SMPC UK
SMPC UK
SMPC UK
Brufen Granules
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Effervescent granules
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
Brufen Granules are indicated for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects
in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis
and other non-rheumatoid (seronegative) arthropathies.
Brufen Granules are also indicated for their analgesic effect in the relief of
mild to moderate pain such as dysmenorrhoea, dental and post-operative pain
and for symptomatic relief of headache including migraine headache.
Adults and children over 12 years of age : The recommended dosage of Brufen
is 1200-1800 mg daily in divided doses. Some patients can be maintained on
600-1200 mg daily. Total daily dose should not exceed 2400 mg.
Children: Brufen Granules are not suitable for use in children under 12 years.
The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration necessary to
relieve symptoms (see section 4.4).
Renal impairment:
Patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, (see section 4.4 -Special
warnings
and precautions for use) and patients with severe renal insufficiency (see
section 4.3
– Contraindications)
Hepatic impairment:
For patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (see section 4.4 Special
warnings and precautions for use) and patients with severe hepatic dysfunction
(see
section 4.3 – Contraindications)
For oral administration. It is recommended that patients with sensitive
stomachs take Brufen with food. If taken shortly after eating, the onset of
action of Brufen may be delayed. To be taken preferably with or after food.
4.3 Contraindications
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).
Each Brufen Granules sachet contains 3333mg of sucrose per dose. This
should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus Patients with
rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose
malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this
medicine.
This medicinal product contains 197 mg sodium per sachet, equivalent to 9.9%
of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
The maximum daily dose of this product is equivalent to 39.6 % of the WHO
recommended maximum daily intake for sodium.
Brufen Granules is considered high in sodium. This should be particularly taken
into account for those on a low salt diet.
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).
Paediatric population
There is a risk of renal impairment in dehydrated children and adolescents.
Brufen should be given with care to patients with a history of heart failure or
hypertension since oedema has been reported in association with ibuprofen
administration.
Clinical studies suggest that use of ibuprofen, particularly at a high dose (2400
mg/day) may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic
events such as myocardial infarction or stroke. Overall, epidemiological
studies do not suggest that low dose ibuprofen (e.g. ≤ 1200mg/day) is
associated with an increased risk of arterial thrombotic events.
Renal effects
Caution should be used when initiating treatment with ibuprofen in patients
with considerable dehydration. There is a risk of renal impairment especially
in dehydrated
children, adolescents and the elderly.
Haematological effects
Ibuprofen, like other NSAIDs, can interfere with platelet aggregation and
prolong bleeding time in normal subjects.
Aseptic meningitis
Aseptic meningitis has been observed on rare occasions in patients on
ibuprofen therapy. Although it is probably more likely to occur in patients
with systemic lupus erythematosus and related connective tissue diseases, it
has been reported in patients who do not have an underlying chronic disease.
Care should be taken in patients treated with any of the following drugs as
interactions have been reported in some patients.
Antihypertensives, beta-blockers and diuretics: NSAIDs may reduce the effect
of anti-hypertensives, such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor
antagonists, beta-blockers and diuretics.
Diuretics can also increase the risk of nephrotoxicity of NSAIDs.
Cardiac glycosides: NSAIDs may exacerbate cardiac failure, reduce GFR and
increase plasma cardiac glycoside levels.
Experimental data suggest that ibuprofen may competitively inhibit the effect
of low dose aspirin on platelet aggregation when they are dosed
concomitantly. Although there are uncertainties regarding extrapolation of
these data to the clinical situation, the possibility that regular, long-term use of
ibuprofen may reduce the cardioprotective effect of low-dose acetylsalicylic
acid cannot be excluded. No clinically relevant effect is considered to be
likely for occasional use (see section 5.1).
Quinolone antibiotics: Animal data indicate that NSAIDs can increase the risk
of convulsions associated with quinolone antibiotics. Patients taking NSAIDs
and quinolones may have an increased risk of developing convulsions.
Tacrolimus: Possible increased risk of nephrotoxicity when NSAIDs are given with
tacrolimus.
Zidovudine: Increased risk of haematological toxicity when NSAIDs are given with
zidovudine. There is evidence of an increased risk of haemarthroses and haematoma
in HIV(+) haemophiliacs receiving concurrent treatment with zidovudine and
ibuprofen.
Herbal extracts: Ginkgo biloba may potentiate the risk of bleeding with
NSAIDs.
Pregnancy
Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis may adversely affect the pregnancy
and/or embryo/foetal development. Data from epidemiological studies suggest
an increased risk of miscarriage and of cardiac malformation and gastroschisis
after the use of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor in early pregnancy. The risk
is believed to increase with dose and duration of therapy. In animals, the
administration of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor has been shown to result
in increased pre- and post-implantation losses 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.
During the first and second trimester of pregnancy, Brufen should not be given
unless clearly necessary. If Brufen is used by a woman attempting to conceive,
or during the first or second trimester of pregnancy, the dose should be kept as
low and duration of treatment as short as possible.
Lactation
In the limited studies so far available, NSAIDs can appear in the breast milk in
very low concentrations. NSAIDs should, if possible, be avoided when
breastfeeding.
See section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use, regarding female
fertility.
4.9. Overdose
Toxicity
Signs and symptoms of toxicity have generally not been observed at doses
below 100 mg/kg in children or adults. However, supportive care may be
needed in some cases. Children have been observed to manifest signs and
symptoms of toxicity after ingestion of 400 mg/kg or greater.
Symptoms
Most patients who have ingested significant amounts of ibuprofen will
manifest symptoms within 4 to 6 hours.
The most frequently reported symptoms of overdose include nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, lethargy and drowsiness. Central nervous system (CNS)
effects include headache, tinnitus, dizziness, convulsion, and loss of
consciousness. Nystagmus, metabolic acidosis, hypothermia, renal effects,
gastrointestinal bleeding, coma, apnoea, diarrhoea and depression of the CNS
and respiratory system have also been rarely reported. In serious poisoning
metabolic acidosis may occur. Disorientation, excitation, fainting and
cardiovascular toxicity, including hypotension, bradycardia and tachycardia
have been reported. In cases of significant overdose, renal failure and liver
damage are possible. Large overdoses are generally well tolerated when no
other drugs are being taken.
Therapeutic measures
Patients should be treated symptomatically as required. Within one hour of
ingestion of a potentially toxic amount, activated charcoal should be
considered. Alternatively, in adults, gastric lavage should be considered
within one hour of ingestion of a potentially life-threatening overdose.
Patients should be observed for at least four hours after ingestion of potentially
toxic amounts.
Frequent or prolonged convulsions should be treated with intravenous
diazepam. Other measures may be indicated by the patient’s clinical condition.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Experimental data suggest that ibuprofen may competitively inhibit the effect
of low dose aspirin on platelet aggregation when they are dosed
concomitantly. Some pharmacodynamic studies show that when single doses
of ibuprofen 400mg were taken within 8 hours before or within 30 minutes
after immediate release aspirin dosing (81mg), a decreased effect of aspirin on
the formation of thromboxane or platelet aggregation occurred. Although
there are uncertainties regarding extrapolation of these data to the clinical
situation, the possibility that regular, long-term use of ibuprofen may reduce
the cardioprotective effect of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid cannot be excluded.
No clinically relevant effect is considered to be likely for occasional ibuprofen
use. (see section 4.5)
Not applicable.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
Croscarmellose sodium
Anhydrous sodium carbonate
Malic acid
Microcrystalline cellulose
Sodium saccharin
Sucrose
Povidone
Sodium bicarbonate
Orange flavour
Sodium lauryl sulfate
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
3 years.
None stated.
PL 46302/0007
25/02/2009
05/11/2020