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AstraZeneca

Twynsta
telmisartan, amlodipine

Package leaflet: Information for the user Twynsta 40 mg/5 mg tablets telmisartan/amlodipine


Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.


What is in this leaflet

  1. What Twynsta is and what it is used for

  2. What you need to know before you take Twynsta

  3. How to take Twynsta

  4. Possible side effects

  5. How to store Twynsta

  6. Contents of the pack and other information


  1. What Twynsta is and what it is used for


    Twynsta tablets contain two active substances called telmisartan and amlodipine. Both of these substances help to control your high blood pressure:

    • Telmisartan belongs to a group of substances called “angiotensin-II receptor antagonists”.

      Angiotensin II is a substance produced in the body which causes blood vessels to narrow, thus increasing blood pressure. Telmisartan works by blocking the effect of angiotensin II.

    • Amlodipine belongs to a group of substances called “calcium channel blockers”. Amlodipine stops calcium from moving into the blood vessel wall which stops the blood vessels from tightening.

      This means that both of these active substances work together to help stop your blood vessels tightening. As a result, the blood vessels relax and blood pressure is lowered.


      Twynsta is used to treat high blood pressure

    • in adult patients whose blood pressure is not controlled enough with amlodipine alone.

    • in adult patients who already receive telmisartan and amlodipine from separate tablets and who wish to take instead the same doses in one tablet for convenience.


      High blood pressure, if not treated, can damage blood vessels in several organs, which puts patients at risk of serious events such as heart attack, heart or kidney failure, stroke, or blindness. There are usually no symptoms of high blood pressure before damage occurs. Thus it is important to regularly measure blood pressure to verify if it is within the normal range.


  2. What you need to know before you take Twynsta Do not take Twynsta

    • if you are allergic to telmisartan or amlodipine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

    • if you are allergic to other medicines of the dihydropyridine type (one type of calcium channel blocker).

    • if you are more than 3 months pregnant. (It is also better to avoid Twynsta in early pregnancy – see Pregnancy section.)

    • if you have severe liver problems or biliary obstruction (problems with drainage of the bile from the liver and gall bladder).

    • if you have narrowing of the aortic heart valve (aortic stenosis) or cardiogenic shock (a condition where your heart is unable to supply enough blood to the body).

    • if you suffer from heart failure after a heart attack.

    • if you have diabetes or impaired kidney function and you are treated with a blood pressure lowering medicine containing aliskiren.


      If any of the above applies to you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking Twynsta.


      Warnings and precautions

      Talk to your doctor before taking Twynsta if you are suffering or have ever suffered from any of the following conditions or illnesses:

    • Kidney disease or kidney transplant.

    • Narrowing of the blood vessels to one or both kidneys (renal artery stenosis).

    • Liver disease.

    • Heart trouble.

    • Raised aldosterone levels (which lead to water and salt retention in the body along with imbalance of various blood minerals).

    • Low blood pressure (hypotension), likely to occur if you are dehydrated (excessive loss of body water) or have salt deficiency due to diuretic therapy (‘water tablets’), low-salt diet, diarrhoea, or vomiting.

    • Elevated potassium levels in your blood.

    • Diabetes.

    • Narrowing of the aorta (aortic stenosis).

    • Heart-associated chest pain also at rest or with minimal effort (unstable angina pectoris).

    • A heart attack within the last four weeks.


      Talk to your doctor before taking Twynsta:

    • if you are taking any of the following medicines used to treat high blood pressure:

      • an ACE-inhibitor (for example enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril), in particular if you have diabetes- related kidney problems.

      • aliskiren.

        Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure, and the amount of electrolytes (e.g. potassium) in your blood at regular intervals. See also “Do not take Twynsta”.

    • if you are elderly and your dose needs to be increased.


      In case of surgery or anaesthesia, you should tell your doctor that you are taking Twynsta.


      Children and adolescents

      Twynsta is not recommended in children and adolescents up to the age of 18 years.


      Other medicines and Twynsta

      Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

      Your doctor may need to change the dose of these other medicines or take other precautions. In some cases you may have to stop taking one of the medicines. This applies especially to the medicines listed

      below:

    • Lithium-containing medicines to treat some types of depression.

    • Medicines that may increase blood potassium levels such as salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing diuretics (certain ‘water tablets’).

    • Angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

    • ACE-inhibitors or aliskiren (see also information under the headings “Do not take Twynsta” and “Warnings and precautions”).

    • NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, e.g. acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen), heparin, immunosuppressives (e.g. cyclosporin or tacrolimus), and the antibiotic trimethoprim.

    • Rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin (antibiotics).

    • St. John’s wort.

    • Dantrolene (infusion for severe body temperature abnormalities).

    • Medicines used to alter the way your immune system works (e.g. sirolimus, temsirolimus and everolimus).

    • Medicines used for HIV/AIDS (e.g. ritonavir) or for treatment of fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole).

    • Diltiazem (cardiac medicine).

    • Simvastatin to treat elevated levels of cholesterol.

    • Digoxin.


      As with other blood pressure lowering medicines, the effect of Twynsta may be reduced when you take NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, e.g. acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen) or corticosteroids.


      Twynsta may increase the blood pressure lowering effect of other medicines used to treat high blood pressure or of medicines with blood pressure lowering potential (e.g. baclofen, amifostine, neuroleptics or antidepressants).


      Twynsta with food and drink

      Low blood pressure may be aggravated by alcohol. You may notice this as dizziness when standing up.


      Grapefruit juice and grapefruit should not be consumed when you take Twynsta. This is because grapefruit and grapefruit juice may lead to increased blood levels of the active ingredient amlodipine in some patients and may increase the blood pressure lowering effect of Twynsta.


      Pregnancy and breast-feeding

      Pregnancy

      You must tell your doctor if you think you might be pregnant or are planning to have a baby. Your doctor will normally advise you to stop taking Twynsta before you become pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant and will advise you to take another medicine instead of Twynsta. Twynsta is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used after the third month of pregnancy.


      Breast-feeding

      Amlodipine has been shown to pass into breast milk in small amounts.

      Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. Twynsta is not recommended for mothers who are breast-feeding, and your doctor may choose another treatment for you if you wish to breast-feed, especially if your baby is newborn, or was born prematurely.


      Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.


      Driving and using machines

      Some people may experience side effects such as fainting, sleepiness, dizziness or a feeling of spinning

      (vertigo) when they are treated for high blood pressure. If you experience these side effects, do not drive or use machines.


      Twynsta contains sorbitol

      This medicine contains 168.64 mg sorbitol in each tablet.


      Twynsta contains sodium

      This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-

      free’.

  3. How to take Twynsta


    Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.


    The recommended dose is one tablet a day. Try to take the tablet at the same time each day. Remove your Twynsta tablet from the blister only directly prior to intake.


    You can take Twynsta with or without food. The tablets should be swallowed with some water or other non-alcoholic drink.


    If your liver is not working properly, the usual dose should not exceed one 40 mg/5 mg tablet or one 40 mg/10 mg tablet per day.


    If you take more Twynsta than you should

    If you accidentally take too many tablets, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or your nearest hospital emergency department immediately. You might experience low blood pressure and rapid heart beat. Slow heart beat, dizziness, reduced kidney function including kidney failure, marked and prolonged low blood

    pressure including shock and death have also been reported.


    If you forget to take Twynsta

    If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then carry on as before. If you do not take your tablet on one day, take your normal dose on the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.


    If you stop taking Twynsta

    It is important that you take Twynsta every day until your doctor tells you otherwise. If you have the impression that the effect of Twynsta is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.


    If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.


  4. Possible side effects


    Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.


    Some side effects can be serious and need immediate medical attention


    You should see your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:


    Sepsis (often called "blood poisoning", is a severe infection of the whole-body with high fever and the feeling of being severely ill), rapid swelling of the skin and mucosa (angioedema); these side effects are rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) but are extremely serious and patients should stop taking the medicine and see their doctor immediately. If these effects are not treated they could be fatal. Increased incidence of sepsis has been observed with telmisartan only, however can not be ruled out for Twynsta.


    Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

    Dizziness, ankle swelling (oedema).


    Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

    Sleepiness, migraine, headache, tingling or numbness of the hands or feet, feeling of spinning (vertigo),

    slow heart rate, palpitations (awareness of your heart beat), low blood pressure (hypotension), dizziness on standing up (orthostatic hypotension), flushing, cough, stomach ache (abdominal pain), diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea), itching, joint pain, muscle cramps, muscle pain, inability to obtain an erection, weakness, chest pain, tiredness, swelling (oedema), increased levels of hepatic enzymes.

    Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

    Urinary bladder infection, feeling sad (depression), feeling anxious, sleeplessness, fainting, nerve damage in the hands or feet, reduced sense of touch, taste abnormalities, trembling, vomiting, enlarged gums,

    discomfort in the abdomen, dry mouth, eczema (a skin disorder), redness of skin, rash, back pain, leg pain, urge to urinate during the night, feeling unwell (malaise), increased levels of uric acid in the blood.


    Very rare side effect (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

    Progressive scarring of lung tissue (interstitial lung disease [mainly pneumonia of the interstitium and

    pneumonia with excess eosinophils])


    The following side effects have been observed with the components telmisartan or amlodipine and may occur also with Twynsta:


    Telmisartan

    In patients taking telmisartan alone the following additional side effects have been reported:


    Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

    Urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections (e.g. sore throat, inflamed sinuses, common

    cold), deficiency in red blood cells (anaemia), high potassium levels in the blood, shortness of breath, bloating, increased sweating, kidney damage including sudden inability of the kidneys to work, increased levels of creatinine.


    Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

    Increase in certain white blood cells (eosinophilia), low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), allergic reaction (e.g. rash, itching, difficulty of breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face or low blood pressure), low blood sugar levels (in diabetic patients), impaired vision, fast heart beat, upset stomach, abnormal

    liver function, hives (urticaria), medicine rash, inflammation of the tendons, flu-like illness (for example muscle pain, feeling generally unwell), decreased haemoglobin (a blood protein), increased levels of

    creatinine phosphokinase in the blood.

    Most cases of abnormal liver function and liver disorder from post-marketing experience with telmisartan occurred in Japanese patients. Japanese patients are more likely to experience this side effect.


    Amlodipine

    In patients taking amlodipine alone the following additional side effects have been reported:


    Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

    Altered bowel habits, diarrhoea, constipation, visual disturbances, double vision, ankle swelling.


    Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

    Mood changes, impaired vision, ringing in the ears, shortness of breath, sneezing/running nose, hair loss, unusual bruising and bleeding (red blood cell damage), skin discolouration, increased sweating, difficulty passing urine, increased need to pass urine especially at night, enlarging of male breasts, pain, weight increased, weight decreased.


    Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

    Confusion.


    Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

    Reduced number of white blood cells (leucopenia), low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), allergic reaction (e.g. rash, itching, difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face or low blood pressure), excess sugar in blood , uncontrollable twitching or jerking movements, heart attack, irregular heart beat, inflammation of the blood vessels, inflamed pancreas, inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), inflammation of the liver, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), increased levels of hepatic enzymes with jaundice, rapid swelling of skin and mucosa (angioedema), severe skin reactions, hives (urticaria), severe allergic reactions with blistering eruptions of the skin and mucous membranes (exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson-Syndrome), increased sensitivity of the skin to sun, increased muscle tension.

    Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

    Severe allergic reactions with blistering eruptions of the skin and mucous membranes (toxic epidermal

    necrolysis).


    Reporting of side effects

    image

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


  5. How to store Twynsta


    Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.


    Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.


    This medicine does not require any special temperature storage conditions. Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture. Remove your Twynsta tablet from the blister only directly prior to intake.


    Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.


  6. Contents of the pack and other information What Twynsta contains


What Twynsta looks like and contents of the pack

Twynsta 40 mg/5 mg tablets are blue and white oval shaped two layer tablets of approximately 14 mm length engraved with the product code A1 and the company logo on the white layer.


Twynsta is available in a folding box containing 14, 28, 56, 98 tablets in aluminium/aluminium blisters or containing 30 x 1, 90 x 1, 360 (4 x 90 x 1) tablets in aluminium/aluminium perforated unit dose blisters.


Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder Manufacturer

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH Binger Str. 173

55216 Ingelheim am Rhein Germany

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG Binger Str. 173

55216 Ingelheim am Rhein Germany


Rottendorf Pharma GmbH Ostenfelder Straße 51 - 61

59320 Ennigerloh

Germany

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder.


België/Belgique/Belgien

SCS Boehringer Ingelheim Comm.V Tél/Tel: +32 2 773 33 11

Lietuva

Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG Lietuvos filialas

Tel.: +370 5 2595942


България

Бьорингер Ингелхайм РЦВ ГмбХ и Ко КГ - клон България

Тел: +359 2 958 79 98

Luxembourg/Luxemburg

SCS Boehringer Ingelheim Comm.V

Tél/Tel: +32 2 773 33 11


Česká republika

Boehringer Ingelheim spol. s r.o. Tel: +420 234 655 111

Magyarország

Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG Magyarországi Fióktelepe

Tel.: +36 1 299 89 00


Danmark

Boehringer Ingelheim Danmark A/S Tlf: +45 39 15 88 88

Malta

Boehringer Ingelheim Ireland Ltd. Tel: +353 1 295 9620


Deutschland

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG Tel: +49 (0) 800 77 90 900

Nederland

Boehringer Ingelheim b.v. Tel: +31 (0) 800 22 55 889


Eesti

Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG Eesti Filiaal

Tel: +372 612 8000

Norge

Boehringer Ingelheim Norway KS Tlf: +47 66 76 13 00


Ελλάδα

Boehringer Ingelheim Ελλάς Μονοπρόσωπη Α.Ε. Tηλ: +30 2 10 89 06 300

Österreich

Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG Tel: +43 1 80 105-7870


España

Boehringer Ingelheim España, S.A. Tel: +34 93 404 51 00

Polska

Boehringer Ingelheim Sp.zo.o. Tel.: +48 22 699 0 699


France

Boehringer Ingelheim France S.A.S. Tél: +33 3 26 50 45 33

Portugal

Boehringer Ingelheim Portugal, Lda. Tel: +351 21 313 53 00


Hrvatska

Boehringer Ingelheim Zagreb d.o.o.

Tel: +385 1 2444 600

România

Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG Viena - Sucursala Bucuresti

Tel: +40 21 302 2800


Ireland

Boehringer Ingelheim Ireland Ltd. Tel: +353 1 295 9620

Slovenija

Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG Podružnica Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 586 40 00

Ísland

Vistor hf.

Sími: +354 535 7000

Slovenská republika

Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG organizačná zložka

Tel: +421 2 5810 1211


Italia

Boehringer Ingelheim Italia S.p.A. Tel: +39 02 5355 1

Suomi/Finland

Boehringer Ingelheim Finland Ky Puh/Tel: +358 10 3102 800


Κύπρος

Boehringer Ingelheim Ελλάς Μονοπρόσωπη Α.Ε. Tηλ: +30 2 10 89 06 300

Sverige

Boehringer Ingelheim AB Tel: +46 8 721 21 00


Latvija

Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG Latvijas filiāle

Tel: +371 67 240 011

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

Boehringer Ingelheim Ireland Ltd. Tel: +353 1 295 9620


This leaflet was last revised in


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