxing factor, identified as nitric oxide (NO)).

Dipyridamole increases the release of t-PA from microvascular endothelial cells and was shown to amplify the antithrombotic properties of endothelial cells on thrombus formation on adjacent subendothelial matrix in a dose dependent manner. Dipyridamole is a potent radical scavenger for oxy- and peroxy-radicals.

Dipyridamole also stimulates the biosynthesis and release of prostacyclin by the endothelium and reduces the thrombogenicity of subendothelial structures by increasing the concentration of the protective mediator 13-HODE (13-hydroxyoctadecadienic acid).

Whereas acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) inhibits only platelet aggregation, dipyridamole in addition inhibits platelet activation and adhesion. Therefore an additional benefit from combining both drugs can be expected

Clinical Trials :

ASASANTIN Retard®was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 24-month study (European Stroke Prevention Study 2, ESPS2) in which 6602 patients had an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) within three months prior to entry. Patients were randomized to one of four treatment groups: ASASANTIN Retard ( ASA /extended-release dipyridamole) 25 mg/200 mg; extended-release dipyridamole (ER-DP) 200 mg alone; ASA 25 mg alone; or placebo. Patients received one capsule twice daily (morning and evening). Efficacy assessments included analyses of stroke (fatal or nonfatal) and death (from all causes) as confirmed by a blinded morbidity and mortality assessment group. In ESPS-2 ASASANTIN Retard reduced the risk of stroke by 22.1% compared to ASA.

50 mg/day alone (p =0.008) and reduced the risk of stroke by 24.4% compared to extended-release dipyridamole 400 mg/day alone (p = 0.002). ASASANTIN Retard reduced the risk of stroke by 36.8% compared to placebo (p <0.001).

The results of the ESPS-2 study are supported by the European/Australasian Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischaemia Trial (ESPRIT) study [112] which studied a combination treatment of diypridamole 400 mg daily (83% of patients treated with the extended-release dipyridamole formulation) and ASA 30-325 mg daily. A total of 2739 patients after ischaemic stroke of arterial origin were enrolled in the ASA-alone (n = 1376) and combination ASA plus dipyridamole (n = 1363) arm. The primary outcome event was the composite of death from all vascular causes, non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), or major bleeding complications. Patients in the ASA plus dipyridamole group showed a 20% risk reduction (p<0.05) for the primary composite endpoint compared with those in the ASA alone group (12.7% vs. 15.7%; hazard ratio [HR] 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.98).

The PRoFESS (PRevention Regimen For Effectively avoiding Second Strokes) study was a randomized, parallel group, international, double-blind, double-dummy, active and placebo controlled, 2x2 factorial study to compare ASASANTIN with clopidogrel, and telmisartan with matching placebo in the prevention of stroke in patients who had already experienced an ischaemic stroke of noncardioembolic origin. Individuals who were > 55 years of age and who had had an ischemic stroke within 90 days of entry to the study were included. A total of 20,332 patients were randomized to ASASANTIN (n= 10,181) or clopidogrel (n = 10,151), both given on a background of standard treatment. The primary endpoint was the time to first recurrent stroke of any type.

The incidence of the primary endpoint was similar in both treatment groups (9.0% for ASASANTIN vs. 8.8% for clopidogrel; HR 1.01, 95 % CI 0.92-1.11). No significant difference between the ASASANTIN and clopidogrel treatment groups were detected for several other important pre-specified endpoints, including the composite of recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, or death due to vascular causes (13.1% in both treatment groups; HR 0.99, 95 % CI 0.92-1.07) and the composite of recurrent stroke or major haemorrhagic event (11.7% for ASASANTIN vs. 11.4% for clopidogrel; HR 1.03, 95 % CI 0.95-1.11). The functional neurological outcome 3 months post recurrent stroke was assessed by the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) and no significant difference in the distribution of the MRS between ASASANTIN and clopidogrel was observed (p = 0.3073 by Cochran-Armitage test for linear trend).

More patients randomised to ASA+ER-DP (4.1%) than to clopidogrel (3.6%) experienced a major haemorrhagic event (HR = 1.15; 95% CI 1.00, 1.32; p = 0.0571). The difference between the treatment groups was mainly due to the higher incidence of non-life threatening major haemorrhagic events in the ASA+ER-DP group (2.9%) than in the clopidogrel group (2.5%) while the incidences of life threatening haemorrhagic events were similar in both groups (128 patients vs. 116 patients). The overall incidence of intracranial haemorrhage was higher in the ASA+ER-DP group (1.4%) than in the clopidogrel group (1.0%) resulting in a HR of 1.42 (95% CI 1.11, 1.83) with a p-value of 0.0062. The difference between the treatment groups resulted mainly from the higher incidence of haemorrhagic strokes in the ASA+ER-DP group (0.9% vs. clopidogrel 0.5%).

There is no noteworthy pharmacokinetic interaction between the extended release pellets of dipyridamole and aetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Therefore pharmacokinetics of ASASANTIN Retard is reflected by the pharmacokinetics of the individual components.

Dipyridamole

(Most pharmacokinetic data refer to healthy volunteers.)

With dipyridamole, there is dose linearity for all doses used in therapy.

For long-term treatment dipyridamole modified release capsules, formulated as pellets were developed. The pH dependent solubility of dipyridamole which prevents dissolution in the lower parts of the gastro-intestinal tract (where sustained release preparations must still release the active principle) was overcome by combination with tartaric acid. Retardation is achieved by a diffusion membrane, which is sprayed onto the pellets.

Various kinetic studies at steady state showed, that all pharmacokinetic parameters which are appropriate to characterise the pharmacokinetic properties of modified release preparations are either equivalent or somewhat improved with dipyridamole modified release capsules given b.i.d. compared to dipyridamole tablets administered t.d.s./q.d.s.: Bioavailability is slightly greater, peak concentrations are similar, trough concentrations are considerably higher and peak trough fluctuation is reduced.

Absorption

The absolute bioavailability is about 70%. As first pass removes approx. 1/3 of the dose administered, near to complete absorption of dipyridamole following administration of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) modified release capsules can be assumed.

Peak plasma concentrations of dipyridamole following a daily dose of 400 mg acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) (given as 200 mg b.i.d) are reached about 2 - 3 hours after administration. There is no relevant effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of dipyridamole in acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) modified release capsules.

Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment (Vc) is about 5 l (similar to plasma volume). The apparent volume of distribution at steady state is about 100 l, reflecting distribution to various compartments.

The drug does not cross the blood-brain barrier to a significant extent.

The protein binding of Dipyridamole is about 97-99%, primarily it is bound to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and albumin.

Metabolism

Metabolism of dipyridamole occurs in the liver. Dipyridamole is metabolized primarily by conjugation with glucuronic acid to form mainly a monoglucuronide and only small amounts of diglucuronide. In plasma about 80% of the total amount is present as parent compound, and 20% of the total amount as monoglucuronide. The pharmacodynamic activity of dipyridamole glucuronides is considerably lower than of dipyridamole.

Elimination

The dominant half-life with oral administration is about 40 minutes as it is the case with i.v. administration.

Renal excretion of parent compound is negligible (< 0.5%). Urinary excretion of the glucuronide metabolite is low (5%), the metabolites are mostly (about 95%) excreted via the bile into the faeces, with some evidence of entero-hepatic recirculation.

Total clearance is approximately 250 ml/min and mean residence time is about 11 hours (resulting from an intrinsic MRT of about 6.4 h and a mean time of absorption of 4.6 h).

As with i.v. administration a prolonged terminal elimination half-life of approximately 13 hours is observed.

This terminal elimination phase is of relatively minor importance in that it represents a small proportion of the total AUC, as evidenced by the fact that steady state is achieved within 2 days with b.i.d. regimens of modified release capsules. There is no significant accumulation of the drug with repeated dosing.

Kinetics in elderly

Dipyridamole plasma concentrations (determined as AUC) in elderly subjects (> 65 years) were about 50% higher for tablet treatment and about 30% higher with intake of ASASANTIN Retard modified release capsules than in young (<55 years) subjects. The difference is caused mainly by reduced clearance; absorption appears to be similar.

Similar increases in plasma concentrations in elderly patients were observed in the ESPS2 study for PERSANTIN® modified release capsules as well as for ASASANTIN Retard.

Kinetics in patients with renal impairment

Since renal excretion is very low (5%), no change in pharmacokinetics is to be expected in cases of renal insufficiency. In the ESPS2 trial, in patients with creatinine clearances ranging from about 15 mL/min to>100 mL/min, no changes were observed in the pharmacokinetics of dipyridamole or its glucuronide metabolite if data were corrected for differences in age.

Kinetics in patients with hepatic impairment

Patients with hepatic insufficiency show no change in plasma concentrations of dipyridamole, but an increase of (pharmacodynamically low active) glucuronides. It is suggested to dose dipyridamole without restriction as long as there is no clinical evidence of liver failure.

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)

Absorption

After oral administration acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is rapidly and completely absorbed in the stomach and intestine. Approximately 30% of the dose of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is hydrolyzed presystemically to salicylic acid. Maximum plasma concentrations after a daily dose of 50 mg acetylsalicylic acid from ASASANTIN Retard (given as 25 mg twice daily) are attained after 30 minutes of each dose, and peak plasma concentration at steady state amounted to approximately 360 ng/mL for acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin); maximum plasma concentrations of salicylic acid are achieved after 60-90 minutes and amount to approximately 1100 ng/ml. There is no relevant effect of food on the pharmacodynamics of acetylsalicylic acid in ASASANTIN Retard.

Distribution

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is rapidly converted to salicylate but is the predominant form of the drug in the plasma during the first 20 minutes following oral administration.

Plasma acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) concentrations decline rapidly with a half-life of approx. 15 minutes. Its major metabolite, salicylic acid, is highly bound to plasma proteins, and its binding is concentration-dependent (nonlinear). At low concentrations (<100 µg/mL), approximately 90% of salicylic acid is bound to albumin. Salicylates are widely distributed to all tissues and fluids in the body, including the central nervous system, breast milk, and fetal tissues.

Metabolism

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is metabolised rapidly by non-specific esterases to salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is metabolised to salicyluric acid, salicyl phenolic glucuronide, salicylic acyl glucuronide, and to a minor extent to gentisic acid and gentisuric acid. The formation of the major metabolites salicyluric acid and salicylic phenolic glucuronide is easily saturated and follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics; the other metabolic routes are first-order processes.

Elimination

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) has an elimination half-life of elimination of 15-20 minutes in plasma; the major metabolite salicylic acid has a half-life of elimination of 2-3 hours at low doses (e.g. 325 mg), which may rise to 30 hours at higher doses because of nonlinearity in metabolism and plasma protein binding.

More than 90% of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is excreted as metabolites via the kidneys. The fraction of salicylic acid excreted unchanged in the urine increases with increasing dose and the renal clearance of total salicylate also increases with increasing urinary pH.

Kinetics in patients with renal impairment

Renal dysfunction: acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is to be avoided in patients with severe renal failure (glomerular filtration rate less than 10 mL/min). An increase in total plasma concentrations and in the unbound fraction of salicylic acid has been reported.

Kinetics in patients with hepatic impairment

Hepatic dysfunction: acetylsalicylic acid is to be avoided in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency. An increase in the unbound fraction of salicylic acid has been reported.

Dipyridamole and aspirin separately have been extensively investigated in animal models and no clinically significant findings have been observed at doses equivalent to therapeutic doses in humans. Toxicokinetic evaluations were not included in these studies.

Studies with the drug combination dipyridamole/aspirin in a ratio of 1:4 revealed additive, but no potentiating toxic effects. A single dose study in rats using dipyridamole/aspirin in a ratio of 1:0.125 gave comparable results to studies with the 1:4 combination.

Tartaric acid

Povidone

Methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer (1:2)

Talc

Acacia

Hypromellose phthalate

Hypromellose

Triacetin

Dimethicone 350

Stearic acid

Lactose

Aluminium stearate

Colloidal silica

Maize starch

Microcrystalline cellulose

Sucrose

Titanium dioxide; E171

Capsule Shells:

Gelatin

Titanium dioxide; E171

Red and yellow iron oxides; E172

Printing Ink:

Shellac

Ethyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol

Propylene glycol

N-butyl alcohol

Ammonium hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide

Purified water

Red iron oxide; E172

None stated.

30 months

Store below 25°C

Discard any capsules remaining 6 weeks after first opening.

White polypropylene tubes with low-density polyethylene Air-sec stoppers filled with desiccating agent (90% white silicon gel/10% molecular sieves).Packs contain 60 capsules.

None stated.

Boehringer Ingelheim limited

Ellesfield Avenue

Bracknell

Berkshire

RG12 8YS

England

PL 00015/0224

12 May 1998 / 22 December 2003

October 2009

Prescription only medicine