4.1. Therapeutic indications

Strefen Honey and Lemon are indicated for the short term symptomatic relief of sore throat in adults and children over the age of 12 years.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults the elderly and children over the age of 12 years:

One lozenge sucked/dissolved slowly in the mouth every 3 - 6 hours as required. Maximum 5 lozenges in a 24 hour period.

It is recommended that this product should be used for a maximum of three days

Children: Not indicated for children under 12 years.

Elderly: A general dose recommendation cannot be given, since to date clinical experience is limited. The elderly are at increased risk of the serious consequences of adverse reactions.

Impaired hepatic: In patients with mild to moderate impairment of hepatic function no dose reduction is required. In patients with severe hepatic insufficiency flurbiprofen is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

Impaired renal: In patients with mild to moderate impairment of renal function no dose reduction is required. In patients with severe renal insufficiency flurbiprofen is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

Method of administration

For oromucosal administration and short-term use only.

As with all lozenges, to avoid local irritation, Strefen Honey and Lemon should be moved around the mouth whilst sucking.

The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration necessary to relieve symptoms (see section 4.4)

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to flurbiprofen or any of the excipients in the product.

Patients who have previously shown hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. asthma, bronchospasm, rhinitis, angioedema, or urticaria) in response to acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs.

Active or history of recurrent peptic ulcer/haemorrhage (two or more distinct episodes of proven ulceration) and intestinal ulceration.

History of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation, severe colitis, haemorrhagic or haematopoietic disorders related to previous NSAID therapy.

Last trimester of pregnancy. (See section 4.6)

Severe heart failure, severe renal failure or severe hepatic failure (see section 4.4)

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Undesirable effects may be minimised by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to control symptoms.

Elderly population

The elderly have an increased frequency of adverse reactions to NSAIDs, especially gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation, which may be fatal.

Respiratory:

Bronchospasm may be precipitated in patients suffering from, or with a previous history of bronchial asthma or allergic disease. Flurbiprofen lozenges should be used with caution in these patients.

Other NSAIDs:

The use of flurbiprofen lozenges with concomitant NSAIDs including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors should be avoided (see section 4.5).

Systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease:

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease may have an increased risk of aseptic meningitis (see section 4.8), however this effect is not usually seen with short term limited use products such as flurbiprofen lozenges.

Cardiovascular, Renal and Hepatic Impairment:

NSAIDs have been reported to cause nephrotoxicity in various forms including interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and renal failure. The administration of an NSAID may cause a dose dependent reduction in prostaglandin formation and precipitate renal failure. Patients at greatest risk of this reaction are those with impaired renal function, cardiac impairment, liver dysfunction, those taking diuretics and the elderly, however, this effect is not usually seen with short term, limited use products such as flurbiprofen lozenges.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects:

Caution (discussion with doctor or pharmacist) is required prior to starting treatment in patients with a history of hypertension and/or heart failure as fluid retention, hypertension and oedema have been reported in association with NSAID therapy.

Clinical trial and epidemiological data suggest that the use of NSAIDs (particularly at high doses and in long term treatment) may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke). There are insufficient data to exclude such a risk for flurbiprofen when given at a daily dose of no more than 5 lozenges.

Hepatic:

Mild to moderate hepatic dysfunction (see sections 4.3 and 4.8)

Nervous System effects

Analgesic induced headache - In the event of prolonged use of analgesics or use beyond the regulations headache may occur, which must not be treated with increased doses of the medicinal product.

Gastrointestinal:

NSAIDs should be given with care to patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) as these conditions may be exacerbated (see section 4.8)

Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration or perforation, which can be fatal has been reported with all NSAIDs at anytime during treatment, with or without warning symptoms or a previous history of serious GI events.

The risk of GI bleeding, ulceration or perforation is higher with increasing NSAID doses, in patients with a history of ulcer, particularly if complicated with haemorrhage or perforation (see Section 4.3), and in the elderly, however this effect is not usually seen with short term limited use products such as flurbiprofen lozenges.

Patients with a history of GI toxicity, particularly the elderly, should report any unusual abdominal symptoms (especially GI bleeding) to their healthcare professional. Caution should be advised in patients receiving concomitant medications which could increase the risk of ulceration or bleeding, such as oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants such as warfarin, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors or anti-platelet agents such as acetylsalicylic acid (see section 4.5).

If GI bleeding or ulceration occurs in patients receiving flurbiprofen, the treatment should be withdrawn.

Dermatological:

Serious skin reactions, some of them fatal, including exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported very rarely in association with the use of NSAIDSs (see section 4.8). Flurbiprofen lozenges should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash, mucosal lesions, or any other sign of hypersensitivity.

Infections:

Since in isolated cases an exacerbation of infective inflammations (e.g. development of necrotising fasciitis) has been described in temporal association with the use of systemic NSAIDs as a class, the patient is advised to consult a physician immediately if signs of a bacterial infection occur or worsen during the flurbiprofen lozenges therapy. It should be considered whether initiation of an anti-infective antibiotic therapy is indicated.

Masking of symptoms of underlying infections:

Epidemiological studies suggest that systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can mask symptoms of infection, which may lead to delayed initiation of appropriate treatment and thereby worsening the outcome of the infection. This has been observed in bacterial community acquired pneumonia and bacterial complications to varicella. When Strefen Honey and Lemon is administered while the patient suffers from fever or pain in relation to infection, monitoring of infection is advised.

Important Information about some of the ingredients of this medicine

• This medicine contains only very low levels of gluten (from wheat starch). It is regarded as 'gluten-free' and is very unlikely to cause problems if you have coeliac disease. One lozenge contains no more than 21.38 micrograms of gluten. If you have wheat allergy (different from coeliac disease) you should not take this medicine.

• This medicine contains 1.407 g Sucrose per lozenge and 1.069 g Glucose per lozenge. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose galactose malabsorption or sucrase isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.

• This medicine contains sulphites, which may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm.

• This medicine contains fragrance with Citral, Citronellol, d-Limonene, Farnesol, Geraniol and Linalool. Citral, Citronellol, d-Limonene, Farnesol, Geraniol and Linalool may cause allergic reactions.

• This medicine contains Butylated hydroxyanisole (E320) (present in Lemon flavour) which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis), or irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes.

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

Flurbiprofen should be avoided in combination with:

Other NSAIDS including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors:

Avoid concomitant use of two or more NSAIDs as this may increase the risk of adverse effects (esp. gastrointestinal adverse events such as ulcers and bleeding), (see section 4.4).

Acetylsalicylic acid (low dose)

Unless low-dose aspirin (not above 75mg daily) has been advised by a doctor, as this may increase the risk of adverse reactions (see section 4.4).

Flurbiprofen should be used with caution in combination with:

Anticoagulants:

NSAIDs may enhance the effects of anti-coagulants, such as warfarin (see section 4.4).

Anti-platelet Agents

Increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding (see section 4.4).

Antihypertensive drugs

(Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II-antagonists):

NSAIDs may reduce the effect of diuretics and other antihypertensive drugs may enhance nephrotoxicity caused by inhibition of cyclooxygenase, especially in patients with compromised renal function (Patients should be adequately hydrated)

Alcohol

May increase the risk of adverse reactions, especially of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract

Cardiac glycosides:

NSAIDs may exacerbate cardiac failure, reduce GFR and increase plasma glycoside levels - adequate control and, if necessary, dose adjustment is recommended

Ciclosporin:

Increased risk of nephrotoxicity.

Corticosteroids:

May increase the risk of adverse reactions, especially of the gastrointestinal tract (see section 4.3)

Lithium:

May increase serum levels of lithium – adequate control and, if necessary, dose adjustment is recommended

Methotrexate:

The administration of NSAIDs within 24 hours before or after administration of methotrexate may lead to elevated concentrations of methotrexate and an increase in its toxic effect.

Mifepristone:

NSAIDs should not be used for 8 – 12 days after mifepristone administration as NSAIDs can reduce the effect of mifepristone.

Oral antidiabetics

Alteration of blood glucose levels reported (increased check rate recommended)

Phenytoin

May increase serum levels of phenytoin – adequate control and, if necessary, dose adjustment is recommended

Potassium sparing diuretics

Concomitant use may cause hyperkalaemia

Probenecid Sulfinpyrazone

Medicinal products that contain probenecid or sulfinpyrazone may delay the excretion of flurbiprofen.

Quinolone antibiotics

Animal data indicate that NSAIDs can increase the risk of convulsions associated with quinolone antibiotics. Patients taking NSAIDs and quinolones may have an increased risk of developing convulsions.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's)

Increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding (see section 4.4).

Tacrolimus:

Possible increased risk of nephrotoxicity when NSAIDs are given with tacrolimus.

Zidovudine:

Increased risk of haematological toxicity when NSAIDs are given with zidovudine.

No studies so far have revealed any interactions between flurbiprofen and tolbutamide or antacids.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis may adversely affect the pregnancy and/or the embryo/foetal development. Data from epidemiological studies suggest an increased risk of miscarriage and of cardiac malformation and gastroschisis after use of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor in early pregnancy. The absolute risk for cardiovascular malformation was increased from less than 1%, up to approximately 1.5 %. The risk is believed to increase with dose and duration of therapy. In animals, administration of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor has been shown to result in increased pre- and post-implantation loss and embryo-foetal lethality. In addition, increased incidences of various malformations, including cardiovascular, have been reported in animals given a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor during the organogenetic period. During the first and second trimester of pregnancy, flurbiprofen should not be given unless clearly necessary. If flurbiprofen is used by a woman attempting to conceive, or during the first and second trimester of pregnancy, the dose should be kept as low and duration of treatment as short as possible.

During the third trimester of pregnancy, all prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors may expose

• the fœtus to:

o cardiopulmonary toxicity (with premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hypertension);

o renal dysfunction, which may progress to renal failure with oligo-hydroamniosis;

• the mother and the neonate, at the end of pregnancy, to:

o possible prolongation of bleeding time, an anti-aggregating effect which may occur even at very low doses.

o inhibition of uterine contractions resulting in delayed or prolonged labour.

Consequently, flurbiprofen is contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Lactation

In limited studies, flurbiprofen appears in the breast milk in very low concentration and is unlikely to affect the breast-fed infant adversely. However, because of possible adverse effects of NSAIDs on breast-fed infants, Strefen Honey & Lemon lozenges are not recommended for use in nursing mothers.

Fertility

There is some evidence that drugs which inhibit cyclo-oxygenase/ prostaglandin synthesis may cause impairment of female fertility by an effect on ovulation. This is reversible on withdrawal of treatment.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use of machines have been performed.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs have been reported and these may consist of:

(a) non-specific allergic reactions and anaphylaxis

(b) respiratory tract reactivity e.g. asthma, aggravated asthma, bronchospasm, dyspnoea

(c) various skin reactions e.g. pruritus, urticaria, angioedema and more rarely exfoliative and bullous dermatoses (including epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme)

Oedema, hypertension and cardiac failure have been reported in association with NSAID treatment. Clinical trial and epidemiological data suggest that use of some NSAIDs, (particularly at high doses and in long term treatment) may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke), (see section 4.4). There is insufficient data to exclude such a risk for flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges

The following list of adverse effects relates to those experienced with flurbiprofen at OTC doses for short-term use.

(Very common (≥1/10), Common (≥1/100 to <1/10), Uncommon (≥1/1000 to <1/100), Rare (≥1/10000 to <1/1000), Very rare (<1/10000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data))

Blood and lymphatic system disorders:

Not known: anaemia, thrombocytopenia.

Immune System disorders:

Rare: anaphylactic reaction

Psychiatric disorders:

Uncommon: insomnia

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders

Not known: Oedema, hypertension and cardiac failure

Nervous System disorders:

Common: dizziness, headache, parasthesia

Uncommon: somnolence

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders:

Common: throat irritation

Uncommon: exacerbation of asthma and bronchospasm, dyspnoea, wheezing, oropharyngeal blistering, pharyngeal hypoaesthesia.

Gastrointestinal disorders:

Common: diarrhoea, mouth ulceration, nausea, oral pain, paraesthesia oral, oropharyngeal pain, oral discomfort (warm or burning feeling or tingling of the mouth).

Uncommon: abdominal distension, abdominal pain, constipation, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, glossodynia, dysgeusia, oral dysaesthesia, vomiting

Hepatobiliary disorders:

Not known: hepatitis

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:

Uncommon: various skin rashes, pruritus.

Not known: severe forms of skin reaction such as bullous reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

General disorders and administration site conditions:

Uncommon: pyrexia, pain

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 the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Symptoms:

Most patients who have ingested clinically important amounts of NSAIDs will develop no more than nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, or more rarely diarrhoea. Tinnitus, headache and gastrointestinal bleeding are also possible. In more serious poisoning with NSAIDs, toxicity is seen in the central nervous system, manifesting as drowsiness, occasionally excitation, blurred vision and disorientation or coma. Occasionally patients develop convulsions. In serious poisoning with NSAIDs metabolic acidosis may occur and the prothrombin time/ INR may be prolonged, probably due to interference with the actions of circulating clotting factors. Acute renal failure and liver damage may occur. Exacerbation of asthma is possible in asthmatics.

Management:

Management should be symptomatic and supportive and include the maintenance of a clear airway and monitoring of cardiac and vital signs until stable. Consider oral administration of activated charcoal and if necessary correction of serum electrolytes and if the patient presents within 1 hour of ingestion or a potentially toxic amount. If frequent or prolonged, convulsions should be treated with intravenous diazepam or lorazepam. Give bronchodilators for asthma. There is no specific antidote to flurbiprofen.