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Package leaflet: Information for the patient

Alaquet XL 50 mg prolonged-release tablets Alaquet XL 150 mg prolonged-release tablets Alaquet XL 200 mg prolonged-release tablets Alaquet XL 300 mg prolonged-release tablets Alaquet XL 400 mg prolonged-release tablets

(quetiapine)

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking 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 or pharmacist,

•    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 or pharmacist, This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet, See section 4,

What is in this leaflet:

1,    What Alaquet XL is and what it is used for

2,    What you need to know before you take Alaquet XL

3,    How to take Alaquet XL

4,    Possible side effects

5,    How to store Alaquet XL

6,    Contents of the pack and other information

1.    What Alaquet XL is and what it is used for

Alaquet XL contains a substance called quetiapine, This belongs to a group of medicines called anti-psychotics, Alaquet XL can be used to treat several illnesses, such as:

•    Bipolar depression and major depressive episodes in major depressive disorder: where you feel sad, You may find that you feel depressed, feel guilty, lack energy, lose your appetite or can't sleep,

•    Mania: where you may feel very excited, elated, agitated, enthusiastic or hyperactive or have poor judgment including being aggressive or disruptive,

•    Schizophrenia: where you may hear or feel things that are not there, believe things that are not true or feel unusually suspicious, anxious, confused, guilty, tense or depressed,

When Alaquet XL is being taken to treat major depressive episodes in major depressive disorder, it will be taken in addition to another drug being used to treat this illness,

Your doctor may continue to prescribe Alaquet XL even when you feel better,

2.    What you need to know before you take Alaquet XL

Do not take Alaquet XL:

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

•    if you are taking any of the following medicines:

*    some medicines for HIV

*    azole medicines (for fungal infections)

*    erythromycin or clarithromycin (for infections)

*    nefazodone (for depression),

Do not take Alaquet XL if the above applies to you, If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Alaquet XL,

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Alaquet XL if:

•    You, or someone in your family, have or have had any heart problems, for example heart rhythm problems, weakening of the heart muscle or inflammation of the heart or if you are taking any medicines that may have an impact on the way your heart beats,

•    You have low blood pressure,

•    You have had a stroke, especially if you are elderly,

•    You have problems with your liver,

•    You have ever had a fit (seizure),

•    You have diabetes or have a risk of getting diabetes, If you do, your doctor may check your blood sugar levels while you are taking Alaquet XL,

•    You know that you have had low levels of white blood cells in the past (which may or may not have been caused by other medicines),

•    You are an elderly person with dementia (loss of brain function),

If you are, Alaquet XL should not be taken because the group of medicines that Alaquet XL belongs to may increase the risk of stroke, or in some cases the risk of death, in elderly people with dementia,

•    You or someone else in your family has a history of blood clots, as medicines like these have been associated with formation of blood clots,

•    You have or have had a condition where you stop breathing for short periods during your normal nightly sleep (called 'sleep apnoea') and are taking medicines that slow down the normal activity of the brain ('depressants),

•    You have or have had a condition where you cannot completely empty your bladder (urinary retention), have an enlarged prostate, a blockage in your intestines or increase pressure inside your eye, These conditions

are sometimes caused by medicines (called 'anti-cholinergics') that affect the way nerve cells function in order to treat certain medical conditions,

•    You have a history of problems with alcohol or drug use,

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following after taking Alaquet XL:

•    A combination of fever, severe muscle stiffness, sweating or a lowered level of consciousness (a disorder called "neuroleptic malignant syndrome"), Immediate medical treatment may be needed,

•    Uncontrollable movements, mainly of your face or tongue,

•    Dizziness or a severe sense of feeling sleepy, This could increase the risk of accidental injury (fall) in elderly patients,

•    Fits (seizures),

•    A long-lasting and painful erection (priapism),

These conditions can be caused by this type of medicine,

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you have:

•    A fever, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, or any other infection, as this could be a result of a very low white blood cell count, which may require Alaquet XL to be stopped and/or treatment to be given,

•    Constipation along with persistent abdominal pain, or constipation which has not responded to treatment, as this may lead to a more serious blockage of the bowel,

Thoughts of suicide and worsening of your depression

If you are depressed you may sometimes have thoughts of harming or killing yourself, These

may be increased when first starting treatment, since these medicines all take time to work, usually about two weeks but sometimes longer,

These thoughts may also be increased if you suddenly stop taking your medication,

You may be more likely to think like this if you are a young adult,

Information from clinical trials has shown an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and/or suicidal behaviour in young adults aged less than 25 years with depression,

If you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself at any time, contact your doctor or go to a hospital straight away, You may find it helpful to tell a relative or close friend that you are depressed, and ask them to read this leaflet, You might ask them to tell you if they think your depression is getting worse, or if they are worried about changes in your behaviour,

Weight gain

Weight gain has been seen in patients taking quetiapine, You and your doctor should check your weight regularly,

Children and Adolescents

Alaquet XL is not for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age,

Other medicines and Alaquet XL

Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal medicines,

Do not take Alaquet XL if you are

taking any of the following medicines: _

•    Some medicines for HIV,

•    Azole medicines (for fungal infections),

•    Erythromycin or clarithromycin (for infections),

•    Nefazodone (for depression),

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

•    Epilepsy medicines (like phenytoin or carbamazepine),

•    High blood pressure medicines,

•    Barbiturates (for difficulty sleeping),

•    Thioridazine or lithium (other anti-psychotic medicines),

•    Medicines that have an impact on the way your heart beats, for example, drugs that can cause an imbalance in electrolytes (low levels of potassium or magnesium) such as diuretics (water pills) or certain antibiotics (drugs to treat infections),

•    Medicines that can cause constipation,

•    Medicines (called 'anti-cholinergics') that affect the way nerve cells function in order to treat certain medical conditions,

Before you stop taking any of your medicines, please talk to your doctor first,

Alaquet XL with food, drink and alcohol

•    Alaquet XL can be affected by food and you should therefore take your tablets at least one hour before a meal or prior to bedtime,

•    Be careful how much alcohol you drink, This is because the combined effect of Alaquet XL and alcohol can make you sleepy,

•    Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are taking Alaquet XL, It can affect the way the medicine works,

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine,

You should not take Alaquet XL during pregnancy unless this has been discussed with your doctor, Alaquet XL should not be taken if you are breast-feeding,

The following symptoms, which can represent withdrawal, may occur in newborn babies, of mothers that have used quetiapine in the last trimester (last three months of their pregnancy): shaking, muscle stiffness and/or weakness, sleepiness, agitation, breathing problems, and difficulty in feeding, If your baby develops any of these symptoms you may need to contact your doctor,

Driving and using machines

Your tablets may make you feel sleepy, Do not drive or use any tools or machines until you know how the tablets affect you,

Effect on Urine Drug Screens

If you are having a urine drug screen, taking quetiapine may cause positive results for methadone or certain drugs for depression called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) when some test methods are used,, even though you may not be taking methadone or TCAs, If this happens, a more specific test can be performed,

3. How to take Alaquet XL

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you, Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure, Your doctor will decide on your starting dose, The maintenance dose (daily dose) will depend on your illness and needs but will usually be between 150 mg and 800 mg,

•    You will take your tablets once a day,

•    Do not split, chew or crush the tablets,

•    Swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water,

•    Take your tablets without food (at least one hour before a meal or at bedtime, your doctor will tell you when),

•    Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are taking Alaquet XL, It can affect the way the medicine works,

•    Do not stop taking your tablets even if you feel better, unless your doctor tells you,

Liver problems

If you have liver problems your doctor may change your dose,

Elderly people

If you are elderly your doctor may change your dose,

Use in children and adolescents

Alaquet XL should not be used by children and adolescents aged under 18 years,

If you take more Alaquet XL than you should

If you take more Alaquet XL than prescribed by your doctor, you may feel sleepy, feel dizzy and experience abnormal heart beats, Contact your doctor or nearest hospital straight away,

Keep the Alaquet XL tablets with you,

If you forget to take a dose of Alaquet XL

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, If it is almost time to take the next dose, wait until then, Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet,

If you stop taking Alaquet XL

If you suddenly stop taking Alaquet XL, you may be unable to sleep (insomnia), you may feel sick (nausea), or you may experience headache, diarrhoea, being sick (vomiting), dizziness or irritability,

Your doctor may suggest you reduce the dose gradually before stopping treatment,

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist,

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4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

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

•    Dizziness (may lead to falls), headache, dry mouth

•    Feeling sleepy (this may go away with time, as you keep taking your medicine) (may lead to falls)

•    Discontinuation symptoms (symptoms which occur when you stop taking this medicine) include not being able to sleep (insomnia), feeling sick (nausea), headache, diarrhoea, being sick (vomiting), dizziness, and irritability. Gradual withdrawal over a period of at least 1 to 2 weeks is advisable

•    Putting on weight

•    Abnormal muscle movements. These include difficulty starting muscle movements, shaking, feeling restless or muscle stiffness without pain

•    Changes in the amount of certain fats (triglycerides and total cholesterol)

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

•    Rapid heartbeat

•    Feeling like your heart is pounding, racing or has skipped beats

•    Constipation, upset stomach (indigestion)

•    Feeling weak

•    Swelling of arms or legs

•    Low blood pressure when standing up. This may make you feel dizzy or faint (may lead to falls)

•    Increased levels of sugar in the blood

•    Blurred vision

•    Abnormal dreams and nightmares

•    Feeling more hungry

•    Feeling irritated

•    Disturbance in speech and language

•    Thoughts of suicide and worsening of your depression

•    Shortness of breath

•    Vomiting (mainly in the elderly)

•    Fever

•    Changes in the amount of thyroid hormones in your blood

•    Decreases in the number of certain types of blood cells

•    Increases in the amount of liver enzymes measured in the blood

•    Increases in the amount of the hormone prolactin in the blood. Increases in the hormone prolactin could in rare cases lead to

the following:

*    Men and women to have swelling of breasts and unexpectedly produce breast milk.

*    Women to have no monthly period or irregular periods

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

•    Fits or seizures

•    Allergic reactions that may include raised lumps (weals), swelling of the skin and swelling around the mouth

•    Combination of fever, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, or any other infection with very low white blood cell count, a condition called neutropenia.

•    Unpleasant sensations in the legs (also called restless legs syndrome)

•    Difficulty swallowing

•    Uncontrollable movements, mainly of your face or tongue

•    Sexual dysfunction

•    Diabetes

•    Change in electrical activity of the heart seen on ECG (QT prolongation)

•    A slower than normal heart rate which may occur when starting treatment and which may be associated with low blood pressure and fainting

•    Difficulty in passing urine

•    Fainting (may lead to falls)

•    Stuffy nose

•    Decrease in the amount of red blood cells

•    Decrease in the amount of sodium in the blood

•    Worsening of pre-existing diabetes

Rare (may affect up to 1 in

1.000    people):

•    A combination of high temperature (fever), sweating, stiff muscles, feeling very drowsy or faint (a disorder called "neuroleptic malignant syndrome'')

•    Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

•    Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

•    A long-lasting and painful erection (priapism)

•    Swelling of breasts and unexpected production of breast milk (galactorrhoea)

•    Menstrual disorder

•    Blood clots in the veins especially in the legs (symptoms include swelling, pain and redness in the leg), which may travel through blood vessels

to the lungs causing chest pain and difficulty in breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms seek medical advice immediately

•    Walking, talking, eating or other activities while you are asleep

•    Body temperature decreased (hypothermia)

•    Inflammation of the pancreas

•    A condition (called "metabolic syndrome") where you may have a combination of 3 or more of the following: an increase in fat around your abdomen, a decrease in "good cholesterol" (HDL-C), an increase

in a type of fat in your blood called triglycerides, high blood pressure and an increase in your blood sugar

•    Bowel obstruction

•    Increased blood creatine phosphokinase (a substance from the muscles)

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in

10.000    people):

•    Severe rash, blisters, or red patches on the skin

•    A severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) which may cause difficulty in breathing or shock

•    Rapid swelling of the skin, usually around the eyes, lips and throat (angioedema)

•    A serious blistering condition of the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

•    Inappropriate secretion of a hormone that controls urine volume

•    Breakdown of muscle fibers and pain in muscles (rhabdomyolysis)

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data}

•    Skin rash with irregular red spots (erythema multiforme)

•    Serious, sudden allergic reaction with symptoms such as fever and blisters on the skin and peeling of the skin (toxic epidermal necrolysis)

•    Symptoms of withdrawal may occur in newborn babies of mothers that have used quetiapine during their pregnancy

The class of medicines to which quetiapine belongs can cause heart rhythm problems, which can be serious and in severe cases may be fatal.

Some side effects are only seen when a blood test is taken. These include changes in the amount of certain fats (triglycerides and total cholesterol) or sugar in the blood, changes in the amount of thyroid hormones in your blood, increased liver enzymes, decreases in the number of certain types of blood cells, decrease in the amount of red blood cells, increased blood creatine phosphokinase (a substance in the muscles), decrease in the amount of sodium in the blood and increases in the amount of the hormone prolactin in the blood. Increases in the hormone prolactin could in rare cases lead to the following:

•    Men and women to have swelling of breasts and unexpectedly produce breast milk.

•    Women to have no monthly period or irregular periods.

Your doctor may ask you to have blood tests from time to time.

Side effects in children and adolescents

The same side effects that may occur in adults may also occur in children and adolescents.

The following side effects have been seen more often in children and adolescents or have not been seen in adults:

Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

•    Increase in the amount of a hormone called prolactin, in the blood. Increases in the hormone prolactin could in rare cases lead to the following:

*    Boys and girls to have swelling of breasts and unexpectedly produce breast milk

*    Girls to have no monthly period or irregular periods

•    Increased appetite

•    Vomiting

•    Abnormal muscle movements. These include difficulty starting muscle movements, shaking, feeling restless or muscle stiffness without pain

•    Increase in blood pressure

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

•    Feeling weak, fainting (may lead to falls)

•    Stuffy nose

•    Feeling irritated

Reporting of side effects

If you get 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 Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5.    How to store Alaquet XL

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the container after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Alaquet XL does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6.    Contents of the pack and other information

What Alaquet XL contains

•    The active substance is quetiapine. Each tablet contains 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg or 400 mg of quetiapine (as quetiapine fumarate).

•    The other ingredients are:

Tablet core: hypromellose 2910, hypromellose 2208, microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous sodium citrate, magnesium stearate.

Tablet coating: titanium dioxide (E171), hypromellose 2910, macrogol 400, polysorbate 80. The 50 mg, 200 mg and 300 mg tablets contain yellow iron oxide (E172) and red iron oxide (E172). The 50 mg and 300 mg tablets also contain black iron oxide (E172).

What Alaquet XL looks like and contents of the pack

All strengths of Alaquet XL prolonged-release tablets are biconvex, oblong film-coated tablets.

50 mg tablets are brown coloured, with embossing "Q 50" on one side;

150 mg tablets are white coloured, with embossing "Q 150" on one side; 200 mg tablets are yellow coloured, with embossing "Q 200" on one side; 300 mg tablets are light yellow coloured, with embossing "Q 300" on one side;

400 mg tablets are white coloured, with embossing "Q 400" on one side.

This medicine is available in plastic bottles containing 60 prolonged-release tablets, or blister strips in cartons, containing:

•    50 mg: 10, 10x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 30, 30x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 60 or 60x1 (unit dose with perforated blister) prolonged-release tablets

•    150 mg: 30, 30x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 60 or 60x1 (unit dose with perforated blister) prolonged-release tablets

•    200 mg: 10, 10x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 30, 30x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 60, 60x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 100 or 100x1 (unit dose with perforated blister) prolonged-release tablets

•    300 mg: 10, 10x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 30, 30x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 60, 60x1(unit dose with perforated blister), 100 or 100x1 (unit dose with perforated blister) prolonged-release tablets

•    400 mg: 10, 10x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 30, 30x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 60, 60x1 (unit dose with perforated blister), 100 or 100x1 (unit dose with perforated blister) prolonged-release tablets

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Mylan, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire,

EN6 1TL, UK

Manufacturer

Merckle GmbH, Ludwig-Merckle-Strassse,

3 D-89143 (Blaubeuren), Germany

Teva UK Limited, Brampton Road, Hamden Park BN22 9AG (Eastbourne, East Sussex), UK

Mylan Hungary Kft H-2900 Komarom Mylan utca 1 Hungary

This leaflet was last revised in

May 2016    869837

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v1/May 2015