Lifloz 5 & 10 5mg, 10 mg Tablets

LIFLOZ is indicated in adults aged 18 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycaemic control as:

Monotherapy
As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Add-on combination therapy
In combination with glucose-lowering medicines, including metformin, a thiazolidinedione, a sulfonylurea, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, or insulin, when these, together with diet and exercise, do not provide adequate glycaemic control.

Posology
Monotherapy and add-on combination therapy
The recommended dose is 10 mg LIFLOZ once daily for monotherapy and add-on combination therapy with other glucose-lowering medicines, including metformin a thiazolidinedione, a sulfonylurea, a DPP-4 inhibitor, or insulin. When LIFLOZ is used in combination with insulin or an insulin secretagogue such as a sulphonylurea, a lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be considered to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Special populations
Renal impairment
No dosage adjustment for LIFLOZ is indicated for mild renal impairment. The efficacy of LIFLOZ is dependent on renal function. LIFLOZ should not be used in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (defined as eGFR < 60 mL/min/1,73 m2 by MDRD or CrCI < 60 mL/min by Cockcroft-Gault) (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.8). Monitoring of renal function is recommended as follows:
u2022 Prior to initiation of LIFLOZ and at least annually, thereafter.
u2022 Prior to initiation of concomitant medicines that may reduce renal function and periodically thereafter.
u2022 For renal function approaching moderate renal impairment, at least 2 to 4 times per year. If renal function falls below CrCI < 60 mL/min or eGFR < 60 mL/min/1,73 m2, LIFLOZ treatment should be discontinued.
Hepatic impairment
No dosage adjustment for LIFLOZ is necessary for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. LIFLOZ is not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment as efficacy has not been established (see section 5.2).
Patients at risk for volume depletion
For patients at risk for volume depletion due to co-existing conditions or concomitant medications, such as loop diuretics, a 5 mg starting dose of LIFLOZ may be appropriate (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
Elderly
No dosage adjustment for LIFLOZ is required based on age (see section 4.4).
Paediatric and adolescent
Safety and effectiveness of LIFLOZ in paediatric and adolescent patients have not been established.

Method of administration
Oral use.

• Hypersensitivity to dapagliflozin or to any of the excipients (see section 6.1).
• Moderate and severe renal impairment with GFR < 60 mL/min, end stage renal failure or patients on dialysis.
• Diabetes Mellitus Type 1.
• Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding their infants (see section 4.6).

LIFLOZ IS CONTRAINDICATED FOR USE IN TYPE 1 DIABETES. LIFLOZ IS NOT INDICATED FOR USE IN WEIGHT CONTROL PROGRAMMES AND NOT INDICATED FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANY OTHER CONDITIONS EXCEPT TYPE 2 DIABETES.

There have been reports of metabolic acidosis, including ketoacidosis, which were serious life-threatening or fatal, in patients taking LIFLOZ. Patients who present with signs and symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, malaise and shortness of breath, should be assessed for metabolic acidosis, even If blood glucose levels are below 11 mmol/L. LIFLOZ should be discontinued and the patient should be promptly evaluated and managed accordingly.

Predisposing factors for metabolic acidosis include insulin dose reduction, reduced caloric intake, reduced fluid Intake or increased insulin requirements due to infections, illness, surgery or alcohol abuse. Caution Is advised in treating these patients with LIFLOZ.

Predisposing factors for ketoacidosis include low beta-cell function reserve resulting from pancreatic disorders, e.g. history of pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery. LIFLOZ is contraindicated in these patients.

Renal impairment
Treatment of diabetes mellitus
The glycaemic efficacy of LIFLOZ is dependent on renal function, and efficacy is reduced in patients who have moderate renal impairment and is likely absent in patients with severe renal impairment (see sections 4.2 and 5.2). In subjects with moderate renal impairment (GFR < 60 mL/min), a higher proportion of subjects treated with LIFLOZ had adverse reactions of increase in creatinine, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and hypotension, compared with placebo.

LIFLOZ is contraindicated in patients with a GFR < 60 mL/min (see section 4.3). LIFLOZ has not been studied in severe renal impairment (GFR < 30 mL/min) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is contraindicated in these patients. Monitoring of renal function is recommended prior to initiation of LIFLOZ and periodically thereafter (see section 4.2).

Hepatic impairment
There is limited experience in clinical studies in patients with hepatic impairment. LIFLOZ exposure is increased in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Use in patients at risk for volume depletion and/or hypotension
LIFLOZ may cause a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Due to its mechanism of action, LIFLOZ increases diuresis which may lead to the modest decrease in blood pressure. It may be more pronounced in patients with very high blood glucose concentrations. Caution should be exercised in patients for whom a LIFLOZ-induced drop in blood pressure could pose a risk, such as patients on anti-hypertensive therapy with a history of hypotension or elderly patients. In case of intercurrent conditions that may lead to volume depletion (e.g. gastrointestinal illness), careful monitoring of volume status (e.g. physical examination, blood pressure measurements, laboratory tests including haematocrit and electrolytes) is recommended. Temporary interruption of treatment with LIFLOZ is recommended for patients who develop volume depletion until the depletion is corrected (see section 4.8).

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors should be used with caution in patients with increased risk of DKA. Patients who may be at higher risk of DKA include patients with a low beta-cell function reserve (e.g. type 1 diabetes patients, type 2 diabetes patients with low C- peptide or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) or patients with a history of pancreatitis), patients with conditions that lead to restricted food intake or severe dehydration, patients for whom insulin doses are reduced and patients with increased insulin requirements due to acute medical illness, surgery or alcohol abuse. LIFLOZ is contraindicated in patients with type 1 diabetes (see section 4.3).

The risk of diabetic ketoacidosis must be considered in the event of non-specific symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, difficulty breathing, confusion, unusual fatigue or sleepiness. Patients should be assessed for ketoacidosis immediately if these symptoms occur, regardless of blood glucose level.

Before initiating LIFLOZ, factors in the patient history that may predispose to ketoacidosis should be considered. Treatment should be interrupted in patients who are hospitalised for major surgical procedures or acute serious medical illnesses. Monitoring of ketones is recommended in these patients. Measurement of blood ketone levels is preferred to urine. Treatment with LIFLOZ may be restarted when the ketone values are normal, and the patient's condition has stabilised.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Rare cases of DKA, including life-threatening and fatal cases, have been reported in patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors, including LIFLOZ. In a number of cases, the presentation of the condition was atypical with only moderately increased blood glucose values, below 14 mmol/L (250 mg/dL).

In patients where DKA is suspected or diagnosed, LIFLOZ treatment should be stopped immediately.

Restarting SGLT2 inhibitor treatment in patients experiencing a DKA while on SGLT2 inhibitor treatment is not recommended, unless another clear precipitating factor is identified and resolved.

Necrotising fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier's gangrene)
Post-marketing cases of necrotising fasciitis of the perineum (also known as Fournier's gangrene) have been reported in female and male patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors (see section 4.8). This is a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening event that requires urgent surgical intervention and antibiotic treatment. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience a combination of symptoms of pain, tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal area, with fever or malaise. Be aware that either uro-genital infection or perineal abscess may precede necrotising fasciitis. If Fournier's gangrene is suspected, LIFLOZ should be discontinued and prompt treatment (including antibiotics and surgical debridement) should be instituted.

Urinary tract infections
Urinary glucose excretion may be associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infection; therefore, temporary interruption of LIFLOZ should be considered when treating pyelonephritis or urosepsis. Treatment with LIFLOZ increases the risk for urinary tract infections. There have been post marketing reports of serious urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis, requiring hospitalisation in patients receiving LIFLOZ and other SGLT2 inhibitors. Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat promptly, if indicated.

Elderly (u2265 65 years)
Elderly patients may be at a greater risk for volume depletion and are more likely to be treated with diuretics. Elderly patients are more likely to have impaired renal function, and/or to be treated with anti-hypertensive medicines that may cause changes in renal function such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs). The same recommendations for renal function apply to elderly patients as to all patients (see sections 4.2, 4.4 and 5.2).

Cardiac failure
Experience with LIFLOZ in NYHA class IV is limited.

Lower limb amputations
An increase in cases of lower limb amputation (primarily of the toe) has been observed in long-term, clinical studies in type 2 diabetes mellitus with SGLT2 inhibitors. It is unknown whether this constitutes a class effect. It is important to counsel patients with diabetes on routine preventative foot care.

Urine laboratory assessments
Due to its mechanism of action, patients taking LIFLOZ will test positive for glucose in their urine.

Pharmacodynamic interactions
Diuretics
LIFLOZ may add to the diuretic effect of thiazide and loop diuretics and may increase the risk of dehydration and hypotension (see section 4.4).
Insulin and insulin secretagogues
Insulin and insulin secretagogues, such as sulphonylureas, cause hypoglycaemia. Therefore, a lower dose of insulin or an insulin secretagogue may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia when used in combination with LIFLOZ in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (see section 4.2).

Pharmacokinetic interactions
The metabolism of LIFLOZ is primarily via glucuronide conjugation mediated by UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1A9 (UGT1A9). In vitro studies, dapagliflozin neither inhibited cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, nor induced CYP1A2, CYP2B6 or CYP3A4. Therefore, LIFLOZ is not expected to alter the metabolic clearance of co-administered medicines that are metabolised by these enzymes.
Effect of other medicines on LIFLOZ
Interaction studies conducted in healthy subjects, using mainly a single-dose design, suggest that the pharmacokinetics of LIFLOZ are not altered by metformin, pioglitazone, sitagliptin, glimepiride, voglibose, hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide, valsartan, or simvastatin. Following co-administration of dapagliflozin with rifampicin (an inducer of various active transporters and medicine metabolising enzymes) a 22 % decrease in dapagliflozin systemic exposure (AUC) was observed, but with no clinically meaningful effect on 24-hour urinary glucose excretion. No dose adjustment is recommended. A clinically relevant effect with other inducers (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital) is not expected. Following co-administration of dapagliflozin with mefenamic acid (an inhibitor of UGT1A9), a 55 % increase in dapagliflozin systemic exposure was seen, but with no clinically meaningful effect on 24-hour urinary glucose excretion. No dose adjustment is recommended.

Effect of LIFLOZ on other medicines
In interaction studies conducted in healthy subjects, using mainly a single-dose design, dapagliflozin did not alter the pharmacokinetics of metformin, pioglitazone, sitagliptin, glimepiride, hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide, valsartan, digoxin (a P-gp substrate) or warfarin (S-warfarin, a CYP2C9 substrate), or the anticoagulatory effects of warfarin as measured by INR. Combination of a single dose of dapagliflozin 20 mg and simvastatin (a CYP3A4 substrate) resulted in a 19 % increase in AUC of simvastatin and 31 % increase in AUC of simvastatin acid. The increase in simvastatin and simvastatin acid exposures are not considered clinically relevant.

Interference with 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) assay
Monitoring glycaemic control with 1,5-AG assay is not recommended as measurements of 1,5-AG are unreliable in assessing glycaemic control in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Use of alternative methods to monitor glycaemic control is advised.

Paediatric population
Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

Other interactions
The effects of smoking, diet, herbal products and alcohol use on the pharmacokinetics of LIFLOZ have not been studied.

Pregnancy
LIFLOZ is contraindicated in pregnancy (see section 4.3). There are no data from the use of LIFLOZ in pregnant women. Studies in rats have shown toxicity to the developing kidney in the time period corresponding to the second and third trimesters of human pregnancy. When pregnancy is detected, treatment with LIFLOZ should be discontinued.

Breastfeeding
Mothers on LIFLOZ should not breastfeed their infants (see section 4.3). It is unknown whether LIFLOZ and/or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in animals have shown excretion of dapagliflozin/metabolites in milk. LIFLOZ should not be used while breastfeeding and exposure to LIFLOZ should be avoided during the first 2 years of life (see section 4.2).

Fertility
The effect of LIFLOZ on fertility in humans has not been studied. In male and female rats, dapagliflozin showed no effects on fertility at any dose tested.

LIFLOZ has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should be alerted to the risk of hypoglycaemia when LIFLOZ is used in combination with a sulphonylurea or insulin. Taking LIFLOZ can make patients feel dizzy. Patients taking LIFLOZ should therefore be warned to be cautious when driving a vehicle or operating machinery.

Infections and infestations
Frequent: vulvovaginitis, balanitis and related genital infections, urinary tract infection, including pyelonephritis, cystitis.
Less frequent: fungal infection, necrotising fasciitis of the perineum (Fournieru2019s gangrene).

Immune system disorders
Less frequent: angioedema.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Frequent: hypoglycaemia (when used with SU or insulin).
Less frequent: volume depletion, thirst, diabetic ketoacidosis, dehydration, hypovolaemia, hypotension.

Nervous system disorders:
Frequent: dizziness.

Gastrointestinal disorders:
Less frequent: constipation, dry mouth.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
Frequent: rash.
Less frequent: hyperhidrosis.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders:
Frequent: back pain.

Renal and urinary disorders:
Frequent: dysuria, polyuria, glycosuria.
Less frequent: nocturia.

Reproductive system and breast disorders:
Less frequent: vulvovaginal pruritis, genital pruritis.

Investigations:
Frequent: increased haematocrit, decreased creatinine renal clearance during initial treatment, dyslipidaemia.
Less frequent: increased blood creatinine during initial treatment, increased blood urea, deceased weight.

Vulvovaginitis, balanitis and related genital infections includes, e.g. the predefined preferred terms: vulvovaginal mycotic infection, vaginal infection, balanitis, fungal genital infection, vulvovaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginitis, balanitis candida, genital candidiasis, genital infection, genital infection male, penile infection, vulvitis, bacterial vaginitis, vulval abscess, balanoposthitis, genitourinary tract infection, penile abscess, posthitis.

Urinary tract infection includes the following preferred terms, listed in order of frequency reported: urinary tract infection, cystitis, Escherichia urinary tract infection, genitourinary tract infection, pyelonephritis, trigonitis, urethritis, kidney infection and prostatitis.

Volume depletion includes, e.g. the predefined preferred terms: dehydration, hypovolaemia, hypotension.

Polyuria includes the preferred terms: pollakiuria, polyuria, increased urine output and osmotic diuresis.

Adverse reaction was identified through post marketing surveillance. Rash includes the following preferred terms, listed in order of frequency in clinical studies: rash, rash generalised, rash pruritic, rash macular, rash maculo-papular, rash pustular, rash vesicular, and rash erythematous.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions: Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of LIFLOZ is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of LIFLOZ. Health care providers are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions to SAHPRA via the u201c6.04 Adverse Drug Reactions Reporting Formu201d, found online under SAHPRAu2019s publications: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8.

Symptoms of overdose
In overdose, side effects may be elicited or exacerbated (see section 4.8).

Treatment of overdose
In the event of an overdose, appropriate supportive treatment should be initiated as dictated by the patient's clinical status. The removal of dapagliflozin by haemodialysis has not been studied.