Phingroum

Leaflet attached to the packaging: patient information

PHINGROUM, 25 mg, film-coated tablets

PHINGROUM, 50 mg, film-coated tablets

PHINGROUM, 100 mg, film-coated tablets

Sitagliptin

Read the leaflet carefully before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.

• Keep this leaflet, so you can read it again if you need to.
• If you have any doubts, consult your 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.
• If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should tell their doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.

Table of contents of the leaflet

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

1. What is PHINGROUM and what is it used for

PHINGROUM contains the active substance sitagliptin, which belongs to a class of medicines called DPP-4 inhibitors (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors), which reduce blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
This medicine helps to increase the amount of insulin released after a meal and reduce the amount of sugar produced by the body.
Your doctor has prescribed this medicine to reduce high blood sugar levels, a consequence of type 2 diabetes. The medicine can be used alone or in combination with other medicines (insulin, metformin, sulfonylurea derivatives, or glitazones) that lower blood sugar levels, which may already be taken for diabetes, along with diet and exercise programs.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin, and the insulin produced does not work as it should. The body may also produce too much sugar.
If this happens, sugar (glucose) builds up in the blood. This can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss, and limb amputation.

2. Important information before taking PHINGROUM

When not to take PHINGROUM

• if the patient is allergic to sitagliptin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

In patients taking PHINGROUM, cases of pancreatitis (see section 4) have been reported.
If the patient develops blisters on the skin, it may be a sign of a disease called bullous pemphigoid. The doctor may advise the patient to stop taking PHINGROUM.
The patient should inform their doctor if they have or have had:

• pancreatic disease (e.g., pancreatitis);
• gallstones, alcohol dependence, or very high triglyceride levels (a type of fat) in the blood. In such situations, the risk of pancreatitis (see section 4) may increase;
• type 1 diabetes;
• diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes characterized by high blood sugar levels, rapid weight loss, nausea, or vomiting);
• any kidney disease that has occurred in the past or is currently present;
• an allergic reaction to PHINGROUM (see section 4).

Since this medicine does not work when blood sugar levels are low, it is unlikely to cause low blood sugar levels. However, if this medicine is taken with a sulfonylurea derivative or insulin, it may cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). The doctor may reduce the dose of the sulfonylurea derivative or insulin.

Children and adolescents

Children and adolescents under 18 years of age should not take this medicine. This medicine is not effective in children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years. It is not known whether this medicine is safe and effective in children under 10 years of age.

PHINGROUM and other medicines

The patient should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines they plan to take.
In particular, the patient should inform their doctor if they are taking digoxin (a medicine used to treat heart rhythm disorders and other heart conditions). When taking PHINGROUM with digoxin, the patient's digoxin blood levels should be monitored.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a baby, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
This medicine should not be taken during pregnancy.
It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. This medicine should not be taken during breastfeeding or if breastfeeding is planned.

Driving and using machines

This medicine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, when driving or using machines, the patient should take into account that dizziness and drowsiness have been reported.
Taking this medicine with sulfonylurea derivatives or insulin may cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), which can affect the ability to drive and use machines or work without safe foot support.

PHINGROUM contains sodium

PHINGROUM contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per dose, which means that the medicine is considered "sodium-free".

3. How to take PHINGROUM

This medicine should always be taken as directed by the doctor. If the patient has any doubts, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
The recommended dose is:

• one 100 mg film-coated tablet;
• once a day;
• taken orally.

If the patient has kidney problems, the doctor may prescribe a lower dose of PHINGROUM (e.g., 25 mg or 50 mg).
This medicine can be taken with or without food and drinks.
The doctor may advise the patient to take only this medicine or this medicine and certain other medicines that lower blood sugar levels.
Diet and exercise help the body use the sugar in the blood better. When taking PHINGROUM, it is essential to follow the diet and exercise program recommended by the doctor.
The 50 mg and 100 mg tablets of [Brand Name] can be divided into two equal doses.
If the doctor has prescribed half a 50 mg or 100 mg tablet, the patient should follow the instructions for dividing the [Brand Name] tablets below.
Tablet division instructions

• 1. Place the tablet on a flat, hard surface (e.g., a table, countertop), with the dividing line on the top surface.
• 2. Break the tablet in half along the vertical dividing line, pressing it against the surface with two index fingers, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

Figures 1 and 2: Dividing the [Brand Name] tablet into two equal doses.

Taking a higher dose of PHINGROUM than recommended

If the patient takes a higher dose of this medicine than recommended, they should contact their doctor immediately.

Missing a dose of PHINGROUM

If the patient misses a dose, they should take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, the patient should skip the missed dose and continue taking the medicine as usual. The patient should not take a double dose.

Stopping PHINGROUM treatment

To maintain control of blood sugar levels, the patient should take the medicine for as long as the doctor recommends. The patient should not stop taking this medicine without consulting their doctor first.
If the patient has any further doubts about taking this medicine, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, PHINGROUM can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The patient should STOP taking PHINGROUM and contact their doctor immediately if they experience any of the following serious side effects:

• Severe and persistent abdominal pain (in the stomach area), which may radiate to the back, with or without nausea and vomiting - these may be symptoms of pancreatitis.

In case of a severe allergic reaction (frequency not known), including rash, hives, blisters on the skin, or peeling skin, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat, which may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing, the patient should stop taking the medicine and contact their doctor immediately. The doctor may prescribe a medicine to treat the allergic reaction and another medicine to treat diabetes.
In some patients who added sitagliptin to metformin, the following side effects occurred:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): low blood sugar levels, nausea, bloating, vomiting.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, drowsiness.
Some patients experienced various gastrointestinal symptoms after starting treatment with sitagliptin in combination with metformin (common).
In some patients who took sitagliptin in combination with a sulfonylurea derivative and metformin, the following side effects occurred:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): low blood sugar levels.
Common: constipation.
In some patients who took sitagliptin and pioglitazone, the following side effects occurred:
Common: bloating, swelling of the hands or feet.
In some patients who took sitagliptin, pioglitazone, and metformin, the following side effects occurred:
Common: swelling of the hands or feet.
In some patients who took sitagliptin and insulin (with or without metformin), the following side effects occurred:
Common: flu.
Uncommon: dry mouth.
In some patients who took sitagliptin alone or with other anti-diabetic medicines in clinical trials or after the medicine was marketed, the following side effects occurred:
Common: low blood sugar levels, headache, upper respiratory tract infections, stuffy nose or sinusitis, and sore throat, joint pain, pain in the arm or leg.
Uncommon: dizziness, constipation, itching.
Rare: decreased platelet count.
Frequency not known: kidney disease (sometimes requiring dialysis), vomiting, joint pain, muscle pain, back pain, interstitial lung disease, bullous pemphigoid (a type of blisters on the skin).

Reporting side effects

If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in the leaflet, they should tell their doctor or pharmacist, or nurse. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Post-Marketing Surveillance 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 will help to gather more information on the safety of the medicine.

5. How to store PHINGROUM

There are no special precautions for storing the medicine.
The medicine should be stored out of sight and reach of children.
The medicine should not be taken after the expiry date stated on the blister and carton after:
“EXP”. The expiry date stated on the packaging means the last day of the stated month.
The inscription on the packaging after the abbreviation “EXP” means the expiry date, and after the abbreviation “Lot/LOT” means the batch number.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the packaging and other information

What PHINGROUM contains

• The active substance of the medicine is sitagliptin. Each film-coated tablet contains sitagliptin hydrochloride monohydrate, equivalent to 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg of sitagliptin.
• The other ingredients are: Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (type A), colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium stearyl fumarate. Tablet coating: polyvinyl alcohol, macrogol 3350, talc, titanium dioxide (E 171), yellow iron oxide (E 172), red iron oxide (E 172).

What PHINGROUM looks like and contents of the pack

[Brand Name] 25 mg: light pink, round, biconvex film-coated tablet; tablet diameter 5.9-6.3 mm.
[Brand Name] 50 mg: light orange, round, biconvex film-coated tablet with a dividing line on one side and the inscription “50” on the other side; tablet diameter 7.9-8.3 mm.
The tablet can be divided into two equal doses.
[Brand Name] 100 mg: light brown, round, biconvex film-coated tablet with a dividing line on one side and the inscription “100” on the other side; tablet diameter 9.9-10.4 mm.
The tablet can be divided into two equal doses.
PVC/PVDC/Aluminum blisters, in a cardboard box. Packs of 14, 28, 30, 56, 84, 90, 98 film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer

Marketing authorization holder
Zakłady Farmaceutyczne POLPHARMA S.A.
ul. Pelplińska 19, 83-200 Starogard Gdański
phone: +48 22 364 61 01
Manufacturer
FARMAPROJECTS S.A.U.
Parc Cientific de Barcelona
C/ Baldiri Reixac, 4/12 i 15
08028 Barcelona, Spain

Date of last revision of the leaflet: June 2024