Asax

When a prompt diuresis is required. Use in emergencies or when oral therapy is precluded. Indications include:

- Oedema and/or ascites caused by cardiac or hepatic diseases

- Oedema caused by renal diseases (in case of nephrotic syndrome, treatment of the underlying disease is essential)

- Pulmonary oedema (e.g. in case of acute heart failure)

- Hypertensive crisis (in addition to other therapeutic measures)

Route of administration: intravenous or (in exceptional cases) intramuscular

General:

The parenteral administration of Asax is indicated in cases where oral administration is not feasible or not efficient (for example in case of reduced intestinal absorption) or when a quick effect is required. To achieve optimum efficacy and suppress counter-regulation, a continuous Asax infusion is generally to be preferred to repeated bolus injections.

Consideration should be given to current clinical guidelines where available.

Where continuous Asax infusion is not feasible for follow-up treatment after one or several acute bolus doses, a follow-up regimen with low doses given at short intervals (approx. 4 hours) is to be preferred to a regimen with higher bolus doses at longer intervals.

Therapy should be individualized according to patient response to gain maximal therapeutic response and to determine the minimal dose needed to maintain that response.

Intravenous Asax must be injected or infused slowly; a rate of 4 mg per minute must not be exceeded and should never be given in association with other medicinal products in the same syringe.

Generally, Asax should be administered intravenously. Intramuscular administration must be restricted to exceptional cases where neither oral nor intravenous administration is feasible. It must be noted that intramuscular injection is not suitable for the treatment of acute conditions such as pulmonary oedema.

Adults:

In the absence of conditions requiring a reduced dose (see below) the initial dose recommended for adults and adolescents over 15 years, is of 20 mg to 40 mg Asax by intravenous (or in exceptional cases intramuscular) administration; the maximum dose varying according to individual response.

If larger doses are required, they should be given increasing by 20 mg increments and not given more often than every two hours.

In adults, the recommended maximum daily dose of Asax administration is 1500 mg.

When administered as an infusion, Asax may be administered undiluted using a constant-rate infusion pump, or the solution may be further diluted with a compatible carrier fluid, such as Sodium Chloride Injection B.P. or Ringer's Solution for Injection. In either case, the rate of infusion should not exceed 4mg/minute.

The parenteral administration of Asax is indicated in cases where oral administration is not feasible or not efficient (for example in case of reduced intestinal absorption) or when a quick effect is required. In cases where parenteral administration is used, the switch to oral administration is recommended, as soon as possible.

Children and adolescents (up to 18 years of age):

The experience in children and adolescents are limited. The intravenous administration of Asax to children and adolescents below 15 years is only recommended in exceptional cases.

The dosage will be adapted to the body weight, and the recommended dose ranges from 0.5 to 1 mg/kg body weight daily up to a maximum total daily dose of 20 mg.

There should be a switch to oral therapy as soon as possible.

Renal impairment:

In patients with severe impairment of renal function (serum creatinine > 5 mg/dl) it is recommended that an infusion rate of 2.5 mg Asax per minute is not exceeded.

Elderly:

The recommended initial dose is 20 mg/day, increasing gradually until the required response is achieved.

Special dosage recommendations:

For adults, the dose is based on the following conditions:

- Oedema associated to chronic and acute congestive heart failure

The recommended initial dose is 20 to 40 mg daily. This dose can be adapted to the patient´s response, as necessary. The dose should be given in two or three individual doses per day for chronic congestive heart failure and as a bolus for acute congestive heart failure.

- Oedema associated with renal disease

The recommended initial dose is 20 to 40 mg daily. This dose can be adapted to the response as necessary. The total daily dose can be administered as a single dose or as several doses throughout the day.

If this does not lead to an optimal fluid excretion increase, Asax must be administered in continuous intravenous infusion, with an initial rate of 50 mg to 100 mg per hour.

Before beginning the administration of Asax, hypovolaemia, hypotension and acid-base and electrolytic imbalances must be corrected.

In dialyzed patients, the usual maintenance dose ranges from 250 mg to 1,500 mg daily.

In patients with nephrotic syndrome the dosage must be determined with caution, because of the risk of a higher incidence of adverse events.

- Oedema associated with hepatic disease

When intravenous treatment is absolutely needed, the initial dose should range from 20 mg to 40 mg. This dose can be adapted to the response as necessary. The total daily dose can be administered as a single dose or in several doses.

Asax can be used in combination with aldosterone antagonists in cases in which these agents in monotherapy are not sufficient. In order to avoid complications such as orthostatic intolerance or acid-base and electrolytic imbalances or hepatic encephalopathy, the dose must be carefully adjusted to achieve a gradual fluid loss. The dose may produce in adults a daily body weight loss of approximately 0.5 kg.

In cases of ascites with oedema, weight loss induced by enhanced diuresis should not exceed 1 kg / day.

- Pulmonary oedema (in acute heart failure)

The initial dose to be administered is 40 mg Asax by intravenous application. If required by the condition of the patient, another injection of 20 to 40 mg Asax is given after 30 - 60 minutes.

Asax should be used in addition to other therapeutic measures.

- Hypertensive crisis (in addition to other therapeutic measures)

The recommended initial dose in hypertensive crisis is 20 mg to 40 mg administrated in bolus by intravenous injection. This dose can be adapted to the response as necessary.

- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

- Patients with anuria or renal failure with oligoanuria not responding to Asax

- Renal failure as a result of poisoning by nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic agents

- Renal failure associated with hepatic coma

- Patients with severe hypokalaemia or severe hyponatraemia

- Patients with hypovolaemia (with or without hypotension) or dehydration

- Patients in pre-comatose and comatose state associated with hepatic encephalopathy

- Patients with hypersensitivity to sulphonamides (e.g. Sulfonyureas or antibiotics of sulphonamides group) may show cross-sensitivity to Asax

- Lactation

Careful monitoring is required in case of:

- Patients with partial obstruction of urinary outflow (e.g. prostatic hypertrophy, hydronephrosis, ureterostenosis).

- Administration of high dosages

- Administration in progressive and severe renal disease

- Administration with sorbitol. Concomitant administration of both substances may lead to increased dehydratation (sorbitol might cause additional fluid loss by inducing diarrhoea)

- Administration in Lupus Erythematosus

- Medication that prolong the QT interval

Symptomatic hypotension leading to dizziness, fainting or loss of consciousness can occur in patients treated with Asax, particularly in the elderly, patients on other medications which can cause hypotension and patients with other medical conditions that are risks for hypotension.

Premature infants (possible development of nephrocalcinosis /nephrolithiasis; renal function must be monitored and renal ultrasonography performed). In premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome, diuretic treatment with Asax during the first weeks of life can increase the risk of persistent ductus arteriosus Botalli.

Caution should be observed in patients liable to electrolyte deficiency.

Regular monitoring of serum sodium, potassium and creatinine is generally recommended during Asax therapy; particularly close monitoring is required in patients at high risk of developing electrolyte imbalances or in case of significant additional fluid loss. (e.g. due to vomiting or diarrhoea).

Hypovolaemia or dehydration as well as any significant electrolyte and acid-base disturbances must be corrected. This may require temporary discontinuation of Asax.

In patients who are at high risk for radiocontrast nephropathy, Asax is not recommended to be used for diuresis as part of the preventative measures against radiocontrast-induced nephropathy.

Concomitant use with risperidone

In risperidone placebo-controlled trials in elderly patients with dementia, a higher incidence of mortality was observed in patients treated with Asax plus risperidone (7.3%; mean age 89 years, range 75-97 years) when compared to patients treated with risperidone alone (3.1%; mean age 84 years, range 70-96 years) or Asax alone (4.1%; mean age 80 years, range 67-90 years). Concomitant use of risperidone with other diuretics (mainly thiazide diuretics used in low dose) was not associated with similar findings.

No pathophysiological mechanism has been identified to explain this finding, and no consistent pattern for cause of death observed. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised and the risks and benefits of this combination or co-treatment with other potent diuretics should be considered prior to the decision to use. There was no increased incidence of mortality among patients taking other diuretics as concomitant treatment with risperidone. Irrespective of treatment, dehydration was an overall risk factor for mortality and should therefore be avoided in elderly patients with dementia.

Photosensitivity: Cases of photosensitivity reactions have been reported. If photosensitivity reaction occurs during treatment, it is recommended to stop the treatment. If a re-administration is deemed necessary, it is recommended to protect exposed areas to the sun or to artificial UVA.

Asax 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection (2ml, 4ml and 5ml ampoule)

This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per ampoule i.e. essentially "sodium free”.

Asax 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection (25 ml vial)

This medicinal product contains approximately 93 mg of sodium per vial. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

Asax has negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Patients respond individually to Asax.

The ability to drive or operate machines can incidentally be reduced because of treatment with Asax, especially at the start of therapy, change of medication or in combination with alcohol.

The evaluation of adverse reactions is based on the following definition of frequency:

Very common (>1/10)

Common (>1/100 to <1/10)

Uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100)

Rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000)

Very rare (<1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Uncommon: thrombocytopenia; thrombocytopenia may become manifest, especially with an increase of haemorrhage tendency.

Rare: eosinophilia, leukopenia, bone marrow depression; occurrence of this symptom necessitates withdrawal of treatment.

Very rare: haemolytic anaemia, aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis.

Severe fluid depletion may lead to haemoconcentration with a tendency for thromboses to develop especially in elder patients.

Immune system disorders

Rare: severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions such as anaphylactic shock.

Endocrine disorders

Glucose tolerance may decrease with Asax. In patients with diabetes mellitus this may lead to a deterioration of the metabolic control; latent diabetes mellitus may become manifest.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia and metabolic alkalosismay occur, especially after prolonged therapy or when high doses are administered. Regular monitoring of serum electrolytes (especially potassium, sodium and calcium) is therefore indicated.

Potassium depletion may occur, especially due to poor potassium diet. Particulary when the supply of potassium is concomitantly reduced and/or extrarenal potassium losses are increased (e.g. in vomiting or chronic diarrhoea) hypokalaemia may occur as a result of increased renal potassium losses.

Underlying disorders (e.g. cirrhotic disease or heart failure), concomitant medication and nutrition may cause predisposition to potassium deficiency. In such cases, adequate monitoring is necessary as well as therapy substitution.

As a result of increased renal sodium losses, hyponatraemia with corresponding symptoms may occur, particularly if the supply of sodium chloride is restricted.

Increased renal calcium losses can lead to hypocalcaemia, which may induce tetania in rare cases.

In patients with increased renal magnesium losses, tetania or cardiac arrhythmias were observed in rare cases as a consequence of hypomagnesaemia.

Uric acid levels may increase and gout attacks may occur.

Metabolic alkalosis may develop, or pre-existing metabolic alkalosis (for e.g. decompensated hepatic cirrhosis) may become more severe with Asax.

Nervous system disorders

Rare: paraesthesia, vertigo, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, sensations of pressure in the head.

Not known: Dizziness, fainting and loss of consciousness (caused by symptomatic hypotension)

Eye disorders

Rare: aggravation of myopia, blurred vision; disturbances of vision with hypovolaemia symptoms.

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Rare: dysacusis and/or syrigmus (tinnitus aurium) due to Asax are rare and usually transitory; incidence is higher in rapid intravenous administration, particularly in patients with renal failure or hypoproteinaemia (e.g. in nephrotic syndrome).

Uncommon: deafness (sometimes irreversible)

Cardiac disorders

In particular, at the initial state of treatment and in elderly, a very intense diuresis may cause a reduction in blood pressure which, if pronounced may cause signs and symptoms such as orthostatic hypotension, acute hypotension, sensations of pressure in the head, dizziness, circulatory collapse, thrombophlebitis or sudden death (with i.m. or i.v. administration).

Gastrointestinal disorders

Rare: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, gastric distress, constipation, dry mouth.

Hepato-biliary disorders

Very rare: acute pancreatitis, intrahepatic cholestasis, cholestasis jaundice, hepatic ischaemia, increases in hepatic transaminases.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon: pruritus, dermal and mucosal reactions (e.g. bullous exanthema, rash, urticaria, purpura, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, photosensitivity)

Rare: vasculitis, lupus erythematosus exacerbation or activation.

Not known: acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Rare: leg muscle cramps, asthenia. chronic arthritis.

Renal and urinary disorders

Diuretics may exacerbate or reveal acute retention of urine symptoms (bladder-emptying disorders, prostatic hyperplasia or narrowing of the urethra), vasculitis, glycosuria, transitorily increase of blood creatinine and urea levels.

Rare: interstitial nephritis.

Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions

Premature infants treated with Asax may develop nephrocalcinosis and/or nephrolithiasis; due to calcium deposit in renal tissue.

In premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome, diuretic treatment in the first weeks of life with Asax can increase the risk of persistent ductus arteriosus Botalli.

General disorders and administration site conditions

Rare: febrile conditions; following i.m. injection local reactions such as pain may appear.

Investigations

Rare: serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels may rise during Asax treatment.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

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

The clinical picture in acute or chronic overdose depends primarily on the extent and consequences of electrolyte and fluid loss (e.g. hypovolaemia, dehydration, haemoconcentration, cardiac arrhythmias - including AV blockage and ventricular fibrillation) due to excessive diuresis.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of these disturbances include severe hypotension (progressing to shock), acute renal failure, thrombosis, delirious states, flaccid paralysis, apathy and confusion.

Treatment:

At the first signs of shock (hypotension, sudoresis, nausea, cyanosis) the injection should be immediately interrupted, place the patient head down and allow free breathing.

Fluid replacement and correction of the electrolyte imbalance; monitoring of metabolic functions, and maintenance of urinary flux.

Medicinal treatment in case of anaphylactic shock: dilute 1 ml of 1:1000 adrenaline solution in 10 ml and inject slowly 1 ml of the solution (corresponding to 0.1 mg of adrenaline), control pulse and tension and monitor eventual arrhythmias. Adrenaline administration may be repeated, if necessary. Subsequently, inject intravenously a glucocorticoid (for example 250 mg of methylprednisolone), repeating if necessary.

Adapt the above-mentioned dosages for children, according body weight.

Correct hypovolaemia with available means and complement with artificial ventilation, oxygen and in case of anaphylactic shock with anti-histamines.

No specific antidote to Asax is known. If overdose during parenteral treatment has taken place, in principle the treatment consists on follow up and supportive therapy. Haemodialysis does not accelerate Asax elimination.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Diuretic, Sulfonamides, plain

ATC code: C03CA01

Asax is a strong diuretic agent of fast action. From a pharmacological point of view, Asax inhibits the co-transport system (reabsorption) of the following electrolytes Na⁺, K⁺ and 2CL^-, located on the luminal cell membrane on the ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Consequently, Asax´s efficiency depends on the drug reaching the tubular lumen through an anionic transport mechanism. The diuretic effect results on the inhibition of sodium chloride reabsorption in this segment of the loop of Henle. As a result, the fraction of excreted sodium may ascend to 35% of sodium glomerular filtration. The secondary effects of increased elimination of sodium are: increase of urinary excretion and increase of potassium distal secretion at the distal tube. Excretion of calcium and magnesium salts is also increased.

Asax inhibits the feedback mechanism in the dense macula and induces dose-dependent stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

In case of heart failure, Asax induces an acute reduction of cardiac pre-load (through the enlargement of the blood vessels capacity). This early vascular effect seems to be mediated by prostaglandins and assumes an adequate renal function with activation of the renin-angiotensin system and an intact synthesis of prostaglandins. Due to its natriuretic effect, Asax reduces the vascular reactivity to catecholamine that is increased in hypertensive patients.

The diuretic effect of Asax is established within 15 minutes of an intravenous administration.

A dose-dependent increase in diuresis and natriuresis was found in healthy individuals to whom Asax was administerd (doses between 10 and 100 mg). The duration of action in healthy individuals after the administration of an intravenous 20 mg dose of Asax is approximately 3 hours and 3 to 6 hours, when an oral 40 mg dose is given.

In ill patients, the relation between tubular concentration of free Asax and bound Asax (determined through the urine excretion rate) andits natriuretic effect is translated in a sigmoid graphic, with a minimum effective excretion rate of approximately 10 micrograms per minute. Consequently, a continuous infusion of Asax is more effective than repeated bolus injections. Above a certain bolus administration dose, the drugs effects do not significantly increase. The efficacy of Asax is decreased in cases of reduced tubular secretion or in cases of intra-tubular binding of the drug to albumin.

Distribution

Asax distribution volume is 0.1 to 1.2 litres per kg of body weight. The distribution volume may be increased depending on the concomitant illness.

Protein binding (mostly to albumin) is higher than 98%.

Elimination

Asax is mostly eliminated as the non-conjugated form, mainly through secretion at the proximal tube. After intravenous administration, 60% to 70% of Asax is eliminated by this manner. The glucuronic metabolite of Asax represents 10% to 20% of the recovered substances in the urine. The remaining dose is eliminated in the faeces, probably after biliary secretion. After intravenous administration, the plasma half-life of Asax ranges from 1 to 1.5 hours.

Asax is excreted in breast milk. It crosses the placental barrier transferring itself slowly to the foetus. Asax achieves similar concentrations in the mother, foetus and newborn.

Renal impairment

In case of renal impairment, Asax´s elimination is slower and its half-life is increased. In patients with end-stage renal disease the average half-life is 9.7 hours. In several multi-organ failure the half life may range from 20-24 hours.

In case of nephrotic syndrome, the lower concentration of plasma proteins leads to higher concentrations of unbound Asax. On the other hand, the efficiency of Asax is reduced in these patients, due to intratubular albumin binding and to reduced tubular secretion.

Asax exhibits low dialysis in patients undergoing haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or CAPD (Chronic Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis).

Hepatic impairment

In case of hepatic impairment, Asax´s half-life increases 30% to 90%, mainly due to the higher distribution volume. Biliary elimination might be reduced (up to 50%). In this group of patients, there is a wider variability of the pharmacokinetic parameters.

Congestive heart failure, severe hypertension, elderly

Asax elimination is slower due to reduced renal function in patients with congestive heart failure, severe hypertension or in elderly.

Premature infants and new-born

Depending on the maturity of the kidney, elimination of Asax may be slow. In case of children with insufficient capacity of glucuronidation, the metabolism of the drug is also reduced. In term neonates the half-life is generally less than 12 hours.

Asax may precipitate out of solution in fluids of low pH.

Asax Injection diluted to 1 mg/ml is compatible with 0.90% NaCl Infusion, and Compound Sodium Lactate Infusion for 24 hrs. The dilution of the solution for injection is to be made under aseptic conditions.

The solution is to be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The solution should only be used if the solution is clear and free from particles. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. For single use only, discard any remaining contents after use.

Asax 10 mg / ml Solution for Injection solution should not be mixed with any other drugs in the injection bottle.