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SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1    NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Lofepramine 70mg tablets

2    QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Lofepramine hydrochloride 76.10mg/tablet equivalent to lofepramine base 70mg/tablet

3    PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Oral tablet

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

The treatment of symptoms of depressive illness.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Route of administration:

Oral

Recommended dosage:

The usual dose is 70mg twice daily (140mg) or three times daily (210mg) depending upon patient response.

Children: Not recommended.

Elderly: May respond to lower doses in some cases.

Contraindications

Lofepramine must not be used in patients hypersensitive to lofepramine, dibenzazepines, or any of the excipients.

Lofepramine must not be used in patients

•    with mania,

•    with severe liver impairment,

•    with severe renal impairment,

•    with heart block,

•    with cardiac arrhythmias,

•    in the recovery phase following a myocardial infarction,

•    with untreated narrow angle glaucoma

•    with prostatic hypertrophy with urinary retention.

•    at risk for paralytic ileus

Lofepramine must not be administered with or within 2 weeks of cessation of therapy with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Lofepramine must not be administered in patients with acute alcoholic, hypnotic, analgesic and psychotropic drug poisoning and acute deliria.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Suicide/suicidal thoughts or clinical worsening.

Depression is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, self harm and suicide (suicide-related events). This risk persists until significant remission occurs. As improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be closely monitored until such improvement occurs. It is general clinical experience that the risk of suicide may increase in the early stages of recovery.

Other psychiatric conditions for which lofepramine are prescribed can also be associated with an increased risk of suicide-related events. In addition, these conditions may be co-morbid with major depressive disorder. The same precautions observed when treating patients with major depressive disorder should therefore be observed when treating patients with other psychiatric disorders.

Patients with a history of suicide-related events, or those exhibiting a significant degree of suicidal ideation prior to commencement of treatment are known to be at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, and should receive careful monitoring during treatment.

A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials of antidepressant drugs in adult patients with psychiatric disorders showed an increased risk of suicidal behaviour with antidepressants compared to placebo in patients less than 25 years old.

Close supervision of patients and in particular those at high risk should accompany drug therapy especially in early treatment and following dose changes. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be alerted about the need to monitor for any clinical worsening, suicidal behaviour or thoughts and unusual changes in behaviour and to seek medical advice immediately if these symptoms present.

It should be remembered that severely depressed patients are at risk of suicide. An improvement in depression may not occur immediately upon initiation of treatment; therefore the patient should be closely monitored until symptoms improve.

Lofepramine may lower the convulsion threshold; therefore it should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of epilepsy or recent convulsions or other predisposing factors, or during withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs with anticonvulsant properties.

Concurrent electroconvulsive therapy should only be undertaken with careful supervision.

Caution is needed in patients with hyperthyroidism, or during concomitant treatment with thyroid preparations, since aggravation of unwanted cardiac effects may occur.

Lofepramine should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease, because it is associated with a risk of cardiovascular adverse reactions in all age groups.

Lofepramine should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function, impaired renal function, blood dyscrasias or porphyria.

Caution is called for where there is a history of prostatic hypertrophy, narrow angle glaucoma or increased intra-ocular pressure, because of lofepramine’s anticholinergic properties. In patients with narrow angle glaucoma. Lofepramine may only be used if adequate glaucoma treatment is given.

In chronic constipation, tricyclic antidepressants may cause paralytic ileus, particularly in elderly and bedridden patients.

Care should be exercised in patients with tumours of the adrenal medulla (e.g. phaeochromocytoma, neuroblastoma) in whom tricyclic antidepressants may provoke antihypertensive crises.

Blood pressure should be checked before initiating treatment because individuals with hypertension, or an unstable circulation, may react to lofepramine with a fall in blood pressure.

Anaesthetics may increase the risks of arrhythmias and hypotension (see Interactions), therefore before local or general anaesthesia, the anaesthetist should be informed that the patient has been taking lofeprmaine.

Lofepramine should be used with caution where there is a history of mania. Psychotic symptoms may be aggravated. There have also been reports of hypomanic or manic episodes during a depressive phase in patients with cyclic affective disorders receiving antidepressants.

It is recommended that abrupt withdrawal of Lofepramine be avoided unless essential, because withdrawal symptoms may occur on abrupt cessation of therapy. Withdrawal symptoms may include insomnia, irritability and excessive perspiration..

Lofepramine can prolong the QT-interval in the ECG and may lead to Torsades de Pointes. Lofepramine may only be used with particular caution when other risk factors for Torsades de Pointes are present, such as:

•    congenital long QT syndrome

•    other clinically significant cardiac disorders

•    parallel treatment with medicinal products,

•    patients with a family history of QT prolongation

which also prolong the QT interval in the ECG or can cause hypokalaemia. If Torsades de Pointes occur the treatment with Lofepramine has to be stopped.

Overall, Lofepramine has a low risk to induce a QT interval prolongation at therapeutic doses. However, drugs which inhibit the cytochrom P450-2D6 enzyme like quinidine, cimetidine, phenothiazine (e.g. chlorpromazine, levomepromazine), selective serotonine reuptake inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine, sertaline, paroxetine) may increase the plasma concentrations of Lofepramine. Therefore, concomitant use of these drugs might have an impact on the QT interval.

There are isolated reports of agranulocytosis, pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia reported in association with lofepramine (see section 4.8). Monitoring of full blood count should be considered before start of treatment and periodically during treatment, particularly in patients with a history of blood dyscrasias.

Lofepramine contains lactose; therefore its use is not recommended in patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose- intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Paediatric patients

Lofepramine is not recommended for the treatment of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

MAO Inhibitors: Lofepramine must not be administered with or within 2 weeks of cessation of therapy with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Thereafter, cautious initiation of therapy is recommended using a low initial dose and the effects monitored.

SSRI Inhibitors: co-medication may lead to additive effects on the serotonergic system. Fluvoxamine and fluoxetine may also increase plasma concentrations of Lofepramine resulting in a lowered convulsion threshold and seizures.

Antiarrhythmic agents: There is an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, which may lead to Torsades de Pointes if Lofepramine is given with antiarrhythmic agents which prolong the QT interval e.g. disopyramide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine, sotalol and amiodarone. Particular caution is advised if Lofepramine is used in combination with such agents.

Sympathomimetic drugs: Lofepramine should not be given with sympathomimetic agents (e.g. adrenalin, ephedrine, isoprenaline, noradrenaline, phenylephedrine, phenylpropanoloamine) since their cardiovascular effects may be potentiated.

CNS depressants: Lofepramine’s effects may be potentiated when administered with CNS depressant substances e.g. barbiturates, general anaesthetics and alcohol. If surgery is necessary, the anaesthetist should be informed that a patient is being so treated because of the increased risk of arrhythmias and hypotension.

Neuroleptic agents: In addition to an increased risk of arrythmias, there may be an increased plasma level of the tricyclic antidepressant, a lowered convulsion threshold and seizures.

Non-antiarrhythmic agents which may prolong the QT interval: There is an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias which may lead to Torsades de Pointes if Lofepramine is given with non- anti-arrhythmic agents which prolong the QT interval e.g. certain antibiotics (e.g. macrolides), malaria agents, antihistamines, neuroleptic agents. Particular caution is advised if Lofepramine is used in combination with such agents.

Medicinal products that may cause hypokalaemia: Combination with medicinal products that may cause hypokalaemia may increase the risk for ventricular arrhythmias including Torsades de Pointes. Particular caution is advised if Lofepramine is used in combination with such agents.

Adrenergic neurone blockers: Lofepramine may decrease or abolish the antihypertensive effects of some adrenergic neurone blocking drugs e.g. guanethidine, betanidine, resperine, clonidine and a-methyl-dopa. Antihypertensives of a different type e.g. diuretics, vasodilators or P-blockers should be given therefore where patients require co-medication for hypertension.

Anticoagulants: Lofepramine may inhibit hepatic metabolism leading to an enhancement of anticoagulant effect. Careful monitoring of plasma prothrombin is advised.

Anti-cholinergic agents: Lofepramine may potentiate the effects of these drugs (e.g. phenothiazine, antiparkinson agents, antihistamines, atropine, beperiden) on the central nervous system, eye, bowel and bladder.

Analgesics: There is an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

Anti-epileptics: Antagonism can lead to a lowering of the convulsive threshold. Plasma levels of some tricyclic antidepressants, and therefore the therapeutic effect, may be reduced.

Calcium channel blockers: Diltiazem and verapamil may increase the plasma concentration of Lofepramine.

Diuretics: There is an increased risk of postural hypotension.

Rifampicin: The metabolism of Lofepramine is accelerated by rifampicin leading to a reduced plasma concentration.

Digitalis glycosides: With digitalis glycosides there is a higher risk of arrhythmias.

Cimetidine: Cimetidine can increase the plasma concentration of Lofepramine.

Disulfiram and alprazolam: Co- medication with either disulfiram or alprazolam may require a reduction in the dose of Lofepramine.

Nitrates: The effectiveness of sublingual nitrates may be reduced where the tricyclic antidepressant’s anticholinergic effect has lead to dryness of the mouth.

Ritonavir: There may be an increased plasma concentration of Lofepramine.

Thyroid hormone therapy: During concomitant treatment, there may be aggravation of unwanted cardiac effects.

Oral contraceptives: Oestrogens and progestogens may antagonize the therapeutic effect of tricyclic antidepressants. Adverse reactions of tricyclic antidepressants may be exacerbated due to an increased plasma concentration.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

The safety of Lofepramine for use during pregnancy has not been established and there is evidence of harmful effects in pregnancy in animals when high doses are given. Lofepramine has been shown to cross the placenta. The administration of Lofepramine in pregnancy therefore is not advised unless there are compelling medical reasons.

Adverse effects such as withdrawal symptoms, respiratory depression and agitation have been reported in neonates whose mothers have taken tricyclic antidepressants during the last trimester of pregnancy.

Lactation

Lofepramine is excreted in breast milk The administration of Lofepramine during breast-feeding is not advised unless there are compelling medical reasons.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

As with other antidepressants, ability to drive a car and operate machinery may be affected, especially in conjunction with alcohol. Therefore caution should be exercised initially until the individual reaction to treatment is known.

4.8 Undesirable effects

The following side effects have been reported with Lofepramine: Investigations:

Changes of blood sugar level Cardiac disorders:

Tachycardia, cardiac conduction disorders, increase in cardiac insufficiency, QT-prolongation, arrhythmias

(including ventricular arrhythmias or Torsades de Pointes.)

Nervous system disorders:

Dizziness, headache, paraesthesia, tremor; rarely, drowsiness, convulsions, impairment of the sense of taste; very rarely, uncoordinated movement.

Reproductive system and breast disorders:

Interference with sexual function, testicular disorders (e,g testicular pain), gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Skin rash, allergic skin reactions, “photosensitivity reactions”; rarely, cutaneous bleeding, sweating.

Gastrointestinal disorders:

Gastrointestinal disturbances including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea; constipation and dryness of mouth.

Endocrine disorders:

Rarely, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone leading to hyponatraemia.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders:

Rarely, bone marrow depression including isolated reports of: agranulocytosis, eosinophilia, granulocytopenia, leucopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia.

Eye disorders:

Visual disturbances including blurred vision, mydriasis, disturbances of accommodation; induction of glaucoma.

Ear and labyrinth disorders:

Very rarely, tinnitus

Renal and urinary disorders Urinary hesitancy, urinary retention

Vascular disorders Hypotension

General disorders and administration site conditions

Malaise, facial oedema; rarely, inflammation of mucosal membranes.

Hepatobiliary disorders:

Increases in liver enzymes, sometimes progressing to clinical hepatitis and jaundice, have been reported in some patients, usually occurring within the first 3 months of starting therapy.

Psychiatric disorders:

Sleep disturbances, agitation, confusion, nightmares, hallucinations, hypomania, mania, psychoses, delirium.

Cases of suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviours have been reported during lofepramine therapy or early after discontinuation (see section 4.4)

It should be remembered that severely depressed patients are at risk of suicide until there is a complete remission of symptomatology.

Class effects

Epidemiological studies, mainly in patients 50 years of age and older, show an increased risk of bone fractures in patients receiving SSRls and TCAs. The mechanism leading to this risk is unknown.

4.9 Overdose

The treatment of overdosage is symptomatic and supportive. It should include immediate gastric lavage and routine close monitoring of cardiac function.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Lofepramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. It exerts its therapeutic effect by blocking the uptake of noradrenaline by the nerve cell thus increasing the amine in the synaptic cleft and hence the effect on the receptors. There is evidence to suggest that serotonin may also be involved. Other pharmacological effects are due to anti-cholinergic activity, but less sedation is observed than with other tricyclics.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Lofepramine is a tertiary amine, similar in structure to imipramine but with improved lipophilicity and lower base strength. It is readily absorbed when given orally. From the plasma it is distributed throughout the body notably to the brain, lungs, liver and kidney. It is metabolised in the liver by cleavage of the p-chlorophenacyl group from the lofepramine molecule leaving desmethylimipramine (DMI).

The latter is pharmacologically active. The p-chlorobenzoyl portion is mainly metabolised to p-chlorobenzoic acid which is then conjugated with glycine. The conjugate is excreted mostly in the urine. DM1 has been found excreted in the faeces. In a study of protein binding capability it has been found that lofepramine is up to 99% protein bound.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Preclinical studies investigating effects of lofepramine and desipramine its major active metabolite on cardiac repolarisation are limited. Both compounds are able to block various ion channels participating in cardiac depolarisation and repolarisation with effects only at concentrations above the free plasma level at the recommended

human dose. Decrease in heart rate and QTc-prolongation were seen in dogs at dose levels of 25 mg/kg and higher, approximately 6 times above the therapeutic dosage of 140 mg lofepramine per day calculated on a mg/m basis (60 kg patient).

PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Excipients

Lactose

Com starch

L(+) ascorbic acid

Talcum

Glycerol

Glycerol monostearate

Ethylene dinitriletetra acetic acid disodium salt (dihydrate) [titriplex III]

Dimethicone

Silicone dioxide

Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose

Coating

1 ,2-Propanediol Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose Ponceau 4R aluminium lake E124 Talc

Titanium dioxide Indigotine lake E132

6.2 Incompatibilities

None.

6.3 Shelf life

3 years.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Protect from light and moisture. Store in the original package.