BRAVACOR FILM-COATED TABLETS 7.5MG

TABLET, FILM COATED

**4.2 Posology and method of administration** Posology For the different doses, film-coated tablets containing 5 mg and 7.5 mg ivabradine are available. Symptomatic treatment of chronic stable angina pectoris It is recommended that the decision to initiate or titrate, treatment takes place with the availability of serial heart rate measurements, ECG or ambulatory 24-hour monitoring. The starting dose of ivabradine should not exceed 5 mg twice daily in patients aged below 75 years. After three to four weeks of treatment, if the patient is still symptomatic, if the initial dose is well tolerated and if resting heart rate remains above 60 bpm, the dose may be increased to the next higher dose in patients receiving 2.5 mg twice daily or 5 mg twice daily. The maintenance dose should not exceed 7.5 mg twice daily. If there is no improvement in symptoms of angina within 3 months after start of treatment, treatment of ivabradine should be discontinued. In addition, discontinuation of treatment should be considered if there is only limited symptomatic response and when there is no clinically relevant reduction in resting heart rate within three months. If, during treatment, heart rate decreases below 50 beats per minute (bpm) at rest or the patient experiences symptoms related to bradycardia such as dizziness, fatigue or hypotension, the dose must be titrated downward including the lowest dose of 2.5 mg twice daily (one half 5 mg tablet twice daily). After dose reduction, heart rate should be monitored (see section 4.4 – _please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information_). Treatment must be discontinued if heart rate remains below 50 bpm or symptoms of bradycardia persist despite dose reduction. Treatment of chronic heart failure The treatment has to be initiated only in patient with stable heart failure. It is recommended that the treating physician should be experienced in the management of chronic heart failure. The usual recommended starting dose of ivabradine is 5 mg twice daily. After two weeks of treatment, the dose can be increased to 7.5 mg twice daily if resting heart rate is persistently above 60 bpm or decreased to 2.5 mg twice daily (one half 5 mg tablet twice daily) if resting heart rate is persistently below 50 bpm or in case of symptoms related to bradycardia such as dizziness, fatigue or hypotension. If heart rate is between 50 and 60 bpm, the dose of 5 mg twice daily should be maintained. If during treatment, heart rate decreases persistently below 50 beats per minute (bpm) at rest or the patient experiences symptoms related to bradycardia, the dose must be titrated downward to the next lower dose in patients receiving 7.5 mg twice daily or 5 mg twice daily. If heart rate increases persistently above 60 beats per minute at rest, the dose can be up titrated to the next upper dose in patients receiving 2.5 mg twice daily or 5 mg twice daily. Treatment must be discontinued if heart rate remains below 50 bpm or symptoms of bradycardia persist (see section 4.4 – _please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information_). Special population _Elderly_ In patients aged 75 years or more, a lower starting dose should be considered (2.5 mg twice daily i.e. one half 5 mg tablet twice daily) before up-titration if necessary. _Renal impairment_ No dose adjustment is required in patients with renal insufficiency and creatinine clearance above 15 ml/min (see section 5.2 – _please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information_). No data are available in patients with creatinine clearance below 15 ml/min. Ivabradine should therefore be used with precaution in this population. _Hepatic impairment_ No dose adjustment is required for patients with mild hepatic impairment. Caution should be exercised when using ivabradine in patients with moderate hepatic impairment. Ivabradine is contra-indicated for use in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency, since it has not been studied in this population and a large increase in systemic exposure is anticipated (see sections 4.3 and 5.2 – _please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information_). _Paediatric population_ The safety and efficacy of ivabradine in the treatment of chronic heart failure in children aged below 18 years have not been established. Method of administration Tablets must be taken orally twice daily, i.e. once in the morning and once in the evening during meals (see section 5.2 – _please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information_).