Prospect: Information for the user
QuetiapineAurovitas50 mg film-coated tablets
Read this prospect carefully before starting to take this medicine, as it contains important information for you.
-Keep this prospect, as you may need to read it again.
-If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
-This medicine has been prescribed only for you, and you should not give it to others even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it may harm them.
-If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this prospect. See section 4.
1.What is Quetiapine Aurovitas and what it is used for
2.What you need to know before starting to take Quetiapine Aurovitas
3.How to take Quetiapine Aurovitas
4.Possible adverse effects
5.Storage of Quetiapine Aurovitas
6.Contents of the package and additional information
QuetiapinaAurovitascontains a substance called quetiapine. It belongs to a group of medications called antipsychotics.Quetiapinemay be used to treat various conditions, such as:
?Bipolar depression: for which you may feel sad. You may find that you feel depressed, guilty, lack energy, lose your appetite, or have trouble sleeping.
?Mania: for which you may feel extremely excited, euphoric, agitated, enthusiastic, or hyperactive, or exhibit poor judgment, which may include being aggressive or violent.
?Schizophrenia: for which you may hear or feel things that are not there, believe things that are not true, or feel abnormally suspicious, anxious, confused, guilty, tense, or depressed.
Your doctor may continue prescribingquetiapineeven when you are feeling better.
Do not take Quetiapina Aurovitas:
?If you are allergic to quetiapine or any of the other ingredients of this medication (listed in section 6).
?If you are taking any of the following medications:
-Some HIV medications
-Azole-type medications (for fungal infections)
-Erythromycin or clarithromycin (for infections)
-Nefazodone (for depression)
If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking quetiapine.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to takeQuetiapinaAurovitas:
?If you, or a family member, have or have had any heart problems, for example, irregular heart rhythm, heart muscle weakness, or heart inflammation, or if you are taking any medication that may affect your heart rate.
?If you have low blood pressure.
?If you have had a stroke, especially if you are elderly.
?If you have liver problems.
?If you have ever had a seizure (convulsion).
?If you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes. Your doctor may monitor your blood sugar levels while you are taking quetiapine.
?If you know you have had low white blood cell counts (which may or may not have been caused by other medications).
?If you are an elderly person with dementia (loss of brain function). If so, do not takequetiapinebecause the group of medications to whichquetiapinebelongs may increase the risk of stroke or, in some cases, death in these people.
?If you are an elderly person with Parkinson's disease/parkinsonism.
?If you or a family member has a history of blood clots, as these medications have been associated with blood clot formation.
?If you have or have had a condition in which your breathing is interrupted by short periods of time during normal sleep (called "sleep apnea") and are taking medications that decrease normal brain activity ("depressants").
?If you have or have had a condition in which you cannot completely empty your bladder (urinary retention), have an enlarged prostate, intestinal obstruction, or high pressure inside your eye. These conditions may be caused by medications (called "anticholinergics") that affect how nerve cells work, to treat certain medical conditions.
?If you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse.
?If you have depression or other conditions that are treated with antidepressants. The use of these medications with quetiapine may cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition (see "Other medications and Quetiapina Aurovitas").
Inform your doctor immediately if after taking quetiapine you experience any of the following:
?A combination of fever, intense muscle stiffness, sweating, or a decrease in level of consciousness (a condition called "neuroleptic malignant syndrome"). You may need immediate medical treatment.
?Uncontrolled movements, mainly of your face or tongue.
?Dizziness or feeling very drowsy. This may increase the risk of accidental injuries (falls) in elderly patients.
?Seizures (convulsions).
?Prolonged and painful erection (priapism).
?Rapid and irregular heartbeats, even when at rest, palpitations, respiratory problems, chest pain, or unexplained fatigue. Your doctor will examine your heart and, if necessary, refer you to a cardiologist immediately.
These conditions may be caused by this type of medication.
Inform your doctor as soon as possible if you have:
?Fever, symptoms similar to the flu, sore throat, or any other infection, as it could be a consequence of very low white blood cell counts and require discontinuation of quetiapine treatment and/or additional treatment.
?Constipation along with persistent abdominal pain, or constipation that has not responded to treatment, as it may lead to more severe intestinal blockage.
?Thoughts of suicide and worsening of depression
If you are depressed, sometimes you may think about harming yourself or committing suicide. This may increase at the beginning of treatment, as all these medications take time to be effective, usually around two weeks but sometimes longer. These thoughts may also increase if you stop taking your medication abruptly. You may be more likely to think this way if you are a young adult. Information obtained from clinical trials has shown an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and/or behavior in adults under 25 years old with depression.
If at any time you think about harming yourself or committing suicide, contact your doctor or go to the hospital immediately. It may help to tell a close family member or friend that you are depressed, and ask them to read this leaflet. You may ask them to tell you if they think your depression is getting worse, or if they are concerned about changes in your behavior.
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs)
Very rarely, severe skin reactions (SCARs) have been reported with the use of this medication, which may put your life at risk or be fatal. These usually manifest as:
•Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SSJ), a generalized rash with blisters and skin peeling, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals.
•Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a more severe form that causes extensive skin peeling.
•Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which consists of flu-like symptoms with rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and abnormal blood test results (including increased white blood cell count (eosinophilia) and elevated liver enzymes).
•Generalized Acute Pustular Psoriasis (GAPP), small pus-filled blisters.
•Erythema multiforme (EM), skin rashes with irregular red patches that itch.
If you develop these symptoms, stop using quetiapine and contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately.
Weight gain
Weight gain has been observed in patients taking quetiapine. You and your doctor should monitor your weight regularly.
Children and adolescents
Quetiapine should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Other medications and Quetiapina Aurovitas
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication.
Do not takequetiapineif you are using any of the following medications:
?Some HIV medications.
?Azole-type medications (for fungal infections).
?Erythromycin or clarithromycin (for infections).
?Nefazodone (for depression).
Inform your doctor if you are using any of the following medications:
?Medications for epilepsy (such as phenytoin or carbamazepine).
?Medications for high blood pressure.
?Barbiturates (for difficulty falling asleep).
?Thioridazine or lithium (other antipsychotic medications).
?Medications that affect your heart rate, for example, medications that may cause an imbalance of electrolytes (low potassium or magnesium levels) such as diuretics (medications to urinate) or certain antibiotics (medications to treat infections).
?Medications that may cause constipation.
?Medications (called "anticholinergics") that affect how nerve cells work, to treat certain medical conditions.
?Antidepressants. These medications may interact with quetiapine and you may experience symptoms such as involuntary and rhythmic muscle contractions, including those that control eye movement, agitation, hallucinations, coma, excessive sweating, tremor, exaggerated reflexes, increased muscle tension, and body temperature above 38°C (serotonin syndrome). Contact your doctor when you experience these symptoms.
Before stopping any of your medications, consult your doctor first.
Quetiapina Aurovitas with food, drinks, and alcohol
?Quetiapine can be taken with or without food.
?Be careful with the amount of alcohol you consume. This is because the combined effect ofquetiapineand alcohol may make you drowsy.
?Do not take grapefruit juice while takingquetiapine. It may affect how the medication works.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication. Do not takequetiapineduring pregnancy, unless you have consulted your doctor. Do not usequetiapineif you are breastfeeding.
The following symptoms, which may represent withdrawal syndrome, may appear in newborns of mothers who have used quetiapine in the last trimester (last three months of their pregnancy): tremor, muscle stiffness, and/or weakness, drowsiness, agitation, respiratory problems, and difficulty feeding. If your newborn develops any of these symptoms, you may need to contact your doctor.
Driving and operating machinery
This medication may make you feel drowsy. Do not drive or operate tools or machines until you know how the medication affects you.
Quetiapina Aurovitas containssodium
This medication contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per tablet; it is essentially "sodium-free".
Quetiapina Aurovitas containslactose
This medication contains lactose, a type of sugar. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medication.
Effect on drug detection tests in urine
If you are undergoing a drug detection test in urine, takingquetiapinemay produce positive results for methadone or certain antidepressants called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) when using certain analysis methods, although you may not be taking methadone or TCAs. If this occurs, a more specific test may be performed.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication as indicated by your doctor. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again. Your doctor will decide your initial dose. The maintenance dose (daily dose) will depend on your disease and your needs, but it will normally be between 150 mg and 800 mg.
?You will take your tablets once a day, at bedtime, or twice a day, depending on your disease.
?Swallow the tablets whole with the help of water.
?You can take the tablets with or without food.
?Do not take grapefruit juice while takingquetiapine. It may affect how the medication works.
?Do not stop taking your tablets even if you feel better, unless your doctor tells you to.
Liver problems
If you have liver problems, your doctor may change your dose.
Older adults
If you are an older adult, your doctor may change your dose.
Use in children and adolescents
Quetiapineshould not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Taking more Quetiapine Aurovitas than you should
If you take moreQuetiapineAurovitas than your doctor prescribed, you may feel drowsy, feel dizzy, and experience abnormal heartbeats. Contact your doctor or the nearest hospital immediately. Bring yourQuetiapineAurovitas tablets with you.
You can also call the Toxicological Information Service, phone91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
Missing a dose of Quetiapine Aurovitas
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Stopping treatment with Quetiapine Aurovitas
If you stop takingquetiapineabruptly, you may be unable to sleep (insomnia), or you may feel nausea, or you may experience headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, or irritability. Your doctor may suggest reducing the dose gradually before stopping treatment.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people
?Dizziness (may lead to falls), headache, dry mouth.
?Drowsiness (may disappear over time as you continue to take quetiapine) (may lead to falls).
?Withdrawal symptoms (symptoms that occur when you stop taking quetiapine), which include insomnia, nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, and irritability. A gradual withdrawal over a period of at least 1 to 2 weeks is recommended.
?Weight gain.
?Abnormal muscle movements. These include difficulty initiating muscle movements, tremors, feeling restless or rigid without pain.
?Changes in the amount of certain fats (triglycerides and total cholesterol).
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
?Fast heart rate.
?Feeling like your heart is beating strongly, rapidly, or irregularly.
?Constipation, indigestion.
?Feeling weak.
?Swelling of arms or legs.
?Low blood pressure when standing. This may cause you to feel dizzy or faint (may lead to falls).
?Increased blood sugar levels.
?Blurred vision.
?Abnormal dreams and nightmares.
?Feeling hungrier.
?Feeling irritable.
?Speech and language disorders.
?Thoughts of suicide and worsening of depression.
?Shortness of breath.
?Vomiting (mainly in elderly people).
?Fever.
?Changes in the amount of thyroid hormones in the blood.
?Decreased number of certain types of blood cells.
?Increases in liver enzymes measured in the blood.
?Increases in prolactin hormone in the blood. Prolactin increases may, in rare cases, lead to:
-Both men and women having breast swelling and unexpected milk production.
-Women not having menstrual periods or having irregular periods.
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
?Seizures or convulsions.
?Allergic reactions that may include hives, skin swelling, and swelling around the mouth.
?Unpleasant sensations in the legs (also known as restless leg syndrome).
?Dysphagia.
?Uncontrolled movements, mainly of the face or tongue.
?Sexual dysfunction.
?Diabetes.
?Change in the electrical activity of the heart seen on an ECG (prolongation of the QT interval).
?Slower than normal heart rate that may occur at the start of treatment and may be associated with low blood pressure and fainting.
?Difficulty urinating.
?Fainting (may lead to falls).
?Stuffy nose.
?Decreased number of red blood cells in the blood.
?Decreased sodium levels in the blood.
Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
?A combination of high temperature (fever), sweating, muscle stiffness, feeling very drowsy or dizzy (a condition called "neuroleptic malignant syndrome").
?Yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
?Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).
?Long-lasting and painful erection (priapism).
?Swelling of the breasts and unexpected milk production (galactorrhea).
?Menstrual disorders.
?Clots in the veins, especially in the legs (symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness in the leg), which may travel through the blood vessels to the lungs, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
?Walking, talking, eating, or other activities while you are asleep.
?Decreased body temperature (hypothermia).
?Inflammation of the pancreas.
?A condition (called "metabolic syndrome") in which you may have a combination of 3 or more of the following effects: increased fat around your abdomen, decreased "good" cholesterol (HDL-C), increased triglycerides, increased blood pressure, and increased blood sugar levels.
?A combination of fever, symptoms similar to the flu, sore throat, or any other infection with a very low white blood cell count, a condition called agranulocytosis.
?Intestinal obstruction.
?Increased creatine phosphokinase in the blood (a substance found in muscles).
Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people
?Severe rash, blisters, or red spots on the skin.
?Severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) that may cause difficulty breathing or shock.
?Quick swelling of the skin, usually around the eyes, lips, and throat (angioedema).
?A severe skin blistering condition, mouth, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome). See section 2.
?Inadequate secretion of a hormone that controls urine volume.
?Muscle fiber rupture and muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis).
Unknown: the frequency cannot be estimated from available data
?Rash with irregular red spots (erythema multiforme). See section 2.
?Rapid appearance of skin areas with red spots and small white or yellowish pustules (Pustulosis Exantemática Generalizada Aguda (AGEP)). See section 2.
?Severe allergic reaction with symptoms such as fever and skin blisters and skin peeling (toxic epidermal necrolysis). See section 2.
?Medication reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which includes flu-like symptoms, rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and abnormal blood test results (including increased white blood cell count (eosinophilia) and elevated liver enzymes). See section 2.
?Withdrawal symptoms may occur in newborns of mothers who have used quetiapine during pregnancy.
?Stroke.
?Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disorder).
?Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).
?Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), often with skin rash with small red or purple spots.
The class of medicines to which quetiapine belongs can cause heart rhythm problems that may be serious and, in severe cases, fatal.
Some side effects are only seen when a blood test is done. These include changes in the amount of certain fats (triglycerides and total cholesterol) or sugar in the blood, changes in the amount of thyroid hormones in the blood, increases in liver enzymes, decreases in the number of certain types of blood cells, decreases in the number of red blood cells, increases in creatine phosphokinase in the blood (a substance found in muscles), decreases in sodium levels in the blood, and increases in prolactin hormone in the blood. Prolactin increases may, in rare cases, lead to:
?Both men and women having breast swelling and unexpected milk production.
?Women not having menstrual periods or having irregular periods.
Your doctor may ask you to have blood tests from time to time.
Additional side effects in children and adolescents
The same side effects that may occur in adults may also occur in children and adolescents.
The following side effects have been observed more frequently in children and adolescents or have not been observed in adults:
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people
?Increased amount of a hormone called prolactin in the blood. Prolactin increases may, in rare cases, lead to:
-Both boys and girls having breast swelling and unexpected milk production.
-Girls not having menstrual periods or having irregular periods.
?Increased appetite.
?Vomiting.
?Abnormal muscle movements. These include difficulty initiating muscle movements, tremors, feeling restless or rigid without pain.
?Increased blood pressure.
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
?Feeling weak, fainting (may lead to falls).
?Stuffy nose.
?Feeling irritable.
Reporting of side effects
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use:www.notificaram.es.By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the box after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
No special storage conditions are required.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains or trash. Dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Quetiapina Aurovitas 50 mg
-The active ingredient is quetiapine. Each film-coated tablet contains 50 mg of quetiapine (as quetiapine fumarate).
-The other components are:
Core of the tablet:calcium dihydrogen phosphate, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose (Grado-101 and Grado-102), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Type A), povidone (K-30), anhydrous colloidal silica, talc, magnesium stearate.
Film coating of the tablet:hypromellose (6cp), macrogol 400, titanium dioxide,black ink containing shellac and iron oxide black.
Appearance of the product and contents of the package
QuetiapineAurovitas 50 mg film-coated tablets:
[Size: Approximately 6.6mm]
White, round, biconvex film-coated tablets with the mark “F84” on one face and smooth on the other.
QuetiapineAurovitas 50 mg film-coated tablets are available in blister packs and HDPE bottles.
Package sizes:
Blister pack:6, 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, 90, 100, 120, 180, 240film-coated tablets.
HDPE bottle:60, 100, 250, 500, 1.000film-coated tablets.
Only some package sizes may be commercially available.
Marketing authorization holder and responsible manufacturer
Marketing authorization holder:
Aurovitas Spain, S.A.U.
Avda. de Burgos, 16-D
28036 Madrid
Spain
Responsible manufacturer:
APL Swift Services (Malta) Limited
HF26, Hal Far Industrial Estate, Hal Far
Birzebbugia, BBG 3000
Malta
Or
Generis Farmacêutica, S.A.
Rua João de Deus, 19
2700-487 Amadora
Portugal
This medicinal product is authorized in the member states of the European Economic Area with the following names:
Bélgica:Quetiapine AB 25 mg / 100 mg / 200 mg / 300 mg filmomhulde tabletten / comprimés pelliculés / Filmtabletten
Alemania:Quetiapin PUREN 50 mg/200 mg/300 mg/400 mg Filmtabletten
Polonia:Quetiapine Aurovitas
Portugal:Quetiapina Ritisca
España:Quetiapina Aurovitas 50 mg comprimidos recubiertos con película
Last review date of this leaflet: October 2024
The detailed information of this medicinal product is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for 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.