Reports of acute toxicity or death following overdosage of glucocorticosteroids are rare. Thus, acute overdosage with Entocort CR Capsules even in excessive doses, is not expected to lead to an acute clinical crisis. In the event of acute overdosage, no specific antidote is available. Treatment consists of supportive and symptomatic therapy.
Chronic overdosage may lead to systemic corticosteroid effects, such as Cushingoid features. If such changes occur, the dose of Entocort CR Capsules should be gradually reduced until treatment is discontinued, in accordance with normal procedures for the discontinuation of prolonged oral glucocorticosteroid therapy.
3 years.
Not applicable.
Ethylcellulose
Tributyl acetylcitrate
Methacrylic acid copolymer
Triethylcitrate, Antifoam M
Polysorbate 80
Talc
Sucrose
Maize starch
Gelatine
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Iron oxide (E172)
Tabulated list of adverse events
The following definitions apply to the incidence 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 estimate from the available data).
Adverse drug reactions by frequency and system organ class (SOC)
|
SOC |
Frequency |
Reaction |
|
Immune system disorders |
Very Rare |
Anaphylactic reaction |
|
Endocrine disorders |
Common |
Cushingoid features |
|
Very Rare |
Growth retardation | |
|
Metabolism and nutrition disorders |
Common |
Hypokalemia |
|
Psychiatric disorders |
Common |
Behavioural changes such as nervousness, insomnia, mood swings and depression |
|
Uncommon |
Anxiety | |
|
Rare |
Aggression | |
|
Nervous system disorders |
Uncommon |
Tremor, psychomotor hyperactivity |
|
Eye disorders |
Rare | ) |
|
Cardiac disorders |
Common |
Palpitations |
|
Gastrointestinal disorders |
Common |
Dyspepsia |
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
Common |
Skin reactions (urticaria, exanthema) |
|
Rare |
Ecchymosis | |
|
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders |
Common |
Muscle cramps |
|
Reproductive system and breast disorders |
Common |
Menstrual disorders |
Most of the adverse events mentioned in this SmPC can also be expected for other treatments with glucocorticoids.
Description of selected adverse events
Side effects typical of systemic corticosteroids (e.g. cushingoid features and growth retardation) may occur. These side effects are dependent on dose, treatment time, concomitant and previous corticosteroid intake, and individual sensitivity.
In clinical studies, at recommended doses, the incidence of adverse events was comparable to placebo.
Clinical studies showed the frequency of steroid associated side effects for Entocort CR Capsules to be approximately half that of conventional prednisolone treatment, at equipotent doses. In studies of patients with active disease, receiving Entocort 9 mg daily, the incidence of adverse events was comparable to placebo. Very rarely a wide range of psychiatric/ behavioural effects may occur, when systemic steroids are prescribed at high doses and for prolonged periods.
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.
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
Results from acute, subacute and chronic toxicity studies show that the systemic effects of budesonide are less severe or similar to those observed after administration of other glucocorticosteroids, e.g. decreased body-weight gain and atrophy of lymphoid tissues and adrenal cortex.
Budesonide, evaluated in six different test systems, did not show any mutagenic or clastogenic effects.
An increased incidence of brain gliomas in male rats in a carcinogenicity study could not be verified in a repeat study, in which the incidence of gliomas did not differ between any of the groups on active treatment (budesonide, prednisolone, triamcinolone acetonide) and the control groups.
Liver changes (primary hepatocellular neoplasms) found in male rats in the original carcinogenicity study were noted again in the repeat study with budesonide as well as the reference glucocorticosteroids. These effects are most probably related to a receptor effect and thus represent a class effect.
Available clinical experience shows that there are no indications that budesonide or other glucocorticosteroids induce brain gliomas or primary hepatocellular neoplasms in man.
The toxicity of Entocort CR Capsules, with focus on the gastro-intestinal tract, has been studied in cynomolgus monkeys in doses up to 5 mg/kg after repeated oral administration for up to 6 months. No effects were observed in the gastrointestinal tract, neither at gross pathology nor in the histopathological examination.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Corticosteroids acting locally.
ATC code: A07EA06
Budesonide is a glucocorticosteroid with a high local anti-inflammatory effect.
The exact mechanism of budesonide in the treatment of Crohn's disease is not fully understood.
Data from clinical pharmacology studies and controlled clinical trials strongly indicate that the mode of action of Entocort CR Capsules is based, at least partly, on a local action in the gut. Budesonide is a glucocorticosteroid with a high local anti-inflammatory effect. At doses clinically equivalent to prednisolone, budesonide gives significantly less HPA axis suppression and has a lower impact on inflammatory markers.
At recommended doses, Entocort CR Capsules caused significantly less effect than prednisolone 20-40 mg daily on morning plasma cortisols; on 24 hour plasma cortisol (AUC 0-24 h) and on 24 hour urine cortisol levels.
ACTH tests have shown Entocort CR Capsules to have significantly less effect than prednisolone on adrenal functions.
Paediatric population
HPA axis function. At recommended doses, Entocort CR Capsules cause significantly less effect than prednisole 20-40 mg daily on morning plasma cortisol, on 24-hour plasma cortisol (AUC 0-24 h) and on 24-hour urine cortisol. Also ACTH tests have shown that Entocort CR Capsules, compared with prednisolone, have significantly less impact on the adrenal function. Children with Crohn's disease have a slightly higher systemic exposure and cortisol suppression than adults with Crohn's disease.
Long-term studies have not been performed in children treated with Entocort CR Capsules. In a study evaluating the effect of Entocort CR Capsules on cortisol suppression in 8 children (range 9-14 years) and 6 adults , the oral administration of 9 mg Entocort CR Capsules for 7 days induced a mean cortisol suppression (± SD) of 64% (±18%) in children and 50% (±27%) in adults with respect to baseline values. No clinically relevant findings in terms of safety have been reported. (Study 08-3044)
A study performed in children with mild to moderate Crohn's disease (CDAI > 200) compared the activity of Entocort CR Capsules at the dose of 9 mg once daily with that of prednisolone, administered at tapering doses, starting from 1 mg/kg. 22 patients were treated with Entocort CR Capsules and 26 patients were treated with the reference drug prednisolone. After 8 weeks of treatment, 70.8% of patients treated with prednisolone reached the endpoint (CDAI ≤ 150), as compared to 54.5% of subjects treated with Entocort CR Capsules, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.13). In the course of the study, adverse events were observed in 96% of patients treated with prednisolone and 91% of patients treated with Entocort CR Capsules. The nature of these adverse events was similar in both study arms, but the incidence of glucocorticoid-related side-effects (such as acne and moon face) was lower in patients treated with Entocort CR Capsules. (Study SD-008-3037)
Study D9422C0001 was an open-label, uncontrolled study designed to evaluate Entocort in 108 pediatric patients (children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years) diagnosed with mild to moderate Crohn's disease of the ileum and/or ascending colon. The median duration of treatment exposure of Entocort of 58 days (range: 5 days to 90 days). Patients were dosed with oral Entocort once daily according to bodyweight, patients weighing ≤25 kg received 6 mg once daily for 8 weeks; patients weighing >25 kg received 9 mg once daily for 8 weeks. During the 8 weeks of treatment there was a reduction in the mean (±SD) PCDAI score from 19.1 (±10.1) to 9.1 (±8.5), indicating an improvement in disease activity; with an improvement in mean (±SD) IMPACT 3 score from 132.1 (±18.8) to 140.9 (±16.9). AEs were observed at a similar frequency and severity as seen in adults, and were mostly related to Crohn's disease, puberty and possible GCS related side effects.
Study D9422C00002 was an open-label, un-comparative study designed to evaluate Entocort 6 mg once daily as maintenance treatment in 50 pediatric patients (children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years) with a diagnosis of mild to moderate Crohn's disease of the ileum and/or ascending colon who were in clinical remission (PCDAI ≤10). Treatment consisted of a 12-week maintenance treatment phase of 6 mg once daily, a 2-week taper phase to 3 mg once daily. The median duration of treatment exposure of Entocort was 98.5 days (range: 11 days to 135 days). Most patients remained in the clinical remission stage, as there were no major changes in the mean PCDAI composite score or IMPACT 3 score. Mean (SD) PCDAI was 4.85 (3.62) at baseline and 6.89 (8.08) after 12 weeks of maintenance treatment with Entocort 6 mg daily. At the same points in time the mean IMPACT3 score was 145.62 (12.43) and 146.98 (15.48), respectively. AEs were observed at a similar frequency and severity as seen in adults, and were mostly related to Crohn's disease, puberty and possible GCS related side effects.
Absorption
After oral dosing of plain micronised compound, absorption is rapid and seems to be complete. A large proportion of the drug is absorbed from the ileum and ascending colon. Systemic availability in healthy subjects is approximately 9-12% for Entocort CR Capsules. This is similar to the systemic availability of plain micronised budesonide, indicating complete absorption. In patients with active Crohn's disease systemic availability is approximately 12-20% at the start of treatment.
Distribution
Budesonide has a high volume of distribution (about 3 L/kg). Plasma protein binding averages 85-90%. In healthy volunteers mean maximal plasma concentrations of 5-10 nmol/L were seen at 3-5 hours following a single oral dose of Entocort CR Capsules 9 mg.
Biotransformation
Budesonide then undergoes extensive biotransformation in the liver to metabolites of low glucocorticosteroid activity. The glucocorticosteroid activity of the major metabolites, 6β-hydroxybudesonide and 16α-hydroxy-prednisolone, is less than 1% of that of budesonide. The metabolism of budesonide is primarily mediated by CYP3A, a subfamily of cytochrome P450.
Elimination
Elimination is rate limited by absorption. The average terminal half-life is 4 hours. Budesonide has a high systemic clearance (about 1.2 L/min).
Paediatric population
In a study comparing the pharmacokinetics of Entocort CR Capsules in 8 children (range 9-14 years) and 6 adults, Entocort CR Capules 9 mg for 7 days induced a systemic exposure (AUC) that was 17% higher in children than in adults, with maximum concentrations (Cmax) 50% higher in children than in adults (mean AUC ± SD: children 41.3 nmol/L ± 21.2; adults 35.0 nmol/L ± 19.8. Mean Cmax ± SD: children 5.99 nmo/L ± 3.45; adults 3.97 nmo/L ± 2.11.) (Study 08-3044).
March 2018
Tillotts Pharma UK Limited.
Wellingore Hall,
Wellingore
Lincolnshire
LN5 0HX
United Kingdom
Do not store above 30°C.
Store in the original container in order to protect from light/moisture. Replace cap firmly after use. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
White polyethylene bottles of 100 capsules, having either a tamper-evident or child-resistant polypropylene screw cap, with an integral desiccant.
PL 36633/0006
Pregnancy
The ability of corticosteroids to cross the placenta varies between individual drugs, however, in mice, budesonide and/or its metabolites have been shown to cross the placenta.
In pregnant animals, administration of budesonide, like other glucocorticosteroids, is associated with abnormalities in foetal development including cleft palate, intra-uterine growth retardation and effects on brain growth and development. There is no evidence that corticosteroids result in an increased incidence of congenital abnormalities, such as cleft palate/lip in humans. However, when administered for prolonged periods or repeatedly during pregnancy, corticosteroids may increase the risk of intra-uterine growth retardation.
Hypoadrenalism may, in theory, occur in the neonate following prenatal exposure to corticosteroids but usually resolves spontaneously following birth and is rarely clinically important. When corticosteroids are essential however, patients with normal pregnancies may be treated as though they were in the non-gravid state.
As with other drugs the administration of Entocort CR Capsules during pregnancy requires that the benefits for the mother are weighed against the risk for the foetus.
Breast-feeding
Budesonide is excreted in breast milk.
Maintenance treatment with inhaled budesonide (200 or 400 micrograms twice daily) in asthmatic nursing women results in negligible systemic exposure to budesonide in breast-fed infants.
In a pharmacokinetic study the estimated daily infant dose was 0.3% of the daily maternal dose for both dose levels, and the average plasma concentration in infants was estimated to be 1/600th of the concentrations observed in maternal plasma, assuming complete infant oral bioavailability. Budesonide concentrations in infant plasma samples were all less than the limit of quantification.
Based on data from inhaled budesonide and the fact that budesonide exhibits linear PK properties within the therapeutic dosage intervals after inhaled, oral and rectal administrations, at therapeutic doses of budesonide, exposure to the suckling child is anticipated to be low.
Infants of mothers taking higher than recommended doses of budesonide may have a degree of adrenal suppression.
These data support continued use of budesonide, oral and rectal administrations, during breast-feeding.
Entocort CR Capsules have no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
No special requirements.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Date of first authorisation: 31st January 1996
Date of latest renewal: 4th June 2002
Although not studied, concomitant administration of colestyramine may reduce Entocort uptake, in common with other drugs.
Raised plasma concentrations of and enhanced effects of corticosteroids have been reported in women also treated with oestrogens and contraceptive steroids. However, a low-dose combination oral contraceptive that more than doubled the plasma concentration of oral prednisolone, had no significant effect on the plasma concentration of oral budesonide.
At recommended doses, omeprazole does not affect the pharmacokinetics of oral budesonide, whereas cimetidine has a slight but clinically insignificant effect.
The metabolism of budesonide is primarily mediated by CYP3A4, one of the cytochrome P450 enzymes.
Inhibitors of this enzyme, e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, HIV protease inhibitors and grapefruit juice, can therefore increase systemic exposure to budesonide several times. Since there is no data to support a dosage recommendation, the combination should be avoided. If this is not possible, the period between treatments should be as long as possible and a reduction of the budesonide dose could also be considered. Other potent inhibitors of CYP3A4 are also likely to markedly increase plasma levels of budesonide. Inhibition by budesonide on other drugs metabolism via CYP3A4 is unlikely, since budesonide has low affinity to the enzyme.
Concomitant treatment with CYP3A4 inducers such as carbamazepine may reduce budesonide exposure, which may require a dose increase.
Because adrenal function may be suppressed, an ACTH stimulation test for diagnosing pituitary insufficiency might show false results (low values).
