Introduction
Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Sewab 2.5 mg film-coated tablets EFG
apixaban
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, pharmacist, or nurse.
- 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:
- What is Sewab and what is it used for
- What you need to know before you take Sewab
- How to take Sewab
- Possible side effects
- Storage of Sewab
- Contents of the pack and other information
1. What is Sewab and what is it used for
This medicine contains the active substance apixaban and belongs to a group of medicines called anticoagulants. This medicine helps to prevent the formation of blood clots by blocking Factor Xa, an important element in blood clotting.
This medicine is used in adults:
- to prevent the formation of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis [DVT]) after hip or knee replacement surgery. After hip or knee replacement surgery, you may have a higher risk of blood clots forming in the veins of your legs. This can cause swelling in your legs, with or without pain. If a blood clot travels from your leg to your lungs, it can block the flow of blood, causing difficulty breathing, with or without chest pain. This medical condition (pulmonary embolism) can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
- to prevent the formation of a blood clot in the heart in patients with an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) and at least one additional risk factor. Blood clots can break loose, travel to the brain, and cause a stroke, or travel to other organs, preventing proper irrigation (also known as systemic embolism). A stroke can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
to treat blood clots in the veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and in the blood vessels of the lungs (pulmonary embolism), and to prevent these blood clots from recurring in the blood vessels of the legs and/or lungs.
2. What you need to know before you take Sewab
Do not takeSewabif:
- you are allergic to apixaban or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),
- you have excessive bleeding,
- you have a disease in an organ of the body that increases the risk of severe bleeding (such as an active or recent stomach or intestinal ulcer, or recent cerebral hemorrhage),
- you have a liver disease that increases the risk of bleeding (hepatic coagulopathy),
- you are taking medicines to prevent blood clotting (e.g., warfarin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or heparin), except when switching from one anticoagulant treatment to another, while having an arterial or venous line and being treated with heparin to keep the line open, or when a tube is inserted into a blood vessel (catheter ablation) to treat an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
Warnings and precautions
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before you start taking this medicine if you have any of these conditions:
- an increased risk of bleeding, such as:
- bleeding disorders, including situations that result in a decrease in platelet activity,
- very high blood pressure, not controlled by medical treatment,
- you are over 75 years old,
- you weigh 60 kg or less,
- severe kidney disease or if you are on dialysis,
- a liver problem or history of liver problems.
- This medicine will be used with caution in patients with signs of altered liver function,
- you had a catheter or received an injection in the spine (for anesthesia or pain relief), your doctor will tell you to wait at least 5 hours after removing the catheter before taking this medicine,
- you have a heart valve prosthesis,
- if your doctor determines that your blood pressure is unstable or you are scheduled to receive another treatment or undergo surgery to remove the blood clot from your lungs.
Be careful with Sewab
- if you know you have a disease called antiphospholipid syndrome (an immune system disorder that increases the risk of blood clots), inform your doctor to decide if it may be necessary to modify the treatment.
- If you need surgery or a procedure that may cause bleeding, your doctor will tell you to temporarily stop taking this medicine for a while. If you are not sure if a procedure may cause bleeding, consult your doctor.
Children and adolescents
This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Other medicines and Sewab
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you are using, have recently used, or might use other medicines.
Some medicines may increase the effects of Sewab and some medicines may decrease its effects. Your doctor will decide if you should be treated with Sewab if you are taking these medicines and if you should be kept under closer observation.
The following medicines may increase the effects of apixaban and increase the possibility of an unwanted hemorrhage:
- some medicines for fungal infections (e.g., ketoconazole, etc.),
- some antiviral medicines for HIV/AIDS (e.g., ritonavir),
- other medicines to reduce blood clotting (e.g., enoxaparin, etc.),
- anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medicines (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid or naproxen). In particular, if you are over 75 years old and taking acetylsalicylic acid, there is a higher probability of bleeding,
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems (e.g., diltiazem),
- antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
The following medicines may reduce the ability of apixaban to prevent blood clot formation.
- medicines for the treatment of epilepsy or convulsions (e.g., phenytoin, etc.),
- St. John's Wort (a plant-based medicine for the treatment of depression),
- medicines to treat tuberculosis or other infections (e.g., rifampicin).
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 taking this medicine.
The effects of this medicine on pregnancy and the fetus are not known. You should not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor immediatelyif you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
It is not known whether this medicine is excreted in human milk. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine during breastfeeding. They will tell you whether to stop breastfeeding or whether to stop or not start taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Sewab has no influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Sewab contains lactose (a type of sugar) and sodium
If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, consult them before taking this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per tablet; this is essentially "sodium-free".
3. How to take Sewab
Follow exactly the instructions of administration of this medicine given by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are in doubt, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Dosage
Take the tablet with water. This medicine can be taken with or without food.
Try to take the tablets at the same time each day to achieve a better effect of the treatment.
If you have difficulty swallowing the tablet whole, talk to your doctor about other possible ways to take Sewab. The tablet can be crushed and mixed with water, 5% glucose in water, apple juice, or apple puree, immediately before taking it.
Instructions for crushing:
- Crush the tablets with a mortar.
- Transfer all the powder carefully into a suitable container, mixing the powder with a small amount, e.g., 30 ml (2 tablespoons), of water or any of the other liquids mentioned to make the mixture.
- Take the mixture.
- Rinse the mortar and pestle used to crush the tablet and the container with a small amount of water or one of the other liquids (e.g., 30 ml), and take that liquid.
If necessary, your doctor may also administer the crushed Sewab tablet mixed in 60 ml of water or 5% glucose in water through a nasogastric tube.
TakeSewabaccording to the following recommendations:
- To prevent the formation of blood clots in hip or knee replacement surgery
The recommended dose of Sewab is one 2.5 mg tablet twice a day. For example, take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
You should take the first tablet between 12 and 24 hours after surgery.
- If you have had majorhipsurgery, you will generally take the tablets for a period of 32 to 38 days.
- If you have had majorkneesurgery, you will generally take the tablets for a period of 10 to 14 days.
- To prevent the formation of a blood clot in the heart in patients with an irregular heartbeat and at least one additional risk factor
The recommended dose of Sewab is one 5 mg tablet twice a day.
The recommended dose of Sewab is one 2.5 mg tablet twice a day if:
- you have severely decreased kidney function
- two or more of the following factors apply to you:
- your blood test results suggest poor kidney function (the serum creatinine value is 1.5 mg/dl (133 micromoles/l) or higher),
- you are 80 years old or older,
- your weight is 60 kg or less.
The recommended dose is one tablet twice a day, for example, take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
Your doctor will tell you how long you should continue the treatment.
- To treat blood clots in the veins of the legs and in the blood vessels of the lungs
The recommended dose of Sewab is two 5 mg tablets twice a day for the first 7 days, for example, two tablets in the morning and two tablets in the evening.
After 7 days, the recommended dose of Sewab is one 5 mg tablet twice a day, for example, one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
- To prevent blood clots from recurring after 6 months of treatment
The recommended dose of Sewab is one 2.5 mg tablet twice a day, for example, one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
Your doctor will tell you how long you should continue the treatment.
Your doctor may change your anticoagulant treatment as follows:
- Switching fromSewabto anticoagulant medicines
Stop taking Sewab. Start treatment with anticoagulant medicines (e.g., heparin) at the time you would take the next Sewab tablet.
- Switching from anticoagulant medicines to Sewab
Stop taking anticoagulant medicines. Start treatment with Sewab at the time you would take the next dose of an anticoagulant medicine, and then continue as usual.
- Switching from a treatment with anticoagulants that contain Vitamin K antagonists (e.g., warfarin) to Sewab
Stop taking the medicine that contains a Vitamin K antagonist. Your doctor will need to perform blood tests and tell you when to start taking Sewab.
- Switching from treatment with Sewab to a treatment with anticoagulants that contain a Vitamin K antagonist (e.g., warfarin)
If your doctor tells you to start taking a medicine that contains a Vitamin K antagonist, continue taking Sewab for at least 2 days after your first dose of the medicine that contains a Vitamin K antagonist. Your doctor will need to perform blood tests and tell you when to stop taking Sewab.
Patients undergoing cardioversion
If your heartbeat needs to be restored through a process called cardioversion, take this medicine at the times your doctor indicates to prevent blood clots in the blood vessels of the brain and other blood vessels in the body.
If you take moreSewabthan you should
Tell your doctor immediatelyif you have taken a dose greater than the prescribed dose of this medicine. Take the medicine pack to your doctor, even if there are no tablets left.
If you take more Sewab than the recommended dose, you may increase the risk of bleeding. If bleeding occurs, surgery, blood transfusions, or other treatments that can reverse the anti-factor Xa activity may be necessary.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount taken.
If you forget to takeSewab
Take the dose as soon as you remember and:
- take the next Sewab dose at the usual time,
- then continue taking the medicine as usual.
If you have doubts about what to do or if you forget to take more than one dose,ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
If you stop takingSewab
Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor first, because the risk of developing a blood clot may be greater if you stop treatment too soon.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
4. Possible Adverse Effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them. Sewab can be administered in three different diseases. The known adverse effects and the frequency with which they occur may be different and are therefore indicated separately below. For these conditions, the most frequent adverse effect of this medicine is bleeding, which can put the patient's life at risk and requires immediate medical attention.
The following adverse effects have been reported when takingSewabto prevent the formation of blood clots in hip or knee replacement surgery.
Common Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10people)
- Anemia, which can cause fatigue or paleness.
- Bleeding, including hematoma and swelling.
- Nausea (general feeling of discomfort).
Uncommon Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100people)
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (which can affect coagulation).
- Bleeding:
- after an operation, including hematoma and swelling, bleeding or fluid secretion from the wound/surgical incision (suppuration), or at the injection site,
- from the stomach, intestine, or bright red blood in the stool,
- blood in the urine,
- from the nose,
- from the vagina,
- Low blood pressure, which can cause fainting or a faster heart rate.
- Blood tests may show:
- abnormal liver function,
- increase in some liver enzymes,
- increase in bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cells, which can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Itching.
Rare Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000people)
- Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) that can cause: swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, and/or throat, and difficulty breathing. Inform your doctor immediatelyif you experience any of these symptoms,
- Bleeding:
- in a muscle,
- in the eyes,
- from the gums and coughing up blood,
- from the rectum,
- Hair loss.
Frequency Not Known (cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Bleeding:
- in the brain or spinal cord,
- in the lungs or throat,
- in the mouth,
- in the abdomen or the space behind the abdominal cavity,
- hemorrhoidal,
- tests showing blood in the stool or urine.
- Skin rash that can form blisters and resemble small targets (dark spots in the center surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around) (erythema multiforme),
- Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) that can cause skin rash or pinpoint, flat, red, and round spots under the skin surface or bruising.
The following adverse effects have been reported when taking Sewab to prevent the formation of blood clots in the heart in patients with irregular heart rhythm and at least one additional risk factor.
Common Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Bleeding, including:
- in the eyes,
- in the stomach or intestine,
- from the rectum,
- blood in the urine,
- from the nose,
- from the gums,
- hematoma and swelling,
- Anemia, which can cause fatigue or paleness.
- Low blood pressure, which can cause fainting or a faster heart rate.
- Nausea (general feeling of discomfort).
- Blood tests may show:
- an increase in gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT).
Uncommon Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Bleeding:
- in the brain or spinal cord,
- in the mouth or coughing up blood,
- in the abdomen, or vagina,
- bright red blood in the stool,
- bleeding after surgery, including hematoma and swelling, bleeding or fluid secretion from the wound/surgical incision (suppuration) or injection site,
- hemorrhoidal,
- tests showing blood in the stool or urine.
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (which can affect coagulation).
- Blood tests may show:
- abnormal liver function,
- increase in some liver enzymes,
- increase in bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cells, which can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Skin rash.
- Itching.
- Hair loss.
- Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) that can cause: swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, and/or throat, and difficulty breathing. Inform your doctor immediatelyif you experience any of these symptoms.
Rare Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- Bleeding:
- in the lungs or throat,
- in the space behind the abdominal cavity,
- in a muscle.
Very Rare Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
- Skin rash that can form blisters and resemble small targets (dark spots in the center surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around) (erythema multiforme).
Frequency Not Known (cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) that can cause skin rash or pinpoint, flat, red, and round spots under the skin surface or bruising.
The following adverse effects have been reported when taking Sewab to treat or prevent blood clots from recurring in the veins of the legs and in the blood vessels of the lungs.
Common Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10people)
- Bleeding, including:
- from the nose,
- from the gums,
- blood in the urine,
- hematoma and swelling,
- in the stomach, intestine, or rectum,
- in the mouth,
- from the vagina,
- Anemia, which can cause fatigue or paleness.
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (which can affect coagulation).
- Nausea (general feeling of discomfort).
- Skin rash.
- Blood tests may show:
- an increase in gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT).
Uncommon Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100people)
- Low blood pressure, which can cause fainting or a faster heart rate,
- Bleeding:
- in the eyes,
- in the mouth or coughing up blood,
- bright red blood in the stool,
- tests showing blood in the stool or urine,
- bleeding after surgery, including hematoma and swelling, bleeding or fluid secretion from the wound/surgical incision (suppuration) or injection site;
- hemorrhoidal,
- in a muscle,
- Itching.
- Hair loss.
- Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) that can cause: swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, and/or throat, and difficulty breathing. Inform your doctor immediatelyif you experience any of these symptoms.
- Blood tests may show:
- abnormal liver function,
- increase in some liver enzymes,
- increase in bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cells, which can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Rare Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000people)
- Bleeding:
- in the brain or spinal cord,
- in the lungs.
Frequency Not Known (cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Bleeding:
- in the abdomen or the space behind the abdominal cavity.
- Skin rash that can form blisters and resemble small targets (dark spots in the center surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around) (erythema multiforme).
- Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) that can cause skin rash or pinpoint, flat, red, and round spots under the skin surface or bruising.
Reporting of Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, 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 Sewab
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiration date that appears on the packaging and on each blister, after "EXP". The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
This medicine does not require special storage conditions.
Medicines should not be disposed of through wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and medicines you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point in the pharmacy. If in 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 ofSewab
- The active ingredient is apixaban. Each film-coated tablet contains 2.5 mg of apixaban.
- The other ingredients are:
Core of the tablet: lactose monohydrate (see section 2 "Sewab contains lactose (a type of sugar) and sodium"), microcrystalline cellulose (E460), povidone K30, crospovidone (type A), sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium stearyl fumarate.
- Coating: lactose monohydrate (see section 2 "Sewab contains lactose (a type of sugar) and sodium"), hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), triacetin (E 1518), yellow iron oxide (E172).
Appearance of the Product and Package Contents
Sewab 2.5 mg are yellow, round, film-coated tablets (tablets) with a diameter of 6.1 mm.
The product is available in aluminum-PVC/PVdC blister packs and unit dose blister packs in a cardboard box containing 10, 20, or 60 film-coated tablets (blister) or 10 x 1, 20 x 1, or 60 x 1 film-coated tablets (unit dose blister).
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Patient Information Card: Information Management
Inside the Sewab packaging, along with the leaflet, you will find a Patient Information Card or your healthcare professional may give you a similar card.
This Patient Information Card includes useful information for you and will alert other doctors that you are being treated with Sewab. You must keep this card with you at all times.
- Take the card
- Complete the following sections or ask your doctor to complete them:
- Name:
- Date of birth:
- Indication:
- Dose: ......mg twice a day
- Doctor's name:
- Doctor's phone number:
- Fold the card and carry it with you at all times
Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorization Holder
Adalvo Limited
Malta Life Sciences Park,
Building 1, Level 4
Sir Temi Zammit Buildings
San Gwann Industrial Estate
San Gwann
SGN 3000
Malta
Manufacturer
Pharmadox Healthcare Ltd.
Address: KW20A Kordin Industrial Park
Paola PLA 300
Malta
O
Adalvo Limited
Address: Malta Life Sciences Park
Building 1, Level 4, Sir Temi Zammit Buildings
San Gwann, SGN 3000
Malta
Date of the Last Revision of this Leaflet:May 2024
Detailed and updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/