ZARZIO 30 MU/0.5 ml SOLUTION FOR INJECTION/PERFUSION IN PRE-FILLED SYRINGE

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Zarzio30MU/0.5ml solution for injection or infusion in a pre-filled syringeZarzio48MU/0.5ml solution for injection or infusion in a pre-filled syringe

filgrastim

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, 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

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

1. What is Zarzio and what is it used for

Zarzio is a white blood cell stimulant (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) and belongs to a group of medicines called cytokines. Growth factors are proteins that are produced naturally in the body but can also be made using biotechnology for use as medicines. Zarzio works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells.

A decrease in the number of white blood cells (neutropenia) can occur for various reasons and makes your body less able to fight infections. Zarzio stimulates the bone marrow to produce new white blood cells quickly.

Zarzio can be used:

• to increase the number of white blood cells after chemotherapy to help prevent infections;
• to increase the number of white blood cells after a bone marrow transplant to help prevent infections;
• before receiving high-dose chemotherapy so that the bone marrow produces more stem cells that can be collected and given back to your body after treatment. These can be collected from you or a donor. The stem cells will return to your bone marrow and produce blood cells;
• to increase the number of white blood cells if you have severe chronic neutropenia to help prevent infections;
• in patients with advanced HIV infection to help reduce the risk of infections.

2. What you need to know before you use Zarzio

Do not use Zarzio

• if you are allergic to filgrastim or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before starting Zarzio.

Tell your doctor before starting treatment if you have:

• osteoporosis (bone disease);
• sickle cell anaemia as Zarzio may cause sickle cell crisis.

Tell your doctor immediately during treatment with Zarzio, if:

• you feel pain in the upper left side of your abdomen, pain in the lower left side of your chest or pain in the left shoulder tip [these may be symptoms of an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) or a possible rupture of the spleen].
• you have bleeding or bruising (these may be symptoms of a decrease in blood platelets (thrombocytopenia), which can lead to a reduced ability of your blood to clot).
• you have signs of a sudden allergic reaction, such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, difficulty breathing, wheezing or difficulty swallowing, as these could be signs of a severe allergic reaction (hypersensitivity).
• you have swelling of the face or ankles, blood in your urine or if your urine is brown or if you notice you are urinating less than usual (glomerulonephritis).
• you have symptoms of inflammation of the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body); this has been reported in rare cases in patients with cancer and healthy donors. The symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, general malaise, back pain, and increased inflammatory markers. Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms.

Loss of response to filgrastim

If you experience a loss of response to filgrastim treatment or it is not maintained, your doctor will investigate the reasons, for example, if you have produced antibodies that neutralise the activity of filgrastim.

Your doctor may want to monitor you closely; see section 4 of the leaflet.

If you are a patient with severe chronic neutropenia, you may be at risk of developing blood cancer (leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome [MDS]). You should discuss your risk of developing blood cancer and what tests should be done with your doctor. If you develop or are likely to develop blood cancer, you should not use Zarzio unless your doctor tells you to.

If you are a stem cell donor, you must be between 16 and 60 years old.

Be careful with other products that stimulate white blood cells.

Zarzio belongs to a group of medicines that stimulate the production of white blood cells. The healthcare professional treating you should always record in your medical record the exact product you are using.

Other medicines and Zarzio

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

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

Zarzio has not been tested in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Zarzio is not recommended during pregnancy.

It is important that you tell your doctor:

• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding,
• if you think you may be pregnant, or
• if you plan to become pregnant.

If you become pregnant during treatment with Zarzio, tell your doctor.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you must stop breastfeeding if you use Zarzio.

Driving and using machines

Zarzio has a minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. This medicine may cause dizziness. It is recommended that you wait to see how you feel after using Zarzio before driving or using machinery.

Zarzio contains sorbitol and sodium

Zarzio contains sorbitol (E 420).

Sorbitol is a source of fructose. If you (or your child) have hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI), a rare genetic disorder, you must not receive this medicine. Patients with HFI cannot break down fructose, which may cause serious side effects.

Talk to your doctor before receiving this medicine if you (or your child) have HFI or cannot take sweet foods or drinks because they make you feel sick, vomit, or have unpleasant effects such as bloating, stomach cramps, or diarrhoea.

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

3. How to use Zarzio

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

How is Zarzio administered and what dose should I use?

Zarzio is usually given as a daily injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). It can also be given as a daily slow injection into a vein (intravenous infusion). The usual dose varies depending on your condition and weight. Your doctor will tell you how much Zarzio to use.

Patients who have a bone marrow transplant after chemotherapy:

You will usually receive the first dose of Zarzio at least 24 hours after chemotherapy and at least 24 hours after the bone marrow transplant.

You, or the people taking care of you, may receive training on how to give subcutaneous injections so that you can continue treatment at home. However, you should not try to do this until a healthcare professional has shown you how to do it correctly.

How long will I need to use Zarzio?

You will need to use Zarzio until your white blood cell count is normal. You will have regular blood tests to check the number of white blood cells in your body. Your doctor will tell you how long you need to use Zarzio.

Use in children

Zarzio is used to treat children who receive chemotherapy or have a very low white blood cell count (neutropenia). The dose for children receiving chemotherapy is the same as for adults.

Administration of small doses

You should not inject a dose less than 0.3 ml with the pre-filled syringe, as it cannot be accurately measured due to the lack of graduation marks at 0.1 and 0.2 ml.

If necessary, the injection solution can be diluted.

If you use more Zarzio than you should

Do not increase the dose that your doctor has prescribed. If you think you have injected more than you should, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

If you forget to use Zarzio

If you forget an injection or the amount injected is too small, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Do not use a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

If you have any other questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.

4. Possible side effects

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

Tell your doctor immediatelyduring treatment:

• if you have an allergic reaction that includes weakness, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face (anaphylaxis), skin rash, itchy rash (urticaria), swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema), and difficulty breathing (dyspnoea).
• if you have cough, fever, and breathing difficulties (dyspnoea), as these may be signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• if you have pain in the upper left side of your abdomen, pain in the lower left side of your chest, or pain in the left shoulder tip, as these may be signs of an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) or a possible rupture of the spleen.
• if you are being treated for severe chronic neutropenia and have blood in your urine (haematuria). Your doctor may perform regular urine tests if you have this side effect or if you have protein in your urine (proteinuria).
• if you experience any of the following side effects:

• swelling or inflammation, which may be associated with urinating less often, difficulty breathing, swelling, and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, and a general feeling of tiredness. These symptoms usually develop very quickly.

These may be symptoms of a condition called “capillary leak syndrome” and can cause blood to leak from small blood vessels into other parts of your body and may require urgent medical attention.

• if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• fever, or chills, or if you feel very cold, rapid heartbeat, confusion or disorientation, difficulty breathing, severe pain or discomfort, and sweaty or moist skin.

These may be symptoms of a condition called “sepsis” (or “septicaemia”), a severe infection in which there is an inflammatory response throughout the body that can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention.

• if you experience kidney damage (glomerulonephritis). Kidney damage has been observed in patients treated with filgrastim. Call your doctor immediately if you have swelling of the face or ankles, blood in your urine, or if your urine is brown or if you notice you are urinating less than usual.

A common side effect of filgrastim is muscle or bone pain (musculoskeletal pain), which can be relieved by taking common painkillers. Patients undergoing stem cell or bone marrow transplantation may experience graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This is a reaction of the donor cells against the patient receiving the transplant, whose signs and symptoms include rash on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet and ulcers and sores in the mouth, intestine, liver, skin, or eyes, lungs, vagina, and joints. In healthy stem cell donors, a very common increase in white blood cells in the blood (leucocytosis) and a decrease in platelets, reducing the ability of the blood to clot (thrombocytopenia), are observed, both of which will be monitored by your doctor.

Very common side effects(may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• decrease in platelets, reducing the ability of the blood to clot (thrombocytopenia)
• low red blood cell count (anaemia)
• headache
• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• nausea
• unusual hair loss or thinning (alopecia)
• fatigue (fatigue)
• irritation and swelling of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus (mucositis)
• fever (pyrexia)

Common side effects(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• inflammation of the lungs (bronchitis)
• upper respiratory tract infection
• urinary tract infection
• decreased appetite
• sleeping problems (insomnia)
• dizziness
• loss of sensation, especially in the skin (hypoesthesia)
• tingling or numbness of the hands or feet (paraesthesia)
• low blood pressure (hypotension)
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• cough
• coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
• mouth and throat pain (oropharyngeal pain)
• nosebleeds (epistaxis)
• constipation
• mouth ulcers
• enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly)
• rash
• redness of the skin (erythema)
• muscle spasms
• pain when urinating (dysuria)
• chest pain
• pain
• general weakness (asthenia)
• general malaise
• swelling of the hands and feet (peripheral oedema)
• increase in some blood enzymes
• changes in blood biochemical parameters
• transfusion reaction

Uncommon side effects(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• increase in white blood cells (leucocytosis)
• allergic reaction (hypersensitivity)
• rejection of the transplanted bone marrow (graft-versus-host disease)
• high levels of uric acid in the blood, which can cause gout (hyperuricaemia) [elevation of uric acid in the blood]
• liver damage caused by the blockage of small veins in the liver (veno-occlusive disease)
• abnormal lung function, causing shortness of breath (respiratory failure)
• swelling or fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)
• inflammation of the lungs (interstitial lung disease)
• abnormal lung X-rays (pulmonary infiltration)
• bleeding in the lungs (pulmonary haemorrhage)
• lack of oxygen absorption in the lungs (hypoxia)
• irregular rash (maculopapular rash)
• disease that causes a decrease in bone density, making them weaker, more fragile, and more prone to breaking (osteoporosis)
• reaction at the injection site

Rare side effects(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• severe pain in the bones, chest, intestine, or joints (sickle cell crisis)
• sudden, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction)
• joint pain and swelling, similar to gout (pseudogout)
• a change in the way the body regulates body fluids, which can cause swelling (fluid volume changes)
• inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin (cutaneous vasculitis)
• painful, dark red ulcers with an inflammatory halo on the limbs and sometimes the face and neck, which are accompanied by fever (Sweet's syndrome)
• worsening of rheumatoid arthritis
• abnormal changes in urine
• reduction in bone density
• inflammation of the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), see section 2
• formation of blood cells outside the bone marrow (extramedullary haematopoiesis)

Reporting of side effects

If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Zarzio

Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the label of the syringe after CAD and EXP, respectively. The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.

Store in a refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C).

Keep the pre-filled syringe in the outer packaging to protect it from light.

Accidental freezing will not cause damage to Zarzio.

The syringe can be taken out of the refrigerator and left at room temperature for a single period of up to 8 days (but at a temperature not above 25 °C). After this period, the product must not be put back in the refrigerator and must be discarded.

Do not use this medicine if you notice discoloration, turbidity, or particles; it should be a clear liquid, colorless to slightly yellowish.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.

6. Container Contents and Additional Information

Zarzio Composition

• The active ingredient is filgrastim.

Zarzio 30 MU/0.5 ml solution for injection or infusion in a pre-filled syringe: each pre-filled syringe contains 30 MU of filgrastim in 0.5 ml, corresponding to 60 MU/ml.

Zarzio 48 MU/0.5 ml solution for injection or infusion in a pre-filled syringe: each pre-filled syringe contains 48 MU of filgrastim in 0.5 ml, corresponding to 96 MU/ml.

• The other ingredients are glutamic acid, sorbitol (E 420), polysorbate 80, sodium hydroxide, and water for injections. See section 2 "Zarzio contains sorbitol and sodium".

Product Appearance and Container Contents

Zarzio is a clear and colorless to slightly yellowish solution for injection or infusion, supplied in a pre-filled syringe containing 0.5 ml of solution.

Zarzio is available in packs of 1, 3, 5, or 10 pre-filled glass syringes (type I glass) with a plunger stopper (bromobutyl rubber), a stainless steel needle of 29 gauge with an automatic needle guard, and a needle shield (thermoplastic elastomer).

The pre-filled syringe has markings from 0.1 ml to 1 ml; however, it is not designed to measure volumes less than 0.3 ml due to the spring mechanism.

Only some pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Sandoz GmbH

Biochemiestr. 10

6250 Kundl

Austria

Manufacturer

Sandoz GmbH

Biochemiestr. 10

6336 Langkampfen

Austria

Novartis Pharmaceutical Manufacturing GmbH

Biochemiestrasse 10

6336 Langkampfen

Austria

You can request more information about this medicinal product from the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:

Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet: {MM/YYYY}

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

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1. Instructions for Use

Follow these instructions to help avoid possible infection.

It is important that you do not attempt to administer the injection or give it to another person unless your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist has first explained how to do it. Read all the instructions before administering an injection. Each sealed blister pack contains a single pre-filled syringe.

Each pre-filled syringe contains 30 MU/0.5 ml or 48 MU/0.5 ml of filgrastim.

Figure 7-1 Zarzio Pre-filled Syringe with Needle Guard

After the medication has been injected, the needle guard will activate to cover the needle. The needle guard is designed to protect healthcare professionals, caregivers, and patients from accidental needlestick injuries after injection.

Additional Materials Needed for Injection:

Important Safety Information

Caution: Keep the pre-filled syringe out of the reach of children.

1. Do not open the outer carton until you are ready to use the pre-filled syringe.
2. Do not use the pre-filled syringe if the blister seal is broken, as using it may not be safe for you.
3. Do not use the pre-filled syringe if there is liquid in the plastic tray. Do not use the pre-filled syringe if the needle shield is missing or not properly placed. In all these cases, return the complete product packaging to the pharmacy.
4. Do not attempt to inject a dose less than 0.3 ml with a pre-filled syringe. It is not possible to accurately measure a dose less than 0.3 ml with the Zarzio pre-filled syringe, as the 0.1 and 0.2 ml graduation marks are not visible on the syringe cylinder.
5. Never leave the pre-filled syringe unattended where others may handle it.
6. Do notshake the pre-filled syringe.
7. Be careful not to touch the wings of the needle guard before use. If the wings are touched, the needle guard may activate prematurely.
8. Do not remove the needle shield until immediately before administering the injection.
9. The pre-filled syringe cannot be reused. Immediately discard the used pre-filled syringe.
10. Do not use the syringe if it has been dropped onto a hard surface or after the needle shield has been removed.

Storage of the Zarzio Pre-filled Syringe

1. Store the pre-filled syringe in its outer carton to protect it from light. Store it in the refrigerator between 2 °C and 8 °C (36 °F and 46 °F). Do notfreeze.
2. Remember to remove the blister from the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature for 15-30 minutes before preparing the syringe for injection.
3. Do not use the pre-filled syringe after the expiration date stated on the outer carton or on the syringe label. If it has expired, return the complete product packaging to the pharmacy.
4. The syringe can be removed from the refrigerator and stored at room temperature for a single period of up to 8 days (but not above 25 °C). At the end of this period, the product cannot be put back in the refrigerator and must be discarded.

Injection Site

Figure 7-3 Injection Sites

Preparing the Zarzio Pre-filled Syringe for Use

1. Remove the blister pack containing the pre-filled syringe from the refrigerator and let it unopenedfor approximately 15-30 minutes to reach room temperature.
2. When you are ready to use the pre-filled syringe, open the blister pack and wash your hands well with soap and water.
3. Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab.
4. Remove the pre-filled syringe from the blister pack by holding it by the middle, as shown in Figure 7-4. Do not grasp the plunger rod or the needle shield.

Figure 7-4 Remove the Pre-filled Syringe from the Blister Pack

1. Check that the transparent plastic needle guard is situated over the glass syringe cylinder. If the transparent needle guard is covering the needle shield (as shown in Figure 7-5), the syringe has been activated; DO NOT USEthis syringe and take a new one. Figure 7-6 shows a syringe ready for use.

Figure 7-5 DO NOT USE

Figure 7-6 Ready for Use

1. Inspect the pre-filled syringe. The liquid should be clear. The color may be colorless to slightly yellowish. DO NOT USEthe pre-filled syringe if you notice particles or color changes; return the pre-filled syringe and its packaging to the pharmacy.
2. DO NOT USEthe pre-filled syringe if it is broken or the needle guard has been activated. In all these cases, return the complete product packaging to the pharmacy.

How to Use the Pre-filled Syringe

Disposal Instructions

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals only:

The solution should be inspected visually before use. Only clear solutions without particles should be used. Accidental exposure to freezing temperatures does not adversely affect the stability of Zarzio.

Zarzio does not contain preservatives: in view of the possible risk of microbiological contamination, Zarzio syringes are for single use only.

Prior dilution for administration (optional)

Zarzio can be diluted, if necessary, in a glucose solution of 50 mg/ml (5%). Zarzio must not be diluted with sodium chloride solutions.

Under no circumstances should it be diluted to final concentrations < 0.2 MU/ml (2 micrograms/ml).

In patients treated with filgrastim diluted to concentrations < 1.5 MU/ml (15 micrograms/ml), human serum albumin (HSA) should be added to a final concentration of 2 mg/ml.

Example: if the final injection volume is 20 ml and the total dose of filgrastim is less than 30 MU (300 micrograms), 0.2 ml of a 200 mg/ml (20%) human serum albumin solution Ph. Eur. should be added.

Diluted in a glucose solution of 50 mg/ml (5%), filgrastim is compatible with glass and with various plastics, including polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin (a copolymer of polypropylene and polyethylene), and polypropylene.

After dilution: it has been demonstrated that, during use, the diluted solution for infusion remains physically and chemically stable for 24 hours at 2 – 8 °C. From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, the in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user and normally should not exceed 24 hours at 2 – 8 °C, unless the dilution has been made under validated and controlled aseptic conditions.

Use of the pre-filled syringe with needle guard

The needle guard covers the needle and...

after having performed the injection in order to prevent accidental needlesticks. This does not affect the way the syringe is used. Push the plunger slowly and uniformly until the entire dose has been administered and the plunger can no longer be advanced. Remove the syringe while maintaining pressure on the plunger. The safety shield for the needle will cover it once the plunger is released.

Disposal

The disposal of unused medication and all materials that have come into contact with it will be carried out in accordance with local regulations.