Treatment of essential hypertension in adults:

Add on therapy

Covatel is indicated in adults whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on amlodipine.

Replacement therapy

Adult patients receiving telmisartan and amlodipine from separate tablets can instead receive tablets of Covatel containing the same component doses.

Posology

The recommended dose of Covatel  is one tablet per day.

The maximum recommended dose is Covatel 80 mg/10 mg, one tablet per day. Covatel is indicated for long term treatment.

Administration of amlodipine with grapefruit or grapefruit juice is not recommended as bioavailability may be increased in some patients resulting in increased blood pressure lowering effects (see section 4.5).

Add on therapy

Covatel 80 mg/10 mg may be administered in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on Covatel 40 mg/10 mg or Covatel  80 mg/5 mg.

Individual dose titration with the components (i.e. amlodipine and telmisartan) is recommended before changing to the fixed dose combination. When clinically appropriate, direct change from monotherapy to the fixed combination may be considered.

Patients treated with 10 mg amlodipine who experience any dose limiting adverse reactions such as oedema, may be switched to Covatel 40 mg/5 mg once daily, reducing the dose of amlodipine without reducing the overall expected antihypertensive response.

Replacement therapy

Patients receiving telmisartan and amlodipine from separate tablets can instead receive tablets of Covatel containing the same component doses in one tablet once daily, e.g. to enhance convenience or compliance.

 

Special population

Elderly patients

No dose adjustment is necessary for elderly patients. Little information is available in the very elderly patients.

Patients with renal impairment

No posology adjustment is required for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Limited experience is available in patients with severe renal impairment or haemodialysis. Caution is advised when using Covatel in such patients as amlodipine and telmisartan are not dialysable (see also section 4.4).

Patients with hepatic impairment

In patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment Covatel should be administered with caution. For telmisartan the posology should not exceed 40 mg once daily (see section 4.4). Covatel  is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.3).

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Covatel in children aged below 18 years have not been established. No data are available.

Method of administration

Covatel can be taken with or without food. It is recommended to take Covatel with some liquid.

- Hypersensitivity to the active substances, to dihydropyridine derivatives, or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 - Second and third trimesters of pregnancy (see sections 4.4 and 4.6) - Biliary obstructive disorders and severe hepatic impairment - Shock (including cardiogenic shock) - Obstruction of the outflow tract of the left ventricle (e.g. high grade aortic stenosis) - Haemodynamically unstable heart failure after acute myocardial infarction The concomitant use of Covatel with aliskiren-containing products is contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) (see sections 4.5 and 5.1).

Pregnancy

Angiotensin II receptor antagonists should not be initiated during pregnancy. Unless continued angiotensin II receptor antagonist therapy is considered essential, patients planning pregnancy should be changed to alternative antihypertensive treatments which have an established safety profile for use in pregnancy. When pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment with angiotensin II receptor antagonists should be stopped immediately, and, if appropriate, alternative therapy should be started (see section 4.3 and 4.6).

Hepatic impairment

Telmisartan is mostly eliminated in the bile. Patients with biliary obstructive disorders or hepatic insufficiency can be expected to have reduced clearance. Furthermore as with all calcium antagonists, amlodipine half-life is prolonged in patients with impaired liver function and dose recommendations have not been established. Covatel should therefore be used with caution in these patients.

Renovascular hypertension

There is an increased risk of severe hypotension and renal insufficiency when patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis of the artery to a single functioning kidney are treated with medicinal products that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Renal impairment and kidney transplantation

When Covatel is used in patients with impaired renal function, a periodic monitoring of potassium and creatinine serum levels is recommended. There is no experience regarding the administration of Covatel in patients with a recent kidney transplant. Telmisartan and amlodipine are not dialysable.

Intravascular hypovolaemia

Symptomatic hypotension, especially after the first dose, may occur in patients who are volume and/or sodium depleted by e.g. vigorous diuretic therapy, dietary salt restriction, diarrhoea or vomiting. Such conditions should be corrected before the administration of telmisartan. If hypotension occurs with Covatel, the patient should be placed in the supine position and, if necessary, given an intravenous infusion of normal saline. Treatment can be continued once blood pressure has been stabilised.

Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)

There is evidence that the concomitant use of ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren increases the risk of hypotension, hyperkalaemia and decreased renal function (including acute renal failure). Dual blockade of RAAS through the combined use of ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren is therefore not recommended (see sections 4.5 and 5.1).

If dual blockade therapy is considered absolutely necessary, this should only occur under specialist supervision and subject to frequent close monitoring of renal function, electrolytes and blood pressure.

ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers should not be used concomitantly in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Other conditions with stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

In patients whose vascular tone and renal function depend predominantly on the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g. patients with severe congestive heart failure or underlying renal disease, including renal artery stenosis), treatment with medicinal products that affect this system has been associated with acute hypotension, hyperazotaemia, oliguria, or rarely acute renal failure (see section 4.8).

Primary aldosteronism

Patients with primary aldosteronism generally will not respond to antihypertensive medicinal products acting through inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system. Therefore, the use of telmisartan is not recommended.

Aortic and mitral valve stenosis, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

As with other vasodilators, special caution is indicated in patients suffering from aortic or mitral stenosis, or obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Unstable angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction

There are no data to support the use of Covatel in unstable angina pectoris and during or within one month of a myocardial infarction.

Heart failure

In a long-term, placebo controlled study (PRAISE-2) of amlodipine in patients with NYHA III and IV heart failure of non-ischaemic aetiology, amlodipine was associated with increased reports of pulmonary oedema despite no significant difference in the incidence of worsening heart failure as compared to placebo (see section 5.1).

Diabetic patients treated with insulin or antidiabetics

In these patients hypoglycaemia may occur under telmisartan treatment. Therefore, in these patients an appropriate blood glucose monitoring should be considered; a dose adjustment of insulin or antidiabetics may be required when indicated.

Hyperkalaemia

The use of medicinal products that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may cause hyperkalaemia. Hyperkalaemia may be fatal in the elderly, in patients with renal insufficiency, in diabetic patients, in patients concomitantly treated with other medicinal products that may increase potassium levels, and/or in patients with intercurrent events.

Before considering the concomitant use of medicinal products that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, the benefit risk ratio should be evaluated.

The main risk factors for hyperkalaemia to be considered are:

- Diabetes mellitus, renal impairment, age (>70 years)

- Combination with one or more other medicinal products that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and/or potassium supplements. Medicinal products or therapeutic classes of medicinal products that may provoke hyperkalaemia are salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicinal products (NSAIDs, including selective COX-2 inhibitors), heparin, immunosuppressives (cyclosporin or tacrolimus), and trimethoprim.

- Intercurrent events, in particular dehydration, acute cardiac decompensation, metabolic acidosis, worsening of renal function, sudden worsening of the renal condition (e.g. infectious diseases), cellular lysis (e.g. acute limb ischemia, rhabdomyolysis, extensive trauma).

Serum potassium should be monitored closely in these patients (see section 4.5).

Sorbitol

This medicinal product contains sorbitol. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take Covatel.

Other

As with any antihypertensive medicinal product, excessive reduction of blood pressure in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy or ischaemic cardiovascular disease could result in a myocardial infarction or stroke.

No interactions between the two components of this fixed dose combinations have been observed in clinical studies.

Interactions common to the combination

No drug interaction studies have been performed.

To be taken into account with concomitant use

Other antihypertensive medicinal products

The blood pressure lowering effect of Covatel can be increased by concomitant use of other antihypertensive medicinal products.

Medicinal products with blood pressure lowering potential

Based on their pharmacological properties it can be expected that the following medicinal products may potentiate the hypotensive effects of all antihypertensives including Covatel, e.g. baclofen, amifostine, neuroleptics or antidepressants. Furthermore, orthostatic hypotension may be aggravated by alcohol.

Corticosteroids (systemic route)

Reduction of the antihypertensive effect.

Interactions linked to telmisartan

Concomitant use not recommended

Potassium sparing diuretics or potassium supplements

Angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as telmisartan, attenuate diuretic induced potassium loss. Potassium sparing diuretics e.g. spirinolactone, eplerenone, triamterene, or amiloride, potassium supplements, or potassium-containing salt substitutes may lead to a significant increase in serum potassium. If concomitant use is indicated because of documented hypokalaemia, they should be used with caution and with frequent monitoring of serum potassium.

Lithium

Reversible increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and with angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including telmisartan. If use of the combination proves necessary, careful monitoring of serum lithium levels is recommended.

Other antihypertensive agents acting on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)

Clinical trial data has shown that dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) through the combined use of ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren is associated with a higher frequency of adverse events such as hypotension, hyperkalaemia and decreased renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to the use of a single RAAS-acting agent (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.1).

Concomitant use requiring caution

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicinal products

NSAIDs (i.e. acetylsalicylic acid at anti-inflammatory dosage regimens, COX-2 inhibitors and non-selective NSAIDs) may reduce the antihypertensive effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

In some patients with compromised renal function (e.g. dehydrated patients or elderly patients with compromised renal function), the co-administration of angiotensin II receptor antagonists and medicinal products that inhibit cyclo-oxygenase may result in further deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure, which is usually reversible. Therefore, the combination should be administered with caution, especially in the elderly. Patients should be adequately hydrated and consideration should be given to monitoring of renal function after initiation of concomitant therapy and periodically thereafter.

Ramipril

In one study the co-administration of telmisartan and ramipril led to an increase of up to 2.5 fold in the AUC0-24 and C_max of ramipril and ramiprilat. The clinical relevance of this observation is not known.

Concomitant use to be taken into account

Digoxin

When telmisartan was co-administered with digoxin, median increases in digoxin peak plasma concentration (49%) and in trough concentration (20%) were observed. When initiating, adjusting, and discontinuing telmisartan, monitor digoxin levels in order to maintain levels within the therapeutic range.

Interactions linked to amlodipine

Concomitant use requiring caution

CYP3A4 inhibitors

With concomitant use with the CYP3A4 inhibitor erythromycin in young patients and diltiazem in elderly patients respectively, the plasma concentration of amlodipine increased by 22 % and 50% respectively. However, the clinical relevance of this finding is uncertain. It cannot be ruled out that strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (i.e. ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir) may increase the plasma concentrations of amlodipine to a greater extent than diltiazem. Amlodipine should be used with caution together with CYP3A4 inhibitors. However, no adverse events attributable to such interaction have been reported.

CYP3A4 inducers

There is no data available regarding the effect of CYP3A4 inducers on amlodipine. The concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers (i.e. rifampicin, Hypericum perforatum) may lead to a lower plasma concentration of amlodipine.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice

Concomitant administration of 240 ml of grapefruit juice with a single oral dose of 10 mg amlodipine in 20 healthy volunteers did not show a significant effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of amlodipine. The concomitant use of amlodipine and grapefruit or grapefruit juice is still not recommended in patients as the bioavailability of amlodipine may increase in some and may result in increased hypotensive effects.

Concomitant use to be taken into account

Simvastatin: Co-administration of multiple doses of amlodipine with simvastatin 80 mg resulted in an increase in exposure to simvastatin up to 77 % compared to simvastatin alone. Therefore, the dose of simvastatin in patients on amlodipine should be limited to 20 mg daily.

Tacrolimus: There is a risk of increased tacrolimus blood levels when co-administered with amlodipine but the pharmacokinetic mechanism of this interaction is not fully understood. In order to avoid toxicity of tacrolimus, administration of amlodipine in a patient treated with tacrolimus requires monitoring of tacrolimus blood levels and dose adjustment of tacrolimus when appropriate.

Cyclosporine: No drug interaction studies have been conducted with cyclosporine and amlodipine in healthy volunteers or other populations with the exception of renal transplant patients, where variable trough concentration increases (average 0% - 40%) of cyclosporine were observed. Consideration should be given for monitoring cyclosporine levels in renal transplant patients on amlodipine, and cyclosporine dose reductions should be made as necessary.

Others:

Amlodipine has been safely administered with digoxin, warfarin, atorvastatin, sildenafil, anti-acid medicinal products (aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, simeticone), cimetidine, antibiotics and oral hypoglycaemic medicinal products. When amlodipine and sildenafil were used in combination, each agent independently exerted its own blood pressure lowering effect.

Pregnancy Category D

Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death. Resulting oligohydramnios can be associated with fetal lung hypoplasia and skeletal deformations. Potential neonatal adverse effects include skull hypoplasia, anuria, hypotension, renal failure, and death. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue telmisartan and amlodipine as soon as possible. These adverse outcomes are usually associated with use of these drugs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Most epidemiologic studies examining fetal abnormalities after exposure to antihypertensive use in the first trimester have not distinguished drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system from other antihypertensive agents. Appropriate management of maternal hypertension during pregnancy is important to optimize outcomes for both mother and fetus. In the unusual case that there is no appropriate alternative to therapy with drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system for a particular patient, apprise the mother of the potential risk to the fetus. Perform serial ultrasound examinations to assess the intra-amniotic environment. If oligohydramnios is observed, discontinue telmisartan and amlodipine , unless it is considered lifesaving for the mother. Fetal testing may be appropriate, based on the week of pregnancy. Patients and physicians should be aware, however, that oligohydramnios may not appear until after the fetus has sustained irreversible injury. Closely observe infants with histories of in utero exposure to telmisartan and amlodipine for hypotension, oliguria, and hyperkalemia.

Breast-feeding

Because no information is available regarding the use of telmisartan and/or amlodipine during breast-feeding, Covatel is not recommended and alternative treatments with better established safety profiles during breast-feeding are preferable, especially while breast-feeding a newborn or preterm infant.

Fertility

No data from controlled clinical studies with the Fixed Dose Combination or with the individual components are available.

Separate reproductive toxicity studies with the combination of telmisartan and amlodipine have not been conducted.

In preclinical studies, no effects of telmisartan on male and female fertility were observed.

Similarly, no effects on male and female fertility were reported for amlodipine (see section 5.3).

Reversible biochemical changes in the head of spermatozoa which can impair fecundation have been observed for calcium channel blockers in preclinical and in vitro studies. No clinical relevance has been established.

Covatel has moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should be advised that they may experience adverse reactions such as syncope, somnolence, dizziness, or vertigo during treatment (see section 4.8). Therefore, caution should be recommended when driving a car or using machines. If patients experience these adverse reactions, they should avoid potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or using machines.

Summary of the safety profile

The most common adverse reactions include dizziness and peripheral oedema. Serious syncope may occur rarely (less than 1 case per 1,000 patients).

The safety and tolerability of telmisartan/amlodipine has been evaluated in five controlled clinical studies with over 3500 patients, over 2500 of whom received telmisartan in combination with amlodipine.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Adverse reactions have been ranked under headings of 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).

Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

 

System Organ Class	Common	Uncommon	Rare
Infections and infestations			cystitis
Psychiatric disorders			depression, anxiety, insomnia
Nervous system disorders	dizziness	somnolence, migraine, headache, paraesthesia	syncope, peripheral neuropathy, hypoaesthesia, dysgeusia, tremor
Ear and labyrinth disorders		vertigo
Cardiac disorders		bradycardia, palpitations
Vascular disorders		hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, flushing
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders		cough
Gastro-intestinal disorders		abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea	vomiting, gingival hypertrophy, dyspepsia, dry mouth
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders		pruritus	eczema, erythema, rash
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders		arthralgia, muscle spasms (cramps in legs), myalgia	back pain, pain in extremity (leg pain)
Renal and urinary disorders			nocturia
Reproductive system, and breast disorders		erectile dysfunction
General disorders and administration site conditions	peripheral oedema	asthenia, chest pain, fatigue, oedema	malaise
Investigations		hepatic enzymes increased	blood uric acid increased

Additional information on individual components

Adverse reactions previously reported with one of the individual components (telmisartan or amlodipine) may be potential adverse reactions with telmisartan/amlodipine as well, even if not observed in clinical trials or during the post-marketing period.

Telmisartan

Infections and infestations

Uncommon: Upper respiratory tract infection including pharyngitis and sinusitis, urinary tract infection including cystitis

Rare: Sepsis including fatal outcome¹

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Uncommon: Anaemia

Rare: Thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia

Immune system disorders

Rare: Hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reaction

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Uncommon: Hyperkalaemia

Rare: Hypoglycaemia (in diabetic patients)

Eye disorders

Rare: Visual disturbance

Cardiac disorders

Rare: Tachycardia

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon: Dyspnoea

Gastrointestinal disorders

Uncommon: Flatulence

Rare: Stomach discomfort

Hepato-biliary disorders

Rare: Hepatic function abnormal, liver disorder²

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon: Hyperhidrosis

Rare: Angioedema (with fatal outcome), drug eruption, toxic skin eruption, urticaria

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Rare: Tendon pain (tendinitis like symptoms)

Renal and urinary disorders

Uncommon: Renal impairment including acute renal failure

General disorders and administration site conditions

Rare: Influenza-like illness

Investigations

Uncommon: Blood creatinine increased

Rare: Blood creatine phosphokinase increased, haemoglobin decreased

¹: the event may be a chance finding or related to a mechanism currently not known

²: most cases of hepatic function abnormal / liver disorder from post-marketing experience with telmisartan occurred in Japanese patients. Japanese patients are more likely to experience these adverse reactions.

Amlodipine

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Very rare: Leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia

Immune system disorders

Very rare: Hypersensitivity

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Very rare: Hyperglycaemia

Psychiatric disorders

Uncommon: Mood change

Rare: Confusion

Nervous system disorders

Very rare: Extrapyramidal syndrome

Eye disorders

Uncommon: Visual impairment

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Uncommon: Tinnitus

Cardiac disorders

Very rare: Myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation

Vascular disorders

Very rare: Vasculitis

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon: Dyspnoea, rhinitis

Gastrointestinal disorders

Uncommon: Change of bowel habit

Very rare: Pancreatitis, gastritis

Hepatobiliary disorders

Very rare: Hepatitis, jaundice, hepatic enzyme elevations (mostly consistent with cholestasis

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon: Alopecia, purpura, skin discolouration, hyperhidrosis

Very rare: Angioedema, erythema multiforme, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, photosensitivity

Renal and urinary disorders

Uncommon: Micturition disorder, pollakiuria

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Uncommon: Gynaecomastia

General disorders and administration site conditions

Uncommon: Pain

Investigations

Uncommon: Weight increased, weight decreased

 

To report any side effect(s)

• Saudi Arabia:

National Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Center (NPC)

Fax: +966-11-205-7662

Call NPC at +966-11-2038222

Exts: 2317-2356-2353-2354-2334-2340

Toll free phone: 8002490000

E-mail: npc.drug@sfda.gov.sa

Website: www.sfda.gov.sa/npc

• Other GCC States:

Please contact the relevant competent authority.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of overdose are expected to be in line with exaggerated pharmacological effects. The most prominent manifestations of telmisartan overdose are expected to be hypotension and tachycardia; bradycardia, dizziness, increase in serum creatinine, and acute renal failure have also been reported.

Overdose with amlodipine may result in excessive peripheral vasodilatation and possibly reflex tachycardia. Marked and probably prolonged systemic hypotension up to and including shock with fatal outcome have been reported.

Treatment

The patient should be closely monitored, and the treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. Management depends on the time since ingestion and the severity of the symptoms. Suggested measures include induction of emesis and / or gastric lavage. Activated charcoal may be useful in the treatment of overdose of both telmisartan and amlodipine.

Serum electrolytes and creatinine should be monitored frequently. If hypotension occurs, the patient should be placed in a supine position with elevation of extremities, with salt and volume replacement given quickly. Supportive treatment should be instituted. Intravenous calcium gluconate may be beneficial in reversing the effects of calcium channel blockade. Telmisartan and Amlodipine are not removed by haemodialysis.

 

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system, angiotensin II antagonists and calcium channel blockers; ATC Code: C09DB04.

Covatel combines two antihypertensive compounds with complementary mechanisms to control blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension: an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, telmisartan, and a dihydropyridinic calcium channel blocker, amlodipine.

The combination of these substances has an additive antihypertensive effect, reducing blood pressure to a greater degree than either component alone.

Covatel once daily produces effective and consistent reductions in blood pressure across the 24-hour therapeutic dose range.

Telmisartan

Telmisartan is an orally active and specific angiotensin II receptor (type AT₁) antagonist. Telmisartan displaces angiotensin II with very high affinity from its binding site at the AT₁ receptor subtype, which is responsible for the known actions of angiotensin II. Telmisartan does not exhibit any partial agonist activity at the AT1 receptor. Telmisartan selectively binds the AT₁ receptor. The binding is long-lasting. Telmisartan does not show affinity for other receptors, including AT₂ and other less characterised AT receptors. The functional role of these receptors is not known, nor is the effect of their possible overstimulation by angiotensin II, whose levels are increased by telmisartan. Plasma aldosterone levels are decreased by telmisartan. Telmisartan does not inhibit human plasma renin or block ion channels. Telmisartan does not inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (kininase II), the enzyme which also degrades bradykinin. Therefore it is not expected to potentiate bradykinin-mediated adverse reactions.

In humans, an 80 mg dose of telmisartan almost completely inhibits the angiotensin II evoked blood pressure increase. The inhibitory effect is maintained over 24 hours and still measurable up to 48 hours.

After the first dose of telmisartan, the antihypertensive activity gradually becomes evident within 3 hours. The maximum reduction in blood pressure is generally attained 4 to 8 weeks after the start of treatment and is sustained during long-term therapy.

The antihypertensive effect persists constantly over 24 hours after dosing and includes the last 4 hours before the next dose as shown by ambulatory blood pressure measurements. This is confirmed by trough to peak ratios consistently above 80 % seen after doses of 40 and 80 mg of telmisartan in placebo controlled clinical studies. There is an apparent trend to a dose relationship to a time to recovery of baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP). In this respect data concerning diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are inconsistent.

In patients with hypertension telmisartan reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure without affecting pulse rate. The contribution of the medicinal product's diuretic and natriuretic effect to its hypotensive activity has still to be defined. The antihypertensive efficacy of telmisartan is comparable to that of substances representative of other classes of antihypertensive medicinal products (demonstrated in clinical trials comparing telmisartan to amlodipine, atenolol, enalapril, hydrochlorothiazide, and lisinopril).

Upon abrupt cessation of treatment with telmisartan, blood pressure gradually returns to pre-treatment values over a period of several days without evidence of rebound hypertension.

The incidence of dry cough was significantly lower in patients treated with telmisartan than in those given angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in clinical trials directly comparing the two antihypertensive treatments.

Two large randomised, controlled trials (ONTARGET (ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial) and VA NEPHRON-D (The Veterans Affairs Nephropathy in Diabetes)) have examined the use of the combination of an ACE-inhibitor with an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

ONTARGET was a study conducted in patients with a history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, or type 2 diabetes mellitus accompanied by evidence of end-organ damage. VA NEPHRON-D was a study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy.

These studies have shown no significant beneficial effect on renal and/or cardiovascular outcomes and mortality, while an increased risk of hyperkalaemia, acute kidney injury and/or hypotension as compared to monotherapy was observed. Given their similar pharmacodynamic properties, these results are also relevant for other ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers.

ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers should therefore not be used concomitantly in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

ALTITUDE (Aliskiren Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Using Cardiovascular and Renal Disease Endpoints) was a study designed to test the benefit of adding aliskiren to a standard therapy of an ACE-inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or both. The study was terminated early because of an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Cardiovascular death and stroke were both numerically more frequent in the aliskiren group than in the placebo group and adverse events and serious adverse events of interest (hyperkalaemia, hypotension and renal dysfunction) were more frequently reported in the aliskiren group than in the placebo group.

Amlodipine

Amlodipine is a calcium ion influx inhibitor of the dihydropyridine group (slow channel blocker or calcium ion antagonist) and inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle. The mechanism of the antihypertensive action of amlodipine is due to a direct relaxant effect on vascular smooth muscle, leading to reductions in peripheral vascular resistance and in blood pressure. Experimental data indicate that amlodipine binds to both dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine binding sites. Amlodipine is relatively vessel-selective, with a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle cells than on cardiac muscle cells.

In patients with hypertension, once daily dosing provides clinically significant reductions of blood pressure in both the supine and standing positions throughout the 24 hour interval. Due to the slow onset of action, acute hypotension is not a feature of amlodipine administration.

In hypertensive patients with normal renal function, therapeutic doses of amlodipine resulted in a decrease in renal vascular resistance and an increase in glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow, without change in filtration fraction or proteinuria.

Amlodipine has not been associated with any adverse metabolic effects or changes in plasma lipids and is suitable for use in patients with asthma, diabetes, and gout.

Use in patients with heart failure

Haemodynamic studies and exercise based controlled clinical trials in NYHA Class II-IV heart failure patients have shown that amlodipine did not lead to clinical deterioration as measured by exercise tolerance, left ventricular ejection fraction and clinical symptomatology.

A placebo controlled study (PRAISE) designed to evaluate patients in NYHA Class III-IV heart failure receiving digoxin, diuretics and ACE inhibitors has shown that amlodipine did not lead to an increase in risk of mortality or combined mortality and morbidity with heart failure.

In a follow-up, long term, placebo controlled study (PRAISE-2) of amlodipine in patients with NYHA III and IV heart failure without clinical symptoms or objective findings suggestive of underlying ischaemic disease, on stable doses of ACE inhibitors, digitalis, and diuretics, amlodipine had no effect on total cardiovascular mortality. In this same population amlodipine was associated with increased reports of pulmonary oedema despite no significant difference in the incidence of worsening heart failure as compared to placebo.

Telmisartan/Amlodipine

In an 8-week multicenter, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group factorial study in 1461 patients with mild to severe hypertension (mean seated diastolic blood pressure ≥95 and ≤119 mmHg), treatment with each combination dose of telmisartan/amlodipine resulted in significantly greater diastolic and systolic blood pressure reductions and higher control rates compared to the respective monotherapy components.

Telmisartan/amlodipine showed dose-related reductions in systolic/diastolic blood pressure across the therapeutic dose range of −21.8/−16.5 mmHg (40 mg/5 mg), −22.1/−18.2 mmHg (80 mg/5 mg), −24.7/−20.2 mmHg (40 mg/10 mg) and −26.4/−20.1 mmHg (80 mg/10 mg). The reduction in diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg was achieved in 71.6 %, 74.8 %, 82.1 %, 85.3 % of patients respectively. Values are adjusted for baseline and country.

The majority of the antihypertensive effect was attained within 2 weeks after initiation of therapy.

In a subset of 1050 patients with moderate to severe hypertension (DBP ≥100 mmHg) 32.7 - 51.8% responded sufficiently to monotherapy of either telmisartan or amlodipine. The observed mean changes in systolic/diastolic blood pressure with a combination therapy containing amlodipine 5 mg (−22.2/−17.2 mmHg with 40 mg/5 mg; −22.5/−19.1 mmHg with 80 mg/5 mg) were comparable to or greater than those seen with amlodipine 10 mg (−21.0/−17.6 mmHg) and associated with significant lower oedema rates (1.4 % with 40 mg/5 mg; 0.5 % with 80 mg/5 mg; 17.6 % with amlodipine 10 mg).

Automated ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) performed in a subset of 562 patients confirmed the results seen with in-clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions consistently over the entire 24-hours dosing period.

In a further multicentre, randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel group study, a total of 1097 patients with mild to severe hypertension who were not adequately controlled on amlodipine 5 mg received telmisartan/amlodipine (40 mg/5 mg or 80 mg/5 mg) or amlodipine alone (5 mg or 10 mg). After 8 weeks of treatment, each of the combinations was statistically significantly superior to both amlodipine monotherapy doses in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressures (−13.6/−9.4 mmHg, −15.0/−10.6 mmHg with 40 mg/5 mg, 80 mg/5 mg versus −6.2/−5.7 mmHg, −11.1/−8.0 mmHg with amlodipine 5 mg and 10 mg and higher diastolic blood pressure control rates compared to the respective monotherapies were achieved (56.7 %, 63.8 % with 40 mg/5 mg and 80 mg/5 mg versus 42 %, 56.7 % with amlodipine 5 mg and 10 mg). Oedema rates were significantly lower with 40 mg/5 mg and 80 mg/5 mg compared to amlodipine 10 mg (4.4 % versus 24.9 %, respectively).

In another multicentre, randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel group study, a total of 947 patients with mild to severe hypertension who were not adequately controlled on amlodipine 10 mg received telmisartan/amlodipine (40 mg/10 mg or 80 mg/10 mg) or amlodipine alone (10 mg). After 8 weeks of treatment, each of the combination treatments was statistically significantly superior to amlodipine monotherapy in reducing diastolic and systolic blood pressure (−11.1/−9.2 mmHg, −11.3/ −9.3 mmHg with 40 mg/10 mg, 80 mg/10 mg versus −7.4/−6.5 mmHg with amlodipine 10 mg) and higher diastolic blood pressure normalisation rates compared to monotherapy were achieved (63.7 %, 66.5 % with 40 mg/10 mg, 80 mg/10 mg versus 51.1 % with amlodipine 10 mg).

In two corresponding open-label long-term follow up studies performed over a further 6 months the effect of telmisartan/amlodipine was maintained over the trial period. Furthermore it was shown that some patients not adequately controlled with telmisartan/amlodipine 40 mg/10 mg had additional blood pressure reduction by up-titration to telmisartan/amlodipine 80 mg/10 mg.

The overall incidence of adverse reactions with telmisartan/amlodipine in the clinical trial programme was low with only 12.7 % of patients on treatment experiencing adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions were peripheral oedema and dizziness, see also section 4.8. The adverse reactions reported were in agreement with those anticipated from the safety profiles of the components telmisartan and amlodipine. No new or more severe adverse reactions were observed. The oedema related events (peripheral oedema, generalised oedema, and oedema) were consistently lower in patients who received telmisartan/amlodipine as compared to patients who received amlodipine 10 mg. In the factorial design trial the oedema rates were 1.3 % with telmisartan/amlodipine 40 mg/5 mg and 80 mg/5 mg, 8.8 % with telmisartan/amlodipine 40 mg/10 mg and 80 mg/10 mg and 18.4 % with Amlodipine 10 mg. In patients not controlled on amlodipine 5 mg the oedema rates were 4.4 % for 40 mg/5 mg and 80 mg/5 mg and 24.9 % for amlodipine 10 mg.

The antihypertensive effect of telmisartan/amlodipine was similar irrespective of age and gender, and was similar in patients with and without diabetes.

telmisartan/amlodipine has not been studied in any patient population other than hypertension. Telmisartan has been studied in a large outcome study in 25,620 patients with high cardiovascular risk (ONTARGET). Amlodipine has been studied in patients with chronic stable angina, vasospastic angina and angiographically documented coronary artery disease.

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies with telmisartan/amlodipine in all subsets of the paediatric population in hypertension (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).

 

Pharmacokinetic of the fixed dose combination (FDC)

The rate and extent of absorption of Covatel are equivalent to the bioavailability of telmisartan and amlodipine when administered as individual tablets.

Absorption

Absorption of telmisartan is rapid although the amount absorbed varies. The mean absolute bioavailability for telmisartan is about 50 %. When telmisartan is taken with food, the reduction in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞) of telmisartan varies from approximately 6 % (40 mg dose) to approximately 19 % (160 mg dose). By 3 hours after administration, plasma concentrations are similar whether telmisartan is taken fasting or with food.

After oral administration of therapeutic doses, amlodipine is well absorbed with peak blood levels between 6-12 hours post dose. Absolute bioavailability has been estimated to be between 64 and 80 %. Amlodipine bioavailability is not affected by food ingestion.

Distribution

Telmisartan is largely bound to plasma protein (>99.5 %), mainly albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein. The mean steady state apparent volume of distribution (Vdss) is approximately 500 l.

The volume of distribution of amlodipine is approximately 21 l/kg. In vitro studies have shown that approximately 97.5 % of circulating amlodipine is bound to plasma proteins in hypertensive patients.

Biotransformation

Telmisartan is metabolised by conjugation to the glucuronide of the parent compound. No pharmacological activity has been shown for the conjugate.

Amlodipine is extensively (approximatively 90 %) metabolised by the liver to inactive metabolites.

Elimination

Telmisartan is characterised by biexponential decay pharmacokinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of >20 hours. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and, to a smaller extent, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), increase disproportionately with dose. There is no evidence of clinically relevant accumulation of telmisartan taken at the recommended dose. Plasma concentrations were higher in females than in males, without relevant influence on efficacy.

After oral (and intravenous) administration, telmisartan is nearly exclusively excreted with the faeces, mainly as unchanged compound. Cumulative urinary excretion is <1 % of dose. Total plasma clearance (Cltot) is high (approximately 1,000 ml/min) compared with hepatic blood flow (about 1,500 ml/min).

Amlodipine elimination from plasma is biphasic, with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 30 to 50 hours consistent with once daily dosing. Steady-state plasma levels are reached after continuous administration for 7-8 days. Ten per cent of original amlodipine and 60 % of amlodipine metabolites are excreted in urine.

Linearity/non-linearity

The small reduction in AUC for telmisartan is not expected to cause a reduction in the therapeutic efficacy. There is no linear relationship between doses and plasma levels. C_max and to a lesser extent AUC increase disproportionately at doses above 40 mg.

Amlodipine exhibits linear pharmacokinetics.

Special populations

Paediatric population (age below 18 years)

No pharmacokinetic data are available in the paediatric population.

Gender

Differences in plasma concentrations of telmisartan were observed, with C_max and AUC being approximately 3- and 2-fold higher, respectively, in females compared to males.

Elderly

The pharmacokinetics of telmisartan do not differ in young and elderly patients.

The time to reach peak plasma concentrations of amlodipine is similar in elderly and younger subjects. In elderly patients, amlodipine clearance tends to decline with resulting increases in AUC and elimination half-life.

Renal impairment

In patients with mild to moderate and severe renal impairment, doubling of plasma concentrations of telmisartan was observed. However, lower plasma concentrations were observed in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing dialysis. Telmisartan is highly bound to plasma protein in renal-insufficient subjects and cannot be removed by dialysis. The elimination half-life is not changed in patients with renal impairment. The pharmacokinetics of amlodipine are not significantly influenced by renal impairment.

Hepatic impairment

Pharmacokinetic studies in patients with hepatic impairment showed an increase in absolute bioavailability of telmisartan up to nearly 100 %. The elimination half-life of telmisartan is not changed in patients with hepatic impairment. Patients with hepatic insufficiency have decreased clearance of amlodipine with resulting increase of approximately 40-60 % in AUC.

Since the non-clinical toxicity profiles of telmisartan and amlodipine are not overlapping, no exacerbation of toxicity was expected for the combination. This has been confirmed in a subchronic (13-week) toxicology study in rats, in which dose levels of 3.2/0.8, 10/2.5 and                  40/10 mg/kg of telmisartan and amlodipine were tested.

Preclinical data available for the components of this fixed dose combination are reported below.

Telmisartan

In preclinical safety studies, doses producing exposure comparable to that in the clinical therapeutic range caused reduced red cell parameters (erythrocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit), changes in renal haemodynamics (increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine), as well as increased serum potassium in normotensive animals. In dogs, renal tubular dilation and atrophy were observed. Gastric mucosal injury (erosion, ulcers or inflammation) also was noted in rats and dogs. These pharmacologically-mediated undesirable effects, known from preclinical studies with both angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists, were prevented by oral saline supplementation. In both species, increased plasma renin activity and hypertrophy/hyperplasia of the renal juxtaglomerular cells were observed. These changes, also a class effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and other angiotensin II receptor antagonists, do not appear to have clinical significance.

No clear evidence of a teratogenic effect was observed, however at toxic dose levels of telmisartan an effect on the postnatal development of the offspring such as lower body weight and delayed eye opening was observed.

There was no evidence of mutagenicity and relevant clastogenic activity in in vitro studies and no evidence of carcinogenicity in rats and mice.

Amlodipine

Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenic potential.

In reproductive toxicity studies in rats, delayed parturition, difficult labour and impaired fetal and pup survival were seen at high doses. There was no effect on the fertility of rats treated orally with amlodipine maleate (males for 64 days and females for 14 days prior to mating) at doses of up to 10 mg amlodipine/kg/day (about 10 times the Maximum Recommended Human Dose of 10 mg/day on an mg/m² basis).

Cellulose microcrystalline

Sodium Hydroxide

Meglumine

Povidone

Crospovidone

Sorbitol

Starch

Colloidal Silicone dioxide

Magnesium stearate

Lake of Brilliant Blue

Ferric Oxide Black

Ferric Oxide Red

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Not applicable

2 years

Store below 30 °C.

Four Aluminum/Aluminum blisters of 7 Tablets each packed in carton with folded leaflet.

Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.