Consumer medicine information

ANDEPRA

Duloxetine

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Andepra

Active ingredient

Duloxetine

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using ANDEPRA.

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about ANDEPRA. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

The information in this leaflet was last updated on the date shown on the final page. More recent information on this medicine may be available. Make sure you speak to your pharmacist or doctor to obtain the most up to date information on this medicine. You can also download the most up to date leaflet from www.lilly.com.au. The updated leaflet may contain important information about ANDEPRA and its use that you should be aware of.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking ANDEPRA against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What ANDEPRA is used for

ANDEPRA is used to treat major depressive disorder (depression), Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (nerve pain caused by diabetes) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (excessive worry)

ANDEPRA belongs to a group of medicines called Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). SNRIs are believed to work by their action on serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. Serotonin and noradrenaline are the chemical messengers responsible for controlling the psychological and painful physical symptoms of depression.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason. This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

ANDEPRA is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.

Before you take ANDEPRA

When you must not take it

Do not take ANDEPRA if you have an allergy to:

  • any medicine containing duloxetine hydrochloride;
  • any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take ANDEPRA if you have liver disease. This could increase the chance of you having liver problems during treatment with ANDEPRA.

Do not take this medicine if you are taking another medicine for depression called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have been taking a MAOI within the last 14 days. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure as to whether or not you are taking a MAOI.

If you do take ANDEPRA while you are taking a MAOI, you may experience shaking (tremor), shivering, muscle stiffness, fever, rapid pulse, rapid breathing or confusion.

Do not take ANDEPRA if you are taking another medicine for depression called fluvoxamine.

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially if you have:

  • a condition in which the pressure of fluid in the eye may be high (glaucoma)
  • high blood pressure
  • heart problems
  • kidney problems as you may need to take a lower dose of ANDEPRA
  • history of fits (seizures)
  • bipolar disorder
  • diabetes

If you have high blood pressure or heart problems your doctor may monitor your blood pressure.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved. If ANDEPRA is taken during pregnancy, you should be careful, particularly at the end of pregnancy. Transitory withdrawal symptoms have been reported rarely in the newborn after maternal use in the last 3 months of pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol you drink. People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol should not take ANDEPRA. Drinking too much alcohol could increase the chance of you having liver problems during treatment with ANDEPRA.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking ANDEPRA.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and ANDEPRA may interfere with each other. These include:

  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), medicines used to treat some types of depression.
    You should stop taking MAOIs at least two weeks before starting ANDEPRA.
    You must stop taking ANDEPRA at least 5 days before you start taking a MAOI.
  • other medicines used to treat depression, panic disorder, anxiety or obsessive illnesses, including tryptophan
  • strong painkillers such as tramadol, pethidine
  • a type of migraine treatment called 'triptans', such as sumatriptan or zolmitriptan
  • medicines used to treat stress urinary incontinence such as tolteridone
  • medicines used to treat heart problems such as flecainide or propafenone
  • thioridazine, a medicine used to treat schizophrenia
  • herbal medicines such as St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
  • warfarin, a medicine used to thin the blood (anticoagulant) or other medicines known to affect blood coagulation (NSAIDs, aspirin)

Do not start to take any other medicine unless prescribed or approved by your doctor. These medicines may be affected by ANDEPRA or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.

How to take ANDEPRA

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the carton, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

The usual recommended dose of ANDEPRA in Major Depressive Disorder or Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain is one 60 mg capsule taken once daily.

The recommended dose of ANDEPRA in Generalised Anxiety Disorder is between 30 mg and 120 mg, taken once daily.

Your doctor may start you on a lower dose to help reduce side effects.

If you have severe kidney disease, the recommended starting dose of ANDEPRA is one 30 mg capsule taken once daily.

How to take it

Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water.

Do not open the capsules and crush the pellets inside because the medicine may not work as well. ANDEPRA may be taken with or without meals.

When to take it

Take your medicine at about the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.

How long to take it

The length of treatment with ANDEPRA will depend on how quickly your symptoms improve. Most medicines of this type take time to work so don't be discouraged if you do not feel better right away.

Although you may notice an improvement, continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much ANDEPRA. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose may include drowsiness, convulsions, and vomiting. Symptoms may also include some or all of the following: feeling confused, feeling restless, sweating, shaking, shivering, hallucinations, muscle jerks, fast heart beat.

While you are taking ANDEPRA

Things you must do

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking ANDEPRA.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.

If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine

If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.

Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked. Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any suicidal thoughts or other mental/ mood changes. Occasionally, the symptoms of depression or other psychiatric conditions may include thoughts of harming yourself or committing suicide. These symptoms may continue or get worse during the first one or two months of treatment, until the full antidepressant effect of the medicine becomes apparent This is more likely to occur in young adults under 25 years of age.

Contact your doctor or a mental health professional right away or go to the nearest hospital for treatment if you or someone you know is showing any of the following warning signs of suicide:

  • worsening of your depression
  • thoughts or talk of death or suicide
  • thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others
  • any recent attempts of self-harm
  • increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or any other unusual changes in behaviour or mood.

All mentions of suicide or violence must be taken seriously.

If you notice any of the following contact your doctor right away.

Your doctor may do some blood tests to check your liver or tell you to stop taking your medicine. Signs of liver problems include:

  • itchy skin
  • dark urine
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • tenderness over the liver
  • symptoms of the 'flu'

These may be signs of serious liver damage.

Things you must not do

Do not take ANDEPRA to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop taking ANDEPRA or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted side effects. If possible, your doctor will gradually reduce the amount you take each day before stopping the medicine completely.

Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how ANDEPRA affects you. ANDEPRA may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people.

Do not let yourself run out of ANDEPRA over the weekend or on holidays.

Things to be careful of

Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Drinking large amounts of alcohol during treatment with ANDEPRA can cause severe liver injury.

You should avoid 'binge drinking' or drinking excessively during treatment with ANDEPRA. Drinking alcohol with this medicine may also cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking ANDEPRA. This medicine helps many people with depression, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.

Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have. The following side effects are the more common side effects of ANDEPRA and are often mild and short-lived.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • dry mouth, mouth ulcers, thirst, bad taste
  • burping or belching, indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting,
  • constipation, diarrhoea, wind (flatulence)
  • bad breath
  • loss of appetite, weight loss
  • headache
  • trouble sleeping
  • dream abnormalities
  • drowsiness
  • feeling tired or having no energy
  • sexual problems
  • dizziness
  • tremor
  • blurred vision
  • feeling anxious, agitated or restless
  • confusion and attention problems
  • tingling and numbness of hands, face, mouth and feet
  • yawning or throat tightness
  • difficulty urinating (passing water), urinating frequently or needing to urinate at night
  • irregular heart beat
  • hot and cold sweats
  • sore ears, sore throat
  • ringing in ears
  • muscle pain, stiffness or twitching
  • walking problems
  • flushing
  • skin rash
  • restless legs

These are the more common side effects of your medicine.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

  • signs of a possible serious liver problem,
    such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and/or eyes, dark urine
  • high pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
  • feeling tired, weak or confused and having achy, stiff or uncoordinated muscles.
    This may be because you have low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatraemia or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone)
  • abdominal pain, traces of blood in your stools, or if your stools are dark in colour.
  • This may because you have increased bleeding, possibly in the gastric tract (gastrointestinal bleeding). You may also feel weakness, dizziness and experience nausea and/or vomitting
  • seeing or hearing things (hallucinations)
  • dizziness or fainting when you stand up, especially from a lying or sitting position
  • uncontrollable movements
  • if you have some or all of the following symptoms you may have something called serotonin syndrome: feeling confused, feeling restless, sweating, shaking, shivering, hallucinations, sudden jerks in your muscles or a fast heart beat
  • stiff neck or jaw muscles (lockjaw)
  • fits or seizures
  • mood of excitement, over-activity and uninhibited behaviour.
  • aggression or anger especially after starting or stopping taking this medicine

You may need urgent medical attention.

Other changes you may not be aware of:

  • increased blood pressure
  • heart rhythm changes
  • underactive thyroid gland
  • liver function changes

If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:

  • itching, skin rash or hives
  • shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body

These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell. This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.

After taking ANDEPRA

Storage

Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the capsules out of the pack they may not keep as well.

Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store ANDEPRA or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

Product description

What it looks like

  • ANDEPRA 30 mg capsules have an opaque white body and opaque blue cap imprinted with "9543" and "30 mg" using green ink and are available in packs of 7(starter packs) and 28.
  • ANDEPRA 60 mg capsules have an opaque green body and opaque blue cap imprinted with "9542" and "60 mg" using white ink and are available in packs of 7(starter packs) and 28.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients

  • 30 mg capsule - duloxetine hydrochloride equivalent to duloxetine 30 mg
  • 60 mg capsule - duloxetine hydrochloride equivalent to duloxetine 60 mg

Inactive Ingredients

  • indigo carmine CI73015
  • gelatin
  • hypromellose
  • hypromellose acetate succinate
  • sodium lauryl sulfate
  • sucrose
  • sugar spheres
  • talc - purified
  • titanium dioxide
  • triethyl citrate
  • iron oxide yellow CI77492 (60mg capsules)
  • TekPrint SB-4028 Green Ink (30mg capsules)
  • TekPrint SB-0007P White Ink (60mg capsules)

This medicine does not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

Suppliers

Eli Lilly Australia Pty Limited
112 Wharf Road
WEST RYDE, NSW 2114

®= Registered Trademark

Australian Registration Number

  • 30 mg capsules: AUST R 179186
  • 60 mg capsules: AUST R 179187

This leaflet was prepared in March 2012.

Published by MIMS April 2013

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Andepra

Active ingredient

Duloxetine

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Andepra (duloxetine hydrochloride).

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Duloxetine is available as capsules for oral administration.
Each capsule contains enteric-coated pellets of duloxetine hydrochloride equivalent to 30 mg or 60 mg of duloxetine that are designed to prevent degradation of the drug in the acidic environment of the stomach.
Inactive ingredients include indigo carmine CI73015, gelatin, hypromellose, hypromellose acetate succinate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sucrose, sugar spheres NF 30/35, purified talc, titanium dioxide CI77891, Chroma-Tone DDB8257-W 609421 and triethyl citrate.
The 30 mg capsules also contain TekPrint SB-4028 Green Ink (ARTG No. 107268).
The 60 mg capsules also contain iron oxide yellow CI77492 and TekPrint SB-0007P White Ink (ARTG No. 2216).

3 Pharmaceutical Form

The 30 mg capsule has an opaque white body and opaque blue cap imprinted with "9543" and "30 mg" using green ink.
The 60 mg capsule has an opaque green body and opaque blue cap imprinted with "9542" and "60 mg" using white ink.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Andepra is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).
Andepra is indicated for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).
Andepra is indicated for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Major depressive disorder.

Andepra should be administered for the treatment of major depressive disorder at a dose of 60 mg once daily, with or without food. There is no adequate evidence suggesting that patients not responding to 60 mg once daily will benefit from having their dose increased.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.

The starting and maintenance dose of Andepra in diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain is 60 mg once daily. As the progression of diabetic neuropathy is highly variable and management of pain is empirical, effectiveness of Andepra should be assessed on an individual basis.

Generalised anxiety disorder.

The recommended starting dose of Andepra in patients with generalized anxiety disorder is 30 mg once daily with or without food. The daily dose should be increased in 30 mg increments until the minimum effective dose is achieved. The maximum dose is 120 mg per day, given as 120 mg once daily. Doses above 120 mg have not been systematically evaluated.

Initial tolerability.

For patients in whom initial tolerability may be a concern, such as treatment naïve patients or those with a history of adverse events with other medications, use of a lower starting dose such as 30 mg once daily for one week before increasing the dose to 60 mg once daily should be considered. A dose of 30 mg once daily should be used in patients with end stage renal disease (see below). In addition, clinical studies have shown that taking Andepra with food may improve initial tolerability.

Discontinuation of treatment.

When discontinuing Andepra after more than one week of therapy it is generally recommended that the dose be tapered to minimise the risk of discontinuation symptoms. As a general recommendation, the dose of Andepra should be reduced by half or administered on alternate days during a period of not less than two weeks. The precise regimen followed should take into account the individual circumstances of the patient, such as duration of treatment, dose at discontinuation, etc.

Renal impairment.

A lower dose of 30 mg once daily should be used in patients with end stage renal disease (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) (see Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties).

Hepatic impairment.

Andepra is contraindicated in patients with liver disease resulting in hepatic impairment (see Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties).

Patients aged ≥ 65 years.

No dosage adjustment is recommended for elderly patients on the basis of age (see Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties).

Children and adolescents aged < 18 years.

Duloxetine is not indicated for use in patients under 18 years of age (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

4.3 Contraindications

Andepra is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to duloxetine or to any of the excipients in the formulation.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI).

Andepra should not be used in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or the reversible MAOI (RIMA), moclobemide, or within 14 days of discontinuing treatment with a MAOI. Similarly, at least 5 days should be allowed after stopping Andepra before starting a MAOI. Cases of serious reactions, such as potentially life threatening serotonin syndrome (characterised by neuromuscular excitation, altered mental status and autonomic dysfunction) have been reported in patients receiving an SNRI in combination with MAOIs and RIMA, and in patients who have recently discontinued an SNRI and have been started on a MAOI (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Andepra is contraindicated in patients with liver disease resulting in hepatic impairment (see Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties).
Andepra should not be used in combination with potent CYP1A2 inhibitors (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Clinical worsening and suicide risk.

The risk of suicide attempt is inherent in depression and may persist until significant remission occurs. This risk must be considered in all depressed patients.
Patients with depression may experience worsening of their depressive symptoms and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behaviours (suicidality) whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications, and this risk may persist until significant remission occurs. As improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be closely monitored for clinical worsening and suicidality, especially at the beginning of a course of treatment, or at the time of dose changes, either increases or decreases. Consideration should be given to changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing the medication, in patients whose depression is persistently worse or whose emergent suicidality is severe, abrupt in onset, or was not part of the patient's presenting symptoms. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be alerted about the need to monitor for any worsening of their condition and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation/ behaviour or thoughts of harming themselves and to seek medical advice immediately if these symptoms present. Patients with comorbid depression associated with other psychiatric disorders being treated with antidepressants should be similarly observed for clinical worsening and suicidality.
Pooled analyses of 24 short-term (4 to 16 weeks), placebo controlled trials of nine antidepressant medicines (SSRIs and others) in 4400 children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (16 trials), obsessive compulsive disorder (4 trials) or other psychiatric disorders (4 trials) have revealed a greater risk of adverse events representing suicidal behaviour or thinking (suicidality) during the first few months of treatment in those receiving antidepressants. The average risk of such events in patients treated with an antidepressant was 4% compared with 2% of patients given placebo. There was considerable variation in risk among the antidepressants, but there was a tendency towards and increase for almost all antidepressants studied. The risk of suicidality was most consistently observed in the major depressive disorder trials, but there were signals of risk arising from trials in other psychiatric indications (obsessive compulsive disorder and social anxiety disorder) as well. No suicides occurred in these trials. It is unknown whether the suicidality risk in children and adolescent patients extends to use beyond several months. The nine antidepressant medications in the pooled analyses included five SSRIs (citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) and four non-SSRIs (bupropion, mirtazapine, nefazodone, venlafaxine).
Symptoms of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility (aggressiveness), impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania and mania have been reported in adults, adolescents and children being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric. Although a causal link between the emergence of such symptoms and either worsening of depression and/or emergence of suicidal impulses has not been established, there is concern that such symptoms may be precursors of emerging suicidality.
Families and caregivers of children and adolescents being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder or for any other condition (psychiatric or nonpsychiatric) should be informed about the need to monitor these patients for the emergence of agitation, irritability, unusual changes in behaviour and other symptoms described above, as well as the emergence of suicidality, and to report such symptoms immediately to healthcare providers. It is particularly important that monitoring be undertaken during the initial few months of antidepressant treatment or at times of dose increase or decrease.
Duloxetine hydrochloride is not indicated for use in patients under the age of 18. Although a causal role for duloxetine in inducing such events has not been established, some analyses from pooled studies of antidepressants in psychiatric disorders found an increased risk for suicidal ideation and/or suicidal behaviors in pediatric and young adult (< 25 years of age) patients compared to placebo (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Physicians should encourage patients to report any distressing thoughts or feelings at any time.
Prescriptions for Andepra should be written for the smallest quantity of tablets consistent with good patient management, in order to reduce the risk of overdose.

Use in hepatic impairment and hepatotoxicity.

Andepra should ordinarily not be prescribed to patients with evidence of acute or chronic liver disease as it is possible that duloxetine may aggravate pre-existing liver disease (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).
Andepra increases the risk of elevation of serum transaminase levels. Liver transaminase elevations resulted in the discontinuation of 0.3% (82/27,229) of Andepra treated patients. In these patients, the median time to detection of the transaminase elevation was about two months. In placebo controlled trials in any indication, elevations of alanine transaminase (ALT) to > 3 times the upper limit of normal occurred in 1.1% (85/7632) of Andepra treated patients and in 0.2% (13/5578) of placebo treated patients. In placebo controlled studies using a fixed dose design, there was evidence of a dose response relationship for ALT and AST elevation of > 3 times the upper limit of normal and > 5 times the upper limit of normal, respectively.
Postmarketing reports have described cases of hepatitis with abdominal pain, hepatomegaly and elevation of transaminase levels to more than twenty times the upper limit of normal with or without jaundice, reflecting a mixed or hepatocellular pattern of liver injury. Cases of cholestatic jaundice with minimal elevation of transaminase levels have also been reported. Isolated cases of liver failure, including fatal cases, have been reported. A majority of these cases have been reported in patients with past or current risk factors for liver injury, including alcohol abuse, hepatitis or exposure to drugs with known adverse effects on the liver.
The combination of transaminase elevations and elevated bilirubin, without evidence of obstruction, is generally recognised as an important predictor of severe liver injury. In clinical trials, 7 Andepra patients had elevations of transaminases and bilirubin, but 5 of 7 also had elevation of alkaline phosphatase, suggesting an obstructive process; in these patients, in 3 of these 7 patients there was evidence of heavy alcohol use and this may have contributed to the abnormalities seen.
Postmarketing reports indicate that elevated transaminases, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase have occurred in patients with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.

Alcohol.

Because it is possible that duloxetine and alcohol may interact to cause liver injury or that duloxetine may aggravate pre-existing liver disease, Andepra should ordinarily not be prescribed to patients with substantial alcohol use or evidence of chronic liver disease (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Use in hepatic impairment and hepatotoxicity).

Bipolar disorder.

A major depressive episode may be the initial presentation of bipolar disorder. It is generally believed that treating such an episode with an antidepressant alone can increase the likelihood of precipitation of a mixed/ manic episode in patients at risk of bipolar disorder. Prior to initiating treatment with an antidepressant, patients should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder; such screening should include a detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Activation of mania.

In placebo controlled trials in patients with major depressive disorder, activation of hypomania or mania occurred in 0.1% of duloxetine treated patients and 0.1% of placebo treated patients. No activation of mania or hypomania was reported in DPNP or GAD placebo controlled trials. Activation of mania/ hypomania has been reported in a small proportion of patients with mood disorders who were treated with other marketed drugs effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder. As with these other drugs, duloxetine should be used cautiously in patients with a history of mania.

Seizures.

Duloxetine has not been systematically evaluated in patients with a seizure disorder. In placebo controlled clinical trials, seizures/ convulsions occurred in 0.03% (3/9445) of patients treated with duloxetine and 0.01% (1/6770) of patients with placebo. As with similar CNS active drugs, duloxetine should be used cautiously in patients with a history of seizure disorder.

Mydriasis.

Mydriasis has been reported in association with duloxetine. Caution should be exercised in patients with raised intraocular pressure or those at risk of acute narrow angle glaucoma.

Hyponatraemia.

Cases of hyponatremia (some with serum sodium lower than 110 mmol/Liter) have been reported very rarely when administering Andepra. The majority of these cases occurred in elderly patients, especially when coupled with a recent history of altered fluid balance or conditions predisposing to altered fluid balance. Hyponatremia may present with nonspecific signs and symptoms (such as dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, somnolence, and lethargy). Signs and symptoms associated with more severe cases have included syncopal episodes, falls, and seizure. Caution is required in patients at increased risk for hyponatraemia; such as elderly, cirrhotic, or dehydrated patients or patients treated with diuretics. Hyponatraemia may be due to a syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).

Abnormal bleeding.

SSRIs and SNRIs, including duloxetine, may increase the risk of bleeding events, including gastrointestinal bleeding (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)). Therefore, caution is advised in patients taking duloxetine concomitantly with anticoagulants and/or medicinal products known to affect platelet function (e.g. NSAIDs, aspirin) and in patients with known bleeding tendencies.

Use in patients with concomitant illness.

Clinical experience with duloxetine in patients with concomitant systemic illnesses is limited. Caution is advisable in using duloxetine in patients with diseases or conditions that produce altered metabolism or haemodynamic responses.
Duloxetine has not been systematically evaluated in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable heart disease. Patients with these diagnoses were generally excluded from clinical studies during the product's premarketing testing. However, evaluation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) of 321 patients who received duloxetine in placebo controlled clinical trials indicated that duloxetine is not associated with the development of clinically significant ECG abnormalities (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Electrocardiogram changes).
Increased plasma concentrations of duloxetine occur in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (see Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties).

Drug dependence.

While duloxetine has not been systematically studied in humans for its potential for abuse, there was no indication of drug seeking behaviour in the clinical trials. However, it is not possible to predict on the basis of premarketing experience the extent to which a CNS active drug will be misused, diverted and/or abused once marketed. Consequently, physicians should carefully evaluate patients for a history of drug abuse and follow such patients closely, observing them for signs of misuse or abuse of duloxetine (e.g. development of tolerance, incrementation of dose, drug seeking behaviour).

Weight changes.

Weight changes do not appear to be clinically significant outcomes of treatment with duloxetine. In placebo controlled clinical trials, patients treated with duloxetine for up to 9 weeks experienced a mean weight loss of approximately 0.5 kg, compared with a mean weight gain of approximately 0.2 kg in placebo treated patients.

Use in renal impairment.

Duloxetine Cmax and AUC values were approximately 2-fold higher in patients with ESRD receiving chronic intermittent dialysis, compared with subjects with normal renal function. In contrast, the elimination half-life was similar in both groups. A lower dose should be used for patients with ESRD (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration). Population pharmacokinetic analyses suggest that mild renal dysfunction has no significant effect on apparent plasma clearance of duloxetine.

Blood pressure.

Duloxetine is associated with an increase in blood pressure in some patients. In placebo controlled clinical trials duloxetine treatment was associated with small increases in systolic blood pressure averaging 2 mmHg and small increases in diastolic blood pressure averaging 0.5 mmHg compared to placebo. Large, potentially clinically significant, elevations in blood pressure do not appear to be more common with duloxetine than with placebo. In patients with known hypertension and/or other cardiac disease, blood pressure monitoring is recommended as appropriate. Andepra should be used with caution in patients whose conditions could be compromised by an increased heart rate or by an increase in blood pressure.

Orthostatic hypotension and syncope.

Orthostatic hypotension and syncope have been reported with therapeutic doses of duloxetine. Syncope and hypotension tend to occur within the first week of therapy but can occur at any time during duloxetine treatment, particularly after dose increases. The risk of blood pressure decreases may be greater in patients taking concomitant medications that induce orthostatic hypotension (such as antihypertensives) or are potent CYP1A2 inhibitors and in patients taking doses above 60 mg daily. Consideration should be given to discontinuing Andepra in patients who experience symptomatic orthostatic hypotension and/or syncope during therapy.

Electrocardiogram changes.

ECGs were obtained from 321 duloxetine treated patients with MDD and 169 placebo treated patients in 8 week clinical trials. The rate corrected QT interval in duloxetine treated patients in an 8 week study did not differ from that seen in placebo treated patients. In summary, the data suggest no arrhythmogenic potential with duloxetine. No clinically significant differences were observed for QT, PR and QRS intervals between duloxetine treated and placebo treated patients.

Discontinuing treatment.

As with other drugs effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder, when discontinuing Andepra after more than 1 week of therapy, it is generally recommended that the dose be tapered to minimise the risk of discontinuation symptoms (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration). Withdrawal symptoms when treatment is discontinued are common, particularly if discontinuation is abrupt. In clinical trials, adverse events seen on abrupt treatment discontinuation occurred in approximately 45% of patients treated with Andepra and 23% of patients taking placebo. The most commonly reported symptoms following abrupt discontinuation of duloxetine in clinical trials have included dizziness, nausea, headache, paraesthesia, fatigue, vomiting, irritability, nightmares, insomnia, diarrhoea, anxiety, hyperhidrosis, vertigo, somnolence and myalgia.
The risk of withdrawal symptoms seen with SSRIs and SNRIs may be dependent on several factors, including the duration and dose of therapy and the rate of dose reduction. Generally, these symptoms are mild to moderate; however, in some patients they may be severe in intensity. They usually occur within the first few days of discontinuing treatment, but there have been very rare reports of such symptoms in patients who have inadvertently missed a dose. Generally, these symptoms are self-limiting and usually resolve within 2 weeks, though in some individuals they may be prolonged (2-3 months or more).

Serotonin syndrome.

Development of serotonin syndrome may occur in association with treatment with SSRIs and SNRIs, particularly when given in combination with MAOIs or other serotonergic agents. Symptoms and signs of serotonin syndrome include rapid onset of neuromuscular excitation (hyper-reflexia, incoordination, myoclonus, tremor), altered mental status (confusion, agitation, hypomania) and autonomic dysfunction (diaphoresis, diarrhoea, fever, shivering and rapidly fluctuating vital signs). Treatment with Andepra should be discontinued if such events occur and supportive symptomatic treatment initiated.
Caution is advisable if Andepra is used concomitantly with serotonergic antidepressants like SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants like clomipramine or amitriptyline, St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), triptans, tramadol, pethidine or tryptophan.

Use in the elderly.

Evaluation of patients over the age of 65 who received duloxetine in clinical trials revealed no unusual pattern of adverse events relative to the clinical experience in younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. SSRIs and SNRIs, including Andepra, have been associated with cases of clinically significant hyponatraemia in elderly patients, who may be at greater risk for this adverse reaction.

Paediatric use.

Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established. Andepra is not indicated for use in patients under the age of 18 and should not be used in children and adolescents aged < 18 years.

Effects on laboratory tests.

There are no data available that shows that duloxetine has an effect on laboratory tests.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Duloxetine is a SNRI with its primary effect on the CNS. Caution should be used when it is administered in combination with other centrally acting drugs and substances, especially those with a similar mechanism of action, including alcohol. Concurrent use with other drugs with serotonergic activity (e.g. SNRIs, SSRIs, triptans or tramadol) may result in serotonin syndrome (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Although duloxetine does not increase the impairment of mental and motor skills caused by alcohol, use of Andepra with substantial alcohol consumption may be associated with severe liver injury. Isolated cases of liver failure, including fatal cases, have been reported (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Use in hepatic impairment and hepatotoxicity). Andepra should only be used in exceptional circumstances with extreme caution in patients who consume substantial amounts of alcohol.

Drugs metabolised by CYP1A2.

Although CYP1A2 is weakly inhibited by duloxetine in vitro, results of a clinical study show that the pharmacokinetics of a CYP1A2 substrate (theophylline) were not significantly affected by coadministration with duloxetine (60 mg twice daily). In vitro studies with human hepatocytes demonstrated that duloxetine does not induce CYP1A2 activity. These studies suggest that duloxetine is unlikely to have a clinically significant effect on the metabolism of CYP1A2 substrates.

Inhibitors of CYP1A2.

As CYP1A2 is involved in duloxetine metabolism, concomitant use of duloxetine with potent inhibitors of CYP1A2 will likely result in higher concentrations of duloxetine. Fluvoxamine (100 mg once daily), a potent inhibitor of CYP1A2, decreased the apparent plasma clearance of duloxetine by about 77%. Andepra should not be used in combination with potent inhibitors of CYP1A2 (e.g. fluvoxamine) (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).

Drugs metabolised by CYP2D6.

CYP2D6 is moderately inhibited by duloxetine (in common with tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs). Duloxetine administered at 60 mg twice daily caused a single 50 mg dose of desipramine (also metabolised through CYP2D6) to have a 3-fold increase in the AUC. Duloxetine administered at 40 mg twice daily increased steady-state AUC of tolterodine (2 mg twice daily) by 71% but did not affect the pharmacokinetics of the 5-hydroxyl metabolite. Therefore, caution should be used if duloxetine is coadministered with medications that are predominantly metabolised by the CYP2D6 system and which have a narrow therapeutic index (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline and imipramine, phenothiazines, flecainide, propafenone). Because of the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death potentially associated with elevated plasma concentrations of thioridazine, Andepra and thioridazine should not be coadministered.

Inhibitors of CYP2D6.

An inhibitor of CYP2D6, paroxetine (20 mg once daily) decreased the oral clearance of duloxetine (40 mg once daily) by about 37%. Because CYP2D6 is involved in duloxetine metabolism, caution is advised if administering duloxetine with inhibitors of CYP2D6 (e.g. SSRIs).

Drugs metabolised by CYP2C9.

Although clinical studies have not been performed, results of in vitro studies demonstrate that duloxetine does not inhibit the enzyme activity of CYP2C9.

Drugs metabolised by CYP3A.

Although clinical studies have not been performed, results of in vitro studies demonstrate that duloxetine does not inhibit or induce the catalytic activity of CYP3A.

Antacids and H2-antagonists.

Coadministration of duloxetine with aluminium and magnesium containing antacids or coadministration of duloxetine with famotidine had no significant effect on the rate or extent of duloxetine absorption after administration of a 40 mg oral dose.

Drugs highly bound to plasma protein.

Duloxetine is highly bound to plasma protein (> 90%). Administration of duloxetine with another highly protein bound drug may cause increased free concentrations of either duloxetine or the other drug.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI).

Because duloxetine is an inhibitor of both serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake, it is recommended that duloxetine not be used in combination with an MAOI (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).

St John's wort.

In common with other antidepressants, concomitant administration of duloxetine and the herbal remedy St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is not recommended.

Warfarin and INR.

Increases in INR have been reported when duloxetine was coadministered with warfarin.

Drugs that affect gastric acidity.

Andepra has an enteric coating that resists dissolution until reaching a segment of the gastrointestinal tract where the pH exceeds 5.5. In extremely acidic conditions, Andepra, unprotected by the enteric coating, may undergo hydrolysis to form naphthol. Caution is advised in using Andepra in patients with conditions that may slow gastric emptying (e.g. some diabetics). Drugs that raise the gastrointestinal pH may lead to an earlier release of duloxetine. It is unknown whether the concomitant administration of proton pump inhibitors affects duloxetine absorption.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

Duloxetine administered orally to male rats prior to and throughout mating, or to female rats prior to and throughout mating, gestation and lactation, at doses up to 45 mg/kg (3 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) did not alter mating or fertility. In females, this dose was associated with oestrus cycle disruption and signs of maternotoxicity and embryofetal toxicity.
(Category B3)
Duloxetine and/or its metabolites cross the placenta in rats. There was no evidence of teratogenicity in rats or rabbits following oral administration of duloxetine during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 45 mg/kg/day. In rats, this dose was 3 times the maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m2 basis. In rabbits, the estimated systemic exposure (plasma AUC) at this dose was less than clinical exposure at the maximum recommended dose. In rats receiving the maternotoxic dose of 45 mg/kg/day during organogenesis, there was increased preimplantation loss and resorptions, and reduced fetal weight.
Oral administration of duloxetine to female rats prior to and throughout mating, gestation and lactation at doses of 30-45 mg/kg/day (2-3 times the maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m2 basis) elicited maternal toxicity and reduced live birth indices, birth weight, and postnatal survival and growth of offspring, and altered some indices of offspring behaviour.
Neonates exposed to serotonergic agents late in the third trimester have been uncommonly reported to have clinical findings of respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnoea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycaemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyper-reflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability and constant crying. Such events can arise immediately upon delivery and are usually transient. The majority of cases have occurred either at birth or within a few days of birth. These features could be consistent with either a direct effect of SSRIs and SNRIs or, possibly, a drug discontinuation syndrome. When treating a pregnant woman with duloxetine during the third trimester, the physician should carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of treatment.
The safety of duloxetine in human pregnancy has not been established. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
Using observational data, there is evidence of an increased risk (less than 2-fold) for postpartum haemorrhage following duloxetine exposure close to delivery.
In an observational study, maternal exposure to duloxetine during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth (less than 2-fold, corresponding to approximately 6 additional premature births per 100 women treated with duloxetine late in pregnancy). The majority of the premature births occurred between 35 and 36 weeks of gestation.

Labour and delivery.

The effect of duloxetine on labour in humans is unknown.
 Duloxetine is excreted into the milk of lactating women. The estimated infant dose ranges from approximately 0.1% to 0.3% of the maternal dose, normalised by body weight. Oral administration of duloxetine to female rats prior to and throughout mating, gestation and lactation was associated with maternal toxicity and adverse effects (see Section 4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation, Use in pregnancy). Administration of Andepra to nursing mothers is not recommended.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

In controlled studies duloxetine has not been shown to impair psychomotor performance, cognitive function or memory. However, as any psychoactive drug may impair judgement, thinking or motor skills, and duloxetine may be associated with undesirable effects such as sedation and dizziness, patients should be cautioned about their ability to perform potentially hazardous tasks until they are reasonably certain that duloxetine therapy does not affect their ability to engage in such activities.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Clinical trial data.

The data described below reflect exposure to duloxetine in placebo controlled trials for MDD (N=2327), GAD (N=668) and DPNP (N=568). The population studied was 17 to 89 years of age; 64.8%, 64.7% and 38.7%, female; and 85.5%, 77.6%, and 84.6% Caucasian for MDD, GAD and DPNP, respectively. Most patients received doses of a total of 60 to 120 mg per day.

Adverse reactions reported as reasons for discontinuation of treatment in placebo controlled trials.

Major depressive disorder.

Approximately 9% (209/2327) of the patients who received duloxetine in placebo controlled trials for MDD discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction, compared with 4.7% (68/1460) of the patients receiving placebo. Nausea (duloxetine 1.3%, placebo 0.5%) was the only common adverse reaction reported as a reason for discontinuation and considered to be drug related (i.e. discontinuation occurring in at least 1% of the duloxetine treated patients and at a rate of at least twice that of placebo).

Generalised anxiety disorder.

Approximately 15.3% (102/668) of the patients who received duloxetine in placebo controlled trials for GAD discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction, compared with 4.0% (20/495) for placebo. Common adverse reactions reported as a reason for discontinuation and considered to be drug related (as defined above) included nausea (duloxetine 3.7%, placebo 0.2%), vomiting (duloxetine 1.3%, placebo 0.0%) and dizziness (duloxetine 1.0%, placebo 0.2%).

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.

Approximately 14.3% (81/568) of the patients who received duloxetine in placebo controlled trials for DPNP discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction, compared with 7.2% (16/223) for placebo. Common adverse reactions reported as a reason for discontinuation and considered to be drug related (as defined above) were nausea (duloxetine 3.5%, placebo 0.4%), dizziness (duloxetine 1.6%, placebo 0.4%), somnolence (duloxetine 1.6%, placebo 0.0%) and fatigue (duloxetine 1.1%, placebo 0.0%).

Adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of 2% or more among duloxetine treated patients in placebo controlled trials.

Pooled MDD and GAD trials.

Table 1 gives the incidence of treatment emergent adverse reactions in MDD and GAD placebo controlled trials that occurred in 2% or more of patients treated with duloxetine and with an incidence greater than placebo.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.

Table 2 gives the incidence of treatment emergent adverse events that occurred in 2% or more of patients treated with Andepra in the premarketing acute phase of DPNP placebo controlled trials (doses of 20 to 120 mg/day) and with an incidence greater than placebo.
The following additional adverse events were reported during placebo controlled clinical trials of duloxetine for MDD or other indications in 8504 patients. Very common events are defined as those occurring in ≥ 10% of patients, common events are defined as those occurring in ≥ 1% and < 10% of patients, uncommon events are defined as those occurring in ≥ 0.1% and < 1% of patients, and rare events are defined as those occurring in < 0.1% of patients.

Cardiac disorders.

Common: palpitations. Uncommon: tachycardia.

Ear and labyrinth disorders.

Uncommon: vertigo, ear pain, tinnitus.

Endocrine disorders.

Rare: hypothyroidism.

Eye disorders.

Uncommon: mydriasis, visual impairment, dry eye.

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Common: dyspepsia (including stomach discomfort), abdominal pain. Uncommon: eructation, gastroenteritis, stomatitis, halitosis, gastritis, flatulence, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, dysphagia.

General disorders and administration site conditions.

Common: chills (including rigors). Uncommon: feeling abnormal, feeling hot and/or cold, malaise, thirst, falls (more common in the elderly (≥ 65 years old)). Rare: gait disturbance.

Infections and infestations.

Uncommon: laryngitis.

Investigations.

Uncommon: blood pressure increased (including blood pressure systolic increased, blood pressure diastolic increased), hepatic lab related findings (including alanine aminotransferase increased, hepatic enzyme increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, liver function test abnormal, gamma-glutamyltransferase increased, blood alkaline phosphatase increased, blood bilirubin increased), weight increased, blood cholesterol increased.
Duloxetine treatment in placebo controlled clinical trials was associated with small mean increases from baseline to endpoint in ALT, AST, CPK, and potassium; infrequent, transient, abnormal values were observed for these analytes in duloxetine treated patients, compared with placebo treated patients (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

Metabolism and nutrition disorders.

Uncommon: dehydration.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.

Common: musculoskeletal pain (including myalgia, neck pain), muscle spasm. Uncommon: muscle tightness (including musculoskeletal stiffness), muscle twitching.

Nervous system disorders.

Very common: headache (placebo rate was more than duloxetine rate in MDD trials). Common: lethargy, paraesthesia (including hypoaesthesia, hypoaesthesia facia and paraesthesia oral). Uncommon: dysgeusia, disturbance in attention, dyskinesia, poor quality sleep. Rare: myoclonus.

Psychiatric disorders.

Common: anxiety, sleep disorder, agitation (including feeling jittery, nervousness, restlessness, tension, psychomotor agitation). Uncommon: bruxism, disorientation (including confusional state), apathy, abnormal dreams (including nightmares).

Renal and urinary disorders.

Common: urinary frequency. Uncommon: nocturia, urinary hesitation, urinary retention, dysuria, polyuria. Rare: urine odour abnormal, urine flow decreased.

Reproductive system and breast disorders.

Uncommon: ejaculation disorder (includes ejaculation dysfunction, ejaculation failure), sexual dysfunction, menopausal symptoms, testicular pain. Rare: menstrual disorder.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders.

Common: yawning, oropharyngeal pain. Uncommon: throat tightness.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Common: pruritus. Uncommon: night sweats, photosensitivity reaction, cold sweats, dermatitis contact, increased tendency to bruise.

Vascular disorders.

Uncommon: flushing, peripheral coldness, orthostatic hypotension.

Glucose regulation.

In three clinical trials of duloxetine for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain, the mean duration of diabetes was approximately 12 years, the mean baseline fasting blood glucose was 176 mg/dL (9.78 mmol/L), and the mean baseline haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was 7.81%. In the 12 week acute treatment phase of these studies, small increases in fasting blood glucose were observed in duloxetine treated patients. HbA1c was stable in both duloxetine treated and placebo treated patients. In the extension phase of these studies, which lasted up to 52 weeks, there was an increase in HbA1c in both the duloxetine and routine care groups, but the mean increase was 0.3% greater in the duloxetine treated group. There was also a small increase in fasting blood glucose and in total cholesterol in duloxetine treated patients while those laboratory tests showed a slight decrease in the routine care group.

Spontaneous data.

The following list of adverse drug reactions is based on postmarketing spontaneous reports involving use of duloxetine for any indication, and corresponding reporting rates have been provided. Rare events are defined as those occurring in less than 1/1000 patients; very rare events are those occurring in less than 1/10,000 patients.

Endocrine disorders.

Very rare: syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).

Cardiac disorders.

Very rare: supraventricular arrhythmia.

Eye disorders.

Very rare: glaucoma.

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Very rare: microscopic colitis.

Hepatobiliary disorders.

Very rare: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased, alkaline phosphatase increased, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased, bilirubin increased. Very rare: hepatitis, jaundice.
Isolated cases of liver failure, including fatal cases, have been reported. A majority of these cases have been reported in patients with past or current risk factors for liver injury, including alcohol abuse, hepatitis or exposure to drugs with known adverse effects on the liver (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

Immune system disorders.

Very rare: anaphylactic reaction, hypersensitivity.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders.

Very rare: hyponatraemia. Hyperglycaemia (reported especially in diabetic patients).

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.

Very rare: trismus.

Nervous system disorders.

Very rare: extrapyramidal disorder, paraesthesia (including electric shock-like sensation) upon treatment discontinuation, serotonin syndrome, seizures, restless legs syndrome, seizures upon discontinuation.

Psychiatric disorders.

Rare: hallucinations.
Very rare: mania, aggression and anger (particularly early in treatment or after treatment discontinuations).

Renal and urinary disorders.

Rare: urinary retention.

Reproductive system and breast disorders.

Very rare: gynecological bleeding, galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemia.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Rare: rash.
Very rare: angioneurotic oedema, contusion, cutaneous vasculitis (sometimes associated with systemic involvement), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, urticaria.

Vascular disorders.

Very rare: orthostatic hypotension (especially at the initiation of treatment), syncope (especially at initiation of treatment), hypertensive crisis.

Adverse events - causality not established.

Very rare cases of the following adverse events have been reported in postmarketing experience, but no causal link between these events and duloxetine has been established.
Abnormal bleeding events, e.g. intracerebral, gastrointestinal; blood dyscrasias; cardiac events, e.g. myocardial infarction and ventricular arrhythmias; pancreatitis; renal impairment; rhabdomyolysis; skin reactions especially in regards to subcutaneous tissue disorder.

Discontinuation symptoms.

The most commonly reported symptoms following abrupt or tapered discontinuation of duloxetine in clinical trials have included dizziness, nausea, headache, paraesthesia, fatigue, vomiting, irritability, nightmares, insomnia, diarrhoea, anxiety, hyperhidrosis, vertigo, somnolence and myalgia (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration 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 at http://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

On the available evidence there is a wide margin of safety in overdose. In premarketing clinical trials, cases of acute ingestions up to 1400 mg, alone or in combination with other drugs, have been reported and have not been fatal. However, in postmarketing experience, fatal outcomes have been reported for acute overdoses, primarily with mixed overdoses, but also with duloxetine only, at doses as low as approximately 1000 mg. Signs and symptoms of overdose (most with mixed drugs) included serotonin syndrome, somnolence, vomiting and seizures.
In animal studies, the major signs of overdose toxicity are related to the CNS and gastro-intestinal systems. Signs of toxicity include CNS effects such as tremors, clonic convulsions, ataxia, emesis, and decreased appetite.

Management of overdose.

No specific antidote is known, but if serotonin syndrome ensues, specific treatment (such as with cyproheptadine and/or temperature control) may be considered. An airway should be established. Monitoring of cardiac and vital signs is recommended, along with appropriate symptomatic and supportive measures. Activated charcoal may be useful in limiting absorption. Duloxetine has a large volume of distribution and forced diuresis, haemoperfusion, and exchange perfusion are unlikely to be beneficial.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poison Information Centre on 131126 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Duloxetine is a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, and weakly inhibits dopamine uptake with no significant affinity for histaminergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic and adrenergic receptors.
Although the mechanism of the antidepressant action of duloxetine in humans is unknown, it is believed to be related to its potentiation of serotonergic and noradrenergic activity in the CNS. Duloxetine dose dependently increased extracellular levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in selected brain areas of animals, and neurochemical and behavioural studies in animals indicate an enhancement of central serotonin and noradrenaline neurotransmission. Duloxetine undergoes extensive metabolism, but the major circulating metabolites have not been shown to contribute significantly to the pharmacologic activity of duloxetine. Duloxetine displayed analgesic activity in rodent models of persistent, inflammatory or neuropathic pain, but not acute or arthritic pain.

Clinical trials.

Acute treatment of depression.

The efficacy of duloxetine has been evaluated in six double blind, placebo controlled acute Phase 3 studies of 8-9 weeks' duration in 1978 adult outpatients (18 to 83 years) meeting the DSM-IV criteria for major depression at doses of 40 mg to 120 mg daily. In four of these studies, duloxetine was significantly superior to placebo as measured by the mean change in the 17 item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD17) total score from baseline to endpoint. Duloxetine doses in these four studies were:
60 mg once daily (two studies);
20 mg twice daily and 40 mg twice daily (one study);
40 mg twice daily and 60 mg twice daily (one study).
In the remaining two studies duloxetine showed numerically superior mean change compared with placebo. The duloxetine doses in these two studies were:
20 mg twice daily and 40 mg twice daily;
40 mg twice daily and 60 mg twice daily.
In both of these latter studies, the active comparator paroxetine also did not separate significantly from placebo on the primary outcome measure. Response (≥ 50% reduction in HAMD17 total score) and remission (HAMD17 total score ≤ 7) were also significantly higher with duloxetine compared with placebo in five out of six and three out of six acute studies, respectively.
While results were positive for improvement in the HAMD17 at a dose of 20 mg twice daily in one of two studies, this dose did not demonstrate statistical superiority on any other measure including response or remission. See Table 3.
In addition to the HAMD17 total score, several other measures were included in the evaluation of efficacy of duloxetine. HAMD17 Depressed Mood Item (Item 1), the Anxiety Subfactor of the HAMD17, the Patient Global Impressions (PGI) Improvement Score, bodily pain as measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the Quality of Life in Depression rating scales were also examined. In the four studies where duloxetine demonstrated statistical superiority over placebo as measured by improvement in the HAMD17 total score, results were also positive for the additional measures at doses of 60 mg to 120 mg per day.
In each study and in pooled data, the effectiveness of duloxetine was similar regardless of age, gender or racial origin.

Prevention of depressive relapse.

Patients responding to 12 weeks of acute treatment with open label duloxetine at a dose of 60 mg once daily were randomly assigned to either duloxetine 60 mg once daily or placebo for a further 6 months (continuation phase) and time to relapse in each group was compared. Of 533 subjects who enrolled in the study, 278 responded and were randomised to duloxetine 60 mg once daily (n=136) or placebo (n=142). The estimated probability of depressive relapse at 6 months for placebo was 38.3% and for duloxetine 60 mg once daily was 19.7% (p=0.004). During the 6 month continuation therapy phase of this study, 17.4% of duloxetine treated patients met the a priori defined criteria for relapse compared with 28.5% on placebo (p=0.042).
Of 88 patients who relapsed during the continuation phase, 87 received double blind rescue therapy. The patients who relapsed on placebo (n=58) were treated with duloxetine at a dose of 60 mg once daily, and those relapsing on duloxetine 60 mg once daily (n=29) were treated with duloxetine 60 mg twice daily. Of those patients relapsing on placebo and treated with duloxetine 60 mg once daily, response (50% reduction in HAMD17 total score) occurred in 77% and remission (HAMD17 total score ≤ 7) occurred in 57% at the end of 12 further weeks of treatment. Of those patients who relapsed on duloxetine 60 mg once daily and who were treated with an increased dose of 60 mg twice daily, 62% met response criteria and 38% met remission criteria.

Use in elderly patients with depression.

The efficacy and safety of duloxetine 60 mg once daily (n=207) and placebo (n=104) have been compared in the acute treatment (study duration 8 weeks) of elderly patients with MDD (> 65 years of age, mean age 72.9 years). Duloxetine treated patients experienced improvement in depressive symptoms, as assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale, from week 1, with least squares mean changes from baseline to endpoint of -1.34 for placebo treated patients and -4.07 for duloxetine treated patients (p < 0.001). On the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, least squares mean changes from baseline to endpoint for total HAMD score were -3.72 for placebo treated patients and -6.49 for duloxetine treated patients (p < 0.001). Duloxetine treated patients also experienced a greater improvement in composite cognitive score than the placebo treated patients. The least squares mean change from baseline to endpoint for the composite cognitive score was 0.76 in placebo treated patients and 1.95 for duloxetine treated patients (p=0.013).

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.

The efficacy of Andepra for the management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy was established in 2 randomised, 12 week, double blind, placebo controlled, fixed dose studies in adult patients having diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain for at least 6 months. The design of the two studies is summarised in Table 4.
Patients enrolled had Type I or II diabetes mellitus with a diagnosis of painful distal symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy for at least 6 months. The patients had a baseline pain score of ≥ 4 on an 11 point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Patients were permitted up to 4 g of paracetamol per day as needed for pain, in addition to Andepra. Patients recorded their pain daily in a diary.
Both studies compared duloxetine 60 mg once daily or 60 mg twice daily with placebo; one study additionally compared duloxetine 20 mg with placebo. A total of 457 patients (342 Andepra, 115 placebo) were enrolled in study HMAW-acute and a total of 334 patients (226 Andepra, 108 placebo) were enrolled in study HMAVa-acute.
The weekly average of the 24 hour average pain severity was the primary efficacy measure for the assessment of duloxetine's effectiveness in the treatment of DPNP. Duloxetine 60 mg once daily and duloxetine 60 mg twice daily were both statistically significantly superior to placebo as assessed by the reduction from baseline in the primary efficacy measure, 24 hour average pain severity, as shown in Table 5. In addition, duloxetine 60 mg once daily and duloxetine 60 mg twice daily were statistically significant to placebo as assessed by response rate (whether measured by at least a 30% reduction or at least a 50% reduction in pain score from baseline). Evidence of efficacy from the primary efficacy measure is confirmed by comprehensive results from the secondary pain and DPNP symptom measures.
The secondary efficacy measures that supported the use of Andepra in the treatment of DPNP were: weekly averages of night pain and 24 hour worst pain from the daily diary, Brief Pain Inventory Severity and Interference (BPI Severity and Interference), Clinical Global Impressions of Severity (CGI-Severity), Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-Improvement) scale, and Sensory portion of the Short-form McGill pain questionnaire. In addition, measures of mood were employed in both placebo controlled studies to demonstrate changes of pain uncontaminated by duloxetine's effect on mood.
For various degrees of improvement in pain from baseline to study endpoint, Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the fraction of patients achieving that degree of improvement for each study. The figures are cumulative, so that patients whose change from baseline is, for example, 50%, are also included at every level of improvement below 50%. Patients who did not complete the study were assigned 0% improvement. Some patients experienced a decrease in pain as early as Week 1, which persisted throughout the study.
In an open label long-term uncontrolled study, pain reduction in patients responding to 8 weeks of acute treatment with duloxetine 60 mg once daily was maintained for a further 6 months as measured by change on the Brief Pain Inventory 24 hour average pain item. Patients who did not respond to 60 mg once daily in the acute phase or maintenance phase and were treated with duloxetine 120 mg once daily showed a decrease in pain intensity from baseline to endpoint.

General anxiety disorder.

The efficacy of Andepra has been established in 5 Phase 3 clinical trials. Four of the studies were acute placebo controlled studies and the fifth was a relapse prevention study. Of the four placebo controlled studies one was a fixed dose study while the other three were flexible dose studies.
Study HMBR (fixed dose) was a randomised double blind trial designed to assess whether duloxetine 120 mg once daily (QD) was superior to placebo in the treatment of GAD as measured by the mean change in Hamilton Anxiety Depression Rating Scale (HAMA) during the 9 week, double blind, acute therapy phase. A key secondary objective was to assess whether duloxetine 60 mg QD was superior to placebo in the treatment of GAD during the 9 week, double blind acute therapy phase.
Studies HMDT, HMDU and HMDW, respectively, were Phase 3 (flexible dose) randomised double blind placebo controlled studies that used the same primary objective: to assess whether duloxetine flexibly dosed from 60 mg to 120 mg QD was superior to placebo in the treatment of GAD as measured by mean change in HAMA total score over 10 weeks. Venlafaxine 75 mg to 225 mg QD was used as an active comparator in studies HMDU and HMDW and data from these trials was combined (designed a priori) to have sufficient power for non-inferiority comparison of duloxetine with venlafaxine. For all 3 studies doses were increased at specified visits if the CGI-Improvement score remained at 3 or below or minimally improved.
In all 4 acute placebo controlled studies the mean decrease in HAMA total score was significantly greater for duloxetine treated patients compared with placebo treated patients as shown in Table 6.
Andepra at the recommended dose of 60 mg to 120 mg once daily demonstrated statistically significant superiority over placebo as measured by improvement in the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) total score and by the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) global functional impairment score.
Response and remission rates were also higher with Andepra compared to placebo. Andepra showed comparable efficacy results to venlafaxine in terms of improvements on the HAM-A total score.
In study HMDV, a relapse prevention study, patients responding to 6 months of acute treatment with open label Andepra were randomised to either Andepra or placebo for a further 6 months. Andepra 60 mg to 120 mg once daily demonstrated statistically significant superiority compared to placebo (p < 0.001) on the prevention of relapse, as measured by time to relapse. The incidence of relapse during the 6 months double blind follow-up period was 14% for Andepra and 42% for placebo.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Absorption.

In humans, orally administered duloxetine hydrochloride is well absorbed with maximal plasma concentrations (Cmax) of duloxetine occurring 6 hours postdose. Food does not affect the Cmax of duloxetine, however, food can delay the time to reach peak concentration from 6 to 10 hours and it marginally decreases the extent of absorption (AUC) by about 11%.
Duloxetine plasma exposure increases in proportion to dose for doses up to 60 mg twice a day. Steady-state plasma concentrations are typically achieved after 3 days of dosing. Based upon AUC, multiple once daily doses of 60 mg produce steady-state concentrations that are approximately 1.5 times higher than that predicted from a 60 mg single dose. Average minimum and maximum steady-state concentrations for the 60 mg once daily dose are 27.0 and 89.5 nanogram/mL, respectively. There is no clinically important difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters of morning and evening doses.

Distribution.

Following oral administration, the apparent volume of distribution of duloxetine averages 1640 L. Duloxetine is highly protein bound (> 90%) to plasma proteins but protein binding is not affected by renal or hepatic impairment. Duloxetine binds to both albumin and α1-acid glycoprotein.

Metabolism.

Duloxetine undergoes extensive metabolism. The 2 major metabolites found in plasma and urine are the glucuronide conjugate of 4-hydroxy duloxetine, and the sulfate conjugate of 5-hydroxy, 6-methoxy duloxetine. Both CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 catalyse the formation of the initial oxidation steps to form 4-, 5-, and 6-hydroxy duloxetine. The metabolites circulating in plasma are in the conjugated form and are not pharmacologically active.

Excretion.

The half-life of duloxetine (unchanged drug) is 12.1 hours. Apparent plasma clearance of duloxetine after an oral dose is 101 L/hr. The majority (70%) of the duloxetine dose is recovered in the urine as conjugated metabolites of oxidative metabolites of duloxetine. Approximately 20% of the dose is recovered in the faeces as unchanged drug, unconjugated metabolites or unidentified compounds. Only trace (< 1% of the dose) amounts of unchanged duloxetine are present in the urine.

Special populations.

Gender.

Apparent plasma clearance was lower in females, however, this difference in clearance values does not appear to be clinically significant. The mean half-life of duloxetine was similar between males and females. Dosage adjustment based on gender is not necessary.

Elderly.

Population pharmacokinetic analyses suggest no significant effect of age on the pharmacokinetics of duloxetine in adult male and female patients with major depressive disorder. Dosage adjustment based on age is not necessary for elderly patients.

Children and adolescents < 18 years old.

Duloxetine is not indicated for use in patients under 18 years of age.

Race.

No specific pharmacokinetic study was conducted to investigate the effects of race. Due to large interpatient variability, clinically significant differences in drug level exposure among ethnic groups are not likely.

Smoking status.

Duloxetine bioavailability (AUC) appears to be reduced by about one-third in smokers. Dosage modifications are not recommended for smokers.

Renal impairment.

Duloxetine Cmax and AUC values were approximately 2-fold higher in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving chronic intermittent dialysis, compared with subjects with normal renal function. In contrast, the elimination half-life was similar in both groups. A lower dose should be used for patients with ESRD (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration). Population pharmacokinetic analyses suggest that mild renal dysfunction has no significant effect on apparent plasma clearance of duloxetine.

Hepatic impairment.

Mean duloxetine apparent plasma clearance of patients with moderate cirrhosis of the liver was approximately 15% of that of healthy subjects. The Cmax was similar but the half-life was 34 hours longer. Andepra is contraindicated in patients with hepatic impairment (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

Duloxetine demonstrated no genotoxic potential in a battery of in vitro and in vivo tests, including assays for gene mutation, chromosomal effects, unscheduled DNA synthesis, and sister chromatid exchange.

Carcinogenicity.

Duloxetine was administered in the diet to rats and mice for two years. In rats and male mice there was no increase in the incidence of tumours. In female mice, there was an increased incidence of hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas at the high dose only (144 mg/kg/day which is 5 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] on a mg/m2 basis). These findings were considered to be secondary to hepatic enzyme induction with associated centrilobular hypertrophy and vacuolation and their relevance to humans is unknown.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

For full list of excipients, see Section 2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition.

6.2 Incompatibilities

See Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions, Antacids and H2 antagonists, Drugs that affect gastric acidity.
Other incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 25°C.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Capsules containing 30 mg and 60 mg duloxetine (as hydrochloride) in packs of 7 (starter packs) and 28.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Chemical structure.

Andepra is a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) for oral administration. It is chemically unrelated to tricyclics, alpha adrenergic receptor agonists or antimuscarinics. Its chemical designation is (+)-(S)-N-methyl-γ-(1-naphthalenyloxy)-2- thiophenepropanamine hydrochloride. The empirical formula is C18H19NOS.HCl, which corresponds to a molecular weight of 333.88.
The structural formula is:
Duloxetine hydrochloride is a white to slightly brownish white solid, which is slightly soluble in water.

CAS number.

The CAS number for duloxetine hydrochloride is 136434-34-9.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

Prescription Medicine.

Summary Table of Changes