Terry White Chemists Metoprolol

Transcription

1 Terry White Chemists Contains the active ingredient, metoprolol tartrate (met-oh-proe-lol) Consumer Medicine Information What is in this leaflet Read this leaflet carefully before taking your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand anything or are worried about taking your medicine. This leaflet answers some common questions about Terry White Chemists. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. The information in this leaflet was last updated on the date listed on the last page. Some more recent information on your medicine may be available. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor to obtain the most up-to-date information. All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you. Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may want to read it again. What is used for The name of your medicine is Terry White Chemists. It contains the active ingredient, It is used to: * lower high blood pressure (hypertension) * prevent angina (a type of chest pain) * treat or prevent heart attacks, or reduce the risk of heart complications following a heart attack (myocardial infarction) * prevent migraines. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason. How it works belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. It works by affecting the body's response to some nerve impulses, especially in the heart. As a result, it decreases the heart's need for blood and oxygen and therefore reduces the amount of work the heart has to do. It also widens the blood vessels in the body, causing blood pressure to fall. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription. There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive. Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how metoprolol affects you. Use in children There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children. Before you take When you must not take it have an allergy or hypersensitivity to: * any medicine containing metoprolol * any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet * any other beta-blocker medicine. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; muscle pain or tenderness or joint pain; or rash, itching or hives on the skin. are intolerant or allergic to lactose. tablets contain lactose. have the following medical conditions: * asthma, wheezing, difficulty breathing or other lung problems, or a history of these conditions * a history of allergic problems, TERRY WHITE CHEMISTS METOPROLOL 1

2 including hay fever * low blood pressure * a very slow heart beat (less than 45 to 50 beats/minute) * heart failure or other heart conditions * a severe blood vessel disorder causing poor circulation in the arms and legs * shock * phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland) which is not already being treated with other Do not take this medicine after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack. If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well. Do not take this medicine if the packaging is torn, shows signs of tampering or if it does not look quite right. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal. If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor. Before you start to take it Tell your doctor if: 1. You have allergies to: * any other medicines * any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes. 2. You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following: * a history of allergic disorders such as hay fever * intolerance or allergy to lactose. Terry White Chemists tablets contain lactose. * certain types of angina, such as Prinzmetal angina or variant angina * any other heart problems * a blood vessel disorder causing poor circulation in the arms and legs * diabetes * kidney or liver problems * an overactive thyroid gland * phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland) which is being treated by other medicines * skin or eye problems that were associated with treatment with another beta-blocker medicine. 3. You plan to become pregnant or breast-feed. may affect your baby, especially if you take it in the early stages of pregnancy or the last few days before your baby is born. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits of taking this medicine during pregnancy. passes into the breast milk so there is a possibility that your baby could be affected. If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking Taking other medicines Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines and metoprolol may interfere with each other. These include: * other beta-blocker medicines, including beta-blocker eye drops * other medicines used to treat high blood pressure or heart problems, such as hydralazine, prazosin, clonidine and calcium channel blockers (also known as calcium antagonists), such as verapamil or nifedipine * medicines used to treat abnormal or irregular heart beats, such as disopyramide, quinidine, flecainide, tocainide, mexiletine, lignocaine and amiodarone * digoxin and guanethidine, used to treat certain heart problems * glyceryl trinitrate, used for angina and certain other heart problems * insulin or tablets used to treat diabetes * medicines used to treat depression, such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline * bupropion * monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) * cimetidine, used to treat stomach ulcers or reflux * rifampicin, used to treat tuberculosis * ritonavir, an antiviral medicine * diphenhydramine, an antihistamine * certain medicines used to relieve pain, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation, such as indomethacin * certain medicines used to treat malaria, such as hydroxychloroquine * terbinafine, used to treat fungal infections * warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots * certain anaesthetics used during surgery. These medicines may be affected by metoprolol, or may affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on other medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine. How to take this medicine Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. TERRY WHITE CHEMISTS METOPROLOL 2

3 If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help. How much to take Hypertension (high blood pressure): The usual starting dose is one 50 mg or 100 mg tablet once a day for one week. The dose is then usually increased to 50 mg or 100 mg once or twice a day. Your doctor may tell you to take a different amount. Angina pectoris (chest pain): The usual dosage is 50 mg to 100 mg two to three times daily. Myocardial infarction (heart attack): Your doctor may start you on 50 mg twice daily for 2 days then continue with 100 mg twice daily thereafter. Migraine: The usual dosage is 50 mg to 75 mg twice daily (morning and evening). DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE SUDDENLY How to take it Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. If you need to break the tablet, hold it with both hands and snap it along break line. When to take it Take your medicine at about the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it. It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food. How long to take it for Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. This medicine may help control your condition, but does not cure it. It is important to continue taking your medicine even if you feel well. Make sure you have enough to last over weekends and holidays. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of metoprolol you are taking before stopping completely. This may help reduce the possibility of your angina worsening or other heart complications from occurring. If you forget to take your dose If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints. If you take too much (overdose) Immediately telephone your doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone ) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. If you take too much metoprolol you may feel dizzy or light-headed, have difficulty in breathing or have a slow heart beat. While you are taking Things you must do If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine. If you are going to have surgery (even at the dentist) that needs a general anaesthetic, tell the surgeon, dentist or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine. may affect other medicines used during surgery. Your blood pressure may also drop suddenly. If you become pregnant while taking metoprolol, tell your doctor immediately. Go to your doctor regularly for a check-up. Your doctor may occasionally do tests to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent side effects. If you have a severe allergic reaction to foods, medicines or insect stings, tell your doctor immediately. If you have a history of allergies, there is a chance that metoprolol may cause allergic reactions to be worse and harder to treat. If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly. You may feel light-headed or dizzy when you begin to take This is because your blood pressure is falling suddenly. Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in TERRY WHITE CHEMISTS METOPROLOL 3

4 position and blood pressure. If this problem gets worse or continues, talk to your doctor. Make sure you drink enough water during exercise and hot weather when you are taking this medicine, especially if you sweat a lot. If you do not drink enough water while taking metoprolol, you may feel faint or light-headed or sick. This is because your blood pressure is dropping suddenly. If you continue to feel unwell, tell your doctor. If you are being treated for diabetes, make sure you check your blood sugar level regularly and report any changes to your doctor. may change how well your diabetes is controlled. It may also cover up some of the symptoms of low blood sugar, called hypoglycaemia, such as fast heart beat. It may make low blood sugar last longer. Your doses of diabetic medicines may need to change. If you have to have any medical tests while you are taking metoprolol, tell your doctor. may affect the results of some tests. Things you must not do Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. Do not take your medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to. Do not stop taking your medicine or change the dosage, without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen. If possible, your doctor will gradually reduce the amount you take each day before stopping the medicine completely. Things to be careful of Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how metoprolol affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness and tiredness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous. Be careful drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine. If you drink alcohol, dizziness and tiredness may be worse. Side effects of All medicines may have some unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time, they are not. Your doctor has weighed the risks of using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you. Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have. If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects. Following is a list of possible side effects. Do not be alarmed by this list. You may not experience any of them. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you: * tiredness, drowsiness, weakness or lack of energy * headache * nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, wind, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation, weight gain * dry mouth, changes in taste sensation * muscle cramps or weakness or painful joints * difficulty sleeping, nightmares * mood changes, depression, nervousness, feeling anxious * confusion, memory loss, inability to concentrate, decreased alertness * increased sweating, runny or blocked nose * hair loss. These side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following: * dizziness, light-headedness or fainting especially on standing up * skin rash or hives on the skin * worsening of psoriasis * sunburn happening more quickly than usual * abnormal thinking or hallucinations * irritated eyes (red, runny, itchy or dry), visual disturbances (e.g. blurred vision) * numbness, tingling or pins and needles * cold hands and feet * buzzing or ringing in the ears or difficulty hearing * sexual problems. These may be serious side effects. You may need medical attention. Most of these side effects are rare. If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital: * chest tightness, wheezing or difficulty breathing * shortness of breath, sometimes with tiredness and reduced ability to exercise * swelling of the ankles, feet or legs due to fluid build up * chest pain, chest tightness * changes in the rhythm or rate of the heart beat, palpitations * swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat * yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), generally feeling unwell * constant flu-like symptoms, with TERRY WHITE CHEMISTS METOPROLOL 4

5 tiredness or lack of energy. The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. Most of these side effects are rare. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell. After taking this medicine Storage Keep your medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take it. If you take the tablets out of their original packaging they may not keep well. Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature will stay below 25 degrees C. Do not store your medicine, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked medicine cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store Disposal If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over. Where to go for further information Pharmaceutical companies are not in a position to give people an individual diagnosis or medical advice. Your doctor or pharmacist is the best person to give you advice on the treatment of your condition. Product description What Terry White Chemists Tablets look like 50 mg: White, round tablets, scored on one side. Available in blister packs of 100 tablets. 100 mg: White, round tablets, scored on one side. Available in blister packs of 60 tablets. Ingredients Each Terry White Chemists tablet contains 50 mg or 100 mg of metoprolol tartrate as the active ingredient. It also contains the following inactive ingredients: * lactose * maize starch * microcrystalline cellulose * magnesium stearate * colloidal anhydrous silica * hydroxypropylcellulose * calcium hydrogen phosphate * crospovidone. This medicine is gluten-free, sucrose-free, and tartrazine and other azo-dye free. Australian Registration Numbers 50 mg Tablets: AUST R mg Tablets: AUST R Sponsor Apotex Pty Ltd ABN Waterloo Road North Ryde NSW 2113 Australia Distributor Symbion Pharmacy Services Pty Ltd ABN Overseas Drive Noble Park North VIC 3174 Australia Terry White Chemists is a registered trade mark of Symbion Pharmacy Services Pty Ltd. This leaflet was prepared in: August TERRY WHITE CHEMISTS METOPROLOL 5