Nifedipine Capsules 10 Mg
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
NIFEDIPINE CAPSULES 10mg
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each capsule contains 10mg Nifedipine Ph.Eur
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Orange soft gelatin capsules.
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1. Therapeutic indications
1) Prophylaxis of chronic stable angina pectoris.
2) Treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon and hypertension.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Posology
The capsules should be administered with a little fluid during or after food.
Adults: The recommended starting dose is 5mg every 8 hours with subsequent titration of dosage according to response. The dosage may be adjusted to a maximum of 20mg every 8 hours.
Elderly: The pharmacokinetics of nifedipine are altered in the elderly so that lower maintenance doses of nifedipine may be required compared to younger patients.
Use in hepatic dysfunction: Nifedipine is metabolised primarily by the liver and therefore patients with liver dysfunction should be carefully monitored.
Use in renal impairment: Patients with renal impairment should not require adjustment of dosage.
Paediatric population: The safety and efficacy of nifedipine in children under the age 18 years have not been established.
Currently available data for the use of nifedipine in hypertension are described in section 5.1
Method of administration For oral administration.
4.3 Contraindications
• Nifedipine capsules must not be administered to patients with known hypersensitivity to nifedipine or other dihydropyridines because of the theoretical risk of cross reactivity, or to any of the excipients.
• Nifedipine capsules are contraindicated in pregnancy before week 20, patients who may potentially become pregnant and during breastfeeding (see section 4.4, 4.6 and 5.3)
• Nifedipine capsules must not be used in cases of cardiogenic shock, significant aortic stenosis, unstable angina, or within 4 weeks of an acute myocardial infarction.
• Nifedipine capsules should not be used for the treatment of acute attacks of angina.
• The safety of nifedipine in malignant hypertension has not been established.
• Nifedipine capsules should not be used for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction.
• Nifedipine capsules should not be administered concomitantly with rifampicin since effective plasma levels of nifedipine may not be achieved owing to enzyme induction (see Section 4.5).
• porphyria
4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use
Nifedipine capsules are not beta-blockers and therefore give no protection against the dangers of abrupt beta-blocker withdrawal; any such withdrawal should be a gradual reduction of the dose of beta-blocker, preferably over 8-10 days.
Nifedipine capsules may be used in combination with beta-blocking drugs and other antihypertensive agents but the possibility of an additive effect resulting in postural hypotension should be borne in mind. Nifedipine capsules will not prevent possible rebound effects after cessation of other antihypertensive therapy.
Care must be exercised in patients with very low blood pressure (severe hypotension with systolic pressure less than 90 mm Hg).
Treatment with short-acting nifedipine may induce an exaggerated fall in blood pressure and reflex tachycardia, which can cause cardiovascular complications such as myocardial and cerebrovascular ischaemia.
As with other vasoactive substances, angina pectoris may very rarely occur (data from spontaneous reports) with immediate release nifedipine, especially at the start of the treatment. Data from clinical studies confirm that the occurrence of angina pectoris attacks is uncommon.
In patients suffering from angina pectoris an increase in frequency, duration and severity of angina pectoris attacks may occur, especially at the start of the treatment.
The occurrence of myocardial infarction has been described in isolated cases, although it was not possible to distinguish this from the natural course of the underlying disease.
Careful monitoring of blood pressure must be exercised when administering nifedipine with I.V. magnesium sulphate, owing to the possibility of an excessive fall in blood pressure, which could harm both mother and foetus.
For further information regarding use in pregnancy, refer to section 4.6.
In patients with impaired liver function, careful monitoring, and in severe cases, a dose reduction may be necessary.
Nifedipine capsules should be used with caution in patients whose cardiac reserve is poor. Deterioration of heart failure has occasionally been observed with nifedipine.
At doses higher than those recommended, there is some concern about increased mortality and morbidity in the treatment of ischaemic heart disease, in particular after myocardial infarction.
The use of Nifedipine capsules in diabetic patients may require adjustment of their control.
In dialysis patients with malignant hypertension and hypovolaemia, a marked decrease in blood pressure can occur.
Nifedipine is metabolised via the cytochrome P450 3A4 system. Drugs that are known to either inhibit or to induce this enzyme system may therefore alter the first pass or the clearance of nifedipine (see Section 4.5).
Drugs that are known inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 3A4 system, and which may therefore lead to increased plasma concentrations of nifedipine include, for example:
- macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin)
- anti-HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir)
- azole antimycotics (e.g., ketoconazole)
- the antidepressants, nefazodone and fluoxetine
- quinupristin/dalfopristin
- valproic acid
- cimetidine
Upon co-administration with these drugs, the blood pressure should be monitored and, if necessary, a reduction of the nifedipine dose should be considered (see Section 4.5).
For use in special populations see Section 4.2.
Ischaemic pain has been reported in a small proportion of patients within 3060 minutes of the introduction of nifedipine therapy. Patients experiencing this side effect should discontinue treatment with nifedipine.
4.5 Interactions with other Medicinal products and other forms of Interaction
Drugs that affect nifedipine
Nifedipine is metabolised via the cytochrome P450 3A4 system, located both in the intestinal mucosa and in the liver. Drugs that are known to either inhibit or to induce this enzyme system may therefore alter the first pass (after oral administration) or the clearance of nifedipine (see Section 4.4).
The extent as well as the duration of interactions should be taken into account when administering nifedipine together with the following drugs:
Rifampicin: Rifampicin strongly induces the cytochrome P450 3A4 system. Upon co-administration with rifampicin, the bioavailability of nifedipine is distinctly reduced and thus its efficacy weakened. The use of nifedipine in combination with rifampicin is therefore contraindicated (see Section 4.3).
Upon co-administration of known inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 3A4 system the blood pressure should be monitored and, if necessary, a reduction in the nifedipine dose considered (see Sections 4.2 and 4.4). In the majority of these cases, no formal studies to assess the potential for a drug interaction between nifedipine and the drug(s) listed have been undertaken, thus far.
Drugs increasing nifedipine exposure:
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin)
• anti-HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir)
• azole anti-mycotics (e.g., ketoconazole)
• fluoxetine
• nefazodone
• quinupristin/dalfopristin
• cisapride (blood pressure should be monitored and, if necessary, an adjustment in the dose of nifedipine may be considered)
• valproic acid
• cimetidine(monitoring of blood pressure will indicate if a dose adjustment of nifedipine is required)
• diltiazem
Upon co-administration of inducers of the cytochrome P450 3A4 system, the clinical response to nifedipine should be monitored and, if necessary, an increase in the nifedipine dose considered. If the dose of nifedipine is increased during co-administration of both drugs, a reduction of the nifedipine dose should be considered when the treatment is discontinued.
Drugs decreasing nifedipine exposure:
• rifampicin (see above)
• phenytoin (The clinical response to nifedipine should be monitored and, if necessary, an increase in the dose of nifedipine considered. If the dose of nifedipine is increased during co-administration of both drugs, a reduction of the nifedipine dose should be considered if phenytoin treatment is discontinued)
• carbamazepine
• Phenobarbital
Effects of nifedipine on other drugs
Nifedipine may increase the blood pressure lowering effect of concomitant applied antihypertensives.
When nifedipine is administered simultaneously with beta-receptor blockers the patient should be carefully monitored, since deterioration of heart failure is also known to develop in isolated cases.
Digoxin: The simultaneous administration of nifedipine and digoxin may lead to reduced digoxin clearance and, hence, an increase in the plasma digoxin level. The patient should therefore be subjected to precautionary checks for symptoms of digoxin overdosage and, if necessary, the glycoside dose should be reduced.
Quinidine: Co-administration of nifedipine with quinidine may lower plasma quinidine levels, and after discontinuation of nifedipine, a distinct increase in plasma quinidine levels may be observed in individual cases. Consequently, when nifedipine is either additionally administered or discontinued, monitoring of the quinidine plasma concentration, and if necessary, adjustment of the quinidine dose are recommended. Blood pressure should be carefully monitored and, if necessary, the dose of nifedipine should be decreased.
Tacrolimus: Tacrolimus is metabolised via the cytochrome P450 3A4 system. Published data indicate that the dose of tacrolimus administered simultaneously with nifedipine may be reduced in individual cases. Upon coadministration of both drugs, the tacrolimus plasma concentrations should be monitored and, if necessary, a reduction in the tacrolimus dose considered.
Drug food interactions
Grapefruit juice inhibits the cytochrome P450 3A4 system. Administration of nifedipine together with grapefruit juice thus results in elevated plasma concentrations and prolonged action of nifedipine due to a decreased first pass metabolism or reduced clearance. As a consequence, the blood pressure lowering effect of nifedipine may be increased. After regular intake of grapefruit juice, this effect may last for at least three days after the last ingestion of grapefruit juice.
Ingestion of grapefruit/grapefruit juice is therefore to be avoided while taking nifedipine (see Section 4.2).
Other forms of interaction
Nifedipine may increase the spectrophotometric values of urinary vanillylmandelic acid falsely. However, HPLC measurements are unaffected. Magnesium salts: Profound hypotension has been reported with concomitant use of nifedipine and intravenous magnesium sulphate in pre-eclampsia.
• Antiarrhythmics: Serum levels of quinidine have been shown to be suppressed (regardless of dose) following co-administration with nifedipine. Monitoring of quinidine plasma levels and adjustment of the of quinidine dosage as necessary is recommended. The pharmacokinetics of nifedipine may also be altered when used in combination with quinidine. It is therefore recommended to monitor blood pressure and reduce the nifedipine dosage if necessary.
4.6 Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy
Nifedipine should not be used during pregnancy unless the clinical condition of the woman requires treatment with nifedipine. Nifedipine should be reserved for women with severe hypertension who are unresponsive to standard therapy (see section 4.4).
Acute pulmonary oedema has been observed when calcium channel blockers, among others nifedipine, have been used as a tocolytic agent during pregnancy (see section 4.8), especially in cases of multiple pregnancy (twins or more), with the intravenous route and/or concomitant use of beta-2 agonists.
In animal studies, nifedipine has been shown to produce embryotoxicity, foetotoxicity and teratogenicity (see Section 5.3).
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
From the clinical evidence available a specific prenatal risk has not been identified, although an increase in perinatal asphyxia, caesarean delivery, as well as prematurity and intrauterine growth retardation have been reported. It is unclear whether these reports are due to the underlying hypertension, its treatment, or to a specific drug effect.
The available information is inadequate to rule out adverse drug effects on the unborn and newborn child.
Breast-feeding
Nifedipine is excreted in the breast milk. The nifedipine concentration in the milk is almost comparable with mother serum concentration. For immediate release formulations, it is proposed to delay breastfeeding or milk expression for 3 to 4 hours after drug administration to decrease the nifedipine exposure to the infant (see section 4.4).
Fertility
In single cases of in vitro fertilisation calcium antagonists like nifedipine have been associated with reversible biochemical changes in the spermatozoa's head section that may result in impaired sperm function. In those men who are repeatedly unsuccessful in fathering a child by in vitro fertilisation, and where no other explanation can be found, calcium antagonists like nifedipine should be considered as possible causes.
4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines
Reactions to the drug, which vary in intensity from individual to individual, may impair the ability to drive or to operate machinery. This applies particularly at the start of treatment, on changing the medication and in combination with alcohol.
4.8 Undesirable Effects
dverse drug reactions (ADRs) based on placebo-controlled studies with nifedipine sorted by CIOMS III categories of frequency (clinical trial data base: nifedipine n = 2,661; placebo n = 1,486; status: 22 Feb 2006 and the ACTION study: nifedipine n = 3,825; placebo n = 3,840) are listed below: ADRs listed under "common" were observed with a frequency below 3% with the exception of oedema (9.9%) and headache (3.9%).
The frequencies of ADRs reported with nifedipine-containing products are summarised in the table below. Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. Frequencies are defined as common (>1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (> 1/1,000 to < 1/100) and rare (> 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000). The ADRs identified only during the ongoing postmarketing surveillance, and for which a frequency could not be estimated, are listed under “Not known”.
|
System Organ Class (MedDRA) |
Common |
Uncommon |
Rare |
Not known |
|
Blood and lymphatic system disorders |
Agranulocytosis Leukopenia | |||
|
Immune system disorders |
Allergic reaction Allergic oedema / angioedema (incl. larynx oedema ) |
Pruritus Urticaria Rash |
Anaphylactic/ anaphylactoid reactio | |
|
Psychiatric disorders |
Anxiety reactions Sleep disorders | |||
|
Metabolism and nutrition disorders |
Hyperglycaemia | |||
|
Nervous system disorders |
Headache |
Vertigo Migraine Dizziness Tremor |
Par-/ Dysaesthesia |
Hypoaesthesia Somnolence |
|
Eye disorders |
Visual disturbances |
Eye pain | ||
|
Cardiac disorders |
Tachycardia Palpitations |
Chest pain (Angina Pectoris) | ||
|
Vascular disorders |
Oedema (incl. peripheral oedema) Vasodilatation |
Hypotension Syncope | ||
|
Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders |
Nosebleed Nasal congestion |
Dyspnea, Pulmonary oedema** | ||
|
Gastrointestinal disorders |
Constipation |
Gastrointestinal and abdominal pain Nausea Dyspepsia Flatulence Dry mouth |
Gingival hyperplasia |
Vomiting Gastrooesophageal sphincter insufficienc |
|
Hepatobiliary |
Transient increase |
Jaundice |
|
System Organ Class (MedDRA) |
Common |
Uncommon |
Rare |
Not known |
|
disorders |
in liver enzymes | |||
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
Erythema |
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Photosensitivity aller reaction Palpable purpura | ||
|
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders |
Muscle cramps Joint swelling |
Arthralgia Myalgia | ||
|
Renal and urinary disorders |
Polyuria | |||
|
Dysuria | ||||
|
Reproductive system and breast disorders |
Erectile dysfunction | |||
|
General disorders and administration site conditions |
Feeling unwell |
Unspecific pain Chills |
may result in life threatening outcome ** Cases have been reported when used as tocolytic during pregnancy (see section 4.6).
In dialysis patients with malignant hypertension and hypovolaemia a distinct fall in blood pressure can occur as a result of vasodilation
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
Symptoms
The following symptoms are observed in cases of severe nifedipine intoxication: Disturbances of consciousness to the point of coma, a drop in blood pressure, tachycardia, bradycardia, hyperglycaemia, metabolic acidosis, hypoxia, cardiogenic shock with pulmonary oedema.
Treatment
As far as treatment is concerned, elimination of nifedipine and the restoration of stable cardiovascular conditions have priority. Elimination must be as complete as possible, including the small intestine, to prevent the otherwise inevitable subsequent absorption of the active substance.
The benefit of gastric decontamination is uncertain.
1. Consider activated charcoal (50 g for adults, 1 g/kg for children) if the patient presents within 1 hour of ingestion of a potentially toxic amount.
Although it may seem reasonable to assume that late administration of activated charcoal may be beneficial for sustained release (SR, MR) preparations there is no evidence to support this.
2. Alternatively consider gastric lavage in adults within 1 hour of a potentially life-threatening overdose.
3. Consider further doses of activated charcoal every 4 hours if a clinically significant amount of a sustained release preparation has been ingested with a single dose of an osmotic laxative (e.g. sorbitol, lactulose or magnesium sulphate).
4. Asymptomatic patients should be observed for at least 4 hours after ingestion and for 12 hours if a sustained release preparation has been taken.
Haemodialysis serves no purpose as nifedipine is not dialysable.
Hypotension as a result of cardiogenic shock and arterial vasodilatation can be treated with calcium (10- 20 ml of a 10 % calcium gluconate solution administered intravenously over 5-10 minutes). If the effects are inadequate, the treatment can be continued, with ECG monitoring. If an insufficient increase in blood pressure is achieved with calcium, vasoconstricting sympathomimetics such as dopamine or noradrenaline should be administered. The dosage of these drugs should be determined by the patient's response.
Symptomatic bradycardia may be treated with atropine, beta-sympathomimetics or a temporary cardiac pacemaker, as required.
Additional fluids should be administered with caution to avoid cardiac overload.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
ATC Code: C08C A05
Nifedipine is a calcium-channel blocking agent.
Nifedipine is a calcium antagonist of the 1, 4-dihydropyridine type. Calcium antagonists reduce the transmembranal influx of calcium ions through the slow calcium channel into the cell. As a specific and potent calcium antagonist, nifedipine acts particularly on the cells of the myocardium and the smooth muscle cells of the coronary arteries and the peripheral resistance vessels. The main action of Nifedipine capsules is to relax arterial smooth muscle both in the coronary and peripheral circulation.
In angina pectoris, nifedipine capsules relax peripheral arteries so reducing the load on the left ventricle. Additionally, nifedipine dilates submaximally both clear and pre-stenotic, stenotic and post-stenotic coronary arteries, thus protecting the heart against coronary artery spasm and improving perfusion to the ischaemic myocardium.
Nifedipine capsules reduce the frequency of painful attacks and ischaemic ECG changes, irrespective of the relative contribution from coronary artery spasm or atherosclerosis.
Nifedipine causes a reduction in blood pressure such that the percentage lowering is directly related to its initial height. In normotensive individuals, nifedipine has little or no effect on blood pressure.
Paediatric population: Limited information on comparison of nifedipine with other antihypertensives is available for both acute hypertension and long-term hypertension with different formulations in different dosages.
Antihypertensive effects of nifedipine have been demonstrated but dose recommendations, long term safety and effect on cardiovascular outcome remain unestablished. Paediatric dosing forms are lacking.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Absorption
After oral administration nifedipine is almost completely absorbed. The systemic availability of orally administered nifedipine immediate release formulation (Nifedipine capsules) is 45 - 56 % owing to a first pass effect. Maximum plasma and serum concentrations are reached at 30 to 60 minutes. Simultaneous food intake leads to delayed, but not reduced absorption.
Distribution
Nifedipine is about 95 % bound to plasma protein (albumin). The distribution halflife after intravenous administration has been determined to be 5 to 6 minutes. Biotransformation
After oral administration nifedipine is metabolized in the gut wall and in the liver, primarily by oxidative processes. These metabolites show no pharmacodynamic activity. Nifedipine is excreted in the form of its metabolites predominantly via the kidneys and about 5 - 15 % via the bile in the faeces. The unchanged substance is recovered only in traces (below 0.1 %) in the urine.
Elimination
The terminal elimination half-life is 1.7 to 3.4 hours. No accumulation of the substance after the usual dose was reported during long-term treatment. In cases of impaired kidney function no substantial changes have been detected in comparison with healthy volunteers. In cases of impaired liver function the elimination half-life is distinctly prolonged and the total clearance is reduced. A dose reduction may be necessary in severe cases (see Section 4.4).
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of single and repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenic potential.
Reproduction toxicology
Nifedipine has been shown to produce teratogenic findings in rats, mice and rabbits, including digital anomalies, malformation of the extremities, cleft palates, cleft sternum, and malformation of the ribs. Digital anomalies and malformation of the extremities are possibly a result of compromised uterine blood flow, but have also been observed in animals treated with nifedipine solely after the end of the organogenesis period.
Nifedipine administration was associated with a variety of embryotoxic, placentotoxic and foetotoxic effects, including stunted foetuses (rats, mice, rabbits), small placentas and underdeveloped chorionic villi (monkeys), embryonic and foetal deaths (rats, mice, rabbits) and prolonged pregnancy/decreased neonatal survival (rats; not evaluated in other species). The risk to humans cannot be ruled out if a sufficiently high systemic exposure is achieved, however, all of the doses associated with the teratogenic, embryotoxic or foetotoxic effects in animals were maternally toxic and were several times the recommended maximum dose for humans.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1. List of Excipients
The capsules also contain:
Polyethylene glycol Glycerol Peppermint oil
The capsule shell contains:
Glycerol
Gelatin
Sunset yellow (El10)
Titanium dioxide (E171)
The printing ink contains:
Propylene glycol Iron oxide black (E172) Polyvinyl acetate phthalate Macrogol 400 Ammonium hydroxide
6.2. Incompatibilities
None known.
Shelf Life
6.3
Shelf-life
Two years from the date of manufacture.
Shelf-life after dilution/reconstitution Not applicable.
Shelf-life after first opening Not applicable.
6.4. Special Precautions for Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place. Protect from light.
6.5. Nature and Contents of Container
The product containers are rigid injection moulded polypropylene or injection blow-moulded polyethylene containers with polyfoam wad or polyethylene ullage filler and snap-on polyethylene lids; in case any supply difficulties should arise the alternative is amber glass containers with screw caps and polyfoam wad or cotton wool.
The product may also be supplied in blister packs in cartons:
a) Carton: Printed carton manufactured from white folding box board.
b) Blister pack: (i) 250pm white rigid PVC with a 66g/M2 PVDC coating on one side.
(ii) Surface printed 20pm hard temper aluminium foil with 5-6g/M2 PVC and PVDC compatible heat seal lacquer on the reverse side.
Pack sizes: 28s, 30s, 50s, 56s, 60s, 84s, 90s, 100s, 112s, 120s, 168s, 180s,
250s, 500s, 1000s.
Product may also be supplied in bulk packs in polybags contained in tins, skillets or polybuckets filled with suitable cushioning material.
Maximum size of bulk packs: 50,000
6.6. Instructions for Use/Handling Not applicable.
MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
7
Actavis UK Limited (Trading style: Actavis) Whiddon Valley BARNSTAPLE N Devon EX32 8NS
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER
PL 00142/0336
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
September 1991 / August 1998
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
10/08/2016