Table of Contents
1. Name of the medicinal product
2. Qualitative and quantitative composition
3. Pharmaceutical form
4. Clinical particulars
4.1 Therapeutic indications
4.2 Posology and method of administration
4.3 Contraindications
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
4.8 Undesirable effects
4.9 Overdose
5. Pharmacological properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
5.3 Preclinical safety data
6. Pharmaceutical particulars
6.1 List of excipients
6.2 Incompatibilities
6.3 Shelf life
6.4 Special precautions for storage
6.5 Nature and contents of container
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
7. Marketing authorisation holder
8. Marketing authorisation number(s)
9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation
10. Date of revision of the text

1. Name of the medicinal product
 Pradaxa 150 mg hard capsules

2. Qualitative and quantitative composition
 Each hard capsule contains 110 mg of dabigatran etexilate (as mesilate).

Excipient(s) with known effect:

Each hard capsule contains 3 micrograms of sunset yellow (E110).

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. Pharmaceutical form
 Hard capsule

Capsules with light blue, opaque cap and cream-coloured, opaque body of size 1 filled with yellowish pellets. The cap is imprinted with the Boehringer Ingelheim company symbol, the body with “R110”.

4. Clinical particulars
  
4.1 Therapeutic indications
 Primary prevention of venous thromboembolic events in adult patients who have undergone elective total hip replacement surgery or total knee replacement surgery.

Prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), with one or more risk factors, such as prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA); age ≥ 75 years; heart failure (NYHA Class ≥ II); diabetes mellitus; hypertension.

4.2 Posology and method of administration
 Posology

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)

Patients following elective knee replacement surgery

The recommended dose of Pradaxa is 220 mg once daily taken as 2 capsules of 110 mg. Treatment should be initiated orally within 1-4 hours of completed surgery with a single capsule and continuing with 2 capsules once daily thereafter for a total of 10 days.

Patients following elective hip replacement surgery

The recommended dose of Pradaxa is 220 mg once daily taken as 2 capsules of 110 mg. Treatment should be initiated orally within 1-4 hours of completed surgery with a single capsule and continuing with 2 capsules once daily thereafter for a total of 28-35 days.

For the following groups the recommended daily dose of Pradaxa is 150 mg taken once daily as 2 capsules of 75 mg:

• Patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance (CrCL) 30-50 mL/min) [see Renal impairment (prevention of VTE)]

• Patients who receive concomitant verapamil, amiodarone, quinidine [see Concomitant use of Pradaxa with mild to moderate P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors, i.e. amiodarone, quinidine or verapamil (prevention of VTE)]

• Patients aged 75 or above [see Elderly (prevention of VTE)]

For both surgeries, if haemostasis is not secured, initiation of treatment should be delayed. If treatment is not started on the day of surgery then treatment should be initiated with 2 capsules once daily.

Assessment of renal function (prevention of VTE):

In all patients:

• Renal function should be assessed by calculating the creatinine clearance (CrCL) prior to initiation of treatment with Pradaxa to exclude patients with severe renal impairment (i.e. CrCL < 30 mL/min) (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.2). Pradaxa is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment

• Renal function should also be assessed when a decline in renal function is suspected during treatment (e.g. hypovolaemia, dehydration, and in case of concomitant use of certain medicinal products)
 

The method used to estimate renal function (CrCL in mL/min) during the clinical development of Pradaxa was the Cockgroft-Gault method.The formula is as follows:

This method is recommended when assessing patients' CrCL prior to and during Pradaxa treatment.

Special populations

Renal impairment (prevention of VTE)

Treatment with Pradaxa in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCL < 30 mL/min) is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

In patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCL 30-50 mL/min), there is limited clinical experience. These patients should be treated with caution. The recommended dose is 150 mg taken once daily as 2 capsules of 75 mg (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Concomitant use of Pradaxa with mild to moderate P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors, i.e. amiodarone, quinidine or verapamil (prevention of VTE)

Dosing should be reduced to 150 mg taken once daily as 2 capsules of 75 mg Pradaxa in patients who receive concomitantly dabigatran etexilate and amiodarone, quinidine or verapamil (see sections 4.4 and 4.5). In this situation Pradaxa and these medicinal products should be taken at the same time.

In patients with moderate renal impairment and concomitantly treated with dabigatran etexilate and verapamil, a dose reduction of Pradaxa to 75 mg daily should be considered (see sections 4.4 and 4.5).

Elderly (prevention of VTE)

In elderly patients (> 75 years) there is limited clinical experience. These patients should be treated with caution. The recommended dose is 150 mg taken once daily as 2 capsules of 75 mg (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

As renal impairment may be frequent in the elderly (>75 years), renal function should be assessed by calculating the CrCL prior to initiation of treatment with Pradaxa to exclude patients with severe renal impairment (i.e. CrCL < 30 mL/min). While on treatment the renal function should also be assessed in certain clinical situations when it is suspected that the renal function could decline or deteriorate (such as hypovolemia, dehydration, and with certain comedications, etc) (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.2).

Hepatic impairment (prevention of VTE)

Patients with elevated liver enzymes > 2 upper limit of normal (ULN) were excluded in clinical trials investigating the VTE prevention following elective hip or knee replacement surgery. No treatment experience is available for this subpopulation of patients, and therefore the use of Pradaxa is not recommended in this population (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). Hepatic impairment or liver disease expected to have any impact on survival is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

Weight (prevention of VTE)

There is very limited clinical experience in patients with a body weight < 50 kg or > 110 kg at the recommended posology. Given the available clinical and kinetic data no adjustment is necessary (see section 5.2), but close clinical surveillance is recommended (see section 4.4).

Gender (prevention of VTE)

Given the available clinical and kinetic data, no dose adjustment is necessary (see section 5.2).

Switching (prevention of VTE)

Pradaxa treatment to parenteral anticoagulant

It is recommended to wait 24 hours after the last dose before switching from Pradaxa to a parenteral anticoagulant (see section 4.5).

Parenteral anticoagulants to Pradaxa

Discontinue the parenteral anticoagulant and start dabigatran etexilate 0 2 hours prior to the time that the next dose of the alternate therapy would be due, or at the time of discontinuation in case of continuous treatment (e.g. intravenous Unfractionated Heparin (UFH)) (see section 4.5).

Paediatric population (prevention of VTE)

There is no relevant use of Pradaxa in the paediatric population in the indication: primary prevention of venous thromboembolic events in patients who have undergone elective total hip replacement surgery or total knee replacement surgery.

Missed dose (prevention of VTE)

It is recommended to continue with the remaining daily doses of dabigatran etexilate at the same time of the next day.

No double dose should be taken to make up for missed individual doses.

Prevention of stroke and SEE in adult patients with NVAF with one or more risk factors (SPAF)

The recommended daily dose of Pradaxa is 300 mg taken as one 150 mg capsule twice daily. Therapy should be continued long term.

For the following two groups the recommended daily dose of Pradaxa is 220 mg taken as one 110 mg capsule twice daily:

• Patients aged 80 years or above

• Patients who receive concomitant verapamil

For the following groups, the daily dose of Pradaxa of 300 mg or 220 mg should be selected based on an individual assessment of the thromboembolic risk and the risk of bleeding:

• Patients between 75-80 years

• Patients with moderate renal impairment

• Patients with gastritis, esophagitis or gastroesophageal reflux

• Other patients at increased risk of bleeding

See further down and sections 4.4, 4.5, 5.1 and 5.2.

In case of intolerability to dabigatran, patients should be instructed to immediately consult their treating physician in order to be switched to alternate acceptable treatment options for prevention of stroke and SEE associated with atrial fibrillation.

Elderly (SPAF)

Patients between 75-80 years should be treated with a daily dose of 300 mg taken as one 150 mg capsule twice daily. A dose of 220 mg taken as one 110 mg capsule twice daily can be individually considered, at the discretion of the physician, when the thromboembolic risk is low and the bleeding risk is high (see section 4.4).

Patients aged 80 years or above should be treated with a daily dose of 220 mg taken as one 110 mg capsule twice daily due to the increased risk of bleeding in this population.

As renal impairment may be frequent in the elderly (>75 years), renal function should be assessed by calculating the CrCL prior to initiation of treatment with Pradaxa to exclude patients with severe renal impairment (i.e. CrCL < 30 mL/min ). The renal function should also be assessed at least once a year in patients treated with Pradaxa or more frequently as needed in certain clinical situations when it is suspected that the renal function could decline or deteriorate (such as hypovolemia, dehydration, and with certain comedications, etc) (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.2).

Patients at risk of bleeding (SPAF)

Patients with an increased bleeding risk (see sections 4.4, 4.5, 5.1 and 5.2) should be closely monitored clinically (looking for signs of bleeding or anaemia). Dose adjustment should be decided at the discretion of the physician, following assessment of the potential benefit and risk to an individual patient. A coagulation test (see section 4.4) may help to identify patients with an increased bleeding risk caused by excessive dabigatran exposure. When excessive dabigatran exposure is identified in patients at high risk of bleeding, a dose of 220 mg taken as one 110 mg capsule twice daily is recommended. When clinically relevant bleeding occurs, treatment should be interrupted.

For subjects with gastritis, esophagitis, or gastroesophageal reflux, the dose of 220 mg taken as one 110 mg capsule twice daily may be considered due to the elevated risk of major gastro-intestinal bleeding (see section 4.4).

Assessment of renal function (SPAF):

In all patients:

• Renal function should be assessed by calculating the creatinine clearance (CrCL) prior to initiation of treatment with Pradaxa to exclude patients with severe renal impairment (i.e. CrCL < 30 mL/min) (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.2). Pradaxa is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment

• Renal function should also be assessed when a decline in renal function is suspected during treatment (e.g. hypovolaemia, dehydration, and in case of concomitant use of certain medicinal products)

Additional requirements in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment and in patients aged over 75 years:

• Renal function should be assessed during treatment with Pradaxa at least once a year or more frequently as needed in certain clinical situations when it is suspected that the renal function could decline or deteriorate (e.g. hypovolaemia, dehydration, and in case of concomitant use of certain medicinal products) 

The method used to estimate renal function (CrCL in mL/min) during the clinical development of Pradaxa was the Cockgroft-Gault method. The formula is as follows:

This method is recommended when assessing patients' CrCL prior to and during Pradaxa treatment. 

Renal impairment (SPAF)

Treatment with Pradaxa in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCL < 30 mL/min) is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild renal impairment (CrCL 50- ≤ 80 mL/min). For patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCL 30-50 mL/min) the recommended dose of Pradaxa is also 300 mg taken as one 150 mg capsule twice daily. However, for patients with high risk of bleeding, a dose reduction of Pradaxa to 220 mg taken as one 110 mg capsule twice daily should be considered (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). Close clinical surveillance is recommended in patients with renal impairment.

Concomitant use of Pradaxa with mild to moderate P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors, i.e. amiodarone, quinidine or verapamil (SPAF)

No dose adjustment is necessary for concomitant use of amiodarone or quinidine (see sections 4.4, 4.5 and 5.2).

Dosing should be reduced to 220 mg taken as one 110 mg capsule twice daily in patients who receive concomitantly dabigatran etexilate and verapamil (see sections 4.4 and 4.5). In this situation Pradaxa and verapamil should be taken at the same time.

Weight (SPAF)

Given the available clinical and kinetic data, no dose adjustment is necessary (see section 5.2), but close clinical surveillance is recommended in patients with a body weight < 50 kg (see section 4.4).

Gender (SPAF)

Given the available clinical and kinetic data, no dose adjustment is necessary (see section 5.2).

Hepatic impairment (SPAF)

Patients with elevated liver enzymes > 2 upper limit of normal (ULN) were excluded in the study investigating the prevention of stroke and SEE associated with atrial fibrillation. No treatment experience is available for this subpopulation of patients, and therefore the use of Pradaxa is not recommended in this population (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). Hepatic impairment or liver disease expected to have any impact on survival is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

Switching (SPAF)

Pradaxa treatment to parenteral anticoagulant

It is recommended to wait 12 hours after the last dose before switching from dabigatran etexilate to a parenteral anticoagulant (see section 4.5).

Parenteral anticoagulants to Pradaxa

Discontinue the parenteral anticoagulant and start dabigatran etexilate 0 2 hours prior to the time that the next dose of the alternate therapy would be due, or at the time of discontinuation in case of continuous treatment (e.g. intravenous Unfractionated Heparin (UFH)) (see section 4.5).

Pradaxa treatment to Vitamin K antagonists (VKA)

Adjust the starting time of the VKA based on CrCL as follows:

• CrCL ≥ 50 mL/min, start VKA 3 days before discontinuing dabigatran etexilate

• CrCL ≥ 30-< 50 mL/min, start VKA 2 days before discontinuing dabigatran etexilate

Because Pradaxa can contribute to an elevated INR, INR testing should not be performed until Pradaxa has been stopped for at least 2 days.

VKA to Pradaxa

The VKA should be stopped. Dabigatran etexilate can be given as soon as the International Normalized Ratio (INR) is < 2.0.

Cardioversion (SPAF)

Patients can stay on dabigatran etexilate while being cardioverted.

Paediatric population (SPAF)

There is no relevant use of Pradaxa in the paediatric population in the indication: prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF.

Missed dose (SPAF)

A forgotten dabigatran etexilate dose may still be taken up to 6 hours prior to the next scheduled dose. From 6 hours prior to the next scheduled dose on, the missed dose should be omitted.

No double dose should be taken to make up for missed individual doses.

Method of administration (prevention of VTE and SPAF)

Pradaxa can be taken with or without food. Pradaxa should be swallowed as a whole with a glass of water, to facilitate delivery to the stomach.

Patients should be instructed not to open the capsule as this may increase the risk of bleeding (see sections 5.2 and 6.6).

4.3 Contraindications
 • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1

• Patients with severe renal impairment (CrCL < 30 mL/min) (see section 4.2)

• Active clinically significant bleeding

• Lesion or condition, if considered a significant risk factor for major bleeding. This may include current or recent gastrointestinal ulceration, presence of malignant neoplasms at high risk of bleeding, recent brain or spinal injury, recent brain, spinal or ophthalmic surgery, recent intracranial haemorrhage, known or suspected oesophageal varices, arteriovenous malformations, vascular aneurysms or major intraspinal or intracerebral vascular abnormalities

• Concomitant treatment with any other anticoagulants e.g. unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparins (enoxaparin, dalteparin etc), heparin derivatives (fondaparinux etc), oral anticoagulants (warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban etc) except under specific circumstances of switching anticoagulant therapy (see section 4.2) or when UFH is given at doses necessary to maintain an open central venous or arterial catheter (see section 4.5)

• Hepatic impairment or liver disease expected to have any impact on survival

• Concomitant treatment with systemic ketoconazole, cyclosporine, itraconazole and dronedarone (see section 4.5)

• Prosthetic heart valves requiring anticoagulant treatment (see section 5.1).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
 Hepatic impairment

Patients with elevated liver enzymes > 2 ULN were excluded in controlled clinical trials investigating the VTE prevention following elective hip or knee replacement surgery as well as in the study investigating the prevention of stroke and SEE associated with atrial fibrillation. No treatment experience is available for this subpopulation of patients, and therefore the use of Pradaxa is not recommended in this population.

Haemorrhagic risk

Dabigatran etexilate should be used with caution in conditions with an increased risk of bleeding and in situations with concomitant use of drugs affecting haemostasis by inhibition of platelet aggregation. Bleeding can occur at any site during therapy with dabigatran etexilate. An unexplained fall in haemoglobin and/or haematocrit or blood pressure should lead to a search for a bleeding site.

Factors, such as decreased renal function (30-50 mL/min CrCL), age ≥ 75 years, low body weight < 50 kg, or mild to moderate P-gp inhibitor co-medication (e.g. amiodarone, quinidine or verapamil) are associated with increased dabigatran plasma levels (see sections 4.2, 4.5 and 5.2).

The concomitant use of ticagrelor increases the exposure to dabigatran and may show pharmacodynamic interaction, which may result in an increased risk of bleeding (see section 4.5).

In a study of prevention of stroke and SEE in adult patients with NVAF, dabigatran etexilate was associated with higher rates of major gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding which was statistically significant for dabigatran etexilate 150 mg twice daily. This increased risk was seen in the elderly (≥ 75 years). Use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), clopidogrel or non steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), as well as the presence of esophagitis, gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux increase the risk of GI bleeding. In these atrial fibrillation patients a dosage of 220 mg dabigatran given as 110 mg capsule twice daily should be considered and posology recommendations in section 4.2 be followed. The administration of a PPI can be considered to prevent GI bleeding.

Bleeding risk may be increased in patients concomitantly treated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (see section 4.5).

Close clinical surveillance (looking for signs of bleeding or anaemia) is recommended throughout the treatment period, especially if risk factors are combined (see section 5.1).

Table 1 summarises factors which may increase the haemorrhagic risk. Please also refer to contraindications in section 4.3.

 The presence of lesions, conditions, procedures and/or pharmacological treatment (such as NSAIDs, antiplatelets, SSRIs and SNRIs, see section 4.5), which significantly increase the risk of major bleeding requires a careful benefit-risk assessment. Pradaxa should only be given if the benefit outweighs bleeding risks.

Pradaxa does not in general require routine anticoagulant monitoring. However, the measurement of dabigatran related anticoagulation may be helpful to avoid excessive high exposure to dabigatran in the presence of additional risk factors. The INR test is unreliable in patients on Pradaxa and false positive INR elevations have been reported. Therefore INR tests should not be performed. Diluted thrombin time (dTT), ecarin clotting time (ECT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) may provide useful information, but the tests are not standardised, and results should be interpreted with caution (see section 5.1).

Table 2 shows coagulation test thresholds at trough that may be associated with an increased risk of bleeding (see section 5.1)

Patients who develop acute renal failure must discontinue Pradaxa (see section 4.3).

Limited data is available in patients < 50 kg (see section 5.2).

When severe bleedings occur treatment must be discontinued and the source of bleeding investigated (see section 4.9).

Medicinal products that may enhance the risk of haemorrhage should not be administered concomitantly or should be administered with caution with Pradaxa (see section 4.5).

Use of fibrinolytic medicinal products for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke

The use of fibrinolytic medicinal products for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke may be considered if the patient presents with a dTT, ECT or aPTT not exceeding the ULN according to the local reference range.

Interaction with P-gp inducers

Concomitant administration of P-gp inducers (such as rifampicin, St. John`s wort (Hypericum perforatum), carbamazepine, or phenytoin) is expected to result in decreased dabigatran plasma concentrations, and should be avoided (see sections 4.5 and 5.2).

Surgery and interventions

Patients on dabigatran etexilate who undergo surgery or invasive procedures are at increased risk for bleeding. Therefore surgical interventions may require the temporary discontinuation of dabigatran etexilate.

Caution should be exercised when treatment is temporarily discontinued for interventions and anticoagulant monitoring is warranted. Clearance of dabigatran in patients with renal insufficiency may take longer (see section 5.2). This should be considered in advance of any procedures. In such cases a coagulation test (see sections 4.4 and 5.1) may help to determine whether haemostasis is still impaired.

Preoperative phase

Table 3 summarises discontinuation rules before invasive or surgical procedures.

If an acute intervention is required, dabigatran etexilate should be temporarily discontinued. A surgery / intervention should be delayed if possible until at least 12 hours after the last dose. If surgery cannot be delayed the risk of bleeding may be increased. This risk of bleeding should be weighed against the urgency of intervention (for cardioversion see section 4.2).

Spinal anaesthesia/epidural anaesthesia/lumbar puncture

Procedures such as spinal anaesthesia may require complete haemostatic function.

The risk of spinal or epidural haematoma may be increased in cases of traumatic or repeated puncture and by the prolonged use of epidural catheters. After removal of a catheter, an interval of at least 2 hours should elapse before the administration of the first dose of dabigatran etexilate. These patients require frequent observation for neurological signs and symptoms of spinal or epidural haematoma.

Postoperative phase

Dabigatran etexilate should be restarted after the invasive procedure or surgical intervention as soon as possible provided the clinical situation allows and adequate haemostasis has been established.

Patients at risk for bleeding or patients at risk of overexposure, notably patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCL 30-50 mL/min), should be treated with caution (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Patients at high surgical mortality risk and with intrinsic risk factors for thromboembolic events

There are limited efficacy and safety data for dabigatran available in these patients and therefore they should be treated with caution.

Hip fracture surgery

There is no data on the use of Pradaxa in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Therefore treatment is not recommended.

Myocardial Infarction

In the phase III study RE-LY (see section 5.1.) the overall rate of myocardial infarction (MI) was 0.82, 0.81, and 0.64 % / year for dabigatran etexilate 110 mg twice daily, dabigatran etexilate 150 mg twice daily and warfarin, respectively, an increase in relative risk for dabigatran of 29 % and 27 % compared to warfarin. Irrespective of therapy, the highest absolute risk of MI was seen in the following subgroups, with similar relative risk: patients with previous MI, patients ≥ 65 years with either diabetes or coronary artery disease, patients with left ventricular ejection fraction < 40 %, and patients with moderate renal dysfunction. Furthermore a higher risk of MI was seen in patients concomitantly taking ASA plus clopidogrel or clopidogrel alone.

Colorants

Pradaxa hard capsules contain the colorant sunset yellow (E110), which may cause allergic reactions.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
 Anticoagulants and antiplatelet aggregation medicinal products

There is no or only limited experience with the following treatments which may increase the risk of bleeding when used concomitantly with Pradaxa: anticoagulants such as unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparins (LMWH), and heparin derivatives (fondaparinux, desirudin), thrombolytic medicinal products, and vitamin K antagonists, rivaroxaban or other oral anticoagulants (see section 4.3), and plateletet aggregation medicinal products such as GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, ticlopidine, prasugrel, ticagrelor, dextran, and sulfinpyrazone (see section 4.4).

From the limited data collected in the phase III study RE LY in patients with atrial fibrillation it was observed that the concomitant use of other oral or parenteral anticoagulants increases major bleeding rates with both dabigatran etexilate and warfarin by approximately 2.5-fold, mainly related to situations when switching from one anticoagulant to another (see section 4.3).

UFH can be administered at doses necessary to maintain a patent central venous or arterial catheter (see section 4.3).

Clopidogrel and ASA: From the data collected in the phase III study RE-LY (see section 5.1) it was observed that the concomitant use of antiplatelets, ASA or clopidogrel approximately doubles major bleeding rates with both dabigatran etexilate and warfarin (see section 4.4).

Clopidogrel: In a phase I study in young healthy male volunteers, the concomitant administration of dabigatran etexilate and clopidogrel resulted in no further prolongation of capillary bleeding times compared to clopidogrel monotherapy. In addition, dabigatran AUC,ss and Cmax,ss and the coagulation measures for dabigatran effect or the inhibition of platelet aggregation as measure of clopidogrel effect remained essentially unchanged comparing combined treatment and the respective mono-treatments. With a loading dose of 300 mg or 600 mg clopidogrel, dabigatran AUC,ss and Cmax,ss were increased by about 30-40 % (see section 4.4) (see also subsection on ASA below).

ASA: The effect of concomitant administration of dabigatran etexilate and ASA on the risk of bleeds was studied in patients with atrial fibrillation in a phase II study in which a randomized ASA co-administration was applied. Based on logistic regression analysis, co-administration of ASA and 150 mg dabigatran etexilate twice daily may increase the risk for any bleeding from 12 % to 18 % and 24 % with 81 mg and 325 mg ASA, respectively (see section 4.4).

NSAIDs: NSAIDs given for short-term perioperative analgesia have been shown not to be associated with increased bleeding risk when given in conjunction with dabigatran etexilate. With chronic use in the RE-LY study, NSAIDs increased the risk of bleeding by approximately 50 % on both dabigatran etexilate and warfarin. Therefore, due to the risk of haemorrhage, notably with NSAIDs with elimination half-lives > 12 hours, close observation for signs of bleeding is recommended (see section 4.4).

LMWH: The concomitant use of LMWHs, such as enoxaparin and dabigatran etexilate has not been specifically investigated. After switching from 3-day treatment of once daily 40 mg enoxaparin s.c., 24 hours after the last dose of enoxaparin the exposure to dabigatran was slightly lower than that after administration of dabigatran etexilate (single dose of 220 mg) alone. A higher anti-FXa/FIIa activity was observed after dabigatran etexilate administration with enoxaparin pre-treatment compared to that after treatment with dabigatran etexilate alone. This is considered to be due to the carry-over effect of enoxaparin treatment, and regarded as not clinically relevant. Other dabigatran related anti-coagulation tests were not changed significantly by the pre-treatment of enoxaparin.

Interactions linked to dabigatran etexilate and dabigatran metabolic profile

Dabigatran etexilate and dabigatran are not metabolised by the cytochrome P450 system and have no in vitro effects on human cytochrome P450 enzymes. Therefore, related medicinal product interactions are not expected with dabigatran.

Transporter interactions

P-gp inhibitors

Dabigatran etexilate is a substrate for the efflux transporter P-gp. Concomitant administration of P-gp inhibitors (such as amiodarone, verapamil, quinidine, ketoconazole, dronedarone, clarithromycin and ticagrelor) is expected to result in increased dabigatran plasma concentrations.

If not otherwise specifically described, close clinical surveillance (looking for signs of bleeding or anaemia) is required when dabigatran is co-administered with strong P-gp inhibitors. A coagulation test helps to identify patients with an increased bleeding risk due to increased dabigatran exposure (see sections 4.2, 4.4 and 5.1).

The following strong P-gp inhibitors are contraindicated: systemic ketoconazole, cyclosporine, itraconazole and dronedarone (see section 4.3). Concomitant treatment with tacrolimus is not recommended. Caution should be exercised with mild to moderate P-gp inhibitors (e.g. amiodarone, posaconazole, quinidine, verapamil and ticagrelor) (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

Ketoconazole: Ketoconazole increased total dabigatran AUC0-∞ and Cmax values by 138 % and 135 %, respectively, after a single oral dose of 400 mg, and 153 % and 149 %, respectively, after multiple oral dosing of 400 mg ketoconazole once daily. The time to peak, terminal half-life and mean residence time were not affected by ketoconazole (see section 4.4). Concomitant treatment with systemic ketoconazole is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

Dronedarone: When dabigatran etexilate and dronedarone were given at the same time total dabigatran AUC0-∞ and Cmax values increased by about 2.4-fold and 2.3-fold (+136 % and 125 %), respectively, after multiple dosing of 400 mg dronedarone bid, and about 2.1-fold and 1.9-fold (+114 % and 87 %), respectively, after a single dose of 400 mg. The terminal half-life and renal clearance of dabigatran were not affected by dronedarone. When single and multiple doses of dronedarone were given 2 h after dabigatran etexilate, the increases in dabigatran AUC0-∞ were 1.3-fold and 1.6-fold, respectively. Concomitant treatment with dronedarone is contraindicated.

Amiodarone: When Pradaxa was co-administered with a single oral dose of 600 mg amiodarone, the extent and rate of absorption of amiodarone and its active metabolite DEA were essentially unchanged. The dabigatran AUC and Cmax were increased by about 60 % and 50 %, respectively. The mechanism of the interaction has not been completely clarified. In view of the long half-life of amiodarone the potential for drug interaction may exist for weeks after discontinuation of amiodarone (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

Patients treated for prevention of VTEs after hip or knee replacement surgery, dosing should be reduced to 150 mg taken once daily as 2 capsules of 75 mg Pradaxa if they receive concomitantly dabigatran etexilate and amiodarone (see section 4.2). Close clinical surveillance is recommended when dabigatran etexilate is combined with amiodarone and particularly in the occurrence of bleeding, notably in patients having a mild to moderate renal impairment.

Quinidine: Quinidine was given as 200 mg dose every 2nd hour up to a total dose of 1,000 mg. Dabigatran etexilate was given twice daily over 3 consecutive days, on the 3rd day either with or without quinidine. Dabigatran AUC,ss and Cmax,ss were increased on average by 53 % and 56 %, respectively with concomitant quinidine (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

Patients treated for prevention of VTEs after hip or knee replacement surgery, dosing should be reduced to 150 mg taken once daily as 2 capsules of 75 mg Pradaxa if they receive concomitantly dabigatran etexilate and quinidine (see section 4.2). Close clinical surveillance is recommended when dabigatran etexilate is combined with quinidine and particularly in the occurrence of bleeding, notably in patients having a mild to moderate renal impairment.

Verapamil: When dabigatran etexilate (150 mg) was co-administered with oral verapamil, the Cmax and AUC of dabigatran were increased but magnitude of this change differs depending on timing of administration and formulation of verapamil (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

The greatest elevation of dabigatran exposure was observed with the first dose of an immediate release formulation of verapamil administered one hour prior to dabigatran etexilate intake (increase of Cmax by about 180 % and AUC by about 150 %). The effect was progressively decreased with administration of an extended release formulation (increased of Cmax by about 90 % and AUC by about 70 %) or administration of multiple doses of verapamil (increased of Cmax by about 60 % and AUC by about 50 %).

Therefore, close clinical surveillance (looking for signs of bleeding or anaemia) is required when dabigatran is co-administered with verapamil. In patients with normal renal function after hip or knee replacement surgery, receiving dabigatran etexilate and verapamil concomitantly, the dose of Pradaxa should be reduced to 150 mg taken once daily as 2 capsules of 75 mg. In patients with moderate renal impairment and concomitantly treated with dabigatran etexilate and verapamil, a dose reduction of Pradaxa to 75 mg daily should be considered (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

For patients with NVAF treated for prevention of stroke and SEE, concomitantly receiving dabigatran etexilate and verapamil, the dose of Pradaxa should be reduced to 220 mg taken as one 110 mg capsule twice daily (see section 4.2).

Close clinical surveillance is recommended when dabigatran etexilate is combined with verapamil and particularly in the occurrence of bleeding, notably in patients having a mild to moderate renal impairment.

There was no meaningful interaction observed when verapamil was given 2 hours after dabigatran etexilate (increased of Cmax by about 10 % and AUC by about 20 %). This is explained by completed dabigatran absorption after 2 hours (see section 4.4).

Clarithromycin: When clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) was administered together with dabigatran etexilate in healthy volunteers, increase of AUC by about 19 % and Cmax by about 15 % was observed without any clinical safety concern. However, in patients receiving dabigatran, a clinically relevant interaction cannot be excluded when combined with clarithromycin. Therefore, a close monitoring should be exercised when dabigatran etexilate is combined with clarithromycin and particularly in the occurrence of bleeding, notably in patients having a mild to moderate renal impairment.

Ticagrelor: When a single dose of 75mg dabigatran etexilate was coadministered simultaneously with a loading dose of 180 mg ticagrelor, the dabigatran AUC and Cmaxwere increased by 1.73-fold and 1.95-fold (+73% and 95 %), respectively. After multiple doses of ticagrelor 90 mg b.i.d. the increase of dabigatran exposure is 1.56-fold and 1.46-fold (+56% and 46%) for Cmax and AUC, respectively.

Concomitant administration of a loading dose of 180 mg ticagrelor and 110 mg dabigatran etexilate (in steady state) increased the dabigatran AUC,ss and Cmax,ss by 1.49-fold and 1.65-fold (+49% and 65%), respectively, compared with dabigatran etexilate given alone. When a loading dose of 180 mgticagrelor was given 2 hours after 110 mg dabigatran etexilate (in steady state), the increase of dabigatran AUC,ss and Cmax,ss was reduced to 1.27-fold and 1.23-fold (+27% and 23%), respectively, compared with dabigatran etexilate given alone. This staggered intake is the recommended administration for start of ticagrelor with a loading dose.

Concomitant administration of 90 mg ticagrelor BID (maintenance dose) with 110 mg dabigatran etexilate increased the adjusted dabigatran AUC,ss and Cmax,ss 1.26-fold and 1.29-fold, respectively, compared with dabigatran etexilate given alone.

The following potent P-gp inhibitors have not been clinically studied but from in vitro results a similar effect as with ketoconazole may be expected:

Itraconazole and cyclosporine, which are contra-indicated (see section 4.3).

Tacrolimus has been found in vitro to have a similar level of inhibitory effect on P-gp as that seen with itraconazole and cyclosporine. Dabigatran etexilate has not been clinically studied together with tacrolimus. However, limited clinical data with another P-gp substrate (everolimus) suggest that the inhibition of P-gp with tacrolimus is weaker than that observed with strong P-gp inhibitors. Based on these data concomitant treatment with tacrolimus is not recommended.

Posaconazole also inhibits P-gp to some extent but has not been clinically studied. Caution should be exercised when Pradaxa is co-administered with posaconazole.

P-gp inducers

Concomitant administration of a P-gp inducer (such as rifampicin, St. John´s wort (Hypericum perforatum), carbamazepine, or phenytoin) is expected to result in decreased dabigatran concentrations and should be avoided (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Rifampicin: Pre-dosing of the probe inducer rifampicin at a dose of 600 mg once daily for 7 days decreased total dabigatran peak and total exposure by 65.5 and 67 %, respectively. The inducing effect was diminished resulting in dabigatran exposure close to the reference by day 7 after cessation of rifampicin treatment. No further increase in bioavailability was observed after another 7 days.

Other medicinal products affecting P-gp

Protease inhibitors including ritonavir and its combinations with other protease inhibitors affect P-gp (either as inhibitor or as inducer). They have not been studied and are therefore not recommended for concomitant treatment with Pradaxa.

P-gp substrate

Digoxin: In a study performed with 24 healthy subjects, when Pradaxa was co-administered with digoxin, no changes on digoxin and no clinical relevant changes on dabigatran exposure have been observed.

Co-medication with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

SSRIs and SNRIs increased the risk of bleeding in RE-LY in all treatment groups.

Gastric pH

Pantoprazole: When Pradaxa was co-administered with pantoprazole, a decrease in the dabigatran area under the plasma concentration-time curve of approximately 30 % was observed. Pantoprazole and other proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) were co-administered with Pradaxa in clinical trials, and concomitant PPI treatment did not appear to reduce the efficacy of Pradaxa.

Ranitidine: Ranitidine administration together with Pradaxa had no clinically relevant effect on the extent of absorption of dabigatran.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
 Women of childbearing potential / Contraception in males and females

Women of childbearing potential should avoid pregnancy during treatment with dabigatran etexilate.

Pregnancy

There are limited amount of data from the use of dabigatran etexilate in pregnant women.

Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.

Pradaxa should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

Breast-feeding

There are no clinical data of the effect of dabigatran on infants during breast-feeding.

Breast-feeding should be discontinued during treatment with Pradaxa.

Fertility

No human data available.

In animal studies an effect on female fertility was observed in the form of a decrease in implantations and an increase in pre-implantation loss at 70 mg/kg (representing a 5-fold higher plasma exposure level compared to patients). No other effects on female fertility were observed. There was no influence on male fertility. At doses that were toxic to the mothers (representing a 5- to 10-fold higher plasma exposure level to patients), a decrease in foetal body weight and embryofoetal viability along with an increase in foetal variations were observed in rats and rabbits. In the pre- and post-natal study, an increase in foetal mortality was observed at doses that were toxic to the dams (a dose corresponding to a plasma exposure level 4-fold higher than observed in patients).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
 Pradaxa has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects
 Summary of the safety profile

A total of 10,795 patients were treated in 6 actively controlled VTE prevention trials with at least one dose of the medicinal product. Of these 6,684 were treated with 150 mg or 220 mg daily of Pradaxa.

In the pivotal study investigating the prevention of stroke and SEE in patients with atrial fibrillation, a total of 12,042 patients were treated with dabigatran etexilate. Of these 6,059 were treated with 150 mg twice daily of dabigatran etexilate, while 5,983 received doses of 110 mg twice daily.

In total, about 9 % of patients treated for elective hip or knee surgery (short-term treatment for up to 42 days) and 22 % of patient with atrial fibrillation treated for the prevention of stroke and SEE (long-term treatment for up to 3 years) experienced adverse reactions.

The most commonly reported adverse reactions are bleedings occurring in total in approximately 14 % of patients treated short-term for elective hip or knee replacement surgery, and 16,5 % in patients with atrial fibrillation treated for the prevention of stroke and SEE.

Since the patient populations treated in the 2 indications are not comparable and bleeding events are distributed over several System Organ Classes (SOC), a summary description of major and any bleeding are broken down by indication and given in tables 5 and 6 below.

Although low in frequency in clinical trials, major or severe bleeding may occur and, regardless of location, may lead to disabling, life-threatening or even fatal outcomes.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Table 4 shows the adverse reactions identified from the primary VTE prevention studies after hip or knee replacement surgery and the prevention of thromboembolic stroke and SEE in patients with atrial fibrillation program ranked under headings of SOC and frequency using the following convention: 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).