Frusemide Sandoz 40mg Tablets 100

  Information General Information FRUSEMIDE SANDOZ®Frusemide Tablets--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Consumer Medicine InformationWHAT IS IN THIS LEAFLETThis leaflet answers some common questions about Frusemide Sandoz.It does not contain all the available information. 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 taking this medicine against the benefits it is expected to have for you.If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may want to read it again.WHAT FRUSEMIDE SANDOZ IS USED FORThis medicine is used to reduce oedema (swelling) by removing the excess fluid from the swollen areas. It is also used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) either alone or in combination with other drugs.It contains the active ingredient frusemide.Frusemide belongs to a group of medicines called diuretics (“fluid tablets”)It works in your kidneys by increasing the amount of urine produced. This reduces the amount of excess fluid in the body.Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Frusemide Sandoz was prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed Frusemide Sandoz for another reason.This medicine is not addictive.This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.BEFORE YOU TAKE FRUSEMIDE SANDOZWhen you must not take itDo not take this medicine if you have an allergy to:frusemide, the active ingredient or any of the inactive ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet under Product Description.any other similar medicines, such as diuretics.medicines containing sulphur, such as sulphur antibiotics or some medicines used to treat diabetes.Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:shortness of breathwheezing or difficulty breathingswelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the bodyrash, itching or hives on the skin.Do not take this medicine if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:kidney problems or have no production or passing of urineliver problemslow blood pressurelow sodium or potassium levels in your blood.Do not breastfeed if you are taking this medicine. The active ingredient in Frusemide Sandoz passes into breast milk and there is a possibility that your baby may be affected.Do not give this medicine to children.Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. 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 itTell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:a severe imbalance in your electrolytes (the salts in your body)diabetesasthmakidney problemsreduced passing of urine, difficulty passing urine or no passing of urineheart and lung problemsliver problemsgout, a disease with painful, swollen jointsprostate problemssystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease affecting the skin, joints and kidneyshigh cholesterol levelslow sodium dietlow blood pressure.Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking Frusemide Sandoz.Taking other medicinesTell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.Some medicines and Frusemide Sandoz may interfere with each other. These include:digoxin used to treat heart conditionslithium, used to treat mood disorders and some types of depressionrisperidone, used to treat schizophrenianon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, used for joint pain and arthritis e.g. aspirin, piroxicam, diclofenac, ibuprofen and naproxenother blood pressure medication, especially “ACE inhibitors”, e.g. enalapril, lisinopril and many more (check with your doctor if unsure)any antibiotics, especially cephalosporinmedicines used to relax muscle before or during surgeryliquorice in large amountsamphotericin, used to treat fungal infectionsmedicines used to treat epilepsy, e.g. choloral hydrate, carbamazepine, vigabatrin, sodium valproate or phenytoinmethotrexate, used to treat psoriasis (a skin condition), arthritis and some forms of cancersprobenecid, used to treat gout and sometimes also used with antibioticssucralfate or carbenoxolone, used to treat stomach ulcerslaxatives on a regular basiscisplatin, used to treat cancersteroid medicines, such as cortisone, prednisone or dexamethasoneinsulin and tablet medicines used to treat diabetes, e.g. metforminfluid tablets or diuretic medicinespressor amines, used in emergency situations e.g. adrenaline and noradrenalinebarbiturates and narcotics/strong pain killers such as codeine and morphinetablets or supplements which contain potassiumtheophylline, a medicine used to treat asthmamedicines used during scans to see the images of your body.These medicines may be affected by Frusemide Sandoz, or may affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines.Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.HOW TO TAKE FRUSEMIDE SANDOZFollow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.How much to takeOedema (swelling) The usual dose is 20 mg to 80 mg (a half to two tablets) given as a single dose, once or twice daily. If given twice daily, 8am and 2pm are suggested times to take Frusemide Sandoz. In some cases, up to 400mg (ten tablets) a day may be taken. Some people may only take Frusemide Sandoz on a few days per week (i.e. two to four consecutive days).Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)The usual starting dose is 40mg (one tablet) twice daily. This will then be increased or decreased depending on the individual response to treatment. Your doctor may reduce or even cease other high blood pressure medication you may be taking.Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of the correct dose for you. They will tell you exactly how much to take.Follow the instructions they give you. If you take the wrong dose, Frusemide Sandoz may not work as well and your problem may not improve.How to take itSwallow the tablets with water on an empty stomach.If you need to break Frusemide Sandoz, hold tablet with both hands and snap along break line.How long to take Frusemide SandozContinue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. The dosage recommendation and duration of treatment will be determined for your specific condition by your doctor. Do NOT take any more than prescribed by your doctor.If you forget to take itTake your dose as soon as you remember, and continue to take it as you would normally.If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.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 13 11 26) or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else has taken too much Frusemide Sandoz. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.Overdosage of Frusemide Sandoz can result in dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, excessive thirst and dry mouth, headache and visual disturbances, weakness and muscle cramps.WHILE YOU ARE USING FRUSEMIDE SANDOZThings you must doIf you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Frusemide Sandoz.Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.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 tests such as check your blood pressure from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects. Tell your doctor if you feel Frusemide Sandoz is not helping your condition.Tell your doctor if you have severe vomiting or diarrhoea.Frusemide Sandoz works by increasing the excretion of certain salts (sodium, chloride, potassium, etc) in your body. It is possible that you may lose too much salt. Your doctor may ask you to take a potassium supplement. It is best not to follow a diet that is too low in salt – inform your doctor if you are on a low salt diet. The signs that you are too low in body salts include: dry mouth, thirst, muscle weakness or cramps, drowsiness, tiredness and a fast or irregular heartbeat. If you experience these symptoms contact your doctor immediately.Make sure you drink enough water in hot weather and during exercise while you are taking Frusemide Sandoz, especially if you sweat a lot. If you do not drink enough water, you may feel faint, light-headed or sick. This is because your blood pressure is dropping suddenly and you are losing too much fluid. If you continue to feel unwell, contact your doctor.Things you must not doDo not take Frusemide Sandoz to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.Things to be careful ofBe careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Frusemide Sandoz affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness or light-headedness 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 taking this medicine. If you drink alcohol, dizziness and light-headedness may be worse. It is not recommended that you drink alcohol while taking Frusemide Sandoz.If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly. Be careful getting up from a sitting or lying position. Dizziness, light-headedness or fainting may occur, especially when you get up quickly. Getting up slowly may help.Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Frusemide Sandoz may cause your skin to become more sensitive to the sun. If this happens you should wear protective clothing including a hat and sun screen when you are outside.SIDE EFFECTSTell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Frusemide Sandoz. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some side effects.If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:headachefeverdizziness or light-headednessdry mouth or unusual thirstweight lossweakness, tiredness, drowsiness or lack of energyblurred or visual impairmentunusual bleeding or bruising under the skinringing or buzzing in the earsconfusionnausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipationstomach painskin rashnumbness or tingling in the hands or feetcalf muscle spasmsmuscle pains or crampsrestlessnessloss of appetite.These are the more common side effects of Frusemide Sandoz. Mostly, these are mild and are short-lived.Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:irregular or fast heartbeatpassing less urine than is normal for youloss of control of bladder or bowels (incontinence)severe dizziness or a spinning sensationincreased sensitivity to sunlightflaking or peeling of the skingout, a disease with painful, swollen jointsdeafness or ringing or buzzing in the earssevere stomach pain with nausea and vomitingincreased frequency of infections, i.e. sore throat, fever, severe chills or mouth ulcersbruising or bleeding more easily than normal, nose bleedssymptoms of anaemia such as, tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath when exercising, dizziness and looking pale.These may be serious side effects of Frusemide Sandoz. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are uncommon.If any of the following happen, stop taking Frusemide Sandoz, and tell your doctor immediately, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives (pinkish, raised areas) on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathingchest painfainting or a rapid weak pulsered, often itchy spots similar to rash seen with measles which starts on the limbs and sometimes on the face and body. The spots may blister and may progress to form raised red, pale-centred marks. Those affected may have fever, sore throat, headache with or without diarrhoealockjawyellowing of the eyes or skin.These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare.Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.AFTER USING FRUSEMIDE SANDOZStorageKeep your medicine in the original container.If you take it out of its original container it may not keep well.Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Protect from light.Do not store Frusemide Sandoz 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 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 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.PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONWhat it looks likeFrusemide Sandoz 40mg: round, white tablets with a score notch on one side.Available in bottles of 100 tablets.IngredientsActive Ingredient:Frusemide Sandoz 40mg tablet contains 40mg frusemide.Inactive Ingredients:microcrystalline cellulosemaize starchsodium starch glycollatelactosemagnesium stearate.SupplierFrusemide Sandoz is supplied in Australia by:Sandoz Pty LtdABN 60 075 449 553Level 4, 100 Harris StreetPyrmont NSW 2009Tel: 1800 634 500 1800 634 500This leaflet was revised in December 2009.Australian Register NumberFrusemide Sandoz 40mg tablets: AUST R 64718Published by MIMS/myDr September 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