Fluanxol 40mg/2mL Depot Injection 5

$52.39
$52.39 about 6 years ago

  Information General Information Fluanxol®(flu-ANK-sol)Fluanxol® Depot 20 mg/mLFluanxol® Concentrated Depot 100 mg/mLFlupenthixol decanoate (flu-PEN-thic-sol deck-can-OH-ate)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Consumer Medicine InformationWhat is in this leafletThis leaflet contains answers to some common questions about Fluanxol.It does not contain all the information that is known about Fluanxol. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you.If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.What Fluanxol is used forFluanxol is used for the long-term treatment of schizophrenia, a mental illness with disturbances in thinking, emotional reactions and behaviour, and other chronic mental conditions.Fluanxol belongs to a group of medicines called thioxanthene neuroleptics. It helps to correct chemical imbalances in the brain, which may cause mental illness.Your doctor, however, may prescribe it for another purpose.Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.Fluanxol is not addictive.Before you are given itWhen you must not be given itDo not use Fluanxol if you are allergic to it, to any other similar medicines (such as thioxanthenes or phenothiazines), or the ingredient fractionated coconut oil.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, or rash, itching or hives on the skin.Do not use Fluanxol if you have:diminished consciousness due to any causecollapse due to very low blood pressurebrain damagediseases of the blood with a reduced number of red or white blood cells or plateletsphaeochromocytoma, a rare tumour of the adrenal gland which sits near the kidney.Do not give Fluanxol to anyone who currently has alcohol poisoning, or poisoning with medicines used to produce calmness or to help you sleep, or medicines used to treat epilepsy or strong pain.Do not give Fluanxol to anyone who is unconscious or in a coma.Do not give Fluanxol to a child or adolescent.There is no experience with its use in children or adolescents under 18 years old.Do not give Fluanxol to patients with mental illness who are highly distressed, or elderly patients who are confused and/or distressed.Do not use it after the expiry date printed on the pack.If you use it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.Do not use it if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.Before you are given itTell your doctor if:1.you have allergies to any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.2.you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.Like most medicines of this kind, Fluanxol is not recommended to be used during pregnancy, since safety in pregnancy has not been established. However, if you need to be given Fluanxol during pregnancy, your doctor will discuss with you the risks and benefits of using it.3.you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed.It is not recommended that you breast-feed while using Fluanxol. Its active ingredient passes into breast milk and therefore there is a possibility that your baby might be affected.4.you have, or have had, the following medical conditions:- arteriosclerosis, a disease affecting the arteries- convulsions, fits or seizures- decreased blood supply to the brain- diabetes, a disorder of metabolism in which the amount of sugar in the blood is too high- glaucoma, a condition in which there is usually a build-up of pressure in the eye- heart and blood vessel problems- kidney problems- liver problems- low potassium and/or low magnesium levels in the blood- organic brain syndrome- parkinsonism, a disease of the brain affecting movement- risk factors for stroke- tardive dyskinesia, a reaction to some medicines with worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks or jaw which may progress to the arms and legs.If you or someone else in your family has a history of blood clots, as medicines like these have been associated with formation of blood clotsAlso tell your doctor if you will be in a hot environment or you do a lot of vigorous exercise.Fluanxol may make you sweat less, causing your body to overheat.Tell your doctor if you are exposed to pesticides that contain phosphorus.The risk of you experiencing a side effect may be increased.If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given Fluanxol.Taking other medicinesTell 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 Fluanxol may interfere with each other. These include:tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors and lithium, medicines used to treat depression or mood swingsphenobarbitone and carbamazepine, medicines used to treat convulsions and epilepsymedicines used to treat strong painmedicines used to produce calmness or to help you sleepmedicines used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), including debrisoquine, guanethidine and clonidinelevodopa, a medicine used to treat Parkinson's diseasemedicines which stimulate the body, getting it ready for action, such as adrenalinemetoclopramide, a medicine used to relieve nausea and vomitingpiperazine, a medicine used to treat worm infectionsmedicines used to treat changes in the rhythm or rate of the heart beat, e.g. quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol and dofetilideantipsychotics, a class of medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions, e.g. thioridazinecertain medicines used to treat infections, such as erythromycin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacinmedicines used to relieve the symptoms of allergy, including terfenadine and astemizolecisapride, used to treat stomach problemsthiazide diuretics, also called fluid or water tabletsmedicines used to relieve stomach cramps or spasms, to prevent travel sickness and to treat Parkinson's disease, such as atropine or related medicines.These medicines may be affected by Fluanxol, or may affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicines, or take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using Fluanxol.How it is givenHow much is givenYour doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on your condition and other factors, such as your weight and your response to the medicine.Fluanxol DepotGenerally, the starting dose is 20 to 40 mg (1 to 2 mL). A second dose of 20 to 40 mg (1 to 2 mL) is usually given 4 - 10 days after the first injection, and further doses are given every 2 to 4 weeks for the majority of patients.Fluanxol Concentrated DepotPatients who require higher doses and/or who have problems with larger injection volumes may be given Fluanxol Concentrated Depot.Your doctor may have prescribed a different dose.Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of the correct dose for you. Follow the instructions they give you.They will tell you exactly how much you will be given.How it is givenFluanxol is given as an injection into a large muscle where it is slowly released over time. The injection should only be given by a doctor, nurse or other trained person.How often it is givenIt is recommended that Fluanxol is given every 2 - 4 weeks, depending on how your body responds to the medicine.How many injections you will needContinue having your injections for as long as your doctor tells you to.Fluanxol helps control your condition, but does not cure it. Therefore, you will need regular injections.If you forget to have an injectionIf you forget to keep an appointment, contact your doctor as soon as you remember, so that you can make another one.OverdoseAs Fluanxol is given to you under the supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive too much.However, if you experience any side effects after being given Fluanxol, immediately telephone your doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre (Tel: 13 11 26 for Australia and Tel: 0800 764 766 for New Zealand), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital.You may need urgent medical attention.Symptoms of an overdose may include sleepiness, coma, extreme agitation, excitement, confusion, convulsions and extremely high or low body temperature. Uncontrollable movements may develop, and collapse due to very low blood pressure or difficulty breathing may occur. Changes in the rhythm or rate of the heart beat have been seen in Fluanxol overdose when medicines known to affect the heart have also been taken.While you are using itThings you must doIf you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are using Fluanxol.Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are using this medicine.If you become pregnant while using Fluanxol, tell your doctor immediately.Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the tongue, mouth, cheeks or jaw which may progress to the arms and legs.These are symptoms of a condition called tardive dyskinesia, which may develop in people taking similar medicines, including Fluanxol.This condition is more likely to occur during long-term treatment with Fluanxol, especially in elderly women. In very rare cases, this may be permanent. However, if detected early, these symptoms are usually reversible.Also tell your doctor if you notice any soreness of the mouth, gums, throat or other flu-like symptoms.If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are using this medicine.Fluanxol may affect other medicines used during surgery.If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine.It may interfere with the results of some tests.Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.Your doctor may do some blood and liver tests from time to time, particularly during the first months of therapy, to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.Things you must not doDo not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.Do not take any medicines that cause drowsiness while you are using Fluanxol, unless recommended by your doctor.Do not miss any injections, even if you feel better.Fluanxol helps control your condition, but does not cure it. Therefore, you will need regular injections.Do not stop using Fluanxol suddenly.If Fluanxol is stopped suddenly, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, runny nose, sweating, aching muscles, pins and needles, sleeplessness, restlessness, anxiety, or agitation.Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the amount you are given before stopping completely.Things to be careful ofBe careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Fluanxol affects you.It may cause drowsiness, tiredness, sleepiness or blurred vision 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 when drinking alcohol while you are using this medicine.If you drink alcohol, drowsiness or sleepiness may be worse.If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly.Standing up slowly will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.Side effectsAll 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 he/she expects it will have for you.Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Fluanxol.It helps most people with mental illness, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:restlessnessdifficulty sleepinginvoluntary muscle contractionsheadachedrowsinesstiredness, sleepinessdry mouthconstipationincreased salivation or increased sweatingnauseaweight changesimpaired sexual functionchange in your menstrual periodsskin rashhair losspain at the place where your injection is given.Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:sudden onset of unusual movements, including trembling and shaking of the hands and fingers, twisting movements of the body, or shuffling walk and stiffness of the arms and legsworm-like movements of the tongue or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks or jaws, which may progress to the arms and legsdifficulty swallowingmood changesblurred vision or difficulty focusingdifficulty passing urinechanges in heart rate and blood pressurefaintinghigh pressure in the eyebreast enlargement in menunusual secretion of breast milkyellowing of the skin and/or eyes, also called jaundicetiredness, headaches, dizziness, being short of breath when exercising and looking palefrequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcersbleeding or bruising more easily than normal, nosebleedsswelling of the gumssevere pain in the stomach with bloating, gut cramps and vomiting.Blood clots in the veins especially in the legs (symptoms include swelling, pain and redness in the leg), which may travel through blood vessels to the lungs causing chest pain and difficulty in breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms seek medical advice immediately.In elderly people with dementia, a small increase in the number of deaths has been reported for patients taking antipsychotics compared with those not receiving antipsychotics.These may be serious side effects of Fluanxol. You may need urgent medical attention.Tell your doctor immediately, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you notice any of the following:serious allergic reaction(symptoms of an allergic reaction may include swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, or hives)convulsionssudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions.These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.These side effects are generally rare.Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.You may not experience any of them.After using itStorageKeep Fluanxol in the pack until it is time to use it. If you take the ampoules out of the box they may not keep well.Keep Fluanxol away from sunlight.Keep the medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom, near a sink, or on a window-sill.Do not leave it in the car. Heat and damp can destroy some medicines.Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.DisposalIf your doctor stops giving you this medicine, or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that is left over.Return any unused medicine to your pharmacist.Product descriptionWhat it looks likeFluanxol comes in two types of injections:Fluanxol Depot 20 mg/mL solution for injection - clear, colourless to slightly yellowish oilFluanxol Concentrated Depot 100 mg/mL concentrated injection - clear, yellow to yellowish oil.A box contains 5 ampoules.IngredientsActive ingredient(s):Fluanxol 20 mg/mL injection - 20 mg flupenthixol decanoate per 1 mL or 40 mg flupenthixol decanoate per 2 mLFluanxol 100 mg/mL injection - 100 mg flupenthixol decanoate per 1 mL.Inactive ingredient:coconut oil - fractionated.Manufacturer/SponsorFluanxol is made by H. Lundbeck A/S, Denmark.Distributed in Australia by:Lundbeck Australia Pty Ltd1/10 Inglewood PlaceNorwest Business ParkBaulkham Hills NSW 2153Ph: +61 2 9836 1655 +61 2 9836 1655Distributed in New Zealand by:Healthcare LogisticsPO Box 62-027Mt Wellington, AucklandPh: +64 9 966 0000 +64 9 966 0000This leaflet was prepared in December 2009.Australian Registration Numbers:Fluanxol Depot20 mg/mL - AUST R 4710940 mg/2mL - AUST R 47247Fluanxol Concentrated Depot100 mg/mL - AUST R 47107"Fluanxol" is the registered trademark of H. Lundbeck A/S.AU-NZ-6364-PILPublished by MIMS/myDr May 2010Consumers should be aware that the information provided by the Consumer Medicines Information (“CMI”) search (“CMI Search”) is for information purposes only and consumers should continue to obtain professional advice from a qualified healthcare professional regarding any condition for which they have searched for CMI. CMI is supplied by the relevant pharmaceutical company for each consumer medical product. All copyright and responsibility for CMI is that of the relevant pharmaceutical company. UBM Medica Australia uses its best endeavours to ensure that at the time of publishing, as indicated on the publishing date for each resource (e.g. “Published by MIMS/myDr January 2007”), the CMI provided was complete to the best of UBM Medica Australia’s knowledge. The CMI and the CMI Search are not intended to be used by consumers to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or for any therapeutic purpose. UBM Medica Australia, its servants and agents shall not be responsible for the continued currency of the CMI, or for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in the CMI and/or the CMI Search whether arising from negligence or otherwise or from any other consequence arising there from. Miscellaneous Drug Interactions Warnings Common Uses Ingredients Directions Indications