Helipac

Uses

Each film coated MUPS tablet contains 20 mg Omeprazole enteric coated micro pellets

Omeprazole (Multiple-Unit Pellet System) is indixated in-

• Duodenal and Gastric ulcers
• NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers
• Reflux Oesophagitis
• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
• Eradication of H. pylori with appropriate antibiotics
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

MUPS is abbreviation for Multiple-Unit Pellet System. However, from pharmaceutical industry and research perspective, the term in general refers to MUPS compacted into tablets. Thus, the resulting tablets prepared by compaction of modified release coated multiparticulates or pellets are called as MUPS. It is the more recent and challenging technology that combines the advantages of both tablets and pellet filled capsules in one dosage form.

MUPS ensure rapid and uniform gastric emptying and subsequently uniform drug dissolution of pellets in the gastrointestinal tract due to their small size and larger surface, uniform drug absorption is facilitated which results in consistent and controlled pharmacological action.

A further reduction in inter- and intra-subject variability in drug absorption and clinical response is facilitated since the number of pellets per MUPS dosage form is much more than a conventional pellet-filled capsule and possibility of dose dumping(in stomach) and incomplete drug release is further minimized.

Trichomoniasis: Tinidazole is used for the treatment of trichomoniasis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. The organism should be identified by appropriate diagnostic procedures. Because trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease with potentially serious sequelae, partners of infected patients should be treated simultaneously in order to prevent re-infection.

Giardiasis: Tinidazole is used for the treatment of giardiasis caused by Giardia duodenalis in both adults and pediatric patients older than three years of age. Sections or subsections omitted from the full prescribing information are not listed.

Amebiasis: Tinidazole is used for the treatment of intestinal amebiasis and amebic liver abscess caused by Entamoeba histolytica in both adults and pediatric patients older than three years of age. It is not used for the treatment of asymptomatic cystpassage.

Bacterial Vaginosis: Tinidazole is used for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (formerly referred to as Haemophilus vaginitis, Gardnerella vaginitis, nonspecific vaginitis, or anaerobic vaginosis) in non-pregnant women.

Other pathogens commonly associated with vulvovaginitis such as Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans and Herpes simplex virus should be ruled out.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Tinidazole and other antibacterialdrugs, Tinidazole should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

Helipac is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Duodenal Ulcer, Erosive Esophagitis, Gastric Ulcer, Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Healing, Heartburn, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, NSAID Associated Gastric Ulcers, Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, Hypersecretory conditions, Multiple endocrine adenomasAmebiasis, Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), Candidal Vulvovaginitis, Giardiasis, Mixed Vaginal Infections, Nongonococcal urethritis, Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), Trichomonas Vaginalis Infection, Trichomoniasis

How Helipac works

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion into the gastric lumen is a process regulated mainly by the H(+)/K(+)-ATPase of the proton pump , expressed in high quantities by the parietal cells of the stomach. ATPase is an enzyme on the parietal cell membrane that facilitates hydrogen and potassium exchange through the cell, which normally results in the extrusion of potassium and formation of HCl (gastric acid) .

Omeprazole is a member of a class of antisecretory compounds, the substituted benzimidazoles, that stop gastric acid secretion by selective inhibition of the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme system. Proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole bind covalently to cysteine residues via disulfide bridges on the alpha subunit of the H+/K+ ATPase pump, inhibiting gastric acid secretion for up to 36 hours . This antisecretory effect is dose-related and leads to the inhibition of both basal and stimulated acid secretion, regardless of the stimulus .

Mechanism of H. pylori eradication

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is frequently associated with Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection (NSAIDs) . The treatment of H. pylori infection may include the addition of omeprazole or other proton pump inhibitors as part of the treatment regimen , . H. pylori replicates most effectively at a neutral pH . Acid inhibition in H. pylori eradication therapy, including proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, raises gastric pH, discouraging the growth of H.pylori . It is generally believed that proton pump inhibitors inhibit the urease enzyme, which increases the pathogenesis of H. pylori in gastric-acid related conditions .

Tinidazole is a prodrug and antiprotozoal agent. The nitro group of tinidazole is reduced in Trichomonas by a ferredoxin-mediated electron transport system. The free nitro radical generated as a result of this reduction is believed to be responsible for the antiprotozoal activity. It is suggested that the toxic free radicals covalently bind to DNA, causing DNA damage and leading to cell death. The mechanism by which tinidazole exhibits activity against Giardia and Entamoeba species is not known, though it is probably similar.

Dosage

Helipac dosage

Adult:

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease):20 mg Once daily for 4 weeks
• Gastric ulcer:20 mg Once daily for 4-8 weeks; in severe cases Twice daily
• Duodenal ulcer:20 mg Once daily for 2-4 weeks; in severe cases Twice daily
• NSAID-induced ulceration:20 mg Once daily for 4-8 weeks
• Reflux esophagitis:20 mg Once daily for 4-8 weeks; in severe cases Twice daily
• H. pylori eradication (Omeprazole MUPS tablet with Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin or Metronidazole):20 mg Twice daily for 1 week
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome:60 mg Once daily; Usual maintenance, 20-120mg daily

Children:

• Acid regurgitation in GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease):20 mg Once daily for 2-4 week
• Reflux esophagitis:20 mg Once daily for 4-8 weeks

Prevention of Postoperative Infections :

• Adult: A single oral dose of 2g approximately 12 hours before surgery.
• Children less than 12 years: Data are not available to allow dosage recommendations for children below the age of 12 years in the prophylaxis of anaerobic infections.

Trichomoniasis: a single 2 g oral dose taken with food. Treat sexual partners with the same dose and at the same time Giardiasis:

• Adults: a single 2 g dose taken with food.
• Pediatric patients older than three years of age: a single dose of 50 mg/kg (up to 2 g) with food

Amebiasis, Intestinal:

• Adults: 2 g per day for 3 days with food.
• Pediatric patients older than three years of age: 50 mg/kg/day (up to 2 g per day) for 3 days with food

Amebic liver abscess:

• Adults: 2 g per day for 3-5 days with food.
• Pediatric patients older than three years of age: 50 mg/kg/day (up to 2 g per day) for 3-5 days with food

Bacterial vaginosis: Non-pregnant, adult women: 2 g once daily for 2 days taken with food, or 1 g once daily for 5 days taken with food.

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. The tablet must not be chewed or crushed. OR

If the patients have trouble swallowing the tablets, put the tablet into a glass of water (Do not use other liquids). Stir the preparation until the tablets disintegrate. Then drink the liquid within 30 minutes. Stir the mixture just always before drinking.

Should be taken with food. Take during or immediately after meals.

Side Effects

Reported side effects have generally been infrequent, mild and self-limiting. Side effects from the gastrointestinal tract include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhoea and metallic taste. Hypersensitivity reactions, occasionally severe, may occur in rare cases in the form of skin rash, pruritis, urticaria and angioneurotic oedema. As with related compounds, tinidazole may produce transient leukopenia. Other rarely reported side-effects are headache, tiredness, furry tongue and dark urine.

Toxicity

Oral acute (LD50): 4000 mg/kg (mouse), 2210 mg/kg (rat) .

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose include confusion, drowsiness, blurred vision, tachycardia, nausea, diaphoresis, flushing, headache, and dry mouth.

Carcinogenesis and mutagenesis

In 24-month studies in rats, a dose-related significant increase in gastric carcinoid tumors and ECL cell hyperplasia was seen in male and female animals. Carcinoid tumors have also been found in rats treated with a fundectomy or long-term treatment with other proton pump inhibitors, or high doses of H2-receptor antagonists .

Omeprazole showed positive clastogenic effects in an in vitro human lymphocyte chromosomal aberration study, in one of two in vivo mouse micronucleus tests, and in an in vivo bone marrow cell chromosomal aberration test. Omeprazole tested negative in the in vitro Ames test, an in vitro mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation assay, and an in vivo rat liver DNA damage assay .

The use in breastfeeding

Limited data indicate that omeprazole may be present in human milk. There is currently no information on the effects of omeprazole on the breastfed infant or production of milk. The benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the level of need for omeprazole and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from omeprazole .

Effects on fertility

Effects of omeprazole at oral doses up to 138 mg/kg/day in rats (about 34 times an oral human dose) was found to have no impact on fertility and reproductive performance .

There are no reported overdoses with tinidazole in humans. In acute studies with mice and rats, the LD 50 for mice was generally > 3,600 mg/kg for oral administration and was > 2,300 mg/kg for intraperitoneal administration. In rats, the LD 50 was > 2,000 mg/kg for both oral and intraperitoneal administration.

Precaution

Omeprazole tablet should be used carefully if the patient has severe liver dysfunction and severe renal impairment.

Compounds of similar chemical structure have produced various neurological disturbances such as dizziness, vertigo, uncoordination, and ataxia. If, during therapy with tinidazole, abnormal neurological signs develop, therapy should be discontinued. Use in Pregnancy & Lactation: Tinidazole is contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy. While there is no evidence that tinidazole is harmful during the late stages of pregnancy, its use during the last two trimesters requires that the potential benefits outweigh the possible risk to mother and foetus. Tinidazole is excreted in breast milk in concentrations similar to those seen in serum. Tinidazole can be detected in breast milk for up to 72 hours following administration. Interruption of breast-feeding is recommended during tinidazole therapy and for 3 days following the last dose.

Interaction

Omeprazole is metabolized through CYP2C19 . When starting or stopping treatment with Omeprazole should be taken into account potential interactions with medicines which are CYP2C19 metabolized.

The following interactions were reported with metronidazole, which is chemically-related to tinidazole.

Alcohol, disulfiram: Avoid during tinidazole use and for 3 days afterward because cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and flushing may occur.

Anticoagulants, oral (eg, warfarin): Anticoagulant effects may be increased. Anticoagulant dose may need to be adjusted during coadministration and for up to 8 days after discontinuation.

Cholestyramine: Bioavailability of tinidazole may be decreased. Cyclosporine, lithium, tacrolimus: Levels may be elevated by tinidazole, increasing the risk of toxicity.

Drugs that induce CYP3A4 (eg, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin): May increase metabolism of tinidazole, decreasing plasma levels and therapeutic effect.

Drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 (eg, cimetidine, ketoconazole): May prolong t½ and decrease tinidazole Cl, increasing plasma levels and risk of adverse reactions.

Fluorouracil: Cl may be decreased by tinidazole, increasing the risk of adverse reactions

Fosphenytoin, phenytoin: The t½ may be prolonged and Cl reduced by tinidazole, increasing the risk of adverse reactions.

Oxytetracycline: Therapeutic effect of tinidazole may be decreased.

Volume of Distribution

Approximately 0.3 L/kg, corresponding to the volume of extracellular water .

• 50 L

Elimination Route

Omeprazole delayed-release capsules contain an enteric-coated granule formulation of omeprazole (because omeprazole is acid-labile), so that absorption of omeprazole begins only after the granules exit the stomach .

Absorption of omeprazole occurs rapidly, with peak plasma concentrations of omeprazole achieved within 0.5-3.5 hours .

Absolute bioavailability (compared with intravenous administration) is approximately 30-40% at doses of 20-40 mg, largely due to pre-systemic metabolism. The bioavailability of omeprazole increases slightly upon repeated administration of omeprazole delayed-release capsules .

Rapidly and completely absorbed under fasting conditions. Administration with food results in a delay in T_max of approximately 2 hours and a decline in C_max of approximately 10% and an AUC of 901.6 ± 126.5 mcg hr/mL.

Half Life

0.5-1 hour (healthy subjects, delayed-release capsule)
Approximately 3 hours (hepatic impairment)

The elimination half-life is 13.2±1.4 hours and the plasma half-life is 12 to 14 hours.

Clearance

Healthy subject (delayed release capsule), total body clearance 500 - 600 mL/min

Geriatric plasma clearance: 250 mL/min

Hepatic impairment plasma clearance: 70 mL/min

Elimination Route

After a single dose oral dose of a buffered solution of omeprazole, negligible (if any) amounts of unchanged drug were excreted in urine. Most of the dose (about 77%) was eliminated in urine as at least six different metabolites. Two metabolites were identified as hydroxyomeprazole and the corresponding carboxylic acid. The remainder of the dose was found in the feces. This suggests significant biliary excretion of omeprazole metabolites. Three metabolites have been identified in the plasma, the sulfide and sulfone derivatives of omeprazole, and hydroxyomeprazole. These metabolites possess minimal or no antisecretory activity .

Tinidazole crosses the placental barrier and is secreted in breast milk. Tinidazole is excreted by the liver and the kidneys. Tinidazole is excreted in the urine mainly as unchanged drug (approximately 20-25% of the administered dose). Approximately 12% of the drug is excreted in the feces.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Not known to be harmful. Omeprazole can be used during pregnancy. Omeprazole is excreted in breast milk but is not likely to influence the child when therapeutic doses are used.

Pregnancy Category C. Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Contraindication

Omeprazole is contraindicated in those patients who have known hypersensitivity to any other components of the formulation.

As with other compounds of similar structure, tinidazole, is contraindicated in patients having, or with a history of, blood dyscrasias although no persistent haematological abnormalities have been noted in clinical or animal studies. Tinidazole should be avoided in patients with organic neurological disorders. Tinidazole should not be administered to patients with known hypersensitivity to the compound.

Special Warning

Renal Impairment: Haemodialysis: Additional dose equal to half the usual dose at the end of haemodialysis.

Storage Condition

Store in a cool (below 30° C) and dry place, protected from light and moisture.

Store at room temperature & protected from light.

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