ESOMEPRAZOL CINFA 20 mg HARD GASTRO-RESISTANT CAPSULES

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

esomeprazol cinfa 20 mg gastro-resistant hard capsules EFG

esomeprazole sodium

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 get 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 and other information

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

1. What is esomeprazol cinfa and what is it used for

Esomeprazol cinfa contains a medicine called esomeprazole. It belongs to a group of medicines called ‘proton pump inhibitors’. They work by reducing the amount of acid that the stomach produces.

Esomeprazole is used to treat the following conditions:

Adults

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This is where acid from the stomach escapes into the gullet (the tube which carries food from the mouth to the stomach) causing pain, inflammation and heartburn.
• Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum (the tube leading out of the stomach) that are infected with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. If you have this condition, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal.
• Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum caused by medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Esomeprazol cinfa can also be used to prevent ulcers if you are taking NSAIDs.
• Too much acid in the stomach caused by a tumour in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
• Treatment of a condition where the stomach produces too much acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Adolescents from 12 years of age

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This is where acid from the stomach escapes into the gullet (the tube which carries food from the mouth to the stomach) causing pain, inflammation and heartburn.

Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum that are infected with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. If you have this condition, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal.

2. What you need to know before you take esomeprazol cinfa

Do not take esomeprazol cinfa

• if you are allergic to esomeprazole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you are allergic to other proton pump inhibitor medicines (e.g. pantoprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, omeprazole).
• if you are taking a medicine containing nelfinavir (used to treat HIV).
• If you have ever had a skin reaction after treatment with a medicine similar to esomeprazol cinfa that reduces stomach acid.

If any of the above apply to you, do not take esomeprazol cinfa. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking esomeprazol cinfa.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking esomeprazol cinfa

• if you have severe liver problems.
• if you have severe kidney problems.
• if you have ever had a skin reaction after treatment with a medicine similar to esomeprazol cinfa that reduces stomach acid.
• if you are due to have a specific blood test (Chromogranin A).

Esomeprazol cinfa may hide the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if you notice any of the following, contact your doctor immediately:

• you lose a lot of weight for no reason and have problems swallowing.
• you get stomach pain or indigestion.
• you start vomiting food or blood.
• your stools are black (blood-stained).

If you have been prescribed esomeprazol cinfa only when you have symptoms, you should contact your doctor if your symptoms persist or change.

Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis have been reported with esomeprazol cinfa. Stop taking esomeprazol cinfa and contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: skin rash, itching, blistering or peeling of the skin, mouth ulcers, fever and kidney problems (as shown by blood tests), swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, asthma-like symptoms, increased heart rate, drop in blood pressure, and in severe cases, life-threatening complications.

Taking a proton pump inhibitor like esomeprazol cinfa, especially over a period of more than one year, may slightly increase your risk of fracture in the hip, wrist or spine. Tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids (which can increase the risk of osteoporosis).

If you get a rash on your skin, especially in areas exposed to the sun, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible, as you may need to stop your treatment with esomeprazol cinfa. Also remember to mention any other symptoms you might have, such as joint pain or difficulty breathing.

Children under 12 years of age

Esomeprazol cinfa should not be used in children under 12 years of age.

Taking esomeprazol cinfa with other medicines

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

This includes medicines that you can buy without a prescription. This is because esomeprazol cinfa can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way esomeprazol cinfa works.

Do not take esomeprazol cinfa if you are taking a medicine containing nelfinavir (used to treat HIV).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• atazanavir (used to treat HIV).
• clopidogrel (used to prevent blood clots).
• ketoconazole, itraconazole or voriconazole (used to treat fungal infections).
• erlotinib (used to treat cancer).
• citalopram, imipramine, clomipramine (used to treat depression).
• diazepam (used to treat anxiety, relax muscles or in epilepsy).
• phenytoin (used in epilepsy). If you are taking phenytoin, your doctor may need to monitor you when you start or stop taking esomeprazol cinfa.
• medicines used to thin the blood, such as warfarin. Your doctor may need to monitor you when you start or stop taking esomeprazol cinfa.
• cilostazol (used to treat intermittent claudication – a condition where the leg does not get enough blood).
• cisapride (used for indigestion and heartburn).
• digoxin (used for heart problems).
• methotrexate (a chemotherapy medicine used to treat cancer) – if you are taking high doses of methotrexate, your doctor may need to temporarily stop your treatment with esomeprazol cinfa.
• tacrolimus (used to prevent organ rejection after transplant).
• rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis).
• St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) (used to treat depression).

If your doctor has prescribed the antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin with esomeprazol cinfa to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori, it is very important that you tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking.

Taking esomeprazol cinfa with food and drink

You can take your capsules with food or on an empty stomach.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

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

Your doctor will decide whether you can take esomeprazol cinfa during this time.

It is not known if esomeprazol passes into breast milk. Therefore, you should not take esomeprazol cinfa if you are breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

Esomeprazol cinfa is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. However, side effects such as dizziness or blurred vision may occur (see section 4). Do not drive or use any tools or machines if you are affected.

esomeprazol cinfa contains sucrose

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

esomeprazol cinfa contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3. How to take esomeprazol cinfa

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

• If you are taking this medicine for a long time, your doctor will want to regularly check your condition.
• If your doctor has told you to take this medicine as and when you need it, tell your doctor if your symptoms change.

How much to take

• Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take and when to take them. This will depend on your condition, age and liver function.
• The recommended doses are as follows:

Use in adults aged 18 years and above

Treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD):

• If your doctor has found that your gullet (oesophagus) is slightly damaged, the recommended dose is one 40 mg capsule once a day for 4 weeks. Your doctor may tell you to take the same dose for another 4 weeks if your oesophagus has not yet healed.
• Once the oesophagus has healed, the recommended dose is one 20 mg capsule once a day.
• If your oesophagus has not been damaged, the recommended dose is one 20 mg capsule each day.
• If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may give you a lower dose.

Treatment and prevention of ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection:

• The recommended dose is one 20 mg capsule twice a day for one week. Your doctor will also prescribe two antibiotics for you to take at the same time.

Treatment of stomach ulcers caused by NSAIDs:

• The recommended dose is one 20 mg capsule once a day for 4-8 weeks.

Prevention of stomach ulcers if you are taking NSAIDs:

• The recommended dose is one 20 mg capsule once a day.

Treatment of too much acid in the stomach caused by a tumour in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome):

• The recommended dose is 40 mg twice a day.
• Your doctor will adjust the dose depending on your needs and also decide how long you will need to take the medicine for. The maximum dose is 80 mg twice a day.

Prevention of bleeding from stress ulceration in critically ill patients:

• The recommended dose is 40 mg per day for 14 days.

Use in adolescents aged 12 years and above

Treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD):

• If your doctor has found that your gullet (oesophagus) is slightly damaged, the recommended dose is one 40 mg capsule once a day for 4 weeks. Your doctor may tell you to take the same dose for another 4 weeks if your oesophagus has not yet healed.
• Once the oesophagus has healed, the recommended dose is one 20 mg capsule once a day.
• If your oesophagus has not been damaged, the recommended dose is one 20 mg capsule once a day.
• If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may give you a lower dose.

Treatment and prevention of ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection:

• The recommended dose is one 20 mg capsule twice a day for one week. Your doctor will also prescribe two antibiotics for you to take at the same time.

Taking this medicine

• You can take your capsules at any time of the day.
• You can take your capsules with food or on an empty stomach.
• Swallow your capsules whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the capsules. This is because the capsules contain coated pellets which stop the medicine from being broken down by the acid in your stomach. It is important not to damage the pellets.

What to do if you have difficulty swallowing

If you have difficulty swallowing the capsules:

• Open the capsule and swallow the pellets with half a glass of water. Do not use other liquids.
• Always stir the pellets just before drinking the mixture. Drink the mixture within 30 minutes.
• To make sure you get the full dose, rinse the glass with half a glass of water and drink it.

If you cannot swallow at all, the pellets can be dispersed in water and given through a gastric tube.

Use in children under 12 years of age

Esomeprazol cinfa gastro-resistant capsules are not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

Patients with kidney problems

No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with kidney problems.

Patients with liver problems

If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may give you a lower dose.

If you take more esomeprazol cinfa than you should

If you have taken more esomeprazol cinfa than you should, talk to your doctor or pharmacist straight away.

In case of overdose, contact your doctor or pharmacist or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. Take the medicine pack with you.

If you forget to take esomeprazol cinfa

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as usual.
• Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

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.

Ifyou notice anyof the following serious adverse effects, stop taking esomeprazol andcontact adoctor immediately:

• A sudden difficulty breathing, swelling of lips, tongue, and throat, or body in general, skin rash, fainting, or difficulty swallowing (severe allergic reaction).
• Redness of the skin with blisters or peeling. Large blisters and bleeding of the lips, eyes, mouth, nose, and genitals may also appear. This could be a "Stevens-Johnson Syndrome" or "toxic epidermal necrolysis".
• Yellow skin, dark urine, and fatigue, which can be symptoms of liver problems.
• Widespread rash, high body temperature, and enlarged lymph nodes (DRESS syndrome or drug hypersensitivity syndrome), which is very rare.

These effects are rare and may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people. Other adverse effects include:

Frequent (may affect up to 1 in 10patients)

• Headache.
• Effects on the stomach or intestine: stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas (flatulence).
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Benign polyps in the stomach.

Infrequent(may affect up to 1 in 100 patients)

• Swelling of feet and ankles.
• Sleep disturbance (insomnia).
• Dizziness, tingling sensation, and numbness, drowsiness.
• Vertigo sensation.
• Dry mouth.
• Alteration of blood tests that determine liver function,
• Skin rash, hives, itching of the skin.

• Hip, wrist, or spine fracture (if esomeprazol is used at high doses and for a long period).

Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 patients)

• Blood disorders such as a decrease in the number of white blood cells or platelets. This can cause weakness, bruising, or increase the likelihood of infections.
• Low sodium levels in the blood. This can cause weakness, vomiting, and cramps.
• Agitation, confusion, or depression.
• Taste alteration.
• Eye disorders such as blurred vision.
• Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (bronchospasm).
• Inflammation inside the mouth.
• An infection known as "candidiasis" that can affect the esophagus and is caused by a fungus.
• Liver problems, including jaundice, which can cause yellow skin, dark urine, and fatigue.
• Hair loss (alopecia).
• Sunlight-induced dermatitis.
• Joint pain (arthralgia) or muscle pain (myalgia).
• General feeling of discomfort and lack of energy.
• Increased sweating.

Very Rare(may affect up to 1 in 10,000 patients)

• Changes in the number of cells in the blood, including agranulocytosis (decrease in the number of white blood cells).
• Aggressiveness.
• Seeing, feeling, or hearing things that do not exist (hallucinations).
• Liver disorders that can lead to liver failure or brain inflammation.
• Sudden appearance of severe skin rash, blisters, or peeling of the skin. These symptoms can be accompanied by high fever and joint pain (Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis).
• Muscle weakness.
• Severe kidney disorders.
• Enlargement of the breasts in men.

Frequency Not Known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

• If you are treated with esomeprazol for more than three months, your magnesium levels in the blood may decrease. Low magnesium levels can manifest as fatigue, involuntary muscle contractions, disorientation, convulsions, dizziness, or increased heart rate. If you have any of these symptoms, inform your doctor immediately. Low magnesium levels can also lead to a reduction in potassium or calcium levels in the blood. Your doctor may decide to perform periodic tests to monitor your magnesium levels.
• Inflammation of the intestine (can lead to diarrhea).
• Skin rash, possibly with joint pain.

In very rare cases, esomeprazol can affect white blood cells, causing an immune deficiency. If you have an infection with symptoms such as fever with a severe worsening of the general condition or fever with symptoms of a local infection such as neck, throat, mouth, or difficulty urinating, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible to rule out a decrease in the number of white blood cells (agranulocytosis) through a blood test. It is essential that, in this case, you report your medication.

Reporting of 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 prospectus. 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. Conservation of Esomeprazol Cinfa

Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiration date that appears on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

Blister:

Do not store at a temperature above 30°C. Store in the original packaging to protect it from moisture.

Bottle:

Do not store at a temperature above 30°C. Keep the container perfectly closed to protect it from moisture.

Medicines should not be thrown down the drain or into the trash. Deposit the packaging and medicines that you no longer need in the SIGRE Point of the pharmacy. In case of doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medicines that you no longer need. This way, you will help protect the environment.

6. Package Contents and Additional Information

Composition of Esomeprazol Cinfa

• The active ingredient is esomeprazol (as sodium salt)
• The other components are:

Contents of the capsule: sugar spheres (cornstarch and sucrose), methylcellulose, talc, titanium dioxide (E-171), glycerol monostearate, polysorbate 80, sodium lauryl sulfate, methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer, and triethyl citrate.

Capsule coating: carrageenan, potassium chloride, red iron oxide (E-172), titanium dioxide (E-171), hypromellose, and black printing ink (containing shellac, potassium hydroxide, and black iron oxide E-172).

Appearance of the Product and Package Contents

Esomeprazol Cinfa 20 mg are hard, opaque capsules, light pink in color, size 4 (approximately 14 mm), printed with black ink (ES on the cap/20 on the body), and containing spherical granules.

Esomeprazol Cinfa 20 mg is available in aluminum/aluminum blisters of 14, 28, and 56 capsules and white opaque polyethylene bottles with a desiccant capsule and a cap of 14, 28, and 56 capsules.

Only some package sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorization Holder

Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A.

Carretera Olaz-Chipi, 10. Polígono Industrial Areta

31620 Huarte (Navarra) - Spain

Manufacturer

Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A.

Carretera Olaz-Chipi, 10. Polígono Industrial Areta

31620 Huarte (Navarra) - Spain

Or

TOWA PHARMACEUTICAL EUROPE S.L.

C/ Sant Martí, 75-97 – 08107 – Martorelles (Barcelona)

Spain

Date of the Last Revision of this Prospectus:January 2025

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

You can access detailed and updated information about this medicine by scanning the QR code included in the prospectus and packaging with your mobile phone (smartphone). You can also access this information at the following internet address: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/82921/P_82921.html

QR code to: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/82921/P_82921.html

This information is intended only for healthcare professionals:

Administration through a gastric tube

1. Open the capsule and empty the pellets into a suitable syringe and fill the syringe with approximately 25 ml of water and approximately 5 ml of air.

For some tubes, a dispersion in 50 ml of water is required to prevent the pellets from clogging the tube.

1. Shake the syringe immediately to distribute the granules evenly throughout the suspension.
2. Hold the syringe with the tip up and check that the tip is not clogged.
3. Connect the syringe to the tube while maintaining the previous position.
4. Shake the syringe and place it with the tip down. Inject immediately 5–10 ml into the tube. Invert the syringe after injection and shake (the syringe must be kept with the tip up to avoid clogging the tip).

Put the syringe back with the tip down and inject immediately another 5-10 ml into the tube. Repeat this procedure until the syringe is empty.

1. Fill the syringe with 25 ml of water and 5 ml of air and repeat step 5 if necessary to drag any sediment that remains in the syringe. For some tubes, 50 ml of water are necessary.