Omega-3-Acid-Ethyl Esters 1000mg Soft Capsules
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Omega 3-acid-ethyl esters 1000mg Soft Capsules
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each soft capsule contains 1,000 mg of omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 comprising principally 840 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ethyl ester (460 mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl ester (380 mg).
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Capsule, soft.
Oblong, transparent, elastic soft gelatin capsule containing clear, light-yellow oil.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Post-myocardial infarction
Adjuvant treatment in secondary prevention after myocardial infarction, in addition to other standard therapy (e.g. statins, anti-platelet medicinal products, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors).
Hypertriglyceridaemia
Endogenous hypertriglyceridaemia as a supplement to diet when dietary measures alone are insufficient to produce an adequate response:
- type IV in monotherapy,
- type IIb/III in combination with statins, when control of triglycerides is insufficient.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Post-myocardial infarction
One capsule daily. Hypertriglyceridaemia
Initial treatment two capsules daily. If adequate response is not obtained, the dose may be increased to four capsules daily.
The capsules may be taken with food to avoid gastrointestinal disturbances.
There is no information regarding the use of omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 in children and adolescents, in elderly patients over 70 years of age, or in patients with hepatic impairment (see section 4.4), and only limited information regarding the use in patients with renal impairment.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Warnings
Because of the moderate increase in bleeding time (with the high dosage, i.e. 4 capsules), patients receiving anticoagulant therapy must be monitored and the dosage of anticoagulant adjusted if necessary (see section 4.5). Use of this medicinal product does not eliminate the need for the surveillance usually required for patients of this type.
Make allowance for the increased bleeding time in patients at high risk of haemorrhage (because of severe trauma, surgery, etc).
In the absence of efficacy and safety data, use of this medication in children and adolescents is not recommended.
Omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 are not indicated in exogenous hypertriglyceridaemia (type 1 hyperchylomicronaemia). There is only limited experience in secondary endogenous hypertriglyceridaemia (especially uncontrolled diabetes).
There is no experience regarding hypertriglyceridaemia in combination with fibrates.
Special precaution
Regular monitoring of hepatic function (ASAT and ALAT) is required in patients with hepatic impairment (in particular with the high dosage, i.e. 4 capsules).
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Oral anticoagulants: see section 4.4.
Omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 have been given in conjunction with warfarin without haemorrhagic complications. However, the prothrombin time must be checked when omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 are combined with warfarin or when treatment with omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 is stopped.
4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There are no adequate data from the use of omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 in pregnant women.
Studies in animals have not shown reproductive toxicity. The potential risk for humans is unknown and therefore omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.
Lactation
There are no data on the excretion of omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 in animal and human milk. Omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 should not be used during lactation.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Not relevant.
4.8 Undesirable effects
The frequencies of adverse reactions are ranked according to the following: common (>1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Infection and infestations Uncommon: gastroenteritis
Immune system disorders Uncommon: hypersensitivity
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Rare: hyperglycaemia
Nervous system disorders Uncommon: dizziness, dysgeusia Rare: headache
Vascular disorders Very rare: hypotension
Respiratory thoracic and mediastinal disorders Very rare: nasal dryness
Gastrointestinal disorders Common: dyspepsia, nausea
Uncommon: abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disorders, gastritis, abdominal pain upper
Rare: gastrointestinal pain
Very rare: lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage
Hepatobiliary disorders Rare: hepatic disorders
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Rare: acne, rash pruritic Very rare: urticaria
General disorders and administration site conditions Rare: ill-defined disorders
Investigations
Very rare: white blood count increased, blood lactate dehydrogenase
increased
Moderate elevation of transaminases has been reported in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia.
4.9 Overdose
There are no special recommendations. Administer symptomatic treatment.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Other lipid-modifying agents, omega-3 triglycerides incl. other esters and acids, ATC code: C10AX06.
The omega-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential fatty acids.
Omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 is active on the plasma lipids by lowering triglyceride levels as a result of a fall in VLDL (very low density lipoprotein), and the substance is also active on haemostasis and blood pressure.
Omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 reduce the synthesis of triglycerides in the liver because EPA and DHA are poor substrates for the enzymes responsible for triglyceride synthesis and they inhibit esterification of other fatty acids.
The increase in peroxisomes of P-oxidation of fatty acids in the liver also contributes to the fall in triglycerides, by reducing the quantity of free fatty acids available for their synthesis. The inhibition of this synthesis lowers VLDL.
Omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 increase LDL-cholesterol in some patients with hypertriglyceridaemia. A rise in HDL-cholesterol is only small, significantly smaller than seen after administration of fibrates, and not consistent.
The long-term lipid-lowering effect (after more than one year) is not known. Otherwise there is no strong evidence that lowering triglycerides reduces the risk of ischaemic heart disease.
During treatment with omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90, there is a fall in thromboxane A2 production and a slight increase in bleeding time. No significant effect has been observed on the other coagulation factors.
11324 patients, with recent MI (<3 months) and receiving a recommended preventative treatment associated with a Mediterranean diet, were randomised in the GISSI-Prevenzione study in order to receive omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 (n=2836), vitamin E (n=2830), omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 + vitamin E (n=2830) or no treatment (n=2828). GISSI-P was a multicentre, randomised, open-label study performed in Italy.
The results observed over 3.5 years, with omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 1g/day, have shown a significant reduction of a combined endpoint including all-cause death, non-fatal MI and non-fatal stroke (decrease in relative risk of 15% [226] p=0.0226 in patients taking omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 alone compared to control, and of 10% [1-18] p=0.0482 in patients taking omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 with or without vitamin E). A reduction of the second pre-specified endpoint criteria including cardiovascular deaths, non-fatal MI and non-fatal stroke has been shown (decrease in relative risk of 20% [5-32] p=0.0082 in patients taking omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 alone compared to control, decrease in relative risk of 11% [1-20] p= 0.0526 in patients taking omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 with or without vitamin E). The secondary analysis for each component of the primary endpoints has shown a significant reduction of
all-cause deaths and cardiovascular deaths, but no reduction of non-fatal cardiovascular events or fatal and non-fatal strokes.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
During and after absorption, there are three main pathways for the metabolism of the omega-3 fatty acids:
- the fatty acids are first transported to the liver where they are incorporated into various categories of lipoproteins and then channelled to the peripheral lipid stores;
- the cell membrane phospholipids are replaced by lipoprotein phospholipids and the fatty acids can then act as precursors for various eicosanoids;
- the majority is oxidised to meet energy requirements.
The concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, in the plasma phospholipids corresponds to the EPA and DHA incorporated into the cell membranes.
Animal pharmacokinetic studies have shown that there is a complete hydrolysis of the ethyl ester accompanied by satisfactory absorption and incorporation of EPA and DHA into the plasma phospholipids and cholesterol esters.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
No safety issues have been identified relevant to human use at the recommended daily intake.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Capsule core Alpha-tocopherol
Capsule shell
Gelatin
Glycerol
Medium-chain triglycerides
Incompatibilities
6.2
Not applicable.
6.3 Shelf life
2 years.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 30°C. Do not freeze. Keep in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Transparent PVC/Aclar® - Aluminium blisters, available in packs of 20, 28, 30, 3x10, 60, 90, 9x10, 100 and 120 capsules.
HDPE containers with tamper evident HDPE screw cap, available in packs of 20, 28, 30, 90, 98, 100 and hospital packs of 280 (10x28) capsules.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
No special requirements.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Teva UK Limited Brampton Road,
Hampden Park,
Eastbourne,
East Sussex BN22 9AG UNITED KINGDOM
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 00289/1779
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
10/07/2013
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
14/01/2015