Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient
Eltrombopag Kern Pharma 12.5 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Eltrombopag Kern Pharma 25 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Eltrombopag Kern Pharma 50 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Eltrombopag Kern Pharma 75 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Contents of the pack
Eltrombopag belongs to a group of medicines called thrombopoietin receptor agonists, which are used to help increase the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are blood cells that help to prevent or stop bleeding.
ITP is caused by a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). People with ITP have a higher risk of bleeding. Symptoms that patients with ITP may notice include petechiae (small, round, flat red spots on the skin), bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and an inability to stop bleeding if they cut or injure themselves.
Do not take Eltrombopag Kern Pharma
Consult your doctorif you think this may apply to you.
Warnings and precautions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking eltrombopag:
The risk of having a blood clot may be higherin the following situations:
If you are in any of these situations, tell your doctorbefore starting treatment. You should not take eltrombopag unless your doctor thinks that the benefits outweigh the risk of having blood clots.
Tell your doctorif you are in any of these situations.
Eye examinations
Your doctor will recommend that you have an eye examination to check for cataracts. If you do not have regular eye checks, your doctor may ask you to have one. They should also check the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) for any bleeding in the retina or around it.
You will need to have regular blood tests
Before you start taking eltrombopag, your doctor will do a blood test to check your blood cells, including your platelet count. These tests will be repeated regularly while you are taking the medicine.
Blood tests to check your liver function
Eltrombopag may cause changes in your liver function tests, including increases in liver enzymes, especially bilirubin and alanine/aspartate transaminase. If you are taking interferon-based treatments with eltrombopag to treat low platelet counts due to hepatitis C, your liver problems may get worse.
You will have blood tests before you start taking eltrombopag and regularly while you are taking it to check your liver function. You may need to stop taking eltrombopag if your liver function tests get worse or if you have any other signs of liver damage.
Read the information on “Liver problems” in section 4 of this leaflet
Blood tests to check your platelet count
If you stop taking eltrombopag, it is likely that your platelet count will fall again within a few days. Your platelet count will be checked and your doctor will tell you what precautions to take.
Very high platelet counts can increase the risk of blood clots. However, blood clots can also occur with normal or low platelet counts. Your doctor will adjust your dose of eltrombopag to make sure that your platelet count does not get too high.
Seek medical help immediatelyif you get any of the following signs of a blood clot:
Tests to examine your bone marrow
In people with bone marrow problems, medicines like eltrombopag may make these problems worse. Signs of changes in the bone marrow may appear as abnormal blood test results. Your doctor may also do tests to directly check your bone marrow while you are taking eltrombopag.
Review of bleeding in the gut
If you are taking interferon-based treatments with eltrombopag, you will be monitored for signs of bleeding in your stomach or intestines after you stop taking this medicine.
Heart monitoring
Your doctor may consider it necessary to monitor your heart while you are taking eltrombopag and may do an electrocardiogram (ECG) test.
Elderly people (65 years and over)
There is limited information on the use of eltrombopag in patients aged 65 years and over. Caution should be used when taking eltrombopag if you are 65 years or older.
Children and adolescents
Eltrombopag is not recommended for use in children under 1 year of age with ITP. It is also not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age with low platelet counts due to hepatitis C.
Other medicines and Eltrombopag Kern Pharma
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal remedies.
Some common medicines may interact with eltrombopag(including prescription and non-prescription medicines and minerals). These include:
Consult your doctorif you are taking any of these medicines. Some should not be taken with eltrombopag, the dose may need to be changed or you may need to change the times when you take them. Your doctor will review the medicines you are taking and recommend alternatives if necessary.
If you are also taking medicines to prevent blood clots, there may be a higher risk of bleeding. Your doctor will discuss this with you.
If you are taking corticosteroids, danazoland/or azathioprinewith eltrombopag, you may need to reduce the dose or stop treatment with these medicines.
Taking Eltrombopag Kern Pharma with food and drink
Do not take eltrombopag with food or dairy products, as the calcium in these products affects the absorption of the medicine. For more information, see section 3, “How to take Eltrombopag Kern Pharma”.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not take eltrombopag if you are pregnantunless your doctor recommends it. The effects of eltrombopag during pregnancy are not known.
Do not breastfeed while you are taking eltrombopag. It is not known if eltrombopag passes into breast milk.
If you are breastfeedingor plan to breastfeed, tell your doctor.
Driving and using machines
Eltrombopag may cause dizzinessand have other effects that may make you less alert.
Do not drive or use machinesunless you are sure that eltrombopag does not affect you.
Eltrombopag Kern Pharma contains isomalt (E953) and sodium
If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, consult them before taking this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, which is essentially “sodium-free”.
Take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not change the dose or stop treatment with eltrombopag unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to. While you are taking eltrombopag, you will be under the care of a specialist doctor with experience in treating your condition.
How much to take
For ITP
Adults and children(aged 6 to 17 years) - the usual starting dose for ITP is one 50 mg tabletof eltrombopag per day. If you are of East or South-East Asian origin, you may need to start treatment with a lower dose of 25 mg.
Children(aged 1 to 5 years) - the usual starting dose for ITP is one 25 mg tabletof eltrombopag per day.
For hepatitis C
Adults- the usual starting dose for hepatitis C is one 25 mg tabletof eltrombopag per day. If you are of East or South-East Asian origin, start treatment with the same dose of 25 mg.
Eltrombopag may take 1 to 2 weeks to start working. Depending on your response to eltrombopag, your doctor may recommend changing your daily dose.
How to take the tablets
Swallow the tablet whole, with water
When to take it
Make sure that -
you do noteat or drink:
If you do, your body may not absorb the medicine properly.
For more information on what foods and drinks are suitable, ask your doctor.
If you take more Eltrombopag Kern Pharma than you should
Consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If possible, show them the pack or this leaflet. You will be monitored for signs or symptoms of side effects and will be given the right treatment as soon as possible.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, telephone: 91 562 04 20, stating the medicine and the amount taken.
If you forget to take Eltrombopag Kern Pharma
Take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take more than one dose of eltrombopag per day.
If you stop taking Eltrombopag Kern Pharma
Do not stop taking eltrombopag without talking to your doctor first. If your doctor advises you to stop treatment, your platelet count will be checked every week for 4 weeks. See also “Bleeding or bruising after stopping treatment” in section 4.
If you have any other questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.
Symptoms to which you need to pay attention: consult your doctor
People taking eltrombopag for both ITP and low platelet count associated with hepatitis C may exhibit signs related to potential serious adverse effects. It is essential that you inform your doctor if you develop symptoms.
Increased Risk of Thrombosis
Some people may have an increased risk of suffering a thrombus, and medications like eltrombopag can worsen this problem. The sudden blockage of a blood vessel by a thrombus is a rare adverse effect that can affect up to 1 in 100 people.
Seek medical help immediately if you experience signs or symptoms of thrombosis, such as:
Liver Problems
Eltrombopag may cause changes that appear in blood tests, which can be signs of liver damage. Liver problems (elevated liver enzymes in blood tests) are frequent and can affect up to 1 in 10 people. Other liver problems are rare and can affect up to 1 in 100 people.
If you have any signs of liver problems:
?contact your doctor immediately
Bleeding or Hematoma after Treatment Discontinuation
Within two weeks after discontinuing treatment with eltrombopag, your platelet levels will normally drop to levels similar to those before starting treatment with this medication. A decrease in platelet levels can increase the risk of bleeding or hematoma. Your doctor will check your platelet levels for at least 4 weeks after discontinuing treatment with eltrombopag.
? Contact your doctorif you experience bleeding or hematoma when stopping eltrombopag.
Some people have bleeding in the digestive systemafter stopping peginterferon, ribavirin, and eltrombopag. Symptoms include:
? Contact your doctor immediatelyif you experience any of these symptoms.
The following adverse effects have been reported in relation to treatment with eltrombopag in adult patients with ITP
Very Common Adverse Effects
May affect more than 1 in 10people
Very Common Adverse Effects that may appear in Blood Tests:
Common Adverse Effects
May affect up to 1 in 10people
Common Adverse Effects that may appear in Blood Tests:
Uncommon Adverse Effects
May affect up to 1 in 100people:
Uncommon Adverse Effects that may appear in Blood Tests:
The following adverse effects have been reported in relation to treatment with eltrombopag in children (1 to 17 years) with ITP
If these adverse effects worsen, please inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Very Common Adverse Effects
May affect more than 1 in 10children
Common Adverse Effects
May affect up to 1 in 10children
The following adverse effects have been reported in relation to treatment with eltrombopag in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin in patients with HCV
Very Common Adverse Effects
May affect more than 1 in 10people:
Very Common Adverse Effects that may appear in Blood Tests:
Common Adverse Effects
May affect up to 1 in 10people:
Common Adverse Effects that may appear in Blood Tests:
Uncommon Adverse Effects
May affect up to 1 in 100people:
The following adverse effects have been observed in relation to treatment with eltrombopag in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA)
If these adverse effects worsen, please inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Very Common Adverse Effects
May affect more than 1 in 10people:
Very Common Adverse Effects that may appear in a Blood Test:
Common Adverse Effects
May affect up to 1 in 10people:
Common Adverse Effects that may appear in a Blood Test:
Adverse Effects of Unknown Frequency
Frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
Reporting of Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
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 on the blister pack after "CAD". 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. Deposit the packaging and any unused medicines in the pharmacy's SIGRE collection point. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medicines. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Eltrombopag Kern Pharma film-coated tablets EFG
The active substance is eltrombopag
12.5 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains 12.5 mg of eltrombopag (as eltrombopag olamine).
25 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains 25 mg of eltrombopag (as eltrombopag olamine).
50 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains 50 mg of eltrombopag (as eltrombopag olamine).
75 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains 75 mg of eltrombopag (as eltrombopag olamine).
The other components (excipients) are: microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol (E-421), povidone, isomalt (E-953), calcium silicate, sodium carboxymethyl starch (Type A) (from potato), magnesium stearate (tablet core); hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E-171), red iron oxide (E-172), and triacetin (tablet coating).
The 12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg film-coated tabletsalso contain yellow iron oxide (E-172).
Appearance and packaging of the product
Eltrombopag Kern Pharma 12.5 mg film-coated tablets EFG are orange-brown, round, biconvex tablets with "I" engraved on one face and a diameter of approximately 5.5 mm.
Eltrombopag Kern Pharma 25 mg film-coated tablets EFG are dark pink, round, biconvex tablets with "II" engraved on one face and a diameter of approximately 8 mm.
Eltrombopag Kern Pharma 50 mg film-coated tablets EFG are pink, round, biconvex tablets with "III" engraved on one face and a diameter of approximately 10 mm.
Eltrombopag Kern Pharma 75 mg film-coated tablets EFG are reddish-brown, round, biconvex tablets with "IV" engraved on one face and a diameter of approximately 12 mm.
They are supplied in precut unit-dose blisters of oPA/Al/PVC/Al in a box containing 28 film-coated tablets.
Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder
Kern Pharma, S.L.
Venus, 72 – Pol. Ind. Colón II
08228 Terrassa – Barcelona
Spain
Manufacturer
Synthon B.V.
Microweg 22
6545 CM Nijmegen
Netherlands
or
Synthon Hispania S.L.
c/ Castelló, 1
08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat
Barcelona, Spain
Date of last revision of this leaflet: September 2024
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS): (http://www.aemps.gob.es/)