Difflam Spray is a locally acting analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment for the throat and mouth. It is especially useful for the relief of pain in traumatic conditions such as following tonsillectomy or the use of a naso-gastric tube; dental surgery.

Posology

Adults, adolescents and elderly: 4 to 8 puffs every 1½ -3 hourly.

Children(6-12): 4 puffs every 1½ -3 hourly.

Children under 6: One puff to be administered per 4 kg body weight, up to a maximum of 4 puffs, 1½ -3 hourly.

Elderly: Because of the small amount of drug applied, elderly patients can receive the same dose as adults.

Method of administration

For oral administration

Difflam Spray is contra-indicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the active substance benzydamine hydrochloride or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Benzydamine use is not advisable in patients with hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs.

Bronchospasm may be precipitated in patients suffering from or with a previous history of bronchial asthma. Caution should be exercised in these patients.

Avoid contact with the eyes.

If the condition is aggravated or not improved use should cease.

This medicine contains 14 mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each puff. The amount in 1 puff of this medicine is equivalent to less than 1 ml beer or 1 ml wine.The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.

Methyl parahydroxybenzoate may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed)

This medicine contains 0.025 mg benzyl alcohol in each 175 microlitre dose which is equivalent to 0.14mg/ml. Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation.

This medicinal productc contains mint flavour with benzyl alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol, citral, citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, isoeugenol, limonene and linalool. These substances may cause allergic reactions.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose of 8 puffs, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

None known.

Pregnancy

Difflam Spray should not be used in pregnancy unless considered essential by the physician. There is no evidence of a teratogenic effect in animal studies.

Breast-feeding

Difflam Spray should not be used in lactation unless considered essential by the physician.

None.

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness

The following rate values have been used: 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) and Very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

The most common side effects are numbness and a stinging feeling in the mouth.

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 the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Difflam is unlikely to cause adverse systemic effects, even if accidental ingestion should occur. No special measures are required. Intoxication is only expected in case of accidental ingestion of large quantities of benzydamine ( > 300 mg)

Symptoms associated with overdose of ingested benzydamine are mainly gastrointestinal symptoms and symptoms of the central nervous system. Most frequent gastrointestinal symptoms are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and oesophageal irritation. Symptoms of the central nervous system include dizziness, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety and irritability.

In acute overdose only symptomatic treatment is possible. Patients should be kept under close observation and supportive treatment should be given. Adequate hydration must be maintained.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other anti-inflammatory and antrheumatic agents, non-steroids /Anti-inflammatory preparations, non-steroids for topical use, ATC code: M01AX07

Mechanism of action

The indazole analogue benzydamine has physicochemical properties and pharmacological activities which differ from those of the aspirin-like NSAIDs. Unlike aspirin-like NSAIDs which are acids or metabolised to acids, benzydamine is a weak base. In further contrast, benzydamine is a weak inhibitor of the prostaglandin synthesis. Only at concentration of 1mM and above benzydamine effectively inhibits cyclooxygenase and lipooxygenase enzyme activity. It mostly exerts its effects through inhibition of the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α ) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β ) without significantly affecting other pro-inflammatory (IL-6 and 8) or anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist). Further mechanisms of action are hypothesised including the inhibition of the oxidative burst of neutrophils as well as membrane stabilisation as demonstrated by the inhibition of granule release from neutrophils and the stabilization of lysosomes. The local anaesthetic activity of the compound has been related to an interaction with cationic channels

Pharmacodynamic effects

Benzydamine specifically acts on the local mechanisms of inflammation such as pain, oedema or granuloma. Benzydamine topically applied demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity reducing oedema as well as exudate and granuloma formation. Further, it exhibits analgesic properties if pain is caused by an inflammatory condition and local anaesthetic activity. Hyperthermia, which is indicative of systemic functional involvement, is poorly affected by benzydamine.

Clinical efficacy and safety

In a clinical study in 24 patients with pharyngitis following tonsillectomy rinsing with Difflam 0.15% 5 times a day for 6 days significantly better and more rapidly relieved throat pain, difficulty in swallowing and improved clinical signs including hyperaemia and oedema versus placebo on day 7. Similar results were found in other studies in patients with tonsillitis or pharyngitis or following dental surgery. The gargling with 30 ml 0.075% benzydamine prior to the induction of anaesthesia in 58 adults undergoing general anaesthesia with endotracheal tube intubation significantly reduced postoperative sore throat versus water control for the first 24 hours whereas aspirin gargles reduced it for 4 hours.

In a clinical study with 48 patients rinsing four times daily with 0.15% benzydamine during a 3 to 5 week radiotherapy of oral cancer provided significant pain relief and reduction of size and severity of mucositis in the oropharynx. Similar effects were seen in a study in patients undergoing chemotherapy for oral cancer. In a study in 67 patients with severe oropharyngeal mucositis following radiotherapy who rinsed with benzydamine solution pain with swallowing, hyperaemia and severity of mucositis were significantly reduced compared to placebo treatment within the first three treatment days.

A higher incidence of transient numbness and stinging was noted among the patients using benzydamine that was attributed to the medication's local anaesthetic effect.

The topical application of Difflam cream 3% 3 times daily for 6 days in 50 patients with soft tissue injuries significantly better relieved pain, tenderness, erythema, functional impairment and swelling compared to placebo on day 6.

Overall, benzydamine was well tolerated in clinical trials.

Following oral administration, Benzydamine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and maximum plasma levels reached after 2-4 hours. The most important aspect of the tissue distribution of Benzydamine is its tendency to concentrate at the site of inflammation. About half of the Benzydamine is excreted unchanged via the kidney at a rate of 10% of the dose within the first 24 hours. The remainder is metabolised, mostly to N-Oxide.

Non-Clinical Data reveal no special hazards for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated toxicity, genotoxicity, cardiogenic potential, and toxicity to reproduction.

Glycerol Ph. Eur.

Saccharin FU

Sodium Bicarbonate Ph. Eur.

Ethanol FU

Methylhydroxybenzoate Ph. Eur.

Mouthwash Flavour Polysorbate 20 Ph. Eur.

Purified Water Ph. Eur.

None.

The shelf life expiry date for this product shall not exceed 3 years from the date of its manufacture.

Do not store above 30☐ C, do not refrigerate or freeze. Keep out of the reach of children.

Difflam Spray is presented in a 30 ml HDPE bottle with 170 ☐ l valve pump spray.

The patient should read the instruction leaflet before use.