4.1. Therapeutic indications

Feraccru is indicated in adults for the treatment of iron deficiency.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

The recommended dose is one capsule twice daily, morning and evening, on an empty stomach (see section 4.5).

Treatment duration will depend on the severity of iron deficiency but generally at least 12-weeks treatment is required. It is recommended the treatment is continued as long as necessary to replenish the body's iron stores according to blood tests.

The elderly and patients with hepatic or renal impairment

No dose adjustment is needed in elderly patients or patients with renal impairment (eGFR ≥15 ml/min/1.73 m2).

No clinical data on the need to adjust the dose in patients with impaired hepatic function and/or renal impairment (eGFR <15 ml/min/1.73 m2) are available.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Feraccru in children (17 years and under) has not yet been established. No data are available.

Method of administration

Oral use.

Feraccru capsules should be taken whole on an empty stomach (with half a glass of water), as the absorption of iron is reduced when it is taken with food (see section 4.5).

4.3. Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

• Haemochromatosis and other iron overload syndromes.

• Patients receiving repeated blood transfusions.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) diagnosis should be made based on blood tests; it is important to investigate the cause of the iron deficiency and to exclude underlying causes of anaemia other than iron deficiency.

Feraccru is not recommended for use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare or in IBD patients with haemoglobin (Hb) <9.5 g/dl.

Concomitant administration of ferric maltol with intravenous iron, dimercaprol, chloramphenicol or methyldopa is to be avoided (see section 4.5)

This medicinal product contains lactose: patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.

This medicinal product also contains Allura Red AC (E129) and Sunset Yellow FCF (E110): these may cause allergic reactions.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No interaction studies have been performed with ferric maltol. Based on an in vitro study maltol is glucuronised through UGT1A6 (see section 5.2).

Food has been shown to inhibit uptake of Feraccru: The treatment should be taken on an empty stomach (see section 4.2).

Intravenous administration of iron salts

Concomitant administration of Feraccru and intravenous iron may induce hypotension or even collapse due to the fast release of iron resulting from saturation of transferrin caused by intravenous iron.

Medicinal products that may impact absorption and distribution of iron from Feraccru

Absorption of oral iron may be reduced by calcium and magnesium salts (such as magnesium trisilicate). Administration of iron preparations with such compounds should be separated by at least 2 hours.

Impact of Feraccru on absorption of other medicinal products

Oral iron is known to reduce the absorption of penicillamine, bisphosphonates, ciprofloxacin, entacapone, levodopa, levofloxacin, levothyroxine (thyroxine), moxifloxacin, mycophenolate, norfloxacin and ofloxacin. These medicinal products should be given at least 2 hours apart from Feraccru.

Absorption of both iron and antibiotic may be reduced if oral iron is given with tetracycline. Administration of iron preparations and tetracyclines should be separated by 2 to 3 hours.

Pharmacodynamic interactions

Concomitant use of iron and dimercaprol is nephrotoxic (see section 4.4).

Concomitant use of chloramphenicol will delay plasma iron clearance, incorporation of iron into red blood cells and interfere with erythropoiesis (see section 4.4).

Concomitant use of iron with methyldopa may antagonise the hypotensive effect of methyldopa (see section 4.4).

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

A moderate amount of data on the oral use of ferric iron in pregnant women indicate no malformative nor feto/neonatal toxicity. Systemic exposure to the intact ferric maltol complex is negligible.

Feraccru may be considered during pregnancy if necessary.

Breastfeeding

No effects of oral ferric iron have been shown in breastfed newborns/infants of treated mothers. Ferric maltol is not available systemically and is therefore unlikely to pass into the mother's milk. Feraccru can be used during breast feeding if clinically needed.

Fertility

There are no data on the effect of ferric maltol on human fertility. No effects on fertility are anticipated since systemic exposure to ferric maltol is negligible.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Feraccru has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most frequently reported adverse reactions were gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain [8%], flatulence [4%], constipation [4%], abdominal discomfort [2%]/distension [2%] and diarrhoea [3%]) and these were mainly mild to moderate in severity. Reported severe adverse reactions were abdominal pain [4%], constipation [0.9%] and diarrhoea [0.9%].

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Table 1 presents all adverse reactions occurring during clinical studies to date with Feraccru.

Adverse reaction frequencies are defined as: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100, <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000, <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000, <1/1,000) or very rare (<1/10000).

Table 1: Adverse reactions observed during clinical studies to date.

System organ class

Common

Uncommon

Nervous system disorders

Headache

Gastrointestinal disorders

Abdominal pain (including upper abdomen)

Flatulence

Constipation

Abdominal discomfort/ distension

Diarrhoea

Discoloured faeces

Nausea

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Vomiting

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Acne

Erythema

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Joint stiffness Pain in extremity

General disorders and administration site conditions

Thirst

Investigations

Blood alkaline phosphatase increased

Blood thyroid stimulating hormone increased

Gamma-glutamyltransferase increased

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions:

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Iron overdose is dangerous and can be life-threatening in children, infants and toddlers requiring immediate attention.

Symptoms of iron overdose

Early signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The vomit and stools may be grey or black. In mild cases early features improve but in more serious cases there may be evidence of hypoperfusion (cool peripheries and hypotension), metabolic acidosis and systemic toxicity. In serious cases there can be recurrence of vomiting and gastrointestinal bleeding, up to 12 hours after ingestion. Shock can result from hypovolaemia or direct cardiotoxicity. Evidence of hepatocellular necrosis appears at this stage with jaundice, bleeding, hypoglycaemia, encephalopathy and positive anion gap metabolic acidosis. Poor tissue perfusion may lead to renal failure. Rarely, gastric scarring causing stricture or pyloric stenosis (alone or in combination) may lead to partial or complete bowel obstruction 2-5 weeks after ingestion.

Ingestion of 20 mg/kg elemental iron is potentially toxic and 200-250 mg/kg is potentially fatal. No single method of assessment is entirely satisfactory - clinical features as well as laboratory analysis must be taken into account. Serum iron levels measured at about 4 hours after ingestion is the best laboratory measure of severity.

Management

Supportive and symptomatic measures reflecting best standard medical care should be implemented. The use of desferroxamine should be considered: for detailed information see product information provided by the manufacturer. Haemodialysis does not remove iron effectively but should be considered on a supportive basis for acute renal failure as this will facilitate removal of the iron- desferroxamine complex.