PLENADREN Modified-release tablet Ref.[27674] Active ingredients: Hydrocortisone

Posology

Plenadren is given as maintenance therapy. Oral replacement doses must be individualised according to the clinical response. A common maintenance dose is 20-30 mg per day, given once daily in the morning. In patients with some remaining endogenous cortisol production a lower dose may be sufficient. 40 mg is the highest maintenance dose studied. The lowest possible maintenance dosage should be used. In situations when the body is exposed to excessive physical and/or mental stress, patients may need additional substitution of immediate release hydrocortisone tablets especially in the afternoon/evening, see also section ‘Use in intercurrent illness’ where other ways of temporarily increasing the dose of hydrocortisone is described.

Changing from conventional oral glucocorticoid treatment to Plenadren

When changing patients from conventional oral hydrocortisone replacement therapy given three times daily to Plenadren, an identical total daily dose may be given. Due to a lower bioavailability of the daily dose of Plenadren compared to that of conventional hydrocortisone tablets given three times daily (see section 5.2) clinical response needs to be monitored and further dose individualisation may be required. Changing patients from hydrocortisone tablets given twice daily, cortisone acetate or synthetic glucocorticoids to Plenadren has not been studied, but changing to a hydrocortisone equivalent daily dose of Plenadren is recommended in these instances; further dose individualisation may be required.

Use in intercurrent illness

During intercurrent illness, there should be high awareness of the risk of developing acute adrenal insufficiency.

In severe situations, an increase in dose is immediately required and oral administration of hydrocortisone must be replaced with parenteral, preferably intravenous treatment. Intravenous administration of hydrocortisone is warranted during transient illness episodes such as severe infections, in particular gastroenteritis associated with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, high fever of any aetiology or extensive physical stress, such as for instance serious accidents and surgery under general anaesthesia, see section 4.4.

In less severe situations when intravenous administration of hydrocortisone is not required, for instance low grade infections, fever of any aetiology and stressful situations such as minor surgical procedures, the normal oral daily replacement dose must be increased temporarily; the total daily dose should be increased by administering the maintenance dose twice or thrice daily with 8 ± 2 hours intervals (an increase in number of administrations, not increasing the morning dose). This regimen has been documented in over 300 intercurrent illness episodes within the clinical study programme. At the discretion of the treating physician, immediate release hydrocortisone tablets can be given instead of Plenadren or may be added to treatment. Increasing the dose of hydrocortisone at one dose occasion increases the total plasma exposure of cortisol less than proportional, see section 5.2. Once the intercurrent illness episode is over, patients can return to the normal maintenance dose.

Special populations

Elderly

In case of age-related low body weight, monitoring of the clinical response is recommended and dose adjustment to a lower dose may be required, see section 5.2.

Renal impairment

There is no need for dosage adjustment in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. In patients with severe renal impairment monitoring of the clinical response is recommended and dose adjustment may be required, see section 5.2.

Hepatic impairment

There is no need for dose adjustment in mild to moderate hepatic impairment. In case of severe hepatic impairment, the functional liver mass decreases and thus the metabolising capacity for hydrocortisone. Therefore, monitoring of the clinical response is recommended and dose adjustment may be required, see section 5.2.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Plenadren in children/adolescents aged below 18 years have not yet been established. No data are available.

Method of administration

Patients should be instructed to take Plenadren orally with a glass of water on awakening at least 30 minutes before food intake, preferably in an upright position and between 6.00 am and 8.00 am in the morning. It should be swallowed whole; tablets should not be divided, chewed or crushed. If more than one daily administration is required the morning dose should be given as instructed, additional doses given later during the day can be given with or without food.

Reports of acute toxicity and/or deaths following hydrocortisone overdose are rare. No antidote is available. Symptoms may range from excitement/arousal to mania or psychosis. Signs include high blood pressure, elevated plasma glucose levels and hypokalaemia. Treatment is probably not indicated for reactions due to chronic poisoning unless the patient has a condition that would render him/her unusually susceptible to ill effects from hydrocortisone. In which case, symptomatic treatment should be instituted as necessary.

3 years.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

HDPE bottles with PP screw cap containing 50 modified-release tablets.

Carton containing 1 bottle of 50 modified-release tablets.

Carton containing 2 bottles of 50 modified release tablets (100 tablets).

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.