EBASTEL FORTE 20 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

Ebastel Forte 20 mg Film-Coated Tablets

ebastine

Read the entire package leaflet carefully before starting to take this medication, as it contains important information for you.

• Keep this package leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medication has been prescribed to you only, and you should not give it to others, even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it may harm them.
• If you experience side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are side effects not listed in this package leaflet.

Contents of the Package Leaflet:

1. What is Ebastel Forte and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before taking Ebastel Forte
3. How to take Ebastel Forte
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Ebastel Forte
6. Package Contents and Additional Information

1. What is Ebastel Forte and what is it used for

Ebastel Forte belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines (anti-allergics).

Ebastel Forte is indicated for the treatment of symptoms of allergic processes such as seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, with or without allergic conjunctivitis (such as nasal discharge, nasal itching, eye itching, tearing, sneezing), chronic urticaria, and allergic dermatitis.

2. What you need to know before taking Ebastel Forte

Do not take Ebastel Forte

• if you are allergic to ebastine or any of the other components of this medication (listed in section 6).

Warnings and Precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Ebastel Forte.

This medication should be used with caution:

• if your electrocardiogram results are altered (prolongation of the QT interval).
• if you have altered potassium levels in your blood.
• if you have severe liver disease (see "How to take Ebastel Forte" section).
• if you are being treated with a type of medication used to treat fungal infections called azole antifungals or with medications used to treat certain infections called macrolide antibiotics (see "Taking Ebastel Forte with other medications" section).
• if you are being treated with rifampicin, a type of medication used to treat tuberculosis.

Do not use this medication if you have an acute allergic emergency, as ebastine (the active ingredient of this medication) takes 1 to 3 hours to take effect.

Children

Ebastel Forte should not be administered to children under 12 years of age. In this patient group, it is recommended to administer Ebastel 1 mg/ml Oral Solution.

Other medications and Ebastel Forte

Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking, have recently taken, or may need to take any other medication.

The following medications may interfere with Ebastel Forte; in these cases, it may be necessary to change the dose or interrupt treatment with one of them:

• Ebastel Forte may increase the effect of other medications used to treat allergies (antihistamines).
• Ebastel Forte should be used with caution in patients being treated with medications called ketoconazole and itraconazole, used to treat fungal infections, or with an antibiotic used to treat certain infections called erythromycin (as they may cause an alteration in your electrocardiogram).
• The antihistamine effect of Ebastel Forte may be decreased in patients being treated with a medication called rifampicin, used to treat tuberculosis.

No interactions have been described between ebastine and theophylline, warfarin, cimetidine, diazepam, and alcohol.

Interference with diagnostic tests

Ebastel Forte may interfere with the results of skin allergy tests, so it is recommended not to perform them until 5-7 days after treatment has been discontinued.

Taking Ebastel Forte with food and drinks

The tablets can be taken with or without food.

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 medication.

Pregnancy

There is no experience in pregnant women, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking Ebastel Forte. The doctor will decide whether or not to start treatment.

Breastfeeding

It is unknown whether the medication passes into breast milk, so it should not be used during breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

In humans, no effects have been observed on psychomotor function or the ability to drive or use machinery at the recommended therapeutic doses. However, since drowsiness and dizziness are among the side effects, observe your response to the medication before driving or using machinery.

Ebastel Forte contains lactose

This medication contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medication.

This medication contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per tablet; it is essentially "sodium-free".

3. How to take Ebastel Forte

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

Remember to take your medication.

Your doctor will indicate the duration of your treatment with Ebastel Forte.

Dosage

Use in adults and children over 12 years:The usual dose is 10 mg of ebastine once a day, although some patients may require a dose of 20 mg once a day.

Use in patients with severe liver disease:The dose should not exceed 10 mg of ebastine per day. In this case, it is recommended to use the 10 mg presentation (Ebastel 10 mg Film-Coated Tablets).

Method of administration

This medication is for oral administration.

The tablets can be taken with or without food, with the help of a glass of water.

If you think the effect of Ebastel Forte is too strong or too weak, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more Ebastel Forte than you should

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately, call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 915 620 420 (indicating the medication and the amount ingested), or go to the nearest hospital. Bring the remaining tablets, the box, and the complete packaging so that the healthcare staff can more easily identify the medication you have taken.

Treatment of poisoning with this medication consists of gastric lavage and administration of the appropriate medication.

If you forget to take Ebastel Forte

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses. Take the forgotten dose when you remember and then follow your regular schedule. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the forgotten dose and wait for your next scheduled dose.

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

4. Possible side effects

Like all medications, Ebastel Forte can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.

In clinical trials and post-marketing experience, the following side effects have been observed:

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

• Headache

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

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth

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

• Hypersensitivity reactions: allergic reactions (such as anaphylaxis and angioedema)
• Nervousness, insomnia
• Dizziness, decreased sensation of touch or sensitivity, decreased or altered taste
• Palpitations, tachycardia
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, digestive problems
• Hepatitis, cholestasis, abnormal liver function tests (increased transaminases, gamma-GT, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin)
• Urticaria, skin rash, dermatitis
• Menstrual disorders
• Edema (swelling due to fluid accumulation), fatigue

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

• Weight gain
• Increased appetite

Reporting side effects

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

5. Storage of Ebastel Forte

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

Do not store above 30°C.

Do not use this medication after the expiration date stated on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

Medications should not be disposed of through wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and any unused medications in the SIGRE collection point at your pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medications. This will help protect the environment.

6. Package Contents and Additional Information

Composition of Ebastel Forte

• The active ingredient is ebastine. Each tablet contains 20 mg of ebastine.

• The other ingredients (excipients) are: Core of the tablet:microcrystalline cellulose (E-460i), pregelatinized corn starch, lactose monohydrate, sodium croscarmellose (E-468), and magnesium stearate (E-572). Coating:hypromellose (E-464), macrogol 6,000, and titanium dioxide (E-171).

Appearance of the product and package contents

Ebastel Forte is presented in the form of film-coated tablets for oral administration, packaged in PVC/Aluminum blisters. The tablets are circular, white, and have one face marked with E20.

Each package contains 20 film-coated tablets.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorization Holder

Almirall, S.A.

General Mitre, 151

08022 - Barcelona (Spain)

Manufacturer

Almirall Pharmaceutical Industries, S.A.

Ctra. de Martorell, 41-61

08740 Sant Andreu de la Barca - Barcelona (Spain)

Date of the last revision of this package leaflet: May 2019

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