ESOMEPRAZOL SUN 20 mg GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

Esomeprazol SUN 20 mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets EFG

esomeprazol

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

1. What is Esomeprazol SUN and what is it used for

Esomeprazol SUN contains a medicine called esomeprazol. It belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors. These work by reducing the amount of acid that the stomach produces.

Esomeprazol is used for the treatment of the following conditions:

Adults

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is where acid from the stomach escapes into the gullet (the tube which carries food from the mouth to the stomach) causing pain and inflammation.
• 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 caused by medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Esomeprazol can also be used to prevent ulcers in the stomach if you are taking NSAIDs.
• Too much acid in the stomach caused by a tumor in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
• Prevention of rebleeding of gastric or duodenal ulcers with esomeprazol intravenous treatment.

Adolescents from 12 years of age

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is where acid from the stomach escapes into the gullet (the tube which carries food from the mouth to the stomach) causing pain and inflammation.
• 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.

2. What you need to know before you take Esomeprazol SUN

Do not take Esomeprazol SUN

• If you are allergicto esomeprazol 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, omeprazol).
• If you are taking a medicine that contains nelfinavir (used to treat HIV infection).

If any of these apply to you, do not take Esomeprazol SUN. If you are not sure, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Esomeprazol SUN.

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Esomeprazol SUN

• 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 SUN to reduce stomach acid.
• If you are due to have a specific blood test (Chromogranin A).

Esomeprazol SUN may hide the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if you notice any of the following before or while you are taking Esomeprazol SUN, consult your doctor immediately:

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

If your doctor has prescribed Esomeprazol SUN only when you notice symptoms, you should contact your doctor if your symptoms persist or change.

If you are taking proton pump inhibitors like Esomeprazol SUN, especially over a period of more than one year, you may be at increased risk of fracture of the hip, wrist or spine. Inform 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, tell your doctor as soon as possible, as you may need to stop your treatment with esomeprazol. Also remember to mention any other symptoms that you may notice, such as joint pain.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following serious side effects: blistering of the skin, severe skin rash, or sores in the mouth. These can be signs of an allergic reaction, which can be severe.

Esomeprazol SUN should be stopped immediately if signs or symptoms of severe skin reactions occur.

Treatment should not be restarted in patients who have had a severe skin reaction.

Children under 12 years of age

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

Using Esomeprazol SUN 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 SUN can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can increase the chance of you getting side effects.

Do not take Esomeprazol SUN if you are taking a medicine that contains nelfinavir(used to treat HIV infection).

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

• Atazanavir (used to treat HIV infection).
• Clopidogrel (used to prevent blood clots)
• • Ketoconazole, itraconazole or voriconazole (for fungal infections)
  • Erlotinib (used to treat cancer).
  • Citalopram, imipramine or clomipramine (for depression).
  • Diazepam (used to treat anxiety, relax muscles or for epilepsy).
  • Phenytoin (for epilepsy). If you are taking phenytoin, your doctor will need to monitor you when you start or stop taking Esomeprazol SUN.
  • Medicines used to thin the blood, such as warfarin. Your doctor may need to monitor you when you start or stop taking Esomeprazol SUN.
  • Cilostazol (used to treat intermittent claudication – a pain in the legs when walking which is caused by an insufficient blood supply).
  • Cisapride (used for indigestion and heartburn).

• Digoxin (used for heart problems).
• Methotrexate (a chemotherapy medicine used at high doses to treat cancer) – if you are taking high doses of methotrexate, your doctor may temporarily stop your Esomeprazol SUN treatment.
• Tacrolimus (organ transplantation):
• 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 SUN to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori, it is very important that you tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines.

Taking Esomeprazol SUN with food and drink

You can take the tablets with or without food.

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 SUN during this time.

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

Driving and using machines

Esomeprazol SUN is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. However, sometimes side effects such as dizziness or blurred vision (see section 4) can occur. Do not drive or use any tools or machines if you are affected in this way.

Esomeprazol SUN contains sucrose

Esomeprazol SUN contains sucrose, a type of sugar. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact them before taking this medicine.

Esomeprazol SUN contains sodium

Esomeprazol SUN contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, which is essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3. How to take Esomeprazol SUN

Take Esomeprazol SUN exactly as your doctor has told you to. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

• If you are taking this medicine for a long time, your doctor will want to monitor you (especially if you take it for more than one year).
• If your doctor has told you to take this medicine as and when you need it, you should contact your doctor if your symptoms change.

How much to take

• Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take and when to take them. This will depend on your condition, age and liver function.
• The recommended doses are given below.

Use in adults aged 18 years and above

For the treatment of heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):

• If your doctor has found that your gullet (oesophagus) is slightly damaged, the recommended dose is one 40 mg tablet 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 healed yet.
• Once your oesophagus has healed, the recommended dose is one 20 mg tablet once a day.
• If your oesophagus is not damaged, the recommended dose is one 20 mg tablet once a day. Once your condition has been controlled, your doctor may tell you to take your medicine as and when you need it, up to a maximum of one 20 mg tablet per day.
• If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may give you a lower dose.

For the treatment of ulcers caused by Helicobacter pyloriinfection and to stop them coming back:

• The recommended dose is one 20 mg tablet twice a day for one week. Your doctor will also prescribe two antibiotics called amoxicillin and clarithromycin.

For the treatment of stomach ulcers caused by NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs):

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

To prevent stomach ulcers if you are taking NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs):

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

For the 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 will also decide how long you need to take the medicine for. The maximum dose is 80 mg twice a day.

Prolonged treatment of bleeding ulcers after prevention with esomeprazol given by injection:

The recommended dose is one 40 mg tablet once a day for 4 weeks.

Use in adolescents aged 12 years and above.

For the treatment of heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):

• If your doctor has found that your gullet (oesophagus) is slightly damaged, the recommended dose is one 40 mg tablet 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 healed yet.
• The recommended dose once your oesophagus has healed is one 20 mg tablet once a day.
• If your oesophagus is not damaged, the recommended dose is one 20 mg tablet once a day.
• If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may give you a lower dose.

To treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pyloriinfection and to stop them coming back:

• The recommended dose is one 20 mg tablet twice a day for one week. Your doctor will also prescribe two antibiotics called amoxicillin and clarithromycin.

Taking this medicine

• You can take the tablets at any time of the day.
• You can take the tablets with or without food.
• Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets. This is because the tablets contain coated pellets which stop the medicine from being broken down by the acid in the stomach. It is important not to damage the pellets.

What to do if you have difficulty swallowing

• If you have difficulty swallowing the tablets:
• • Put the tablets in a glass of water. Do not use other liquids.
  • Stir until the tablets break up (the mixture will not be clear). You can drink this mixture immediately or within 30 minutes. Always stir well before drinking.
  • To make sure you get the full dose of the medicine, rinse the glass with half a glass of water and drink it. The solid pieces contain the medicine – do not chew or crush them.
• If you cannot swallow at all:
• • The tablets can be dispersed in water and given through a syringe into the stomach via a tube.

Use in children under 12 years of age

Esomeprazol SUN gastro-resistant tablets should not be used in children under 12 years of age. Other forms of esomeprazol are available for this age group.

Elderly

No dose adjustment is necessary for the elderly.

If you take more Esomeprazol SUN than you should

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

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the National Poison Centre on 91 562 04 20 (indicating the medicine and the amount taken).

If you forget to take Esomeprazol SUN

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 (two doses at the same time) 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, Esomeprazol can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.

If you observe any of the following serious adverse effects, stop taking Esomeprazol SUN and contact a doctor 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. Important 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 that can be symptoms of liver problems.

These effects are rare and may affect 1 in every 1,000 patients.

Other adverse effects include:

Frequent (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

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

Infrequent (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Swelling of feet and ankles.
• Sleep disturbance (insomnia).
• Dizziness, tingling sensation, drowsiness.
• Vertigo sensation.
• Dry mouth.
• Alteration of blood tests that determine liver function.
• Skin rash, rash with bumps (urticaria), and itching of the skin.
• Fracture of the hip, wrist, or spine (if Esomeprazol SUN is used at high doses and for a long period).

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

• 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 sensation of 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 that can cause yellowish skin, dark urine, and fatigue.
• Hair loss (alopecia).
• Dermatitis due to sun exposure.
• 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 people)

• 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). Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

• Muscle weakness.
• Severe kidney disorders.
• Increased breast size in men.

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

• If you are taking Esomeprazol SUN for more than three months, it is possible that your blood magnesium levels may decrease. Low magnesium levels can cause fatigue, involuntary muscle contractions, disorientation, convulsions, dizziness, or an increased heart rate. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Low magnesium levels can also produce a decrease in blood potassium and calcium levels. Your doctor may decide to perform periodic blood tests to monitor magnesium levels.
• Inflammation of the intestine (can lead to diarrhea).
• Skin rash, possibly with joint pain.

In very rare cases, Esomeprazol SUN can affect white blood cells, causing an immune deficiency. If you have an infection with symptoms such as fever with a severeworsening of your 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 important that, in this case, you inform about 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 does not appear 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 SUN

Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

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

Do not store at a temperature above 30 °C.

Keep in the original packaging (blister) to protect it from moisture.

Medicines should not be thrown down the drain or into the trash. Deposit the packaging and medicines you no longer need at the SIGRE Point of your usual pharmacy. 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 Esomeprazol SUN 20 mg

• The active ingredient is esomeprazol.

Each tablet contains 20 mg of esomeprazol (as amorphous esomeprazol magnesium).

• The other components are:

Core of the tablet: Sugar spheres (sucrose and cornstarch), hydroxypropylcellulose (E-463), crospovidone (Type B), povidone, macrogol 400, talc (E553b), hypromellose phthalate (HP-55S), hypromellose phthalate (HP-50), diethyl phthalate, macrogol 6000, crospovidone (Type A), microcrystalline cellulose (PH 101), microcrystalline cellulose (PH 112), and sodium stearyl fumarate.

Coating:Opadry 03B86651 Brown (HPMC 2910/Hypromellose 6cP (E464), titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol/PEG 400, talc (E553b), and red iron oxide (E172)).

Appearance of Esomeprazol SUN 20 mg and Package Contents

Esomeprazol SUN 20 mg gastro-resistant EFG tablets are film-coated, oval, biconvex, and light brick red to brown in color, with the inscription "E5" in low relief on one face and smooth on the other face.

The medicine is presented in OPA-Alu-PE-desiccant-HDPE/Alu or OPA-Alu-PVC/Alu blister packs with 7, 14, 15, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 90, 98, and 100 tablets.

Only some pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe B.V.,

Polarisavenue 87,

2132JH Hoofddorp

Netherlands

Manufacturer

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe B.V.

Polarisavenue 87,

2132JH Hoofddorp

Netherlands

or

TERAPIA S.A.

124 Fabricii Street,

400 632 Cluj Napoca

Romania

Local Representative

Sun Pharma Laboratorios, S.L.

Rambla de Catalunya 53-55

08007 Barcelona

Spain

Tel.:+34 93 342 78 90

Date of the Last Revision of this Prospectus:August 2023

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/