FUROSEMIDE 20MG TABLETS BP

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1

NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Furosemide 20 mg Tablets BP

2

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each tablet contains 20 mg Furosemide Excipient(s): Each tablet contains 52.5mg lactose monohydrate For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1

3

PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Tablet Round, white to off-white tablet embossed F 20 on one side and BL on the other side.

4.1.

Therapeutic indications 1) The treatment of oedema associated with cardiac disease, liver disease, renal disease including nephrotic syndrome (in case of treatment failure with or intolerance to corticosteroids and in patients with nephrotic syndrome, therapy of the underlying disorder has priority) and pulmonary oedema. 2) The treatment of mild to moderate hypertension (alone, or in combination with other antihypertensive agents in the treatment of more severe cases).

4.2

Posology and method of administration
For oral administration. It is recommended that Furosemide tablets are taken on an empty stomach, and with plenty of liquid. The usual initial adult dose is 20-40 mg daily, however the dose may need adjusting on an individual basis until an effective dose is achieved. Hypertension: In mild to moderate hypertension the usual dose is 40 mg furosemide once daily. In severe cases up to 60 mg furosemide per day. In case of insufficient response combination with non-diuretic anti-hypertensives is recommended. Oedema associated with cardiac or hepatic diseases

The usual initial dose in adults is 20-40 mg furosemide. If the diuretic response is not satisfactory, the single dose can be doubled to 80 mg furosemide after 6 hours. If there is still inadequate diuresis, an additional dose of 160 mg furosemide can be given after a further 6 hours. The daily maintenance dose is usually 40 - 80 mg furosemide. Oedema associated with renal diseases The usual initial dose in adults is 40 mg furosemide. If the diuretic response is not satisfactory, the single dose can be doubled to 80 mg furosemide after 6 hours. If there is still inadequate diuresis, an additional dose of 160 mg furosemide can be given after a further 6 hours. The daily maintenance dose is usually 40 - 80 mg furosemide. A higher dose (IV administration) may be required in patients with renal insufficiency. In patients with nephrotic syndrome, the dosage must be determined with caution, because of the risk of a higher incidence of adverse reactions. Children: The usual initial dose for oral furosemide in infants and children is 2mg/kg body weight given as a single dose. If the diuretic response is not satisfactory after the initial dose, dosage may be increased by 1 or 2 mg/kg no sooner than 6 to 8 hours after the previous dose (maximum of 40 mg daily). Elderly: The dosage recommendations for adults apply. In general furosemide is eliminated more slowly in elderly patients; the dose should be titrated until a satisfactory response is achieved. In case of renal insufficiency less furosemide will reach the renal tubules. An increase of dose may be necessary to obtain the same diuretic effect. No dosage adjustment is needed for patients with mild hepatic impairment; however the dosage may require adjustment in cases of moderate to severe hepatic impairment.

4.3.

Contraindications Hypersensitivity to furosemide or any of the excipients of this product. Hypersensitivity to sulphonamides or sulphonamide derivatives (because of cross-sensitivity between sulphonamides and furosemide). Hypovolaemia or dehydration (with or without accompanying hypotension). Anuria, or renal failure with anuria not responding to furosemide. Renal failure as a result of poisoning by nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic agents or renal failure associated with hepatic coma. Pre-comatose and comatose states associated with hepatic encephalopathy. Severe hypokalaemia, severe hyponatraemia. Breast feeding.

4.4.

Special warnings and precautions for use
Urinary output must be secured. Patients with partial obstruction of urinary outflow, for example patients with prostatic hypertrophy or impairment of micturition have an increased risk of developing acute retention and require careful monitoring. Where indicated, steps should be taken to correct hypotension or hypovolaemia before commencing therapy. Particularly careful monitoring is necessary in: patients with hypotension. patients who are at risk from a pronounced fall in blood pressure. patients where latent diabetes may become manifest or the insulin requirements of diabetic patients may increase. patients with gout. Serum uric acid levels tend to rise during treatment with Furosemide and an acute attack of gout may occasionally be precipitated. patients with hepatorenal syndrome. patients with hypoproteinaemia, e.g. associated with nephritic syndrome (the effect of furosemide may be weakened and its ototoxicity potentiated). Cautious dose titration is required.

premature infants (possible development of nephrocalcinosis nephrolithiasis; renal function must be monitored and renal ultrasonography performed). In premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome, diuretic treatment with furosemide during the first weeks of life can increase the risk of persistent ductus arteriosus Botalli.
Cases of hypotension and hypovolemia need to be corrected before therapy is begun.

Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels may rise during Furosemide treatment but will usually return to normal within six months.
Caution should be observed in patients liable to electrolyte deficiency. Regular monitoring of serum sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, urea uric acid, blood glucose leveland creatinine is generally recommended during furosemide therapy; particularly close monitoring is required in patients at high risk of developing electrolyte imbalances or in case of significant additional fluid loss. Hypovolaemia or dehydration as well as any significant electrolyte and acid-base disturbances must be corrected. This may require temporary discontinuation of furosemide.

During long term treatment with furosemide, a potassium rich diet is always indicated (e.g. potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, spinach, dry fruits). Sometimes a medicinal substitution of potassium is recommended. In other cases (i.e. liver cirrhosis), it is indicated to prevent hypokaliaemia and metabolic alkalosis by administering a potassium sparing agent.

In case of renal insufficiency less furosemide will reach the renal tubules. An increase of dose may be necessary to obtain the same diuretic effect. This medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose or galactose intolerance, the LAPP lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine, as it contains lactose. The duration of administration depends on the nature and the severity of the disease. 4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Effect of other medicinal products on furosemide Certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (e.g.indometacin, acetylsalicylic acid) may attenuate the action of furosemide and may cause acute renal failure in cases of pre-existing hypovolaemia or dehydration.

Effect of furosemide on other medicinal products Cardiac glycosides In concurrent treatment with cardiac glycosides, it should be taken into account that if hypokalaemia and/or hypomagnesaemia develop during therapy with furosemide, the sensitivity of the myocardium towards cardiac glycosides is increased. There is an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias (including torsades de pointes) when medicinal products that may cause prolongation of the QT interval (e.g. terfenadine, some antiarrhythmics of classes I and III) are used concomitantly, and in the presence of electrolyte imbalance. Anti-hypertensive agents: The dosage of concurrently administered antihypertensive agents may require adjustment.

ACE inhibitors: The effects of other antihypertensives can be potentiated by concomitant administration of furosemide. Severe fall in blood pressure with shock in extreme cases and deterioration of renal function (acute renal failure in isolated cases) have been observed in combination with ACE inhibitors, when the ACE inhibitor was administered for the first time, or for the first time at high dosage (first dose hypotension). If possible, furosemide therapy should be temporarily discontinued (or at least the dose reduced) for three days before therapy with an ACE inhibitor is initiated or the dose of an ACE inhibitor is increased.

Nephrotoxic antibiotics:

The toxic effects of nephrotoxic antibiotics (e.g. aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, polymyxins) may be increased by concomitant administration of potent diuretics such as furosemide.

Ototoxic antibiotics: Furosemide may potentiate the ototoxicity of aminoglycosides (e.g. kanamycin, gentamicin, tobramycin) and other ototoxic medicinal products. Since this may lead to irreversible damage, these medicinal products must only be used with furosemide if there are compelling medical reasons.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents: Patients receiving high doses of salicylates concomitantly with furosemide, as in rheumatic disease, may experience salicylate toxicity at lower doses because of competitive renal excretory sites.

Lithium In common with other diuretics, serum lithium levels may be increased when lithium is given concomitantly with furosemide, resulting in increased lithium toxicity. Therefore, it is recommended that lithium levels are carefully monitored and where necessary the lithium dosage is adjusted in patients receiving this combination.

Others: Oral furosemide and sucralfate must not be taken within 2 hours of each other because sucralfate decreases the absorption of furosemide from the intestine and so reduced its effect. Furosemide may sometimes attenuate the effects of other products (e.g. the effects of anti-diabetics and of pressor amines) and sometimes potentiate them (e.g. the effects of salicylates, theophylline, and curare-type muscle relaxants). There is a risk of ototoxic effects if cisplatin and furosemide are given concomitantly. In addition, nephrotoxicity of cisplatin may be enhanced if furosemide is not given in low doses (e.g. 40 mg in patients with normal renal function) and with positive fluid balance when used to achieve forced diuresis during cisplatin treatment. Attenuation of the effect of furosemide may occur following concurrent administration of phenytoin. Concomitant administration of carbamazepine or aminoglutethimide may increase the risk of hyponatraemia. Corticosteroids administered concurrently may cause sodium retention.

Corticosteroids, carbenoxolone, liquorice, B2 sympathomimetics in large amounts, prolonged use of laxatives, reboxetine and amphotericin may increase the risk of developing hypokalaemia. Probenecid, methotrexate and other products which, like furosemide, undergo significant renal tubular secretion may reduce the effect of furosemide. Conversely, furosemide may decrease renal elimination of these products. In case of high-dose treatment (in particular, of both furosemide and the other medicinal products), this may lead to increased serum levels and an increased risk of adverse effects due to furosemide or the concomitant medication.

4.6.

Pregnancy and lactation The teratogenic and embryotoxic potential of Furosemide in humans is unknown. Furosemide should not be used during pregnancy unless it is clearly necessary (for example such as in the case of maternal congestive heart failure) and the benefits to the mother outweigh the possible risk to the foetus. Furosemide crosses placental barrier and can therefore cause increased diuresis of the foetus. Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. In pregnancy furosemide should only be used on advice of a physician and should only be used if the oedema is not related to the pregnancy. Treatment of oedema and hypertension caused by pregnancy with diuretics is not advisable in general as the physiological hypovolaemia may be enhanced and the placental perfusion may be lowered. Treatment during pregnancy requires monitoring of foetal growth. If use of furosemide is essential for the treatment of cardiac or renal insufficiency during pregnancy, careful monitoring of electrolytes, haematocrit and foetal growth is essential. Possible displacement of bilirubin from the albumin binding and thus elevated risk of nuclear icterus in hyperbilirubinaemia is discussed for furosemide. Furosemide passes the placenta and reaches 100% of the maternal serum concentration in cord blood. No malformations in humans which might be associated with exposure to furosemide have been reported to date. However, there is insufficient experience to allow a concluding evaluation of a potential damaging effect in the embryo/foetus. In utero urinary production can be stimulated in the foetus. Urolithiasis has been observed after treatment of premature infants with furosemide. Furosemide passes into breast milk and may inhibit lactation. Women must not breast feed if they are treated with Furosemide. If necessary, breastfeeding should be discontinued (see also section 4.3 "Contraindications").

4.7

Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Furosemide has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. It may reduce mental alertness.

4.8

Undesirable effects
The evaluation of adverse reactions is based on the following definition of frequency: Very common: Common: > 1/10 > 1/100, < 1/10 Uncommon: Rare: > 1/1000, < 1/100 > 1/10000, < 1/1000 Very rare: < 1/10000, including isolated reports Blood and lymphatic system disorders Uncommon: thrombocytopenia Rare: eosinophilia, leukopenia Very rare: haemolytic anaemia, aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis Immune system disorders Uncommon: pruritus, dermal and mucosal reactions (see skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders) Rare: fever, inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), renal inflammation (interstitial nephritis), severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions such as anaphylactic shock (for treatment see section 4.9 "Overdose") Endocrine disorders Glucose tolerance may decrease during treatment with furosemide, and hyperglycaemia may occur. This may lead to a deterioration of the metabolic status in patients with manifest diabetes mellitus. Latent diabetes mellitus may become manifest. Metabolism and nutrition disorders Impairment of electrolyte and fluid balance as a consequence of increased electrolyte excretion are commonly observed during therapy with furosemide. Regular monitoring of serum electrolytes (especially potassium, sodium and calcium) is therefore indicated. Possible development of electrolyte disorders is influenced by underlying disorders (e.g. hepatocirrhosis, heart failure), concomitant medication (see section 4.5 "Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction") and nutrition. As a result of increased renal sodium losses, hyponatraemia with corresponding symptoms may occur, particularly if the supply of sodium chloride is restricted. Commonly observed symptoms of sodium deficiency are apathy, systremma, inappetence, asthenia, somnolence, vomiting and confusion.

Particularly when the supply of potassium is concomitantly reduced and/or extrarenal potassium losses are increased (e.g. in vomiting or chronic diarrhoea), hypokalaemia may occur as a result of increased renal potassium losses. This is manifested as neuromuscular (myasthenia, paraesthesia, pareses), intestinal (vomiting, constipation, meteorism), renal (polyuria, polydipsia) and cardiac (impaired paced setting and conduction disorders) symptoms. Severe potassium losses may lead to paralytic ileus or disturbed consciousness, with coma in extreme cases. Increased renal calcium losses can lead to hypocalcaemia, which may induce tetania in rare cases. In patients with increased renal magnesium losses, tetania or cardiac arrhythmia were observed in rare cases as a consequence of hypomagnesaemia. Metabolic alkalosis may develop, or existing metabolic alkalosis may be exacerbated, as a result of electrolyte and fluid losses during treatment with furosemide. Hyperuricaemia occurs commonly during furosemide therapy. This may lead to acute episodes of gout in predisposed patients. Serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides may be elevated during furosemide treatment. Nervous system disorders Rare: paraesthesia Ear and labyrinth disorders Rare: On account of the ototoxic effects of furosemide, dysacusis and/or syrigmus (tinnitus aurium) can occur, but this is reversible in the majority of cases. This undesirable effect is particularly associated with too rapid i.v. injection, predominantly in patients with coexisting renal insufficiency or hypoproteinaemia (e.g. in nephrotic syndrome). Cardiac disorders In excessive diuresis, circulatory complaints may occur, particularly in elderly patients and in children. These are predominantly manifested as headache, vertigo, dysopia, xerostomia and thirst, hypotension and orthostatic dysregulation. Dehydration and - as a consequence of hypovolaemia - circulatory collapse and haemoconcentration may occur as a result of excessive diuresis. As a result of haemoconcentration, there may be an increased risk of thromboses, particularly in elderly patients. Gastrointestinal disorders

Rare: gastrointestinal complaints (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) Hepato-biliary disorders Very rare: acute pancreatitis, intrahepatic cholestasis, increase in hepatic transaminases Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Uncommon: pruritus, dermal and mucosal reactions (e.g. bullous exanthema, urticaria, purpura, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, photosensitivity) Rare: vasculitis

4.9

Overdose
The clinical picture in acute or chronic overdose depends primarily on the extent and consequences of electrolyte and fluid loss, e.g. hypovolaemia, dehydration, haemoconcentration, cardiac arrhythmias due to excessive diuresis. Symptoms of these disturbances include severe hypotension (progressing to shock), acute renal failure, thrombosis, delirious states, flaccid paralysis, apathy and confusion. Treatment should therefore be aimed at fluid replacement and correction of the electrolyte imbalance. Together with the prevention and treatment of serious complications resulting from such disturbances and of other effects on the body, this corrective action may necessitate general and specific intensive medical monitoring and therapeutic measures. No specific antidote to furosemide is known. If ingestion has only just taken place, attempts may be made to limit further systemic absorption of the active ingredient by measures such as gastric lavage or those designated to reduce absorption (e.g. activated charcoal). Emergency measures in case of anaphylactic shock At the first signs (e.g. cutaneous reactions such as urticaria or flush, restlessness, headache, sudden, excessive perspiration, nausea, cyanosis): create a venous access in addition to other common emergency measures, head-chest down position, ensure airways are clear, administration of oxygen! if necessary, initiate further - possibly also intensive care - measures (among others administration of epinephrine, volume replacement, glucocorticoids).

5
5.1

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic Group: - Sulphonamide plain ATC code: CO3C A01

Furosemide is a potent, short and rapid-acting loop diuretic -. It inhibits the re-absorption ofof Na+/2Cl-/K+ in the ascending part of Henle's loop by blocking the ion carrier for these ions. The fractional sodium excretion can amount to 35% of the glomerularly filtrated sodium. Increased sodium excretion leads secondarily to increased urinary excretion and to increased distal-tubular K+secretion attributable to osmotically bound water. The excretion of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions is also increased. Besides the losses of the above-mentioned electrolytes, excretion of uric acid may be reduced, and a shift of the acid-base balance towards metabolic alkalosis may occur. Furosemide interrupts the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism at the macula densa, so that the saluretic efficacy is not attenuated. Furosemide leads to dose-dependent stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In case of cardiac insufficiency, furosemide leads to an acute reduction of the cardiac preload through dilatation of the venous capacitance vessels. This early vascular effect seems to be mediated through prostaglandins and requires sufficient renal function with activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system as well as intact prostaglandin synthesis. Furosemide has an antihypertensive effect as a consequence of increased excretion of sodium chloride and reduced responsiveness of vascular smooth muscle cells to vasoconstrictive stimuli, and a reduction in blood volume

5.2

Pharmacokinetic properties
Furosemide is a weak carboxylic acid which exists mainly in the dissociated form in the gastro-intestinal tract. Furosemide is rapidly but incompletely absorbed (60-70%) on oral administration and its effect is largely over within four hours. The optimal absorption site is the upper duodenum at pH 5.0. Regardless of route of administration, 69-97% of activity from a radio-labelled dose is excreted in the first 4 hours after the furosemide is given. Furosemide is bound to plasma albumin and little biotransformation takes place. Furosemide is mainly eliminated via the kidneys (8090%); a small fraction of the dose undergoes biliary elimination and 10-15% of the activity can be recovered from the faeces. a) In renal/hepatic impairment Where liver disease is present, biliary elimination is reduced. Up to 50% renal impairment has little effect on the elimination rate of furosemide Tablets, but less than 20% residual renal function increases the elimination time. b) The Elderly The elimination of furosemide is delayed in the elderly where a certain degree of renal impairment is present. c) New-born

A sustained diuretic effect is seen, possibly due to immature tubular function.

5.3

Preclinical safety data
Acute oral toxicity was low in all species tested. Chronic toxicity studies in the rat and dog led to renal alterations (among others fibrous degeneration and renal calcification). In vitro and in vivo tests of genetic toxicology did not reveal any clinically relevant evidence of a genotoxic potential of furosemide. Long-term studies in mice and rats did not yield any relevant evidence of a tumorigenic potential. In studies of reproductive toxicology in foetal rats, a reduced number of differentiated glomeruli, skeletal anomalies of the scapulae, humerus and ribs (induced by hypokalaemia), as well as hydronephrosis occurred in foetal mice and rabbits after administration of high doses.

6
6.1

PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
List of excipients
Lactose monohydrate Maize starch Pregelatinised maize starch Sodium starch glycollate (Type A) Magnesium stearate

6.2

Incompatibilities
Not applicable.

6.3

Shelf life
Blisters: 4 years HDPE containers: 3 years

6.4

Special precautions for storage
Blisters: Do not store above 25C. Store in the original package. Tablet Containers: Do not store above 25C. Keep the container tightly closed.

6.5

Nature and contents of container
Al/ PVC/PVdC blister, pack sizes of 28, 30, 50, 56, 84, 98, 100 tablets. HDPE tablet containers, pack sizes of 100, 250, 500 and 1000 tablets Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6

Special precautions for disposal
No special requirement..

7

MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Bristol Laboratories Ltd Unit 3, Canalside, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 1EG United Kingdom

8

MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 17907/0018

9

DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
04/06/2008

10

DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
03/04/2012