Brufen Retard
1. What is Brufen Retard & what is it used for?
2. What should you know before taking Brufen Retard?
3. How should you take Brufen Retard?
4. Possible side effects of Brufen Retard
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER Brufen® Retard 800mg Tablets (ibuprofen)
Your medicine is available as the above name but will be referred to as Brufen Retard throughout this leaflet.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine
• Keep this leaflet as you may need to read it again
• This leaflet provides a summary of the information currently available about Brufen Retard
• For further information or advice ask your doctor or pharmacist
• This medicine is for you only and should never be given to anyone else, even if they appear to have the same symptoms as you
• T ell your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any side effects Leaflet Contents
1. What is Brufen Retard & what is it used for?
2. What should you know before taking Brufen Retard?
3. How should you take Brufen Retard?
4. Possible side effects of Brufen Retard.
5. How should you store Brufen Retard?
6. Further information about Brufen Retard.
Brufen Retard belongs to a group of medicines called anti-inflammatory pain killers. It can be used to relieve pain and inflammation in conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Still's disease), arthritis of the spine, ankylosing spondylitis, swollen joints, frozen shoulder, bursitis, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, lower back pain, sprains and strains.
Brufen Retard can also be used to treat other painful conditions such as toothache, pain after operations, period pain and headache, including migraine.
The active ingredient in Brufen Retard is ibuprofen and each tablet contains 800 mg in a sustained-release formulation. This is designed to release ibuprofen gradually into your blood stream throughout the day.
If the answer to any of the following questions is ‘YES' please
tell your doctor or pharmacist BEFORE taking any Brufen
Retard:
• Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are you breast-feeding? Brufen Retard may make it more difficult to become pregnant. You should inform your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or if you have problems becoming pregnant.
• Are you sensitive (allergic) to any of the ingredients in the tablets? These are listed in Section 6.
• Do you have, or have you previously had, a stomach ulcer or other gastric complaint?
Do not take Brufen Retard if you currently have a peptic ulcer (ulcer in your stomach or duodenum) or bleeding in your stomach, or have had two or more episodes of peptic ulcers, stomach bleeding or perforation in the past.
• Do you have a condition which increases your tendency to bleeding?
• Do you suffer from asthma or have you ever had an allergic reaction or suffered from wheezing after taking ibuprofen, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory pain killers?
• Do you suffer from swelling and irritation inside the nose?
• Do you suffer from liver or kidney disease?
• Do you suffer from heart disease?
Medicines such as Brufen Retard may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke. Any risk is more likely with high doses and prolonged treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment. You should discuss your treatment with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Brufen Retard if you:
- have heart problems including heart failure, angina (chest pain) or you have had a heart attack, bypass surgery or peripheral artery disease (poor circulation in the legs or feet due to narrow or blocked arteries).
- have any kind of stroke or think that you might be at risk of these conditions (e.g. if you have a family history of heart disease or stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or are a smoker).
• Do you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, sometimes known as lupus) or a connective tissue disease (autoimmune diseases affecting connective tissue)?
• Do you have chicken pox or shingles?
• Is your child dehydrated? As there is a risk of kidney damage in dehydrated children and adolescents.
Can you take Brufen with other medicines? Some medicines that are anti-coagulants (i.e. thin blood/prevent clotting e.g. aspirin/ acetylsalicyclic acid, warfarin, ticlodipine), some medicines that reduce high blood pressure (ACE-inhibitors such as captopril, beta-blockers such as atenolol, or angiotensin-II receptor antagonists such as losartan) and other medicines may affect or be affected by treatment with ibuprofen. You should therefore always seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist before you use ibuprofen with other medicines. In particular you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines in addition to those mentioned above:
• diuretics (water tablets)
• cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, used to treat heart conditions
• lithium
• zidovudine (an anti-viral drug)
• steroids (used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions)
• methotrexate (used to treat certain cancers and rheumatoid arthritis)
• medicines known as immunosuppressants such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus (used to dampen down your immune response)
• medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), used for the treatment of depression
• antibiotics called quinolones such as ciprofloxacin
• aminoglycosides (a type of antibiotic)
• mifepristone
• any other ibuprofen, such as those you can buy without a prescription
• any other anti-inflammatory pain killer, including aspirin
• cholestyramine (a drug used to lower cholesterol)
• medicines known as sulphonylureas such as glibenclamide (used to treat diabetes)
• voriconazole or fluconazole (type of anti-fungal drugs)
• gingko biloba herbal medicine (there is a chance you may bleed more easily if you are taking this with ibuprofen).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: The use of Brufen whilst pregnant or breast feeding should be avoided. Brufen should not be used in late (the last three months of) pregnancy and should only be taken in the first six months of pregnancy on the advice of your doctor.
Driving and Using Machines: Brufen may make you feel dizzy or drowsy. If it affects you in this way do not drive, operate machinery or do anything that requires you to be alert.
ALWAYS take Brufen exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure refer to the label on the carton or check with your doctor or pharmacist.
TAKE YOUR BRUFEN RETARD TABLETS with a glass of water. You should swallow the tablets whole without chewing, breaking, crushing or sucking on them to help prevent feeling discomfort in the mouth or irritation in the throat. The tablets are best taken in the early evening, well before retiring to bed. Take your Brufen Retard with or after food.
Your dosage will depend on what you are being treated for, the usual dose is two tablets taken as a single dose each day, preferably in the evening. In severe or acute conditions, your doctor may prescribe one extra tablet to be taken each morning in addition to the usual dose.
Brufen Retard is NOT suitable for children under 12 years of age.
You should avoid excessive use of painkillers. If you usually take painkillers, especially combinations of different painkillers, you may damage your kidneys, tell your doctor if you are already taking another painkiller before taking this medicine and your doctor will decide whether you should take this medicine. This risk may be increased if you are dehydrated.
IF YOU TAKE MORE BRUFEN RETARD THAN PRESCRIBED (AN OVERDOSE) you should contact a doctor or go to the nearest hospital casualty department IMMEDIATELY taking your tablets with you.
IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE YOUR BRUFEN RETARD TABLETS take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. If it is, do not take the missed dose at all. Never double up on a dose to make up for the one you have missed.
As with all medicines, Brufen Retard may cause side effects, although they are usually mild and not everyone will suffer from them. If any side effects become serious or if you notice any side effects that are not listed in this leaflet please tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can minimise the risk of side effects by taking the least amount of Brufen Retard for the shortest amount of time necessary to control your symptoms.
STOP TAKING Brufen Retard and seek immediate medical help if you experience :
• Signs of aseptic meningitis such as severe headache, high temperature, stiffness of the neck or intolerance to bright light.
• Signs of intestinal bleeding such as
• Passing blood in your faeces (stools/motions)
• Passing black tarry stools
• Vomiting any blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds
TELL YOUR DOCTOR AND STOP TAKING BRUFEN RETARD IF YOU EXPERIENCE:
• Unexplained stomach pain (abdominal pain) or other abnormal stomach symptoms, indigestion, heartburn, feeling sick and/or vomiting.
• Unexplained wheezing, shortness of breath, skin rash, itching or bruising (these may be symptoms of an allergic reaction).
• Yellowing of the eyes and/or skin (jaundice).
• Severe sore throat with high fever (these may be symptoms of a condition known as agranulocytosis).
• Blurred or disturbed vision (visual impairment) or seeing/hearing strange things (hallucinations).
• Fluid retention e.g. swollen ankles (this may be a sign of kidney problems).
• Severe spreading skin rash (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and erythema multiforme, symptoms include severe skin rash, blistering of skin, including inside mouth, nose, and genitals, as well as skin peeling which may be accompanied with symptoms such as aching, headaches, and feverishness).
