1. Name Of The Medicinal Product
Tramacet® 37.5 mg/325 mg effervescent tablets
2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition
One effervescent tablet contains 37.5 mg tramadol hydrochloride and 325 mg paracetamol.
Excipients: Each effervescent tablet contains 7.8 mmol (or 179.4 mg) of sodium (as monosodium citrate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, and saccharin sodium).
One effervescent tablet contains 0.4 mg sunset yellow.
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. Pharmaceutical Form
Effervescent tablet
Off white to slightly rosy coloured with some coloured speckles, of round shape, flat with bevelled edges
4. Clinical Particulars
4.1 Therapeutic Indications
Tramacet is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe pain.
The use of Tramacet should be restricted to patients whose moderate to severe pain is considered to require a combination of tramadol hydrochloride and paracetamol (see also section 5.1).
4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration
Posology
ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS (12 years and older)
The use of Tramacet should be restricted to patients whose moderate to severe pain is considered to require a combination of tramadol hydrochloride and paracetamol.
The dose should be individually adjusted according to intensity of pain and response of the patient.
An initial dose of two effervescent tablets of Tramacet (equivalent to 75 mg tramadol hydrochloride and 650 mg paracetamol) is recommended. Additional doses can be taken as needed, not exceeding 8 effervescent tablets (equivalent to 300 mg tramadol hydrochloride and 2600 mg paracetamol) per day.
The dosing interval should not be less than six hours.
Tramacet should under no circumstances be administered for longer than is strictly necessary (see also section 4.4). If repeated use or long term treatment with Tramacet is required as a result of the nature and severity of the illness, then careful, regular monitoring should take place (with breaks in the treatment, where possible), to assess whether continuation of the treatment is necessary.
Children
The effective and safe use of Tramacet has not been established in children below the age of 12 years. Treatment is therefore not recommended in this population.
Elderly patients
The usual dosages may be used although it should be noted that in volunteers aged over 75 years the elimination half life of tramadol was increased by 17% following oral administration. In patients over 75 years old, it is recommended that the minimum interval between doses should be not less than 6 hours, due to the presence of tramadol.
Renal insufficiency
Because of the presence of tramadol, the use of Tramacet is not recommended in patients with severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance < 10 ml/min). In cases of moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance between 10 and 30 ml/min), the dosing should be increased to 12-hourly intervals. As tramadol is removed only very slowly by haemodialysis or by haemofiltration, post dialysis administration to maintain analgesia is not usually required.
Hepatic insufficiency
In patients with severe hepatic impairment Tramacet should not be used (see section 4.3). In moderate cases prolongation of the dosage interval should be carefully considered (see section 4.4).
Method of administration
Oral use
Effervescent tablets should be taken dissolved in a glass of drinking water.
4.3 Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to tramadol hydrochloride, paracetamol, sunset yellow or to any of the excipients (see section 6.1) of the medicinal product,
- acute intoxication with alcohol, hypnotic medicinal products, centrally-acting analgesics, opioids or psychotropic medicinal products,
- Tramacet should not be administered to patients who are receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors or within two weeks of their withdrawal (see section 4.5),
- severe hepatic impairment,
- epilepsy not controlled by treatment (see section 4.4).
4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use
Warnings:
- In adults and adolescents 12 years and older. The maximum dose of 8 tablets of Tramacet should not be exceeded. In order to avoid inadvertent overdose, patients should be advised not to exceed the recommended dose and not to use any other paracetamol (including over the counter) or tramadol hydrochloride containing products concurrently without the advice of a physician.
- In severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance <10 ml/mm), Tramacet is not recommended.
- In patients with severe hepatic impairment Tramacet should not be used (see section 4.3). The hazards of paracetamol overdose are greater in patients with non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease. In moderate cases prolongation of dosage interval should be carefully considered.
- In severe respiratory insufficiency, Tramacet is not recommended.
- Tramadol hydrochloride is not suitable as a substitute in opioid-dependent patients. Although it is an opioid agonist, tramadol hydrochloride cannot suppress morphine withdrawal symptoms.
- Convulsions have been reported in tramadol hydrochloride-treated patients susceptible to seizures or taking other medications that lower the seizure threshold, especially selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, centrally acting analgesics or local anaesthesia. Epileptic patients controlled by a treatment or patients susceptible to seizures should be treated with Tramacet only if there are compelling circumstances. Convulsions have been reported in patients receiving tramadol hydrochloride at the recommended dose levels. The risk may be increased when doses of tramadol hydrochloride exceed the recommended upper dose limit
- Concomitant use of opioid agonists-antagonists (nalbuphine, buprenorphine, pentazocine) is not recommended (see section 4.5).
Precautions for use
Tramacet should be used with caution in opioid dependent patients, or in patients with cranial trauma, in patients prone to convulsive disorder, biliary tract disorders, in a state of shock, in an altered state of consciousness for unknown reasons, with problems affecting the respiratory center or the respiratory function, or with an increased intracranial pressure.
Paracetamol in overdose may cause hepatic toxicity in some patients.
At therapeutic doses, tramadol hydrochloride has the potential to cause withdrawal symptoms. Rarely, cases of dependence and abuse have been reported (see section 4.8).
Symptoms of withdrawal reactions, similar to those occurring during opiate withdrawal may occur (see section 4.8).
In one study, use of tramadol hydrochloride during general anaesthesia with enflurane and nitrous oxide was reported to enhance intra-operative recall. Until further information is available, use of tramadol hydrochloride during light planes of anaesthesia should be avoided.
The colorant Sunset yellow E110 may cause allergic reactions.
This medicinal product contains 7.8 mmol (or 179.4 mg) sodium per dose. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction
Concomitant use is contraindicated with:
• Non-selective MAO Inhibitors
Risk of serotoninergic syndrome: diarrhoea, tachycardia, sweating, trembling, confusion, even coma.
• Selective-A MAO Inhibitors
Extrapolation from non-selective MAO inhibitors
Risk of serotoninergic syndrome: diarrhoea, tachycardia, sweating, trembling, confusion, even coma.
• Selective-B MAO Inhibitors
Central excitation symptoms evocative of a serotoninergic syndrome: diarrhoea, tachycardia, sweating, trembling, confusion, even coma.
In case of recent treatment with MAO inhibitors, a delay of two weeks should occur before treatment with tramadol hydrochloride
Concomitant use is not recommended with:
• Alcohol
Alcohol increases the sedative effect of opioid analgesics.
The effect on alertness can make driving of vehicles and the use of machines dangerous.
Avoid intake of alcoholic drinks and of medicinal products containing alcohol.
• Carbamazepine and other enzyme inducers
Risk of reduced efficacy and shorter duration due to decreased plasma concentrations of tramadol.
• Opioid agonists-antagonists (buprenorphine, nalbuphine, pentazocine)
Decrease of the analgesic effect by competitive blocking effect at the receptors, with the risk of occurrence of withdrawal syndrome.
Concomitant use which needs to be taken into consideration:
• In isolated cases there have been reports of Serotonin Syndrome in a temporal connection with the therapeutic use of tramadol hydrochloride in combination with other serotoninergic medicines such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and triptans. Signs of Serotonin Syndrome may be for example, confusion, agitation, fever, sweating, ataxia, hyperreflexia, myoclonus and diarrhoea.
• Other opioid derivatives (including antitussive medicinal products and substitutive treatments), benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Increased risk of respiratory depression which can be fatal in cases of overdose.
• Other central nervous system depressants, such as other opioid derivatives (including antitussive medicinal products and substitutive treatments), barbiturates, benzodiazepines, other anxiolytics, hypnotics, sedative antidepressants, sedative antihistamines, neuroleptics, centrally-acting antihypertensive medicinal products, thalidomide and baclofen.
These active substances can cause increased central depression. The effect on alertness can make driving of vehicles and the use of machines dangerous.
• As medically appropriate, periodic evaluation of prothrombin time should be performed when Tramacet and warfarin like compounds are administered concurrently due to reports of increased INR.
• Other active substances known to inhibit CYP3A4, such as ketoconazole and erythromycin, might inhibit the metabolism of tramadol (N-demethylation) probably also the metabolism of the active O-demethylated metabolite. The clinical importance of such an interaction has not been studied.
• Medicinal products reducing the seizure threshold, such as bupropion, serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and neuroleptics. Concomitant use of tramadol hydrochloride with these medicinal products can increase the risk of convulsions. The speed of absorption of paracetamol may be increased by metoclopramide or domperidone and absorption reduced by cholestyramine.
• In a limited number of studies the pre- or postoperative application of the antiemetic 5-HT3 antagonist ondansetron increased the requirement of tramadol hydrochloride in patients with postoperative pain.
4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation
Pregnancy
Since Tramacet is a fixed combination of active substances including tramadol hydrochloride, it should not be used during pregnancy.
• Data regarding paracetamol:
Epidemiological studies in human pregnancy have shown no ill effects due to paracetamol used in the recommended dosages.
• Data regarding tramadol hydrochloride:
Tramadol hydrochloride should not be used during pregnancy as there is inadequate evidence available to assess the safety of tramadol hydrochloride in pregnant women. Tramadol hydrochloride administered before or during birth does not affect uterine contractility. In neonates it may induce changes in the respiratory rate which are usually not clinically relevant. Long-term treatment during pregnancy may lead to withdrawal symptoms in the newborn after birth, as a consequence of habituation.
Lactation:
Since Tramacet is a fixed combination of active ingredients including tramadol hydrochloride, it should not be ingested during breast feeding.
• Data regarding paracetamol:
Paracetamol is excreted in breast milk but not in a clinically significant amount. Available published data do not contraindicate breast feeding by women using single ingredient medicinal products containing only paracetamol.
• Data regarding tramadol hydrochloride:
Tramadol and its metabolites are found in small amounts in human breast milk. An infant could ingest about 0.1% of the dose given to the mother. Tramadol hydrochloride should not be ingested during breast feeding.
4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines
Tramadol hydrochloride may cause drowsiness or dizziness, which may be enhanced by alcohol or other CNS depressants. If affected, the patient should not drive or operate machinery.
4.8 Undesirable Effects
The most commonly reported undesirable effects during the clinical trials performed with the paracetamol/tramadol hydrochloride combination were nausea, dizziness and somnolence, observed in more than 10 % of the patients.
Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Psychiatric disorders:
• Common (
• Uncommon (
• Rare (
Post marketing surveillance
very rare (< 1/10000): abuse.
Nervous system disorders:
• Very common (
• Common (
• Uncommon (
• Rare (
Eye disorders:
• Rare (
Ear and labyrinth disorders:
• Uncommon (
Cardiac disorders:
• Uncommon (
Vascular disorders:
• Uncommon (
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders:
• Uncommon (
Gastrointestinal disorders:
• Very common (
• Common (
• Uncommon (
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
• Common (
• Uncommon (
Renal and urinary disorders:
• Uncommon (
General disorders and administration site conditions:
• Uncommon (
Investigations:
• Uncommon (
Although not observed during clinical trials, the occurrence of the following undesirable effects known to be related to the administration of tramadol hydrochloride or paracetamol cannot be excluded:
Tramadol hydrochloride
• Postural hypotension, bradycardia, collapse.
• Post-marketing surveillance of tramadol hydrochloride has revealed rare alterations of warfarin effect, including elevation of prothrombin times.
• Rare cases (
• Rare cases (
• Psychic side-effects may occur following administration of tramadol hydrochloride which vary individually in intensity and nature (depending on personality and duration of medication). These include changes in mood, (usually elation occasionally dysphoria), changes in activity (usually suppression occasionally increase) and changes in cognitive and sensorial capacity (e.g. decision behaviour perception disorders).
• Worsening of asthma has been reported though a causal relationship has not been established.
• Symptoms of withdrawal reactions, similar to those occurring during opiate withdrawal may occur as follows: agitation, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, hyperkinesia, tremor and gastrointestinal symptoms. Other symptoms that have very rarely been seen if tramadol hydrochloride is discontinued abruptly include: panic attacks, severe anxiety, hallucinations, paraesthesia, tinnitus and unusual CNS symptoms.
Paracetamol
• Adverse effects of paracetamol are rare but hypersensitivity including skin rash may occur. There have been reports of blood dyscrasias including thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis, but these were not necessarily causally related to paracetamol.
• There have been several reports that suggest that paracetamol may produce hypoprothrombinemia when administered with warfarin-like compounds. In other studies, prothrombin time did not change.
4.9 Overdose
Tramacet is a fixed combination of active substances. In case of overdose, the symptoms may include the signs and symptoms of toxicity of tramadol hydrochloride or paracetamol or of both these active ingredients.
Symptoms of overdose from tramadol hydrochloride:
In principle, on intoxication with tramadol hydrochloride, symptoms similar to those of other centrally acting analgesics (opioids) are to be expected. These include in particular, miosis, vomiting, cardiovascular collapse, consciousness disorders up to coma, convulsions and respiratory depression up to respiratory arrest.
Symptoms of overdose from paracetamol:
An overdose is of particular concern in young children. Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalophathy, coma and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.
Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 7.5-10 g or more of paracetamol. It is considered that excess quantities of a toxic metabolite (usually adequately detoxified by glutathione when normal doses of paracetamol are ingested), become irreversibly bound to liver tissue.
Emergency treatment:
- Transfer immediately to a specialised unit.
- Maintain respiratory and circulatory functions
- Prior to starting treatment, a blood sample should be taken as soon as possible after overdose in order to measure the plasma concentration of paracetamol and tramadol and in order to perform hepatic tests.
- Perform hepatic tests at the start (of overdose) and repeat every 24 hours. An increase in hepatic enzymes (ASAT, ALAT) is usually observed, which normalizes after one or two weeks.
- Empty the stomach by causing the patient to vomit (when the patient is conscious) by irritation or gastric lavage.
- Supportive measures such as maintaining the patency of the airway and maintaining cardiovascular function should be instituted; naloxone should be used to reverse respiratory depression; fits can be controlled with diazepam.
- Tramadol hydrochloride is minimally eliminated from the serum by haemodialysis or haemofiltration. Therefore treatment of acute intoxication with Tramacet with haemodialysis or haemofiltration alone is not suitable for detoxification.
Immediate treatment is essential in the management of paracetamol overdose. Despite a lack of significant early symptoms, patients should be referred to hospital urgently for immediate medical attention and any adult or adolescent who had ingested around 7.5 g or more of paracetamol in the preceding 4 hours or any child who has ingested
Irrespective of the reported quantity of paracetamol ingested, the antidote for paracetamol, NAC, should be administered orally or intravenously, as quickly as possible, if possible, within 8 hours following the overdose.
5. Pharmacological Properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other opioids; Tramadol, combinations
ATC code: N02A X 52
ANALGESICS
Tramadol is an opioid analgesic that acts on the central nervous system. Tramadol is a pure non selective agonists of the μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors with a higher affinity for the µ receptors. Other mechanisms which contribute to its analgesic effect are inhibition of neuronal reuptake of noradrenaline and enhancement of serotonin release. Tramadol has an antitussive effect. Unlike morphine, a broad range of analgesic doses of tramadol has no respiratory depressant effect. Similarly, the gastro-intestinal motility is not modified. The cardiovascular effects are generally slight. The potency of tramadol is considered to be one-tenth to one-sixth that of morphine.
The precise mechanism of the analgesic properties of paracetamol is unknown and may involve central and peripheral effects.
Tramacet is positioned as a step II analgesic in the WHO pain ladder and should be utilised accordingly by the physician.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties
Tramadol hydrochloride is administered in racemic form and the [-] and [+] forms of tramadol and its metabolite M1, are detected in the blood. Although tramadol is rapidly absorbed after administration, its absorption is slower (and its half-life longer) than that of paracetamol.
After a single oral administration of a tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol (37.5 mg/325 mg) effervescent tablet, mean peak plasma concentrations of 94.1 ng/ml for racemic tramadol and 4.0 mcg/ml for paracetamol are reached after 1.1 h (racemic tramadol) and 0.5 h (paracetamol), respectively. The mean terminal phase half-lives (t1/2) are 5.7 h for racemic tramadol and 2.8 h for paracetamol.
During pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers after single and repeated oral administration of Tramacet, no clinical significant change was observed in the kinetic parameters of each active ingredient compared to the parameters of the active ingredients used alone.
Absorption:
Racemic tramadol is rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral administration. The mean absolute bioavailability of a single 100 mg dose is approximately 75%. After repeated administration, the bioavailability is increased and reaches approximately 90%.
After administration ofTramacet, the oral absorption of paracetamol is rapid and nearly complete and takes place mainly in the small intestine. Peak plasma concentrations of paracetamol are reached in one hour and are not modified by concomitant administration of tramadol hydrochloride.
The oral administration of Tramacet with food has no significant effect on the peak plasma concentration or extent of absorption of either tramadol or paracetamol so that Tramacet can be taken independently of meal times.
Distribution:
Tramadol has a high tissue affinity (Vd,β=203 ± 40 l). It has a plasma protein binding of about 20%.
Paracetamol appears to be widely distributed throughout most body tissues except fat. Its apparent volume of distribution is about 0.9 l/kg. A relative small portion (~20%) of paracetamol is bound to plasma proteins.
Metabolism:
Tramadol is extensively metabolized after oral administration. About 30% of the dose is excreted in urine as unchanged drug, whereas 60% of the dose is excreted as metabolites.
Tramadol is metabolised through O-demethylation (catalysed by the enzyme CYP2D6) to the metabolite M1, and through N-demethylation (catalysed by CYP3A) to the metabolite M2. M1 is further metabolised through N-demethylation and by conjugation with glucuronic acid. The plasma elimination half-life of M1 is 7 hours. The metabolite M1 has analgesic properties and is more potent than the parent drug. The plasma concentrations of M1 are several-fold lower than those of tramadol and the contribution to the clinical effect is unlikely to change on multiple dosing.
Paracetamol is principally metabolized in the liver through two major hepatic routes: glucuronidation and sulphation. The latter route can be rapidly saturated at doses above the therapeutic doses. A small fraction (less than 4%) is metabolized by cytochrome P 450 to an active intermediate (the N-acetyl benzoquinoneimine) which, under normal conditions of use, is rapidly detoxified by reduced glutathione and excreted in urine after conjugation to cysteine and mercapturic acid. However, during massive overdose, the quantity of this metabolite is increased.
Elimination:
Tramadol and its metabolites are eliminated mainly by the kidneys. The half-life of paracetamol is approximately 2 to 3 hours in adults. It is shorter in children and slightly longer in the newborn and in cirrhotic patients. Paracetamol is mainly eliminated by dose-dependent formation of glucuro- and sulpho-conjugate derivatives. Less than 9% of paracetamol is excreted unchanged in urine. In renal insufficiency, the half-life of both compounds is prolonged.
5.3 Preclinical Safety Data
No preclinical study has been performed with the fixed combination (tramadol hydrochloride and paracetamol) to evaluate its carcinogenic or mutagenic effects or its effects on fertility.
No teratogenic effect that can be attributed to the medicine has been observed in the progeny of rats treated orally with the combination tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol.
The combination tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol has proven to be embryotoxic and foetotoxic in the rat at materno-toxic dose (50/434 mg/kg tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol), i.e., 8.3 times the maximum therapeutic dose in man. No teratogenic effect has been observed at this dose. The toxicity to the embryo and the foetus results in a decreased foetal weight and an increase in supernumerary ribs. Lower doses, causing less severe materno-toxic effect (10/87 and 25/217 mg/kg tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol) did not result in toxic effects in the embryo or the foetus.
Results of standard mutagenicity tests did not reveal a potential genotoxic risk for tramadol hydrochloride in man.
Results of carcinogenicity tests do not suggest a potential risk of tramadol hydrochloride for man.
Animal studies with tramadol hydrochloride revealed, at very high doses, effects on organ development, ossification and neonatal mortality, associated with maternotoxicity. Fertility reproductive performance and development of offspring were unaffected. Tramadol crosses the placenta. No effect on fertility has been observed after oral administration of tramadol hydrochloride up to doses of 50 mg/kg in the male rat and 75 mg/kg in the female rat.
Extensive investigations showed no evidence of a relevant genotoxic risk of paracetamol at therapeutic (i.e. non-toxic) doses.
Long-term studies in rats and mice yielded no evidence of relevant tumorigenic effects at non-hepatotoxic dosages of paracetamol.
Animal studies and extensive human experience to date yield no evidence of reproductive toxicity.
6. Pharmaceutical Particulars
6.1 List Of Excipients
Monosodium citrate anhydrous
Citric acid anhydrous
Povidone K30
Sodium hydrogen carbonate
Macrogol 6000
Silica colloidal anhydrous
Magnesium stearate
Flavour Orange (maltodextrin (maize), modified starch (E1450), natural and artificial flavourings)
Acesulfame potassium
Saccharin sodium
Sunset yellow E110
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
6.3 Shelf Life
Packed in coated aluminium strips:
24 months
Packed in polypropylene tablet containers:
24 months
After first opening:
Tablet container (Polypropylene): 1 year
6.4 Special Precautions For Storage
Strip (Aluminium): Do not store above 25º C.
Tablet container (Polypropylene): Do not store above 30° C.
After first opening: Keep the container tightly closed, in order to protect from moisture.
Do not store above 30° C.
6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container
Child-resistant strips of thermo-sealed aluminium foil; outside coated with polyethylene terephthalate, inside coated with polyethylene.
Polypropylene tablet containers with desiccant molecular sieve and child-resistant polypropylene closure.
Pack sizes of 2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 effervescent tablets packed in coated aluminium strips
or 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 effervescent tablets packed in polypropylene tablet containers.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
7. Marketing Authorisation Holder
Grünenthal Ltd
Regus Lakeside House
1 Furzeground Way
Stockley Park East
Uxbridge
Middlesex UB11 1BD
United Kingdom
8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)
PL 21727/0040
9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation
02 June 2009
10. Date Of Revision Of The Text
March 2010
