CETVIO Film-coated tablet Ref.[51088] Active ingredients: Paracetamol Tramadol

The maximum dose of 8 tablets of Tramadol hydrochloride/Paracetamol should not be exceeded. In order to avoid inadvertent overdose, patients should be advised not to exceed the recommended dose and not to use any other paracetamol (including over the counter) or tramadol hydrochloride containing products concurrently without the advice of a medical practitioner. (See section 4.9). In the event of overdosage or suspected overdose and notwithstanding the fact that the person may be asymptomatic, the nearest doctor, hospital or Poison Centre must be contacted immediately.

Dosages in excess of those recommended may cause severe liver damage. Patients suffering from liver or kidney disease should take paracetamol containing products under medical supervision.

In long-term use, paracetamol may increase the risk of renal impairment.

Tramadol may only be taken with special care in opioid dependence, reduced level of consciousness of uncertain origin, disorders of the respiratory function and increased intracranial pressure.

Seizures

Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol at dosages within the recommended dosage range. The risk of seizures is enhanced in patients exceeding the recommended dose, or in patients taking tricyclic anti-depressants or other tricyclic compounds e.g. promethazine, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, MAO-inhibitors and neuroleptics. The risk of seizures may also be increased in patients with epilepsy, with a history of seizures or in patients with a recognised risk for seizures e.g. drug and alcohol withdrawal, intracranial infections, head trauma, metabolic disorders and naloxone administration with tramadol overdose. Patients known to suffer from cerebral convulsions should be carefully monitored during treatment with tramadol.

CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolism of tramadol

Patients who are CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolisers may convert tramadol to its active metabolite (M1) more rapidly and completely than other patients. This rapid conversion may lead to higher than expected serum M1 levels and is at risk of developing side effects of opioid toxicity even at commonly prescribed doses. General symptoms of opioid toxicity include confusion, somnolence, shallow breathing, small pupils, nausea, vomiting,constipation and lack of appetite. In severe cases this may include symptoms of circulatory and respiratory depression,which may be life threatening and very rarely fatal. Alternative medicine, dose reduction and/or increased monitoring for signs of tramadol overdose, such as respiratory depression is recommended in patients known to be CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolisers.

Drug abuse and dependence

Tramadol has a dependence potential and tolerance, psychic and physical dependence of the morphine- type (µ opioid) may develop with long-term use. The medicine has been associated with craving, drug-seeking behaviour and tolerance development. Cases of abuse and dependence on tramadol have been reported.

Tramadol should not be used in opioid-dependent patients. Tramadol can re-instate physical dependence in patients that have been previously dependent or chronically using other opioids. In patients with a tendency to drug abuse, a history of drug dependence or who are chronically using opioids, treatment with tramadol is not recommended.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if CETVIO is discontinued abruptly. Panic attacks, severe anxiety, hallucinations, paraesthesia, tinnitus, and unusual CNS symptoms have also been reported with abrupt discontinuation of tramadol hydrochloride. Clinical experience suggests that withdrawal symptoms may be relieved by tapering the medicine.

Serious skin reactions

Serious skin reactions such as acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), have been reported in patients receiving paracetamol. Patients should be informed about the signs of serious skin reactions, and use of CETVIO should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity.

Precautions – general

Do not co-administer CETVIO with other tramadol or paracetamol containing products.

Use with alcohol

CETVIO should not be taken with alcohol containing beverages.

Use with CNS depressants

The administration of CETVIO concurrently with central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as alcohol, opioids, anaesthetic medicines, phenothiazines, tranquilisers or sedative hypnotics is likely to intensify and prolong CNS effects.

Use in renal disease

CETVIO should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal function and in patients prone to convulsive disorders or in shock.

Hyponatraemia

Hyponatraemia has been reported with the use of CETVIO usually in patients with predisposing risk factors, such as elderly patients and/or patients using concomitant medicines that may cause hyponatraemia. This hyponatraemia appeared to be the result of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and resolved with discontinuation of CETVIO and appropriate treatment (e.g. fluid restriction). During CETVIO treatment, monitoring for signs and symptoms of hyponatraemia is recommended for patients with predisposing risk factors.

Sleep-related breathing disorders

Opioids can cause sleep-related breathing disorders including central sleep apnoea (CSA) and sleep-related hypoxemia. Opioid use increases the risk of CSA in a dose-dependent fashion. In patients who present with CSA, consider decreasing the total opioid dosage.

Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, has been reported in patients receiving tramadol in combination with other serotonergic agents or tramadol alone.

If concomitant treatment with other serotonergic agents is clinically warranted, careful observation of the patient is advised, particularly during treatment initiation and dose escalations.

If serotonin syndrome is suspected, a dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy should be considered depending on the severity of the symptoms. Withdrawal of the serotonergic drugs usually brings about a rapid improvement.

Sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ´sodium -free'.

Caution is advised if paracetamol is administered concomitantly with flucloxacillin due to increased risk of high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA), particularly in patients with severe renal impairment, sepsis, malnutrition and other sources of glutathione deficiency (e.g. chronic alcoholism), as well as those using maximum daily doses of paracetamol. Close monitoring, including measurement of urinary 5-oxoproline, is recommended.

Concomitant use is contraindicated with

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors:

• Risk of serotonergic syndrome: diarrhoea, tachycardia, hyperhidrosis, trembling, neuromuscular abnormalities, confusional state, even coma.

In case of recent treatment with MAO inhibitors, a delay of two weeks should occur before treatment with tramadol.

Concomitant use is not recommended with

Alcohol:

• Alcohol increases the sedative effect of opioid analgesics. The effect on alertness can make driving of vehicles and the use of machines dangerous. Avoid intake of alcoholic drinks and medicines containing alcohol.

Carbamazepine and other enzyme inducers:

• Risk of reduced efficacy and shorter duration due to decreased plasma concentrations of tramadol.

Opioid agonists-antagonists (buprenorphine, nalbuphine, pentazocine):

• Decrease of the analgesic effect by competitive blocking effect at the receptors, with the risk of occurrence of withdrawal syndrome.

Concomitant use which needs to be taken into consideration

Tramadol can induce convulsions and increase the potential for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics and seizure threshold-lowering medicines (such as bupropion, mirtazapine, tetrahydrocannabinol) to cause convulsions.

Concomitant therapeutic use of tramadol and serotonergic medicines such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), MAO inhibitors (see section 4.2), tricyclic antidepressants and mirtazapine may cause serotonin toxicity.

Serotonin Syndrome is likely when one of the following is observed:

• Spontaneous clonus
• Inducible or ocular clonus with agitation or diaphoresis
• Tremor and hyperreflexia
• Hypertonia and body temperature >38°C and inducible or ocular clonus.

Withdrawal of the serotonergic medicines usually brings about a rapid improvement. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the symptoms.

Other opioid derivatives (including antitussive medicines and substitutive treatments): Increased risk of respiratory depression which can be fatal in cases of overdose.

Other central nervous system depressants, such as other opioid derivatives (including antitussive medicines and substitutive treatments), other anxiolytics, hypnotics, sedative antidepressants, sedative antihistamines, neuroleptics, centrally-acting antihypertensive medicines, thalidomide and baclofen.

These medicines can cause increased central depression. The effect on alertness can make driving of vehicles and the use of machines dangerous.

Sedating medicines such as benzodiazepines or related substances: The concomitant use of opioids with sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related medicines increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death because of additive CNS depressant effects. The dose and duration of the concomitant use should be limited (see section 4.4).

As medically appropriate, periodic evaluation of prothrombin time should be performed when CETVIO and warfarin-like compounds are administered concurrently due to reports of increased INR.

Caution should be taken when paracetamol is used concomitantly with flucloxacillin as concurrent intake has been associated with high anion gap metabolic acidosis, especially in patients with risks factors.

Post-marketing surveillance of tramadol has revealed rare reports of digoxin toxicity.

Concomitant administration of diflunisal and paracetamol produces a 50 % increase in paracetamol plasma levels in normal volunteers. CETVIO should be used cautiously and patients should be monitored carefully.

Concomitant administration with inhibitors of CYP2D6 such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine and amitriptyline may inhibit the metabolism of CETVIO.

Ondansetron increased the requirement of tramadol in patients with post-operative pain.

Pregnancy

Safe use in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.

CETVIO is not recommended for pregnant mothers because tramadol has been shown to cross the placenta.

Fertility

Post marketing surveillance does not suggest an effect of tramadol on fertility.

Tramadol may cause drowsiness or dizziness, which may be enhanced by alcohol or other CNS depressants. If affected, the patient should not drive or operate machinery.

CETVIO can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient’s ability to drive safely. When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told that CETVIO is likely to affect their ability to drive. Patients should be told to not drive until they know how CETVIO affects them.

Although not observed during clinical trials, the occurrence of the following undesirable effects known to be related to the administration of tramadol or paracetamol cannot be excluded:

Tramadol:

• Postural hypotension, bradycardia, collapse (tramadol).
• Post-marketing surveillance of tramadol has revealed rare alterations of warfarin effect, including elevation of prothrombin times.
• Cases of less frequent: allergic reactions with respiratory symptoms (e.g. dyspnoea, bronchospasm, wheezing, angioedema) and anaphylaxis
• Less frequent: changes in appetite, motor weakness, and respiratory depression
• Psychic side-effects may occur following administration of tramadol which vary individually in intensity and nature (depending on personality and duration of medication). These include changes in mood, (usually euphoric mood occasionally dysphoria), changes in activity (usually suppression occasionally increase) and changes in cognitive and sensorial capacity (e.g. decision behaviour perception disorders).
• Worsening of asthma has been reported though a causal relationship has not been established.
• Symptoms of drug withdrawal syndrome, similar to those occurring during opiate withdrawal may occur as follows: agitation, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, hyperkinesia, tremor and gastrointestinal symptoms. Other symptoms that have been seen if tramadol hydrochloride is discontinued abruptly include: panic attacks, severe anxiety, hallucinations, paraesthesia, tinnitus and unusual CNS symptoms.

Paracetamol:

Renal and urinary disorders

Uncommon: albuminuria, micturition disorders (dysuria and urinary retention)

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon: dyspnoea

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Common: hyperhidrosis, pruritus

• Uncommon: dermal reactions (e.g.rash, urticaria).

Vascular disorders

Uncommon: hypertension, hot flush

• Hypersensitivity including skin rash may occur. There have been reports of blood dyscrasias including thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis.
• There have been several reports that suggest that paracetamol may produce hypoprothrombinaemia when administered with warfarin-like compounds. In other studies, prothrombin time did not change.
• Cases of serious skin reactions have been reported.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions:

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicine is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicine. Healthcare providers are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions to SAHPRA via the ‘6.04 Adverse Drug Reactions Reporting Form’, found online under SAHPRA’s publications: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8

Not applicable.