Alfabetalol

Alfabetalollol is a combined alpha and beta-adrenoceptor blocker indicated for:

- Hypertension, including hypertension in pregnancy.

- Angina pectoris with existing hypertension.

For oral administration only.

Alfabetalollol tablets should be taken with food.

Adults:

Hypertension: Initially, 100 mg twice daily. In patients already being treated with antihypertensives and in those of low body weight this may be sufficient to control blood pressure. In others, increases in dose of 100 mg twice daily should be made at intervals of 14 days. Many patients blood pressure is controlled by 200 mg twice daily. If necessary up to 800 mg daily may be given, as a twice daily regimen. In severe refractory hypertension, daily doses of up to 2400 mg have been given, divided into three or four times a day regimens.

Hypertension in Pregnancy: An initial dosage of 100 mg twice daily may be increased, if necessary at weekly intervals by 100 mg twice daily. During the second and third trimesters, the severity of hypertension may necessitate a further dose titration to a three times daily regimen ranging from 100 mg - 400 mg three times a day. The total daily dosage should not exceed 2400 mg.

Hospital in-patients with severe hypertension, particularly in pregnancy, may have daily increases in dosage.

Angina Co-Existing with Hypertension: The recommended dose is that which is necessary to control the hypertension.

Paediatric population:

Alfabetalollol is not recommended for use in children due to a lack of data on safety and efficacy.

Elderly:

An initial dose of 50 mg twice daily is recommended and this has been sufficient in some cases to control hypertension.

General

Additive hypotensive effects may be expected if Alfabetalollol tablets are administered together with other antihypertensives e.g. diuretics, methyldopa etc. When transferring patients from such agents, Alfabetalollol tablets should be introduced with a dosage of 100 mg twice daily and the previous therapy gradually decreased. Abrupt withdrawal of clonidine or beta-blocking agents is undesirable.

- Second or third degree heart block

- Cardiogenic shock

- Uncontrolled, incipient or digitalis-refractory heart failure

- Sick sinus syndrome (including sino-atrial block)

- Hypotension

- Untreated phaeochromocytoma

- Severe peripheral circulatory disturbances

- Bradycardia (<45-50 bpm)

- History of bronchspasm or chronic obstructive airways disease

- After prolonged fasting

- Prinzmetal's angina

- Metabolic acidosis (e.g. in some diabetics).

There have been reports of skin rashes and/or dry eyes associated with the use of beta- adrenoceptor blocking drugs. The reported incidence is small and in most cases the symptoms have cleared when the treatment was withdrawn. Gradual discontinuance of the drug should be considered if any such reaction is not otherwise explicable.

There have been reports of severe hepatocellular injury with Alfabetalollol therapy which has occurred after both short-term and long-term treatment and is usually reversible upon withdrawal of the drug. At the first sign or symptom of liver dysfunction appropriate laboratory testing should be carried out. If there is laboratory evidence of liver injury or the patient is jaundiced, Alfabetalollol should be stopped and not re-started.

Particular care should be taken when Alfabetalollol is used in patients with hepatic impairment as these patients metabolise Alfabetalollol more slowly than patients without hepatic impairment. Lower doses may be required.

The occurrence of Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS, a variation of Small Pupil Syndrome) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on, or previously treated with, tamsulosin. Isolated reports have also been received with other alpha-1 blockers and the possibility of a class effect cannot be excluded. As IFIS may lead to increased procedural complications during the cataract operation, current or past use of alpha-1 blockers should be made known to the ophthalmic surgeon in advance of surgery.

Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs reduce cardiac output through their negative inotropic and negative chronotropic effects. Beta-blockers may therefore cause worsening systolic heart failure or the development of heart failure in patients who depend on high sympathetic drive to maintain cardiac output.

Especially in patients with ischaemic heart disease, sudden withdrawal of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs may result in anginal attacks of increased frequency or severity. Therefore, withdrawal of Alfabetalollol in patients with ischaemic heart disease should be gradual i.e. over 1-2 weeks, and if necessary at the same time initiating replacement therapy, to prevent exacerbation of angina pectoris. In addition, hypertension and arrhythmias may develop.

Particular care is required with patients whose cardiac reserve is poor. Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs should be avoided in overt heart failure or poor left ventricular systolic function, although they may be used when cardiac failure has been controlled.

A reduction in heart rate (bradycardia) is a pharmacological effect of Alfabetalollol. In rare cases where symptoms may be attributable to the heart rate decreasing to less than 50-55 beats per minute at rest, the dose should be reduced.

Airway obstructions may be aggravated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders. Non-selective beta-blockers, such as Alfabetalollol, should not be used for these patients unless no alternative treatment is available. In such cases the risk of inducing bronchospasm should be appreciated and appropriate precautions taken. If bronchospasm should occur after the use of Alfabetalollol it can be treated with a beta2-agonist by inhalation, e.g. salbutamol (the dose of which may need to be greater than the usual in asthma) and, if necessary, intravenous atropine 1 mg.

Alfabetalollol should only be given with caution to patients with first-degree heart block due to its negative effect on conduction time. Patients with liver or kidney insufficiency may need a lower dosage, depending on the pharmacokinetic profile of the compound. Tolerance to Alfabetalollol is usually good in the elderly, however, they should be treated with caution and with a lower starting dose.

Beta adrenoceptor blocking drugs may increase the number and duration of anginal attacks in patients with Prinzmetal's angina, due to unopposed alpha-receptor mediated coronary artery vasoconstriction. Non-selective beta-blockers, such as Alfabetalollol, should not be used for these patients.

Patients with a history of psoriasis should only be administered beta adrenoceptor blockers after careful consideration.

There have been reports of increased sensitivity towards allergens and the seriousness of anaphylactic reactions with the use of beta adrenoceptor blocking drugs. While taking beta- blockers, patients with a history of severe anaphylactic reaction to a variety of allergens may be more reactive to repeated challenge, either accidental, diagnostic or therapeutic. Such patients may be unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat allergic reaction.

Alfabetalollol modifies the tachycardia of hypoglycaemia and it may prolong the hypoglycaemic response to insulin. Care should be exercised during concomitant use of Alfabetalollol and hypoglycaemic therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus.

As with other beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, Alfabetalollol may mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia in diabetic patients and thyrotoxicosis.

Care is required when transferring patients from clonidine to a beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug. Alfabetalollol should be introduced with a dosage of 100 mg twice daily and clonidine gradually decreased. Alfabetalollol may prove useful in preventing rebound hypertension following clonidine withdrawal.

Because of negative inotropic effects, care is required when prescribing a beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug with class 1 antidysrhythmic agents such as disopyramide.

Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs should be used with caution in combination with verapamil where ventricular function is impaired. The combination should not be given to patients with conduction abnormalities, nor should either drug be administered intravenously within 48 hours of discontinuing the other.

Care is required during parenteral administration of preparations containing adrenaline to patients receiving beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, as in rare instances vasoconstriction, hypertension and bradycardia may occur. A reduced dosage of adrenaline should be used.

Beta-blockade therapy should be discontinued for at least 24 hours if it is decided to interrupt it prior to surgery. Continuation of beta-blockade during surgery reduces the risk of arrhythmias during induction and intubation but may increase the risk of hypertension.

Great care should be taken with patients with peripheral circulatory disorders such as Raynaud's disease or syndrome or intermittent claudication. Beta adrenoceptor blockers may lead to the aggravation of such disorders.

Care is required when administering anaesthetic agents to patients receiving Alfabetalollol. The anaesthetist should always be informed of the use of a beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug. The risks and benefits of continued beta-adrenoceptor blocking therapy in the peri-operative period should be carefully evaluated. Halothane in high concentrations (>3%) and other halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetics should be avoided with Alfabetalollol due to risk of excessive hypotension, large decrease in cardiac output and increase in central venous pressure. Patients should receive intravenous atropine prior to induction. During anaesthesia Alfabetalollol may mask the compensatory physiological responses to sudden haemorrhage (tachycardia and vasoconstriction). Close attention must therefore be paid to blood loss and the blood volume maintained.

The presence of Alfabetalollol metabolites in the urine may result in falsely elevated levels of urinary catecholamines, metaneprine, normataneprine and vanillylmandelic acid when measured by flourometric or photometric methods.

In patients with phaeochromocytoma, Alfabetalollol may be administered only after adequate alpha-blockade is achieved.

All labelling for Alfabetalollol will carry the following warning:

Do not take this medicine if you have wheezing or asthma.

This medicine contains sucrose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. The use of Alfabetalollol is unlikely to result in any impairment. However, when driving or operating machines, it should be taken into account that occasionally dizziness or fatigue may occur.

Most side effects are transient and occur during the first few weeks of treatment with Alfabetalollol. They include:

Immune system disorders

Very common: Positive antinuclear antibodies unassociated with disease.

Common: Hypersensitivity (rash, pruritus, angioedema and dyspnoea).

Blood and the lymphatic system disorders

Not known: Hyperkalaemia, particularly in patients who may have impaired renal excretion of potassium, thrombocytopenia.

Psychiatric disorders

Not known: Depressed mood and lethargy, hallucinations, psychoses, confusion, sleep disturbances, nightmares.

Nervous system disorders

Common: Dizziness, tingling sensation in scalp usually transient may occur in a few patients early in treatment.

Very rare: Tremor has been reported in the treatment of hypertension of pregnancy. Not known: Headache, tiredness.

Eye disorders

Not known: Impaired vision, dry eyes.

Cardiac disorders

Common: Heart failure.

Rare: Bradycardia.

Very rare: Heart block

Not known: Hypotension.

Vascular disorders

Very rare: Exacerbation of the symptoms of Raynaud's Syndrome.

Not known: Ankle oedema, increase of an existing intermittent claudication, postural hypotension is uncommon except at very high doses, or if the initial dose is too high or doses are increased too rapidly.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon: Bronchospasm (in patients with asthma or a history of asthma).

Not known: Nasal congestion, interstitial lung disease.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Not known: Epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.

Hepatobiliary disorders

Common: Raised liver function tests.

Very rare: Jaundice (both hepatocellular and cholestatic), hepatitis and hepatic necrosis. When mild, hepatotoxicity is usually reversible on withdrawal of the drug.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Not known: Sweating, reversible lichenoid rash, cold or cyanotic extremities, paraesthesia of the extremities, photosensitivity reactions, exacerbation of psoriasis, reversible alopecia.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders:

Very rare: toxic myopathy, systemic lupus erythematous.

Not known: Cramps. toxic myopathy, systemic lupus erythematous.

Renal and urinary disorders

Common: Difficulty in micturition.

Not known: Acute retention of urine.

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Common: Ejaculatory failure, erectile dysfunction.

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common: Drug fever.

Not known: Masking of the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis or hypoglycaemia.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continual monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reaction via the Yellow Card Scheme, at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Clinical features of overdosage may include bradycardia, hypotension, bronchospasm, acute cardiac insufficiency, hypoglycaemia, delirium and unconsciousness. In the case of large overdosages, beta-blockers can cause a membrane-stabilising action.

After ingestion of an overdose or in case of hypersensitivity, the patient should be kept under close supervision and be treated in an intensive-care ward. Following recent overdose, the stomach should be emptied by gastric aspiration and lavage, administration of activated charcoal and a laxative. Artificial respiration may be required. Bradycardia or extensive vagal reactions should be treated by administering atropine or methylatropine. Hypotension and shock should be treated with plasma/plasma substitutes and, if necessary, catecholamines. The beta-blocking effect can be counteracted by slow intravenous administration of isoprenaline hydrochloride, starting with a dose of approximately 5μg/min, or dobutamine, starting with a dose of 2.5 μg/min, until the required effect has been obtained. In refractory cases isoprenaline can be combined with dopamine. If this does not produce the desired effect either, intravenous administration of 8-10 mg glucagon may be considered. If required the injection should be repeated within one hour, to be followed, if required, by an i.v. infusion of glucagon at an administration rate of 1-3 mg/hour. Administration of calcium ions, or the use of a cardiac pacemaker may also be considered.

Oliguric renal failure has been reported after massive overdosage of Alfabetalollol orally. In one case, the use of dopamine to increase the blood pressure may have aggravated the renal failure. Alfabetalollol does have membrane stabilising activity which may have clinical significance in overdosage.

Haemodialysis removes less than 1% Alfabetalollol hydrochloride from the circulation.

Pharmatherapeutic group: Alpha and beta blocking agents, ATC code: C07AG01

Alfabetalollol combines selective alpha₁-blocking activity with non-selective beta-blockade. Through alpha-blockade, it reduces peripheral resistance, decreasing myocardial after-load and oxygen demand. Concurrent beta-blockade protects against reflex sympathetic cardiac effects. Cardiac output is not significantly reduced at rest or with moderate exercise. Systolic blood pressure elevation during exercise is reduced, but corresponding changes in diastolic pressure are essentially normal.

In patients with angina pectoris co-existing with hypertension, the reduced peripheral resistance decreases myocardial afterload and oxygen demand. All these effects would be expected to benefit hypertensive patients and those with co-existing angina.

Alfabetalollol is completely absorbed after oral administration. Bioavailabilty is significantly reduced to first-pass metabolism in the liver, but can be enhanced by concurrent administration of food. Peak effects are seen 2-4 hours after dosing and the plasma half-life is 6-8 hours. Alfabetalollol exhibits moderately high (~50%) plasma protein binding. It undergoes hepatic biotransformation with inactive metabolites being excreted in the urine (55-60%) and faeces. Less than 5% of an oral dose is excreted unchanged in the urine.

There is no preclinical safety data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to those already included in other section of the SPC.

Not applicable

No special requirements.