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SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Amoxicillin 250 mg Capsules BP Respillin 250mg Capsules

2    QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each capsule contains 250 mg of amoxicillin as amoxicillin trihydrate Ph.Eur. For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3    PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Capsules size 2 for the 250mg capsules, with a scarlet/ivory opaque hard gelatin capsule with ‘AMOX 250’ printed on the capsule shell.

4.1 Therapeutic indications Treatment of infection

Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic indicated for the treatment of commonly occurring bacterial infections such as:

Upper respiratory tract infection Otitis media

Acute and chronic bronchitis Chronic bronchial sepsis Lobar and bronchopneumonia Cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis Bacteriuria in pregnancy

Gynaecological infections including puerperal sepsis and septic abortion

Gonorrhoea

Peritonitis

Intra-abdominal sepsis Septicaemia Bacterial endocarditis Typhoid and paratyphoid fever Skin and soft tissue infections Osteomyelitis

Dental abscess (as an adjunct to surgical management)

Helicobacter pylori eradication in peptic (duodenal and gastric) ulcer disease

In children with urinary tract infection the need for investigation should be considered.

Prophylaxis of endocarditis

Amoxicillin may be used for the prevention of bacteraemia, associated with procedures such as dental extraction, in patients at risk of developing bacterial endocarditis.

Consideration should be given to official local guidance (e.g. national requirements) on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents. Susceptibility of the causative organisms to the treatment should be tested (if possible), although the therapy may be initiated before the results are available (see section 5.1).

4.2 Posology and method of administration Posology

Treatment of infection

Adults (including elderly patients)

Standard adult dosage

250 mg three times daily, increasing to 500 mg three times daily for more severe infections

High-dosage therapy

(Maximum recommended oral dosage 6 g daily in divided doses):

A dosage of 3 g twice daily is recommended in appropriate cases for the treatment of severe or recurrent purulent infection of the respiratory tract.

Short-course therapy

Simple acute urinary tract infection: two 3 g doses with 10 - 12 hours between the doses.

Dental abscess: two 3 g doses with 8 hours between the doses.

Gonorrhoea: Single 3 g dose.

Dosage in impaired renal function

The dose should be reduced in patients with severe renal function impairment. In patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 30 ml/min an increase in the dosage interval and a reduction in the total daily dose is recommended (see section 4.4 and 5.2).

Glomerular filtration rate >30 ml/min: No adjustment necessary Glomerular filtration rate 10-30 ml/min: Amoxicillin max. 500 mg BID Glomerular filtration rate <10 ml/min: Amoxicillin max. 500 mg/day

Helicobacter eradication in peptic (duodenal and gastric) ulcer disease Amoxicillin is recommended twice daily in association with a proton pump inhibitor and antimicrobial agents as detailed below:

[Omeprazole 40 mg daily, Amoxicillin 1 g BID, Clarithromycin 500 mg BID] x 7 days or

[Omeprazole 40 mg daily, Amoxicillin 750 mg-1 g BID, Metronidazole 400 mg TID] x 7 days

Paediatric population

The capsule formulation of amoxicillin may not be suitable for children. In such cases a suspension formulation should be used.

Children weighing more than 40 kg should be given the usual adult dosage.

Children weighing < 40kg

The daily dosage for children is 40 - 90 mg/kg/day in two to three divided doses* (not exceeding 3 g/day) depending on the indication, severity of the disease and the susceptibility of the pathogen (see special dosage recommendations below and sections 4.4, 5.1 and 5.2).

*PK/PD data indicate that dosing three times daily is associated with enhanced efficacy, thus twice daily dosing is only recommended when the dose is in the upper range.

Renal impairment in children under 40 kg

Creatinine clearance ml/min	Dose	Interval between administration
> 30	Usual dose	No adjustment necessary
10 - 30	Usual dose	12 h (corresponding to 2/3 of the dose)
< 10	Usual dose	24 h (corresponding to 1/3 of the dose)

Special dosage recommendation Tonsillitis: 50 mg/kg/day in two divided doses.

Acute otitis media: In areas with high prevalence of pneumococci with reduced susceptibility to penicillins, dosage regimens should be guided by national/local recommendations. In severe or recurrent acute otitis media, especially where compliance may be a problem, 750 mg twice a day for two days may be used as an alternative course of treatment in children aged 3 to 10 years.

Early Lyme disease (isolated erythema migrans): 50 mg/kg/day in three divided doses, over 14-21 days.

Treatment should be continued for 2 to 3 days following the disappearance of symptoms. It is recommended that at least 10 days’ treatment be given for any infection caused by beta-haemolytic streptococci in order to achieve eradication of the organism.

Condition		Adult’s dosage (including elderly)	Children’s dosage (<40kg)	Notes
Dental procedures: Prophylaxis for patients undergoing extraction,	Patient not having general anaesthetic	3 g amoxicillin orally, 1 hour before procedure. A second dose may be given 6 hours later,	50 mg amoxicillin/kg body weight given as a single dose one hour preceding the	Note 1. If prophylaxis with amoxicillin is given twice within one

Condition		Adult’s dosage (including elderly)	Children’s dosage (<40kg)	Notes
surgery involving gingival tissues and who have not received a penicillin in the previous month. (N.B. Patients with prosthetic heart valves should be referred to hospital - see below).		if considered necessary.	surgical procedure	emergence of resistant streptococci is unlikely to be a problem. Alternative antibiotics are recommende d if more frequent prophylaxis is required, or if the patient has received a course of treatment with a penicillin during the previous month. Note 2. To minimise pain on injection, amoxicillin may be given as two injections of 500 mg dissolved in sterile 1% lidocaine solution (See Method of administration )
	Patient having general anaesthetic: if oral antibiotics considered to be appropriate.	Initially 3 g amoxicillin orally 4 hours prior to anaesthesia, followed by 3 g orally (or 1 g IV or IM if oral dose not tolerated) as soon as possible after the operation.
	Patient having general anaesthetic: if oral antibiotics not appropriate.	1 g amoxicillin IV or IM immediately before induction; with 500 mg orally, 6 hours later.
Dental procedures: patients for whom referral to hospital is recommended: a) Patients to be given a general anaesthetic who have been given a penicillin in the previous month.		Initially: 1 g amoxicillin IV or IM with 120 mg gentamicin IV or IM immediately prior to	50 mg amoxicillin/kg body weight given as a single dose one hour preceding the surgical procedure	See Note 2. Note 3. Amoxicillin and gentamicin should not be mixed in the same syringe.

Condition		Adult’s dosage (including elderly)	Children’s dosage (<40kg)	Notes
b)    Patients to be given a general anaesthetic who have a prosthetic heart valve. c)    Patients who have had one or more attacks of endocarditis.		anaesthesia (if given) or 15 minutes prior to dental procedure. Followed by (6 hours later): 500 mg amoxicillin orally.		Note 4. Please consult the appropriate data sheet for full prescribing information on gentamicin.
Genitourinary surgery or instrumentation: prophylaxis for patients who have no urinary tract infection and who are to have genitourinary surgery or instrumentation under general anaesthesia. In the case of obstetric and gynaecological procedures and gastrointestinal procedures- routine prophylaxis is recommended only for patients with prosthetic heart valves.		Initially: 1 g amoxicillin IV or IM with 120 mg gentamicin IV or IM, immediately before induction. Followed by (6 hours later): 500 mg amoxicillin orally or IV or IM according to clinical condition.		See Notes 2, 3 and 4 above.
Surgery or instrumentatio n of the upper respiratory tract	Patients other than those with prosthetic heart valves.	1 g amoxicillin IV or IM immediately before induction; 500 mg amoxicillin IV or IM 6 hours later.	50 mg amoxicillin/kg body weight given as a single dose one hour preceding the surgical procedure	See Note 2 above. Note 5. The second dose of amoxicillin may be administered orally as amoxicillin syrup SF/DF.
	Patients with prosthetic heart valves.	Initially: 1 g amoxicillin IV or IM with 120 mg gentamicin IV or IM, immediately	50 mg amoxicillin/kg body weight given as a single dose one hour preceding the	See Notes 2, 3, 4 and 5 above.

Condition		Adult’s dosage (including elderly)	Children’s dosage (<40kg)	Notes
		before induction; followed by (6 hours later) 500 mg amoxicillin IV or IM.	surgical procedure

Method of administration

Oral route

4.3    Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance, other penicillins or to any of the excipients in section 6.1. Attention should be paid to possible cross-sensitivity with other beta-lactam antibiotics e.g. ampicillin or cephalosporins. .

4.4    Special warnings and precautions for use

Before initiating therapy with any penicillin, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other allergens.

Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactoid) reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy. These reactions are more likely to occur in persons with a history of hypersensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics (see section 4.3) and/ or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens.

Erythematous (morbilliform) rashes have been associated with glandular fever in patients receiving amoxicillin.

Prolonged use may also occasionally result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms.

In patients with reduced urine output, crystalluria has been observed very rarely, predominantly with parenteral therapy. During the administration of high doses of amoxicillin, it is advisable to maintain adequate fluid intake and urinary output in order to reduce the possibility of amoxicillin crystalluria (see section 4.9).

In patients with renal impairment, the rate of excretion of amoxicillin will be reduced depending on the degree of impairment and it may be necessary to reduce the total daily unit amoxicillin dosage accordingly (see section 4.2).

Abnormal prolongation of prothrombin time (increased INR) has been reported rarely in patients receiving amoxicillin and oral anticoagulants. Appropriate monitoring should be undertaken when anticoagulants are prescribed concomitantly. Adjustments in the dose of oral anticoagulants may be necessary to maintain the desired level of anticoagulation (see sections 4.5 and 4.8).

Paediatric population

Precaution should be taken in premature children and during the neonatal period: renal, hepatic and haematological functions should be monitored.

4.5    Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

When administered concurrently, the following drugs may interact with amoxicillin:

Oral contraceptives

In common with other broad spectrum antibiotics, amoxicillin may affect the gut flora, leading to lower oestrogen reabsorption and reduced efficacy of combined oral contraceptives.

Bacteriostatic antibiotics

Chloramphenicol, erythromycins, sulfonamides or tetracyclines may interfere with the bactericidal effects of penicillins. This has been demonstrated in vitro; however, the clinical significance of this interaction is not well documented.

Probenecid

Probenecid may decrease the renal tubular secretion of amoxicillin resulting in increased blood levels and/or amoxicillin toxicity.

Allopurinol

Concurrent administration of allopurinol during treatment with amoxicillin can increase the likelihood of allergic skin reactions.

Methotrexate

Excretion of methotrexate is reduced by penicillins; increased risk of toxicity. Oral typhoid vaccine

The oral typhoid vaccine is inactivated by antibacterials

Sulfinpyrazone

Excretion of penicillins is reduced by sulfinpyrazone.

AnticoagulantsIn the literature there are rare cases of increased international normalised ratio in patients maintained on acenocoumarol or warfarin and prescribed a course of amoxicillin. If co-administration is necessary, the prothrombin time or international normalised ratio should be carefully monitored with the addition or withdrawal of amoxicillin (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).

Muscle relaxants

Piperacillin (and possibly other penicillins) enhance the effects of nondepolarising muscle relaxants and suxamethonium.

Antibacterials

Absorption of phenoxymethylpenicillin (and possibly other penicillins) reduced by neomycin.

Drug/laboratory test interactions

It is recommended that when testing for the presence of glucose in urine during amoxicillin treatment, enzymatic glucose oxidase methods should be used. Due to the high urinary concentrations of amoxicillin, false positive readings are common with chemical methods.

4.6    Fertility, pregnancy and lactation Pregnancy

Animal studies with amoxicillin have shown no teratogenic effects. Amoxicillin has been in extensive clinical use since 1972 and its suitability in human pregnancy has been well documented in clinical studies. The product should only be used during pregnancy where potential benefits outweigh the potential risks associated with treatment.

Breastfeeding

Amoxicillin may be administered during the period of lactation. With the exception of the risk of sensitisation associated with the excretion of trace quantities of amoxicillin in breast milk, there are no known detrimental effects for the breast-fed infant.

4.7    Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Amoxicillin has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8    Undesirable effects

The following convention has been utilised for the classification of undesirable effects:-

Very common (>1/10), common (>1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

The majority of adverse events listed below are not unique to amoxicillin and may occur when using other pencillins.

Unless otherwise stated, the frequency of adverse events has been derived from more than 30 years of post-marketing reports.

Infections and infestations

Very rare:    Mucocutaneous candidiasis

Blood and lymphatic system disorders:

Very rare:    Reversible leucopenia (including severe neutropenia and

agranulocytosis), reversible thrombocytopenia and haemolytic anaemia have been reported.

Prolongation of bleeding time and prothrombin time (see also sections 4.4 and 4.5).Immune system disorders

Very rare:    Hypersensitivity reactions:

Severe allergic reactions including angioneurotic oedema, anaphylaxis (see section 4.4), serum sickness and hypersensitivity vasculitis.

If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, the treatment must be discontinued (see also skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders). Nervous system disorders

Very rare:    Hyperkinesia, dizziness    and    convulsions.    Convulsions    may

occur in patients with impaired renal function or in those receiving high doses.

Post-marketing data

Not known:    Aseptic meningitis

Gastrointestinal disorders

Clinical trial data

*Common:    Diarrhoea and nausea

*Uncommon:    Vomiting

Post-marketing data

Very rare:    Antibiotic-associated colitis    including pseudomembranous

colitis and haemorrhagic colitis have been reported.

Black hairy tongue

Superficial tooth discolouration has been reported in children. This can usually be removed by brushing.

Hepatobiliary disorders

V ery rare:    Hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice.

Moderate rise in AST and/or ALT, but the significance of this is unclear.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Clinical trial data *Common:    Skin rash,

*Uncommon: Pruritus and urticaria.

Post-marketing data

Very rare:    Skin reactions such as erythema multiforme and Stevens-

Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, bullous and exfoliative dermatitis and acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) (see also immune system disorders)

Renal and urinary tract disorders Very rare:    Interstitial nephritis

Crystalluria (see section 4.9) can occur.

*The incidence of these AEs was derived from clinical studies involving a total of approximately 6,000 adult and paediatric patients taking amoxicillin. 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 yellow card scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

4.9    Overdose

Gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may be evident and should be treated symptomatically with attention to the water/electrolyte balance. Amoxicillin crystalluria, in some cases leading to renal failure has been observed (see section 4.4).

Amoxicillin may be removed from the circulation by haemodialysis.

5.1    Pharmacodynamic properties

Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic, broad-spectrum penicillin which is acid-resistant and has a similar antibacterial spectrum to ampicillin.

It is however better absorbed after oral administration yielding blood levels approximately twice as high as those obtained with similar doses of ampicillin. Amoxicillin is used for the same purposes as ampicillin and is especially suitable for the treatment of infections of the urinary and respiratory tracts by ampicillin-sensitive organisms. It is rapidly bactericidal and possesses the safety profile of a penicillin.

The wide range of organisms sensitive to the bactericidal action of amoxicillin include:

Aerobes:

GRAM-POSITIVE    GRAM-NEGATIVE

Streptococcus faecalis    Haemophilus influenzae

Streptococcus pneumoniae    Escherichia coli

Streptococcus pyogenes    Proteus mirabilis

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Amoxicillin trihydrate is rapidly absorbed when given by mouth. It is widely distributed and is reported to produce peak antibiotic plasma concentrations that are up to twice as high as those from the same dose of ampicillin. Peak plasma amoxicillin concentrations of about 5 mcg per ml have been observed 2 hours after a dose of 250 mg. The presence of food in the stomach does not appear to diminish absorption significantly. Amoxicillin gives good penetration into bronchial secretions and high urinary concentrations of unchanged antibiotic.

Amoxicillin is mainly excreted in the urine, about 60% being excreted in 6 hours.

In preterm infants with gestational age 26-33 weeks, the total body clearance after intravenous dosing of amoxicillin, day 3 of life, ranged between 0.75-2 ml/min, very similar to the inulin clearance (GFR) in this population. Following oral administration, the absorption pattern and the bioavailability of amoxicillin in small children may be different from that of adults. Consequently, due to the decreased CL, the exposure is expected to be elevated in this group of patients, although this increase in exposure may in part be diminished by decreased bioavailability when given orally.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Not applicable

6.1    List of excipients

Magnesium stearate Ph. Eur. Maize starch Ph. Eur.

Capsule shell Erythrosin E127 Quinoline yellow E104 Titanium dioxide E171 Red iron oxide E172 Gelatin NF

6.2    Incompatibilities

Not applicable

6.3    Shelf life

4 years

6.4    Special precautions for storage

Store below 25^oC. Protect from light and moisture.

6.5    Nature and contents of container

An opaque white polypropylene securitainer with a polyethylene air proof security cap.

15, 18, 20, 21, 28, 30, 50, 100 or 500 capsule pack sizes contain a polyethylene jayfilla

The 1,000 capsule pack size contains a polyethylene bag.

Or an opaque PVDC/PVC blister 250/40 with an aluminium lidding foil 20 micron containing 15, 18, 20, 21, 28, 30, 50, 100, 500 or 1,000 capsules.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6    Special precautions for disposal

No special requirements

7    MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Athlone Laboratories Limited

Ballamurray

Co. Roscommon

Ireland

8    MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 06453/0017

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

First granted 4/11/1988; Renewal granted 7/4/1995.

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

28/04/2015