TIRBAS 250 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Patient Information Leaflet

Tirbas 250 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Tirbas 500 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Tirbas 1000 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Levetiracetam

Read the entire 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 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 experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack

1. What is Tirbas and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you take Tirbas
3. How to take Tirbas
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Tirbas
6. Contents of the pack and further information

1. What is Tirbas and what is it used for

Tirbas (levetiracetam) is an antiepileptic medicine (a medicine used to treat seizures in epilepsy).

Levetiracetam is used:

• on its own in adults and adolescents from 16 years of age with newly diagnosed epilepsy to treat a type of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition where you have attacks (seizures). Levetiracetam is used for a type of epilepsy where the seizures first affect only one side of the brain but may then spread to other areas on one or both sides of the brain (partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation). Your doctor has prescribed levetiracetam for you to help you reduce the number of seizures.

• in combination with other antiepileptic medicines to treat:

• partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation in adults, adolescents, children, and infants from 1 month of age.
• myoclonic seizures (short, shock-like jerks of a muscle or a group of muscles) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures (major seizures, including loss of consciousness) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (a type of epilepsy that is thought to have a genetic cause).

2. What you need to know before you take Tirbas

Do not take Tirbas

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get worse or last more than a few days:

• abnormal thoughts, feeling irritable or behaving more aggressively than usual or if you or your family and friends notice significant changes in mood or behaviour.
• worsening of epilepsy

In rare cases, epileptic seizures may become worse or more frequent, mainly during the first month after the start of treatment or after a dose increase. In a very rare form of early-onset epilepsy (epilepsy associated with SCN8A mutations) that causes multiple types of epileptic seizures and loss of skills, you may notice that seizures persist or worsen during treatment.

If you experience any of these new symptoms while taking levetiracetam, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Children and adolescents

Monotherapy with levetiracetam is not indicated in children and adolescents below 16 years.

Taking Tirbas with other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Do not take macrogol (a medicine used as a laxative) for one hour before and one hour after taking levetiracetam as it may reduce its effect.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

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

Levetiracetam should only be used during pregnancy if, after careful evaluation, your doctor considers it necessary.

Do not stop your treatment without discussing it with your doctor.

The risk of birth defects for your baby cannot be completely ruled out.

Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with levetiracetam.

Driving and using machines

Levetiracetam may affect your ability to drive or use tools or machines, as it may cause drowsiness. This is more likely at the start of treatment or when the dose is increased. You should not drive or use machines until it is established that your ability to perform such activities is not affected.

Tirbas contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per tablet; this is essentially “sodium-free”.

3. How to take Tirbas

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Take the number of tablets that your doctor has prescribed for you.

Levetiracetam should be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, at approximately the same time every day.

Concomitant therapyand monotherapy(from 16 years of age)

• Adults (≥18 years) and adolescents (12 to 17 years) weighing 50 kg or more:

Recommended dose: between 1,000 mg and 3,000 mg per day.

When you first start taking levetiracetam, your doctor will prescribe you a lower dosefor 2 weeks before giving you the lowest daily dose.

For example: for a daily dose of 1,000 mg, your reduced starting dose is 1 tablet of 250 mg in the morning and 1 tablet of 250 mg in the evening, and the dose should be gradually increased to 1,000 mg per day after 2 weeks of treatment.

• Adolescents (12 to 17 years) weighing 50 kg or less:

Your doctor will prescribe the most suitable pharmaceutical form of Levetiracetam according to your weight and dose.

• Dose in infants (1 to 23 months) and children (2 to 11 years) weighing less than 50 kg:

Your doctor will prescribe the most suitable pharmaceutical form of levetiracetam according to age, weight, and dose.

Levetiracetam 100 mg/ml oral solution is a more suitable formulation for infants and children under 6 years and for children and adolescents (6 to 17 years) weighing less than 50 kg and when tablets do not allow for precise dosing.

Method of administration

Swallow the levetiracetam tablets with a sufficient amount of liquid (e.g. a glass of water). You can take levetiracetam with or without food. After oral administration of levetiracetam, a bitter taste may be perceived.

Duration of treatment

• Levetiracetam is used as a chronic treatment. You should continue to take levetiracetam for as long as your doctor has told you.
• Do not stop your treatment without your doctor's advice, as your seizures may increase.

If you take more Tirbas than you should

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, telephone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount ingested.

Possible side effects of a levetiracetam overdose are drowsiness, agitation, aggression, decreased alertness, respiratory depression, and coma.

Contact your doctor if you have taken more tablets than you should. Your doctor will establish the best possible treatment for the overdose.

If you forget to take Tirbas

Contact your doctor if you have missed one or more doses. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

If you stop taking Tirbas

Stopping treatment with levetiracetam should be done gradually to avoid an increase in seizures. If your doctor decides to stop your treatment with levetiracetam, he/she will give you instructions for the gradual withdrawal of levetiracetam.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Tell your doctor immediately, or go to the casualty department of your nearest hospital if you experience:

• weakness, dizziness, or difficulty breathing, as these may be signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction).
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema)
• flu-like symptoms and rash on the face followed by a prolonged rash with high temperature, elevated liver enzymes in blood tests, and an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia) and enlarged lymph nodes (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS))
• symptoms such as low urine output, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet, as this may be a sign of sudden decrease in kidney function
• a skin rash that may form blisters and looks like targets (central dark spot surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring on the edge) (erythema multiforme)
• a widespread rash with blisters and peeling of the skin, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
• a more severe form causing skin peeling on more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• signs of severe mental changes or if someone around you notices signs of confusion, drowsiness (drowsiness), amnesia (memory loss), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal coordination/ataxia (altered coordination of movements), paresthesia (tingling), attention disturbances (loss of concentration);

The most frequently reported side effects are nasopharyngitis, somnolence (feeling drowsy), headache, fatigue, and dizziness. Side effects such as drowsiness, weakness, and dizziness may be more frequent when starting treatment or increasing the dose. However, these side effects should decrease over time.

Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

• nasopharyngitis
• somnolence (feeling drowsy), headache.

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

• anorexia (loss of appetite);
• depression, hostility or aggression, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness or irritability;
• seizures, balance disorders, dizziness (feeling unsteady), lethargy (lack of energy and enthusiasm), tremor (involuntary tremor);
• vertigo (feeling of spinning);
• cough;
• abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia (indigestion), vomiting, nausea;
• skin rash;
• asthenia/fatigue (feeling weak).

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• decrease in platelet count, decrease in white blood cell count;
• weight loss, weight gain;
• suicidal attempt and suicidal thoughts, mental disorders, abnormal behaviour, hallucinations, anger, confusion, panic attack, emotional instability/mood changes, agitation;
• amnesia (memory loss), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal coordination/ataxia (altered coordination of movements), paresthesia (tingling), attention disturbances (loss of concentration);
• double vision, blurred vision;
• elevated liver enzymes;
• hair loss, eczema, itching;
• muscle weakness, myalgia (muscle pain);
• injury.

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

• infection;
• decrease in all types of blood cells;
• severe allergic reactions (DRESS, anaphylactic reaction, angioedema);
• decrease in sodium levels in the blood;
• suicide, personality disorders (behavioural problems), abnormal thinking (slow thinking, difficulty concentrating);
• delirium;
• encephalopathy (see subsection “Tell your doctor immediately” for a detailed description of symptoms);
• seizures may worsen or become more frequent;
• uncontrolled muscle spasms affecting the head, torso, and limbs, difficulty controlling movements, hyperkinesia (hyperactivity);
• change in heart rhythm (electrocardiogram);
• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);
• liver failure, hepatitis (inflammation of the liver);
• sudden decrease in kidney function;
• skin rash that may form blisters and looks like targets (central dark spot surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring on the edge) (erythema multiforme), a widespread rash with blisters and peeling of the skin, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) and a more severe form causing skin peeling on more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis);
• rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue) and increased creatine phosphokinase in the blood. The prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients compared to non-Japanese patients;
• limping or difficulty walking.
• a combination of fever, muscle stiffness, unstable blood pressure and heart rate, confusion, decreased level of consciousness (may be signs of a disorder called neuroleptic malignant syndrome). The prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients compared to non-Japanese patients.

Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

• unwanted and repetitive thoughts or feelings or the urge to do something over and over again (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

Reporting of side effects

If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Spanish Medicines Monitoring System for Human Use: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Tirbas

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month shown.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Return any unused tablets to a pharmacy for disposal. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and further information

Composition of Tirbas

• The active substance is levetiracetam. Each tablet contains 250 mg; 500 mg; 1000 mg of levetiracetam. The exact amount is shown on the packaging of your medicine.
• The other ingredients are:

Core of the tablet: microcrystalline cellulose, sodium croscarmellose, anhydrous colloidal silica, macrogol 6000, magnesium stearate.

Coating: hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), glycerol triacetate, and purified water.

Appearance and packaging

Tirbas 250 mg are white, round, biconvex, and scored tablets.

The pack contains 60 film-coated tablets.

Tirbas 500 mg are white, oblong, and scored tablets.

The pack contains 60 or 100 tablets.

Tirbas 1000 mg are white, oblong, and scored tablets.

The pack contains 30 or 60 tablets.

Each tablet can be divided into equal doses.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer

Laboratorios Alter, S.A.

C/ Mateo Inurria, 30

28036 Madrid

Spain

or

Laboratorios Alter, S.A.

C/ Zeus, 6

Polígono Industrial R2

28880 Meco (Madrid)

Spain

Date of last revision of this leaflet: July 2023

Detailed and up-to-date information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/