ZUNVEYL

Clinical summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ZUNVEYL is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type in adults. ZUNVEYL is a cholinesterase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type in adults ( 1 ) Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended starting dosage is 5 mg orally twice daily with or without food; increase to initial maintenance dosage of 10 mg twice daily after a minimum of 4 weeks based on clinical response and tolerability. Dosage may be increased to the maximum recommended dosage of 15 mg twice a day after a minimum of 4 weeks at 10 mg twice daily. ( 2.1 ) Ensure adequate fluid intake during treatment. Swallow whole; do not split, crush or chew. ( 2.1 ) May be taken with or without food. ( 2.1 ) Should not be taken with alcohol. ( 2.1 ) Hepatic impairment: Should not exceed 10 mg twice daily for moderate hepatic impairment; use in patients with severe hepatic impairment is not recommended ( 2.2 ) Renal impairment: Should not exceed 10 mg twice daily for creatinine clearance 9 to 59 mL/min; use in patients with creatinine clearance less than 9 mL/min is not recommended. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage and Administration Dosage The recommended starting dosage is 5 mg twice a day (10 mg/day) by mouth. Increase to initial maintenance dosage of 10 mg twice daily (20 mg/day) after a minimum of 4 weeks, based on clinical response and tolerability. Dosage may be increased to the maximum recommended dosage of 15 mg twice a day (30 mg/day) after a minimum of 4 weeks at 10 mg twice daily. Administration ZUNVEYL can be taken with or without food. ZUNVEYL should not be taken with alcohol [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Swallow whole; do not split, crush or chew. Ensure adequate fluid intake during treatment. Interruption of Therapy If therapy has been interrupted for more than three days, the patient should be restarted at the lowest dosage and the dosage escalated to the current dose. 2.2 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Hepatic Impairment No dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 5-6). In patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7-9), the dosage should generally not exceed 10 mg twice daily (20 mg/day). The use of ZUNVEYL in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 10-15) is not recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2.3 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Renal Impairment In patients with creatinine clearance of 9 to 59 mL/min, the dosage should generally not exceed 10 mg twice daily (20 mg/day). In patients with creatinine clearance less than 9 mL/min, the use of ZUNVEYL is not recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Warnings and cautions 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Serious skin reactions: Discontinue at first appearance of skin rash. ( 5.1 ) All patients should be considered at risk for adverse effects on cardiac conduction, including bradycardia and AV block, because of vagotonic effects on sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes. ( 5.3 ) Active or occult gastrointestinal bleeding: Monitor, especially those with an increased risk for developing ulcers. ( 5.4 ) Cholinomimetics may cause bladder outflow obstruction. ( 5.5 ) Monitor for respiratory adverse events in patients with a history of severe asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Serious Skin Reactions Serious skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis) have been reported in patients receiving galantamine (the active metabolite of (ZUNVEYL) tablets. Inform patients and caregivers that the use of ZUNVEYL tablets should be discontinued at the first appearance of a skin rash, unless the rash is clearly not drug-related. If signs or symptoms suggest a serious skin reaction, use of this drug should not be resumed, and alternative therapy should be considered [see Contraindications (4) ]. 5.2 Anesthesia ZUNVEYL, as a cholinesterase inhibitor, is likely to increase the neuromuscular blocking effects of succinylcholine-type and similar neuromuscular blocking agents during anesthesia. 5.3 Cardiovascular Conditions Because of their pharmacological action, cholinesterase inhibitors, including ZUNVEYL, have vagotonic effects on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, leading to bradycardia and AV block. Bradycardia and all types of heart block have been reported in patients taking cholinesterase inhibitors, both with and without known underlying cardiac conduction abnormalities. Therefore, all patients should be considered at risk for adverse effects on cardiac conduction. Patients treated with galantamine up to 24 mg/day using the recommended dosing schedule showed a dose-related increase in risk of syncope (placebo 0.7% [2/286]; 4 mg twice daily 0.4% [3/692]; 8 mg twice daily 1.3% [7/552]; 12 mg twice daily 2.2% [6/273]). 5.4 Gastrointestinal Conditions Thr