Package leaflet: Information for the patient

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz, 2.5 mg/5 mg, capsule, hard

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz, 5 mg/5 mg, capsule, hard

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz, 5 mg/10 mg, capsule, hard

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz, 10 mg/5 mg, capsule, hard

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz, 10 mg/10 mg, capsule, hard

Ramipril/Amlodipine

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz is and what it is used for

2. What you need to know before you take Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz

3. How to take Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz

4. Possible side effects

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz contains two active substances: ramipril and amlodipine. Ramipril belongs to a group of medicines called ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors). Amlodipine belongs to a group of medicines called calcium antagonists.

Ramipril works by:

• Decreasing your body’s production of substances that could raise your blood pressure

• Making your blood vessels relax and widen

• Making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body

Amlodipine works by:

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), in patients whose blood pressure is adequately controlled with amlodipine and ramipril given concurrently at the same dose level as in Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz, but as a separate medicines.

Do not take Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz:

- If you are allergic to ramipril, amlodipine (active substances), other ACE inhibitor medicines or any other calcium antagonists, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). This may be itching, reddening of the skin or difficulty in breathing.

• If you have ever had a serious allergic reaction called “angioedema”. The signs include itching, hives (urticaria), red marks on the hands, feet and throat, swelling of the throat and tongue, swelling around the eyes and lips, difficulty breathing and swallowing.

• If you are having dialysis or any other type of blood filtration. Depending on the machine that is used, Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz may not be suitable for you.

• If you have kidney problems where the blood supply to your kidneys is reduced (renal artery stenosis).

• During the last 6 months of pregnancy (see section below on “Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility”)

• If you have diabetes or impaired kidney function and you are treated with a blood pressure lowering medicine containing aliskiren.

• If your blood pressure is abnormally low or unstable. Your doctor will need to make this assessment.

• If you have narrowing of the aortic heart valve (aortic stenosis) or cardiogenic shock (a condition where your heart is unable to supply enough blood to the body).

• If you suffer from heart failure after a heart attack.

Do not take Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor before taking Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz. Tell your doctor, if any of the situations listed below is applicable to you:

• If you have heart, liver or kidney problems

• If you have lost a lot of body salts or fluids (through being sick (vomiting), having diarrhoea, sweating more than usual, being on a low salt diet, taking diuretics (water tablets) for a long time or having had dialysis)

• If you are going to have treatment to reduce your allergy to bee or wasp stings (desensitization)

• If you are going to receive an anesthestic. This may be given for an operation or any dental work. You may need to stop your Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz treatment one day beforehand; ask your doctor for advice

• If you have high amounts of potassium in your blood (shown in blood test results)

• If you have a collagen vascular disease such as scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus

• If you are taking any of the following medicines used to treat high blood pressure:

- an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARBs) (also known as sartans - for example valsartan, telmisartan, irbesartan), in particular if you have diabetes-related kidney problems.

- aliskiren.

Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure, and the amount of electrolytes (e.g. potassium) in your blood at regular intervals.

See also information under the heading “Do not take Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz”.

• If you had severe increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis)

• If you are elderly and your dose needs to be increased

• If you developed a dry cough which is persistent for a long time

• if your blood pressure is not sufficiently lowered. Medicines of this type seem to be less effective in persons with black skin

If you suffer from sudden swelling of the lips and face, tongue and throat, neck, possibly also hands and feet, difficulty to swallow or to breathe, hives or hoarseness (‘angioedema’). This could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction. This may occur at any time during the treatment. Persons with black skin may have a higher risk of suffering from this condition. If you develop such symptoms you should let your doctor know immediately.

Children and adolescents

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age because there is no information available in this population.

Other medicines and Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines. They can make Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz work less well:

• Medicines used to relieve pain and inflammation (e.g. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid)

• Medicines used for the treatment of low blood pressure, shock, cardiac failure, asthma or allergies such as ephedrine, noradrenaline or adrenaline. Your doctor will need to check your blood pressure.

• Rifampicin (antibiotic to treat tuberculosis)

• Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort use to treat depression).

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines. They can increase the chance of getting side effects if you take them with Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz:

• Medicines used to relieve pain and inflammation (e.g. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid)

• Temsirolimus and other medicines for cancer (chemotherapy)

• Ciclosporin, everolimus and tacrolimus (used to control your body’s immune response, enabling your body to accept the transplanted organ)

• Diuretics (water tablets) such as furosemide

• Other medicines that may decrease blood pressure

• Erythromycin, clarithromycin, trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole (for infections caused by bacteria)

• Medicines which can increase the amount of potassium in your blood such as spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride, potassium salts and heparin (for thinning blood)

• Steroid medicines for inflammation such as prednisolone

• Allopurinol (used to lower the uric acid in your blood)

• Procainamide (for heart rhythm problems)

• Ketoconazole, itraconazole (anti-fungal medicines)

• Ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir (so called protease inhibitors used to treat HIV)

• Verapamil, diltiazem (medicines to treat heart disorders or high blood pressure)

• Dantrolene (infusion for severe body temperature abnormalities).

Your doctor may need to change your dose and/or to take other precautions:

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines. They may be affected by Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz:

• Medicines for diabetes such as oral, glucose lowering medicines and insulin. Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz may lower your blood sugar amounts. Check your blood sugar amounts closely while taking Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz

• Lithium (for mental health problems). Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz may increase the amount of lithium in your blood. Your lithium amount will need to be closely checked by your doctor

• Simvastatin (a cholesterol lowering medicine). Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz may increase the amount of simvastatin in your blood.

If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor before taking Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz.

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz with food,drink and alcohol

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz may be taken with or without food.

Drinking alcohol with Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz may make you feel dizzy or light-headed. If you are concerned about how much you can drink while you are taking Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz, discuss this with your doctor as medicines used to reduce blood pressure and alcohol can have additive effects.

Grapefruit juice or grapefruit should not be consumed by people who are taking Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz. This is because grapefruit and grapefruit juice can lead to an increase in the blood levels of the active substance amlodipine, which can cause an unpredictable increase in the blood pressure lowering effect of Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy

You must not take Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz during pregnancy.

If you become pregnant while on Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz, tell your doctor immediately. A switch to a suitable alternative treatment should be carried out in advance of a planned pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

You should not take Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz if you are breast-feeding.

You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

Fertility

There is no sufficient data regarding the potential effect on fertility.

Driving and using machines

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz may affect your ability to drive or use machines. If the Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz make you feel sick, dizzy or tired, or give you a headache, do not drive or use machines and contact your doctor immediately. This can happen especially at the start of treatment, or when changing over from other preparations.

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

If you have the impression that the effect of Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medicine by mouth at the same time of the day, before or after your meal.

Swallow the whole capsule with liquid.

Do not take Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz with grapefruit juice.

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz should be administered once a day.

The doctor may modify the dose, depending on the effect it will have on you.

The maximum daily dose is one capsule 10 mg/10 mg.

Elderly

Your doctor will reduce the initial dose and adjust your treatment more slowly.

Use in children and adolescents

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age because there is no information available in this population.

If you take more Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz than you should

Taking too many capsules may cause your blood pressure to become low or even dangerously low. You may feel dizzy, lightheaded, faint or weak. If blood pressure drop is severe enough shock can occur. Your skin could feel cool and clammy and you could lose consciousness. Tell a doctor or go to the nearest hospital casualty department straight away. Do not drive to the hospital, get somebody else to take you or call for an ambulance. Take the medicine pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken.

If you forget to take Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz

If you forget to take a capsule, leave out that dose completely. Take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz

Your doctor will advise you how long to take your medicine. Your condition may return if you stop using your medicine before you are advised.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz and see a doctor straight away, if you notice any of the following serious side effects – you may need urgent medical treatment:

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Chest pain, tightness in your chest, uneven or forceful heartbeat (palpitations) (common side effects: may affect up to 1 in 10 people), irregular or slow heartbeat (very rare side effects: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people), faster heart rate (uncommon side effect: may affect up to 1 in 100 people) or more serious problems including heart attack (uncommon side effect: may affect up to 1 in 100 people) or stroke (the frequency cannot be estimated from the available data).

• Shortness of breath or a cough. They are common side effects. These could be signs of lung problems.

• Bruising more easily, bleeding for longer than normal, any sign of bleeding (e.g. bleeding from the gums), purple spots, blotching on the skin or getting infections more easily than usual, sore throat and fever, feeling tired, faint, dizzy or having pale skin. These can be signs of blood or bone marrow problems. The frequency of blood problems is rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) and the frequency of bone marrow problems is not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

• Severe stomach pain which may reach through to your back. This could be a sign of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). It is an uncommon side effect (may affect up to 1 in 100 people).

• Fever, chills, tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, feeling sick, yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine. These can be signs of liver problems such as hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) or liver damage. The frequency of hepatitis is very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people) and the frequency of liver damage is not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

• Severe kidney disorder, including severely decreased urine output. This could be a sign of an acute kidney disease. It is an uncommon side effect (may affect up to 1 in 100 people).

Other side effects include:

Tell your doctor if any of the following gets serious or lasts longer than a few days.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Sleepiness (especially at the beginning of treatment)

• Palpitations (awareness of your heart beat), flushing

• Ankle swelling (oedema)

• Headache or feeling tired

• Feeling dizzy. This is more likely to happen when you start taking Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz or start taking a higher dose

• Fainting, hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), especially when you stand or sit up quickly

• Dry tickly cough, inflammation of your sinuses (sinusitis) or bronchitis, shortness of breath

• Abdominal discomfort, stomach or gut pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, feeling or being sick

• Skin rash with or without raised area

• Chest pain

• Cramps or pain in your muscles

• Blood tests showing more potassium than usual in your blood

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Trembling, weakness, pain, feeling unwell

• Flushing

• Visual disturbances, double vision, blurred vison, ringing in the ears

• Sneezing/running nose caused by inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis)

• Altered bowel habits (including diarrhoea or constipation), heartburn, dry mouth

• Hair loss, increased sweating, itchy skin, red patches on skin, skin discoloration

• Disorder in passing urine, increased need to urinate, especially at night, increased number of times of passing urine

• Passing more water (urine) than usual over the day

• Inability to obtain an erection, sexual inability in men, reduced sexual desire in men or women

• Discomfort or enlargement of the breasts in men

• Joint pain, back pain

• Weight increase or decrease

• Balance problems (vertigo)

• Itching and unusual skin sensations such as numbness, tingling, pricking, burning or creeping on your skin (paraesthesia), loss of pain sensation

• Loss or change in the way things taste

• Sleep problems

• Feeling depressed, anxious, more nervous than usual or restless

• Blocked nose, difficulty breathing or worsening of asthma

• A swelling in your gut called “intestinal angioedema” presenting with symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea

• Loss or decrease of appetite (anorexia)

• Stomach pain and feeling sick (gastritis)

• Increased or irregular heart beats

• Swollen arms and legs. This may be a sign of your body holding onto more water than usual

• Fever

• An increased number of certain white blood cells (eosinophilia) found during a blood test

• Blood tests showing changes in the way your liver, pancreas or kidneys are working

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• Feeling shaky or confused

• Red and swollen tongue

• Severe flaking or peeling skin, itchy, lumpy rash

• Nail problems (e.g. loosening or separation of a nail from its bed)

• Skin rash or bruising

• Hives (urticaria)

• Blotches on your skin and cold extremities

• Red, itchy, swollen or watery eyes

• Inflammation of blood vessels, often with skin rash

• Narrowed blood vessels

• Disturbed hearing

• Blood tests showing a decrease in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets or in the amount of haemoglobin.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

• Being more sensitive to the sun than usual

• Excess sugar in blood (hyperglycaemia)

• Swelling of the gums

• Abnormal liver function, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), yellowing of the skin (jaundice)

• Increased muscle tension

• A disorder of the nerves which can cause muscular weakness, tingling or numbness

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

- concentrated urine (dark in colour), feeling or being sick, muscle cramps, confusion and fits which may be due to inappropriate ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) secretion. If you have these symptoms contact your doctor as soon as possible.

- trembling, rigid posture, mask-like face, slow movements and a shuffling, unbalanced walk

Tell your doctor if any of the following gets serious or lasts longer than a few days:

• Difficulty concentrating

• Inflammation of oral mucosa with small ulcerations

• Blood tests showing too few blood cells in your blood

• Blood tests showing less sodium than usual in your blood

• Fingers and toes changing colour when you are cold and then tingling or feeling painful when you warm up (Raynaud's phenomenon)

• Burning sensations

• Slowed or impaired reactions

• Change in the way things smell

• Thickened patches of red/silver skin (psoriasis) or rash with silver coloured appearance

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V.*By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz

Store below 30°C.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister pack after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz contains

2.5 mg/5 mg, capsule, hard:

each capsule contains 2.5 mg ramipril and amlodipine besilate equivalent to 5 mg amlodipine.

5 mg/5 mg, capsule, hard:

each capsule contains 5 mg ramipril and amlodipine besilate equivalent to 5 mg amlodipine.

5 mg/10 mg, capsule, hard:

each capsule contains 5 mg ramipril and amlodipine besilate equivalent to 10 mg amlodipine.

10 mg/5 mg, capsule, hard:

each capsule contains 10 mg ramipril and amlodipine besilate equivalent to 5 mg amlodipine.

10 mg/10 mg, capsule, hard:

each capsule contains 10 mg ramipril and amlodipine besilate equivalent to 10 mg amlodipine.

What Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz looks like and contents of the pack

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz2.5 mg/5 mg, capsule, hard: hard gelatine capsules, cap: opaque pale pink colour, body: opaque white colour. Content of capsules: white or almost white powder.

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz5 mg/5 mg, capsule, hard: hard gelatine capsules, cap: opaque pink colour, body: opaque white colour. Content of capsules: white or almost white powder.

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz5 mg/10 mg, capsule, hard: hard gelatine capsules, cap: opaque red - brown colour, body: opaque white colour. Content of capsules: white or almost white powder.

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz10 mg/5 mg, capsule, hard: hard gelatine capsules, cap: opaque dark pink colour, body: opaque white colour. Content of capsules: white or almost white powder.

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz10 mg/10 mg, capsule, hard: hard gelatine capsules, cap: opaque brown colour, body: opaque white colour. Content of capsules: white or almost white powder.

Ramipril/Amlodipine Sandoz are available in blister packs containing 28, 30, 32, 56, 60, 90, 91, 96, 98 or 100 capsules.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder

[To be completed nationally]

Manufacturer

[To be completed nationally]

<This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:>

[To be completed nationally]

This leaflet was last revised in 2016-08-19

[To be completed nationally]