Package Insert: Information for the User
Ezetimiba/simvastatina Tecnigen 10 mg/20 mg tablets EFG
Read this package insert carefully before starting to take this medicine, as it contains important information for you.
Package Insert Content
Package contents and additional information
This medicationcontains the active principles ezetimiba and simvastatina.It is used to reduce total cholesterol, "bad" cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and certain fatty substances called triglycerides that circulate in the blood. Additionally, it increases the concentrations of "good" cholesterol (HDL cholesterol).
Ezetimiba/simvastatinaacts by reducing cholesterol in two ways. The active principle ezetimiba reduces the cholesterol absorbed in the digestive tract. The active principle simvastatina, which belongs to the group of "statins", inhibits the production of cholesterol produced by the body itself.
Cholesterol is one of the fatty substances found in the bloodstream. Its total cholesterol is composed mainly of LDL and HDL cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it can accumulate in the walls of your arteries, forming plaques. Over time, this accumulation of plaque can cause a narrowing of the arteries. This narrowing can slow down or interrupt blood flow to vital organs such as the heart and brain. This interruption of blood flow can cause a heart attack or stroke.
HDL cholesterol is often referred to as "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent bad cholesterol from accumulating in the arteries and protects them from heart disease.
Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood that can increase the risk of heart disease.
Ezetimiba/simvastatinais used in patients who cannot control their cholesterol levels solely with diet. While taking this medication, you must follow a cholesterol-reducing diet.
Ezetimiba/simvastatinais used, along with a cholesterol-reducing diet,if you have:
This medicationdoes not help you lose weight.
Do not take Ezetimiba/Simvastatina Tecnigen if:
Do not take more than 10/40 mg of ezetimiba/simvastatina if you are taking lomitapida (used to treat rare and severe cholesterol disorders).
Consult your doctor if you are unsure if your medication is mentioned above.
Warnings and precautions
Inform your doctor:
Your doctor will perform a blood test before you start taking ezetimiba/simvastatina and also if you have any symptoms of liver problems while taking ezetimiba/simvastatina. This is to check how well your liver is working.
Your doctor may also want to perform blood tests to check how well your liver is working after you start treatment with ezetimiba/simvastatina.
While you are taking this medication, your doctor will monitor if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes. This risk of diabetes increases if you have high levels of sugar and fat in your blood, overweight, and high blood pressure.
Consult your doctor if you have a severe lung disease.
Avoid taking ezetimiba/simvastatina with fibrates (certain medications to reduce cholesterol), as this combination has not been studied.
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience muscle pain, sensitivity to pressure, or muscle weakness that is unexplained. This is because, in rare cases, muscle problems can be severe, including muscle failure that causes kidney damage; and very rarely, deaths have occurred.
The risk of muscle failure is higher with high doses of ezetimiba/simvastatina, especially the 10/80 mg dose. The risk of muscle failure is also higher in certain patients. Inform your doctor in the following situations:
Also inform your doctor or pharmacist if you experience persistent muscle weakness. Additional tests and medications may be necessary to diagnose and treat this problem.
Children and adolescents
Other medications and Ezetimiba/Simvastatina Tecnigen
Inform your doctor if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication with any of the following active ingredients. Taking ezetimiba/simvastatina with any of the following medications may increase the risk of muscle problems (some of these are already included in the section above "Do not take X if").
As with the medications mentioned above, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have taken recently other medications, even those purchased without a prescription. In particular, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
You must also inform any doctor who prescribes a new medication that you are taking ezetimiba/simvastatina.
Taking Ezetimiba/Simvastatina Tecnigen with food and drinks
Orange juice contains one or more components that alter the metabolism of some medications, including ezetimiba/simvastatina. You should avoid consuming orange juice, as it may increase the risk of muscle problems.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not take this medication if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking ezetimiba/simvastatina, stop taking it immediately and inform your doctor. Do not take ezetimiba/simvastatina if you are breastfeeding, as it is unknown whether this medication passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Driving and operating machines
Ezetimiba/simvastatina is not expected to interfere with your ability to drive or operate machines. However, some people may experience dizziness after taking ezetimiba/simvastatina.
Ezetimiba/Simvastatina Tecnigen contains lactose
This medication contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have a certain sugar intolerance, consult with them before taking this medication.
Ezetimiba/Simvastatina Tecnigen contains sodium
This medication contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per tablet; that is essentially "sodium-free".
Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose for you, based on your current treatment and personal risk situation.
The tablets are not scored and should not be divided.
Follow exactly the administration instructions for this medication as indicated by your doctor. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
Adults: the dose is1 tabletof ezetimiba/simvastatina once a day by mouth.
Use in adolescents(10 to 17 years old): the dose is1 tabletof ezetimiba/simvastatina once a day by mouth (do not exceed a maximum dose of 10mg/40mg once a day).
The dose of ezetimiba/simvastatina 10mg/80mg is only recommended for adult patients with very high cholesterol levels and a high risk of heart disease problems who have not achieved treatment goals with lower doses.
Take ezetimiba/simvastatina at night. You can take it with or without food.
If your doctor has prescribed ezetimiba/simvastatina together with another cholesterol-lowering medication that contains the active ingredient colestiramine or any other bile acid sequestrant, you should take ezetimiba/simvastatina at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking the bile acid sequestrant.
If you take more Ezetimiba/Simvastatina Tecnigen than you should
If you forgot to take Ezetimiba/Simvastatina Tecnigen
If you interrupt the treatment with Ezetimiba/Simvastatina Tecnigen
If you have any other questions about the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them (see section 2. What you need to know before you start taking Ezetimiba/Simvastatina Tecnigen).
The following side effects were reported frequently (can affect up to 1 in 10 people):
The following side effects were reported infrequently (can affect up to 1 in 100 people):
In addition, the following side effects were reported in people taking ezetimiba/simvastatina or medications containing the active ingredients ezetimiba or simvastatina:
With some statins, the following additional adverse events have been reported:
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, sensitivity to pressure, or weakness. This is because, in rare cases, muscle problems can be severe, including muscle failure, which can cause kidney damage; and very rarely, deaths have occurred.
Reporting of side effects:
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use:
https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
This medication does not require any special storage temperature.
Store in the original packaging to protect it from light.
Do not dispose of medications through drains or trash. Deposit containers and unused medications at the SIGRE point of your pharmacy.If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of containers and unused medications. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Ezetimiba/Simvastatina TecniGen 10 mg/ 20 mg
Appearance of the product and contents of the packaging
White, oblong tablets with dimensions of 10.0 mm ± 0.2 mm in length and 5.5 mm ± 0.2 mm in width. The groove should not be used to fraction the tablet.
Ezetimiba/Simvastatina TecniGen is available in packaging containing blisters of 28 and 30 tablets.
Only some sizes of packaging may be commercially marketed.
Holder of the marketing authorization and responsible manufacturer
Holder
Tecnimede España Industria Farmacéutica S.A.
Avda. de Bruselas, 13-3ºD. Edificio América.
Polígono Arroyo de la Vega.
Alcobendas, 28108 – Madrid
Spain
Responsible manufacturer
Atlantic Pharma – Produções Farmacêuticas, S.A.
Rua da Tapada Grande, n.º 2 Abrunheira,
2710-089 Sintra
Portugal
This medicine is authorized in the member states of the European Economic Area with the following names:
Portugal: Sinvastatina + Ezetimiba Tecnigen
Italy: Ezetimibe e Simvastatina TecniGen
Revision date of this leaflet: January 2019
Other sources of information:
The detailed and updated information of this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) http: //www.aemps.gob.es/
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.