1. Name Of The Medicinal Product
Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets
2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition
Each film-coated tablet contains montelukast sodium 10.4 mg equivalent to 10 mg montelukast.
Excipients: Contain 130.95 mg of Lactose monohydrate per tablet
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. Pharmaceutical Form
Film-coated tablet
7.9 x 7.9 mm beige coloured, rounded square, biconvex, film coated tablet debossed “M10” on one side and plain on other side.
4. Clinical Particulars
4.1 Therapeutic Indications
Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets is indicated in the treatment of asthma as add-on therapy in adults and adolescents from 15 years of age and older with mild to moderate persistent asthma who are inadequately controlled on inhaled corticosteroids and in whom “as-needed” short acting beta-agonists provide inadequate clinical control of asthma. In those asthmatic patients in whom Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets is indicated in asthma, Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets can also provide symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets is also indicated in the prophylaxis of asthma in which the predominant component is exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration
Method of administration:
For oral use.
Posology:
The dosage for adults and adolescents 15 years of age and older with asthma, or with asthma and concomitant seasonal allergic rhinitis, is one 10 mg tablet daily to be taken in the evening.
General recommendations:
The therapeutic effect of Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets on parameters of asthma control occurs within one day. Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets may be taken with or without food. Patients should be advised to continue taking Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets even if their asthma is under control, as well as during periods of worsening asthma. Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets should not be used concomitantly with other products containing the same active ingredient, montelukast.
No dosage adjustment is necessary for the elderly, or for patients with renal insufficiency, or mild to moderate hepatic impairment. There are no data on patients with severe hepatic impairment. The dosage is the same for both male and female patients.
Therapy with Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets in relation to other treatments for asthma.
Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets can be added to a patient's existing treatment regimen.
Inhaled corticosteroids:
Treatment with Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets can be used as add-on therapy in patients when inhaled corticosteroids plus "as needed" short acting beta-agonists provide inadequate clinical control. Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets should not be abruptly substituted for inhaled corticosteroids (see section 4.4).
10 mg film-coated tablets are available for adults and adolescents above 15 years old.
Other available strengths/pharmaceutical forms:
5 mg chewable tablets are available for paediatric and adolescents patients 6 to 14 years of age.
4 mg chewable tablets are available for paediatric patients 2 to 5 years of age.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use
Patients should be advised never to use oral montelukast to treat acute asthma attacks and to keep their usual appropriate rescue medication for this purpose readily available. If an acute attack occurs, a short-acting inhaled beta-agonist should be used. Patients should seek their doctor's advice as soon as possible if they need more inhalations of short-acting beta-agonists than usual.
Montelukast should not be substituted abruptly for inhaled or oral corticosteroids.
There are no data demonstrating that oral corticosteroids can be reduced when montelukast is given concomitantly.
In rare cases, patients on therapy with anti-asthma agents including montelukast may present with systemic eosinophilia, sometimes presenting with clinical features of vasculitis consistent with Churg-Strauss syndrome, a condition which is often treated with systemic corticosteroid therapy. These cases usually, but not always, have been associated with the reduction or withdrawal of oral corticosteroid therapy. The possibility that leukotriene receptor antagonists may be associated with emergence of Churg-Strauss syndrome can neither be excluded nor established. Physicians should be alert to eosinophilia, vasculitic rash, worsening pulmonary symptoms, cardiac complications, and/or neuropathy presenting in their patients. Patients who develop these symptoms should be reassessed and their treatment regimens evaluated.
Treatment with montelukast does not alter the need for patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma to avoid taking aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
This medicinal product contains lactose monohydrate.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction
Montelukast may be administered with other therapies routinely used in the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma. In drug-interactions studies, the recommended clinical dose of montelukast did not have clinically important effects on the pharmacokinetics of the following medicinal products: theophylline, prednisone, prednisolone, oral contraceptives (ethinyl estradiol/ norethindrone 35/1), terfenadine, digoxin and warfarin.
The area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) for montelukast was decreased approximately 40% in subjects with coadministration of phenobarbital. Since montelukast is metabolised by CYP 3A4, caution should be exercised, particularly in children, when montelukast is co-administered with inducers of CYP 3A4, such as phenytoin, phenobarbital and rifampicin.
In vitro studies have shown that montelukast is a potent inhibitor of CYP 2C8. However, data from a clinical drug-drug interaction study involving montelukast and rosiglitazone (a probe substrate representative of medicinal products primarily metabolized by CYP 2C8) demonstrated that montelukast does not inhibit CYP 2C8 in vivo. Therefore, montelukast is not anticipated to markedly alter the metabolism of medicinal products metabolised by this enzyme (e.g., paclitaxel, rosiglitazone and repaglinide.)
4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation
Use during pregnancy
Animal studies do not indicate harmful effects with respect to effects on pregnancy or embryonal/foetal development.
Limited data from available pregnancy databases do not suggest a causal relationship between Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets and malformations (i.e. limb defects) that have been rarely reported in worldwide post marketing experience.
Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets may be used during pregnancy only if it is considered to be clearly essential.
Use during breastfeeding
It is unknown whether montelukast is excreted in human milk. Studies in rats have shown that montelukast is excreted in milk (see section 5.3).
Montelukast 10 mg film-coated tablets may be used in breast-feeding only if it is considered to be clearly essential
4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines
Montelukast is not expected to affect a patient's ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, in very rare cases, individuals have reported drowsiness or dizziness.
4.8 Undesirable Effects
The frequency using the following convention: Common (
Montelukast has been evaluated in clinical studies as follows:
• 10 mg film-coated tablets in approximately 4000 adult asthmatic patients 15 years of age and older.
• 10 mg film-coated tablets in approximately 400 adult asthmatic patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis 15 years of age and older.
• 5 mg chewable tablets in approximately 1750 paediatric and adolescents asthmatic patients 6 to 14 years of age.
The following drug-related adverse reactions in clinical studies were reported commonly (
Body system Class
|
Adult Patients 15 years and older
(two 12-week studies; n=795)
|
Paediatric and adolescents Patients 6 to 14 years old
(one 8-week study; n=201)
(two 56-week studies; n=615)
|
Nervous system disorders
|
headache
|
headache
|
Gastrointestinal disorders
|
abdominal pain
|
|
With prolonged treatment in clinical trials with a limited number of patients for up to 2 years for adults, and up to 12 months for paediatric and adolescents patients 6 to 14 years of age, the safety profile did not change.
The following adverse reactions have been reported in post-marketing use:
Infections and infestations: upper respiratory infection.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders: increased bleeding tendency.
Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, hepatic eosinophilic infiltration.
Psychiatric disorders: dream abnormalities including nightmares, hallucinations, insomnia, somnambulism, irritability, anxiety, restlessness, agitation including aggressive behaviour or hostility, tremor, depression, suicidal thinking and behaviour (suicidality) in very rare cases.
Nervous system disorders: dizziness drowsiness, paraesthesia/hypoesthesia, seizure.
Cardiac disorders: palpitations.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: epistaxis
Gastro-intestinal disorders: diarrhoea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting.
Hepatobiliary disorders: elevated levels of serum transaminases (ALT, AST), hepatitis (including cholestatic, hepatocellular and mixed-pattern liver injury).
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: angiooedema, bruising, urticaria, pruritus, rash, erythema nodosum.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: arthralgia, myalgia including muscle cramps.
General disorders and administration site conditions: asthenia/fatigue, malaise, oedema, pyrexia.
Very rare cases of Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS) have been reported during montelukast treatment in asthmatic patients (see section 4.4).
4.9 Overdose
Symptoms
No specific information is available on the treatment of overdose with montelukast. In chronic asthma studies, montelukast has been administered at doses up to 200 mg/day to patients for 22 weeks and in short term studies, up to 900 mg/day to patients for approximately one week without clinically important adverse experiences.
There have been reports of acute overdose in post-marketing experience and clinical studies with montelukast. These include reports in adults and children with a dose as high as 1000 mg (approximately 61 mg/kg in a 42 month old child). The clinical and laboratory findings observed were consistent with the safety profile in adults and paediatric patients. There were no adverse experiences in the majority of overdose reports. The most frequently occurring adverse experiences were consistent with the safety profile of montelukast and included abdominal pain, somnolence, thirst, headache, vomiting and psychomotor hyperactivity.
Treatment
It is not known whether montelukast is dialysable by peritoneal- or haemo-dialysis.
5. Pharmacological Properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other systemic drugs for obstructive airway diseases, Leukotriene receptor antagonist
ATC code: R03D C03
The cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4, LTE4) are potent inflammatory eicosanoids released from various cells including mast cells and eosinophils. These important pro-asthmatic mediators bind to cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) receptors. The CysLT type-1 (CysLT1) receptor is found in the human airway (including airway smooth muscle cells and airway macrophages) and on other pro-inflammatory cells (including eosinophils and certain myeloid stem cells). CysLTs have been correlated with the pathophysiology of asthma and allergic rhinitis. In asthma, leukotriene-mediated effects include bronchoconstriction, mucous secretion, vascular permeability, and eosinophil recruitment. In allergic rhinitis, CysLTs are released from the nasal mucosa after allergen exposure during both early- and late-phase reactions and are associated with symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Intranasal challenge with CysLTs has been shown to increase nasal airway resistance and symptoms of nasal obstruction.
Montelukast is an orally active compound which binds with high affinity and selectivity to the CysLT1 receptor. In clinical studies, montelukast inhibits bronchoconstriction due to inhaled LTD4 at doses as low as 5 mg. Bronchodilation was observed within 2 hours of oral administration. The bronchodilation effect caused by a beta agonist was additive to that caused by montelukast. Treatment with montelukast inhibited both early- and late phase bronchoconstriction due to antigen challenge. Montelukast, compared with placebo, decreased peripheral blood eosinophils in adult and paediatric patients. In a separate study, treatment with montelukast significantly decreased eosinophils in the airways (as measured in sputum) and in peripheral blood while improving clinical asthma control.
In studies in adults, montelukast, 10 mg once daily, compared with placebo, demonstrated significant improvements in morning FEV1 (10.4% vs 2.7% change from baseline), AM peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (24.5 L/min vs 3.3 L/min change from baseline), and significant decrease in total beta-agonist use ( -26.1% vs -4.6% change from baseline). Improvement in patient-reported daytime and nighttime asthma symptoms scores was significantly better than placebo.
Studies in adults demonstrated the ability of montelukast to add to the clinical effect of inhaled corticosteroid (% change from baseline for inhaled beclometasone plus ontelukast vs beclometasone, respectively for FEV1: 5.43% vs 1.04%; beta-agonist use: -8.70% vs 2.64%). Compared with inhaled beclometasone (200 µg twice daily with a spacer device), montelukast demonstrated a more rapid initial response, although over the 12-week study, beclometasone provided a greater average treatment effect (% change from baseline for montelukast vs beclometasone, respectively for FEV1: 7.49% vs 13.3%; beta agonist use: -28.28% vs -43.89%). However, compared with beclometasone, a high percentage of patients treated with montelukast achieved similar clinical responses (e.g., 50% of patients treated with beclometasone achieved an improvement in FEV1 of approximately 11% or more over baseline while approximately 42% of patients treated with montelukast achieved the same response).
A clinical study was conducted to evaluate montelukast for the symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adult asthmatic patients 15 years of age and older with concomitant seasonal allergic rhinitis. In this study, montelukast 10 mg tablets administered once daily demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the Daily Rhinitis Symptoms score, compared with placebo. The Daily Rhinitis Symptoms score is the average of the Daytime Nasal Symptoms score (mean of nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal itching) and the Nighttime Symptoms score (mean of nasal congestion upon awakening, difficulty going to sleep, and nighttime awakenings scores). Global evaluations of allergic rhinitis by patients and physicians were significantly improved, compared with placebo. The evaluation of asthma efficacy was not a primary objective in this study.
In an 8-week study in paediatric patients 6 to 14 years of age, montelukast 5 mg once daily, compared with placebo, significantly improved respiratory function (FEV1 8.71% vs 4.16% change from baseline; AM PEFR 27.9 L/min vs 17.8 L/min change from baseline) and decreased "as-needed" beta-agonist use (-11.7% vs +8.2% change from baseline).
Significant reduction of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) was demonstrated in a 12-week study in adults (maximal fall in FEV1 22.33% for montelukast vs 32.40% for placebo; time to recovery to within 5% of baseline FEV1 44.22 min vs 60.64 min). This effect was consistent throughout the 12-week study period. Reduction in EIB was also demonstrated in a short term study in paediatric patients (maximal fall in FEV1 18.27% vs 26.11%; time to recovery to within 5% of baseline FEV1 17.76 min vs 27.98 min). The effect in both studies was demonstrated at the end of the once-daily dosing interval.
In aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patients receiving concomitant inhaled and/or oral corticosteroids, treatment with montelukast, compared with placebo, resulted in significant improvement in asthma control (FEV1 8.55% vs -1.74% change from baseline and decrease in total beta-agonist use -27.78% vs 2.09% change from baseline).
5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties
Absorption
Montelukast is rapidly absorbed following oral administration. For the 10 mg film-coated tablet, the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) is achieved 3 hours (Tmax) after administration in adults in the fasted state. The mean oral bioavailability is 64%. The oral bioavailability and Cmax are not influenced by a standard meal. Safety and efficacy were demonstrated in clinical trials where the 10 mg film-coated tablet was administered without regard to the timing of food ingestion.
For the 5 mg chewable tablet, the Cmax is achieved in 2 hours after administration in adults in the fasted state. The mean oral bioavailability is 73% and is decreased to 63% by a standard meal.
Distribution
Montelukast is more than 99% bound to plasma proteins. The steady-state volume of distribution of montelukast averages 8-11 litres. Studies in rats with radiolabelled montelukast indicate minimal distribution across the blood-brain barrier. In addition, concentrations of radiolabelled material at 24 hours post-dose were minimal in all other tissues.
Biotransformation
Montelukast is extensively metabolised. In studies with therapeutic doses, plasma concentrations of metabolites of montelukast are undetectable at steady state in adults and children.
In vitro studies using human liver microsomes indicate that cytochrome P450 3A4, 2A6 and 2C9 are involved in the metabolism of montelukast. Based on further in vitro results in human liver microsomes, therapeutic plasma concentrations of montelukast do not inhibit cytochromes P450 3A4, 2C9, 1A2, 2A6, 2C19, or 2D6. The contribution of metabolites to the therapeutic effect of montelukast is minimal.
Elimination
The plasma clearance of montelukast averages 45 ml/min in healthy adults. Following an oral dose of radiolabelled montelukast, 86% of the radioactivity was recovered in 5-day faecal collections and <0.2% was recovered in urine. Coupled with estimates of montelukast oral bioavailability, this indicates that montelukast and its metabolites are excreted almost exclusively via the bile.
Characteristics in patients
No dosage adjustment is necessary for the elderly or mild to moderate hepatic insufficiency. Studies in patients with renal impairment have not been undertaken. Because montelukast and its metabolites are eliminated by the biliary route, no dose adjustment is anticipated to be necessary in patients with renal impairment. There are no data on the pharmacokinetics of montelukast in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh score >9).
With high doses of montelukast (20- and 60-fold the recommended adult dose), decrease in plasma theophylline concentration was observed. This effect was not seen at the recommended dose of 10 mg once daily.
5.3 Preclinical Safety Data
In animal toxicity studies, minor serum biochemical alterations in ALT, glucose, phosphorus and triglycerides were observed which were transient in nature. The signs of toxicity in animals were increased excretion of saliva, gastro-intestinal symptoms, loose stools and ion imbalance. These occurred at dosages which provided >17-fold the systemic exposure seen at the clinical dosage. In monkeys, the adverse effects appeared at doses from 150 mg/kg/day (>232-fold the systemic exposure seen at the clinical dose). In animal studies, montelukast did not affect fertility or reproductive performance at systemic exposure exceeding the clinical systemic exposure by greater than 24-fold. A slight decrease in pup body weight was noted in the female fertility study in rats at 200 mg/kg/day (>69
No deaths occurred following a single oral administration of montelukast sodium at doses up to 5000 mg/kg in mice and rats (15,000 mg/m2 and 30,000 mg/m2 in mice and rats, respectively), the maximum dose tested. This dose is equivalent to 25,000 times the recommended daily adult human dose (based on an adult patient weight of 50 kg).
Montelukast was determined not to be phototoxic in mice for UVA, UVB or visible light spectra at doses up to 500 mg/kg/day (approximately >200-fold based on systemic exposure). Montelukast was neither mutagenic in in vitro and in vivo tests nor tumorigenic in rodent species.
6. Pharmaceutical Particulars
6.1 List Of Excipients
Tablet core:
Lactose monohydrate,
Cellulose microcrystalline,
Low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (LH-11) (E 463),
Croscarmellose sodium,
Magnesium stearate
Film coat:
Hydroxypropylcellulose (LF) (E 463),
Hypromellose 6CPS (A),
Titanium dioxide (E 171),
Macrogol 6000,
Iron oxide yellow (E172),
Iron oxide red (E172)
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
6.3 Shelf Life
2 years
6.4 Special Precautions For Storage
Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.
6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container
Montelukast 10 mg tablets are packed in OPA-Al-PVC/Al blister.
Pack size: Packs of 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 84, 90, 98, 100, 140 and 200 tablets in blister.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
7. Marketing Authorisation Holder
Accord Healthcare Limited
Sage House, 319, Pinner Road,
North Harrow, Middlesex,
HA1 4 HF,
United Kingdom
8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)
PL 20075/0182
9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation
30/11/2011
10. Date Of Revision Of The Text
30/11/2011
