Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient
Klertis, 12.5 mg, hard capsules
Klertis, 25 mg, hard capsules
Klertis, 50 mg, hard capsules
Sunitinib
It is very important that you read the contents of this leaflet carefully before taking this medicine, as it contains important information for you.
- You should keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
Contents of the pack and other information:
- 1. What Klertis is and what it is used for
- 2. Before you take Klertis
- 3. How to take Klertis
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Klertis
- 6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Klertis is and what it is used for
Klertis hard capsules contain the active substance sunitinib, a protein kinase inhibitor. Klertis is used to treat cancer, as it inhibits the activity of a specific group of proteins involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Klertis is used in adults to treat the following types of cancer:
- gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), a type of stomach and intestine cancer, when imatinib (another anti-cancer medicine) is not effective or cannot be used;
- metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC), a type of kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body;
- pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNET), cancers of the hormone-producing cells in the pancreas that are advanced or cannot be surgically removed.
If you have any questions about how Klertis works or why your doctor has prescribed it for you, ask your doctor.
2. Before you take Klertis
When not to take Klertis
- if you are allergic to sunitinib or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Before taking Klertis, tell your doctor if:
- you have high blood pressure. Klertis may increase your blood pressure. Your doctor may check your blood pressure during treatment with Klertis and may prescribe blood pressure medicines if necessary.
- you have or have had bleeding or blood clotting problems. Taking Klertis may increase the risk of bleeding or change the number of certain blood cells, leading to anaemia or blood clotting problems. If you are taking warfarin or acenocoumarol (blood-thinning medicines to prevent blood clots), the risk of bleeding is higher. If you experience any bleeding during treatment with Klertis, tell your doctor.
- you have heart problems. Klertis may cause heart problems. If you experience severe fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling of your feet and ankles, tell your doctor.
- you have irregular heart rhythms. Klertis may cause irregular heart rhythms. Your doctor may perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) during treatment with this medicine to check for these irregularities. If you experience dizziness, fainting, or abnormal heart rhythms, tell your doctor.
- you have recently had problems with blood clots in your veins and/or arteries (such as stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis). If you experience symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, arm, back, neck, or jaw pain, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness of one side of the body, difficulty speaking, headache, or dizziness, tell your doctor immediately.
- you have or have had an aortic aneurysm (enlargement and weakening of the blood vessel wall) or a tear in the blood vessel wall.
- you have or have had microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (TMA), a condition characterised by the destruction of red blood cells. If you experience fever, fatigue, bruising, bleeding, swelling, confusion, vision loss, or seizures, tell your doctor.
- you have thyroid problems. Klertis may cause thyroid problems. If you experience fatigue, cold intolerance, or deepening of your voice, tell your doctor. Your thyroid function should be checked before starting treatment with Klertis and regularly during treatment. Patients with underactive thyroid may need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
- you have or have had pancreas or gallbladder problems. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: stomach pain (abdominal pain), nausea, vomiting, and fever. These may be signs of pancreatitis or cholecystitis.
- you have or have had liver problems. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms of liver problems: itching, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, or pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen. Your doctor will perform blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment with this medicine, as well as when clinically indicated.
- you have or have had kidney problems. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function.
- you are going to have surgery or have recently had surgery. Klertis may affect wound healing. If you are going to have surgery, your doctor will usually advise you to stop taking Klertis and will tell you when to restart it.
- before starting treatment with Klertis, your doctor may recommend a dental check-up.
- If you experience mouth pain, toothache, jaw pain, swelling, or mouth ulcers, or if your teeth become loose, tell your doctor immediately.
- If you need to undergo invasive dental procedures, tell your dentist that you are taking Klertis, especially if you are also taking or have taken bisphosphonates (medicines used to prevent bone problems and treat other conditions) intravenously.
- you have or have had skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders. During treatment with Klertis, you may experience "pyoderma gangrenosum" (painful skin ulcers) or "necrotizing fasciitis" (a life-threatening infection of the tissue under the skin). If you experience symptoms of wound infection, such as fever, pain, redness, swelling, or discharge, tell your doctor immediately. This condition usually resolves after stopping sunitinib. During treatment with sunitinib, severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme) have been reported, initially appearing as red patches resembling target lesions or circular patches on the trunk, often with central blisters. The rash may progress to widespread blisters or peeling of the skin, which can be life-threatening. If you experience a rash or any of these skin symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.
- you have or have had seizures. If you experience high blood pressure, headache, or vision loss, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
- you have diabetes. If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels should be regularly checked to see if your diabetes medicine needs to be adjusted. If you experience any symptoms of low blood sugar (fatigue, palpitations, sweating, hunger, and loss of consciousness), tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Children and adolescents
Klertis is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Klertis and other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines you plan to take.
Some medicines may affect the levels of Klertis in your body. If you are taking any of the following medicines, tell your doctor:
- ketokonazole, itraconazole (medicines used to treat fungal infections)
- erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin (medicines used to treat infections)
- ritonavir (a medicine used to treat HIV infection)
- dexamethasone (a corticosteroid used to treat various conditions, such as allergies, respiratory problems, or skin conditions)
- phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital (medicines used to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders)
- herbal medicines containing St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), used to treat depression and anxiety
Klertis with food and drink
Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking Klertis.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Women of childbearing age should use effective contraception during treatment with Klertis.
If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor. You should not breastfeed while taking Klertis.
Driving and using machines
Patients who experience dizziness or unusual fatigue should be cautious when driving or operating machinery.
Klertis contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per capsule, which is essentially "sodium-free".
3. How to take Klertis
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, ask your doctor.
Your doctor will prescribe the dose that is right for you, depending on the type of cancer you have.
- gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC): the recommended dose is 50 mg taken once daily for 28 days (4 weeks), followed by a 14-day (2-week) rest period (without taking the medicine), which makes up a 6-week cycle;
- pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNET): the recommended dose is 37.5 mg taken once daily without a rest period.
Your doctor will determine the dose that is right for you and will tell you if and when you should stop taking Klertis.
You can take Klertis with or without food.
If you take more Klertis than you should
If you take too many capsules, contact your doctor immediately. Medical attention may be necessary.
If you forget to take Klertis
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Klertis can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, tell your doctor immediately (see also section 2).
Heart problems. Tell your doctor if you experience severe fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling of your feet and ankles. These may be signs of heart problems, including heart failure and cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease).
Lung problems or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor if you experience coughing, chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or coughing up blood. These may be signs of a condition called pulmonary embolism, which occurs when blood clots travel to the lungs.
Kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you experience changes in the frequency of urination or if you do not urinate, as these may be signs of kidney failure.
Bleeding. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms or severe bleeding: stomach pain (abdominal pain); vomiting blood; black, tarry stools; blood in the urine; headache or changes in consciousness; coughing up blood or bloody sputum from the lungs or airways.
Tumour lysis syndrome leading to bowel perforation. Tell your doctor if you experience severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, blood in the stool, or changes in bowel movements.
Other side effects that may occur during treatment with Klertis include:
- reduced number of platelets, red blood cells, and/or white blood cells (e.g., neutrophils)
- shortness of breath
- high blood pressure
- extreme fatigue, weakness
- swelling due to fluid accumulation under the skin and around the eyes, allergic rash
- mouth pain, toothache, jaw pain, swelling, or mouth ulcers, dry mouth, changes in taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain or swelling, loss of appetite
- reduced thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
- dizziness
- headache
- nosebleeds
- back pain, joint pain
- hand and foot pain
- yellowing or darkening of the skin, excessive skin pigmentation, hair colour changes, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (hand-foot syndrome), rash, dry skin
- coughing
- fever
- difficulty sleeping
- Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- blood clots in the blood vessels
- insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle due to blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries
- chest pain
- reduced amount of blood pumped by the heart
- fluid accumulation, e.g., around the lungs
- infections
- severe infection complication (sepsis) that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death
- low blood sugar levels (see section 2)
- protein loss in the urine, which can sometimes lead to swelling
- flu-like symptoms
- abnormal blood test results, including abnormal liver and pancreatic enzyme activity
- high levels of uric acid in the blood
- haemorrhoids, anal pain, gum bleeding, difficulty swallowing or inability to swallow
- mouth burning sensation, mouth inflammation, gastrointestinal inflammation, excessive gas in the stomach or intestine
- weight loss
- muscle and bone pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, muscle spasms
- dry nose, nasal congestion
- excessive tearing
- abnormal skin sensation, itching, skin peeling, inflammation, blistering, acne, nail colour changes, hair loss
- abnormal sensations in the limbs
- reduced or increased sensitivity, especially to touch
- heartburn
- dehydration
- hot flushes
- abnormal urine colour
- depression
- chills
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- life-threatening infection of the soft tissues, including the genital and anal areas
- stroke
- heart attack due to interrupted or reduced blood flow to the heart
- changes in the electrical activity of the heart or abnormal heart rhythm
- fluid accumulation around the heart (pericardial effusion)
- liver failure
- stomach pain (abdominal pain) due to pancreatitis
- tumour lysis syndrome leading to bowel perforation
- inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) with or without gallstones
- formation of abnormal connections between one body cavity and another or with the skin (fistula)
- mouth pain, toothache, jaw pain, swelling, or mouth ulcers, numbness or heaviness in the jaw, tooth mobility. These may be signs of jawbone damage (osteonecrosis) (see section 2)
- excessive production of thyroid hormones, leading to increased energy expenditure at rest
- wound healing problems after surgery
- increased activity of the enzyme creatine kinase
- allergic reaction, including hay fever, skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of certain parts of the body, and difficulty breathing
- inflammation of the colon (colitis, ischaemic colitis)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- severe skin reaction affecting the skin and/or mucous membranes (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme)
- tumour lysis syndrome - a group of metabolic complications that can occur during cancer treatment. These complications are caused by the breakdown products of cancer cells and can include nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, seizures, cloudy urine, and fatigue, along with abnormal laboratory test results (high levels of potassium, uric acid, and phosphorus, and low levels of calcium in the blood), which can indicate kidney problems and acute kidney failure
- abnormal muscle breakdown, which can cause kidney problems (rhabdomyolysis)
- abnormal brain changes, which can cause a range of symptoms, including headache, confusion, seizures, and vision loss (reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome)
- painful skin ulcers (pyoderma gangrenosum)
- liver inflammation
- thyroid inflammation
- damage to the smallest blood vessels (thrombotic microangiopathy)
Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data):
- enlargement or weakening of the aortic wall (aortic dissection)
- lack of energy, confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, or coma - these symptoms may be signs of a toxic effect of high blood ammonia levels on the brain (hyperammonemic encephalopathy)
Reporting of side effects
If you experience any side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. You can also report side effects directly to the national reporting system via the contact details listed below.
You can also report side effects directly to the pharmaceutical company.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Klertis
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister, bottle, and carton after "EXP" and "Expiry Date". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
No special storage precautions are required.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Klertis contains
The active substance is sunitinib. Each capsule contains sunitinib malate equivalent to 12.5 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg of sunitinib.
The other ingredients are mannitol, croscarmellose sodium, povidone K30, and magnesium stearate.
The capsule shell contains:
- Klertis, 12.5 mg, hard capsules: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172), red iron oxide (E172)
- Klertis, 25 mg, hard capsules: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172), black iron oxide (E172), red iron oxide (E172)
- Klertis, 50 mg, hard capsules: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172), red iron oxide (E172). See section 2.
What Klertis looks like and contents of the pack
Klertis, 12.5 mg: hard, gelatin capsule, Coni-Snap type, size "3", with an opaque, light orange cap and an opaque, intense yellow body, filled with orange granules.
Klertis, 25 mg: hard, gelatin capsule, Coni-Snap type, size "2", with an opaque, light orange cap and an olive-green body, filled with orange granules.
Klertis, 50 mg: hard, gelatin capsule, Coni-Snap type, size "0", with an opaque, light orange cap and an opaque, light orange body, filled with orange granules.
28 capsules in PVC/Aclar/Aluminium blisters in a cardboard box or 30 capsules in an HDPE bottle with a PP cap, child-resistant, in a cardboard box.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Egis Pharmaceuticals PLC
Keresztúri út 30-38
1106 Budapest
Hungary
Manufacturer
Egis Pharmaceuticals PLC
Bökényföldi út 118-120
1165 Budapest
Hungary
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:
Netherlands
Klertis 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg hard capsules
Bulgaria
Klertis 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg твърдa капсулa
Czech Republic
Klertis
Hungary
Klertis 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg kemény kapszula
Lithuania
Klertis 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg kietosios kapsulės
Latvia
Klertis 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg cietās kapsulas
Poland
Klertis
Romania
Klertis 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg capsule
Slovakia
Klertis 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg tvrdé kapsuly
Date of last revision of the leaflet: 14.05.2024