Label: information for the user
Relistor 12 mg/0.6 ml injectable solution
Methyl naltrexone bromide
Read this label carefully before starting to use this medication,because it contains important information for you.
Relistor contains an active ingredient called methyl naltrexone bromide that acts by blocking the adverse effects of opioid pain medications on the intestine.
It is indicated for the treatment of constipation caused by moderate to strong pain medications called opioids (for example, morphine or codeine). It is used for patients when other constipation medications (laxatives) have not been effective. Your doctor has prescribed you opioids. Your doctor will inform you if you should continue with your usual laxative therapy or discontinue it when you start taking this medication.
This medication should only be used in adults (18 years of age and older).
Do not use Relistor
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to use Relistor
Children and adolescents
Do not administer this medication to children and adolescents under 18 years old, as the potential risks and benefits are unknown
Use of Relistor with other medications
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have used recently, or may need to use any other medication.
Your doctor may allow you to take other medications, even those you were using before for constipation.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The effects of methyl naltrexone bromide on pregnant women are unknown.
Your doctor will decide if you can use Relistor if you are pregnant.
Women using this medication should not be breastfeeding, as it is unknown if methyl naltrexone bromide passes into breast milk.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
Driving and operating machines
Dizziness is a frequent adverse effect of this medication. This could affect your ability to drive or operate machines.
Important information about some of the components of Relistor
This medication contains less than 23 mg (1 mmol) of sodium per dose, making it essentially "sodium-free".
Follow exactly the administration instructions for this medication as indicated by your doctor.
If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
The recommended dose for patients with chronic pain (except patients receiving palliative treatment for advanced disease) is 12 mg of methyl naltrexone bromide (0.6 ml of solution) administered via subcutaneous injection (under the skin), as needed, at least 4 times a week and no more than once a day (7 times a week).
The recommended dose for patients receiving palliative treatment for advanced disease is 8 mg of methyl naltrexone bromide (0.4 ml of solution) for patients weighing between 38-61 kg or a dose of 12 mg (0.6 ml of solution) for patients weighing between 62-114 kg. The dose is administered every 48 hours (every 2 days) via subcutaneous injection (under the skin).
Your doctor will determine the dose.
This medication is administered via subcutaneous injection under the skin in: (1) the upper part of the legs (thighs), (2) the abdomen (lower part of the abdomen, below the navel) and (3) the upper part of the arms (if not self-administered). (See INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING AND ADMINISTERING A RELISTOR INJECTION).
After receiving the injection, you may experience a bowel movement within a time frame that varies from a few minutes to several hours. Therefore, it is recommended that you have access to a bathroom or a commode nearby.
If you use more Relistor than you should
If you have used more medication than you should have (either because you have injected too much at one time, or because you have used more than one injection in 24 hours), you may experience dizziness when standing up, so inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Always carry the medication packaging with you, even if it is empty.
If you forget to use Relistor
If you forget to administer a dose, inform your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
If you interrupt treatment with Relistor
Consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you wish to discontinue treatment with this medication.
If you have any other questions about using this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medications, this medication may produce adverse effects, although not all people will experience them.
Cases of intestinal wall perforation (gastroduodenal perforation) have been observed in patients using Relistor. The frequency of this event is unknown based on available data. If you experience severe or persistent stomach pain, stop taking this medication and immediately contact your doctor.
The following adverse effects are very frequent and may affect more than 1 in 10 patients. If you experience any of these adverse effects intensely or persistently, consult your doctor:
Other frequent adverse effects that may affect up to 1 in 10 patients are:
Reporting Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use:www.notificaRAM.es.By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information about the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the packaging and vial after EXP. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
This medication does not require any special storage temperature.
Keep the vial and packaging to protect it from light.
Only use this medication if the solution is transparent, colorless to light yellow, and does not contain particles or sediment.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains or trash. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused packaging and medication. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Relistor
Aspect of the product and content of the package
Relistor is an injectable solution. It is transparent, colorless to light yellow and does not contain particles or sediment.
Each vial contains 0.6 ml of solution.
Packages containing more than one vial present cardboard interior packages with: one vial, a 1 ml syringe with a retractable needle and two alcohol-impregnated cotton balls.
The following presentations are available:
1 vial
Package with 2 vials, 2 injection syringes with retractable needles and 4 alcohol-impregnated cotton balls (contains 2 cardboard interior packages)
Package with 7 vials, 7 injection syringes with retractable needles and 14 alcohol-impregnated cotton balls (contains 7 cardboard interior packages).
Only some package sizes may be commercially available.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Bausch Health Ireland Limited
3013 Lake Drive
Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24, D24PPT3
Ireland
Responsible for manufacturing
Bausch Health Ireland Limited
3013 Lake Drive
Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24, D24PPT3
Irlanda
Bausch Health Poland Sp. z o. o.,
ul.Przemyslowa2,
35-959Rzeszów,
Polonia
Przedsiebiorstwo Farmaceutyczne Jelfa SA
ul. Wincentego Pola 21
58-500 Jelenia Góra,
Polonia
Last review date of this leaflet: 11/2023
The detailed information of this medicine is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency (EMA)http://www.ema.europa.eu/.
QUESTIONS FOR THE PATIENT
This section contains important questions that you will have to answer before using and during treatment with Relistor.
If you answer "No" to any of the following questions during the course of your treatment with the medicine, please contact your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING AND ADMINISTERING A RELISTOR INJECTION
This section is divided into the following sub-sections:
Introduction
Stage 1: Pre-injection instructions
Stage 2: Syringe preparation
Stage 3: Choosing and preparing the injection site
Stage 4a: Injecting Relistor using the package that contains a syringe and retractable needle
Stage 4b: Injecting Relistor using a normal syringe and needle
Stage 5: Waste disposal
Introduction
The following instructions explain how to inject Relistor. Please read them carefully and follow them step by step. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will instruct you on the self-administration techniques. Do not attempt to administer an injection until you are sure you know how to do it. This injection should not be mixed with any other medication in the same syringe.
You may have a package that contains a cardboard interior package with everything you need to inject yourself, or you may only have the medicine vial. If you receive only the vial, you will need several cotton balls with alcohol and an injection syringe.
Stage 1: Pre-injection instructions
Stage 2: Syringe preparation
Carefully pull the plunger of the syringe all the way down to the 0.4 ml mark for 8 mg of Relistor or to the 0.6 ml mark for 12 mg of Relistor. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will have informed you of the dose prescribed and how often you should inject it. For patients receiving palliative treatment for advanced disease, common doses are included in the following table. Generally, the dose is given every 48 hours (every two days) by subcutaneous injection (under the skin).
Patient weight in kg | Fill the syringe to the ml level (dose) |
Less than 38 kg | 0.15 mg/kg |
38-61 kg | 0.4 ml (8 mg) |
62-114 kg | 0.6 ml (12 mg) |
More than 114 kg | 0.15 mg/kg |
For patients with chronic pain (except patients receiving palliative treatment for advanced disease), load the syringe to the 0.6 ml mark for 12 mg of Relistor.
Pull the plunger carefully down to the correct mark on the syringe (e.g. 0.4 ml if you have been prescribed 8 mg) |
With the needle still in the vial, turn the vial completely around (see figure). Keep the syringe at eye level so you can see the dosing marks and make sure the needle tip is always inside the liquid. Pull the plunger slowly down to the 0.4 ml or 0.6 ml mark on the syringe or as advised by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, depending on the dose prescribed. You may observe that there is a little liquid or bubbles left in the vial once the syringe has been filled properly, which is normal.
Tap the syringe placed upside down and remove all air bubbles by pushing the plunger up |
Make sure you have the correct dose in the syringe (e.g. 0.4 ml if you have been prescribed 8 mg). |
Stage 3: Choosing and preparing the injection site
Stage 4a: Injecting Relistor using the package that contains a syringe and retractable needle
Stage 4b: Injecting Relistor using a normal syringe and needle
Stage 5: Waste disposal
The syringe with the retracted needle or the syringe and needle should never be reused. Never put the needle cap back on the needle. Dispose of the syringe with the retracted needle or the syringe and needle in a puncture-resistant container as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Маєте питання щодо цього лікування або ваших симптомів? Зв'яжіться з ліцензованим лікарем для отримання допомоги та персонального догляду.