Mezzopram 10 mg Dispersible Gastro-resistant Tablets

Mezzopram Dispersible gastro-resistant tablets are indicated in:

Adults

• Treatment of duodenal ulcers

• Prevention of relapse of duodenal ulcers

• Treatment of gastric ulcers

• Prevention of relapse of gastric ulcers

• In combination with appropriate antibiotics, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in peptic ulcer disease

• Treatment of NSAID-associated gastric and duodenal ulcers

• Prevention of NSAID-associated gastric and duodenal ulcers in patients at risk

• Treatment of reflux oesophagitis

• Long-term management of patients with healed reflux oesophagitis

• Treatment of symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

• Treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Children

Children over 1 year of age and ≥ 10 kg

• Treatment of reflux oesophagitis

• Symptomatic treatment of heartburn and acid regurgitation in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Children over 4 years of age and adolescents

• In combination with antibiotics in treatment of duodenal ulcer caused by H. pylori

Posology

Adults

Treatment of duodenal ulcers

The recommended dose in patients with an active duodenal ulcer is Mezzopram 20 mg once daily. In most patients healing occurs within two weeks. For those patients who may not be fully healed after the initial course, healing usually occurs during a further two weeks treatment period. In patients with poorly responsive duodenal ulcer Mezzopram 40 mg once daily is recommended and healing is usually achieved within four weeks.

Prevention of relapse of duodenal ulcers

For the prevention of relapse of duodenal ulcer in H. pylori negative patients or when H. pylori eradication is not possible the recommended dose is Mezzopram 20 mg once daily. In some patients a daily dose of 10 mg may be sufficient. In case of therapy failure, the dose can be increased to 40 mg.

Treatment of gastric ulcers

The recommended dose is Mezzopram 20 mg once daily. In most patients healing occurs within four weeks. For those patients who may not be fully healed after the initial course, healing usually occurs during a further four weeks treatment period. In patients with poorly responsive gastric ulcer Mezzopram 40 mg once daily is recommended and healing is usually achieved within eight weeks.

Prevention of relapse of gastric ulcers

For the prevention of relapse in patients with poorly responsive gastric ulcer the recommended dose is Mezzopram 20 mg once daily. If needed the dose can be increased to Mezzopram 40 mg once daily.

H. pylori eradication in peptic ulcer disease

For the eradication of H. pylori the selection of antibiotics should consider the individual patient's drug tolerance, and should be undertaken in accordance with national, regional and local resistance patterns and treatment guidelines.

• Mezzopram 20 mg + clarithromycin 500 mg + amoxicillin 1,000 mg, each twice daily for one week, or

• Mezzopram 20 mg + clarithromycin 250 mg (alternatively 500 mg) + metronidazole 400 mg (or 500 mg or tinidazole 500 mg), each twice daily for one week, or

• Mezzopram 40 mg once daily with amoxicillin 500 mg and metronidazole 400 mg (or 500 mg or tinidazole 500 mg), both three times a day for one week.

In each regimen, if the patient is still H. pylori positive, therapy may be repeated.

Treatment of NSAID-associated gastric and duodenal ulcers

For the treatment of NSAID-associated gastric and duodenal ulcers, the recommended dose is Mezzopram 20 mg once daily. In most patients healing occurs within four weeks. For those patients who may not be fully healed after the initial course, healing usually occurs during a further four weeks treatment period.

Prevention of NSAID-associated gastric and duodenal ulcers in patients at risk

For the prevention of NSAID associated gastric ulcers or duodenal ulcers in patients at risk (age > 60, previous history of gastric and duodenal ulcers, previous history of upper GI bleeding) the recommended dose is Mezzopram 20 mg once daily.

Treatment of reflux oesophagitis

The recommended dose is Mezzopram 20 mg once daily. In most patients healing occurs within four weeks. For those patients who may not be fully healed after the initial course, healing usually occurs during a further four weeks treatment period.

In patients with severe oesophagitis Mezzopram 40 mg once daily is recommended and healing is usually achieved within eight weeks.

Long-term management of patients with healed reflux oesophagitis

For the long-term management of patients with healed reflux oesophagitis the recommended dose is Mezzopram 10 mg once daily. If needed, the dose can be increased to Mezzopram 20-40 mg once daily.

Treatment of symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

The recommended dose is Mezzopram 20 mg daily. Patients may respond adequately to 10 mg daily, and therefore individual dose adjustment should be considered.

If symptom control has not been achieved after 4 weeks treatment with Mezzopram 20 mg daily, further investigation is recommended.

Treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

In patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome the dose should be individually adjusted and treatment continued as long as clinically indicated. The recommended initial dose is Mezzopram 60 mg daily. All patients with severe disease and inadequate response to other therapies have been effectively controlled and more than 90% of the patients maintained on doses of Mezzopram 20– 120 mg daily. When dose exceed Mezzopram 80 mg daily, the dose should be divided and given twice daily.

Paediatric population

Children over 1 year of age and ≥ 10 kg

Treatment of reflux oesophagitis

Symptomatic treatment of heartburn and acid regurgitation in gastro-oesophageal reflux - disease

The posology recommendations are as follows:

Reflux oesophagitis: The treatment time is 4– 8 weeks.

Symptomatic treatment of heartburn and acid regurgitation in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: The treatment time is 2– 4 weeks. If symptom control has not been achieved after 2– 4 weeks the patient should be investigated further.

Children over 4 years of age and adolescents

Treatment of duodenal ulcer caused by H. pylori

When selecting appropriate combination therapy, consideration should be given to official national, regional and local guidance regarding bacterial resistance, duration of treatment (most commonly 7 days but sometimes up to 14 days), and appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

The treatment should be supervised by a specialist.

The posology recommendations are as follows:

Special populations

Renal impairment

Dose adjustment is not needed in patients with impaired renal function (see section 5.2).

Hepatic impairment

In patients with impaired hepatic function a daily dose of 10– 20 mg may be sufficient (see section 5.2).

Elderly

Dose adjustment is not needed in the elderly (see section 5.2).

Method of administration

It is recommended to take Mezzopram tablets in the morning, swallowed whole with half a glass of water. The tablets must not be chewed or crushed.

For patients with swallowing difficulties and for children who can drink or swallow semi-solid food

Patients can break the tablet and disperse it in a spoonful of non-carbonated water and if so wished, mix with some fruit juices or applesauce. Patients should be advised that the dispersion should be taken immediately (or within 15 minutes)and always be stirred just before drinking and rinsed down with half a glass of water. DO NOT USE milk or carbonated water. The enteric-coated pellets must not be chewed.

For patients who cannot swallow, the tablets can be dispersed in non-carbonated water and administered through a gastric tube. It is important that the appropriateness of the selected syringe and tube is carefully tested. For preparation and administration instructions see section 6.6.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance, substituted benzimidazoles or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Omeprazole like other proton pump inhibitors must not be used concomitantly with nelfinavir (see section 4.5).

In the presence of any alarm symptom (e.g. significant unintentional weight loss, recurrent vomiting, dysphagia, haematemesis or melena) and when gastric ulcer is suspected or present, malignancy should be excluded, as treatment may alleviate symptoms and delay diagnosis.

Co-administration of atazanavir with proton pump inhibitors is not recommended (see section 4.5). If the combination of atazanavir with a proton pump inhibitor is judged unavoidable, close clinical monitoring (e.g virus load) is recommended in combination with an increase in the dose of atazanavir to 400 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir; omeprazole 20 mg should not be exceeded.

Omeprazole, as all acid-blocking medicinal products, may reduce the absorption of vitamin B₁₂ (cyanocobalamin) due to hypo- or achlorhydria. This should be considered in patients with reduced body stores or risk factors for reduced vitamin B₁₂ absorption on long-term therapy.

Omeprazole is a CYP2C19 inhibitor. When starting or ending treatment with omeprazole, the potential for interactions with medicinal products metabolised through CYP2C19 should be considered. An interaction is observed between clopidogrel and omeprazole (see section 4.5). The clinical relevance of this interaction is uncertain. As a precaution, concomitant use of omeprazole and clopidogrel should be discouraged.

Severe hypomagnesaemia has been reported in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole for at least three months, and in most cases for a year. Serious manifestations of hypomagnesaemia such as fatigue, tetany, delirium, convulsions, dizziness and ventricular arrhythmia can occur but they may begin insidiously and be overlooked. In most affected patients, hypomagnesaemia improved after magnesium replacement and discontinuation of the PPI.

For patients expected to be on prolonged treatment or who take PPIs with digoxin or medicinal products that may cause hypomagnesaemia (e.g., diuretics), health care professionals should consider measuring magnesium levels before starting PPI treatment and periodically during treatment.

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), which can be life-threatening or fatal, have been reported very rarely and rarely, respectively in association with omeprazole treatment.

Proton pump inhibitors, especially if used in high doses and over long durations (>1 year), may modestly increase the risk of hip, wrist and spine fracture, predominantly in the elderly or in presence of other recognised risk factors. Observational studies suggest that proton pump inhibitors may increase the overall risk of fracture by 10– 40%. Some of this increase may be due to other risk factors. Patients at risk of osteoporosis should receive care according to current clinical guidelines and they should have an adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium.

As in all long-term treatments, especially when exceeding a treatment period of 1 year, patients should be kept under regular surveillance.

Renal impairment

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) has been observed in patients taking omeprazole and may occur at any point during omeprazole therapy (see section 4.8). Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis can progress to renal failure.

Omeprazole should be discontinued in case of suspected TIN, and appropriate treatment should be promptly initiated.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE)

Proton pump inhibitors are associated with very infrequent cases of SCLE. If lesions occur, especially in sun-exposed areas of the skin, and if accompanied by arthralgia, the patient should seek medical help promptly and the health care professional should consider stopping Mezzopram. SCLE after previous treatment with a proton pump inhibitor may increase the risk of SCLE with other proton pump inhibitors.

Interference with laboratory tests

Increased Chromogranin A (CgA) level may interfere with investigations for neuroendocrine tumours. To avoid this interference, [nationally completed name] treatment should be stopped for at least 5 days before CgA measurements (see section 5.1). If CgA and gastrin levels have not returned to reference range after initial measurement, measurements should be repeated 14 days after cessation of proton pump inhibitor treatment.

Paediatric population

Some children with chronic illnesses may require long-term treatment although it is not recommended.

Mezzopram Dispersible gastro-resistant tablets contain sucrose and glucose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicinal product.

Treatment with proton pump inhibitors may lead to slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal infections, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and, in hospitalised patients, possibly also Clostridium difficile (see section 5.1).

Effects of omeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of other active substances

Active substances with pH dependent absorption

The decreased intragastric acidity during treatment with omeprazole might increase or decrease the absorption of active substances with a gastric pH dependent absorption.

Nelfinavir, atazanavir

The plasma levels of nelfinavir and atazanavir are decreased in case of co-administration with omeprazole.

Concomitant administration of omeprazole with nelfinavir is contraindicated (see section 4.3). Co-administration of omeprazole (40 mg once daily) reduced mean nelfinavir exposure by ca. 40% and the mean exposure of the pharmacologically active metabolite M8 was reduced by ca. 75-90%. The interaction may also involve CYP2C19 inhibition.

Concomitant administration of omeprazole with atazanavir is not recommended (see section 4.4). Concomitant administration of omeprazole (40 mg once daily) and atazanavir 300 mg/ritonavir 100 mg to healthy volunteers resulted in a 75% decrease of the atazanavir exposure. Increasing the atazanavir dose to 400 mg did not compensate for the impact of omeprazole on atazanavir exposure. The co-administration of omeprazole (20 mg once daily) with atazanavir 400 mg/ritonavir 100 mg to healthy volunteers resulted in a decrease of approximately 30% in the atazanavir exposure as compared to atazanavir 300 mg/ritonavir 100 mg once daily.

Digoxin

Concomitant treatment with omeprazole (20 mg daily) and digoxin in healthy subjects increased the bioavailability of digoxin by 10%. Digoxin toxicity has been rarely reported. However caution should be exercised when omeprazole is given at high doses in elderly patients. Therapeutic drug monitoring of digoxin should then be reinforced.

Clopidogrel

Results from studies in healthy subjects have shown a pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) interaction between clopidogrel (300 mg loading dose/75 mg daily maintenance dose) and omeprazole (80 mg p.o. daily) resulting in a decreased exposure to the active metabolite of clopidogrel by an average of 46% and a decreased maximum inhibition of (ADP induced) platelet aggregation by an average of 16%.

Inconsistent data on the clinical implications of a PK/PD interaction of omeprazole in terms of major cardiovascular events have been reported from both observational and clinical studies. As a precaution, concomitant use of omeprazole and clopidogrel should be discouraged (see section 4.4).

Other active substances

The absorption of posaconazole, erlotinib, ketoconazole and itraconazole is significantly reduced and thus clinical efficacy may be impaired. For posaconazole and erlotinib concomitant use should be avoided.

Active substances metabolised by CYP2C19

Omeprazole is a moderate inhibitor of CYP2C19, the major omeprazole metabolising enzyme. Thus, the metabolism of concomitant active substances also metabolised by CYP2C19, may be decreased and the systemic exposure to these substances increased. Examples of such medicinal products are R-warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists, cilostazol, diazepam and phenytoin.

Cilostazol

Omeprazole, given in doses of 40 mg to healthy subjects in a cross-over study, increased C_max and AUC for cilostazol by 18% and 26% respectively, and one of its active metabolites by 29% and 69% respectively.

Phenytoin

Monitoring phenytoin plasma concentration is recommended during the first two weeks after initiating omeprazole treatment and, if a phenytoin dose adjustment is made, monitoring and a further dose adjustment should occur upon ending omeprazole treatment.

Unknown mechanism

Saquinavir

Concomitant administration of omeprazole with saquinavir/ritonavir resulted in increased plasma levels up to approximately 70% for saquinavir associated with good tolerability in HIV-infected patients.

Tacrolimus

Concomitant administration of omeprazole has been reported to increase the serum levels of tacrolimus. A reinforced monitoring of tacrolimus concentrations as well as renal function (creatinine clearance) should be performed, and dose of tacrolimus adjusted if needed.

Methotrexate

When given together with proton pump inhibitors, methotrexate levels have been reported to increase in some patients. In high-dose methotrexate administration a temporary withdrawal of omeprazole may need to be considered.

Effects of other active substances on the pharmacokinetics of omeprazole

Inhibitors of CYP2C19 and/or CYP3A4

Since omeprazole is metabolised by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4, active substances known to inhibit CYP2C19 or CYP3A4 (such as clarithromycin and voriconazole) may lead to increased omeprazole serum levels by decreasing omeprazole's rate of metabolism. Concomitant voriconazole treatment resulted in more than doubling of the omeprazole exposure. As high doses of omeprazole have been well-tolerated adjustment of the omeprazole dose is not generally required. However, dose adjustment should be considered in patients with severe hepatic impairment and if long-term treatment is indicated.

Inducers of CYP2C19 and/or CYP3A4

Active substances known to induce CYP2C19 or CYP3A4 or both (such as rifampicin and St John's wort) may lead to decreased omeprazole serum levels by increasing omeprazole's rate of metabolism.

Pregnancy

Results from three prospective epidemiological studies (more than 1000 exposed outcomes) indicate no adverse events of omeprazole on pregnancy or on the health of the foetus/newborn infant. Omeprazole can be used during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

Omeprazole is excreted in breast milk but is not likely to influence the child when therapeutic doses are used.

Fertility

Animal studies with the racemic mixture omeprazole, given by oral administration do not indicate effects with respect to fertility.

Mezzopram is not likely to affect the ability to drive or use machines. Adverse reactions to medicinal products such as dizziness and visual disturbances may occur (see section 4.8). If affected, patients should not drive or operate machinery.

Summary of the safety profile

The most common adverse events (1-10% of patients) are headache, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence and nausea/vomiting.

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been reported in association with omeprazole treatment (see section 4.4).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The following adverse reactions to medicinal products have been identified or suspected in the clinical trials programme for omeprazole and post-marketing. None was found to be dose-related. Adverse reactions listed below are classified according to frequency and System Organ Class (SOC). Frequency categories are defined according to the following convention: 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).

Paediatric population

The safety of omeprazole has been assessed in a total of 310 children aged 0 to 16 years with acid-related disease. There are limited long term safety data from 46 children who received maintenance therapy of omeprazole during a clinical study for severe erosive oesophagitis for up to 749 days. The adverse event profile was generally the same as for adults in short- as well as in long-term treatment. There are no long term data regarding the effects of omeprazole treatment on puberty and growth.

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 (www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard).

There is limited information available on the effects of overdoses of omeprazole in humans. In the literature, doses of up to 560 mg have been described, and occasional reports have been received when single oral doses have reached up to 2,400 mg omeprazole (120 times the usual recommended clinical dose). Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and headache have been reported. Also apathy, depression and confusion have been described in single cases.

The symptoms described in connection to omeprazole overdose have been transient, and no serious outcome has been reported. The rate of elimination was unchanged (first order kinetics) with increased doses. Treatment, if needed, is symptomatic.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Drugs for acid related disorders, drugs for peptic ulcer and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), Proton pump inhibitors, ATC code: A02BC01

Mechanism of action

Omeprazole, a racemic mixture of two enantiomers reduces gastric acid secretion through a highly targeted mechanism of action. It is a specific inhibitor of the acid pump in the parietal cell. It is rapidly acting and provides control through reversible inhibition of gastric acid secretion with once daily dosing.

Omeprazole is a weak base and is concentrated and converted to the active form in the highly acidic environment of the intracellular canaliculi within the parietal cell, where it inhibits the enzyme H⁺ K⁺-ATPase - the acid pump. This effect on the final step of the gastric acid formation process is dose-dependent and provides for highly effective inhibition of both basal acid secretion and stimulated acid secretion, irrespective of stimulus.

Pharmacodynamic effects

All pharmacodynamic effects observed can be explained by the effect of omeprazole on acid secretion.

Effect on gastric acid secretion

Oral dosing with omeprazole once daily provides for rapid and effective inhibition of daytime and night-time gastric acid secretion with maximum effect being achieved within 4 days of treatment. With omeprazole 20 mg, a mean decrease of at least 80% in 24-hour intragastric acidity is then maintained in duodenal ulcer patients, with the mean decrease in peak acid output after pentagastrin stimulation being about 70% 24 hours after dosing.

Oral dosing with omeprazole 20 mg maintains an intragastric pH of ≥ 3 for a mean time of 17 hours of the 24-hour period in duodenal ulcer patients.

As a consequence of reduced acid secretion and intragastric acidity, omeprazole dose-dependently reduces/normalizes acid exposure of the oesophagus in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

The inhibition of acid secretion is related to the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of omeprazole and not to the actual plasma concentration at a given time.

No tachyphylaxis has been observed during treatment with omeprazole.

Effect on H. pylori

H. pylori is associated with peptic ulcer disease, including duodenal and gastric ulcer disease. H. pylori is a major factor in the development of gastritis. H. pylori together with gastric acid are major factors in the development of peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori is a major factor in the development of atrophic gastritis which is associated with an increased risk of developing gastric cancer.

Eradication of H. pylori with omeprazole and antimicrobials is associated with high rates of healing and long-term remission of peptic ulcers.

Dual therapies have been tested and found to be less effective than triple therapies. They could, however, be considered in cases where known hypersensitivity precludes use of any triple combination.

Other effects related to acid inhibition

During long-term treatment gastric glandular cysts have been reported in a somewhat increased frequency. These changes are a physiological consequence of pronounced inhibition of acid secretion, are benign and appear to be reversible.

Decreased gastric acidity due to any means including proton pump inhibitors, increases gastric counts of bacteria normally present in the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with acid-reducing medicinal products may lead to slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter and in hospitalized patients, possibly also Clostridium difficile.

During treatment with antisecretory medicinal products serum gastrin increases in response to the decreased acid secretion. Also CgA increases due to decreased gastric acidity. The increased CgA level may interfere with investigations for neuroendocrine tumours.

Available published evidence suggests that proton pump inhibitors should be discontinued between 5 days and 2 weeks prior to CgA measurements. This is to allow CgA levels that might be spuriously elevated following PPI treatment to return to reference range.

An increased number of ECL cells possibly related to the increased serum gastrin levels, have been observed in some patients (both children and adults) during long term treatment with omeprazole. The findings are considered to be of no clinical significance.

Paediatric population

In a non-controlled study in children (1 to 16 years of age) with severe reflux oesophagitis, omeprazole at doses of 0.7 to 1.4 mg/kg improved oesophagitis level in 90% of the cases and significantly reduced reflux symptoms. In a single-blind study, children aged 0– 24 months with clinically diagnosed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were treated with 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg omeprazole/kg. The frequency of vomiting/regurgitation episodes decreased by 50% after 8 weeks of treatment irrespective of the dose.

Eradication of H. pylori in children

A randomised, double blind clinical study (Hé liot study) concluded that omeprazole, in combination with two antibiotics (amoxicillin and clarithromycin), was safe and effective in the treatment of H. pylori infection in children age 4 years old and above with gastritis: H. pylori eradication rate: 74.2% (23/31 patients) with omeprazole + amoxicillin + clarithromycin versus 9.4% (3/32 patients) with amoxicillin + clarithromycin. However, there was no evidence of any clinical benefit with respect to dyspeptic symptoms. This study does not support any information for children aged less than 4 years.

Absorption

Omeprazole and omeprazole magnesium are acid labile and are therefore administered orally as enteric-coated granules in capsules or tablets. Absorption of omeprazole is rapid, with peak plasma levels occurring approximately 1-2 hours after dose. Absorption of omeprazole takes place in the small intestine and is usually completed within 3-6 hours. Concomitant intake of food has no influence on the bioavailability. The systemic availability (bioavailability) from a single oral dose of omeprazole is approximately 40%. After repeated once-daily administration, the bioavailability increases to about 60%.

Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution in healthy subjects is approximately 0.3 l/kg body weight. Omeprazole is 97% plasma protein bound.

Bioequivalence between omeprazole capsules and omeprazole gastro-resistant tablets, based on both area under the omeprazole plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of omeprazole, has been demonstrated for all doses, 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg.

Biotransformation

Omeprazole is completely metabolised by the cytochrome P450 system (CYP). The major part of its metabolism is dependent on the polymorphically expressed CYP2C19, responsible for the formation of hydroxyomeprazole, the major metabolite in plasma. The remaining part is dependent on another specific isoform, CYP3A4, responsible for the formation of omeprazole sulphone. As a consequence of high affinity of omeprazole to CYP2C19, there is a potential for competitive inhibition and metabolic drug-drug interactions with other substrates for CYP2C19. However, due to low affinity to CYP3A4, omeprazole has no potential to inhibit the metabolism of other CYP3A4 substrates. In addition, omeprazole lacks an inhibitory effect on the main CYP enzymes.

Approximately 3% of the Caucasian population and 15-20% of Asian populations lack a functional CYP2C19 enzyme and are called poor metabolisers. In such individuals the metabolism of omeprazole is probably mainly catalysed by CYP3A4. After repeated once-daily administration of 20 mg omeprazole, the mean AUC was 5 to 10 times higher in poor metabolisers than in subjects having a functional CYP2C19 enzyme (extensive metabolisers). Mean peak plasma concentrations were also higher, by 3 to 5 times. These findings have no implications for the posology of omeprazole.

Elimination

The plasma elimination half-life of omeprazole is usually shorter than one hour both after single and repeated oral once-daily dosing. Omeprazole is completely eliminated from plasma between doses with no tendency for accumulation during once-daily administration. Almost 80% of an oral dose of omeprazole is excreted as metabolites in the urine, the remainder in the faeces, primarily originating from bile secretion.

Linearity/non-linearity

The AUC of omeprazole increases with repeated administration. This increase is dose-dependent and results in a non-linear dose-AUC relationship after repeated administration. This time- and dose-dependency is due to a decrease of first pass metabolism and systemic clearance probably caused by an inhibition of the CYP2C19 enzyme by omeprazole and/or its metabolites (e.g. the sulphone).

No metabolite has been found to have any effect on gastric acid secretion.

Special populations

Hepatic impairment

The metabolism of omeprazole in patients with liver dysfunction is impaired, resulting in an increased AUC. Omeprazole has not shown any tendency to accumulate with once-daily dosing.

Renal impairment

The pharmacokinetics of omeprazole, including systemic bioavailability and elimination rate, are unchanged in patients with reduced renal function.

Elderly

The metabolism rate of omeprazole is somewhat reduced in elderly subjects (75-79 years of age).

Paediatric population

During treatment with the recommended doses to children from the age of 1 year, similar plasma concentrations were obtained as compared to adults. In children younger than 6 months, clearance of omeprazole is low due to low capacity to metabolise omeprazole.

Gastric ECL-cell hyperplasia and carcinoids have been observed in life-long studies in rats treated with omeprazole. These changes are the result of sustained hypergastrinaemia secondary to acid inhibition. Similar findings have been made after treatment with H₂-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors and after partial fundectomy. Thus, these changes are not from a direct effect of any individual active substance.

Tablet core

Sucrose

Maize starch

Glucose

Copovidone

Povidone

Talc

Titanium dioxide (E 171)

Methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer (1:1)

Glycerol monostearate

Propylene glycol

Stearic acid

Polysorbate 80

Simeticone

Cellulose, microcrystalline

Macrogol 6000

Crospovidone

Silica colloidal anhydrous

Magnesium stearate

Tablet coating

Hypromellose

Macrogol 6000

Titanium dioxide (E 171)

Talc

Iron oxide, red (E 172)

Iron oxide, yellow (E 172)

Not applicable.

HDPE containers:

18 months

shelf life after first opening: 6 months

Do not store above 25 ° C after first opening of the container. Keep the container tightly closed, in order to protect from moisture.

Aluminium/aluminium blister:

18 months

Aclar/aluminium blister:

1 year

HDPE containers:

Do not store above 25° C.

For storage conditions of the medicinal product after first opening of the HDPE container, see section 6.3.

Aluminium/aluminium blister:

Do not store above 25 ° C.

Aclar/aluminium blister:

Do not store above 25 ° C.

HDPE container with a polypropylene screw-cap with 7, 14, 15, 28, 30, 56, 98, 100 gastro-resistant tablets

Aluminium/aluminium blister with 5, 7, 10, 14, 15, 20, 28, 30, 49, 50, 56, 60, 90, 98, 100 gastro-resistant tablets.

Aclar/aluminium blister with 5, 7, 10, 14, 15, 20, 28, 30, 49, 50, 56, 60, 90, 98, 100 gastro-resistant tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

READ THIS ENTIRE SECTION CAREFULLY BEFORE ADMINISTRATION VIA A STOMACH TUBE

1. Put the tablet into an appropriate syringe and fill the syringe with approximately 25 ml water and approximately 5 ml air. For some tubes, dispersion in 50 ml water is needed to prevent the pellets from clogging the tube.

2. Immediately shake the syringe for approximately 2 minutes to disperse the tablet.

3. Hold the syringe with the tip up and check that the tip has not clogged.

4. Attach the syringe to the tube whilst maintaining the above position.

5. Shake the syringe and position it with the tip pointing down. Immediately inject 5-10 ml into the tube. Invert the syringe after injection and shake it. Keep the syringe tip pointed upward as it will avoid clogging.

6. Turn the syringe with the tip down and immediately inject another 5-10 ml into the tube. Repeat this procedure until the syringe is empty.

7. Fill the syringe with 25 ml water and 5 ml air and repeat step 5 if necessary to wash down any sediment left in the syringe. Some tubes will require 50 ml water.

No special requirements for disposal.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.