KERAL Film-coated tablet Ref.[7936] Active ingredients: Dexketoprofen

Administer with caution in patients with a history of allergic conditions.

The use of dexketoprofen with concomitant other NSAIDs including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors should be avoided.

Undesirable effects may be minimised by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to control symptoms (see section 4.2, and GI and cardiovascular risks below).

Gastrointestinal safety

Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration or perforation which can be fatal, have been reported with all NSAIDs at anytime during treatment, with or without warning symptoms or a previous history of serious gastrointestinal events. When gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration occurs in patients receiving dexketoprofen, the treatment should be withdrawn.

The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration or perforation is higher with increasing NSAID doses, in patients with a history of ulcer, particularly if complicated with haemorrhage or perforation (see section 4.3), and in the elderly.

Elderly: The elderly have an increased frequency of adverse reactions to NSAIDs especially gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation which may be fatal (see section 4.2). These patients should commence treatment on the lowest dose available.

As with all NSAIDs, any history of oesophagitis, gastritis and/or peptic ulcer must be sought in order to ensure their total cure before starting treatment with dexketoprofen. Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms or history of gastrointestinal disease should be monitored for digestive disturbances, especially gastrointestinal bleeding. NSAIDs should be given with care to patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease) as their condition may be exacerbated (see section 4.8).

Combination therapy with protective agents (e.g. misoprostol or proton pump inhibitors) should be considered for these patients, and also for patients requiring concomitant low dose acetylsalicylic acid, or other drugs likely to increase gastrointestinal risk (see below and section 4.5).

Patients with a history of gastrointestinal toxicity, particularly when elderly, should report any unusual abdominal symptoms (especially gastrointestinal bleeding) particularly in the initial stages of treatment.

Caution should be advised in patients receiving concomitant medications which could increase the risk of ulceration or bleeding, such as oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants such as warfarin, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors or anti-platelet agents such as acetylsalicylic acid (see section 4.5).

Renal Safety

Caution should be exercised in patients with impairment of renal functions. In these patients, the use of NSAIDs may result in deterioration of renal function, fluid retention and oedema. Caution is also required in patients receiving diuretic therapy or those who could develop hypovolaemia as there is an increased risk of nephrotoxicity.

Adequate fluid intake should be ensured during treatment to prevent dehydration and possibly associated increased renal toxicity.

As with all NSAIDs, it can increase plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine. As with other inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis, it can be associated with adverse effects on the renal system which can lead to glomerular nephritis, interstitial nephritis, renal papillary necrosis, nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure.

Elderly patients are more likely to be suffering from impaired renal function (see section 4.2).

Liver Safety

Caution should be exercised in patients with impairment of hepatic functions.

As with other NSAIDs, it can cause transient small increases in some liver parameters, and also significant increases in SGOT and SGPT. In case of a relevant increase in such parameters, therapy must be discontinued.

Elderly patients are more likely to be suffering from impaired hepatic function (see section 4.2).

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular safety

Appropriate monitoring and advice are required for patients with history of hypertension and/or mild to moderate heart failure. Special caution should be exercised in patients with a history of cardiac disease, in particular those with previous episodes of heart failure as there is an increased risk of triggering heart failure, since fluid retention and oedema have been reported in association with NSAIDs therapy.

Clinical trial and epidemiological data suggest that use of some NSAIDs (particularly at high doses and in long term treatment) may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke). There are insufficient data to exclude such a risk for dexketoprofen.

Consequently, patients with uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure, established ischaemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and/or cerebrovascular disease should only be treated with dexketoprofen after careful consideration. Similar consideration should be made before initiating longer-term treatment of the patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking).

All non-selective NSAIDs can inhibit platelet aggregation and prolong bleeding time via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. Therefore, the use of dexketoprofen in patients who are receiving other therapy that interferes with haemostasis, such as warfarin or other coumarins or heparins is not recommended (see Section 4.5). Elderly patients are more likely to be suffering from impaired renal cardiovascular or hepatic function (see section 4.2).

Skin reactions

Serious skin reactions, some of them fatal, including exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported very rarely in association with the use of NSAIDs. Patients appear to be at highest risk of these reactions early in the course of therapy, the onset of the reaction occurring in the majority of cases within the first month of treatment. Treatment should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash, mucosal lesions, or any other sign of hypersensitivity.

Masking of symptoms of underlying infections

Dexketoprofen can mask symptoms of infection, which may lead to delayed initiation of appropriate treatment and thereby worsening the outcome of the infection. This has been observed in bacterial community acquired pneumonia and bacterial complications to varicella. When this medicine is administered for pain relief in relation to infection, monitoring of infection is advised. In non-hospital settings, the patient should consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.

Exceptionally, varicella can be at the origin of serious cutaneous and soft tissues infectious complications. To date, the contributing role of NSAIDs in the worsening of these infections cannot be ruled out. Thus, it is advisable to avoid use of dexketoprofen in case of varicella.

Other information

Particular caution is required in patients with:

• congenital disorder of porphyrin metabolism (e.g. acute intermittent porphyria)
• dehydration
• directly after major surgery

If the physician considers long-term dexketoprofen therapy to be necessary, hepatic and renal function and the blood count should be regularly checked.

Severe acute hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylactic shock, for example) have been observed on very rare occasions. Treatment must be discontinued at the first signs of severe hypersensitivity reactions following intake of Keral. Depending on the symptoms, any medically required procedures must be initiated by specialist healthcare professionals.

Patients with asthma combined with chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and/or nasal polyposis have a higher risk of allergy to acetylsalicylic acid and/or NSAIDs than the rest of the population. Administration of this medicinal product can cause asthma attacks or bronchospasm, particularly in subjects allergic to acetylsalicylic acid or NSAIDs (see section 4.3).

Dexketoprofen should be administered with caution to patients suffering from haematopoietic disorders, systemic lupus erythematosus or mixed connective tissue disease.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

Paediatric population

The safe use in children and adolescents has not been established.

The following interactions apply to non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in general:

Inadvisable combinations:

• Other NSAIDs (including cyclooxygenase-2 selectve inhibitors) and high doses of salicylates (≥3 g/day): administration of several NSAIDs together may increase the risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding, via a synergistic effect.
• Anticoagulants: NSAIDs may enhance the effects of anti-coagulants, such as warfarin (see section 4.4), due to the high plasma protein binding of dexketoprofen and the inhibition of platelet function and damage to the gastroduodenal mucosa. If the combination cannot be avoided, close clinical observation and monitoring of laboratory values should be carried out.
• Heparins: increased risk of haemorrhage (due to the inhibition of platelet function and damage to the gastroduodenal mucosa). If the combination cannot be avoided, close clinical observation and monitoring of laboratory values should be carried out.
• Corticosteroids: there is an increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding (see section 4.4).
• Lithium (described with several NSAIDs): NSAIDs increase blood lithium levels, which may reach toxic values (decreased renal excretion of lithium). This parameter therefore requires monitoring during the initiation, adjustment and withdrawal of treatment with dexketoprofen.
• Methotrexate, used at high doses of 15 mg/week or more: increased haematological toxicity of methotrexate via a decrease in its renal clearance by antiinflammatory agents in general.
• Hydantoines and sulphonamides: the toxic effects of these substances may be increased.

Combinations requiring precautions:

• Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, antibacterial aminoglycosides and angiotensin II receptor antagonists: Dexketoprofen may reduce the effect of diuretics and antihypertensive drugs. In some patients with compromised renal function (e.g. dehydrated patients or elderly patients with compromised renal function), the coadministration of agents that inhibit cyclooxygenase and ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists or antibacterial aminoglycosides may result in further deterioration of renal function, which is usually reversible. In case of combined prescription of dexketoprofen and a diuretic, it is essential to ensure that the patient is adequately hydrated and to monitor renal function at the start of the treatment (see section 4.4 Special warnings and special precautions for use).
• Methotrexate, used at low doses, less than 15 mg/week: increased haematological toxicity of methotrexate via a decrease in its renal clearance by antiinflammatory agents in general. Weekly monitoring of blood count during the first weeks of the combination. Increased surveillance in the presence of even mildly impaired renal function, as well as in the elderly.
• Pentoxyfilline: increased risk of bleeding. Increase clinical monitoring and check bleeding time more often.
• Zidovudine: risk of increased red cell line toxicity via action on reticulocytes, with severe anaemia occurring one week after the NSAID is started. Check complete blood count and reticulocyte count one to two weeks after starting treatment with the NSAID.
• Sulfonylureas: NSAIDs can increase the hypoglycaemic effect of sulfonylureas by displacement from plasma protein binding sites. Combinations needing to be taken into account:
• Beta-blockers: treatment with a NSAID may decrease their antihypertensive effect via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.
• Cyclosporin and tacrolimus: nephrotoxicity may be enhanced by NSAIDs via renal prostaglandin mediated effects. During combination therapy, renal function has to be measured.
• Thrombolytics: increased risk of bleeding.
• Anti-platelet agents and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (see section 4.4).
• Probenecid: plasma concentrations of dexketoprofen may be increased; this interaction can be due to an inhibitory mechanism at the site of renal tubular secretion and of glucuronoconjugation and requires adjustment of the dose of dexketoprofen.
• Cardiac glycosides: NSAIDs may increase plasma glycoside concentration.
• Mifepristone: There is a theoretical risk that prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors may alter the efficacy of mifepristone. Limited evidence suggests that co-administration of NSAIDs on the day of prostaglandin administration does not adversely influence the effects of mifepristone or the prostaglandin on cervical ripening or uterine contractility and does not reduce the clinical efficacy of medical termination of pregnancy.
• Quinolone Antibiotics: Animal data indicate that high doses of quinolones in combination with NSAIDs can increase the risk of developing convulsions.
• Tenofovir: concomitant use with NSAID can increase plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine, renal function should be monitored in order to control a potential synergic influence on renal function.
• Deferasirox: concomitant use with NSAIDs can increase the risk of gastrointestinal toxicity. Close clinical monitoring is required when deferasirox is combined with these substances.
• Pemetrexed: concomitant use with NSAIDs may decrease pemetrexed elimination, therefore caution should be made when administering higher doses of NSAIDs. In patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance from 45 to 79 ml/min), the concomitant administration of pemetrexed with NSAIDs doses should be avoided for 2 days before and 2 days following pemetrexed administration.

Dexketoprofen is contraindicated during third trimester of pregnancy and lactation (see section 4.3).

Pregnancy

Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis may adversely affect the pregnancy and/or the embryo/foetal development. Data from epidemiological studies raise concern about an increased risk of miscarriage and of cardiac malformation and gastroschisis after use of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor in early pregnancy. The absolute risk for cardiovascular malformation was increased from less than 1%, up to approximately 1.5%. The risk is believed to increase with dose and duration of therapy. In animals, administration of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor has been shown to result in increased pre- and post-implantation loss and embryo-foetal lethality. In addition, increased incidences of various malformations including cardiovascular, have been reported in animals given a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor during the organogenetic period. Nevertheless, animal studies with dexketoprofen haven’t shown reproductive toxicity (see 5.3). From the 20th week of pregnancy onward, dexketoprofen use may cause oligohydramnios resulting from foetal renal dysfunction. This may occur shortly after treatment initiation and is usually reversible upon discontinuation. In addition, there have been reports of ductus arteriosus constriction following treatment in the second trimester, most of which resolved after treatment cessation. Therefore, during the first and second trimester of pregnancy, dexketoprofen should not be given unless clearly necessary. If dexketoprofen is used by a woman attempting to conceive, or during the first and second trimester of pregnancy, the dose should be kept as low and duration of treatment as short as possible. Antenatal monitoring for oligohydramnios and ductus arteriosus constriction should be considered after exposure to dexketoprofen for several days from gestational week 20 onward. Dexketoprofen should be discontinued if oligohydramnios or ductus arteriosus constriction are found.

During the third trimester of pregnancy, all prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors may expose the foetus to:

• cardiopulmonary toxicity (premature constriction/closure of the ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hypertension);
• renal dysfunction (see above); the mother and the neonate, at the end of pregnancy, to:
• possible prolongation of bleeding time, an anti-aggregating effect which may occur even at very low doses;
• inhibition of uterine contractions resulting in delayed or prolonged labour.

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether dexketoprofen is excreted in human milk. Dexketoprofen is contraindicated during breast-feeding (see section 4.3).

Fertility

As with other NSAIDs, the use of dexketoprofen may impair female fertility and is not recommended in women attempting to conceive. In women who have difficulties conceiving or who are undergoing investigation of infertility, withdrawal of dexketoprofen should be considered.

Dexketoprofen tablets may cause undesirable effects such as dizziness, visual disturbances or drowsiness. The ability to react and the ability to take part actively in road traffic and to operate machines may be impaired in these cases.

The adverse events reported as at least possibly related with dexketoprofen in clinical trials, as well as the adverse reactions reported after the marketing of dexketoprofen tablets are tabulated below, classified by system organ class and ordered by frequency:

The most commonly-observed adverse events are gastrointestinal in nature. Peptic ulcers, perforation or gastrointestinal bleeding, sometimes fatal, particularly in the elderly, may occur (see section 4.4). Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, melaena, haematemesis, ulcerative stomatitis, exacerbation of colitis and Crohn’s disease (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use) have been reported following administration. Less frequently, gastritis has been observed. Oedema, hypertension and cardiac failure have been reported in association with NSAIDs treatment.

As with other NSAIDs the following undesirable effects may appear aseptic meningitis, which might predominantly occur in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or mixed connective tissue disease; haematological reactions (purpura, aplastic and haemolytic anaemia, and rarely agranulocytosis and medullar hypoplasia).

Bullous reactions including Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (very rare).

Clinical trial and epidemiological data suggest that use of some NSAIDs (particularly at high doses and in long term treatment) may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke) (see section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system: ADR Reporting, Website: www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt/adrportal.

Not applicable.