Ebetrex 20 mg/ml solution for injection, pre-filled syringe

1 ml solution for injection contains 20 mg methotrexate (as 21.94mg methotrexate disodium).

The medicinal product contains 4.13 mg/ml sodium (0.18mmol/ml sodium).

1 pre-filled syringe of 0.375 ml solution for injection contains 7.5 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled syringe of 0.5 ml solution for injection contains 10 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled syringe of 0.625 ml solution for injection contains 12.5 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled syringe of 0.75 ml solution for injection contains 15 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled syringe of 0.875 ml solution for injection contains 17.5 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled syringe of 1 ml solution for injection contains 20 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled syringe of 1.125 ml solution for injection contains 22.5 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled syringe of 1.25 ml solution for injection contains 25 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled syringe of 1.375 ml solution for injection contains 27.5 mg methotrexate.

1 pre-filled syringe of 1.5 ml solution for injection contains 30 mg methotrexate.

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Solution for injection, pre-filled syringe

Clear, yellowish solution for injection.

- Active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients

- Polyarthritic forms of severe, active juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) when the response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been inadequate.

- Severe recalcitrant disabling psoriasis, which is not adequately responsive to other forms of therapy such as phototherapy, PUVA, and retinoids, and severe psoriatic arthritis in adult patients.

-

Ebetrex should only be prescribed by physicians with experience in the various properties of the medicinal product and its mode of action. Ebetrex is injected once weekly.

It must be explicitly pointed out to the patient that Ebetrex is applied only once a week.

It is recommended to specify a certain day of the week as “day for injection”.

Dose in patients with rheumatoid arthritis:

The recommended initial dose is 7.5 mg of methotrexate once weekly, administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously. Depending on the individual activity of disease and patient tolerability, the initial dose may be increased. A weekly dose of 25 mg should in general not be exceeded. However, doses exceeding 20 mg/week can be associated with significant increase in toxicity, especially bone marrow suppression. Response to treatment can be expected after approximately 4 - 8 weeks. Once the desired therapeutic result has been achieved, dose should be reduced gradually to the lowest possible effective maintenance dose.

Dose in children and adolescents below 16 years with polyarthritic forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis

The recommended dose is 10-15 mg/m² body surface area (BSA)/week. In therapy-refractory cases the weekly dose may be increased up to 20mg/m² body surface area/week. However, an increased monitoring frequency is indicated if the dose is increased.

Due to limited data availability about intravenous use in children and adolescents, parenteral administration is limited to subcutaneous and intramuscular injection.

Patients with JIA should always be referred to a rheumatology unit specializing in the treatment of children/adolescents.

Use in children < 3 years of age is not recommended as insufficient data on efficacy and safety are available for this population. (see section 4.4)

Dose in patients with severe forms of psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis:

It is recommended that a test dose of 5 - 10 mg be parenterally administered one week prior to initiation of therapy, in order to detect idiosyncratic adverse effects. The recommended initial dose is 7.5 mg methotrexate once weekly, administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously. The dose is to be increased gradually but should not, in general, exceed a weekly dose of 25 mg of methotrexate. Doses exceeding 20 mg per week can be associated with significant increase in toxicity, especially bone marrow suppression. Response to treatment can generally be expected after approximately 2 – 6 weeks. Once the desired therapeutic result has been achieved, dose should be reduced gradually to the lowest possible effective maintenance dose.

The dose should be increased as necessary but should in general not exceed the maximum recommended weekly dose of 25 mg. In a few exceptional cases a higher dose might be clinically justified, but should not exceed a maximum weekly dose of 30 mg of methotrexate as toxicity will markedly increase.

Renal impairment and Hepatic impairment:

Ebetrex should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal function. Dose should be adjusted as follows:

% of dose that should be administered

Creatinine clearance (ml/min)

Methotrexate should be administered with great caution, if at all, to patients with significant current or previous liver disease, especially when caused by alcohol. Methotrexate is contraindicated if bilirubin values are >5 mg/dl (85.5 µmol/L) see Section 4.3.

Elderly

Dose reduction should be considered in elderly patients due to reduced liver and kidney function as well as lower folate reserves which occurs with increased age.

Use in patient with a third distribution space (pleural effusions, ascitis):

As the half-life of Methotrexate can be prolonged to 4 times the normal length in patients who possess a third distribution space dose reduction or, in some cases, discontinuation of methotrexate administration may be required (see section 5.2 and 4.4).

Duration and method of administration:

The medicinal product is for single use only.

Ebetrex solution for injection can be injected via the intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous route (in children and adolescents only subcutaneous or intramuscular).

In adults, intravenous administration should be given as a bolus injection.

Please also refer to section 6.6.

The overall duration of treatment is decided by the doctor.

The solution is to be visually inspected prior to use.

Only clear solutions practically free from particles should be used.

Any contact of methotrexate with skin and mucosa is to be avoided! In case of contamination, the affected parts are to be rinsed immediately with plenty of water! See section 6.6.

Ebetrex treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, severe psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis represents long-term treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be expected after 4-8 weeks. Symptoms may return after treatment discontinuation.

Severe forms of psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis

Response to treatment can generally be expected after 2-6 weeks. Depending on the clinical picture and the changes of laboratory parameters, the therapy is then continued or discontinued.

Note:

When switching from oral use to parenteral use, a reduction in the dose may be required, due to the variable bioavailability of methotrexate after oral administration.

Folic acid or folinic acid supplementation may be considered in accordance with current therapeutic guidelines.

Ebetrex is contraindicated in:

- hypersensitivity to methotrexate or to any of the excipients,

- severe hepatic impairment, if serum if bilirubin is > 5 mg/dl (85.5 µmol/l) (see also section 4.2),

- alcohol abuse,

- severe renal impaiarment (creatinine clearance less than< 20 ml/min, or serum creatinine values above 2 mg/dl (precise value in mmol/l) see also sections 4.2 and 4.4),

- pre-existing blood dyscrasias, such as bone marrow hypoplasia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia or significant anaemia,

− Immunodeficiency,

- serious, acute or chronic infections such as tuberculosis and HIV,

- stomatitis, ulcers of the oral cavity and known active gastrointestinal ulcer disease,

− pregnancy, breast-feeding (see also section 4.6),

− concurrent vaccination with live vaccines.

Patients must be clearly advised that the therapy is to be administered once a week, and not every day.

Incorrect intake of methotrexate can lead to severe, including potentially lethal, side effects. Health personal and patients should be clearly instructed.

Patients receiving therapy should be appropriately monitored, so that signs of possible toxic effects or adverse reactions can be recognised and assessed without delay. Hence, methotrexate should be only administered by - or under the supervision of - doctors whose knowledge and experience include the use of antimetabolite therapy.

Due to the risk of severe or even fatal toxic reactions, the patients should be thoroughly informed by the doctor about the risks (including early signs and symptoms of toxicity) and recommended safety measures. They are to be informed about the necessity to immediately consult the physician if symptoms of intoxication occur as well as about the subsequent necessary monitoring of symptoms of intoxication (including regular laboratory tests).

Doses exceeding 20 mg/week can be associated with significant increase in toxicity, especially bone marrow suppression.

Methotrexate has been reported to cause impairment of fertility, oligospermia, menstrual dysfunction and amenorrhoea in humans, during and for a short period after cessation of therapy. In addition, methotrexate causes embryotoxicity, abortion and foetal defects in humans. Therefore the possible risks of effects on reproduction should be discussed with male and female patients of childbearing potential (see section 4.6).

Men treated with methotrexate are recommended not to father a child during treatment and at least 6 months thereafter. Since treatment with methotrexate can lead to severe and possibly irreversible disorders in spermatogenesis, men should seek advice about the possibility of sperm preservation before starting therapy.

Skin and mucosal contacts with methotrexate are to be avoided. In the case of contamination, the parts concerned should be rinsed with plenty of water.

Recommended examinations and safety measures:

Before initiating therapy or upon resuming therapy after a rest period:

Complete blood count with differential blood count and platelets, liver enzymes, bilirubin, serum albumin, chest X-ray and renal function tests. If clinically indicated, exclude tuberculosis and hepatitis.

During therapy (in the first two weeks weekly, then every two weeks for the next month; afterwards, depending on leukocyte count and stability of the patient at least once monthly during the next six months and at least every three months thereafter):

Increased monitoring frequency should also be considered when increasing the dose. Particularly elderly patients should be examined for early signs of toxicity in short intervals.

1. Examination of the oral cavity and throat for mucosal changes.

2. Complete blood count with differential blood count and platelets.

Haematopoietic suppression induced by methotrexate may occur abruptly and at apparently safe doses. In the event of any significant drop in leukocytes or platelets, treatment must be discontinued immediately and appropriate supportive therapy instituted. Patients must be instructed to report all signs and symptoms suggestive of infection. In patients concomitantly taking haematotoxic medications (e.g. leflunomide), the blood count and platelets should be closely monitored.

During longer-term therapy with methotrexate bone marrow biopsies are to be performed.

Liver function tests:

Particular attention should be paid to the onset of liver toxicity. Treatment should not be initiated or should be discontinued if there are any abnormalities in liver function tests or liver biopsies, or if these develop during therapy. Such abnormalities should return to normal within two weeks; after which, treatment may be resumed at the discretion of the doctor.

Temporary increases in transaminases to twice or three times of the upper limit of normal have been reported by patients at a frequency of 13 – 20 %. Persistent anomalies of liver-related enzymes and/or decrease in serum albumin may be indicative for severe hepatotoxicity.

Enzyme diagnostics does not allow any reliable prediction of the development of a morphologically detectable hepatotoxicity, i.e. even in case of normal transaminases, hepatic fibrosis only histologically identifiable or, more rarely, also hepatocirrhosis may be present.

In rheumatological indications, there is no evidence to support use of liver biopsies in monitoring hepatotoxicity. For psoriasis patients the need of a liver biopsy prior to and during therapy is controversial. Further research is needed to establish whether serial liver chemistry tests or propeptide of type III collagen can detect hepatotoxicity sufficiently.This assessment should differentiate between patients without any risk factors and patients with risk factors, e.g. excessive prior alcohol consumption, persistent elevation of liver enzymes, history of liver disease, family history of hereditary liver disorders, diabetes mellitus, obesity and previous contact with hepatotoxic drugs or chemicals and prolonged methotrexate treatment or cumulative doses of 1.5 g or more.

In the event of a constant increase in liver-related enzymes, consideration should be given to reducing the dose or discontinuing therapy.

Due to the potentially toxic effect on the liver, additional hepatotoxic medications should not be given during treatment with methotrexate unless clearly necessary and alcohol consumption should be avoided or greatly reduced (see section 4.5). Closer monitoring of liver enzymes should be undertaken in patients concomitantly taking other hepatotoxic medications (e.g. leflunomide). The same should also be taken into consideration if haematotoxic medications are co-administered.

Increased caution should generally be exercised in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, as during methotrexate therapy hepatocirrhosis developed in isolated cases without intermittent increase in transaminases.

3. Renal function should be monitored via renal function tests and urinalysis.

If serum creatinine is increased, the dose should be reduced. In serum creatinine values above 2 mg/dl, no treatment with methotrexate should be done.

As methotrexate is predominantly excreted via the renal route, increased concentrations can be expected in cases of renal impairment, which may result in severe adverse reactions.

In cases of possible renal impairment (e.g. in elderly patients), closer monitoring is required. This particularly applies to the co-administration of medicinal products which affect methotrexate excretion, cause kidney damage (e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or which can potentially lead to haematopoietic disorders. In the presence of risk factors, such as – even borderline – impaired renal function, concomitant administration of non-steroidal antiphlogistics is not recommended. Dehydration may also potentiate the toxicity of methotrexate.

4. Respiratory system: Questioning the patient with regard to possible pulmonary dysfunctions, if necessary lung function test.

Acute or chronic interstitial pneumonitis, often associated with blood eosinophilia, may occur and deaths have been reported. Symptoms typically include dyspnoea, cough (especially a dry non-productive cough), thoracic pain and fever for which patients should be monitored at each follow-up visit. Patients should be informed of the risk of pneumonitis and advised to contact their doctor immediately should they develop persistent cough or dyspnoea.

Methotrexate should be withdrawn from patients with pulmonary symptoms and a thorough investigation (including chest x-ray) should be made to exclude infection and tumours. If methotrexate induced lung disease is suspected treatment with corticosteroids should be initiated and treatment with methotrexate should not be restarted.

Pulmonary diseases induced by methotrexate were not always completely reversible

Pulmonary symptoms require a quick diagnosis and discontinuation of methotrexate therapy. Pulmonary diseases induced by methotrexate, like pneumonitis, can occur acutely at any time of therapy, were not always completely reversible and have been reported already at all doses (inclusive low doses of 7.5 mg/week).

During methotrexate therapy, opportunistic infection can occur including pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which may take a lethal course. If a patient presents with pulmonary symptoms, the possibility of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia should be taken into account.

Special caution is required in patients with impaired pulmonary function.

Particular caution should be exercised in the presence of inactive, chronic infections (e.g. herpes zoster, tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C), due to possible activation.

5. Methotrexate may, due to its effect on the immune system, impair the response to vaccinations and interfere with the result of immunological tests.

Concurrent vaccination using live vaccines must not be carried out.

6. Malignant lymphomas may occur in patients receiving low-dose methotrexate; in which case, methotrexate must be discontinued. If lymphomas should fail to regress spontaneously, initiation of cytotoxic therapy is required.

In patients with pathological accumulation of liquid in body cavities (“third space”), such as ascites or pleural effusions, the plasma elimination half-life of methotrexate is prolonged.

Pleural effusions and ascites should be drained prior to initiation of methotrexate treatment.

Conditions leading to dehydration such as emesis, diarrhoea, stomatitis, can increase the toxicity of methotrexate due to elevated agent levels. In these cases use of methotrexate should be interrupted until the symptoms cease

It is important to identify patients with possibly elevated methotrexate levels within 48 hours after therapy, as otherwise methotrexate toxicity may be irreversible.

Diarrhoea and ulcerative stomatitis can be toxic effects and require interruption of therapy, otherwise haemorrhagic enteritis and death from intestinal perforation may occur.

If haematemesis, black discoloration of the stool or blood in stool occur, therapy is to be interrupted.

Vitamin preparations or other products containing folic acid, folinic acid or their derivatives may decrease the effectiveness of methotrexate.

7. Use in children < 3 years of age is not recommended as insufficient data on efficacy and safety are available for this population. (see section 4.2).

Radiation induced dermatitis and sun-burn can reappear under methotrexate therapy (recall-reaction). Psoriatic lesions can exacerbate during UV-irradiation and simultaneous administration of methotrexate.

This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per dose and is i.e. essentially „sodium-free“.

The absence of pregnancy should be confirmed before Ebetrex is administered. Methotrexate causes embryotoxicity, abortion and foetal defects in humans. Methotrexate affects spermatogenesis and oogenesis during the period of its administration which may result in decreased fertility. These effects appear to be reversible on discontinuing therapy. Effective contraception in men and women should be performed during treatment and for at least six months thereafter. The possible risks of effects on reproduction should be discussed with patients of childbearing potential and their partners should be advised appropriately (see section 4.6).

In animal experiments non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including salicylic acid caused reduction of tubular methotrexate secretion and consequently increased its toxic effects. However, in clinical studies, where NSAIDs and salicylic acid were given as concomitant medication to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, no increase of adverse reactions was observed. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with such drugs can be continued during low-dose methotrexate therapy but only under close medical supervision.

Regular alcohol consumption and administration of additional hepatotoxic medicinal products increase the probability of hepatotoxic effects of methotrexate.

Patients taking potentially hepatotoxic and haematoxic medicinal products during methotrexate therapy (e.g. leflunomide, azathioprine, sulphasalazine, and retinoids) should be closely monitored for possibly increased hepatotoxicity. Alcohol consumption should be avoided during treatment with Ebetrex.

Administration of additional haematotoxic medicinal products (e.g. metamizole) increase the probability of severe haematoxic effects of methotrexate.

Be aware of pharmacokinetic interactions between methotrexate, anticonvulsant drugs (reduced methotrexate blood levels), and 5- fluorouracil (increased t½ of 5-fluorouracil).

Salicylates, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, barbiturates, tranquillisers, oral contraceptives, tetracyclines, amidopyrine derivatives, sulfonamides and p-aminobenzoic acid displace methotrexate from serum albumin binding and thus increase bioavailability (indirect dose increase).

Probenecid and mild organic acids may also reduce tubular methotrexate secretion, and thus cause indirect dose elevations, too.

Antibiotics, like penicillines, glycopeptides, sulfonamides, ciprofloxacin and cefalotin can, in individual cases, reduce the renal clearance of methotrexate, so that increased serum concentrations of methotrexate with simultaneous haematological and gastro-intestinal toxicity may occur.

Oral antibiotics such as tetracyclines, chloramphenicol and non-absorbable broad-spectrum antibiotics may reduce intestinal methotrexate absorption or interfere with the enterohepatic circulation, due to inhibition of the intestinal flora or suppression of bacterial metabolism.

Under (pre-)treatment with substances that may have adverse effects on the bone marrow (e.g. sulphonamides, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, pyrimethamine), the possibility of marked haematopoietic disorders should be considered.

Co-administration of medications which cause folate deficiency (e.g. sulphonamides, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole) can lead to increased methotrexate toxicity. Particular caution should therefore also be exercised in the presence of existing folic acid deficiency.

On the other hand, concomitant administration of folinic acid containing drugs or of vitamin preparations, which contain folic acid or derivatives, may impair methotrexate efficacy.

A rise in the toxicity of methotrexate is generally not anticipated when Ebetrex is used concomitantly with other antirheumatic agents (e.g. gold compounds, penicillamine, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, azathioprine, cyclosporin).

Though the combination of methotrexate and sulfasalazine may enhance methotrexate efficacy by sulfasalazine related inhibition of folic acid synthesis, and thus may lead to an increased risk of side effects, these were only observed in single patients within several trials.

Co-administration of proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole or pantoprazole can lead to interactions: Concomitant administration of methotrexate and omeprazole has led to a delay in the renal elimination of methotrexate. In combination with pantoprazole, inhibited renal elimination of the 7-hydroxymethotrexate metabolite, with myalgia and shivering, was reported in one case.

Methotrexate may reduce theophylline clearance. Therefore, theophylline blood levels should be monitored under concomitant methotrexate administration.

Excessive consumption of beverages containing caffeine or theophylline (coffee, soft drinks containing caffeine, black tea) should be avoided during methotrexate therapy since the efficacy of methotrexate may be reduced due to possible interaction between methotrexate and methylxanthines at adenosine receptors.

The combined use of methotrexate and leflunomide may increase the risk for pancytopenia. Methotrexate leads to increased plasma levels of mercaptopurines. Therefore, the combination of these may require dose adjustment.

Particularly in the case of orthopaedic surgery where susceptibility to infection is high, a combination of methotrexate with immune-modulating agents must be used with caution.

Anaesthetics on nitric oxide base potentiate the effect of methotrexate on the folic acid metabolism and lead to severe unpredictable myelosuppression and stomatitis. This can be reduced by administering calcium folinate.

Colestyramine can increase the non-renal elimination of methotrexate by interrupting the enterohepatic circulation.

Delayed methotrexate clearance should be considered in combination with other cytostatic agents.

Radiotherapy during use of methotrexate can increase the risk of soft tissue or bone necrosis

On account of its possible effect on the immune system, methotrexate can falsify vaccinal and test results (immunological procedures to record the immune reaction). During methotrexate therapy concurrent vaccination with live vaccines must not be carried out (see section 4.3 and 4.4).

Ebetrex is contraindicated during pregnancy (see section 4.3). In animal studies, methotrexate has shown reproductive toxicity, especially during the first trimester (see section 5.3). Methotrexate has been shown to have a teratogenic effect in humans; it has been reported to cause foetal death and/or congenital abnormalities. Exposure of a limited number of pregnant women (42) resulted in an increased incidence (1:14) of malformations (cranial, cardiovascular and extremity-related). When methotrexate was discontinued prior to conception, normal pregnancies have been reported. In women of child-bearing age, any existing pregnancy must be excluded with certainty by taking appropriate measures, e.g. a pregnancy test, prior to initiating therapy. Women must not get pregnant during methotrexate therapy and patients of a sexually mature age (women and men) must use effective contraception during treatment with Ebetrex and at least 6 months thereafter (see section 4.4). If, nevertheless, pregnancy occurs during this period, medical advice should be given regarding the risk of harmful effects on the child associated with treatment.

As methotrexate can be genotoxic, all women who wish to become pregnant are advised to consult a genetic councelling centre, if possible, already prior to therapy, and men should seek advice about the possibility of sperm preservation before starting therapy.

Lactation: As methotrexate passes into breast milk and may cause toxicity in nursing infants, treatment is contraindicated during the lactation period (see section 4.3). If use during the lactation period should become necessary, breast-feeding is to be stopped prior to treatment.

CNS symptoms, such as fatigue and confusion, can occur during treatment. Ebetrex has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Occurrence and severity of undesirable effects depend on dose level and frequency of Ebetrex administration. However, as severe adverse reactions may occur even at lower doses, it is indispensable that the doctor monitors patients regularly at short intervals.

Most undesirable effects are reversible if recognised early. If such adverse reactions occur, dose should be reduced or therapy be interrupted and appropriate countermeasures should be taken (see section 4.9). Methotrexate therapy should only be resumed with caution, under close assessment of the necessity for treatment and with increased alertness for possible reoccurrence of toxicity.

Frequencies in this table are defined using the following convention:

very common ( 1/10) common ( 1/100 < 1/10), uncommon ( 1/1,000 < 1/100), rare ( 1/10,000 < 1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000) , not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Further details are given in the following table. Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness

The following adverse reactions may occur:

The appearance and degree of severity of undesirable effects depends on the dosage level and the frequency of administration. However, as severe undesirable effects can occur even at lower doses, it is indispensable that patients are monitored regularly by the doctor at short intervals.

When methotrexate is given by the intramuscular route, local undesirable effects (burning sensation) or damage (formation of sterile abscess, destruction of fatty tissue) at the site of injection can occur commonly. Subcutaneous application of methotrexate is locally well tolerated. Only mild local skin reactions were observed, decreasing during therapy.

a) Symptoms of overdose

The adverse toxic effects of methotrexate mainly affect the haematopoietic and gastrointestinal system.

Symptoms include leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, pancytopenia, neutropenia, bone marrow depression, mucositis, stomatitis, oral ulceration, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding. Some patients showed no signs of overdose.

There are reports of death due to sepsis, septic shock, renal failure and aplastic anaemia.

b) Treatment of overdose

Calcium folinate is the specific antidote for neutralising the adverse toxic effects of methotrexate.

In the event of accidental overdose, a dose of calcium folinate equal to or higher than the offending dose of methotrexate should be administered intravenously or intramuscularly within 1 hour, and dosing continued until serum levels of methotrexate are below 10^-7 mol/L.

In the event of a massive overdose, hydration and urinary alkalisation may be required to prevent precipitation of methotrexate and/or its metabolites within the renal tubules. Neither haemodialysis nor peritoneal dialysis has been shown to improve methotrexate elimination. Effective methotrexate clearance has been reported with acute, intermittent haemodialysis using a high-flux dialyser.

In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriasis arthritis or psoriasis vulgaris, administration of folic or folinic acid may reduce methotrexate toxicity (gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammation of oral mucosa, hair loss and increase of liver enzymes), see section 4.5. Prior to using folic acid products, monitoring of vitamin B₁₂ levels is recommended, since folic acid may mask an existing vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, particularly in adults over 50 years of age.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antineoplastic Agents; Antimentabolites Folic acid analogues. ATC-code: L01BA01

Methotrexate is a folic acid antagonist which belongs to the class of cytotoxic agents known as antimetabolites. It acts by the competitive inhibition of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase and thus inhibits DNA synthesis. It has not yet been clarified, as to whether the efficacy of methotrexate, in the management of psoriasis, psoriasis arthritis and chronic polyarthritis, is due to an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive effect and to which extent a methotrexate-induced increase in extracellular adenosine concentration at inflamed sites contributes to these effects.

After oral application, methotrexate is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. When administered in low doses (7.5mg/m² to 80mg/m² body surface area), methotrexate has a mean bioavailability of approximately 70%, although considerable inter- and intra-subject variations are possible (25-100%). Plasma peak concentrations are attained within 1-2 hours. Subcutaneous, intravenous and intramuscular administration demonstrated similar bioavailability. Approximately 50% of methotrexate is bound to serum proteins. Upon being distributed into body tissues, high concentrations particularly in liver, kidneys and spleen in form of polyglutamates can be found, which can be retained for weeks or months. When administered in small doses, methotrexate passes into the liquor in minimal amounts; under high doses (300mg/kg body weight), concentrations between 4 and 7 μg/ml have been measured in the liquor. Average terminal half-life is 6-7 hours and demonstrates considerable variation (3-17 hours). Half-life may be prolonged to 4 times the normal length in patients with third spaces (pleural effusion, ascites). Approximately 10% of the administered methotrexate is metabolised intrahepatically. The major metabolite is 7-hydroxymethotrexate.

Excretion takes place, mainly in unchanged form, primarily renal via glomerular filtration and active secretion in the proximal tubulus. Approx. 5-20% of methotrexate and 1-5% of 7-hydroxymethotrexate are eliminated via the bile. Pronounced enterohepatic blood flow exists.

In case of renal insufficiency, elimination is delayed significantly. Impaired elimination in presence of hepatic insufficiency is not known.

Methotrexate passes the placental barrier in rats and monkeys.

Chronic toxicity

Chronic toxicity studies in mice, rats and dogs showed toxic effects in the form of gastrointestinal lesions, myelosuppression and hepatotoxicity.

Mutagenic and carcinogenic potential

Long-term studies in rats, mice and hamsters did not show any evidence of a tumorigenic potential of methotrexate..Methotrexate induces gene and chromosome mutations both in vitro and in vivo. A mutagenic effect is suspected in humans.

Reproductive toxicology

Teratogenic effects have been identified in four species (rats, mice, rabbits, cats). In rhesus monkeys, no malformations comparable to humans occurred.

Sodium chloride

Sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment

Water for injections

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

2 years.

The product has to be used immediately after opening. See section 6.6.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

Do not store above 25°C

Ebetrex is available in pre-filled syringes with a capacity of 1.25ml (for filling volumes of 0.375 ml, 0.5 ml, 0.625ml, 0.75 ml and 0.875 ml), 2.25 ml(for filling volumes of 1 ml, 1.125ml, 1.25 ml and 1.375 ml) and 3.0 ml (for filling volumes of 1.5 ml) of colourless glass (type I according Ph.Eur), an elastomeric tip cap and an elastomeric plunger stopper.

Each box contains 1, 4, 5, 6, 12 or 30 pre-filled syringes with 0.375ml, 0.5ml, 0.625ml, 0.75ml, 0.875ml, 1ml, 1.125ml, 1.25ml, 1.375ml and 1.5ml solution for injection, single-use injection needles and alcohol pads.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Handling and disposal must be consistent with that of other cytotoxic preparations in accordance with local requirements. Pregnant health care personnel should not handle and/or administer Ebetrex.

For single use only. Any unused solution should be discarded.

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

Ebewe Pharma Ges.m.b.H Nfg.KG

Mondseestraße 11, 4866 Unterach

Austria

PL 14510/0043

29/04/2009

02/2012