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SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Systemic effects may occur with any inhaled corticosteroid, particularly at high doses prescribed for long periods. These effects are much less likely to occur than with oral corticosteroids. Possible systemic effects include Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, growth retardation in children and adolescents, decrease in bone mineral density, cataract and glaucoma. It is important, therefore, that the patient is reviewed regularly and the dose of inhaled corticosteroid is reduced to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is maintained.
It is recommended that the height of children receiving prolonged treatment with inhaled corticosteroid is regularly monitored.
Prolonged treatment of patients with high doses of inhaled corticosteroids may result in adrenal suppression and acute adrenal crisis. Children and adolescents <16years taking high doses of fluticasone propionate (typically ³ 1000mcg/day) may be at particular risk. Very rare cases of adrenal suppression and acute adrenal crisis have also been described with doses of fluticasone propionate between 500 and less than 1000mcg. Situations, which could potentially trigger acute adrenal crisis include trauma, surgery, infection or any rapid reduction in dosage. Presenting symptoms are typically vague and may include anorexia, abdominal pain, weight loss, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting, hypotension, decreased level of consciousness, hypoglycaemia, and seizures. Additional systemic corticosteroid cover should be considered during periods of stress or elective surgery.
(cont‘d)
……
Concomitant use of systemic ketoconazole significantly increases systemic exposure to salmeterol. This may lead to an increase in the incidence of systemic effects (e.g. prolongation in the QTc interval and palpitations). Concomitant treatment with ketoconazole or other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors should therefore be avoided unless the benefits outweigh the potentially increased risk of systemic side effects of salmeterol treatment (see section 4.5).
…..
Paediatric Population
Children and adolescents <16years taking high doses of fluticasone propionate (typically ³ 1000mcg/day) may be at particular risk. Systemic effects may occur, particularly at high doses prescribed for long periods. Possible systemic effects include Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, acute adrenal crisis and growth retardation in children and adolescents. It is recommended that the height of children receiving prolonged treatment with inhaled corticosteroid is regularly monitored. The dose of inhaled corticosteroid should be reduced to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is maintained.
Children and adolescents <16years taking high doses of fluticasone propionate (typically ³ 1000mcg/day) may be at particular risk. Systemic effects may occur, particularly at high doses prescribed for long periods. Possible systemic effects include Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, acute adrenal crisis and growth retardation in children and adolescents.
It is recommended that the height of children receiving prolonged treatment with inhaled corticosteroid is regularly monitored. The dose of inhaled corticosteroid should be reduced to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is maintained.
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation
There are insufficient data on the use of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate during pregnancy and lactation in man to assess the possible harmful effects. In animal studies foetal abnormalities occur after administration of beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists and glucocorticosteroids (see section 5.3).
Administration of Seretide to pregnant women should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus.
The lowest effective dose of fluticasone propionate needed to maintain adequate asthma control should be used in the treatment of pregnant women.
There are no data available for human breast milk. Both salmeterol and fluticasone propionate are excreted into breast milk in rats. Administration of Seretide to women who are breastfeeding should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the child.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Fertility There are no data in humans. However, animal studies showed no effects of salmeterol or fluticasone propionate on fertility. Pregnancy A moderate amount of data on pregnant women (between 300-1000 pregnancy outcomes) indicate no malformative or feto/neonatal toxicity of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate. Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity after administration of beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists and glucocorticosteroids (see section 5.3). There are insufficient data on the use of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate during pregnancy and lactation in man to assess the possible harmful effects. In animal studies foetal abnormalities occur after administration of beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists and glucocorticosteroids (see section 5.3). Administration of Seretide to pregnant women should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. The lowest effective dose of fluticasone propionate needed to maintain adequate asthma control should be used in the treatment of pregnant women. Lactation There are no data available for human breast milk. Both salmeterol and fluticasone propionate are excreted into breast milk in rats. Administration of Seretide to women who are breastfeeding should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the child. It is unknown whether salmeterol and fluticasone propionate/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Studies have shown that salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, and their metabolites, are excreted into the milk of lactating rats. A risk to breastfed newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Seretide therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Fertility
There are no data in humans. However, animal studies showed no effects of salmeterol or fluticasone propionate on fertility. Pregnancy A moderate amount of data on pregnant women (between 300-1000 pregnancy outcomes) indicate no malformative or feto/neonatal toxicity of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate. Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity after administration of beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists and glucocorticosteroids (see section 5.3). There are insufficient data on the use of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate during pregnancy and lactation in man to assess the possible harmful effects. In animal studies foetal abnormalities occur after administration of beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists and glucocorticosteroids (see section 5.3). Administration of Seretide to pregnant women should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. The lowest effective dose of fluticasone propionate needed to maintain adequate asthma control should be used in the treatment of pregnant women. Lactation There are no data available for human breast milk. Both salmeterol and fluticasone propionate are excreted into breast milk in rats. Administration of Seretide to women who are breastfeeding should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the child. It is unknown whether salmeterol and fluticasone propionate/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Studies have shown that salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, and their metabolites, are excreted into the milk of lactating rats. A risk to breastfed newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Seretide therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
There are no data in humans. However, animal studies showed no effects of salmeterol or fluticasone propionate on fertility.
Pregnancy
A moderate amount of data on pregnant women (between 300-1000 pregnancy outcomes) indicate no malformative or feto/neonatal toxicity of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate. Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity after administration of beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists and glucocorticosteroids (see section 5.3).
There are insufficient data on the use of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate during pregnancy and lactation in man to assess the possible harmful effects. In animal studies foetal abnormalities occur after administration of beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists and glucocorticosteroids (see section 5.3). Administration of Seretide to pregnant women should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. The lowest effective dose of fluticasone propionate needed to maintain adequate asthma control should be used in the treatment of pregnant women. Lactation There are no data available for human breast milk. Both salmeterol and fluticasone propionate are excreted into breast milk in rats. Administration of Seretide to women who are breastfeeding should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the child. It is unknown whether salmeterol and fluticasone propionate/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Studies have shown that salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, and their metabolites, are excreted into the milk of lactating rats. A risk to breastfed newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Seretide therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Administration of Seretide to pregnant women should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. The lowest effective dose of fluticasone propionate needed to maintain adequate asthma control should be used in the treatment of pregnant women. Lactation There are no data available for human breast milk. Both salmeterol and fluticasone propionate are excreted into breast milk in rats. Administration of Seretide to women who are breastfeeding should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the child. It is unknown whether salmeterol and fluticasone propionate/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Studies have shown that salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, and their metabolites, are excreted into the milk of lactating rats. A risk to breastfed newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Seretide therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Lactation
There are no data available for human breast milk. Both salmeterol and fluticasone propionate are excreted into breast milk in rats. Administration of Seretide to women who are breastfeeding should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the child. It is unknown whether salmeterol and fluticasone propionate/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Studies have shown that salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, and their metabolites, are excreted into the milk of lactating rats. A risk to breastfed newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Seretide therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
It is unknown whether salmeterol and fluticasone propionate/metabolites are excreted in human milk.
Studies have shown that salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, and their metabolites, are excreted into the milk of lactating rats. A risk to breastfed newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Seretide therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Studies have shown that salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, and their metabolites, are excreted into the milk of lactating rats.
A risk to breastfed newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Seretide therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
……………….etc
There are no data available for use of Seretide inhaler in children aged under 4 years.
Children <12 years old may have difficulties synchronising aerosol actuation with inspiration of breath. Use of a spacer device with Seretide inhaler is recommended in patients who find it have, or are likely to have difficulties to synchronise aerosol coordinate actuation with inspiration of breath. A recent clinical study has shown that paediatric patients using a spacer achieved exposure similar to adults not using spacer and paediatric patients using Diskus, confirming that spacers compensate for poor inhaler technique (see Section 5.2).
Either the Volumatic or AeroChamber Plus spacer device can be used (depending on National Guidance). Limited data are available that demonstrate an increase in systemic exposure when the AeroChamber Plus spacer device is used compared with the Volumatic spacer device (see section 4.4).
………………….etc
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
The renal clearance of fluticasone propionate is negligible. Less than 5% of the dose is excreted in urine, mainly as metabolites. The main part of the dose is excreted as faeces as metabolites and unchanged drug.
Paediatric population
The effect of 21 days of treatment with Seretide Inhaler 25/50 microgram (2 inhalations twice daily with or without a spacer) or Seretide Diskus 50/100 microgram (1 inhalation twice daily) was evaluated in 31 children aged 4 to 11 years with mild asthma. Systemic exposure to fluticasone propionate was similar for Seretide Inhaler with spacer (107pg hr/mL [95% CI: 45.7, 252.2]) and Seretide Diskus (138pg hr/mL [95% CI: 69.3, 273.2]), but lower for Seretide Inhaler (24pg hr/mL [95% CI: 9.6, 60.2]). Systemic exposure to salmeterol was similar for Seretide Inhaler, Seretide Inhaler with spacer, and Seretide Diskus (126 pg hr/mL [95% CI: 70, 225], 103 pg hr/mL [95% CI: 54, 200], and 110 pg hr/mL [95% CI: 55, 219], respectively).
Additional change throughout document
The abbreviation ‘mcg’ has been replaced with the word ‘microgram’
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Seretide 50 Evohaler 25 microgram/50 microgram/dose pressurised inhalation, suspension.
Seretide 125 Evohaler 25 microgram/125 microgram/dose pressurised inhalation, suspension.
Seretide 250 Evohaler 25 microgram/250 microgram/dose pressurised inhalation, suspension.
4.8 Undesirable effects
As Seretide contains salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, the type and severity of adverse reactions associated with each of the compounds may be expected. There is no incidence of additional adverse events following concurrent administration of the two compounds.
Adverse events which have been associated with salmeterol/fluticasone propionate are given below, listed by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥1/10), common (³1/100 and <1/10), uncommon (³1/1000 and <1/100), rare (³1/10,000 to <1/1000), and very rare (<1/10,000) including isolated reports. Very common, common and uncommon events were derived from clinical trial data. The incidence in placebo was not taken into account. Very rare events were derived from post-marketing spontaneous data.
NOTE:
The changes to this table relate purely to sequence and layout issues.
There are no changes to the adverse events and/or frequency.
System Organ Class
Adverse Event
Frequency
Infections & Infestations
Cardiac Disorders
Candidiasis of the mouth and throat
Pneumonia Bronchitis
Palpitations Tachycardia Cardiac arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia and extrasystoles).
Common
Common1,3
Common Uncommon Very Rare
Immune System Disorders
Nervous System Disorders
Hypersensitivity reactions with the following manifestations: Cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions Angioedema (mainly facial and oropharyngeal oedema), Respiratory symptoms (dyspnoea and/or bronchospasm), Anaphylactic reactions including anaphylactic shock
Headache
Tremor
Uncommon Very Rare
*Very Common Common
Endocrine Disorders
Eye Disorders
Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, Adrenal suppression, Growth retardation in children and adolescents, Decreased bone mineral density
Cataract, Glaucoma
Very Rare4
Very Rare
Metabolism & Nutrition Disorders
Respiratory, Thoracic & Mediastinal Disorders
Hypokalaemia
Hyperglycaemia
Nasopharyngitis
Throat irritation Hoarseness/dysphonia Sinusitis Paradoxical bronchospasm
Common3
**#Very Common Common Common *#Common
Psychiatric Disorders
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Anxiety, sleep disorders and behavioural changes, including hyperactivity and irritability (predominantly in children)
Contusions
*#Common
Musculoskeletal & Connective Tissue Disorders
Headache Tremor
Muscle cramps Traumatic fractures Arthralgia Myalgia
Very Common1 Common
Common *#Common Very Rare Very Rare
Very Common2,3 Common Common Common1,3
Common Common1,3 Very Rare Very Rare
1. Reported commonly in placebo
2. Reported very commonly in placebo
3. Reported over 3 years in a COPD study
4. See section 4.4 Description of selected adverse reactions The pharmacological side effects of beta-2-agonist treatment, such as tremor, palpitations and headache, have been reported, but tend to be transient and reduce with regular therapy. Due to the fluticasone propionate component, hoarseness and candidiasis (thrush) of the mouth and throat can occur in some patients. Both hoarseness and incidence of candidiasis may be relieved by gargling with water after using the product. Symptomatic candidiasis can be treated with topical anti-fungal therapy whilst still continuing with the Seretide Diskus. Pneumonia was reported in studies of patients with COPD (see section 5.1) Paediatric population Possible systemic effects include Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, and growth retardation in children and adolescents, decrease in bone mineral density, cataract and glaucoma (see section 4.4). Children may also experience anxiety, sleep disorders and behavioural changes, including hyperactivity and irritability. There have been very rare reports of hyperglycaemia (see section 4.4). As with other inhalation therapy, paradoxical broncospasm may occur (see section 4.4).
Description of selected adverse reactions
The pharmacological side effects of beta-2-agonist treatment, such as tremor, palpitations and headache, have been reported, but tend to be transient and reduce with regular therapy.
Due to the fluticasone propionate component, hoarseness and candidiasis (thrush) of the mouth and throat can occur in some patients. Both hoarseness and incidence of candidiasis may be relieved by gargling with water after using the product. Symptomatic candidiasis can be treated with topical anti-fungal therapy whilst still continuing with the Seretide Diskus.
Pneumonia was reported in studies of patients with COPD (see section 5.1) Paediatric population Possible systemic effects include Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, and growth retardation in children and adolescents, decrease in bone mineral density, cataract and glaucoma (see section 4.4). Children may also experience anxiety, sleep disorders and behavioural changes, including hyperactivity and irritability. There have been very rare reports of hyperglycaemia (see section 4.4). As with other inhalation therapy, paradoxical broncospasm may occur (see section 4.4).
Pneumonia was reported in studies of patients with COPD (see section 5.1)
Paediatric population Possible systemic effects include Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, and growth retardation in children and adolescents, decrease in bone mineral density, cataract and glaucoma (see section 4.4). Children may also experience anxiety, sleep disorders and behavioural changes, including hyperactivity and irritability. There have been very rare reports of hyperglycaemia (see section 4.4). As with other inhalation therapy, paradoxical broncospasm may occur (see section 4.4).
Possible systemic effects include Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, and growth retardation in children and adolescents, decrease in bone mineral density, cataract and glaucoma (see section 4.4). Children may also experience anxiety, sleep disorders and behavioural changes, including hyperactivity and irritability. There have been very rare reports of hyperglycaemia (see section 4.4). As with other inhalation therapy, paradoxical broncospasm may occur (see section 4.4).
Possible systemic effects include Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, and growth retardation in children and adolescents, decrease in bone mineral density, cataract and glaucoma (see section 4.4). Children may also experience anxiety, sleep disorders and behavioural changes, including hyperactivity and irritability.
There have been very rare reports of hyperglycaemia (see section 4.4).
As with other inhalation therapy, paradoxical broncospasm may occur (see section 4.4).
6.3 Shelf life
1 year 2 years
Data from a large clinical trial (the Salmeterol Multi-Center Asthma Research Trial, SMART) suggested African-American patients were at increased risk of serious respiratory-related events or deaths when using salmeterol compared with placebo (see section 5.1). It is not known if this was due to pharmacogenetic or other factors. Patients of black African or Afro-Caribbean ancestry should therefore be asked to continue treatment but to seek medical advice if asthma symptoms remained uncontrolled or worsen whilst using Seretide.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Both non-selective and selective beta-blockers should be avoided unless there are compelling reasons for their use.
Concomitant use of other beta-adrenergic containing drugs can have a potentially additive effect.
Fluticasone Propionate
Under normal circumstances, low plasma concentrations of fluticasone propionate are achieved after inhaled dosing, due to extensive first pass metabolism and high systemic clearance mediated by cytochrome P450 3A4 in the gut and liver. Hence, clinically significant drug interactions mediated by fluticasone propionate are unlikely.
In an interaction study in healthy subjects with intranasal fluticasone propionate, ritonavir (a highly potent cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitor) 100 mg b.i.d. increased the fluticasone propionate plasma concentrations several hundred fold, resulting in markedly reduced serum cortisol concentrations. Information about this interaction is lacking for inhaled fluticasone propionate, but a marked increase in fluticasone propionate plasma levels is expected. Cases of Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression have been reported. The combination should be avoided unless the benefit outweighs the increased risk of systemic glucocorticoid side-effects.
In a small study in healthy volunteers, the slightly less potent CYP3A inhibitor ketoconazole increased the exposure of fluticasone propionate after a single inhalation by 150%. This resulted in a greater reduction of plasma cortisol as compared with fluticasone propionate alone. Co-treatment with other potent CYP3A inhibitors, such as itraconazole, is also expected to increase the systemic fluticasone propionate exposure and the risk of systemic side-effects. Caution is recommended and long-term treatment with such drugs should if possible be avoided.
Salmeterol
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors
Co-administration of ketoconazole (400 mg orally once daily) and salmeterol (50 mcg inhaled twice daily) in 15 healthy subjects for 7 days resulted in a significant increase in plasma salmeterol exposure (1.4-fold Cmax and 15-fold AUC). This may lead to an increase in the incidence of other systemic effects of salmeterol treatment (e.g. prolongation of QTc interval and palpitations) compared with salmeterol or ketoconazole treatment alone (see Section 4.4).
Clinically significant effects were not seen on blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose and blood potassium levels. Co-administration with ketoconazole did not increase the elimination half-life of salmeterol or increase salmeterol accumulation with repeat dosing.
The concomitant administration of ketoconazole should be avoided, unless the benefits outweigh the potentially increased risk of systemic side effects of salmeterol treatment. There is likely to be a similar risk of interaction with other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. itraconazole, telithromycin, ritonavir).
Moderate CYP 3A4 inhibitors
Co-administration of erythromycin (500mg orally three times a day) and salmeterol (50mcg inhaled twice daily) in 15 healthy subjects for 6 days resulted in a small but non-statistically significant increase in salmeterol exposure (1.4-fold Cmax and 1.2-fold AUC). Co-administration with erythromycin was not associated with any serious adverse effects.
On the search pages of Med.ie The active ingredient is stated as Salbutamol it should state
Salmeterol .
Typo changes
Changes to “Instructions for Use”
Changed from “The absolute bioavailability of a single dose of inhaled fluticasone propionate in healthy subjects varies between approximately 5-11% of the nominal dose depending on the inhalation device used.
To “ Changed from “The absolute bioavailability of a single dose of inhaled fluticasone propionate in healthy subjects varies between approximately 10-30% of the nominal dose depending on the inhalation device used
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Addition of the following line ”Replace the mouthpiece cover firmly and snap it into position.”
The absolute bioavailability of a single dose of inhaled fluticasone propionate in healthy subjects changed from 10-30% to. 5-11%.
Addition of the following line “Replace the mouthpiece cover firmly and snap it into position”