Alcreno

Leaflet attached to the packaging: patient information

Alcreno, 25 mg, film-coated tablets

Alcreno, 100 mg, film-coated tablets

Alcreno, 150 mg, film-coated tablets

Alcreno, 200 mg, film-coated tablets

Alcreno, 300 mg, film-coated tablets

Quetiapine

You should carefully read the contents of the leaflet before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.

• You should keep this leaflet, so that you can read it again if you need to.
• If you have any doubts, you should consult a doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed specifically for you. Do not pass it on to others.
• The medicine may harm another person, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If you experience any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.

Table of contents of the leaflet:

• 1. What is Alcreno and what is it used for
• 2. Important information before taking Alcreno
• 3. How to take Alcreno
• 4. Possible side effects
• 5. How to store Alcreno
• 6. Contents of the packaging and other information

1. What is Alcreno and what is it used for

The active substance of Alcreno is quetiapine. Quetiapine belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotics. Alcreno can be used to treat several diseases, such as:

• Schizophrenia: the patient may hear or feel things that do not exist; believe in things that are not true or experience unusual suspicion, anxiety, disorientation, guilt, tension, and depression.
• Mania: the patient may be very excited, agitated, and stimulated, may have impaired judgment of reality, including exhibiting annoying and aggressive behavior.
• Depression in bipolar disorder: mood disorders that cause the patient to feel sad. The patient has a sense of guilt, depression, is devoid of energy, experiences a lack of appetite, and cannot sleep.

The doctor may prescribe continued use of Alcreno, even if the patient's condition improves.

2. Important information before taking Alcreno

When not to take Alcreno, if:

• the patient is allergic to quetiapine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• the patient is taking any of the following medicines:
• some medicines used to treat HIV infection),
• azoles (antifungal medicines),
• erythromycin, clarithromycin (some antibiotics),
• nefazodone (an antidepressant). If the patient has any doubts, they should consult their doctor before taking Alcreno.

Before taking Alcreno, the patient should inform their doctor if:

• they or a family member have or have had a heart disease, such as arrhythmia, heart failure, or myocarditis, or if they are taking any medicines that may affect heart rhythm,
• they have low blood pressure,
• they have had a stroke, especially if they are elderly,
• they have liver function disorders,
• they have had seizures (convulsions),
• they have diabetes or an increased risk of developing diabetes. If the patient is at risk, the doctor may order a blood sugar test while taking Alcreno,
• they have ever had a low white blood cell count, which may or may not be related to the use of other medicines,
• they are an elderly person with senile dementia (reduced brain function). Such a person should not take Alcreno, as medicines in this group may increase the risk of stroke and sometimes the risk of death in such patients,
• they are elderly and have Parkinson's disease/parkinsonism,
• they or a family member have had venous thrombosis, as the use of such medicines (antipsychotics) is associated with the formation of blood clots,
• they have or have had a disorder characterized by short pauses in breathing during normal sleep at night (so-called sleep apnea) and are taking medicines that slow down brain function (so-called depressants),
• they have or have had a disorder characterized by the inability to completely empty the bladder (urinary retention), have an enlarged prostate, intestinal obstruction, or increased eye pressure. Such symptoms may sometimes be caused by medicines (so-called anticholinergic medicines) used to treat certain diseases and affecting the function of nerve cells,
• they have or have had problems with alcohol or drug abuse.

The patient should immediately inform their doctor if, after taking Alcreno, they experience any of the following symptoms:

• a syndrome of symptoms: fever, muscle stiffness, sweating, or decreased level of consciousness (a disease called malignant neuroleptic syndrome). Immediate medical attention may be necessary,
• involuntary movements, especially of the face or tongue,
• dizziness or severe drowsiness. This may increase the risk of accidental injuries (falls) in elderly patients.
• seizures, epileptic seizures,
• prolonged and painful erection (priapism).
• rapid and irregular heartbeat, even at rest, palpitations, breathing difficulties, chest pain, or unexplained fatigue. The doctor will need to examine the heart and, if necessary, immediately refer the patient to a cardiologist.

The occurrence of these symptoms is related to the use of such medicines.
The patient should contact their doctor as soon as possible if they experience:

• fever, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, or other infection, as these may be caused by a very low white blood cell count, which may require discontinuation of Alcreno and/or appropriate treatment;
• constipation with persistent abdominal pain or constipation that does not improve with treatment, as this may lead to severe intestinal obstruction.

Suicidal thoughts or worsening of depression.

Patients with depression may sometimes think about self-harm or suicide. Such symptoms or behavior may worsen at the beginning of treatment with antidepressants, as these medicines usually start working after 2 weeks, sometimes later. Suicidal thoughts may worsen in patients who have suddenly stopped taking their medicines.
The likelihood of such thoughts increases in young patients. Clinical trials have shown an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors in young patients under 25 years of age suffering from depression.
If the patient experiences thoughts of self-harm or suicidal thoughts, they should immediately contact their doctor or go to the hospital. It may be helpful to inform friends and family about their condition and its symptoms and ask them to read this leaflet and inform them if they notice that the patient's depression or anxiety has worsened or if there are worrying changes in the patient's behavior.

Severe skin reactions (SCAR)

During treatment with this medicine, very rare severe skin reactions (SCAR) have been reported, which can be life-threatening or fatal. Symptoms of these reactions include:

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals;
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a more severe form of rash causing widespread peeling of the skin;
• Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), symptoms similar to flu with a rash, fever, swelling of lymph nodes, and abnormal blood test results (including increased white blood cell count (eosinophilia) and increased liver enzyme activity).

Weight gain

Patients taking Alcreno have experienced weight gain. The patient should regularly check their weight with their doctor.

Children and adolescents

Alcreno is not intended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Alcreno and other medicines

The patient should tell their doctor about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines they plan to take.
The patient should not take Alcreno if they are taking any of the following medicines:

• some medicines used to treat HIV,
• azoles (antifungal medicines),
• erythromycin or clarithromycin (antibiotics used to treat infections),
• nefazodone (an antidepressant). The patient should tell their doctor if they are taking the following medicines:
• medicines used to treat epilepsy (such as phenytoin or carbamazepine),
• medicines used to treat high blood pressure,
• medicines used to treat insomnia (barbiturates),
• a medicine used to treat psychotic disorders (thioridazine or lithium),
• medicines that affect the heart, such as those that disrupt electrolyte balance (reducing potassium or magnesium levels), such as diuretics or certain antibiotics.
• medicines that can cause constipation,
• medicines used to treat certain diseases, affecting the function of nerve cells (so-called anticholinergic medicines).

Before stopping any of the medicines they are taking, the patient should consult their doctor.

Alcreno with food, drink, and alcohol

Alcreno can be taken with or without food.
The patient should be careful with the amount of alcohol they consume. The combined effect of Alcreno and alcohol may cause drowsiness.
The patient should avoid consuming grapefruit juice if they are taking Alcreno.
Grapefruit juice may affect the action of the medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Alcreno should not be taken during pregnancy, unless agreed with the doctor.
The patient should not breastfeed while taking Alcreno.
In newborns whose mothers took Alcreno during the last trimester (last 3 months of pregnancy), the following symptoms may occur: trembling, muscle stiffness, and/or weakness, drowsiness, agitation, breathing difficulties, and feeding difficulties. If the patient notices such symptoms in their child, they should contact their doctor.

Driving and using machines

Alcreno may cause drowsiness. The patient should not drive or operate machines until they know how they react to the medicine.

Alcreno contains lactose

Alcreno contains lactose, a type of sugar. If the patient has previously been diagnosed with intolerance to some sugars, they should contact their doctor before taking this medicine.

Alcreno contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per tablet, which means the product is considered "sodium-free".

Effect on urine tests for drug presence

In patients taking Alcreno, urine tests for drug presence performed by some methods may indicate the presence of methadone or other medicines used to treat depression, called tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), even if the patient has not taken them. It is recommended to perform these tests by other methods to confirm the results.

3. How to take Alcreno

This medicine should always be taken as directed by the doctor.
In case of doubts, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
The doctor will determine the initial dose for the patient.
The maintenance dose (daily dose) depends on the patient's symptoms and needs, and is usually within the range of 150 mg to 800 mg per day.

• Tablets should be taken once a day before bedtime or twice a day, depending on the disease.
• Tablets should be swallowed whole, with a glass of water.
• Tablets can be taken with or without food.
• The patient should not drink grapefruit juice while taking Alcreno, as it may affect the action of the medicine.
• The patient should not stop treatment without consulting their doctor, even if they feel better.

Patients with liver function disorders

The doctor may recommend a dose change for patients with liver function disorders.

Elderly patients

The doctor may change the dose for elderly patients.

Adults and children

Alcreno should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Taking a higher dose of Alcreno than recommended

If the patient takes a higher dose of Alcreno than recommended, they may experience symptoms of overdose, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and heart rhythm disorders. The patient should immediately contact their doctor or go to the nearest hospital, taking the medicine packaging with them.

Missing a dose of Alcreno

If the patient misses a dose, they should take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. The patient should not take a double dose to make up for the missed tablet.

Stopping Alcreno treatment

If the patient suddenly stops taking Alcreno, they may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sleep problems, headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, and irritability. The doctor may recommend gradually reducing the dose before stopping treatment.
If the patient has any further doubts about taking the medicine, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Alcreno can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Severe side effects

The patient should immediately contacttheir doctor if they experience:

• suicidal thoughts and worsening of depression,
• allergic reactions, which can include the formation of blisters on the skin, skin swelling, and swelling around the mouth,
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes),
• hepatitis,
• severe skin rash, blisters, or red spots on the skin,
• severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which can cause breathing difficulties or shock,
• sudden swelling of the skin, usually around the eyes, lips, and throat (angioedema).
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a severe skin reaction with blisters and peeling skin,
• toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a severe skin reaction with widespread peeling of the skin,
• drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), a reaction with symptoms such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, and abnormal blood test results.

If the patient experiences any of these symptoms, they should stop taking Alcreno and immediately contact their doctor or seek medical attention

Other side effects

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• dizziness (which can lead to falls), headache, and dry mouth,
• drowsiness (this symptom usually subsides after some time of taking the medicine) (may lead to falls),
• withdrawal symptoms (symptoms that occur after stopping Alcreno): insomnia, nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, and irritability, it is recommended to gradually stop the medicine over 1-2 weeks,
• weight gain,
• abnormal movements of the muscles. These include: difficulty starting movement, tremors, feeling of anxiety or muscle stiffness without pain.
• changes in the levels of some fats (triglycerides and total cholesterol) in the blood.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• rapid heartbeat,
• feeling of palpitations or rapid and irregular heartbeat,
• constipation, stomach upset (indigestion),
• feeling of weakness,
• swelling of the hands and feet,
• decrease in blood pressure, especially when standing up. This may cause dizziness and fainting, which can lead to falls,
• increased blood sugar levels,
• blurred vision,
• unusual dreams and nightmares,
• increased appetite,
• feeling of irritability,
• speech disorders,
• shallow breathing,
• vomiting (mainly in elderly patients),
• fever,
• changes in thyroid hormone levels in the blood,
• decrease in the number of certain types of blood cells,
• increase in liver enzyme activity in the blood,
• increase in prolactin levels in the blood, which can rarely lead to:
• breast swelling and unexpected milk production (in both men and women),
• menstrual disorders or irregular periods (in women).

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• seizures or epileptic seizures,
• fainting (may lead to falls),
• unpleasant sensations in the legs (also known as restless legs syndrome),
• difficulty swallowing,
• involuntary movements, especially of the face or tongue,
• sexual disorders,
• stuffy nose,
• diabetes,
• changes in the electrical activity of the heart recorded on an ECG (prolongation of the QT interval),
• slow heart rate at the beginning of treatment, which may be caused by low blood pressure and fainting,
• difficulty urinating,
• decrease in red blood cell count,
• decrease in sodium levels in the blood,
• worsening of existing diabetes,
• confusion.

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• a syndrome of symptoms: high fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, and feeling of severe drowsiness or fainting (a disorder called malignant neuroleptic syndrome),
• prolonged and painful erection (priapism),
• menstrual disorders,
• blood clots in the veins, especially in the legs (symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness of the leg), which can travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing chest pain and breathing difficulties. If any of these symptoms occur, the patient should immediately consult their doctor,
• walking, talking, eating, and performing other activities while asleep,
• low body temperature (hypothermia),
• breast swelling and unexpected milk production (galactorrhea),
• pancreatitis,
• a condition called metabolic syndrome, which may include: increased fat around the abdomen, decreased "good" HDL cholesterol, increased triglycerides in the blood, high blood pressure, and increased blood sugar levels,
• a combination of fever, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, or other infection with a very low white blood cell count (agranulocytosis),
• intestinal obstruction,
• increased creatine kinase activity in the blood (an enzyme produced in muscles).

Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):

• inappropriate secretion of the hormone that controls the amount of urine excreted,
• breakdown of muscle fibers and muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis).

Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

• skin rash with irregular red spots,
• severe, sudden allergic reaction with symptoms such as fever and blisters on the skin, and peeling of the skin (toxic epidermal necrolysis). See section 2.
• drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), including symptoms such as flu-like symptoms with a rash, fever, swelling of lymph nodes, and abnormal blood test results (including increased white blood cell count (eosinophilia) and increased liver enzyme activity). See section 2.
• withdrawal symptoms in newborns whose mothers took Alcreno during pregnancy.
• stroke.
• heart muscle disorders (cardiomyopathy).
• heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis).
• inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), often with a skin rash with small red or purple spots.

Medicines in the same group as Alcreno may cause heart rhythm disorders, which can be severe and, in some cases, fatal.
Some side effects are only visible in blood test results. These include: increased levels of some fats (triglycerides and total cholesterol) or sugar in the blood, changes in thyroid hormone levels in the blood, increased liver enzyme activity, decreased white blood cell count, decreased red blood cell count, increased creatine kinase activity (an enzyme produced in muscles), decreased sodium levels in the blood, and increased prolactin levels in the blood.
An increase in prolactin levels in the blood can rarely lead to:

• breast swelling and unexpected milk production (in both men and women),
• menstrual disorders or irregular periods (in women).

The doctor may recommend regular blood tests.

Additional side effects in children and adolescents

The same side effects as in adults can also occur in children and adolescents.

Side effects that occur more frequently in children and adolescents, which have not been observed in adults:

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• increased prolactin levels in the blood, which can rarely lead to:
• breast swelling and unexpected milk production in both boys and girls,
• in girls, it may lead to menstrual disorders or irregular periods.
• increased appetite,
• vomiting,
• abnormal movements of the muscles. These include: difficulty starting movement, tremors, feeling of anxiety or muscle stiffness without pain.
• increased blood pressure.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• feeling of weakness, fainting (may lead to falls),
• stuffy nose,
• feeling of irritability.

Reporting side effects

If the patient experiences any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, they should tell their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products
Al. Jerozolimskie 181C
02-222 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309
website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
Reporting side effects can help gather more information on the safety of the medicine.

5. How to store Alcreno

• Store in a place out of sight and reach of children.
• There are no special precautions for storing the medicine.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister pack after: EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month stated.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines they no longer use. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the packaging and other information

What Alcreno contains

• The active substance of Alcreno is quetiapine. Each film-coated tablet contains 25, 100, 150, 200, or 300 mg of quetiapine (in the form of quetiapine hemifumarate).
• The medicine also contains: Core:lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K30, magnesium stearate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (type A), calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate

Coating:
25 mg
Hypromellose
Titanium dioxide (E 171)
Macrogol 400
Yellow iron oxide (E 172)
Red iron oxide (E 172)
100 mg
Hypromellose
Titanium dioxide (E 171)
Macrogol 400
Yellow iron oxide (E 172)
150 mg
Hypromellose
Titanium dioxide (E 171)
Macrogol 400
Yellow iron oxide (E 172)
200 mg, 300 mg:
Hypromellose
Macrogol 400
Titanium dioxide (E 171)

What Alcreno looks like and what the pack contains

25 mg: pink, round, biconvex, film-coated tablets with a smooth surface on both sides.
100 mg: yellow, round, biconvex, film-coated tablets with a smooth surface on both sides.
150 mg: pale yellow, round, biconvex, film-coated tablets with a smooth surface on both sides.
200 mg: white or almost white, round, biconvex, film-coated tablets with a smooth surface on both sides.
300 mg: white or almost white, biconvex, film-coated tablets in the shape of a capsule with the number "300" embossed on one side and smooth on the other.
Tablets are packaged in PVC/Aluminum blisters.
The packaging may contain: 6, 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 84, 90, 98, and 100 film-coated tablets in a carton.

Marketing authorization holder:

Accord Healthcare Polska Sp. z o.o.
ul. Taśmowa 7
02-677 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 577 28 00

Manufacturer/Importer:

Laboratori FUNDACIO DAU,
C/ De la letra C, 12-14,
Poligono Industrial de la Zona Franca,
08040 Barcelona,
Spain
Accord Healthcare Polska Sp. z o.o.
ul. Lutomierska 50
95-200 Pabianice
Accord Healthcare B.V.
Winthontlaan 200
3526 KV Utrecht
Netherlands

This medicinal product is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:

Date of last revision of the leaflet:September 2022