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Details for: APO-PRUCALOPRIDE

Company: APOTEX INC

DIN DIN name Active Ingredient(s) Strength Dosage Form Route of Administration
02491591APO-PRUCALOPRIDEPRUCALOPRIDE (PRUCALOPRIDE SUCCINATE)1 MGTABLETORAL
02491605APO-PRUCALOPRIDEPRUCALOPRIDE (PRUCALOPRIDE SUCCINATE)2 MGTABLETORAL
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Consumer Information

This information was provided by the drug’s manufacturer when this drug product was approved for sale in Canada. It is designed for consumers and care givers. It is a summary of information about the drug and will not tell you everything about the drug. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the drug.

What the medication is used for

Treatment of chronic constipation in adult females when laxatives do not provide adequate relief

What it does

APO-PRUCALOPRIDE increases the frequency of bowel movements to provide a feeling of complete evacuation by stimulating peristalsis, the muscular contractions of the gut needed for bowel movements.

When it should not be used
  • If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in APOPRUCALOPRIDE (see What the non-medicinal ingredients are)
  • If you need dialysis
  • If you have serious problems with your gut like blockages, holes in your intestine, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

APO-PRUCALOPRIDE is not recommended in children younger than 18 years old.

What the medicinal ingredient is

Prucalopride succinate

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

1 mg prucalopride tablets:
hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate

2 mg prucalopride tablets:
ferric oxide red, ferric oxide yellow, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate

What dosage form it comes in

Tablets, 1 mg and 2 mg prucalopride, as prucalopride succinate

Warnings and precautions

BEFORE you use APO-PRUCALOPRIDE talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:

  • You have any diseases affecting the liver, kidney, and/or lung;
  • You have any neurological problems (these affect your nervous system) or suffer from psychiatric problems;
  • You have cancer, AIDS or endocrine disorders;
  • You have a history of abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) or heart disease;
  • You have insulin-dependent diabetes;
  • You are using oral contraceptives for birth control; If you develop severe diarrhea, oral contraceptives may lose effectiveness and an additional method of contraception is recommended. Cases of unintended pregnancies have been reported for prucalopride succinate;
  • You are required to drive and use machines or other equipment;
  • You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Prucalopride is excreted in human breast milk.
Interactions with this medication

Drugs that may interact with APO-PRUCALOPRIDE include: ketoconazole, and erythromycin. Atropinelike substances may reduce the effect of APOPRUCALOPRIDE.

Proper use of this medication

Usual Dose

Adults (18 years of age and older): 2 mg once daily
Elderly (over 65 years of age): 1 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase the dose to 2 mg once daily if needed.

Patients with severe kidney impairment: 1 mg once daily.

Patients with severe liver impairment: 1 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase the dose to 2 mg once daily if needed.

Do not exceed a dosage of 2 mg per day. This will not add to the relief of constipation.
If there is no bowel movement in 3-4 days, contact your doctor. Your doctor may recommend an additional appropriate medication (e.g., laxative) for relief of immediate, acute constipation, at the same time as ongoing APO-PRUCALOPRIDE treatment.

Overdose

If you think you have taken too much APOPRUCALOPRIDE, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose

Do not double your dose. Take your regular dose when you remember.

Side effects and what to do about them

Like all medicines, APO-PRUCALOPRIDE can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Please do not be alarmed by this list of side effects, you may not experience any of them.

The most common side effects include headache, stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. These usually occur on the first day of treatment, and then go away within a day or so. Other common side effects include passing gas, enlargement of the abdomen or stomach, upset stomach, dizziness, tiredness, back pain, sinusitis, and kidney and urinary disorders.

Uncommon side effects include migraine and spinning sensation (vertigo)

Most of these side effects are mild to moderate in intensity. If you suffer dizziness or tiredness, use caution in driving or operating machinery. In case of persistent, severe or bloody diarrhea, anal bleeding, or worsening abdominal symptoms, discontinue APOPRUCALOPRIDE and consult your doctor.

Serious side effects, how often they happen and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist only if severe Talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist in all cases Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Common
Severe, persistent or bloody diarrhea or worsening abdominal symptoms (pain)    
Uncommon
Strong or irregular or racing heartbeat    
Chest pain    
Very rare
Unusual changes in mood or behavior; Worsening depression, feeling sad or hopeless; Suicidal thoughts or actions about hurting or killing yourself.    

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking APO-PRUCALOPRIDE, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store

APO-PRUCALOPRIDE should be kept out of the reach and sight of children. Store at room temperature 15°C30°C. Protect from moisture.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following three ways:

  • Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
  • Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
  • Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
    • Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
    • Mail to:
      Canada Vigilance Program
      Health Canada
      Postal Locator 0701E
      Ottawa ON K1A 0K9

Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffectTM Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.

NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

More information

If you want more information about APOPRUCALOPRIDE:

This leaflet was prepared by Apotex

Inc., Toronto, Ontario, M9L 1T9.

Last Prepared: August 15, 2019

Date modified: