vailable in the paediatric population.
Elderly (age 65 years or over)
Time to peak plasma amlodipine concentrations is similar in young and elderly patients. In elderly patients, amlodipine clearance tends to decline, causing increases in the area under the curve (AUC) and elimination half-life. Mean systemic AUC of valsartan is higher by 70% in the elderly than in the young, therefore caution is required when increasing the dosage.
Renal impairment
The pharmacokinetics of amlodipine are not significantly influenced by renal impairment. As expected for a compound where renal clearance accounts for only 30% of total plasma clearance, no correlation was seen between renal function and systemic exposure to valsartan.
Hepatic impairment
Patients with hepatic insufficiency have decreased clearance of amlodipine with resulting increase of approximately 40–60% in AUC. On average, in patients with mild to moderate chronic liver disease exposure (measured by AUC values) to valsartan is twice that found in healthy volunteers (matched by age, sex and weight). Caution should be exercised in patients with liver disease (see section 4.2).
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Adverse reactions observed in animal studies with possible clinical relevance were as follows:
Histopathological signs of inflammation of the glandular stomach was seen in male rats at an exposure of about 1.9 (valsartan) and 2.6 (amlodipine) times the clinical doses of 160 mg valsartan and 10 mg amlodipine. At higher exposures, there were ulceration and erosion of the stomach mucosa in both females and males. Similar changes were also seen in the valsartan alone group (exposure 8.5–11.0 times the clinical dose of 160 mg valsartan).
An increased incidence and severity of renal tubular basophilia/hyalinisation, dilation and casts, as well as interstitial lymphocyte inflammation and arteriolar medial hypertrophy were found at an exposure of 8–13 (valsartan) and 7–8 (amlodipine) times the clinical doses of 160 mg valsartan and 10 mg amlodipine. Similar changes were found in the valsartan alone group (exposure 8.5–11.0 times the clinical dose of 160 mg valsartan).
In an embryo-foetal development study in the rat, increased incidences of dilated ureters, malformed sternebrae, and unossified forepaw phalanges were noticed at exposures of about 12 (valsartan) and 10 (amlodipine) times the clinical doses of 160 mg valsartan and 10 mg amlodipine. Dilated ureters were also found in the valsartan alone group (exposure 12 times the clinical dose of 160 mg valsartan). There were only modest signs of maternal toxicity (moderate reduction of body weight) in this study. The no-observed-effect-level for developmental effects was observed at 3- (valsartan) and 4- (amlodipine) fold the clinical exposure (based on AUC).
For the single compounds there was no evidence of mutagenicity, clastogenicity or carcinogenicity.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Tablet core:
Cellulose microcrystalline
Crospovidone Type A
Silica, colloidal anhydrous
Magnesium stearate
Coating:
Hypromellose
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Iron oxide, yellow (E172)
Macrogol 4000
Talc
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
6.3 Shelf life
3 years.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 30°C.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
6.5 Nature and contents of cont |
