Quinsair 240 mg nebuliser solution

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

1. What Quinsair is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Quinsair
3. How to use Quinsair
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Quinsair
6. Contents of the pack and other information

• if you are allergic to levofloxacin, to any other quinolone antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin, or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• if you have ever had a problem with your tendons (inflammation of a tendon or a ruptured tendon) during treatment with a quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotic
• if you suffer from epilepsy
• if you are pregnant or breast-feeding

Before taking this medicine

You should not take fluoroquinolone/quinolone antibacterial medicines, including Quinsair, if you have experienced any serious adverse reaction in the past when taking a quinolone or fluoroquinolone. In this situation, you should inform your doctor as soon as possible.

When taking this medicine

Pain and swelling in the joints and inflammation or rupture of tendons may occur rarely. Your risk is increased if you are elderly (above 60 years of age), have received an organ transplant, have kidney problems or if you are being treated with corticosteroids. Inflammation and ruptures of tendons may occur within the first 48 hours of treatment and even up to several months after stopping of Quinsair therapy. At the first sign of pain or inflammation of a tendon (for example in your ankle, wrist, elbow, shoulder or knee), stop taking Quinsair, contact your doctor and rest the painful area. Avoid any unnecessary exercise as this might increase the risk of a tendon rupture.

Tell your doctor before using Quinsair if you have or have ever had any of the following:

• A severe allergic reaction. Symptoms are listed in section 4.
• Prolonged, disabling and potentially irreversible serious side effects
  Fluoroquinolone/quinolone antibacterial medicines, including Quinsair, have been associated with rare but serious side effects, some of them being long lasting (continuing for months or years), disabling or potentially irreversible. This includes tendon, muscle and joint pain of the upper and lower limbs, difficulty in walking, abnormal sensations such as pins and needles, tingling, tickling, numbness or burning (paraesthesia), sensory disorders including impairment of vision, taste and smell, and hearing, mental health effects which may include, but are not necessarily limited to, anxiety, panic attacks, confusion, or depression, memory impairment, severe fatigue, and severe sleep disorders. There are no medicines that have been established as being effective treatments for the symptoms of long lasting or disabling side effects associated with fluoroquinolones.
  If you experience any of these side effects after taking Quinsair, then do not take any further doses and contact your doctor immediately. You and your doctor will decide on whether to continue treatment, considering alternative options.
• Depression or mental health problems.
  You may experience psychiatric reactions when taking Quinsair, including when taking it for the first time. If you suffer from depression or psychosis, your symptoms may become worse under treatment with Quinsair. In rare cases, depression or psychosis can progress to thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts. If this happens, stop taking Quinsair and contact your doctor immediately. You may not notice some changes in your mood and behaviour so it is very important to tell your friends and family that you are taking Quinsair, and that there may be rare psychiatric side effects. Others may notice changes and help you quickly identify any symptoms that you need to talk to your doctor about.
• Severe kidney problems.
• Severe skin reactions
  If you are treated with Quinsair, you may have a severe skin reaction such as blistering or lesions. Tell your doctor if you notice any skin reactions after using Quinsair.
• Liver problems. Symptoms are listed in section 4.
• Heart rhythm abnormalities
  Quinsair can cause changes to your heart rhythm, especially if you are taking any medicines to treat heart problems or low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood. Women who take these types of medicines may be more likely to be affected. If you experience palpitations or an irregular heart beat whilst using Quinsair you should tell your doctor immediately.
• Seizures and convulsions
  Quinolone antibiotics, including Quinsair, may cause seizures or convulsions (fits). If this happens, stop using Quinsair and contact your doctor immediately.
• Nerve damage
  You may rarely experience symptoms of nerve damage (neuropathy) such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness especially in the feet and legs or hands and arms. If this happens, stop taking Quinsair and inform your doctor immediately in order to prevent the development of this potentially irreversible condition.
• A disease causing muscle weakness and fatigue called myasthenia gravis.
• Inflammation of a tendon causing pain, stiffness and/or swelling in the joints (tendonitis).
• If you have experienced difficulty in breathing after receiving Quinsair which can range from mild to severe (bronchospasm).
• Coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus from the airways.
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogensae deficiency
  Quinolone antibiotics, such as Quinsair, can cause patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (a rare hereditary disease) to be prone to blood complications leading to a sudden rise in body temperature, yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, dark coloured urine, paleness, tiredness, heavy, fast breathing and a weak, rapid pulse. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about this.
• Diabetes
  Quinolone antibiotics, including Quinsair, may cause levels of glucose in the blood to be either too high or too low. If you are diabetic, you should monitor your blood glucose levels carefully.
• Diarrhoea
  You may develop diarrhoea during or after your treatment with Quinsair. If this becomes severe or persistent, or you notice blood in your stools, you should stop using Quinsair immediately and talk to your doctor. Do not take any medicines to treat your diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor.
• Resistance to antibiotics
  Bacteria can become resistant to treatment with an antibiotic over time. This means that Quinsair should not be used to prevent lung infections. It should only be used to treat lung infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns or questions about this.
• Superinfections
  Sometimes lengthy treatment with antibiotics can mean that you get another infection caused by other bacteria which are not affected by the antibiotic (superinfection). Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns or questions about this and using Quinsair.
• Vision problems
  If you notice any changes in your eyesight or any other problems with your eyes whilst using Quinsair, contact an eye specialist immediately.
• Photosensitivity
  Quinsair may make your skin become more sensitive to sunlight. You should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or strong sunlight and should not use sunbeds or any other UV lamps whilst using Quinsair and for 48 hours after stopping treatment.
• False test results
  Certain tests (e.g. to confirm tuberculosis or screening for strong painkillers) may give false results whilst you are being treated with Quinsair.
• If you have been diagnosed with an enlargement or “bulge” of a large blood vessel (aortic aneurysm or large vessel peripheral aneurysm).
• If you have experienced a previous episode of aortic dissection (a tear in the aorta wall).
• if you have been diagnosed with leaking heart valves (heart valve regurgitation).
• if you have a family history of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection or congenital heart valve disease, or other risk factors or predisposing conditions (e.g. connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Turner syndrome, Sjögren’s syndrome [an inflammatory autoimmune disease], or vascular disorders such as Takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis, Behçet´s disease, high blood pressure, or known atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis [a disease of the joints] or endocarditis [an infection of the heart]).

If you feel sudden, severe pain in your abdomen, chest or back, which can be symptoms of aortic aneurysm and dissection, go immediately to an emergency room. Your risk may be increased if you are being treated with systemic corticosteroids.

If you start experiencing a rapid onset of shortness of breath, especially when you lie down flat in your bed, or you notice swelling of your ankles, feet or abdomen, or a new onset of heart palpitations (sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat), you should inform a doctor immediately.

Quinsair should not be given to children and adolescents less than 18 years old as there is not enough information about its use in this age group.

Tell your doctor or a pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. These medicines may interfere with the effects of Quinsair.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin (used to prevent blood clots). Taking these medicines with Quinsair may lead to an increase in bleeding. Your doctor may need to give you regular blood tests to check how well your blood can clot.
• Theophylline (used to treat breathing problems) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as fenbufen, acetylsalicylic acid (a substance present in many medicines used to relieve pain and lower fever, as well as to prevent blood clotting) or ibuprofen. Taking Quinsair at the same time as these medicines could increase your risk of a fit (seizure).
• Medicines such as probenecid (used to prevent gout) or cimetidine (used to treat ulcers). Taking Quinsair at the same time as these medicines could affect how your kidneys deal with the medicine which is particularly important if you suffer from kidney problems.
• Ciclosporin (used after organ transplants) or medicines that affect your heart beat (such as antiarrhythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, macrolide antibiotics or antipsychotics). Quinsair can interfere with the effects of these medicines. Your doctor will explain more.

Quinsair must not be used whilst pregnant or breast-feeding. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Quinsair may make you feel dizzy, tired or weak, or cause problems with your eyesight. If this happens to you, do not drive or use any tools or machines.

• Each ampoule is for single use only. Once an ampoule is opened, the contents should be used immediately.
• Do not use Quinsair if you notice that the sealed foil sachet or ampoules have been tampered with.
• Do not use Quinsair if you notice that it is cloudy or there are particles in the solution.
• Do not mix Quinsair with any other medicines in the Zirela Nebuliser Handset.
• Do not put any medicines other than Quinsair in the Zirela Nebuliser Handset.
• Do not try to inhale Quinsair using any other type of nebuliser handset.
• Check that your Zirela Nebuliser System works properly before starting your treatment.
• Do not swallow the liquid in the ampoule.

Carefully read the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use, provided with your Zirela Nebuliser Handset.

Keep the Zirela Instructions for Use in a safe place as they give full details on assembling the device.

1) Make sure that the Zirela Nebuliser Handset is on a flat and stable surface.

2) Squeeze all of the contents of one ampoule into the medicine reservoir of the Zirela Nebuliser Handset (Figure 1). Ensure that you completely empty the ampoule, gently tapping it against the side of the reservoir if necessary.

3) Close the medicine reservoir by aligning the tabs of the medicine cap with the slots of the reservoir (a). Press down and turn the cap clockwise as far as it will go (b, Figure 2).

1) When you start your treatment, sit in a relaxed, upright position.
2) Hold the handset level, press and hold the on/off button on the controller for a few seconds. You will hear one ‘beep’ and the status light will turn green.
3) After a few seconds, an aerosol mist will begin to flow into the aerosol chamber of the Zirela Nebuliser Handset.
If aerosol mist does not begin to flow, please refer to the Zirela
Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use for help.
4) Keeping the handset level, place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it (Figure 3).

5) Breathe normally (inhale and exhale) through the mouthpiece.
Try not to breathe through your nose. Continue to inhale and exhale comfortably until the treatment is finished. It takes about 5 minutes to inhale the medicine using the nebuliser.
6) When all of the medicine has been delivered, you will hear two ‘beeps’, which means the treatment is complete.
7) Once complete, open the medicine cap to ensure all of the medicine has been used. A few drops of medicine may remain at the bottom of the reservoir at the end of treatment. This is ok. However if there are more than a few drops left, replace the medicine cap and restart treatment from step 1.
8) Once treatment is complete, disconnect the controller and take apart the Zirela Nebuliser Handset for cleaning and disinfecting. The Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use will give full details on cleaning and disinfecting.

If for any reason you must stop the treatment before it’s finished, press and hold the controller’s on/off button for one second. After it has completely turned itself off and when you are ready to restart, press and hold the on/off button for one second again. Treatment will restart. You must inhale and exhale through the mouthpiece as before.

One nebuliser handset should be used for one 28-day treatment course. Please refer to the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use for cleaning and storage advice.

If you have used more Quinsair than you should, tell your doctor as soon as possible. You may experience symptoms like irregular heartbeat, which needs to be checked by your doctor. If the contents of the ampoule are swallowed, don’t worry but tell your doctor as soon as possible.

If you forget a dose, use it as soon as you remember as long as there is an 8-hour interval before inhaling the next dose. However if it is nearly the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Do not inhale the contents of more than one ampoule to make up for a missed dose.

Do not stop using Quinsair without first talking to your doctor as your lung infection may worsen.

Get urgent medical treatment immediately if you notice a severe allergic reaction after inhaling Quinsair. Symptoms include:

• General itching and feeling of heat - especially affecting the scalp, mouth, throat, palms or soles of your feet
• Severe wheezing, or noisy or difficult breathing
• Severe hives/nettle rash
• Swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue
• Pale or greyish skin colour
• A fast heart beat
• Faintness or passing out

Stop using Quinsair and tell your doctor immediately:

• if you experience pain, stiffness and/or swelling in your joints
• if you develop problems with your liver. Symptoms include:
  • Loss of appetite
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • Dark coloured urine
  • Itching
  • Tenderness (pain) around the stomach (abdomen)

Other side effects can include:

Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

• Cough
• Abnormal sense of taste
• Tiredness, weakness and lower tolerance to exercise
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Changes in the amount and thickness of mucus/phlegm
• Coughing up blood
• Decreased amount of air that can be breathed out in one second (decreased FEV₁ test)

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

• Fungal infection around vagina
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Ringing or noise in the ears (tinnitus)
• Change to the voice
• Feeling and being sick
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Rash
• Joint or muscle pain
• Fever
• Abnormal blood test results (increased levels of certain liver enzymes or bilirubin in the blood, and decreased kidney function test)
• Decreased lung function test
• Increased or decreased amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood
• Abnormal breathing sounds

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• Fungal infection of the mouth
• Low numbers of red cells in the blood (anaemia) or the cells in the blood that help it clot (platelets)
• Low or high numbers of white cells in the blood
• Feeling anxious, restless or agitated and/or depressed
• Reduced sense of smell
• Feeling sleepy
• Changes in eyesight
• Loss of hearing
• Increased heart beat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Retching
• Indigestion
• Passing wind
• Hives/nettle rash and itching
• Chest wall pain
• Kidney failure
• Changes in heart rhythm
• Pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness in the limbs (neuropathy)

The following side effects have also been reported after taking tablets or an intravenous infusion containing levofloxacin, so they might possibly occur after using Quinsair:

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• Feeling confused or nervous
• Shaking
• Sensation of dizziness, spinning or falling over (vertigo)
• Excessive sweating

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

• Cases of long lasting (up to months or years) or permanent adverse drug reactions, have been associated with quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics. These may include tendon inflammation, tendon rupture, joint pain, pain in the limbs, difficulty in walking, abnormal sensations such as pins and needles, tingling, pricking, burning, numbness or pain (neuropathy), fatigue, sleep disorders, memory impairment, mental health effects which may include, but are not necessarily limited to, anxiety, panic attacks, confusion, or depression, as well as impairment of hearing, vision, and taste and smell. There are no medicines that have been established as being effective treatments for the symptoms of long lasting or disabling side effects associated with fluoroquinolones.
• Hallucinations and/or feeling paranoid
• Feeling agitated
• Unusual dreams or nightmares
• Convulsions (fits)
• Tingling sensation (pins and needles) and/or numbness
• Palpitations
• Low blood pressure
• Muscle weakness
• Syndrome associated with impaired water excretion and low levels of sodium (SIADH)
• Widespread rash, high body temperature, liver enzyme elevations, blood abnormalities (eosinophilia), enlarged lymph nodes and other body organs involvement (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms)
• Sharply demarcated, erythematous patches with/without blistering

Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

• Low numbers of all types of cells in the blood
• Diabetic coma
• Severe mental problems (which in very rare cases may lead to self-harm)
• Pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness in the limbs (neuropathy)
• Involuntary muscle movements, twitching or spasms
• Fainting
• Severe throbbing headaches with loss of eyesight
• Temporary loss of vision
• Rapid or abnormal heart beat
• Inflammation of the lung
• Severe skin reactions such as painful blistering or lesions possibly in the mouth, nose or vagina
• Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight or UV light (sunbeds or other UV lamps)
• Inflammation of the blood vessels
• Inflammation of the mouth or lips
• Rapid breakdown of muscles
• Inflammation of a tendon or a broken tendon
• Pain including pain in the back, chest, arms and legs and arms

Cases of an enlargement and weakening of the aortic wall or a tear in the aortic wall (aneurysms and dissections), which may rupture and may be fatal, and of leaking heart valves have been reported in patients receiving fluoroquinolones. See also section 2.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed

or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

• The active substance is levofloxacin. One ampoule contains levofloxacin hemihydrate equivalent to 240 mg of levofloxacin.
• The other ingredients are magnesium chloride hexahydrate and water for injections.

Quinsair is a clear, pale yellow nebuliser solution.

The medicine comes in small 3 mL plastic ampoules. Four ampoules are sealed in a foil sachet.

Quinsair is supplied as a 28-day pack (containing one box of 56 (14 sachets of 4) ampoules) or as a 4-day pack (containing 8 (2 sachets of 4) ampoules) and one box holding a Zirela Nebuliser Handset with the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

The ampoule is labelled in English only. The information that appears on the ampoule is:

On the front of the ampoule tail

Quinsair 240 mg

Nebuliser Solution

Levofloxacin

Inhalation use 2.4 mL

In the “crimped area” on either side of the ampoule tail

Lot

EXP