Innohep 10 000 Iu/Ml
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
innohep 10,000 IU/ml
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Tinzaparin sodium 10,000 anti-Factor Xa IU/ml
Excipients with known effect:
Benzyl alcohol (10 mg/ml) and sodium (in total < 23 mg/dose).
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Solution for injection.
Vials of 2 ml filled with a colourless to straw coloured liquid, free from turbidity and from matter that deposits on standing.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
For the prevention of thromboembolic events, including deep vein thrombosis, in adults undergoing general and orthopaedic surgery.
For the prevention of clotting in the extracorporeal circuit during haemodialysis in adults with chronic renal insufficiency.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
For prevention of thromboembolic events:
Administration is by subcutaneous injection.
Adults at low to moderate risk, e.g. patients undergoing general surgery :
3,500 anti-Factor Xa IU two hours before surgery and then once daily for 7 to 10 days post-operatively.
Adults at high risk, e.g. patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery :
In this high risk group the recommended dose is either a fixed dose of 4,500 anti-Factor Xa IU given 12 hours before surgery followed by a once daily dose, or 50 anti-Factor Xa IU/kilogram body weight 2 hours before surgery followed by a once daily dose for 7 to 10 days post-operatively.
For haemodialysis:
The dose of innohep should be given into the arterial side of the dialyser or intravenously. The dialyser can be primed by flushing with 500-1,000ml isotonic sodium chloride (9mg/ml) containing 5,000 anti-Factor Xa IU innohep per litre.
Patients with chronic renal insufficiency :
a) Short-term haemodialysis (up to 4 hours)
A bolus dose of 2,000 - 2,500 anti-Factor Xa IU into the arterial side of the dialyser (or intravenously).
b) Long-term haemodialysis (more than 4 hours)
A bolus dose of 2,500 anti-Factor Xa IU into the arterial side of the dialyser (or intravenously) followed by 750 anti-Factor Xa IU/hour infused into the extracorporeal circuit.
Dosage adjustment
The bolus innohep dose may be adjusted (increased or decreased) by 250 - 500 anti-Factor Xa IU until a satisfactory response is obtained.
Additional innohep (500-1,000 anti-Factor Xa IU) may be given if concentrated red cells or blood transfusions (which may increase the likelihood of clotting in the dialyser) are given during dialysis or additional treatment beyond the normal dialysis duration is employed.
Dose monitoring
Determination of plasma anti-Factor Xa may be used to monitor the innohep dose during haemodialysis. Plasma anti-Factor Xa, one hour after dosing should be within the range 0.4 - 0.5 IU/ml.
Elderly
No dose modifications are necessary.
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of innohep in children below 18 years have not yet been established. Currently available data are described in section 5.2, but no recommendation on a posology can be made.
4.3 Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
• Current or history of immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II) (see section 4.4).
• Active major haemorrhage or conditions predisposing to major haemorrhage. Major haemorrhage is defined as fulfilling any one of these three criteria: a) occurs in a critical area or organ (e.g. intracranial, intraspinal, intraocular, retroperitoneal, intra-articular or pericardial, intrauterine or intramuscular with compartment syndrome), b) causes a fall in haemoglobin level of 20g/L (1.24mmol/L) or more, or c) leads to transfusion of two or more units of whole blood or red blood cells.
• Septic endocarditis.
• The multi dose vial formulations of innohep® contain 10mg/ml of the preservative benzyl alcohol. These formulations must not be given to premature babies or neonates due to the risk of gasping syndrome.
• The innohep® 10,000 IU/ml syringe formulation does not contain the preservative benzyl alcohol.
• In patients receiving heparin for treatment rather than prophylaxis, locoregional anaesthesia in elective surgical procedures is contra-indicated because the use of heparin may be very rarely associated with epidural or spinal haematoma resulting in prolonged or permanent paralysis.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Haemorrhage
Caution is advised when administering innohep to patients at risk of haemorrhage. For patients at risk of major haemorrhage see section 4.3. The combination with medicinal products affecting platelet function or the coagulation system should be avoided or carefully monitored (see section 4.5).
Neuraxial anaesthesia
In patients undergoing peridural or spinal anaesthesia or spinal puncture, the prophylactic use of heparin may be very rarely associated with epidural or spinal haematoma resulting in prolonged or permanent paralysis. The risk is increased by the use of a peridural or spinal catheter for anaesthesia, by the concomitant use of drugs affecting haemostasis such as non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), platelet inhibitors or anticoagulants, and by traumatic or repeated puncture.
In decision making on the interval between the last administration of heparin at prophylactic doses and the placement or removal of a peridural or spinal catheter, the product characteristics and the patient profile should be taken into account. Subsequent dose should not take place before at least 4 hours have elapsed. Re-administration should be delayed until the surgical procedure is completed.
Should a physician decide to administer anti-coagulation in the context of peridural or spinal anaesthesia, extreme vigilance and frequent monitoring must be exercised to detect any signs and symptoms of neurologic impairment, such as back pain, sensory and motor deficits and bowel or bladder dysfunction. Patients should be instructed to inform immediately a nurse or a clinician if they experience any of these.
Intramuscular injections
innohep should not be administered by intramuscular injection due to the risk of haematoma. Due to the risk of haematoma, concomitant intramuscular injections should also be avoided.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
As there is a risk of antibody-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, platelet counts should be measured in patients receiving heparin treatment for longer than 5 days and the treatment should be stopped immediately in those who develop thrombocytopenia.
Hyperkalaemia
Heparin products can suppress adrenal secretion of aldosterone, leading to hyperkalaemia. Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, pre-existing metabolic acidosis, raised plasma potassium at pre-treatment, concomitant therapy with drugs that may elevate plasma potassium, and longterm use of innohep. In patients at risk, potassium levels should be measured before starting innohep and monitored regularly thereafter. Heparin-related hyperkalaemia is usually reversible upon treatment discontinuation, though other approaches may need to be considered if innohep treatment is considered lifesaving (e.g. decreasing potassium intake, discontinuing other drugs that may affect potassium balance).
Prosthetic heart valves
There have been no adequate studies to assess the safe and effective use of tinzaparin sodium in preventing valve thrombosis in patients with prosthetic heart valves; therefore no dosage recommendations can be given. High doses of tinzaparin sodium (175 IU/kg) may not be sufficient prophylaxis to prevent valve thrombosis in patients with prosthetic heart valves. The use of innohep cannot be recommended for this purpose.
Renal impairment (also see Section 4.2, Posology and method of administration)
Available evidence demonstrates no accumulation in patients with creatinine clearance levels down to 20ml/minute. Although anti-Xa monitoring is the most appropriate measure if the pharmacodynamics effects of innohep, it remains a poor predictor of haemorrhage risk, nonetheless monitoring of antifactor Xa activity may be considered in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30ml/minute). Caution is recommended when treating patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30ml/minute). There is limited data available in patients with an estimated creatinine clearance level below 20ml/minute.
Elderly
Elderly are more likely to have reduced renal function (see section 4.4: Renal impairment); therefore caution should be exercised when prescribing innohep to the elderly.
Interchangeability with other LMWHs
Low molecular weight heparins should not be used interchangeably because of differences in pharmacokinetics and biological activities. Switching to an alternative low molecular weight heparin, especially during extended use, should be avoided.
Special attention and compliance with the instructions for use specific to each proprietary medicinal product are required.
Hypersensitivity to heparin or other LMWHs
innohep should be used with caution in patients with hypersensitivity to heparin or to other low molecular weight heparins.
Excipient warnings
This medicinal product contains less than 1mmol sodium (23mg) per dose, i.e. essentially ‘sodium-free’.
The multidose vial formulations of innohep contain 10mg/ml of the preservative benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol may cause toxic and anaphylactoid reactions in infants and children up to 3 years old. (See section
4.3 for premature babies and neonates.)
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The anticoagulant effect of innohep® may be enhanced by other drugs affecting the coagulation system, such as those inhibiting platelet function (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), thrombolytic agents, vitamin K antagonists, activated protein C, direct factor Xa and IIa inhibitors. Such combinations should be avoided or carefully monitored (see section 4.4).
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Anticoagulant treatment of pregnant women requires specialist involvement.
Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity.
A large amount of data on pregnant women (more than 2,200 pregnancy outcomes) indicate no malformative nor feto/neonatal toxicity of tinzaparin. Tinzaparin does not cross the placenta. innohep can be used during all trimesters of pregnancy if clinically needed.
Epidural anaesthesia:
Due to the risk of spinal haematoma, treatment doses of innohep (175 IU/kg) are contraindicated in patients who receive neuraxial anaesthesia. Therefore, epidural anaesthesia in pregnant women should always be delayed until at least 24 hours after administration of the last treatment dose of innohep. Prophylactic doses may be used as long as a minimum delay of 12 hours is allowed between the last administration of innohep and the needle or catheter placement.
Pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves:
Therapeutic failures and maternal death have been reported in pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves on full anti-coagulant doses of innohep and other low molecular weight heparins. In the absence of clear dosing, efficacy and safety information in this circumstance, innohep is not recommended for use in pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves.
Excipients:
innohep vials contain benzyl alcohol. As this preservative may cross the placenta, innohep formulations without benzyl alcohol (syringes) should be used during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Animal data indicate that innohep excretion into breast milk is minimal.
It is unknown whether tinzaparin is excreted into human milk. Although oral absorption of low molecular weight heparins is unlikely, a risk to newborns/infants cannot be excluded.
In patients at risk, the incidence of venous thromboembolism is particularly high during the first 6 weeks after child birth.
A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from innohep therapy, taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Fertility
There are no clinical studies with innohep regarding fertility.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
innohep has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
4.8
Undesirable effects
The most frequently reported undesirable effects are haemorrhage events, anaemia secondary to haemorrhage and injection site reactions.
Haemorrhage may present in any organ and have different degrees of severity. Complications may occur particularly when high doses are administered. Although major haemorrhages are uncommon, death or permanent disability has been reported in some cases.
Immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II) largely manifests within 5 to 14 days of receiving the first dose. Furthermore, a rapid-onset form has been described in patients previously exposed to heparin. Immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II) may be associated with arterial and venous thrombosis. innohep must be discontinued in all cases of immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (see section 4.4).
In rare cases, innohep may cause hyperkalaemia due to hypoaldosteronism. Patients at risk include those with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment (see section 4.4).
Serious allergic reactions may sometimes occur. These include rare cases of skin necrosis, toxic skin eruption (e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome), angioedema and anaphylaxis. Treatment should be promptly discontinued at the slightest suspicion of such severe reactions.
The estimation of the frequency of undesirable effects is based on a pooled analysis of data from clinical studies and from spontaneous reporting.
Undesirable effects are listed by MedDRA SOC and the individual undesirable effects are listed starting with the most frequently reported. Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness.
Very common >1/10
Common >1/100 and <1/10
Uncommon >1/1,000 and <1/100
Rare >1/10,000 and <1/1,000
Very rare <1/10,000
|
Blood and lymphatic system disorders | |
|
Common >1/100 and <1/10 |
Anaemia (incl. haemoglobin decreased) |
|
Uncommon >1/1,000 and <1/100 |
Thrombocytopenia (type I) (incl. platelet count decreased) |
|
Rare >1/10,000 and <1/1,000 |
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II) Thrombocytosis |
|
Immune system disorders | |
|
Uncommon >1/1,000 and <1/100 |
Hypersensitivity |
|
Rare >1/10,000 and <1/1,000 |
Anaphylactic reaction |
|
Metabolism and nutrition disorders | |
|
Rare >1/10,000 and <1/1,000 |
Hyperkalaemia |
|
Vascular disorders | |
|
Common >1/100 and <1/10 |
Haemorrhage Haematoma |
|
Uncommon >1/1,000 and <1/100 |
Bruising, ecchymosis and purpura |
|
Hepatobiliary disorders | |
|
Uncommon >1/1,000 and <1/100 |
Hepatic enzyme increased (incl. increased transaminases, ALT, AST and GGT) |
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | |
|
Uncommon >1/1,000 and <1/100 |
Dermatitis (incl. dermatitis allergic and bullous) Rash Pruritus |
|
Rare >1/10,000 and <1/1,000 |
Toxic skin eruption (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome) Skin necrosis Angioedema Urticaria |
|
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | |
|
Rare >1/10,000 and <1/1,000 |
Osteoporosis (in connection with longterm treatment) |
|
Reproductive system and breast disorders | |
|
Rare >1/10,000 and <1/1,000 |
Priapism |
|
General disorders and administration site conditions | |
|
Common >1/100 and <1/10 |
Injection site reaction (incl. injection site haematoma, haemorrhage, pain, pruritus, nodule, erythema and extravasation) |
Paediatric population
Limited information derived from one study and postmarketing data indicates that the pattern of adverse reactions in children and adolescents is comparable to that in adults.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9 Overdose
Haemorrhage is the main complication of overdose. Due to the relatively short half-life of innohep (see section 5.2), minor haemorrhages can be managed conservatively following treatment discontinuation. Serious haemorrhage may require the administration of the antidote protamine sulphate. Patients should be carefully monitored.
Any hypovolaemia should be actively managed. Transfusion of fresh plasma may be used, if necessary. Plasma anti-Factor Xa and anti-Factor IIa activity should be measured during the management of overdose situations. Usually, the anticoagulant effects will have reduced to negligible levels after 24 hours, but treatment should be according to the patient's clinical condition.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
innohep is an antithrombotic agent. It potentiates the inhibition of several activated coagulation factors, especially Factor Xa, its activity being mediated via antithrombin III.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
The pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamic activity of innohep is monitored by anti-Factor Xa activity.
innohep has a bioavailability of around 90% following a subcutaneous injection. The absorption half-life is 200 minutes, peak plasma activity being observed after 4 to 6 hours. The elimination half-life is about 90 minutes.
The half-life of innohep in patients with renal insufficiency given a bolus intravenous dose of 2,500 anti-Factor Xa IU is about 2.5 hours.
There is a linear dose response relationship between plasma activity and the dose administered.
Paediatric population
Preliminary data on the use of tinzaparin suggest that younger children including neonates and infants clear tinzaparin faster and therefore might require higher doses than older children. However, data are not sufficient to allow for dosing recommendations, see section 4.2.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
There are no preclinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SmPC.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Benzyl alcohol, Sodium acetate, Sodium hydroxide, Water for Injections
6.2 Incompatibilities
In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.
6.3 Shelf life
2 years.
The vial should be discarded 14 days after first opening.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 25°C.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
2 ml multi-dose glass vial containing 10,000 anti-Factor Xa IU/ml.
Pack sizes: 1, 2, 5 or 10 vials.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
LEO Laboratories Limited Horizon
Honey Lane
Hurley
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 6RJ
UK
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 00043/0205
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 30 September 1998 Date of latest renewal: 26 April 2004
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
13/05/2016