APREGIA 75 mg HARD CAPSULES

2. What you need to know before taking Apregia

Do not take Apregia

If you are allergic to pregabalin or any of the other components of this medication (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Apregia.

• Some patients treated with pregabalin have reported symptoms that suggest an allergic reaction. These symptoms include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat, as well as the appearance of a rash. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately.
• Severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported with pregabalin treatment. Stop taking pregabalin and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms related to these severe skin reactions described in section 4.
• Pregabalin has been associated with dizziness and somnolence, which could increase the risk of accidental injuries (falls) in elderly patients. Therefore, you should be cautious until you are familiar with the effects of the medication.
• Pregabalin may cause blurred vision, loss of vision, or other changes in vision, many of which are transient. If you experience any changes in your vision, you should inform your doctor immediately.
• Diabetic patients who gain weight while taking pregabalin may need a change in their diabetes medications.
• Certain side effects, such as somnolence, may be more frequent because patients with spinal cord injuries may be taking other medications for treatment, for example, for pain or spasticity (stiff or rigid muscles), with similar side effects to those of pregabalin, so the intensity of these effects may increase when taken together.
• Cases of heart failure have been reported in some patients treated with pregabalin. Most of them were elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases. Before taking this medication, you should tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease.
• Cases of renal failure have been reported in some patients treated with pregabalin. If you notice a decrease in your ability to urinate during treatment with pregabalin, you should inform your doctor, as stopping treatment may improve this situation.
• Some patients taking antiepileptics, such as pregabalin, have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide or have shown suicidal behavior. If you experience these thoughts or have shown such behavior, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
• When pregabalin is taken with other medications that can cause constipation (such as certain types of pain medications), gastrointestinal problems (such as constipation and intestinal blockage or paralysis) may occur. Inform your doctor if you suffer from constipation, especially if you are prone to this problem.
• Before taking this medication, inform your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medications, or illegal drugs; this may mean that you have a higher risk of becoming dependent on pregabalin.
• Cases of seizures have been reported during treatment with pregabalin or shortly after stopping treatment with pregabalin. If you experience seizures, contact your doctor immediately.
• Cases of reduced brain function (encephalopathy) have been reported in some patients taking pregabalin who had other diseases. Tell your doctor if you have a history of any serious disease, including liver or kidney disease.
• Cases of breathing difficulties have been reported. If you have nervous system disorders, respiratory disorders, renal failure, or are over 65 years old, your doctor may prescribe a different dose. Contact your doctor if you experience breathing problems or shallow breathing.

Dependence

Some people may become dependent on pregabalin (need to continue taking the medication). They may experience withdrawal effects when they stop taking pregabalin (see section 3 "How to take Apregia" and "If you stop taking Apregia"). If you are concerned that you may become dependent on pregabalin, it is important that you consult your doctor.

If you notice any of the following signs while taking pregabalin, it could be a sign that you have become dependent:

• You need to take the medication for a longer period than recommended by your doctor.
• You feel that you need to take a higher dose than recommended.
• You are using the medication for reasons other than those prescribed.
• You have made repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or control the use of the medication.
• When you stop taking the medication, you feel unwell and feel better once you take the medication again.

If you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor to discuss the best care plan for you, including when it is appropriate to stop treatment and how to do it safely.

Children and adolescents

The safety and efficacy of pregabalin in children and adolescents (under 18 years) have not been established, so pregabalin should not be used in this age group.

Other medications and Apregia

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or may take any other medication.

Pregabalin and certain medications can have a mutual influence on each other (interactions). When pregabalin is used with certain medications that have a sedative effect (including opioids), these effects may be enhanced, and may lead to respiratory failure, coma, and death. The degree of dizziness, somnolence, and decreased concentration may increase if pregabalin is taken with other medications that contain:

• Oxycodone (used as a pain reliever).
• Lorazepam (used to treat anxiety).
• Alcohol.

Pregabalin can be taken with oral contraceptives.

Taking Apregia with food, drinks, and alcohol

Pregabalin capsules can be taken with or without food.

It is advised not to drink alcohol during treatment with pregabalin.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should not take pregabalin during pregnancy or breastfeeding, unless your doctor has told you to do so. The use of pregabalin during the first 3 months of pregnancy may cause congenital malformations in the fetus that require medical treatment. In a study that reviewed data from women in Nordic countries who took pregabalin during the first 3 months of pregnancy, 6 out of 100 babies had such congenital malformations. This compares to 4 out of 100 babies born to women not treated with pregabalin in the study. Malformations of the face (clefts), eyes, nervous system (including the brain), kidneys, and genitals have been reported.

An effective contraceptive method should be used in women of childbearing age. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.

Driving and using machines

Pregabalin may cause dizziness, somnolence, and decreased concentration. You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or engage in other potentially hazardous activities until you know if this medication affects your ability to perform these activities.

3. How to take Apregia

Follow the instructions for administration of this medication exactly as indicated by your doctor. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist again. Do not take more medication than prescribed.

Your doctor will determine the dose that is right for you.

Apregia is for oral use only.

Peripheral and central neuropathic pain, epilepsy, or generalized anxiety disorder:

• Take the number of capsules that your doctor has indicated.
• The dose, which has been adjusted for you and your condition, will generally be between 150 mg and 600 mg per day.
• Your doctor will indicate that you take pregabalin two or three times a day. In the case of twice a day, take pregabalin once in the morning and once in the evening, approximately at the same time every day. In the case of three times a day, take pregabalin in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, approximately at the same time every day.

If you think the effect of pregabalin is too strong or too weak, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are an elderly patient (over 65 years old), you should take pregabalin normally, unless you have kidney problems.

Your doctor may prescribe a different dosing regimen or different doses if you have kidney problems.

Swallow the capsule whole with water.

Continue taking pregabalin until your doctor tells you to stop.

If you take more Apregia than you should

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. Bring the package or bottle of Apregia capsules with you. You can also call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount taken.

As a result of taking more Apregia than you should, you may feel drowsy, confused, agitated, or restless. Seizures and loss of consciousness (coma) have also been reported.

If you forget to take Apregia

It is important that you take the pregabalin capsules regularly at the same time every day. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time for the next dose. In that case, continue with the next dose as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

If you stop taking Apregia

Do not stop taking pregabalin suddenly. If you want to stop taking pregabalin, talk to your doctor first. He will tell you how to do it. If you are going to stop treatment, it should be done gradually over a minimum of one week.

Once you have finished treatment with pregabalin for a long or short period, you should know that you may experience certain side effects, called withdrawal effects. These effects include sleep problems, headache, nausea, feeling anxious, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, seizures, nervousness, depression, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, pain, sweating, and dizziness. These effects may occur more frequently or severely if you have been taking pregabalin for a longer period. If you experience withdrawal effects, you should see your doctor.

If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible Adverse Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.

Verycommon:mayaffectmorethan1in10people

• Dizziness, drowsiness, headache.

Common:mayaffectupto1in10people

• Increased appetite.
• Feeling of euphoria, confusion, disorientation, decreased sexual appetite, irritability.
• Alteration of attention, clumsiness, memory impairment, memory loss, tremors, difficulty speaking, tingling sensation, numbness, sedation, lethargy, insomnia, fatigue, abnormal sensation.
• Blurred vision, double vision.
• Dizziness, balance problems, falls.
• Dry mouth, constipation, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, bloated abdomen.
• Difficulty with erection.
• Swelling of the body including the limbs.
• Feeling of drunkenness, alterations in gait.
• Weight gain.
• Muscle cramp, joint pain, back pain, pain in the limbs.
• Sore throat.

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• Loss of appetite, weight loss, low blood sugar, high blood sugar levels.
• Change in self-perception, restlessness, depression, agitation, mood changes, difficulty finding words, hallucinations, strange dreams, anxiety attacks, apathy, aggression, elevated mood, mental deterioration, difficulty thinking, increased sexual appetite, sexual relationship problems including inability to reach climax, delayed ejaculation.
• Changes in vision, unusual eye movements, changes in vision including tunnel vision, flashes of light, spasmodic movements, reduced reflexes, hyperactivity, dizziness when standing up, sensitive skin, loss of taste, burning sensation, tremors when moving, decreased consciousness, loss of consciousness, fainting, increased sensitivity to noise, general malaise.
• Dry eyes, swollen eyes, eye pain, tired eyes, watery eyes, eye irritation.
• Alterations in heart rhythm, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, changes in heart rhythm, heart failure.
• Flushing, hot flashes.
• Difficulty breathing, dry nose, nasal congestion.
• Increased saliva production, heartburn, numbness around the mouth.
• Sweating, rash, chills, fever.
• Muscle spasms, swollen joints, muscle stiffness, pain including muscle pain, neck pain.
• Breast pain.
• Difficulty or pain when urinating, inability to hold urine.
• Weakness, thirst, chest tightness.
• Changes in blood and liver test results (elevated creatine phosphokinase in blood, elevated alanine aminotransferase, elevated aspartate aminotransferase, decreased platelet count, neutropenia, increased creatinine in blood, decreased potassium in blood).
• Hypersensitivity, facial swelling, itching, hives, runny nose, nosebleeds, cough, snoring.
• Painful menstrual periods.
• Cold sensation in hands and feet.

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

• Altered sense of smell, oscillating vision, altered depth perception, visual glare, loss of vision.
• Dilated pupils, strabismus.
• Cold sweat, throat tightness, tongue swelling.
• Pancreatitis.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Slow or reduced body mobility.
• Difficulty writing correctly.
• Increased fluid in the abdominal area.
• Fluid in the lungs.
• Seizures.
• Changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG) corresponding to heart rhythm disorders.
• Muscle damage.
• Milk secretion, abnormal breast growth, increased breast size in men.
• Menstrual period interruption.
• Kidney failure, reduced urine output, urine retention.
• Decreased white blood cell count.
• Inappropriate behavior, suicidal behavior, suicidal thoughts.
• Allergic reactions that may include difficulty breathing, eye inflammation (keratitis), and a severe skin reaction characterized by reddish patches, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers in the mouth, throat, nose, genitals, and eyes. These severe skin reactions may be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
• Parkinsonism, symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, bradykinesia (decreased ability to move), and muscle stiffness.

Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

• Liver failure.
• Hepatitis (liver inflammation).

Frequency not known: cannot be estimated from the available data

• Becoming dependent on pregabalin ("drug dependence").

Once you have finished short-term treatment with pregabalin, you should know that you may experience certain adverse effects, called withdrawal effects (see "If you stop treatment with Apregia").

Ifyouexperienceswellinginthefaceoronthetongue,orifyourskinturnsredandhasblistersorpeeling,youshouldseekmedicalattentionimmediately.

Certain adverse effects, such as drowsiness, may be more frequent since patients with spinal cord injury may be taking other medications to treat, for example, pain or spasticity (stiff or rigid muscles), with adverse effects similar to those of pregabalin, so the intensity of these effects may increase when taken together.

The following adverse reaction has been reported in post-marketing experience: difficulty breathing, shallow breathing.

Reporting of adverse effects

If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect that does not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Medicines Monitoring System: http://www.notificaram.es/. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Apregia

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiration date that appears on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

This medicine does not require special storage conditions.

Medicines should not be thrown away through wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and medicines you no longer need in the SIGRE Point of the pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medicines you no longer need. This way, you will help protect the environment.

6. Package contents and additional information

Composition of Apregia

The active ingredient is pregabalin. Each hard capsule contains 75 mg of pregabalin.

The other components are: pregelatinized starch (from corn), talc (E553b), titanium dioxide (E171), gelatin (E441), yellow iron oxide (E172), black printing ink - shellac (E904), black iron oxide (E172), and propylene glycol (E1520).

Appearance of the product and package contents

Hard capsules with a light brown body and cap. The cap of the capsule has the black mark "P75" printed on it. The contents of the capsule are a white or almost white powder. The length of the capsule is 13.8-14.8 mm.

Apregia is presented in blister packs containing 56 hard capsules.

Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer

Marketing authorization holder

KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia

Manufacturer

KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia

TAD Pharma GmbH, Heinz-Lohmann-Straße 5, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany

You can request more information about this medicine by contacting the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:

KRKA Farmacéutica, S.L., C/ Anabel Segura 10, Pta. Baja, Oficina 1, 28108 Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain

Date of the last revision of this leaflet:January 2024

Detailed information about this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/.