CUITVAR 1 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

Cuitvar 1 mg film-coated tablets EFG

varenicline

Read the entire package leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, as it contains important information for you.

• Keep this package leaflet, as 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, as it may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this package leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the package leaflet

1. What Cuitvar is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before taking Cuitvar
3. How to take Cuitvar
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Cuitvar
6. Package contents and further information

1. What Cuitvar is and what it is used for

Cuitvar contains the active substance varenicline. Varenicline is a medicine used

in adults to help them stop smoking.

Varenicline can help alleviate anxiety and withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.

Varenicline may also reduce the pleasure you get from cigarettes if you smoke during treatment.

2. What you need to know before taking Cuitvar

Do not takeCuitvar

• If you are allergic to varenicline or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment with Cuitvar.

There have been reports of depression, suicidal thoughts, and behavior, and attempted suicide in patients taking varenicline. If you are taking varenicline and experience agitation, depressed mood, changes in behavior that concern you or your family, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or behavior, you should stop taking varenicline and contact your doctor immediately for a treatment assessment.

Quitting smoking effects

The effects of changes in your body as a result of quitting smoking, with or without varenicline treatment, may alter the action of other medicines. Consequently, in some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the dose of other medicines. See below for more details in "Other medicines and Cuitvar".

Quitting smoking, with or without treatment, has been associated with an increased risk of experiencing changes in thinking or behavior, feeling depressed or anxious, and may be associated with worsening of a psychiatric disorder. If you have a history of psychiatric disorder, you should discuss this with your doctor.

Cardiac symptoms

There have been reports of worsening or new cases of heart or blood vessel problems (cardiovascular) mainly in people who already had cardiovascular problems. Inform your doctor if you experience any changes in symptoms during treatment with varenicline. If you experience symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Seizures

Before starting treatment with varenicline, inform your doctor if you have had seizures or if you are epileptic. Some people have observed seizures during treatment with varenicline.

Hypersensitivity reactions

Stop taking varenicline and inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms that may indicate a severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, gums, throat, or body, or difficulty breathing, wheezing.

Skin reactions

There have been reports of potentially life-threatening skin rashes (Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme) with the use of varenicline. If you develop a rash or blisters or your skin peels, you should stop taking varenicline and seek urgent medical attention.

Children and adolescents

The use of varenicline is not recommended in pediatric patients, as its efficacy has not been demonstrated.

Other medicines and Cuitvar

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.

In some cases, as a result of quitting smoking, with or without varenicline, it may be necessary to adjust the dose of other medicines. Examples include theophylline (a medicine for respiratory problems), warfarin (a medicine to reduce blood clotting), and insulin (a medicine for diabetes). If you are in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have severe kidney disease, you should avoid taking cimetidine (a medicine for stomach problems) at the same time as varenicline, as this may cause increased levels of varenicline in the blood.

Useof Cuitvar with other smoking cessation therapies

Consult your doctor before using varenicline in combination with other smoking cessation therapies.

TakingCuitvarwith alcohol

There have been some reports of increased intoxicating effects of alcohol in patients taking varenicline. However, it is not known whether varenicline increases the effects of alcohol.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

It is recommended to avoid the use of varenicline during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you plan to become pregnant.

Although it has not been studied, varenicline may pass into human breast milk. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking varenicline.

Driving and using machines

Varenicline may be associated with dizziness, somnolence, and transient loss of consciousness. You should not drive, operate complex machinery, or engage in any other potentially hazardous activity until you know whether this medicine affects your ability to perform these activities.

3. How to take Cuitvar

Follow the instructions for administration of this medicine exactly as indicated by your doctor. If you are in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

You are more likely to stop smoking if you are motivated to do so. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide you with advice, support, and additional information to help you ensure that your attempt to stop smoking is successful.

Normally, before starting treatment with varenicline, you should decide on a date during the second week of treatment (between day 8 and day 14) when you will stop smoking. If you do not wish to or cannot set a date to stop smoking within these 2 weeks, you can choose your quit date within the next 5 weeks after starting treatment. You should write this date on the package as a reminder.

Cuitvar is available as white tablets (0.5 mg) and light blue tablets (1 mg). You will start with the white tablets and normally switch to the light blue tablets. See the table below for the usual administration instructions to follow from Day 1.

If you have stopped smoking after 12 weeks of treatment, your doctor may recommend an additional 12 weeks of treatment with varenicline 1 mg film-coated tablets twice a day to help you not start smoking again.

If you cannot or are not willing to stop smoking immediately, you should reduce your tobacco consumption during the first 12 weeks of treatment and stop at the end of this period. You will then continue to take varenicline 1 mg film-coated tablets twice a day for another 12 weeks, for a total of 24 weeks of treatment.

If you experience side effects that you cannot tolerate, your doctor may decide to reduce the dose temporarily or permanently to 0.5 mg twice a day.

If you have kidney problems, you should consult your doctor before taking varenicline. You may need a lower dose.

Cuitvar is administered orally.

The tablets should be swallowed whole with water and can be taken with or without food.

If you take moreCuitvar than you should

If you have accidentally taken more varenicline than your doctor prescribed, consult your doctor immediately, go to the nearest hospital, or call the Toxicology Information Service, telephone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount taken. Bring your box of tablets.

If you forget to take Cuitvar

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses. It is important that you take varenicline regularly at the same time each day. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you can. However, if it is 3-4 hours before your next dose, do not take the missed tablet.

If you stop taking Cuitvar

It has been shown in clinical trials that if you take all the doses of your medicine at the right times and during the recommended treatment period and as described above, you will increase your chances of stopping smoking. Therefore, unless your doctor tells you to stop treatment, it is important to continue taking varenicline as indicated in the table above.

In smoking cessation therapy, the risk of relapse may be high in the period immediately following the end of treatment. Temporarily, when you stop taking varenicline, you may experience increased irritability, need to smoke, depression, and/or sleep disturbances. Your doctor may decide to gradually reduce your dose of varenicline at the end of treatment.

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

4. Possible side effects

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

Quitting smoking with or without treatment can cause various symptoms. These may include mood changes (such as feeling depressed, irritable, frustrated, or anxious), insomnia, difficulty concentrating, decreased heart rate, and increased appetite or weight gain.

You should be aware of the possible occurrence of severe neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as agitation, depressed mood, or changes in behavior during an attempt to stop smoking with or without varenicline, and you should contact a doctor or pharmacist if you experience these symptoms.

Serious side effects have been reported rarely in people trying to stop smoking with varenicline: seizures, stroke, heart attack, suicidal thoughts, loss of contact with reality, and inability to think or judge clearly (psychosis), changes in thinking or behavior (such as aggressive and abnormal behavior). Serious skin reactions, including erythema multiforme (a type of rash) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a severe disease with blisters on the skin, mouth, and around the eyes and genitals), and severe allergic reactions, including angioedema (swelling of the face, mouth, or throat), have also been reported.

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

• Nasal and throat inflammation, abnormal dreams, difficulty sleeping, headache
• Nausea

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

• Chest infection, nasal sinus inflammation
• Weight gain, decreased appetite, increased appetite
• Sleepiness, dizziness, changes in taste
• Difficulty breathing, coughing
• Acid reflux, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, toothache, indigestion, flatulence, dry mouth
• Skin rash, itching
• Joint pain, muscle pain, back pain
• Chest pain, fatigue

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

• Fungal infection, viral infection
• Panic attacks, difficulty thinking, restlessness, mood changes, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, changes in sexual impulse
• Seizures, tremors, feeling of lethargy, decreased sensitivity to touch
• Conjunctivitis, eye pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Angina, rapid heart rate, palpitations, increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure, hot flushes
• Nasal, sinus, and throat inflammation, nasal congestion, throat and chest congestion, hoarseness, hay fever, throat irritation, nasal congestion, excessive nasal mucus production with cough, runny nose
• Blood in the stool, stomach irritation, change in bowel habit, belching, mouth ulcers, gum pain
• Redness of the skin, acne, increased sweating, night sweats
• Muscle spasms, chest wall pain
• Frequent urination, nocturia
• Increased menstrual flow
• Chest discomfort, flu-like illness, fever, feeling of weakness or discomfort
• High blood sugar levels
• Heart attack
• Suicidal thoughts
• Changes in thinking or behavior (such as aggression)

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

• Excessive thirst
• Indisposition or feeling of unhappiness, slow thinking
• Stroke
• Increased muscle tension, speech difficulties, coordination difficulties, decreased sense of taste, sleep pattern changes
• Visual disturbances, eye discoloration, dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, myopia, watery eyes
• Irregular heartbeat or changes in heart rhythm
• Sore throat, snoring
• Blood in the vomit, abnormal stools, furry tongue
• Numbed joints, rib pain
• Glucose in the urine, increased urine volume and frequency
• Vaginal discharge, changes in sexual ability
• Feeling of cold, cyst
• Diabetes
• Sleepwalking
• Loss of contact with reality and inability to think or judge clearly (psychosis)
• Abnormal behavior
• Serious skin reactions, including erythema multiforme (a type of rash) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a severe disease with blisters on the skin, mouth, and around the eyes and genitals)
• Severe allergic reactions, including angioedema (swelling of the face, mouth, or throat)

Frequency not known

• Transient loss of consciousness

Reporting of side effects

If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this package leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Cuitvar

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

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging and blister or label on the bottle after EXP. The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Return the packaging and any unused medicine to a pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medicine. This will help protect the environment.

6. Packaging Content and Additional Information

Cuitvar Composition

• The active ingredient is varenicline. Each 1 mg film-coated tablet contains 1 mg of varenicline (as citrate).

• The other components are:

Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch (from corn), propyl gallate, magnesium stearate, and anhydrous citric acid.

Coating: hypromellose (E-464), titanium dioxide (E-171), and indigo carmine, blue FD&C 2 (E-132).

Product Appearance and Packaging Content

Cuitvar 1 mg film-coated tablets EFG are light blue, film-coated, capsule-shaped tablets, serigraphed with "1.0" on one side.

Cuitvar 1 mg film-coated tablets EFG are available in the following presentations:

• PVC/PE/PVdC//Al blisters containing 28, 56, 112, 140, or 168 film-coated tablets, or unit-dose PVC/PE/PVdC//Al blisters containing 28 x 1, 56 x 1, or 112 x 1 film-coated tablets.

• HDPE bottles (with child-resistant closure): 1 bottle of 56 film-coated tablets of 1 mg.

Only some pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorization Holder

Teva B.V.

Swensweg 5,

2031GA Haarlem,

Netherlands

Manufacturer

Delorbis Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

17 Athinon Str., Ergates Industrial Area

2643 Ergates, Lefkosia

Cyprus

or

Pharmadox Healthcare Ltd.

KW20A Kordin Industrial Park,

Paola, PLA 3000,

Malta

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

Teva Pharma, S.L.U.

C/ Anabel Segura, 11, Edificio Albatros B, 1ª planta

28108, Alcobendas, Madrid (Spain)

Date of the last revision of this prospectus: February 2024

Other Sources of Information

You can access detailed and updated information about this medication by scanning the QR code included in the packaging with your mobile phone (smartphone). You can also access this information at the following internet address: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/89491/P_89491.html.