Bisoprolol Fumarate 7.5 mg Film-coated Tablets

Each tablet contains 7.5 mg bisoprolol fumarate

Excipients:

Each tablet contains lactose (as lactose monohydrate 1.77 mg)

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Film-coated tablet

yellow-white, round tablet with a score and encoded "BIS 7.5" on one side

The tablet can be divided into equal thirds.

Treatment of stable chronic heart failure with reduced systolic left ventricular function in addition to ACE inhibitors, and diuretics, and optionally cardiac glycosides (For additional information see section 5.1).

Method of administration

Bisoprolol tablets should be taken in the morning and can be taken with food. They should be swallowed with liquid and should not be chewed.

Treatment of stable chronic heart failure

Standard treatment of CHF consists of an ACE inhibitor (or an angiotensin receptor blocker in case of intolerance to ACE inhibitors), a beta-blocking agent, diuretics, and when appropriate cardiac glycosides. Patients should be stable (without acute failure) when bisoprolol treatment is initiated.

It is recommended that the treating physician should be experienced in the management of chronic heart failure.

Transient worsening of heart failure, hypotension, or bradycardia may occur during the titration period and thereafter.

Titration phase

The treatment of stable chronic heart failure with bisoprolol requires a titration phase.

The treatment with bisoprolol is to be started with a gradual up titration according to the following steps:

1.25 mg once daily for 1 week, if well tolerated increase to

2.5 mg once daily for a further week, if well tolerated increase to

3.75 mg once daily for a further week, if well tolerated increase to

5 mg once daily for the 4 following weeks, if well tolerated increase to

7.5 mg once daily for the 4 following weeks, if well tolerated increase to

10 mg once daily for the maintenance therapy.

The maximum recommended dose is 10 mg once daily.

Close monitoring of vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure) and symptoms of worsening heart failure is recommended during the titration phase. Symptoms may already occur within the first day after initiating the therapy.

Treatment modification

If the maximum recommended dose is not well tolerated, gradual dose reduction may be considered.

In case of transient worsening of heart failure, hypotension, or bradycardia reconsideration of the dosage of the concomitant medication is recommended. It may also be necessary to temporarily lower the dose of bisoprolol or to consider discontinuation.

The reintroduction and/or uptitration of bisoprolol should always be considered when the patient becomes stable again.

Duration of treatment

Treatment of stable chronic heart failure with bisoprolol is generally a long-term treatment.

The treatment with bisoprolol must not be stopped abruptly since this might lead to a transitory worsening of condition. Especially in patients with ischaemic heart disease, treatment must not be discontinued suddenly. Gradual reduction of the daily dose is recommended.

Renal or liver impairment

Elderly

Children and adolescents

There is no experience with bisoprolol in children and adolescents, therefore its use cannot be recommended for children.

Bisoprolol is contra-indicated in:

• hypersensitivity to bisoprolol or to any of the excipients

• acute heart failure or during episodes of heart failure decompensation requiring i.v. inotropic therapy

• cardiogenic shock

• AV block of second or third degree (without a pacemaker)

• sick sinus syndrome

• sinoatrial block

• symptomatic bradycardia

• symptomatic hypotension

• severe bronchial asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• severe forms of peripheral arterial occlusive disease or severe forms of Raynaud's syndrome

• untreated phaeochromocytoma (see section 4.4)

• metabolic acidosis

• combinations with floctafenin and sultopride

The treatment of stable chronic heart failure with bisoprolol has to be initiated with a special titration phase (see section 4.2).

Especially in patients with ischaemic heart disease the cessation of therapy with bisoprolol must not be done abruptly unless clearly indicated, because this may lead to transitional worsening of heart condition (see section 4.2).

The initiation of treatment of stable chronic heart failure with bisoprolol necessitates regular monitoring. For the posology and method of administration please refer to section 4.2.

Bisoprolol must be used with caution in:

• bronchospasm (bronchial asthma, obstructive airways diseases)

• diabetes mellitus with large fluctuations in blood glucose values. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia (e.g. tachycardia, palpitations or sweating) can be masked

• strict fasting

• ongoing desensitisation therapy. As with other beta-blockers, bisoprolol may increase both the sensitivity towards allergens and the severity of anaphylactic reactions. Epinephrine treatment may not always yield the expected therapeutic effect.

• AV block of first degree

• Prinzmetal's angina

• peripheral arterial occlusive disease (intensification of complaints might happen especially during the start of therapy)

• General anaesthesia

In patients undergoing general anaesthesia beta-blockade reduces the incidence of arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia during induction and intubation, and the post-operative period. It is currently recommended that maintenance beta-blockade be continued peri-operatively. The anaesthesist must be aware of beta-blockade because of the potential for interactions with other medicinal products, resulting in bradyarrhythmias, attenuation of the reflex tachycardia and the decreased reflex ability to compensate for blood loss. If it is thought necessary to withdraw beta-blocking agent therapy before surgery, this should be done gradually and completed about 48 hours before anaesthesia.

There is no therapeutic experience of bisoprolol treatment of heart failure in patients with the following diseases and conditions:

• insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type I)

• severely impaired renal function

• severely impaired liver function

• restrictive cardiomyopathy

• congenital heart disease

• haemodynamically significant organic valvular disease

• myocardial infarction within 3 months

Combination of bisoprolol with calcium antagonists of the verapamil and diltiazem type, with Class I antiarrhytmic medicinal products and with centrally acting antihypertensive medicinal products is generally not recommended, for details please refer to section 4.5.

In bronchial asthma or other chronic obstructive lung diseases, which may cause symptoms, bronchodilating therapy should be given concomitantly. Occasionally an increase of the airway resistance may occur in patients with asthma, therefore the dose of beta₂-stimulants may have to be increased.

Patients with psoriasis or with a history of psoriasis should only be given beta-blocking agents (e.g. bisoprolol) after carefully balancing the benefits against the risks.

In patients with phaeochromocytoma bisoprolol must not be administered until after alpha-receptor blockade.

Under treatment with bisoprolol the symptoms of a thyrotoxicosis may be masked.

Lactose

This medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Combinations contra-indicated:

floctafenine: Beta blocking agents may impede the compensatory cardiovascular reactions associated with hypotension or shock that may be induced by floctafenine.

sultopride: Bisoprolol should not be concomitantly administered with sultopride since there is an increase risk of ventricular arrhythmia.

Combinations not recommended

Calcium antagonists of the verapamil type and to a lesser extent of the diltiazem type: Negative influence on contractility and atrio-ventricular conduction. Intravenous administration of verapamil in patients on β-blocker treatment may lead to severe hypotension and atrioventricular block.

Class I antiarrhythmic medicinal products (e.g. quinidine, disopyramide; lidocaine, phenytoin; flecainide, propafenone): Effect on atrio-ventricular conduction time may be potentiated and negative inotropic effect increased.

Centrally acting antihypertensive medicinal products such as clonidine and others (e.g. methyldopa, moxonodine, rilmenidine): Concomitant use of centrally acting antihypertensive medicinal products may worsen heart failure by a decrease in the central sympathetic tonus (reduction of heart rate and cardiac output, vasodilation). Abrupt withdrawal, particularly if prior to beta-blocking agent discontinuation, may increase risk of “rebound hypertension”.

Combinations to be used with caution

Calcium antagonists of the dihydropyridine type such as felodipine and amlodipine: Concomitant use may increase the risk of hypotension, and an increase in the risk of a further deterioration of the ventricular pump function in patients with heart failure cannot be excluded.

Class-III antiarrhythmic medicinal product (e.g. amiodarone): Effect on atrio-ventricular conduction time may be potentiated.

Topical beta-blocking agents (e.g. eye drops for glaucoma treatment) may add to the systemic effects of bisoprolol.

Parasympathomimetic medicinal products: Concomitant use may increase atrio-ventricular conduction time and the risk of bradycardia.

Insulin and oral antidiabetic medicinal products: Intensification of blood sugar lowering effect. Blockade of beta-adrenoreceptors may mask symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

Anaesthetic agents: Attenuation of the reflex tachycardia and increase of the risk of hypotension (for further information on general anaesthesia see also section 4.4.).

Digitalis glycosides: Reduction of heart rate, increase of atrio-ventricular conduction time.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicinal products (NSAIDs): NSAIDs may reduce the hypotensive effect of bisoprolol.

β-Sympathomimetic agents (e.g. isoprenaline, dobutamine): Combination with bisoprolol may reduce the effect of both agents.

Sympathomimetics that activate both β- and α-adrenoceptors (e.g. noradrenaline, adrenaline): Combination with bisoprolol may unmask the α-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstrictor effects of these agents leading to blood pressure increase and exacerbated intermittent claudication. Such interactions are considered to be more likely with nonselective

β-blockers.

Concomitant use with antihypertensive agents as well as with other medicinal products with blood pressure lowering potential (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates, phenothiazines) may increase the risk of hypotension.

Combinations to be considered

Mefloquine: increased risk of bradycardia

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (except MAO-B inhibitors): Enhanced hypotensive effect of the beta-blocking agents but also risk for hypertensive crisis.

Pregnancy:

Bisoprolol has pharmacological effects that may cause harmful effects on pregnancy and/or the foetus/newborn. In general, beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents reduce placental perfusion, which has been associated with growth retardation, intrauterine death, abortion or early labour. Adverse effects (e.g. hypoglycaemia and bradycardia) may occur in the foetus and newborn infant. If treatment with beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents is necessary, beta₁-selective adrenoceptor blocking agents are preferable.

Bisoprolol is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. If treatment with bisoprolol is considered necessary, monitoring of the uteroplacental blood flow and the foetal growth is recommended. In case of harmful effects on pregnancy or the foetus consideration of alternative treatment is recommended. The newborn infant must be closely monitored. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia and bradycardia are generally to be expected within the first 3 days.

Lactation:

There are no data on the excretion of bisoprolol in human breast milk or the safety of bisoprolol exposure in infants.Therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended during administration of bisoprolol.

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. In a study with coronary heart disease patients bisoprolol did not impair driving performance. However, due to individual variations in reactions to the medicinal product, the ability to drive a vehicle or to operate machinery may be impaired. This should be considered particularly at start of treatment and upon change of medication as well as in conjunction with alcohol.

The following definitions apply to the frequency terminology used hereafter:

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).

Cardiac disorders

Very common: bradycardia in patients with chronic heart failure

Common: worsening of pre-existing heart failure in patients with chronic heart failure

Uncommon: AV-conduction disturbances

Very rare: chest pain

Investigations

Rare: increased triglycerides, increased liver enzymes (ALAT, ASAT)

Nervous system disorders:

Common: dizziness, headache

Rare: syncope

Eye disorders:

Rare: reduced tear flow (to be considered if the patient uses lenses)

Very rare: conjunctivitis

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Rare: hearing disorders

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon: bronchospasm in patients with bronchial asthma or a history of obstructive airways disease.

Rare: allergic rhinitis

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common: gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rare: hypersensitivity reactions (itching, flush, rash)

Very rare: beta-blocking agents may provoke or worsen psoriasis or induce psoriasis-like rash, alopecia

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Uncommon: muscular weakness and cramps

Vascular disorders

Common: feeling of coldness or numbness in the extremities, hypotension (especially in patients with heart failure)

Uncommon: orthostatic hypotension

General disorders

Common: asthenia, fatigue

Hepatobiliary disorders

Rare: hepatitis.

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Rare: potency disorders

Psychiatric disorders

Uncommon: sleep disorders, depression

Rare: nightmares, hallucinations

With overdose (e.g. daily dose of 15 mg instead of 7.5 mg) third degree AV-block, bradycardia, and dizziness have been reported. In general the most common signs expected with overdose of a beta-blocking agent are bradycardia, hypotension, bronchospasm, acute cardiac insufficiency and hypoglycaemia. To date a few cases of overdose (maximum: 2000 mg) with bisoprolol have been reported in patients suffering from hypertension and/or coronary heart disease showing bradycardia and/or hypotension; all patients recovered. There is a wide interindividual variation in sensitivity to one single high dose of bisoprolol and patients with heart failure are probably very sensitive. Therefore it is mandatory to initiate the treatment of these patients with a gradual uptitration according to the scheme given in section 4.2.

If overdose occurs, bisoprolol treatment should be stopped and supportive and symptomatic treatment should be provided. Limited data suggest that bisoprolol is hardly dialysable. Based on the expected pharmacologic actions and recommendations for other beta-blocking agents, the following general measures should be considered when clinically warranted.

Bradycardia: Administer intravenous atropine. If the response is inadequate, isoprenaline or another agent with positive chronotropic properties may be given cautiously. Under some circumstances, transvenous pacemaker insertion may be necessary.

Hypotension: Intravenous fluids and vasopressors should be administered. Intravenous glucagon may be useful.

AV block (second or third degree): Patients should be carefully monitored and treated with isoprenaline infusion or transvenous cardiac pacemaker insertion.

Acute worsening of heart failure: Administer i.v. diuretics, inotropic agents, vasodilating agents.

Bronchospasm: Administer bronchodilator therapy such as isoprenaline, beta₂-sympathomimetic medicinal products and/or aminophylline.

Hypoglycaemia: Administer i.v. glucose.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Beta blocking agents, selective. ATC Code: C07AB07

Bisoprolol is a highly beta₁-selective-adrenoceptor blocking agent, lacking intrinsic sympathomimetic and relevant membrane stabilising activity. It only shows low affinity to the beta₂-receptor of the smooth muscles of bronchi and vessels as well as to the beta₂-receptors concerned with metabolic regulation. Therefore, bisoprolol is generally not to be expected to influence the airway resistance and beta₂-mediated metabolic effects. Its beta₁-selectivity extends beyond the therapeutic dose range.

Bisoprolol is used for the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris and heart failure. As with other Beta-1-blocking agents, the method of acting in hypertension is unclear. However, it is known that Bisoprolol reduces plasma renin activity markedly.

Antianginal mechanism: Bisoprolol by inhibiting the cardiac beta receptors inhibits the response given to sympathetic activation. That results in the decrease of heart rate and contractility this way decreasing the oxygen demand of the cardiac muscle.

The indication heart failure was investigated in the CIBIS II trial. In total 2647 patients were included, 83% (N = 2202) were in NYHA class III and 17% (N = 445) were in NYHA class IV. They had stable symptomatic systolic heart failure (ejection fraction <35%, based on echocardiography). Total mortality was reduced from 17.3% to 11.8% (relative reduction 34%). A decrease in sudden death (3.6% vs 6.3%, relative reduction 44%) and a reduced number of heart failure episodes requiring hospital admission (12% vs 17.6%, relative reduction 36%) was observed. Finally, a significant improvement of the functional status according to NYHA classification has been shown. During the initiation and titration of bisoprolol hospital admission due to bradycardia (0.53%), hypotension (0.23%), and acute decompensation (4.97%) were observed, but they were not more frequent than in the placebo-group (0%, 0.3% and 6.74%). The numbers of fatal and disabling strokes during the total study period were 20 in the bisoprolol group and 15 in the placebo group.

The CIBIS III trial investigated 1010 patients aged 65 years with mild to moderate chronic heart failure (CHF; NYHA class II or III) and left ventricular ejection fraction 35%, who had not been treated previously with ACE inhibitors, beta-blocking agents, or angiotensin receptor blockers. Patients were treated with a combination of bisoprolol and enalapril for 6 to 24 months after an initial 6 months treatment with either bisoprolol or enalapril.

There was a trend toward higher frequency of chronic heart failure worsening when bisoprolol was used as the initial 6 months treatment. Non inferiority of bisoprolol-first versus enalapril-first treatment was not proven in the per-protocol analysis, although the two strategies for initiation of CHF treatment showed a similar rate of the primary combined endpoint death and hospitalization at study end (32.4% in the bisoprolol-first group vs. 33.1 % in the enalapril-first group, per-protocol population). The study shows that bisoprolol can also be used in elderly chronic heart failure patients with mild to moderate disease.

In acute administration in patients with coronary heart disease without chronic heart failure bisoprolol reduces the heart rate and stroke volume and thus the cardiac output and oxygen consumption. In chronic administration the initially elevated peripheral resistance decreases.

Bisoprolol is absorbed and has a biological availability of about 90% after oral administration. The plasma protein binding of bisoprolol is about 30%. The distribution volume is 3.5 l/kg. Total clearance is approximately 15 l/h. The half-life in plasma of 10-12 hours gives a 24 hour effect after dosing once daily.

Bisoprolol is excreted from the body by two routes. 50% is metabolised by the liver to inactive metabolites which are then excreted by the kidneys. The remaining 50% is excreted by the kidneys in an unmetabolised form. Since the elimination takes place in the kidneys and the liver to the same extent a dosage adjustment is not required for patients with impaired liver function or renal insufficiency. The pharmacokinetics in patients with stable chronic heart failure and with impaired liver or renal function has not been studied.

The kinetics of bisoprolol are linear and independent of age.

In patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA stage III) the plasma levels of bisoprolol are higher and the half-life is prolonged compared to healthy volunteers. Maximum plasma concentration at steady state is 64+21 ng/ml at a daily dose of 10 mg and the half-life is 17+5 hours.

Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity or carcinogenicity. Like other beta-blocking agents, bisoprolol caused maternal (decreased food intake and decreased body weight) and embryo/fetal toxicity (increased incidence of resorptions, reduced birth weight of the offspring, retarded physical development) at high doses but was not teratogenic.

calcium hydrogen phosphate, anhydrous

cellulose, microcrystalline

maize starch, pregelatinised

croscarmellose sodium

silica, colloidal anhydrous

magnesium stearate

lactose monohydrate

hypromellose

macrogol 4000

titanium dioxide (E171)

iron oxide, yellow (E172)

Not applicable.

Blister:

5 years

HDPE bottles:

1 year

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Blister, which is made of an aluminium bottom and cover foil (OPA-Al-PVC/Al)..

Pack sizes: 7, 10, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 90, 98, 100, 10x30 film-coated tablets

HDPE bottles containing 10,20,30,50,60,100,250,500 film-coated tablets.

<Not all pack sizes may be marketed.>

The film-coated tablet can be divided by placing it on a solid surface with the score pointing upward. The film-coated tablet is divided by exerting a slight pressure with the thumb.

No special requirements.

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

Sandoz Limited

Frimley Business Park,

Frimley,

Camberley,

Surrey,

GU16 7SR.

United Kingdom

PL 04416/0927

20/01/2009

09/2011