Summary of product characteristics
1. Name of the medicinal product
Eudemine 50mg Tablets
2. Qualitative and quantitative composition
Diazoxide 50mg
3. Pharmaceutical form
White, sugar coated tablet.
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Eudemine Tablets are used orally in the treatment of intractable hypoglycaemia.
Diazoxide also causes salt and water retention.
Hypoglycaemia: Eudemine administered orally is indicated for the treatment of intractable hypoglycaemia with severe symptoms from a variety of causes including: idiopathic hypoglycaemia in infancy, leucine-sensitive or unclassified; functional islet cell tumours both malignant and benign if inoperable, extra-pancreatic neoplasms producing hypoglycaemia; glycogen storage disease; hypoglycaemia of unknown origin.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Hypoglycaemia: In hypoglycaemia, the dosage schedule of Eudemine tablets is determined according to the clinical needs and the response of the individual patient. For both adults and children a starting oral dose of 5mg/kg body weight divided into 2 or 3 equal doses per 24 hours will establish the patient's response and thereafter the dose can be increased until the symptoms and blood glucose level respond satisfactorily. Regular determinations of the blood glucose in the initial days of treatment are essential. The usual maintenance dose is 3 - 8mg/kg/day given in two or three divided doses.
Reduced doses may be required in patients with impaired renal function.
In children with leucine-sensitive hypoglycaemia, a dosage range of 15- 20mg/kg/day is suggested.
In adults with benign or malignant islet-cell tumours producing large quantities of insulin, high dosages of up to 1,000mg per day have been used.
4.3. Contraindications
In the treatment of hypoglycaemia, Eudemine is contraindicated in all cases which are amenable to surgery or other specific therapy.
Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation or other thiazides.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
In the treatment of hypoglycaemia it is necessary that the blood pressure be monitored regularly.
Retention of sodium and water is likely to necessitate therapy with an oral diuretic such as frusemide or ethacrynic acid. The dosage of either of the diuretics mentioned may be up to 1g daily. It must be appreciated that if diuretics are employed then both the hypotensive and hyperglycaemic activities of diazoxide will be potentiated and it is likely that the dosage of diazoxide will require adjustment downwards. In patients with severe renal failure it is desirable to maintain, with diuretic therapy, urinary volumes in excess of 1 litre daily. Hypokalaemia should be avoided by adequate potassium replacement.
Diazoxide should be used with caution in patients with cardiac failure or impaired cardiac reserve in whom sodium and water retention may worsen or precipitate congestive heart failure. A direct effect on myocardium and cardiac function cannot be excluded.
Diazoxide should be used with care in patients with impaired cardiac or cerebral circulation and in patients with aortic coarctation, aortic stenosis, arteriovenous shunt, heart failure or other cardiovascular disorders in which an increase in cardiac output could be detrimental.
Diazoxide should be administered with caution to patients with hyperuricaemia or a history of gout, and it is advisable to monitor serum uric acid concentration.
Whenever Eudemine is given over a prolonged period regular haematological examinations are indicated to exclude changes in white blood cell and platelet counts.
Also in children there should be regular assessment of growth, bone and psychological maturation.
The very rapid, almost complete protein binding of diazoxide requires cautious dosage to be used in patients whose plasma proteins may be lower than normal.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Drugs potentiated by diazoxide therapy include: oral diuretics, antihypertensive agents and anticoagulants.
Phenytoin levels should be monitored as increased dosage may be needed if administered concurrently with diazoxide.
The risk of hyperglycaemia may be increased by concurrent administration of corticosteroids or oestrogen-progestogen combinations.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Eudemine Tablets are only to be used in pregnant women when the indicated condition is deemed to put the mother's life at risk.
Side Effects
Prolonged oral therapy of Eudemine during pregnancy has been reported to cause alopecia in the newborn.
Eudemine should not be given to nursing mothers as the safety of Diazoxide during lactation has not been established.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8. Undesirable effects
With oral therapy, nausea is common in the first two or three weeks and may require relief with an anti-nauseant. Prolonged therapy has given rise to reports of hypertrichosis lanuginosa, anorexia and hyperuricaemia.
Extra-pyramidal side-effects have been reported with oral diazoxide. It was found that extra-pyramidal effects such as parkinsonian tremor, cogwheel rigidity and oculogyric crisis could be easily suppressed by intravenous injection of an antiparkinsonian drug such as procyclidine and that they could be prevented by maintenance therapy with such a drug given orally.
Other adverse effects of Eudemine which have been reported are listed below.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, decreased haemoglobin and / or haematocrit, eosinophilia, bleeding
Immune system disorders
Hypogammaglobulinaemia, hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, fever and leucopenia, decreased immunoglobulins (IgG) in infants,
Endocrine disorder
Hirsutism, galactorrhoea, pancreatitis, increased serum androgens
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperuricaemia (after prolonged therapy), hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma, inappropriate hyperglycaemia including ketoacidosis
Psychiatric disorders
Anorexia (after prolonged therapy), decreased libido
Nervous system disorders
Extra-pyramidal side-effects such as parkinsonian tremor, cogwheel rigidity and oculogyric crisis, headache, dizziness
Eye disorders
Blurred vision, transient cataracts, subconjunctival haemorrhage, ring scotoma, diplopia, lacrimation.
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Tinnitus
Cardiac disorders
Cardiomegaly, cardiac failure, arrhythmias
Vascular disorders
Inappropriate hypotension
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Dysponea, pulmonary hypertension
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, ileus, constipation, dysgeusia
Hepatobiliary disorders
Increased AST and alkaline phosphate
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritis, dermatitis, lichenoid eruption
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal pain
Renal and urinary disorders
Azotemia, decreased creatinine clearance, reversible nephritic syndrome, haematuria and albuminuria.
Congenital, familial and genetic disorders
Hypertrichosis lanuginose (after prolonged therapy)
General disorders and administration site disorders
Voice changes and abnormal faces in children (on long term therapy), sodium retention, fluids retention.
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 Yellow Card Scheme on the MHRA website (www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard).
4.9. Overdose
Excessive dosage of Eudemine can result in hyperglycaemia. Severe hyperglycaemia may be corrected by giving insulin and less severe hyperglycaemia may respond to oral hypoglycaemics. Hypotension may be managed with intravenous fluids and in severe cases may require sympathomimetics.
5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties
None stated.
5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties
None stated.
5.3. Preclinical safety data
None stated.
6.1. List of excipients
The tablet core consists of:
Lactose
Maize starch
Maize starch, pre-gelatinised
Magnesium stearate
Purified water
The tablet coating consists of:
Sugar (mineral water grade)
Gelatin coarse powder 200 bloom
Purified water
Opaglos AG-7350
Opaglos AG-7350 consists of:
Purified water
Carnauba wax (E903)
Beeswax, white (E901)
Polysorbate 20 (E432)
Sorbic acid (E200)
6.2. Incompatibilities
None stated.
6.3. Shelf life
36 months.
6.4. Special precautions for storage
None.
6.5. Nature and contents of container
Plastic containers with tamper evident closure containing 100 tablets.
6.6. Special precautions for disposal and other handling
None stated.
7. Marketing authorisation holder
RPH Pharmaceuticals AB,
Lagervägen 7,
136 50 Haninge,
Sweden
8. Marketing authorisation number(s)
PL 36301/0021
9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation
17 December 1992 / 17 December 1997
10. Date of revision of the text
18/05/2015
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Eudemine Tablets are used orally in the treatment of intractable hypoglycaemia.
Diazoxide also causes salt and water retention.
Hypoglycaemia: Eudemine administered orally is indicated for the treatment of intractable hypoglycaemia with severe symptoms from a variety of causes including: idiopathic hypoglycaemia in infancy, leucine-sensitive or unclassified; functional islet cell tumours both malignant and benign if inoperable, extra-pancreatic neoplasms producing hypoglycaemia; glycogen storage disease; hypoglycaemia of unknown origin.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Hypoglycaemia: In hypoglycaemia, the dosage schedule of Eudemine tablets is determined according to the clinical needs and the response of the individual patient. For both adults and children a starting oral dose of 5mg/kg body weight divided into 2 or 3 equal doses per 24 hours will establish the patient's response and thereafter the dose can be increased until the symptoms and blood glucose level respond satisfactorily. Regular determinations of the blood glucose in the initial days of treatment are essential. The usual maintenance dose is 3 - 8mg/kg/day given in two or three divided doses.
Reduced doses may be required in patients with impaired renal function.
In children with leucine-sensitive hypoglycaemia, a dosage range of 15- 20mg/kg/day is suggested.
In adults with benign or malignant islet-cell tumours producing large quantities of insulin, high dosages of up to 1,000mg per day have been used.
4.3 Contraindications
In the treatment of hypoglycaemia, Eudemine is contraindicated in all cases which are amenable to surgery or other specific therapy.
Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation or other thiazides.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
In the treatment of hypoglycaemia it is necessary that the blood pressure be monitored regularly.
Retention of sodium and water is likely to necessitate therapy with an oral diuretic such as frusemide or ethacrynic acid. The dosage of either of the diuretics mentioned may be up to 1g daily. It must be appreciated that if diuretics are employed then both the hypotensive and hyperglycaemic activities of diazoxide will be potentiated and it is likely that the dosage of diazoxide will require adjustment downwards. In patients with severe renal failure it is desirable to maintain, with diuretic therapy, urinary volumes in excess of 1 litre daily. Hypokalaemia should be avoided by adequate potassium replacement.
Diazoxide should be used with caution in patients with cardiac failure or impaired cardiac reserve in whom sodium and water retention may worsen or precipitate congestive heart failure. A direct effect on myocardium and cardiac function cannot be excluded.
Diazoxide should be used with care in patients with impaired cardiac or cerebral circulation and in patients with aortic coarctation, aortic stenosis, arteriovenous shunt, heart failure or other cardiovascular disorders in which an increase in cardiac output could be detrimental.
Diazoxide should be administered with caution to patients with hyperuricaemia or a history of gout, and it is advisable to monitor serum uric acid concentration.
Whenever Eudemine is given over a prolonged period regular haematological examinations are indicated to exclude changes in white blood cell and platelet counts.
Also in children there should be regular assessment of growth, bone and psychological maturation.
The very rapid, almost complete protein binding of diazoxide requires cautious dosage to be used in patients whose plasma proteins may be lower than normal.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Drugs potentiated by diazoxide therapy include: oral diuretics, antihypertensive agents and anticoagulants.
Phenytoin levels should be monitored as increased dosage may be needed if administered concurrently with diazoxide.
The risk of hyperglycaemia may be increased by concurrent administration of corticosteroids or oestrogen-progestogen combinations.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Eudemine Tablets are only to be used in pregnant women when the indicated condition is deemed to put the mother's life at risk.
Side Effects
Prolonged oral therapy of Eudemine during pregnancy has been reported to cause alopecia in the newborn.
Eudemine should not be given to nursing mothers as the safety of Diazoxide during lactation has not been established.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8 Undesirable effects
With oral therapy, nausea is common in the first two or three weeks and may require relief with an anti-nauseant. Prolonged therapy has given rise to reports of hypertrichosis lanuginosa, anorexia and hyperuricaemia.
Extra-pyramidal side-effects have been reported with oral diazoxide. It was found that extra-pyramidal effects such as parkinsonian tremor, cogwheel rigidity and oculogyric crisis could be easily suppressed by intravenous injection of an antiparkinsonian drug such as procyclidine and that they could be prevented by maintenance therapy with such a drug given orally.
Other adverse effects of Eudemine which have been reported are listed below.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, decreased haemoglobin and / or haematocrit, eosinophilia, bleeding
Immune system disorders
Hypogammaglobulinaemia, hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, fever and leucopenia, decreased immunoglobulins (IgG) in infants,
Endocrine disorder
Hirsutism, galactorrhoea, pancreatitis, increased serum androgens
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperuricaemia (after prolonged therapy), hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma, inappropriate hyperglycaemia including ketoacidosis
Psychiatric disorders
Anorexia (after prolonged therapy), decreased libido
Nervous system disorders
Extra-pyramidal side-effects such as parkinsonian tremor, cogwheel rigidity and oculogyric crisis, headache, dizziness
Eye disorders
Blurred vision, transient cataracts, subconjunctival haemorrhage, ring scotoma, diplopia, lacrimation.
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Tinnitus
Cardiac disorders
Cardiomegaly, cardiac failure, arrhythmias
Vascular disorders
Inappropriate hypotension
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Dysponea, pulmonary hypertension
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, ileus, constipation, dysgeusia
Hepatobiliary disorders
Increased AST and alkaline phosphate
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritis, dermatitis, lichenoid eruption
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal pain
Renal and urinary disorders
Azotemia, decreased creatinine clearance, reversible nephritic syndrome, haematuria and albuminuria.
Congenital, familial and genetic disorders
Hypertrichosis lanuginose (after prolonged therapy)
General disorders and administration site disorders
Voice changes and abnormal faces in children (on long term therapy), sodium retention, fluids retention.
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 Yellow Card Scheme on the MHRA website (www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard).
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Drug Licencing
Drugs appearing in this section are approved by UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), & the European Medicines Agency (EMA).