Ceprotin

1

ANNEX I

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS



2

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

CEPROTIN 500 IU powder and solvent for solution for injection

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Protein C from human plasma purified by mouse monoclonal antibodies. CEPROTIN 500 IU* is 
prepared as a powder containing nominally 500 IU human protein C per container. The product 
reconstituted with 5 ml of Sterilised Water for Injections contains approximately 100 IU/ml human 
protein C.

The potency (IU) is determined using a chromogenic substrate method against the World Health 
Organisation (WHO) International standard.

Excipients with known effect:
Sodium chloride: 44 mg/vial
Sodium citrate. 2H2O: 22 mg/vial

For the full list of excipients see section 6.1.

* One International Unit (IU) of protein C corresponds to the amidolytically measured activity of 
protein C in 1 ml of normal plasma.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Powder and solvent for solution for injection.
White or cream coloured powder or friable solid. After reconstitution the solution has a pH of 
between 6.7 and 7.3 and an osmolality of not lower than 240 mosmol/kg.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

CEPROTIN is indicated in purpura fulminans and coumarin-induced skin necrosis in patients with 
severe congenital protein C deficiency. Furthermore CEPROTIN is indicated for short-term 
prophylaxis in patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency if one or more of the following 
conditions are met:

 surgery or invasive therapy is imminent
 while initiating coumarin therapy
 when coumarin therapy alone is not sufficient
 when coumarin therapy is not feasible.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Treatment with CEPROTIN should be initiated under the supervision of a physician experienced in 
substitution therapy with coagulation factors/inhibitors where monitoring of protein C activity is 
feasible.

The dose should be adjusted on the basis of laboratory assessment for each individual case.

A protein C activity of 100 % should be achieved initially and the activity should be maintained 
above 25 % for the duration of the treatment.



3

An initial dose of 60 to 80 IU/kg for determination of recovery and half-life is advised. 
The measurement of protein C activity using chromogenic substrates is recommended for the 
determination of the patient’s plasma level for protein C before and during treatment with 
CEPROTIN.

The dosage should be determined on the basis of laboratory measurements of the protein C activity. 
In the case of an acute thrombotic event these should be performed every 6 hours until the patient is 
stabilised, thereafter twice a day and always immediately before the next injection. It should be kept 
in mind that the half-life of protein C may be severely shortened in certain clinical conditions such as 
acute thrombosis with purpura fulminans and skin necrosis.

Patients treated during the acute phase of their disease may display much lower increases in protein C 
activity. The wide variation in individual responses implies that the effects of CEPROTIN on 
coagulation parameters should be checked regularly.

Patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment should be monitored more closely. (see section 4.4)

Based on the limited clinical experience in children from reports and studies covering 83 patients, 
dosing guidelines for adult subjects are considered valid for neonatal and paediatric patient population 
(see section 5.1).

In rare and exceptional cases, subcutaneous infusion of 250-350 IU/kg was able to produce therapeutic 
protein C plasma levels in patients with no intravenous access.

If the patient is switched to permanent prophylaxis with oral anticoagulants, protein C replacement is 
to be discontinued only when stable anticoagulation is obtained (see section 4.5). Furthermore, during 
the initiation of oral anticoagulant therapy it is advisable to start with a low dose and adjust this 
incrementally, rather than use a standard loading dose.

In patients receiving prophylactic administration of protein C, higher trough levels may be warranted 
in situations of an increased risk of thrombosis (such as infection, trauma, or surgical intervention).

In patients with combined severe congenital protein C deficiency and with APC resistance, there are 
limited clinical data to support the safety and efficacy of CEPROTIN.

CEPROTIN is administered by intravenous injection after reconstitution of the powder for solution for 
injection with Sterilised Water for Injections.

CEPROTIN should be administered at a maximum injection rate of 2 ml per minute except for 
children with a body weight of < 10 kg, where the injection rate should not exceed a rate 
of 0.2 ml/kg/min.

As with any intravenous protein product, allergic type hypersensitivity reactions are possible. For the 
events that allergic symptoms arise which are of an acute and life-threatening nature, administration 
should be made within reach of life-supporting facilities.

For instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration, see section.6.6.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 or to mouse 
protein or heparin, except for control of life-threatening thrombotic complications.



4

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

As the risk of an allergic type hypersensitivity reaction cannot be excluded, patients should be 
informed of the early signs of hypersensitivity reactions including hives, generalized urticaria, 
tightness of the chest, wheezing, hypotension, and anaphylaxis. If these symptoms occur, they 
should inform the physician. Immediate discontinuation of product use is advised.

In case of shock, the current medical standards for shock treatment are to be observed.

No experience in the treatment of patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment is available and 
therefore it is recommended that such patients be monitored more closely.

If the preparation is used in patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency, antibodies inhibiting 
protein C may develop.

Standard measures to prevent infections resulting from the use of medicinal products prepared from 
human blood or plasma include selection of donors, screening of individual donations and plasma 
pools for specific markers of infection, and the inclusion of effective manufacturing steps for the 
inactivation/removal of viruses. Despite this, when medicinal products prepared from human blood or 
plasma are administered, the possibility of transmitting infective agents cannot be totally excluded. 
This also applies to unknown or emerging viruses and other pathogens.

The measures taken are considered effective for enveloped viruses such as HIV, HBV and HCV and 
for the non-enveloped virus HAV. The measures taken may be of limited value against non-enveloped 
viruses such as parvovirus B19. Parvovirus B19 infection may be serious for pregnant women (fetal 
infection) and for individuals with immunodeficiency or increased erythropoiesis (e.g. haemolytic 
anaemia).

Appropriate vaccination (hepatitis A and B) should be considered for patients in regular / repeated 
receipt of human plasma-derived Protein C products.

It is strongly recommended that every time that CEPROTIN is administered to a patient, the name and 
batch number of the product are recorded in order to maintain a link between the patient and the batch 
of the product.

CEPROTIN may contain trace amounts of heparin. Heparin induced allergic reactions, which can be 
associated with a rapid decrease of the number of thrombocytes, may be observed (heparin induced 
thrombocytopenia [HIT]). In patients with HIT, symptoms such as arterial and venous thrombosis, 
disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), purpura, petechiae and gastrointestinal bleeding 
(melena), may occur. If HIT is suspected, the number of thrombocytes should be determined 
immediately and if necessary therapy with CEPROTIN should be stopped. Identifying HIT is 
complicated by the fact that these symptoms may already be present in acute phase patients with 
severe congenital protein C deficiency. Patients with HIT should avoid the use of heparin containing 
drugs in the future.

In the context of clinical experience several bleeding episodes have been observed. Concurrent 
anticoagulant medication (such as heparin) may have been responsible for these bleeding episodes. 
However, it cannot be completely ruled out that the administration of CEPROTIN further contributed 
to these bleeding events.

The quantity of sodium in the maximum daily dose may exceed 200 mg. This should be taken into 
consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No interactions with other medicinal products are currently known.



5

In patients starting treatment with oral anticoagulants belonging to the class of vitamin K antagonists 
(e.g. warfarin), a transient hypercoagulable state may arise before the desired anticoagulant effect 
becomes apparent. This transient effect may be explained by the fact that protein C, itself a vitamin K 
dependent plasma protein, has a shorter half-life than most of the vitamin K dependent proteins 
(i.e. II, IX and X). Subsequently, in the initial phase of treatment, the activity of protein C is more 
rapidly suppressed than that of the procoagulant factors. For this reason, if the patient is switched to 
oral anticoagulants, protein C replacement must be continued until stable anticoagulation is obtained. 
Although Warfarin-induced skin necrosis can occur in any patient during the initiation of oral 
anticoagulant therapy, individuals with congenital protein C deficiency are particularly at risk. 
(See section 4.2).

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Although CEPROTIN has been used safely in the treatment of pregnant protein C-deficient women, 
its safety for use in human pregnancy has not been established in controlled clinical trials. Furthermore 
no information on excretion of protein C in the milk is available. Therefore, the benefit of using 
CEPROTIN during pregnancy or lactation must be judged against the risk for the mother and baby, 
and should be used only if clearly needed.

See section 4.4 for information on parvovirus B19 infection.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

CEPROTIN has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

As with any intravenous product allergic type hypersensitivity reactions are possible. Patients should 
be informed of the early signs of hypersensitivity reactions, which may include angioedema, burning 
and stinging at the injection site, chills, flushing, rash, pruritus, generalised urticaria, headache, hives, 
hypotension, lethargy, nausea, restlessness, tachycardia, tightness of the chest, tingling, vomiting, and 
wheezing. Patients should be advised to immediately contact their physician if these symptoms occur 
(see section 4.4).

During clinical studies with CEPROTIN, a total of 3 non-serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were 
reported in 1 of 67 patients enrolled (rash and pruritus (grouped as hypersensitivity), and dizziness). In 
total 6375 administrations of CEPROTIN have been given. The distribution of the related ADRs is as 
follows:

System Organ Class Adverse 
Reaction

Preferred 
Term

Frequency 
Category by 

infusionsa

Immune System 
Disorders

Hypersensitivity Rash Rare

Pruritus Rare

Nervous System 
Disorders

Dizziness Dizziness Rare

a CIOMS frequency categories: Very Common (>=10%); Common (>=1% -
<10%),Uncommon (>=0.1% - <1%), Rare (>=0.01% - <0.1%), Very Rare (<0.01%).

The following ADRs have been reported in the post-marketing experience:

Psychiatric disorders



6

restlessness

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
hyperhydrosis

General disorders and administration site conditions
injection site reaction

The frequency of these ADRs is not known.

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 national reporting system 
listed in Appendix V.

4.9 Overdose

No symptoms of overdose with CEPROTIN have been reported.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: group antithrombotic; ATC Code: B01AD12

Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant glycoprotein which is synthesised in the liver. It is 
converted by thrombin/thrombomodulin-complex on the endothelial surface to activated protein C 
(APC). APC is a serine protease with potent anticoagulant effects, especially in the presence of its 
cofactor protein S. APC exerts its effect by the inactivation of the activated forms of factors V and 
VIII which leads to a decrease in thrombin formation. APC has also been shown to have 
profibrinolytic effects.

The intravenous administration of CEPROTIN provides for an immediate but temporary increase in 
plasma levels of protein C. Replacement of protein C in protein C deficient patients is expected to 
control or - if given prophylactically - prevent thrombotic complications.

Twelve courses of short-term prophylaxis prior to surgery or invasive therapy and 7 courses of 
long-term prophylaxis were included in the efficacy analyses.

No formal clinical study in either paediatric or neonatal population with severe congenital protein C 
deficiency was ever conducted. However, several small retrospective and prospective studies 
investigating other clinical application areas have been published in this population. Indication was 
prevention and treatment of purpura fulminans and thrombotic disease, enrolling overall 14 subjects 
of 2 days old throughout adolescence.

Other experience with CEPROTIN covers case reports and a clinical study in overall 69 paediatric 
patients with acquired protein C deficiency. The study is a randomized, double-blind, 
placebo-controlled dose-finding study, in the indication of acquired protein C deficiency due to 
meningococcal sepsis (IMAG 112). The reports suggest that CEPROTIN is well tolerated in children 
and small infants.

Dosages of the above studies, covering 83 patients, indicate that dosing guidelines for adult subjects 
are also valid for neonatal and paediatric patient population.



7

In rare and exceptional cases, subcutaneous infusion of 250-350 IU/kg was able to produce therapeutic 
protein C plasma levels in patients with no intravenous access.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

21 asymptomatic subjects with homozygous or double heterozygous protein C deficiency were 
evaluated for pharmacokinetic data. The protein C plasma activity was measured by chromogenic 
assay. The individual half-lives varied from 4.4 to 15.8 hours using a compartmental model and 
from 4.9 to 14.7 using the non-compartmental method. The individual incremental recovery ranged 
from 0.50 to 1.76 [(IU/dL)/(IU/kg)]. The patients differed significantly in age, body weight and 
plasma volume.

In patients with acute thrombotic disease, both the incremental increase in protein C plasma levels as 
well as half-life may be considerably reduced.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Protein C contained in CEPROTIN is a normal constituent of human plasma and acts like endogenous 
protein C. Therefore experimental studies on tumorigenic or mutagenic effects - particularly in 
heterologous species - are not considered necessary.

Single dose toxicity testing showed that even doses of several times the recommended human dosage 
per kilogram body weight (10-fold) did not result in toxic effects on rodents.

CEPROTIN proved to have no mutagenic potential in the Ames test performed.

Repeated toxicity studies were not conducted because prior experience with coagulation preparations 
had shown them to be of limited value. Difference between the recipient species and human Protein C 
will inevitably result in an immune response with antibody formation.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Powder
Human albumin
Sodium chloride
Sodium citrate. 2H20

Solvent
Sterilised Water for Injections

6.2 Incompatibilities

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal 
products.

6.3 Shelf life

3 years
The reconstituted solution should be used immediately.



8

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store in a refrigerator (2C – 8C). Do not freeze. Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect 
from light.
For storage conditions after reconstitution of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

500 IU and 1000 IU: CEPROTIN powder comes in vials of neutral glass of either hydrolytic type I 
(500 IU) or hydrolytic type II (1000 IU). The solvent comes in vials of neutral glass of hydrolytic 
type I. The product and the solvent vials are closed with butyl rubber stoppers.

Each pack also contains:

 one transfer needle
 one filter needle

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Reconstitute lyophilised CEPROTIN powder for solution for injection, with the supplied solvent 
(Sterilised Water for Injections) using the sterile transfer needle. Gently rotate the vial until all powder 
is dissolved. After reconstitution the solution is colourless to slightly yellowish and clear to slightly 
opalescent and essentially free from visible particles.

The solution is drawn through the sterile filter needle into a sterile disposable syringe. A separate 
unused filter needle must be used to withdraw each vial of reconstituted CEPROTIN. The solution 
should be discarded if particulate matter is visible.

The reconstituted solution should be administered immediately by intravenous injection.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local 
requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG
Industriestrasse 67
A-1221 Vienna
Austria

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER

EU/1/01/190/001

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 16 July 2001
Date of last renewal: 16 July 2006



9

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu.



10

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

CEPROTIN 1000 IU powder and solvent for solution for injection

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Protein C from human plasma purified by mouse monoclonal antibodies. CEPROTIN 1000 IU* is 
prepared as a powder containing nominally 1000 IU human protein C per container. The product 
reconstituted with 10 ml of Sterilised Water for Injections contains approximately 100 IU/ml human 
protein C.

The potency (IU) is determined using a chromogenic substrate method against the World Health 
Organisation (WHO) International standard.

Excipients with known effect:
Sodium chloride: 88 mg/vial
Sodium citrate. 2H2O: 44 mg/vial

For the full list of excipients see section 6.1.

* One International Unit (IU) of protein C corresponds to the amidolytically measured activity of 
protein C in 1 ml of normal plasma.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Powder and solvent for solution for injection.
White or cream coloured powder or friable solid. After reconstitution the solution has a pH of 
between 6.7 and 7.3 and an osmolality of not lower than 240 mosmol/kg.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

CEPROTIN is indicated in purpura fulminans and coumarin induced skin necrosis in patients with 
severe congenital protein C deficiency. Furthermore CEPROTIN is indicated for short-term 
prophylaxis in patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency if one or more of the following 
conditions are met:

 surgery or invasive therapy is imminent
 while initiating coumarin therapy
 when coumarin therapy alone is not sufficient
 when coumarin therapy is not feasible.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Treatment with CEPROTIN should be initiated under the supervision of a physician experienced in 
substitution therapy with coagulation factors/inhibitors where monitoring of protein C activity is 
feasible.

The dose should be adjusted on the basis of laboratory assessment for each individual case.

A protein C activity of 100 % should be achieved initially and the activity should be maintained 
above 25 % for the duration of the treatment.



11

An initial dose of 60 to 80 IU/kg for determination of recovery and half-life is advised. 
The measurement of protein C activity using chromogenic substrates is recommended for the 
determination of the patient’s plasma level for protein C before and during treatment with 
CEPROTIN.

The dosage should be determined on the basis of laboratory measurements of the protein C activity. 
In the case of an acute thrombotic event these should be performed every 6 hours until the patient is 
stabilised, thereafter twice a day and always immediately before the next injection. It should be kept 
in mind that the half-life of protein C may be severely shortened in certain clinical conditions such as 
acute thrombosis with purpura fulminans and skin necrosis.

Patients treated during the acute phase of their disease may display much lower increases in protein C 
activity. The wide variation in individual responses implies that the effects of CEPROTIN on 
coagulation parameters should be checked regularly.

Patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment should be monitored more closely. (see section 4.4)

Based on the limited clinical experience in children from reports and studies covering 83 patients, 
dosing guidelines for adult subjects are considered valid for neonatal and paediatric patient population 
(see section 5.1).

In rare and exceptional cases, subcutaneous infusion of 250-350 IU/kg was able to produce therapeutic 
protein C plasma levels in patients with no intravenous access.

If the patient is switched to permanent prophylaxis with oral anticoagulants, protein C replacement is 
to be discontinued only when stable anticoagulation is obtained (see section 4.5). Furthermore, during 
the initiation of oral anticoagulant therapy it is advisable to start with a low dose and adjust this 
incrementally, rather than use a standard loading dose.

In patients receiving prophylactic administration of protein C, higher trough levels may be warranted 
in situations of an increased risk of thrombosis (such as infection, trauma, or surgical intervention).

In patients with combined severe congenital protein C deficiency and with APC resistance, there are 
limited clinical data to support the safety and efficacy of CEPROTIN.

CEPROTIN is administered by intravenous injection after reconstitution of the powder for solution for 
injection with Sterilised Water for Injections.

CEPROTIN should be administered at a maximum injection rate of 2 ml per minute except for 
children with a body weight of < 10 kg, where the injection rate should not exceed a rate 
of 0.2 ml/kg/min.

As with any intravenous protein product, allergic type hypersensitivity reactions are possible. For the 
events that allergic symptoms arise which are of an acute and life-threatening nature, administration 
should be made within reach of life-supporting facilities.

For instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 or to mouse 
protein or heparin, except for control of life-threatening thrombotic complications.



12

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

As the risk of an allergic type hypersensitivity reaction cannot be excluded, patients should be 
informed of the early signs of hypersensitivity reactions including hives, generalized urticaria, 
tightness of the chest, wheezing, hypotension, and anaphylaxis. If these symptoms occur, they 
should inform the physician. Immediate discontinuation of product use is advised. In case of shock, 
the current medical standards for shock treatment are to be observed.

No experience in the treatment of patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment is available and 
therefore it is recommended that such patients be monitored more closely.

If the preparation is used in patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency, antibodies inhibiting 
protein C may develop.

Standard measures to prevent infections resulting from the use of medicinal products prepared from 
human blood or plasma include selection of donors, screening of individual donations and plasma 
pools for specific markers of infection, and the inclusion of effective manufacturing steps for the 
inactivation/removal of viruses. Despite this, when medicinal products prepared from human blood 
or plasma are administered, the possibility of transmitting infective agents cannot be totally excluded. 
This also applies to unknown or emerging viruses and other pathogens.

The measures taken are considered effective for enveloped viruses such as HIV, HBV and HCV 
and for the non-enveloped virus HAV. The measures taken may be of limited value against 
non-enveloped viruses such as parvovirus B19. Parvovirus B19 infection may be serious for pregnant 
women (fetal infection) and for individuals with immunodeficiency or increased erythropoiesis 
(e.g. haemolytic anaemia).

Appropriate vaccination (hepatitis A and B) should be considered for patients in regular / repeated 
receipt of human plasma-derived Protein C products.

It is strongly recommended that every time that CEPROTIN is administered to a patient, the name and 
batch number of the product are recorded in order to maintain a link between the patient and the batch 
of the product.

CEPROTIN may contain trace amounts of heparin. Heparin induced allergic reactions, which can be 
associated with a rapid decrease of the number of thrombocytes, may be observed (heparin induced 
thrombocytopenia [HIT]). In patients with HIT, symptoms such as arterial and venous thrombosis, 
disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), purpura, petechiae and gastrointestinal bleeding 
(melena), may occur. If HIT is suspected, the number of thrombocytes should be determined 
immediately and if necessary therapy with CEPROTIN should be stopped. Identifying HIT is 
complicated by the fact that these symptoms may already be present in acute phase patients with 
severe congenital protein C deficiency. Patients with HIT should avoid the use of heparin containing 
drugs in the future.

In the context of clinical experience several bleeding episodes have been observed. Concurrent 
anticoagulant medication (such as heparin) may have been responsible for these bleeding episodes. 
However, it cannot be completely ruled out that the administration of CEPROTIN further contributed 
to these bleeding events.

The quantity of sodium in the maximum daily dose may exceed 200 mg. This should be taken into 
consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No interactions with other medicinal products are currently known.



13

In patients starting treatment with oral anticoagulants belonging to the class of vitamin K antagonists 
(e.g. warfarin), a transient hypercoagulable state may arise before the desired anticoagulant effect 
becomes apparent. This transient effect may be explained by the fact that protein C, itself a vitamin K 
dependent plasma protein, has a shorter half-life than most of the vitamin K dependent proteins (i.e. II, 
IX and X). Subsequently, in the initial phase of treatment, the activity of protein C is more rapidly 
suppressed than that of the procoagulant factors. For this reason, if the patient is switched to oral 
anticoagulants, protein C replacement must be continued until stable anticoagulation is obtained. 
Although Warfarin-induced skin necrosis can occur in any patient during the initiation of oral 
anticoagulant therapy, individuals with congenital protein C deficiency are particularly at risk. 
(See section 4.2).

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Although CEPROTIN has been used safely in the treatment of pregnant protein C-deficient women, its 
safety for use in human pregnancy has not been established in controlled clinical trials. Furthermore 
no information on excretion of protein C in the milk is available. Therefore, the benefit of using 
CEPROTIN during pregnancy or lactation must be judged against the risk for the mother and baby, 
and should be used only if clearly needed.

See section 4.4 for information on parvovirus B19 infection.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

CEPROTIN has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

As with any intravenous product allergic type hypersensitivity reactions are possible. Patients should 
be informed of the early signs of hypersensitivity reactions, which may include angioedema, burning 
and stinging at the injection site, chills, flushing, rash, pruritus, generalised urticaria, headache, hives, 
hypotension, lethargy, nausea, restlessness, tachycardia, tightness of the chest, tingling, vomiting and 
wheezing. Patients should be advised to immediately contact their physician if these symptoms occur 
(see section 4.4).

During clinical studies with CEPROTIN, a total of 3 non-serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were 
reported in 1 of 67 patients enrolled (rash and pruritus (grouped as hypersensitivity), and dizziness). In 
total 6375 administrations of CEPROTIN have been given. The distribution of the related ADRs is as 
follows:

System Organ Class Adverse 
Reaction

Preferred 
Term

Frequency 
Category by 

infusionsa

Immune System 
Disorders

Hypersensitivity Rash Rare

Pruritus Rare

Nervous System 
Disorders

Dizziness Dizziness Rare

a CIOMS frequency categories: Very Common (>=10%); Common (>=1% -
<10%),Uncommon (>=0.1% - <1%), Rare (>=0.01% - <0.1%), Very Rare (<0.01%).

The following ADRs have been reported in the post-marketing experience:

Psychiatric disorders



14

restlessness

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
hyperhydrosis

General disorders and administration site conditions
injection site reaction

The frequency of these ADRs is not known.

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 national reporting system 
listed in Appendix V.

4.9 Overdose

No symptoms of overdose with CEPROTIN have been reported.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: group antithrombotic; ATC Code: B01AD12

Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant glycoprotein which is synthesised in the liver. It is 
converted by thrombin/thrombomodulin-complex on the endothelial surface to activated protein C 
(APC). APC is a serine protease with potent anticoagulant effects, especially in the presence of its 
cofactor protein S. APC exerts its effect by the inactivation of the activated forms of factors V and 
VIII which leads to a decrease in thrombin formation. APC has also been shown to have 
profibrinolytic effects.

The intravenous administration of CEPROTIN provides for an immediate but temporary increase in 
plasma levels of protein C. Replacement of protein C in protein C deficient patients is expected to 
control or - if given prophylactically - prevent thrombotic complications.

Twelve courses of short-term prophylaxis prior to surgery or invasive therapy and 7 courses of 
long-term prophylaxis were included in the efficacy analyses.

No formal clinical study in either paediatric or neonatal population with severe congenital protein C 
deficiency was ever conducted. However, several small retrospective and prospective studies 
investigating other clinical application areas have been published in this population. Indication was 
prevention and treatment of purpura fulminans and thrombotic disease, enrolling overall 14 subjects 
of 2 days old throughout adolescence.

Other experience with CEPROTIN covers case reports and a clinical study in overall 69 paediatric 
patients with acquired protein C deficiency. The study is a randomized, double-blind, 
placebo-controlled dose-finding study, in the indication of acquired protein C deficiency due to 
meningococcal sepsis (IMAG 112). The reports suggest that CEPROTIN is well tolerated in children 
and small infants.

Dosages of the above studies, covering 83 patients, indicate that dosing guidelines for adult subjects 
are also valid for neonatal and paediatric patient population.



15

In rare and exceptional cases, subcutaneous infusion of 250-350 IU/kg was able to produce therapeutic 
protein C plasma levels in patients with no intravenous access.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

21asymptomatic subjects with homozygous or double heterozygous protein C deficiency were 
evaluated for pharmacokinetic data. The protein C plasma activity was measured by chromogenic 
assay. The individual half-lives varied from 4.4 to 15.8 hours using a compartmental model and 
from 4.9 to 14.7 using the non-compartmental method. The individual incremental recovery ranged 
from 0.50 to 1.76 [(IU/dL)/(IU/kg)]. The patients differed significantly in age, body weight and 
plasma volume.

In patients with acute thrombotic disease, both the incremental increase in protein C plasma levels as 
well as half-life may be considerably reduced.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Protein C contained in CEPROTIN is a normal constituent of human plasma and acts like endogenous 
protein C. Therefore experimental studies on tumorigenic or mutagenic effects - particularly in 
heterologous species - are not considered necessary.

Single dose toxicity testing showed that even doses of several times the recommended human dosage 
per kilogram body weight (10-fold) did not result in toxic effects on rodents.

CEPROTIN proved to have no mutagenic potential in the Ames test performed.

Repeated toxicity studies were not conducted because prior experience with coagulation preparations 
had shown them to be of limited value. Difference between the recipient species and human Protein C 
will inevitably result in an immune response with antibody formation.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Powder
Human albumin
Sodium chloride
Sodium citrate. 2H20

Solvent
Sterilised Water for Injections

6.2 Incompatibilities

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal 
products.

6.3 Shelf life

3 years
The reconstituted solution should be used immediately.

6.4. Special precautions for storage

Store in a refrigerator (2C – 8C). Do not freeze. Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect 
from light.



16

For storage conditions after reconstitution of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

500 IU and 1000 IU: CEPROTIN powder comes in vials of neutral glass of either hydrolytic type I 
(500 IU) or hydrolytic type II (1000 IU). The solvent comes in vials of neutral glass of hydrolytic 
type I. The product and the solvent vials are closed with butyl rubber stoppers.

Each pack also contains:

 one transfer needle
 one filter needle

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Reconstitute lyophilised CEPROTIN powder for solution for injection, with the supplied solvent 
(Sterilised Water for Injections) using the sterile transfer needle. Gently rotate the vial until all powder 
is dissolved. After reconstitution the solution is colourless to slightly yellowish and clear to slightly 
opalescent and essentially free from visible particles.

The solution is drawn through the sterile filter needle into a sterile disposable syringe. A separate 
unused filter needle must be used to withdraw each vial of reconstituted CEPROTIN. The solution 
should be discarded if particulate matter is visible.

The reconstituted solution should be administered immediately by intravenous injection.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local 
requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG
Industriestrasse 67
A-1221 Vienna
Austria

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER

EU/1/01/190/002



17

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 16 July 2001
Date of last renewal: 16 July 2006

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu.



18

ANNEX II

A. MANUFACTURER(S) OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) 
AND MANUFACTURER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 
AUTHORISATION

D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 
EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT



19

A. MANUFACTURER(S) OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) AND 
MANUFACTURER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE

Name and address of the manufacturer(s) of the biological active substance(s)

Baxter AG
Industriestrasse 67
A-1221 Vienna
Austria

Name and address of the manufacturer(s) responsible for batch release

Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG
Industriestrasse 67
1221 Vienna
Austria

Baxter AG
Industriestrasse 67
A-1221 Vienna
Austria

The printed package leaflet of the medicinal product must state the name and address of the 
manufacturer responsible for the release of the concerned batch.

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE

Medicinal product subject to restricted medical prescription (See Annex I: Summary of Product 
Characteristics, section 4.2).

 Official batch release

In accordance with Article 114 of Directive 2001/83/EC, the official batch release will be undertaken 
by a state laboratory or a laboratory designated for that purpose.

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 
AUTHORISATION

 Periodic Safety Update Reports

The marketing authorisation holder shall submit periodic safety update reports for this product in 
accordance with the requirements set out in the list of Union reference dates (EURD list) provided for 
under Article 107c(7) of Directive 2001/83/EC and published on the European medicines web-portal.

D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 
EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

 Risk Management Plan (RMP)

The MAH shall perform the required pharmacovigilance activities and interventions detailed 
in the agreed RMP presented in Module 1.8.2 of the Marketing Authorisation and any agreed 
subsequent updates of the RMP.

An updated RMP should be submitted:



20

 At the request of the European Medicines Agency;
 Whenever the risk management system is modified, especially as the result of new 

information being received that may lead to a significant change to the benefit/risk profile 
or as the result of an important (pharmacovigilance or risk minimisation) milestone being 
reached.

If the dates for submission of a PSUR and the update of a RMP coincide, they can be submitted at the 
same time.



21

ANNEX III

LABELLING AND PACKAGE LEAFLET



22

A. LABELLING



23

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING

OUTER CARTON

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

CEPROTIN 500 IU
Powder and solvent for solution for injection
Human Protein C

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

One vial provides 100 IU per ml of human protein C when reconstituted as recommended.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

Human albumin, sodium chloride and sodium citrate.2H2O

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Contents:
Powder and solvent for solution for injection
One transfer needle and one filter needle

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.
Intravenous use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNINGS, IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP 

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

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



24

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG
A-1221 Vienna, Austria

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/01/190/001

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot 

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

Medicinal product subject to medical prescription.

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ceprotin 500

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:



25

MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON SMALL IMMEDIATE PACKAGING UNITS

VIAL LABEL

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

CEPROTIN 500 IU
Powder for solution for injection
Human Protein C
IV

2. METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.

3. EXPIRY DATE

EXP 

4. BATCH NUMBER

Lot 

5. CONTENTS BY WEIGHT, BY VOLUME OR BY UNIT

One vial provides 100 IU per ml of human protein C when reconstituted as recommended.

6. OTHER



26

WATER FOR INJECTIONS

5 ml Sterilised Water for Injections

EXPIRY DATE

EXP 

BATCH NUMBER

Lot 



27

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING

OUTER CARTON

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

CEPROTIN 1000 IU
Powder and solvent for solution for injection
Human Protein C

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

One vial provides 100 IU per ml of human protein C when reconstituted as recommended.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

Human albumin, sodium chloride and sodium citrate.2H2O

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Contents:
Powder and solvent for solution for injection
One transfer needle and one filter needle

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.
Intravenous use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNINGS, IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP 

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

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



28

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG
A-1221 Vienna, Austria

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/01/190/002

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot 

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

Medicinal product subject to medical prescription.

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ceprotin 1000

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:



29

MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON SMALL IMMEDIATE PACKAGING UNITS

VIAL LABEL

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

CEPROTIN 1000 IU
Powder for solution for injection
Human Protein C
IV

2. METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.

3. EXPIRY DATE

EXP 

4. BATCH NUMBER

Lot 

5. CONTENTS BY WEIGHT, BY VOLUME OR BY UNIT

One vial provides 100 IU per ml of human protein C when reconstituted as recommended.

6. OTHER



30

WATER FOR INJECTIONS

10 ml Sterilised Water for Injections

EXPIRY DATE

EXP 

BATCH NUMBER

Lot 



31

B. PACKAGE LEAFLET



32

Package leaflet: Information for the user

CEPROTIN 500 IU powder and solvent for solution for injection
Human Protein C

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using 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.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side 

effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet:

1. What CEPROTIN is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use CEPROTIN
3. How to use CEPROTIN
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store CEPROTIN
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What CEPROTIN is and what it is used for

CEPROTIN belongs to a class of medicines called antithrombotics. This medicine contains Protein C, 
a natural protein that is made in the liver and is present in your blood. Protein C plays a major role in
prevention of excessive clot formation thus, prevent and/or treat intravascular thrombosis.

CEPROTIN is used in the treatment and prevention of thrombotic and haemorrhagic skin lesions 
(named purpura fulminans) in patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency. Additionally, 
CEPROTIN may be used to treat a rare complication of a blood thinner medication (anticoagulant 
medication named coumarin) which may result in severe skin lesion (necrosis).

Furthermore CEPROTIN is used to prevent thrombosis in patients with severe congenital protein C 
deficiency if one or more of the following conditions are met:

 surgery or invasive therapy is imminent
 while initiating coumarin (anticoagulant medication, blood thinner) therapy
 when coumarin therapy alone is not sufficient
 when coumarin therapy is not feasible.

2. What you need to know before you use CEPROTIN

Do not use CEPROTIN

- if you are allergic to Human Protein C or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in 
section 6) including mouse protein or heparin.

However, in the case of life-threatening thrombotic complications your doctor may still decide to 
continue treatment with CEPROTIN.



33

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using CEPROTIN. Take special care with CEPROTIN if 
symptoms of allergy occur. Symptoms of allergy include rash, hives, breathing difficulties, low blood 
pressure, tightness of chest, and shock. If such symptoms occur during the administration of 
CEPROTIN, injection should be stopped. Such symptoms may constitute an allergic reaction to any 
of the components, to mouse protein or heparin. The preparation may contain traces of heparin 
and/or mouse protein as a result of the manufacturing process. If such a reaction occurs, your doctor 
will decide on the most appropriate treatment.

If the preparation is used in patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency, antibodies inhibiting 
protein C may develop that can inhibit protein C and therefore diminish the effect of the preparation. 
However, this has not been observed in the clinical studies to date.

When medicines are made from human blood or plasma, certain measures are put in place to prevent 
infections being passed on to patients. These include careful selection of blood and plasma donors to 
make sure those at risk of carrying infections are excluded, and the testing of each donation and pools 
of plasma for signs of virus/infections. Manufacturers of these products also include steps in the 
processing of the blood or plasma that can inactivate or remove viruses. Despite these measures, when 
medicines prepared from human blood or plasma are administered, the possibility of passing on 
infection cannot be totally excluded. This also applies to any unknown or emerging viruses or other 
types of infections.

The measures taken are considered effective for enveloped viruses such as human immunodeficiency 
virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, and for the non-enveloped hepatitis A virus. The 
measures taken may be of limited value against non-enveloped viruses such as parvovirus B19. 
Parvovirus B 19 infection may be serious for pregnant women (fetal infection) and for individuals 
whose immune system is depressed or who have some types of anaemia (e.g. sickle cell disease or 
haemolytic anaemia).

Your doctor may recommend that you consider vaccination against hepatitis A and B if you 
regularly/repeatedly receive human plasma-derived Protein C products.

Other medicines and CEPROTIN

No interactions with other medicinal products are currently known.
Nevertheless, please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other 
medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

If you change to treatment with oral anticoagulants, treatment with CEPROTIN must continue until 
the blood level of the oral anticoagulation is adequate and stable.

CEPROTIN with food and drink

Not applicable.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

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.
Your doctor will decide if CEPROTIN may be used during pregnancy and lactation.

Driving and using machines

CEPROTIN has no influence on your ability to drive or to operate machines.



34

Important information about some of the ingredients of CEPROTIN

As the quantity of sodium in the maximum daily dose may exceed 200 mg, this should be taken into 
consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

3. How to use CEPROTIN

CEPROTIN is intended for intravenous administration (infusion into a vein). It is given to you 
under close supervision of your doctor who is experienced in substitution therapy of coagulation 
factors/inhibitors and where monitoring of protein C activity is possible. Dosage will vary depending 
on your condition and your body weight.

Dosage

The dose, administration frequency and duration of treatment depend on the severity of the protein C 
deficiency as well as on your clinical condition and on your plasma level of protein C. They should be 
adjusted accordingly on the basis of clinical effectiveness and laboratory assessment.

A protein C activity of 100 % should be achieved initially and the activity should be maintained 
above 25 % for the duration of the treatment.

An initial dose of 60 to 80 IU/kg should be administered. Your physician will take several blood 
drawings over time to determine how long protein C is remaining in your body.

The measurement of protein C activity using chromogenic substrates is recommended for the 
determination of your plasma level for protein C before and during treatment with CEPROTIN.

The dosage should be determined on the basis of laboratory measurements of the protein C activity. 
In the case of an acute thrombotic event these should be performed every 6 hours until your condition 
is stabilised, thereafter twice a day and always immediately before the next injection. It should be kept 
in mind that the half-life of protein C may be severely shortened in certain clinical conditions such as 
acute thrombosis with purpura fulminans and skin necrosis.

If you have kidney and/or liver disease, please inform your doctor, because he may have to adjust your 
treatment accordingly.

If you are switched to permanent prophylaxis with oral anticoagulants, protein C replacement is to be 
discontinued only when stable anticoagulation is obtained (see “Important information about some of 
the ingredients of CEPROTIN”).

If you receive prophylactic administration of protein C, higher trough levels may be warranted in 
situations of an increased risk of thrombosis (such as infection, trauma, or surgical intervention).

If you have APC resistance which is a thromboembolic risk factor present in up to 5 % of the 
population in Europe your doctor may need to adjust your treatment accordingly.

Administration

CEPROTIN will be administered to you by intravenous injection after reconstitution of the powder for 
solution for injection with Sterilised Water for Injections. It is strongly recommended that every time 
you receive a dose of CEPROTIN the name and batch number of the product are recorded in order to 
maintain a record of the batches used.

Reconstitute lyophilised CEPROTIN powder for solution for injection, with the supplied solvent 
(Sterilised Water for Injections) using the sterile transfer needle. Gently rotate the vial until all powder 
is dissolved.



35

After reconstitution, the solution is drawn through the sterile filter needle into a sterile disposable 
syringe. A separate unused filter needle must be used to withdraw each vial of reconstituted 
CEPROTIN. The solution should be discarded if particulate matter is visible.

The reconstituted solution should be administered immediately by intravenous injection.

CEPROTIN should be administered at a maximum injection rate of 2 ml per minute. In children with 
a body weight of less than 10 kg, the injection rate should not exceed a rate of 0.2 ml/kg/min.

All unused solution, empty vials and used needles and syringes must be discarded appropriately.

Frequency and duration of treatment depend on the severity of your protein C deficiency, on the 
results of determination of protein C levels in your plasma as well as on the location and extent of
thrombosis.

In case of acute thrombosis CEPROTIN may be administered to you every 6 hours. As the tendency 
for thrombus formation decreases, the frequency may be reduced.

If you use more CEPROTIN than you should

It is recommended that you adhere to the dose level and frequency of administration as recommended 
by your doctor. In case you administered more CEPROTIN than recommended, please inform your 
doctor as soon as possible.

If you forget to use CEPROTIN

Not applicable.

If you stop using CEPROTIN

Do not stop using CEPROTIN without consulting your doctor.
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.

You may notice any of the following side effects after administration of CEPROTIN:

 As with any product administered by infusion into a vein allergic reactions including severe and 
potentially life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) are possible.
You should be aware of the early signs of allergic reactions such as burning and stinging at the 
injection site, chills, flushing, rash, hives, breathing difficulty, nausea, headache, lethargy, low 
blood pressure, and tightness of the chest.

 The following side effects were rarely observed during clinical studies (less than 1 case 
in 1000 administrations given to patients): itching (pruritus), rash and dizziness.

 In the postmarketing experience there have been reports of restlessness, excessive sweating, and 
pain and redness at the injection site.

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.



36

5. How to store CEPROTIN

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 label after EXP. The expiry date 
refers to the last day of that month.
Store in a refrigerator (2C – 8C). Do not freeze.
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

The reconstituted solution should be used immediately.

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 CEPROTIN contains

Powder:
- The active substance is human protein C
- The other ingredients are human albumin, sodium chloride and sodium citrate.2H2O. As solvent 

Sterilised Water for Injections is used.

What CEPROTIN looks like and contents of the pack

CEPROTIN is presented as powder and solvent for solution for injection and is a white or cream 
coloured powder or friable solid. After reconstitution the solution is colourless to slightly yellowish 
and clear to slightly opalescent and essentially free from visible particles.

Each pack also contains one transfer needle and one filter needle.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG
Industriestrasse 67
A-1221 Vienna
Austria
Tel.: +800 66838470
E-mail: medinfoEMEA@shire.com

Manufacturer

Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG
Industriestrasse 67
1221 Vienna
Austria

BAXTER AG
Industriestrasse 67
A-1221 Vienna
Austria

This leaflet was last approved in

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu.



37

Package leaflet: Information for the user

CEPROTIN 1000 IU powder and solvent for solution for injection
Human Protein C

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using 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.
- If you get any the side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side 

effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet:

1. What CEPROTIN is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use CEPROTIN
3. How to use CEPROTIN
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store CEPROTIN
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What CEPROTIN is and what it is used for

CEPROTIN belongs to a class of medicines called antithrombotics. This medicine contains Protein C, 
a natural protein that is made in the liver and is present in your blood. Protein C plays a major role in 
prevention of excessive clot formation thus, prevent and/or treat intravascular thrombosis.

CEPROTIN is used in the treatment and prevention of thrombotic and haemorrhagic skin lesions 
(named purpura fulminans) in patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency. Additionally, 
CEPROTIN may be used to treat a rare complication of a blood thinner medication (anticoagulant 
medication named coumarin) which may result in severe skin lesion (necrosis).

Furthermore CEPROTIN is used to prevent thrombosis in patients with severe congenital protein C 
deficiency if one or more of the following conditions are met:

 surgery or invasive therapy is imminent
 while initiating coumarin (anticoagulant medication, blood thinner) therapy
 when coumarin therapy alone is not sufficient
 when coumarin therapy is not feasible.

2. What you need to know before you use CEPROTIN

Do not use CEPROTIN,

- if you are allergic to Human Protein C or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in 
section 6) including mouse protein or heparin.

However, in the case of life-threatening thrombotic complications your doctor may still decide to 
continue treatment with CEPROTIN.



38

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using CEPROTIN. Take special care with CEPROTIN if 
symptoms of allergy occur. Symptoms of allergy include rash, hives, breathing difficulties, low blood 
pressure, tightness of chest, and shock. If such symptoms occur during the administration of 
CEPROTIN, injection should be stopped. Such symptoms may constitute an allergic reaction to any 
of the components, to mouse protein or heparin. The preparation may contain traces of heparin and/or 
mouse protein as a result of the manufacturing process. If such a reaction occurs, your doctor will 
decide on the most appropriate treatment.

If the preparation is used in patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency, antibodies inhibiting 
protein C may develop that can inhibit protein C and therefore diminish the effect of the preparation. 
However, this has not been observed in the clinical studies to date.

When medicines are made from human blood or plasma, certain measures are put in place to prevent 
infections being passed on to patients. These include careful selection of blood and plasma donors to 
make sure those at risk of carrying infections are excluded, and the testing of each donation and pools 
of plasma for signs of virus/infections. Manufacturers of these products also include steps in the 
processing of the blood or plasma that can inactivate or remove viruses. Despite these measures, 
when medicines prepared from human blood or plasma are administered, the possibility of passing on 
infection cannot be totally excluded. This also applies to any unknown or emerging viruses or other 
types of infections.

The measures taken are considered effective for enveloped viruses such as human immunodeficiency 
virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, and for the non-enveloped hepatitis A virus. The 
measures taken may be of limited value against non-enveloped viruses such as parvovirus B19. 
Parvovirus B 19 infection may be serious for pregnant women (fetal infection) and for individuals 
whose immune system is depressed or who have some types of anaemia (e.g. sickle cell disease or 
haemolytic anaemia).

Your doctor may recommend that you consider vaccination against hepatitis A and B if you 
regularly/repeatedly receive human plasma-derived Protein C products.

Other medicines and CEPROTIN

No interactions with other medicinal products are currently known.
Nevertheless, please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other 
medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

If you change to treatment with oral anticoagulants, treatment with CEPROTIN must continue until 
the blood level of the oral anticoagulation is adequate and stable.

CEPROTIN with food and drink

Not applicable.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

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.
Your doctor will decide if CEPROTIN may be used during pregnancy and lactation.

Driving and using machines

CEPROTIN has no influence on your ability to drive or to operate machines.



39

Important information about some of the ingredients of CEPROTIN

As the quantity of sodium in the maximum daily dose may exceed 200 mg, this should be taken into 
consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

3. How to use CEPROTIN

CEPROTIN is intended for intravenous administration (infusion into a vein). It is given to you under 
close supervision of your doctor who is experienced in substitution therapy of coagulation 
factors/inhibitors and where monitoring of protein C activity is possible. Dosage will vary depending 
on your condition and your body weight.

Dosage

The dose, administration frequency and duration of treatment depend on the severity of the protein C 
deficiency as well as on your clinical condition and on your plasma level of protein C. They should be 
adjusted accordingly on the basis of clinical effectiveness and laboratory assessment.

A protein C activity of 100 % should be achieved initially and the activity should be maintained 
above 25 % for the duration of the treatment.

An initial dose of 60 to 80 IU/kg should be administered. Your physician will take several blood 
drawings over time to determine how long protein C is remaining in your body.

The measurement of protein C activity using chromogenic substrates is recommended for the 
determination of your plasma level for protein C before and during treatment with CEPROTIN.

The dosage should be determined on the basis of laboratory measurements of the protein C activity. 
In the case of an acute thrombotic event these should be performed every 6 hours until your condition 
is stabilised, thereafter twice a day and always immediately before the next injection. It should be kept 
in mind that the half-life of protein C may be severely shortened in certain clinical conditions such as 
acute thrombosis with purpura fulminans and skin necrosis.

If you have kidney and/or liver disease, please inform your doctor, because he may have to adjust your 
treatment accordingly.

If you are switched to permanent prophylaxis with oral anticoagulants, protein C replacement is to be 
discontinued only when stable anticoagulation is obtained (see “Important information about some of 
the ingredients of CEPROTIN”).

If you receive prophylactic administration of protein C, higher trough levels may be warranted in 
situations of an increased risk of thrombosis (such as infection, trauma, or surgical intervention).

If you have APC resistance which is a thromboembolic risk factor present in up to 5 % of the 
population in Europe your doctor may need to adjust your treatment accordingly.

Administration

CEPROTIN will be administered to you by intravenous injection after reconstitution of the powder for 
solution for injection with Sterilised Water for Injections. It is strongly recommended that every time 
you receive a dose of CEPROTIN the name and batch number of the product are recorded in order to 
maintain a record of the batches used.

Reconstitute lyophilised CEPROTIN powder for solution for injection, with the supplied solvent 
(Sterilised Water for Injections) using the sterile transfer needle. Gently rotate the vial until all powder 
is dissolved.



40

After reconstitution, the solution is drawn through the sterile filter needle into a sterile disposable 
syringe. A separate unused filter needle must be used to withdraw each vial of reconstituted 
CEPROTIN. The solution should be discarded if particulate matter is visible.

The reconstituted solution should be administered immediately by intravenous injection.

CEPROTIN should be administered at a maximum injection rate of 2 ml per minute. In children with 
a body weight of less than 10 kg, the injection rate should not exceed a rate of 0.2 ml/kg/min.

All unused solution, empty vials and used needles and syringes must be discarded appropriately.

Frequency and duration of treatment depend on the severity of your protein C deficiency, on the 
results of determination of protein C levels in your plasma as well as on the location and extent of 
thrombosis.

In case of acute thrombosis CEPROTIN may be administered to you every 6 hours. As the tendency 
for thrombus formation decreases, the frequency may be reduced.

If you use more CEPROTIN than you should

It is recommended that you adhere to the dose level and frequency of administration as recommended 
by your doctor. In case you administered more CEPROTIN than recommended, please inform your 
doctor as soon as possible.

If you forget to use CEPROTIN

Not applicable.

If you stop using CEPROTIN

Do not stop using CEPROTIN without consulting your doctor.
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.

You may notice any of the following side effects after administration of CEPROTIN:

 As with any product administered by infusion into a vein allergic reactions including severe and 
potentially life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) are possible.
You should be aware of the early signs of allergic reactions such as burning and stinging at the 
injection site, chills, flushing, rash, hives, breathing difficulty, nausea, headache, lethargy, low 
blood pressure, and tightness of the chest.

 The following side effects were rarely observed during clinical studies (less than 1 case 
in 1000 administrations given to patients): itching (pruritus), rash and dizziness.

 In the postmarketing experience there have been reports of restlessness, excessive sweating, and 
pain and redness at the injection site.

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.



41

5. How to store CEPROTIN

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 label after EXP. The expiry date 
refers to the last day of that month.
Store in a refrigerator (2C – 8C). Do not freeze.
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

The reconstituted solution should be used immediately.

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 to protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What CEPROTIN contains

Powder:
- The active substance is human protein C
- The other ingredients are human albumin, sodium chloride and sodium citrate.2H2O. As solvent 

Sterilised Water for Injections is used.

What CEPROTIN looks like and contents of the pack

CEPROTIN is presented as powder and solvent for solution for injection and is a white or cream 
coloured powder or friable solid. After reconstitution the solution is colourless to slightly yellowish 
and clear to slightly opalescent and essentially free from visible particles.

Each pack also contains one transfer needle and one filter needle.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG
Industriestrasse 67
A-1221 Vienna
Austria
Tel.: +800 66838470
E-mail: medinfoEMEA@shire.com

Manufacturer

Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG
Industriestrasse 67
1221 Vienna
Austria

BAXTER AG
Industriestrasse 67
A-1221 Vienna
Austria

This leaflet was last approved in

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu.


	SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
	A. MANUFACTURER(S) OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) AND MANUFACTURER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE
	B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE
	C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION
	D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
	A. LABELLING
	B. PACKAGE LEAFLET