SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Amlodipine 10 mg tablet

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Amlodipine 10 mg tablet

Each tablet contains 10 mg amlodipine (as amlodipine mesilate monohydrate). For excipients, see 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Tablet

Amlodipine 10 mg tablet

The tablets are white to off-white, round biconvex and scored and embossed with “10” on one side.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1. Therapeutic indications

Hypertension

Chronic stable angina pectoris Vasospastic (Prinzmetal’s) angina

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posolgy

Adults

For both hypertension and angina the usual initial dose is 5 mg amlodipine once daily which may be increased to a maximum dose of 10 mg depending on the individual patient's response.

In hypertensive patients, amlodipine has been used in combination with a thiazide diuretic, alpha blocker, beta blocker, or an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. For angina, amlodipine may be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antianginal medicinal products in patients with angina that is refractory to nitrates and/or to adequate doses of beta blockers.

No dose adjustment of amlodipine is required upon concomitant administration of thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Special populations

Elderly

Amlodipine used at similar doses in elderly or younger patients is equally well tolerated. Normal dosage regimens are recommended in the elderly, but increase of the dosage should take place with care (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Renal impairment

Changes in amlodipine plasma concentrations are not correlated with degree of renal impairment, therefore the normal dosage is recommended. Amlodipine is not dialysable.

Hepatic impairment

Dosage recommendations have not been established in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment; therefore dose selection should be cautious and should start at the lower end of the dosing range (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). The pharmacokinetics of amlodipine have not been studied in severe hepatic impairment. Amlodipine should be initiated at the lowest dose and titrated slowly in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Paediatric population

Children and adolescents with hypertension from 6 years to 17 years of age.

The recommended antihypertensive oral dose in paediatric patients aged 6-17 years is

2.5 mg once daily as a starting dose, up-titrated to 5 mg once daily if blood pressure goal is not achieved after 4 weeks. Doses in excess of 5 mg daily have not been studied in paediatric patients (see sections 5.1 and 5.2).

Doses of amlodipine 2.5 mg are not possible with this medicinal product.

Children under 6 years old No data are available.

Method of administration Tablet for oral administration.

4.3. Contraindications

Amlodipine is contra-indicated in patients with:

•    Severe hypotension

•    shock (including cardiogenic shock)

•    hypersensitivity to dihydropyridine derivatives, amlodipine or any of the excipients.

•    haemodynamically unstable heart failure after acute myocardial infarction

•    obstruction of the outflow-tract of the left ventricle (e.g. high grade aortic stenosis)

Special warnings and precautions for use

The safety and efficacy of amlodipine in hypertensive crisis has not been established.

Patients with cardiac failure

Patients with cardiac failure should be treated with caution. In a long-term, placebo controlled study in patients with severe heart failure (NYHA class III and IV) the reported incidence of pulmonary oedema was higher in the amlodipine treated group than in the placebo group (see section 5.1).

Calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine, should be used with caution in patients with congestive heart failure, as they may increase the risk of future cardiovascular events and mortality.

Use in patients with impaired hepatic function

The half life of amlodipine is prolonged and AUC values are higher in patients with impaired liver function; dosage recommendations have not been established. Amlodipine should therefore be initiated at the lower end of the dosing range and caution should be used, both on initial treatment and when increasing the dose. Slow dose titration and careful monitoring may be required in patients with severe hepatic impairment

Use in elderly patients

In the elderly, increase of the dosage should take place with care (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Use in renal failure

Amlodipine may be used in such patients at normal doses. Changes in amlodipine plasma concentrations are not correlated with degree of renal impairment.

Amlodipine is not dialysable.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Effects of other medicinal products on amlodipine

CYP3A4 inhibitors: Concomitant use of amlodipine with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (protease inhibitors, azole antifungals, macrolides like erythromycin or clarithromycin, verapamil or diltiazem) may give rise to significant increase in amlodipine exposure. The clinical translation of these PK variations may be more pronounced in the elderly. Clinical monitoring and dose adjustment may thus be required.

CYP3A4 inducers: There is no data available regarding the effect of CYP3A4 inducers on amlodipine. The concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampicin, hypericum perforatum) may give a lower plasma concentration of amlodipine. Amlodipine should be used with caution together with CYP3A4 inducers.

Administration of amlodipine with grapefruit or grapefruit juice is not recommended as bioavailability may be increased in some patients resulting in increased blood pressure lowering effects.

Dantrolene (infusion): In animals, lethal ventricular fibrillation and cardiovascular collapse are observed in association with hyperkalaemia after administration of

verapamil and intravenous dantrolene. Due to risk of hyperkalaemia, it is recommended that the co-administration of calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine be avoided in patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia and in the management of malignant hyperthermia.

Effects of amlodipine on other medicinal products

The blood pressure lowering effects of amlodipine adds to the blood pressurelowering effects of other medicinal products with antihypertensive properties.

In clinical interaction studies, amlodipine did not affect the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin, digoxin, warfarin or cyclosporin.

Simvastatin: Co-administration of multiple doses of 10 mg of amlodipine with 80 mg simvastatin resulted in a 77% increase in exposure to simvastatin compared to simvastatin alone. Limit the dose of simvastatin in patients on amlodipine to 20 mg daily.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

The safety of amlodipine in human pregnancy has not been established.

In animal studies, reproductive toxicity was observed at high doses (see section 5.3).

Use in pregnancy is only recommended when there is no safer alternative and when the disease itself carries greater risk for the mother and foetus.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether amlodipine is excreted in breast milk.

A decision on whether to continue/discontinue breast-feeding or to continue/discontinue therapy with amlodipine should be made taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding to the child and the benefit of amlodipine therapy to the woman.

Fertility

Reversible biochemical changes in the head of spermatozoa have been reported in some patients treated by calcium channel blockers. Clinical data are insufficient regarding the potential effect of amlodipine on fertility. In one rat study, adverse effects were found on male fertility (see section 5.3).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Amlodipine can have minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. If patients taking amlodipine suffer from dizziness, headache, fatigue or nausea the ability to react may be impaired. Caution is recommended especially at the start of treatment.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most commonly reported adverse reactions during treatment are somnolence, dizziness, headache, palpitations, flushing, abdominal pain, nausea, ankle swelling, oedema and fatigue.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The following adverse reactions have been observed and reported during treatment with amlodipine with the following frequencies: Very common (>1/10); common (>1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (>1/1000 to <1/100); rare (>1/10 000 to <1/1000); very rare (>1/10 000).

Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

System organ class	Frequency	Adverse reactions
Blood and lymphatic system disorders	Very rare	Leukocytopenia thrombocytopenia
Immune system disorders	Very rare	Allergic reactions
Metabolism and nutrition disorders	Very rare	Hyperglycaemia
Psychiatric disorders	Uncommon	Insomnia, mood changes (including anxiety), depression
	Rare	Confusion
Nervous system disorders	Common	Somnolence, dizziness, headache (especially at the beginning of the treatment)
	Uncommon	Tremor, dysgeusia, syncope, hypoesthesia, paresthesia
	Very rare	Hypertonia, peripheral neuropathy
Eye disorders	Uncommon	Visual disturbance (including diplopia)
Ear and labyrinth disorders	Uncommon	Tinnitus
Cardiac disorders	Common	Palpitations
	Very rare	Myocardial infarction, arrhythmia (including bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation)
Vascular disorders	Common	Flushing
	Uncommon	Hypotension
	Very rare	Vasculitis
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders	Uncommon	Dyspnoea, rhinitis
	Very rare	Cough
Gastrointestinal disorders	Common	Abdominal pain, nausea
	Uncommon	Vomiting, dyspepsia, altered bowel habits (including diarrhoea and constipation), dry mouth
	Very rare	Pancreatitis, gastritis, gingival hyperplasia

Hepatobiliary disorders	Very rare	Hepatitis, jaundice, hepatic enzymes increased*
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders	Uncommon	Alopecia, purpura, skin discolouration, hyperhidrosis, pruritus, rash, exanthema
	Very rare	Angiodema, erythema, multiforme, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Quincke oedema, photosensitivity
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders	Common	Ankle swelling
	Uncommon	Arthralgia, myalgia, muscle cramps, back pain
Renal and urinary disorders	Uncommon	Micturition disorder, nocturia, increased urinary frequency
Reproductive system and breast disorders	Uncommon	Impotence, gynecomastia
General disorders and administration site conditions	Common	Oedema, fatigue
	Uncommon	Chest pain, asthenia, pain, malaise
Investigations	Uncommon	Weight increase, weight decrease

*mostly consistent with cholestasis

Exceptional cases of extrapyramidal syndrome have been reported.

4.9 Overdose

In humans, experience with intentional overdose is limited.

Symptoms

Available data suggest that gross overdoses could result in excessive peripheral vasodilatation and possibly reflex tachycardia. Marked and probably prolonged systemic hypotension up to and including shock with fatal outcome have been reported.

Treatment

Clinically significant hypotension due to amlodipine overdosage calls for active cardiovascular support including frequent monitoring of cardiac and respiratory function, elevation of extremities, and attention to circulating fluid volume and urine output.

A vasoconstrictor may be helpful in restoring vascular tone and blood pressure, provided that there is no contraindication to its use. Intravenous calcium gluconate may be beneficial in reversing the effects of calcium channel blockade.

Gastric lavage may be worthwhile in some cases. In healthy volunteers the use of charcoal up to 2 hours after administration of amlodipine 10mg has been shown to reduce the absorption rate of amlodipine. Since amlodipine is highly protein-bound, dialysis is not likely to be of benefit.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Calcium channel blockers, selective calcium channel blockers with mainly vascular effects. ATC Code: C08CA01.

Amlodipine is a calcium ion influx inhibitor of the dihydropyridine group (slow channel blocker or calcium ion antagonist) and inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle.

The mechanism of the antihypertensive action of amlodipine is due to a direct relaxant effect on vascular smooth muscle. The precise mechanism by which amlodipine relieves angina has not been fully determined but amlodipine reduces total ischaemic burden by the following two actions:

1.    Amlodipine dilates peripheral arterioles and thus, reduces the total peripheral resistance (afterload) against which the heart works. Since the heart rate remains stable, this unloading of the heart reduces myocardial energy consumption and oxygen requirements.

2.    The mechanism of action also probably involves dilatation of the main coronary arteries and coronary arterioles, both in normal and ischaemic regions. This dilation increases myocardial oxygen delivery in patients with coronary artery spasm (Prinzmetal’s or variant angina).

In patients with hypertension, once daily dosing provides clinically significant reductions of blood pressure in both the supine and standing positions throughout the 24 hour interval. Due to the slow onset of action, acute hypotension is not a feature of amlodipine administration.

In patients with angina, once daily administration of amlodipine increases total exercise time, time to angina onset, and time to 1mm ST segment depression, and decreases both angina attack frequency and glyceryl trinitrate tablet consumption.

Amlodipine has not been associated with any adverse metabolic effects or changes in plasma lipids and is suitable for use in patients with asthma, diabetes and gout.

Use in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)

The effectiveness of amlodipine in preventing clinical events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has been evaluated in an independent, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 1997 patients; Comparison of Amlodipine vs. Enalapril to Limit Occurrences of Trombosis (CAMELOT). Of these patients, 663 were treated with amlodipine 5-10mg, 673 were treated with enalapril 10-20 mg, and 655 patients were treated with placebo, in addition to standard care of statins, beta blockers, diuretics and aspirin, for 2 years. The key efficacy results are presented in table 1. The results indicate that amlodipine treatment was associated with fewer hospitalizations for angina and revascularization procedures in patients with CAD.

Table 1. Incidence of significant clinical outcomes for CAMELOT
Cardiovascular event rates, No. (%)				Amlodiuine vs. Placebo
Outcomes	Amlodipine	Placebo	Enalapril	Hazard Ratio (95% CI)	P Value
Primary Enduoint

Adverse cardiovascular events	110 (16.6)	151 (23.1)	136 (20.2)	0.69 (0.54-0.88)	.003
Individual Components
Coronary revascularization	78 (11.8)	103 (15.7)	95 (14.1)	0.73 (0.54-0.98)	.03
Hospitalization for angina	51 (7.7)	84 (12.8)	86 (12.8)	0.58 (0.41-0.82)	.002
Nonfatal MI	14 (2.1)	19 (2.9)	11 (1.6)	0.73 (0.37-1.46)	.37
Stroke or TIA	6 (0.9)	12 (1.8)	8 (1.2)	0.50 (0.19-1.32)	.15
Cardiovascular death	5 (0.8)	2 (0.3)	5 (0.7)	2.46 (0.48-12.7)	.27
Hospitalization for CHF	3 (0.5)	5 (0.8)	4 (0.6)	0.59 (0.14-2.47)	.46
Resuscitated cardiac arrest	0	4 (0.6)	1 (0.1)	NA	.04
New-onset peripheral vascular disease	5 (0.8)	2 (0.3)	8 (1.2)	2.6 (0.50-13.4)	.24
Abbreviations: CHF, congestive heart		failure; CI,	confidence interval; MI, myocardial

infarction; TIA, transient ischemic attack.

Use in patients with heart failure

Haemodynamic studies and exercise based controlled clinical trials in NYHA Class II-IV heart failure patients have shown that amlodipine did not lead to clinical deterioration as measured by exercise tolerance, left ventricular ejection fraction and clinical symptomatology.

A placebo controlled study (PRAISE) designed to evaluate patients in NYHA Class III-IV heart failure receiving digoxin, diuretics and ACE inhibitors has shown that amlodipine did not lead to an increase in risk of mortality or combined mortality and morbidity with heart failure.

In a follow-up, long term, placebo controlled study (PRAISE 2) of amlodipine in patients with NYHA III and IV heart failure without clinical symptoms or objective findings suggestive or underlying ischaemic disease, on stable doses of ACE inhibitors, digitalis, and diuretics, amlodipine had no effect on total cardiovascular mortality. In this same population amlodipine was associated increased reports of pulmonary oedema.

Treatment to prevent heart attack trial (ALLHAT)

A randomized double-blind morbidity-mortality study called the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) was performed to compare newer drug therapies: amlodipine 2.5-10 mg/d (calcium channel blocker) or lisinopril 10-40 mg/d (ACE-inhibitor) as first-line therapies to that of the thiazide-diuretic, chlorthalidone 12.5-25 mg/d in mild to moderate hypertension.

A total of 33,357 hypertensive patients aged 55 or older were randomized and followed for a mean of 4.9 years. The patients had at least one additional CHD risk factor, including: previous myocardial infarction or stroke (> 6 months prior to enrollment) or documentation of other atherosclerotic CVD (overall 51.5 %), type 2 diabetes (36.1 %), HDL-C < 35 mg/dL (11.6 %), left ventricular hypertrophy diagnosed by electrocardiogram or echocardiography (20.9 %), current cigarette smoking (21.9 %).

The primary endpoint was a composite of fatal CHD or non-fatal myocardial infarction. There was no significant difference in the primary endpoint between amlodipine-based therapy and chlorthalidone-based therapy: RR 0.98 95% CI (0.90-1.07) p=0.65. Among secondary endpoints, the incidence of heart failure (component of a composite combined cardiovascular endpoint) was significantly higher in the amlodipine group as compared to the chlorthalidone group (10.2% vs. 7.7%, RR 1.38, 95% CI [1.25-1.52]

p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between amlodipine-based therapy and chlorthalidone-based therapy. RR 0.96 95% CI [0.891.02] p=0.20.

Use in Children (aged 6 years and older)

In a study involving 268 children aged 6-17 years with predominantly secondary hypertension, comparison of a 2.5mg dose, and 5.0 mg dose of amlodipine with placebo, showed that both doses reduced Systolic Blood Pressure significantly more than placebo. The difference between the two doses was not statistically significant.

The long-term effects of amlodipine on growth, puberty and general development have not been studied.

The long-term efficacy of amlodipine on therapy in childhood to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood have also not been established.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption, distribution, plasma protein binding

After oral administration of therapeutic doses, amlodipine is well absorbed with peak blood levels between 6-12 hours post dose.Absolute bioavailability has been estimated to be between 64 and 80%. The volume of distribution is approximately 21 l/kg. In vitro studies have shown that approximately 97.5% of circulating amlodipine is bound to plasma proteins.

The bioavailability of amlodipine is not affected by food intake.

Biotransformation/elimination

The terminal plasma elimination half-life is about 35-50 hours and is consistent with once daily dosing. Amlodipine is extensively metabolised by the liver to inactive metabolites with 10% of the parent compound and 60% of metabolites excreted in urine.

Use in hepatic impairment:

Very limited clinical data are available regarding amlodipine administration in patients with hepatic impairment. Patients with hepatic insufficiency have decreased clearance of amlodipine resulting in a longer half-life and an increase in AUC of approximately 40-60%.

Use in the elderly

The time to reach peak plasma concentrations of amlodipine is similar in elderly and younger subjects. Amlodipine clearance tends to be decreased with resulting increases in “area under the curve” (AUC) and elimination half-life in elderly patients. Increases in AUC and elimination half-life in patients with congestive heart failure were as expected for the patient age group studied.

Use in children

A population PK study has been conducted in 74 hypertensive children aged from 1to 17 years (with 34 patients aged 6 to 12 years and 28 patients aged 13 to 17 years) receiving amlodipine between 1.25 and 20 mg given either once or twice daily. In children 6 to 12 years and in adolescents 13-17 years of age the typical oral clearance (CL/F) was 22.5 and 27.4 L/hr respectively in males and 16.4 and 21.3 L/hr respectively in females. Large variability in exposure between individuals was observed. Data reported in children below 6 years is limited.

In patients with renal failure

Amlodipine is extensively metabolised to inactive metabolites. 10% of the parent compound is excreted unchanged in urine. Changes in amlodipine concentration are not correlated with degree of renal impairment. Therefore the normal dosage is recommended. Amlodipine is not dialysable.

5.3. Preclinical safety data

Reproductive toxicology

Reproductive studies in rats and mice have shown delayed date of delivery, prolonged duration of labour and decreased pup survival at dosages approximately 50 times greater than the maximum recommended dosage for humans based on mg/kg.

Impairment of fertility

There was no effect on the fertility of rats treated with amlodipine (males for 64 days and females 14 days prior to mating) at doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (8 times* the maximum recommended human dose of 10 mg on a mg/m2 basis). In another rat study in which male rats were treated with amlodipine besilate for 30 days at a dose comparable with the human dose based on mg/kg, decreased plasma follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone were found as well as decreases in sperm density and in the number of mature spermatids and Sertoli cells.

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis

Rats and mice treated with amlodipine in the diet for two years, at concentrations calculated to provide daily dosage levels of 0.5, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/kg/day showed no evidence of carcinogenicity. The highest dose (for mice, similar to, and for rats twice* the maximum recommended clinical dose of 10mg on a mg/m2 basis) was close to the maximum tolerated dose for mice but not for rats.

Mutagenicity studies revealed no drug related effects at either the gene or chromosome levels.

*Based on patient weight of 50 kg

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate, sodium starch glycollate type A magnesium stearate.

6.2    Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3    Shelf life

36 months

6.4    Special precautions    for storage

Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package.

6.5    Nature and contents of container

White opaque PVC/PVDC-aluminium blister.

Pack sizes:

10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 98, 100 and 200 tablets Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6    Special precautions for disposal

No special requirements.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Athlone Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ballymurray, Co. Roscommon, Ireland.

8    MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 30464/0140

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

11/05/2006

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

08/08/2013