BOC

A Member of The Linde Group

9% Helium/35% Oxygen/Nitrogen Medical Gas Mixture Medicinal gas, compressed

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

9% Helium/35% Oxygen/Nitrogen

Medical Gas Mixture

Helium 9%, Oxygen 35%, Nitrogen 56%

Medicinal gas, compressed

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start

using this medicine.

•    Keep this leaflet as you may need to read it again.

•    If you have further questions, ask your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse or pharmacist).

•    This medicine has been prescribed for you.

•    Do not pass it on to others as it may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

•    If any of the side effects become serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your healthcare professional immediately.

This leaflet gives you information about:

1.    What is 9% Helium/35% Oxygen/Nitrogen Medical Gas Mixture and what is it used for

2.    Things to consider before use

3.    How to use 9% Helium/35% Oxygen/Nitrogen Medical Gas Mixture

4.    Possible side effects

5.    How to store

6.    Further Information

1.    WHAT IS 9% HELIUM/35% OXYGEN/ NITROGEN MEDICAL GAS MIXTURE AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR

9% Helium/35% Oxygen/Nitrogen Medical Gas Mixture is a medicinal gas mixture, supplied in cylinders filled to a high pressure.

This medicinal gas mixture is used for testing the performance of your lungs and is only used in hospital in conjunction with specialised lung function testing equipment

The gas mixture helps to check if your lungs are working properly.

2.    THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE USE

This medicinal gas mixture is only given to you in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Ensure that your healthcare professional is aware of any medical conditions that you may have.

Take special care when using this medicinal gas mixture if:

• you have accidentally taken Paraquat (a type of weed killer), advise your healthcare professional before using the medical gas mixture, as there is a possibility of toxic effects to the lungs.

Taking other medicines

If you have been taking or prescribed Bleomycin (to treat cancer), Amiodarone (to treat an irregular heartbeat) or Nitrofurantoin and similar antibiotics (to treat infection), advise your healthcare professional before using this medicinal gas mixture, as there is a possibility of toxic effects to the lungs

Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

This medicinal gas mixture will not affect you or your baby if used during pregnancy or whilst breast feeding.

Driving and using machines

You may drive and use machines after using this medicinal gas mixture providing that your healthcare professional considers that your are both fit and capable.

3. HOW TO USE 9% HELIUM/35% OXYGEN/ NITROGEN MEDICAL GAS MIXTURE

Instructions for use

Your healthcare professional will ensure that this medicinal gas mixture is suitable for your use and that the equipment has been set up correctly so that you receive the right amount of gas.

When you are given this medicinal gas mixture it will be supplied via a facemask or a mouthpiece with a nose clip placed over your nose.

If you have any further questions on how this product is used, ask your healthcare professional.

4.    POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

There are no side effects with this medicinal gas mixture when used for the short duration of your lung function test.

Reporting of side effects

However, if you experience any side effects, contact your healthcare professional immediately. You can also report side effects directly to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via the Yellow Card Scheme www. mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard and to BOC Healthcare. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5.    HOW TO STORE

Expiry date

This medicinal gas mixture should not be used after the expiry date stated on the batch label on the cylinder.

This medicinal gas mixture should be used in strict rotation so that cylinders with the earliest expiry date are used first.

Cylinder storage

Cylinders should be securely stored, in a well ventilated, dry and clean area, away from oils, greases, flammable materials and sources of extreme temperature.

The healthcare professional in the hospital or clinic will be responsible for making sure the cylinders are stored correctly.

DO NOT SMOKE or have a naked flame near your cylinder. The oxygen within the mixture will make a flame burn much more violently.

The shoulder of the cylinders are colour coded light blue. The body is colour coded light green.

Shoulder of cylinder viewed from above

NEVER use oil based moisturising creams with your cylinder equipment.

6. FURTHER INFORMATION

What this medicinal gas mixture contains

Your cylinder contains a compressed medical gas mixture made up of 9% Helium, 35% Oxygen and 56% Nitrogen.

There are no other ingredients.

Medicinal gas mixture cylinders

This medicinal gas mixture is supplied in the following size cylinders:

Cylinder    Cylinder    Cylinder    Cylinder

Size    Contents Size    Contents

(Litres)    (Litres)

AV    1310    L    6550

All cylinders require separate pressure regulators to be fitted to the cylinder valves before use.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer BOC Ltd

The Priestley Centre

10 Priestley Road

The Surrey Research Park

Guildford

Surrey

GU2 7XY

Tel 0800 1 11333

This leaflet was last approved in 02/2016

BOC: Living Healthcare