


Ask a doctor about a prescription for Orphacol 50mg hard capsules
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Orphacol 50 mg hard capsules
Orphacol 250 mg hard capsules Cholic acid
This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring, which will allow for quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. The last section of the leaflet includes information on how to report side effects.
of side effects that are not listed in this leaflet.
Contents of the pack:
Orphacol contains cholic acid, a bile acid produced normally by the liver. Some medical disorders are caused by defects in bile acid production, and Orphacol is used to treat infants from 1 month of age to 2 years, children, adolescents, and adults with these disorders. The cholic acid in Orphacol replaces the missing bile acids due to the defect in bile acid production.
Do not take Orphacol
Warnings and precautions
Your doctor will ask you to have blood and urine tests and liver tests when you start treatment and then at regular intervals. Do not forget to visit your doctor for these regular check-ups at least once a year.
Using Orphacol with other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used, or might use any other medicines.
Some medicines used to reduce cholesterol levels, known as bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam), and medicines used to treat heartburn that contain aluminum, may reduce the effect of Orphacol. If you take these medicines, you should take Orphacol at least 5 hours before or at least 5 hours after these other medicines. Cyclosporine (a medicine used to suppress the immune system) may also alter the effect of Orphacol. Tell your doctor if you are taking these medicines.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant. Have a pregnancy test as soon as you think you may be pregnant. It is very important that you continue to take Orphacol during pregnancy.
If you become pregnant during treatment with Orphacol, your doctor will decide on the best treatment and dose for your situation. As a precaution, your doctor will closely monitor your condition and that of the fetus throughout the pregnancy.
Orphacol can be administered during breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you plan to start or have started breastfeeding before taking Orphacol.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Orphacol is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Orphacol contains lactose
Orphacol contains a sugar (lactose monohydrate). If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, consult them before taking this medicine.
Follow the instructions for administration of Orphacol exactly as told by your doctor. If you are unsure, consult your doctor.
The usual starting dose is 5 to 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day in infants, children, adolescents, and adults.
Before treatment, your doctor will assess the results of your tests to determine the correct dose for your case. Your doctor will then adjust the dose based on your body's response.
Orphacol capsules should be taken with food, approximately at the same time every day, in the morning and/or evening. Taking Orphacol at the same time every day with a meal will help you remember to take this medicine and may help your body absorb it better. The capsules should be swallowed whole with water, without chewing.
If your doctor has prescribed a dose that requires you to take more than one capsule per day, you and your doctor will decide how to take it throughout the day. You can, for example, take one capsule in the morning and another in the evening. This way, you will have to take fewer capsules at one time.
Use in children
In infants and children who cannot swallow capsules, the capsules can be opened and the contents added to an infant formula or a juice suitable for young children.
If you take more Orphacol than you should
If you take more Orphacol than you should, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will assess the results of your tests and tell you if you should resume your treatment with the normal dose.
If you forget to take Orphacol
Take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.
If you stop taking Orphacol
If you stop taking Orphacol, you risk suffering from irreversible liver damage. Never stop taking Orphacol unless your doctor tells you to.
If you have any other questions about the use of this product, ask your doctor.
Like all medicines, Orphacol can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some patients have experienced itching and/or diarrhea, but the frequency cannot be estimated from the available data. If you experience itching or diarrhea for more than three days, tell your doctor.
Bile duct stones have been reported after long-term treatment with Orphacol.
Reporting of side effects
If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if you think they are not serious or were not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly through the national reporting system listed in Annex V. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use Orphacol after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of the month shown.
Store below 30°C.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Orphacol
Orphacol 50 mg: Each hard capsule contains 50 mg of cholic acid.
Orphacol 250 mg: Each hard capsule contains 250 mg of cholic acid.
Contents of the capsules: Lactose monohydrate, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate
Capsule shell:
Orphacol 50 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), carmine (E132);
Orphacol 250 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), carmine (E132), yellow iron oxide (E172);
Appearance and packaging of the product
Orphacol is presented in hard, oblong capsules. The 50 mg capsules are blue and white, and the 250 mg capsules are green and white. They are presented in blisters of 10 capsules.
The medicinal product is marketed in pack sizes of 30, 60, and 120 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder
THERAVIA
16 Rue Montrosier
92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine
France
Manufacturer
THERAVIA
16 Rue Montrosier
92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine
France
You can obtain further information on this medicinal product by contacting the local representative of the marketing authorisation holder:
België/Belgique/Belgien THERAVIA Tel: +32 (0)2 40 11 442 | Lietuva Immedica Pharma AB Tel: +46 (0)8 533 39 500 |
| Luxembourg/Luxemburg THERAVIA Tel: +352 278 62 329 |
Ceská republika THERAVIA Tel: + 33 (0)1 70 76 06 37 | Magyarország Medis Hungary Kft Tel: +36 (2) 380 1028 |
Danmark Medical Need Europe AB Tlf: +46 (0)8 533 39 500 | Malta THERAVIA Tel: +356 2776 1358 |
Deutschland THERAVIA Tel: +49 (0)6 922 221 311 | Nederland THERAVIA Tel: +31 (0)2 070 38 155 |
Eesti Immedica Pharma AB Tel: +46 (0)8 533 39 500 | Norge Immedica Pharma AB Tel: +46 (0)8 533 39 500 |
Ελλάδα THERAVIA Tel: + 33 (0)1 70 76 06 37 | Österreich THERAVIA Tel: +43 (0) 800 909 699 |
España THERAVIA Tel: + (34) 915635856 | Polska THERAVIA Tel: + 33 (0)1 70 76 06 37 |
France THERAVIA Tel: + 33 (0)1 70 76 06 37 | Portugal THERAVIA Tel: + 33 (0)1 70 76 06 37 |
Hrvatska Medis Adria d.o.o. Tel: +385 (1) 230 3446 | România THERAVIA Tel: + 33 (0)1 70 76 06 37 |
Ireland THERAVIA Tel: +353 (0)1 695 00 63 | Slovenija Medis d.o.o. Tel: +386 (1) 589 6900 |
Ísland Immedica Pharma AB Sími: + 46 (0)8 533 39 500 | Slovenská republika THERAVIA Tel: + 33 (0)1 70 76 06 37 |
Italia THERAVIA Tel: + 33 (0)1 70 76 06 37 | Suomi/Finland Immedica Pharma AB Tel: +46 (0)8 533 39 500 |
Κύπρος THERAVIA Tel: + 33 (0)1 70 76 06 37 | Sverige Immedica Pharma AB Tel: +46 (0)8 533 39 500 |
Latvija Immedica Pharma AB Tel: +46 (0)8 533 39 500 | United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) THERAVIA Tel: +44 (0)3 301 002 375 |
Date of last revision of this leaflet:
This medicinal product has been authorised under an exceptional circumstances.
This means that due to the rarity of the disease and for ethical reasons, it has not been possible to obtain complete information on this medicinal product.
The European Medicines Agency will review any new information that may become available every year and this leaflet will be updated as necessary.
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the European Medicines Agency web site http://www.ema.europa.eu. It also provides links to other web sites on rare diseases and orphan medicines.
Discuss dosage, side effects, interactions, contraindications, and prescription renewal for Orphacol 50mg hard capsules – subject to medical assessment and local rules.