PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Gabapentin Morningside 600 mg film-coated tablets Gabapentin Morningside 800 mg film-coated tablets

Gabapentin

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.

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. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

In this leaflet:

1.    What Gabapentin Morningside Tablets are and what they are used for

2.    Before you take Gabapentin Morningside Tablets

3.    How to take Gabapentin Morningside Tablets

4.    Possible side effects

5.    How to store Gabapentin Morningside Tablets

6.    Further information

1. WHAT GABAPENTIN MORNINGSIDE TABLETS ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR

Gabapentin belongs to a group of medicines used to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain.

Epilepsy: Gabapentin is used to treat various forms of epilepsy (seizures that are initially limited to certain parts of the brain, whether the seizure spreads to other parts of the brain or not). Your doctor will prescribe Gabapentin Morningside Tablets for you to help treat your epilepsy when your current treatment is not fully controlling your condition. You should take Gabapentin Morningside Tablets in addition to your current treatment unless told otherwise. Gabapentin Morningside Tablets can also be used on its own to treat adults and children over 12 years of age.

Peripheral neuropathic pain: Gabapentin is used to treat long lasting pain caused by damage to the nerves. A variety of different diseases can cause peripheral (primarily occurring in the legs and/or arms) neuropathic pain, such as diabetes or shingles. Pain sensations may be described as hot, burning, throbbing, shooting, stabbing, sharp, cramping, aching, tingling, numbness, pins and needles etc.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Gabapentin should not be taken during pregnancy, unless you are told otherwise by your doctor. Effective contraception must be used by women of child-bearing potential.

There have been no studies specifically looking at the use of gabapentin in pregnant women, but other medications used to treat seizures have reported an increased risk of harm to the foetus, particularly when more than one seizure medication is taken at the same time. Therefore, whenever possible and only under the advice of your doctor, you should try to take only one seizure medication during pregnancy.

Do not suddenly discontinue taking this medicine as this may lead to breakthrough seizure, which could have serious consequences for you and your baby.

Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant while taking Gabapentin Morningside Tablets.

Gabapentin, the active substance of Gabapentin Morningside Tablets is excreted in human milk. Because the effect on the nursing infant is unknown, it is not recommended to breast-feed your baby while using Gabapentin Morningside Tablets.

Driving and using machines

Gabapentin may produce dizziness, drowsiness and tiredness. You should not drive, operate complex machinery or engage in other potentially hazardous activities until you know whether this medication affects your ability to perform these activities.

2. BEFORE YOU TAKE GABAPENTIN MORNINGSIDE TABLETS

Do not take Gabapentin Morningside Tablets

•    if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to gabapentin or any of the other ingredients of Gabapentin Morningside Tablets.

Take special care with Gabapentin Morningside Tablets

•    if you suffer from kidney problems,

•    if you develop signs such as persistent stomach pain, feeling sick and being sick. In this case contact your doctor immediately.

A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics such as gabapentin have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts, immediately contact your doctor.

Taking other medicines

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 are taking any medicines containing morphine, please tell your doctor or pharmacist as morphine may increase the effect of gabapentin.

Gabapentin is not expected to interact with other antiepileptic drugs or the oral contraceptive pill.

Gabapentin may interfere with some laboratory tests. If you require a urine test tell your doctor or hospital that you are taking Gabapentin Morningside Tablets.

If Gabapentin Morningside Tablets and antacids containing aluminium and magnesium are taken at the same time, absorption of Gabapentin Morningside Tablets from the stomach may be reduced. It is therefore recommended that Gabapentin Morningside Tablets is taken at the earliest two hours after taking an antacid.

Taking Gabapentin Morningside Tablets with food and drink

Gabapentin Morningside Tablets can be taken with or without food.

3. HOW TO TAKE GABAPENTIN MORNINGSIDE TABLETS

Always take Gabapentin Morningside Tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Your doctor will determine what dose is appropriate for you.

If you have the impression that the effect of gabapentin is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are an elderly patient (over 65 years of age), you should take Gabapentin Morningside Tablets normally except if you have problems with your kidneys.

Your doctor may prescribe a different dosing schedule and/or dose if you have problems with your kidneys.

Always swallow the tablets whole with plenty of water.

Continue taking Gabapentin Morningside Tablets until your doctor tells you to stop.

Peripheral Neuropathic Pain:

Take the number of tablets as instructed by your doctor. Your doctor will usually build up your dose gradually. The starting dose will generally be between 300 mg and 900 mg each day.

Thereafter, the dose may be increased stepwise up to a maximum of 3600 mg each day and your doctor will tell you to take this in 3 divided doses, i.e. once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening.

Epilepsy:

Adults and adolescents:

Take the number of tablets as instructed. Your doctor will usually build up your dose gradually. The starting dose will generally be between 300 mg and 900 mg each day. Thereafter, the dose may be increased stepwise up to a maximum of 3600 mg each day and your doctor will tell you to take this in 3 divided doses, i.e. once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening.

Children aged 6 years and above:

The dose to be given to your child will be decided by your doctor as it is calculated against your child’s weight. The treatment is started with a low initial dose which is gradually increased over a period of approximately 3 days. The usual dose to control epilepsy is 25-35 mg/kg/day. It is usually given in 3 divided doses, by taking the tablet(s) each day, usually once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening.

Gabapentin is not recommended for use in children below 6 years of age.

If you take more Gabapentin Morningside Tablets than you should

Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency unit immediately. Take along any tablets that are left, the container and the label so that the hospital can easily tell what medicine you have taken.

If you forget to take Gabapentin Morningside Tablets

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Gabapentin Morningside Tablets

Do not stop taking Gabapentin Morningside Tablets unless your doctor tells you to. If your treatment is stopped it should be done gradually over a minimum of 1 week. If you stop taking Gabapentin Morningside Tablets suddenly or before your doctor tells you, there is an increased risk of seizures.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Very common side-effects which may affect more than 1 person in 10 are listed below:

•    Viral infection

•    Feeling drowsy, dizziness, lack of coordination

•    Feeling tired, fever

Common side-effects which may affect more than 1 person in 100 are listed below:

•    Pneumonia, respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, infection, inflammation of the ear

•    Low white blood cell counts

•    Anorexia, increased appetite

•    Anger towards others, confusion, fluctuation in mood, depression, anxiety, nervousness, difficulty with thinking

•    Convulsions, jerky movements, difficulty with speaking, loss of memory, tremor, difficulty sleeping, headache, sensitive skin, decreased sensation, difficulty with coordination, unusual eye movement, increased, decreased or absent reflexes

•    Blurred vision, double vision

•    Vertigo

•    High blood pressure, flushing or dilation of blood vessels

•    Difficulty breathing, bronchitis, sore throat, cough, dry nose

•    Vomiting (being sick), nausea (feeling sick), problems with teeth, inflamed gums, diarrhoea, stomach pain, indigestion, constipation, dry mouth or throat, flatulence

•    Facial swelling, bruises, rash, itch, acne

•    Joint pain, muscle pain, back pain, twitching

•    Incontinence

•    Difficulties with erection

•    Swelling in the legs and arms or swelling that may involve the face, trunk and limbs, difficulty with walking, weakness, pain, feeling unwell, flu-like symptoms

•    Decrease in white blood cells, increase in weight

•    Accidental injury, fracture, abrasion

Rare side-effects which may affect less than 1 person in 1000 are listed below:

•    Decreased platelets (blood clotting cells)

•    Allergic reaction such as hives

•    Hallucinations

•    Problems with abnormal movements such as writhing, jerking movements and stiffness

•    Ringing in the ears

•    Racing heartbeat

•    Inflammation of the pancreas

•    Inflammation of the liver, yellowing of the skin and eyes

•    Severe skin reactions that require immediate medical attention, swelling of the lips and face, skin rash and redness, hair loss

•    Acute kidney failure

•    Adverse events following the abrupt discontinuation of gabapentin (anxiety, difficulty sleeping, feeling sick, pain, sweating)

•    chest pain

•    Blood glucose fluctuations in patients with diabetes, abnormal blood test results suggesting problems with the liver

Additionally in clinical studies in children, aggressive behaviour and jerky movements were reported commonly.

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

5. HOW TO STORE GABAPENTIN MORNINGSIDE TABLETS

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not use Gabapentin Morningside Tablets after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not store above 25°C. In order to protect from light and moisture, store in the original package.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. FURTHER INFORMATION

What Gabapentin Morningside Tablets contains

The active substance is gabapentin. Each film-coated tablet contains either 600 mg or 800 mg gabapentin.

Tablet core:

Povidone K-90,

Crospovidone,

PoloxSmer 407,

Magnesium stearate.

Film coat:

Opadry 20A28569 (hydroxypropylcellulose, talc).

What Gabapentin Morningside Tablets looks like and contents of the pack

Film-coated tablet.

White, convex and elliptic tablet.

All tablets are packed in PVC + PVdC/ Aluminium blister or OPA/ Aluminium blister.

Gabapentin Morningside Tablets has packs of 10, 50, 60, and 100 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Morningside Healthcare Limited 115 Narborough Road Leicester LE3 OPA, UK

Manufacturer

West Pharma - Produgoes de Especialidades FamnacSutica, S.A.

Rua Joao de Deus, n.° 11 2700 - 486 Venda Nova

Atlantic Pharma Produgoes Farmaceuticas S.A.

Rua da Tapada Grande, n.° 2

Abrunheira

2710-089 Sintra

Portugal

Farmalabor - Produtos FarmacSuticos, S.A.

Zona Industrial de Condeixa-a-Nova 3150-194 Condeixa-a-Nova Portugal

This leaflet was last approved in November 2014

FGM600800-1014