DEFERASIROX PHARMATHEN 180 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Deferasirox Pharmathen90 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Deferasirox Pharmathen 180 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Deferasirox Pharmathen 360 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• 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 experience 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

1. What is Deferasirox Pharmathen and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you take Deferasirox Pharmathen
3. How to take Deferasirox Pharmathen
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Deferasirox Pharmathen
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is Deferasirox Pharmathen and what is it used for

What is Deferasirox Pharmathen

This medicine contains the active substance deferasirox. It is an iron chelator, a medicine used to remove excess iron from the body (also called iron overload). It captures and removes excess iron, which is then mainly excreted in the feces.

What Deferasirox Pharmathen is used for

Repeated blood transfusions may be necessary in patients with various types of anemia (e.g., thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)). However, repeated blood transfusions can cause an accumulation of excess iron. This is because blood contains iron, and the body does not have a natural way to remove excess iron obtained from blood transfusions. In patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemic syndromes, iron overload may also appear over time, mainly due to increased absorption of dietary iron in response to low blood cell counts. Over time, excess iron can damage important organs such as the liver and heart. Medicines called iron chelators are used to remove excess iron and reduce the risk of organ damage.

Deferasirox is used to treat chronic iron overload caused by frequent blood transfusions in patients with beta thalassemia major, aged 6 years and above.

Deferasirox is also used to treat chronic iron overload when treatment with deferoxamine is contraindicated or not suitable in patients with beta thalassemia major with iron overload caused by infrequent blood transfusions, in patients with other types of anemia, and in children aged 2 to 5 years.

Deferasirox is also used to treat patients aged 10 years and above who have iron overload associated with thalassemic syndromes but are not transfusion-dependent, when treatment with deferoxamine is contraindicated or not suitable.

2. What you need to know before you take Deferasirox Pharmathen

Do not take Deferasirox Pharmathen

• if you are allergic to deferasirox or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). If this applies to you, tell your doctor before taking deferasirox. If you think you may be allergic, consult your doctor.

• if you have moderate or severe kidney disease.
  • if you are currently taking any other iron chelator medicine.

Deferasirox Pharmathen is not recommended

• if you are in an advanced stage of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, decreased production of blood cells by the bone marrow) or have advanced cancer.

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment with deferasirox.

• if you have a kidney or liver problem.
• if you have a heart problem due to iron overload.
• if you notice a pronounced decrease in the amount of urine you pass (sign of a kidney problem).
• if you develop a severe rash, or difficulty breathing and dizziness or swelling mainly of the face and throat (signs of a severe allergic reaction, see also section 4 «Possible side effects»).
• if you experience a combination of any of the following symptoms: a rash, skin redness, blisters on the lips, eyes, or mouth, skin peeling, high fever, flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes (signs of a severe skin reaction, see also section 4 «Possible side effects»).
• if you notice a combination of drowsiness, pain in the upper right abdomen, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and dark urine (signs of liver problems).
• if you notice difficulty thinking, remembering information, or solving problems, or are less conscious or awake, or feel drowsy and weak (signs of high ammonia levels in the blood, which may be associated with liver or kidney problems, see also section 4 «Possible side effects»).
• if you vomit blood and/or black stools.
• if you have frequent abdominal pain, particularly after eating or taking deferasirox.
• if you have frequent heartburn.
• if you have a low platelet or white blood cell count in your blood test.
• if you have blurred vision.
• if you have diarrhea or vomiting.

If you are in any of these situations, inform your doctor immediately.

Monitoring of your treatment with Deferasirox Pharmathen

During treatment, you will have regular blood and urine tests. These tests will monitor the amount of iron in your body (ferritin level in the blood) to see how well the treatment with deferasirox is working. The tests will also monitor kidney function (creatinine level in the blood, protein in the urine) and liver function (transaminase levels in the blood). Your doctor may ask you to have a kidney biopsy if they suspect significant kidney damage. They may also perform MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) tests to determine the amount of iron in your liver. Your doctor will take these tests into account to decide on the most suitable dose of deferasirox for you and will also use these tests to decide when to stop your treatment with deferasirox.

Every year, your vision and hearing will be checked during treatment as a precaution.

Other medicines and Deferasirox Pharmathen

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. This includes, in particular:

• other iron chelators, which must not be taken with deferasirox,
• antacids (medicines used to treat heartburn) that contain aluminum, which must not be taken at the same time of day as deferasirox,
• cyclosporine (used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant or for other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or atopic dermatitis),
• simvastatin (used to lower cholesterol levels),
• certain painkillers or anti-inflammatory medicines (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, corticosteroids),
• oral bisphosphonates (used to treat osteoporosis),
• anticoagulant medicines (used to prevent or treat blood clots),
• hormonal contraceptives (medicines for birth control),
• bepridil, ergotamine (used for heart problems and migraines),
• repaglinide (used to treat diabetes),
• rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis),
• phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine (used to treat epilepsy),
• ritonavir (used to treat HIV infection),
• paclitaxel (used to treat cancer),
• theophylline (used to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma),
• clozapine (used to treat psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia),
• tizanidine (used as a muscle relaxant),
• cholestyramine (used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood),
• busulfan (used as pre-transplant treatment to destroy the original bone marrow before transplantation),
• midazolam (used to relieve anxiety and/or sleep disturbances).

Additional tests may be needed to monitor the levels of some of these medicines in your blood.

Elderly patients (65 years and above)

Deferasirox can be used in people over 65 years at the same dose as other adults. Elderly patients may experience more side effects (especially diarrhea) than younger patients. The doctor should closely monitor side effects that may require a dose adjustment.

Children and adolescents

Deferasirox can be used in children and adolescents aged 2 years and above who receive regular blood transfusions and in children and adolescents aged 10 years and above who do not receive regular blood transfusions. As the patient grows, the doctor will adjust the dose.

This medicine is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Deferasirox is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

If you are currently using a hormonal contraceptive to prevent pregnancy, you should use an additional or different contraceptive (e.g., condom) because deferasirox may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.

Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with deferasirox.

Driving and using machines

If you feel dizzy after taking deferasirox, do not drive or operate tools or machines until you feel normal again.

Deferasirox Pharmathen contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per film-coated tablet; this is essentially "sodium-free".

3. How to take Deferasirox Pharmathen

Treatment with deferasirox will be supervised by a doctor with experience in treating iron overload caused by blood transfusions.

Follow the instructions for administration of this medicine exactly as told by your doctor. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How much Deferasirox Pharmathen to take

The dose of deferasirox is related to body weight for all patients. Your doctor will calculate the dose you need and tell you how many tablets to take each day.

• The usual daily dose of deferasirox film-coated tablets at the start of treatment for patients who receive regular blood transfusions is 14 mg per kilogram of body weight. Your doctor may recommend a higher or lower dose depending on your individual treatment needs.
• The usual daily dose of deferasirox film-coated tablets at the start of treatment for patients who do not receive regular blood transfusions is 7 mg per kilogram of body weight.
• Depending on how you respond to treatment, your doctor may later adjust your treatment to a higher or lower dose.
• The maximum recommended daily dose of deferasirox film-coated tablets is:
• 28 mg per kilogram of body weight for patients who receive regular blood transfusions,
• 14 mg per kilogram of body weight for adult patients who do not receive regular blood transfusions,
• 7 mg per kilogram of body weight for children and adolescents who do not receive regular blood transfusions.

Deferasirox is also available in "dispersible" tablets, as generic medicines. If you switch from dispersible tablets to these film-coated tablets, you will need a dose adjustment.

When to take Deferasirox Pharmathen

• Take deferasirox once a day, every day, at the same time with some water.
• Take deferasirox film-coated tablets on an empty stomach or with a light meal.

Taking deferasirox at the same time each day will also help you remember when to take your tablets.

Deferasirox is given orally

Patients with difficulty swallowing tablets can crush deferasirox film-coated tablets and take the powder with a soft food, such as yogurt or apple sauce (apple puree). The entire dose should be consumed immediately, without saving any for later.

How long to take Deferasirox Pharmathen

Continue taking deferasirox every day for as long as your doctor tells you.This is a long-term treatment, which may last for months or years. Your doctor will regularly check your condition to ensure that the treatment is having the desired effect (see also section 2: «Monitoring of your treatment with Deferasirox Pharmathen»).

If you have doubts about how long to take deferasirox, consult your doctor.

If you take more Deferasirox Pharmathen than you should

If you have taken too much deferasirox, or if someone else has taken your tablets by mistake, contact your doctor or go to a hospital immediately. Show the doctor the pack of tablets. You may need urgent medical treatment. You may notice effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, as well as kidney or liver problems, which can be serious.

You can also contact your pharmacist or call the Toxicology Information Service. Telephone 915 620 420, indicating the medicine and the amount taken.

If you forget to take Deferasirox Pharmathen

If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take the next dose according to your usual schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses.

If you stop taking Deferasirox Pharmathen

Do not stop your treatment with deferasirox unless your doctor tells you to. If you stop taking it, excess iron will not be removed from your body (see also previous section «How long to take deferasirox»).

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, 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. Most adverse effects are mild or moderate and usually disappear after a few days or weeks of treatment.

Some adverse effects can be serious and require immediate medical attention.

These adverse effects are uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) or rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• If you have a severe rash, or difficulty breathing and dizziness or swelling, especially in the face and throat (signs of a severe allergic reaction),
• If you experience a combination of any of the following symptoms: rash, skin redness, blisters on the lips, eyes, or mouth, skin peeling, high fever, flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes (signs of a severe skin reaction).
• If you notice a pronounced decrease in urine volume (sign of a kidney problem),
• If you notice a combination of drowsiness, pain in the upper right abdomen, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and dark urine (signs of liver problems),
• If you notice difficulty thinking, remembering information, or solving problems, or are less conscious or awake, or feel drowsy and weak (signs of high ammonia levels in the blood, which can be associated with liver or kidney problems and can cause a change in brain function),
• If you suffer from vomiting blood and/or black stools,
• If you suffer from frequent abdominal pain, particularly after eating or taking deferasirox,
• If you suffer from frequent heartburn,
• If you have partial loss of vision,
• If you have severe pain in the upper abdomen (pancreatitis),

stop taking the medicine and inform your doctor immediately.

Some adverse effects can be serious.

These adverse effects are uncommon

• If you have blurred vision,
• If you lose hearing ability,

inform your doctor as soon as possible.

Other Adverse Effects

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

• Alterations in kidney function tests.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, indigestion.
• Rashes
• Headache
• Alterations in liver function tests
• Itching
• Alterations in urine tests (protein in urine)

If you suffer from any of these effects severely, inform your doctor.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Dizziness
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Swelling in arms and legs
• Changes in skin color
• Anxiety
• Sleep disturbance
• Fatigue

If you suffer from any of these effects severely, inform your doctor.

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from available data).

• Decrease in the number of cells involved in blood clotting (thrombocytopenia), decrease in the number of red blood cells (worsening of anemia), decrease in the number of white blood cells (neutropenia), or decrease in the number of all types of blood cells (pancytopenia)
• Hair loss
• Kidney stones
• Low urine production
• Rupture of the stomach or intestine wall, which can be painful and cause nausea
• Severe pain in the upper abdomen (pancreatitis)
• Abnormal acid levels in the blood

Reporting Adverse Effects

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

5. Storage of Deferasirox Pharmathen

Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiration date shown on the blister pack and carton after EXP. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

This medicine does not require special storage conditions.

Do not use this medicine if you notice that the packaging is damaged or shows signs of tampering.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and medicines you no longer need at the pharmacy's SIGRE point. In case of doubt, 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 Deferasirox Pharmathen

• The active ingredient is deferasirox.

Each film-coated tablet of Deferasirox Pharmathen 90 mg contains 90 mg of deferasirox.

Each film-coated tablet of Deferasirox Pharmathen 180 mg contains 180 mg of deferasirox.

Each film-coated tablet of Deferasirox Pharmathen 360 mg contains 360 mg of deferasirox.

• The other ingredients are:

Tablet core:polysorbate 80, povidone, crospovidone, microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous colloidal silica, talc, sodium fumarate, and magnesium stearate

Tablet coating:hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), polydextrose, talc, maltodextrin, medium-chain triglycerides, aluminum lake of carmine indigo (E132)

Appearance of the Product and Package Contents

Deferasirox Pharmathen is presented as film-coated tablets.

The tablets are oval and biconvex.

Deferasirox Pharmathen 90 mg film-coated tablets are light blue in color and marked with «90» on one face, with the following dimensions: length 11.0 ± 0.1 mm, width 4.4 ± 0.1 mm, and thickness 3.5 ± 0.2 mm.

Deferasirox Pharmathen 180 mg film-coated tablets are blue in color and marked with «180» on one face, with the following dimensions: length 14.2 ± 0.2 mm, width 5.6 ± 0.2 mm, and thickness 4.2 ± 0.3 mm.

Deferasirox Pharmathen 360 mg film-coated tablets are dark blue in color and marked with «360» on one face, with the following dimensions: length 17.3 ± 0.2 mm, width 6.9 ± 0.2 mm, and thickness 5.4 ± 0.3 mm.

Deferasirox Pharmathen is presented in transparent PVC/PVDC/Aluminum blisters.

Deferasirox Pharmathen 90 mg and 180 mg are available in packs containing 30 or 90 film-coated tablets.

Deferasirox Pharmathen 360 mg is available in packs containing 30 or 90 film-coated tablets and in multipacks containing 10 boxes of 30 film-coated tablets each.

Only some pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorization Holder

Pharmathen S.A.

6, Dervenakion Str

15351 Pallini Attikis

Greece

Manufacturer

Pharmathen International S.A.

Industrial Park Sapes, Rodopi Prefecture, Block No.5

69300 Rodopi

Greece

or

Pharmathen S.A.

6, Dervenakion Str

15351 Pallini Attikis

Greece

or

Pharmadox Healthcare LTD

KW20A Kordin Industrial Park,

Paola PLA3000,

Malta

or

G.L. Pharma GmbH,

Schlossplatz 1,

8502 Lannach,

Austria

This medicine is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) under the following names:

Date of the last revision of this leaflet:July 2023

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