INSTANYL 50 micrograms/DOSE NASAL SPRAY SOLUTION

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Instanyl 50micrograms/dose nasal spray solution

Instanyl 100micrograms/dose nasal spray solution

Instanyl 200micrograms/dose nasal spray solution

fentanyl

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using 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, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack

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

1. What is Instanyl and what is it used for

Instanyl contains the active substance fentanyl and belongs to a group of strong painkillers called opioids. Opioids work by blocking pain signals to the brain.

Instanyl acts quickly and is used to treat breakthrough pain in adult patients with cancer who are already taking opioid painkillers for their persistent pain. Breakthrough pain is a type of pain that occurs suddenly, even when you are taking your usual opioid painkillers.

2. What you need to know before you use Instanyl

Do not use Instanyl

• if you are allergic to fentanyl or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
• if you are not already using a prescribed opioid medicine every day for your persistent pain (e.g. codeine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, meperidine), as the risk of serious side effects, including breathing difficulties, increases if you use Instanyl when you are not opioid-tolerant;
• if you are taking a medicine that contains sodium oxybate;
• if you have short-lasting pain that is not breakthrough pain;
• if you have severe breathing difficulties or severe obstructive lung disease.
• if you have had previous radiotherapy to the head;
• if you have repeated episodes of nosebleeds.

Warnings and precautions

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Store it in a safe place that cannot be accessed by other people (see section 5 for more information).

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting Instanyl, especially:

• if you have chronic obstructive lung disease, as Instanyl may affect your breathing rhythm.
• if you have heart problems, especially a slow heart rate, low blood pressure or low blood volume.
• if you have liver or kidney problems.
• if you have problems with your brain function, for example due to a brain tumour, head injury or increased pressure in the skull.
• if you have ever experienced adrenal insufficiency or a lack of sex hormones (androgen deficiency) when using opioids.
• if you are taking sedatives, such as benzodiazepines or related medicines (see also section “Using Instanyl with other medicines”).
• if you are taking antidepressants or antipsychotics (see also section “Using Instanyl with other medicines”).
• if you are taking medicines called partial agonist/antagonists, e.g. buprenorphine, nalbuphine and pentazocine (painkillers), as they may cause withdrawal symptoms. See section “Using Instanyl with other medicines” for more information.
• if you are using other nasal spray products, e.g. for the common cold or allergies.

Respiratory depression

Instanyl may cause respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms may include slow or shallow breathing, difficulty staying awake, or feeling faint or dizzy. If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.

It is very important that you contact your doctor or hospital immediately if you experience breathing difficulties while being treated with Instanyl.

Talk to your doctor if, while using Instanyl, you:

• feel pain or increased sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia) that does not respond to a higher dose of the medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
• experience a combination of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, dizziness and low blood pressure. Together, these symptoms can be a sign of a potentially life-threatening condition called adrenal insufficiency, where the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.

If you experience repeated nosebleeds or nasal discomfort during treatment with Instanyl, you should talk to your doctor, who will consider alternative treatments for your breakthrough pain.

Long-term use and tolerance

This medicine contains fentanyl, an opioid. Repeated use of opioid painkillers can make the medicine less effective (your body gets used to it, which is known as pharmacological tolerance). You may also become more sensitive to pain when using Instanyl. This is known as hyperalgesia. Increasing the dose of Instanyl may continue to reduce pain for a while, but it can also be harmful. If you notice that the medicine is becoming less effective, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will decide whether it is better to increase the dose or gradually reduce your use of Instanyl.

Dependence and addiction

Repeated use of Instanyl can also lead to dependence, abuse and addiction, which can be life-threatening. The risk of these side effects may be greater with higher doses and longer use. Dependence or addiction can lead to a loss of control over the amount of medicine you use or how often you use it. You may feel a need to continue using the medicine even if it is no longer helping to relieve pain.

The risk of dependence or addiction varies from person to person. The risk of becoming dependent on or addicted to Instanyl may be greater if:

• you or a family member have abused alcohol, prescription medicines or illegal drugs (“addiction”).
• you smoke.
• you have ever had mood problems (depression, anxiety or personality disorder) or have been treated by a psychiatrist for other mental health problems.

If you notice any of the following symptoms while using Instanyl, it could be a sign of dependence or addiction.

• you need to use the medicine for longer than prescribed by your doctor.
• you need to use a higher dose than recommended.
• you are using the medicine for reasons other than those prescribed, e.g. “to feel calm” or “to help you sleep”.
• you have made repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop using the medicine or control your use.
• you feel unwell when you stop using the medicine (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anxiety, shivering, tremors and sweating), and you feel better once you take it again (“withdrawal symptoms”).

If you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for you, when it is appropriate to stop the medicine and how to do it safely.

Children and adolescents

Instanyl should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years.

Using Instanyl with other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription.

Instanyl may affect or be affected by other medicines.

Special care should be taken if you are being treated with any of the following medicines:

• Other painkillers and medicines for nerve pain, such as gabapentin and pregabalin.
• any medicine that makes you sleepy (has a sedative effect) such as sleeping pills, sedatives (e.g. benzodiazepines or related medicines), medicines for anxiety, antihistamines or tranquillisers, muscle relaxants and gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin). Using these medicines at the same time as Instanyl may cause drowsiness, deep sedation and affect your ability to breathe (respiratory depression), which can lead to coma or even death. Therefore, concomitant use should only be considered when no other treatment options are available.

However, if your doctor prescribes Instanyl and sedatives, you should limit both the dose and the duration of concomitant treatment.

Tell your doctor about all sedatives you are taking and follow their recommendations about the dose. It may be helpful to inform your friends or family to be aware of the signs and symptoms mentioned above. Contact your doctor when you report such symptoms.

• any medicine that may change the way your body breaks down Instanyl, such as:

• ritonavir, nelfinavir, amprenavir, and fosamprenavir (medicines that help control HIV infections);
• CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or fluconazole (used to treat fungal infections);
• troleandomycin, clarithromycin, or erythromycin (medicines for treating bacterial infections);
• aprepitant (used to treat severe nausea);
• diltiazem and verapamil (medicines for treating high blood pressure or heart disease).

• medicines called Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), used for severe depression, even if you have been treated with one of these in the last 2 weeks.
• the risk of side effects increases if you are taking certain antidepressants or antipsychotics. Instanyl may interact with these medicines and you may experience changes in mental status (e.g. agitation, hallucinations, coma) and other effects such as high body temperature, increased heart rate, unstable blood pressure and exaggerated reflexes, muscle stiffness, lack of coordination and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea). Your doctor will tell you if Instanyl is suitable for you.
• medicines called partial agonist/antagonists, e.g. buprenorphine, nalbuphine and pentazocine (painkillers). You may experience withdrawal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anxiety, shivering, tremors and sweating).
• other nasal spray medicines, especially oxymetazoline, xylometazoline and similar medicines, used for relieving nasal congestion.

Instanyl with food, drinks and alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while being treated with Instanyl, as it may increase the risk of serious side effects.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using any medicine.

Instanyl should not be used during pregnancy, unless you have discussed it with your doctor.

Instanyl should not be used during labour, as fentanyl can cause serious breathing difficulties in the newborn.

Fentanyl can pass into breast milk and cause side effects in the baby. Do not use Instanyl if you are breastfeeding. You should not start breastfeeding until 5 days after your last dose of Instanyl.

Driving and using machines

You should not drive or use machines while being treated with Instanyl. Instanyl can cause dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision, which can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

3. How to use Instanyl

Before starting treatment and regularly during treatment, your doctor will also explain what you can expect from using Instanyl, when and for how long you should use it, when you should contact your doctor and when you should stop using it (see also section 2).

Follow the instructions for administration of this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The dose of Instanyl is independent of your background treatment for cancer pain.

When you start using Instanyl, your doctor will determine with you the dose that relieves your breakthrough pain.

The initial dose is one spray of 50 micrograms into one nostril each time you have a breakthrough pain episode. During dose titration, your doctor may advise you to switch to a higher dose.

If the breakthrough pain is not relieved after 10 minutes, you can use only one more spray for this episode.

In general, you should wait 4 hours before treating another episode of breakthrough pain. In exceptional cases, when a new episode occurs before 4 hours, you can use Instanyl to treat this episode, but you should wait at least 2 hours before doing so. If you regularly experience episodes of breakthrough pain separated by less than 4 hours, you should contact your doctor, as your usual treatment for cancer pain may need to be changed.

You can use Instanyl to treat a maximum of four episodes of breakthrough pain per day.

Contact your doctor if you experience more than four episodes of breakthrough pain per day, as your background treatment for cancer pain may need to be changed.

In order to keep track of the number of Instanyl doses used, you should mark the boxes on the child-resistant flip-top cap of the outer carton.

Do not change the dose of Instanyl or your other painkillers on your own. Changes in dose should be made with your doctor.

Instanyl is for nasal use.

Read the instructions for use at the end of this leaflet to learn how to use Instanyl.

If you use more Instanyl than you should or if you think someone has used Instanyl accidentally

If you have used more Instanyl than you should, contact your doctor, hospital or emergency service to assess the risk and advise on what to do.

Overdose symptoms are:

Drowsiness, lethargy, dizziness, low body temperature, slow heart rate, difficulty coordinating arms and legs.

In severe cases, symptoms of overdose with Instanyl can include coma, sedation, convulsions or severe breathing difficulties (very slow or shallow breathing). Overdose can also cause a brain disorder known as toxic leucoencephalopathy.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately.

Note for caregivers:

If you notice that the person being treated with Instanyl becomes drowsy suddenly, has breathing difficulties or has difficulty staying awake:

• you should seek urgent help immediately.
• while waiting for help, try to keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them from time to time.
• if the person has breathing difficulties, try to get them to breathe every 5-10 seconds.
• if the person stops breathing, try to resuscitate them until emergency help arrives.

If you think someone has used Instanyl accidentally, seek medical help immediately. Try to keep the person awake until the emergency service arrives.

If someone has used Instanyl accidentally, they may experience the same symptoms as described above in case of overdose.

If you forget to use Instanyl

If you continue to experience breakthrough pain, you can use Instanyl as prescribed by your doctor. If the breakthrough pain has stopped, do not use Instanyl until the next episode of breakthrough pain occurs.

If you stop using Instanyl

You should stop using Instanyl when you no longer experience breakthrough pain. However, you should continue to use your background painkiller for cancer pain. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor to confirm the correct dose of your usual painkiller.

You may experience sudden withdrawal symptoms similar to possible side effects of Instanyl if you stop using it. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will assess whether you need medicine to reduce or eliminate these symptoms.

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.

Frequently, adverse effects will disappear or decrease with continued use of the medicine.

Interrupt treatment and contact your doctor, hospital, or emergency service immediately if:

• you experience a severe and sudden allergic reaction with difficulty breathing, inflammation, feeling of dizziness, increased heart rate, sweating, or loss of consciousness.
• you experience severe breathing difficulties.
• you have a whistling sound when inhaling.
• you have convulsive pain.
• you experience extreme dizziness.

These adverse effects can be very serious.

Other adverse effects observed after using Instanyl:

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

Drowsiness, dizziness even with difficulty maintaining balance, headache, throat irritation, nausea, vomiting, flushing, feeling of intense heat, excessive sweating.

Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

Insomnia, lethargy, muscle convulsions, strange or unpleasant sensation on the skin, alteration of taste, dizziness caused by movement, low blood pressure, severe respiratory problems, nasal bleeding, nasal ulcer, runny nose, constipation, mouth inflammation, dry mouth, skin discomfort, skin itching, fever.

Unknown(frequency cannot be estimated from available data):

Allergic reaction, falls, diarrhea, seizures (epileptic crisis), loss of consciousness, inflammation of arms or legs, seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations), delirium (symptoms may consist of a combination of agitation, restlessness, disorientation, confusion, fear, seeing or hearing things that do not exist, sleep disorders, nightmares), pharmacological tolerance, drug dependence (addiction), drug abuse (see section 2), fatigue, general malaise, withdrawal syndrome (which can manifest with the appearance of the following adverse effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, chills, tremors, and sweating), breathing difficulties.

Cases of patients who have developed a perforation in the nasal septum – the structure that separates the nostrils – have also been observed.

Prolonged treatment with fentanyl during pregnancy may cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn, which can be potentially fatal (see section 2).

You should inform your doctor if you suffer from repeated episodes of nasal bleeding or nose discomfort.

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 leaflet. 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. Storage of Instanyl

The analgesic contained in Instanyl is very potent and can be fatal in children. Instanyl must be kept out of sight and reach of children. After use, always place the nasal spray in the child-resistant box.

Keep this medicine in a safe and protected place, where others cannot access it. This medicine can cause serious harm and even be fatal for people who use it accidentally or intentionally when it has not been prescribed for them.

Do not use Instanyl after the expiration date shown on the packaging after CAD or EXP. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

Store below 30°C. Keep the nasal spray in a vertical position. Do not freeze. If the Instanyl nasal spray freezes, the device may break. You should check the spray button before using it if you are unsure how it has been stored.

Instanyl packages that have exceeded the expiration date or are no longer going to be used may still contain enough medicine to harm others, especially children. Medicines should not be thrown away in drains or trash. Any used or unused nasal spray should be disposed of according to local regulations or returned to the pharmacy in the child-resistant box. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Package Contents and Additional Information

Composition of Instanyl

The active ingredient is fentanyl citrate. The content is:

50 micrograms/dose: 1 ml contains fentanyl citrate equivalent to 500 micrograms of fentanyl. One spray (100 microliters) contains 50 micrograms of fentanyl.

100 micrograms/dose: 1 ml contains fentanyl citrate equivalent to 1,000 micrograms of fentanyl. One spray (100 microliters) contains 100 micrograms of fentanyl.

200 micrograms/dose: 1 ml contains fentanyl citrate equivalent to 2,000 micrograms. One spray (100 microliters) contains 200 micrograms of fentanyl.

The other components are sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, disodium phosphate dihydrate, and purified water.

Appearance of Instanyl and Package Contents

Instanyl is a solution for nasal spray. The solution is transparent and colorless. It is packaged in a brown glass bottle with a dosing pump. The nasal spray is dispensed in a child-resistant box and is available in three different package sizes:

1.8 ml (equivalent to 10 doses), 2.9 ml (equivalent to 20 doses), and 5.0 ml (equivalent to 40 doses).

Only some package sizes may be marketed.

The labeling of the three Instanyl concentrations is differentiated by color:

For 50 micrograms/dose, the labeling is orange.

For 100 micrograms/dose, the labeling is purple.

For 200 micrograms/dose, the labeling is greenish-blue.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Istituto Gentili S.r.l.

Via San Giuseppe Cottolengo 15

20143 Milano

Italy

Manufacturer

Curida AS

Solbærvegen 5

NO-2409 Elverum

Norway

Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet

August 2024

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: http://www.ema.europa.eu.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF INSTANYL NASAL SPRAY

Read the following instructions carefully to learn how to use the Instanyl nasal spray:

Preparing the Instanyl nasal spray for use:

Before using the nasal spray for the first time:

• Press 3 or 4 times (priming) until a fine spray appears.

• During this preparation or priming process, part of the medicine will be expelled. Therefore:
• Priming must be done in a well-ventilated area.
• The nasal spray must not be aimed at the user or other people.
• The nasal spray must not be aimed at surfaces or objects that could come into contact with other people, especially children.

• If you have not used Instanyl for more than 7 days, the pump must be prepared again by pressing it once before receiving the next dose.

The Instanyl nasal spray should be used as follows:

1. Blow your nose if it is blocked or if you have a cold.
2. You must remain seated or standing in an upright position.
3. Remove the protective cap from the spray.

1. Keep the nasal spray in a vertical position.
2. Lean your head slightly forward.
3. Cover one nostril by pressing the side with your finger and insert the tip of the spray into the other (approximately 1 cm). It does not matter which nostril you use. If after 10 minutes you need to use a second dose to achieve sufficient pain relief, this dose should be administered in the other nostril.

1. Press the button quickly and completely with both fingers once, while inhaling through the nose. Make sure you press the button all the way. You may not feel the dose in your nose, but you will have received it when you press the button.
2. After use, clean the end of the nasal spray with a clean paper towel, which should then be discarded.

If after 10 minutes you need a second dose of Instanyl to relieve pain, repeat steps 1 to 8 in the other nostril.

Always keep Instanyl in the child-resistant box after use. Keep out of sight and reach of children.

Keep a record of how many doses you have used and how many you have left in your nasal spray on the dose counter card provided with the Instanyl nasal spray. Each time you use the Instanyl nasal spray, make sure you or your caregiver fill in the information on the card.

If the Instanyl nasal spray is blocked or does not spray correctly:

• If it is blocked, move the spray away from you (and any other person) and press the button firmly downwards. This should clear any obstruction.
• If your nasal spray continues to malfunction, speak with your pharmacist. Never attempt to repair it yourself or disassemble it,because you could then administer an incorrect dose.