Acebutolol 400mg Film-Coated Tablets
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PACKAGE LEAFLET:
INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Sectral® 400mg Tablets Acebutolol 400mg Film-Coated Tablets
(acebutolol hydrochloride)
Your medicine is known by the above names, but will be referred to as Sectral throughout this leaflet.
This medicine is also available in other strengths (100mg and 200mg capsules)
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 Sectral is and what it is used for
2. Before you take Sectral
3. How to take Sectral
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Sectral
6. Further information
1. What Sectral is and what it is used for
Sectral belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. It works by slowing your heart rate or lowering your blood pressure.
Sectral is used for:
• Chest pain (angina)
• High blood pressure
• Uneven or unusually fast heart beats (arrhythmia)
2. Before you take Sectral
Do not take this medicine and tell your doctor if:
X You are allergic (hypersensitive) to acebutolol hydrochloride, other beta-blockers or any of the other ingredients of Sectral (see Section 6: Further information) Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue X You have low blood pressure X You have severe heart problems or heart failure not controlled by medicines X You have a very slow heartbeat - less than 50 beats per minute
X Your doctor has told you that you have an abnormal level of acid in your blood (called acidosis).
X You have serious blood circulation problems
X You have a tumour on the adrenal gland (called phaechromocytoma)
Do not take if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sectral.
Take special care with Sectral Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine if:
▲ You have kidney problems
▲ You have heart failure that is controlled with medicines
▲ You have a slow heart beat (also see section ‘Do not take Sectral if’)
▲ You have breathing problems due to long term lung problems (called ‘asthma’, ‘bronchitis’ or ‘emphysema’)
▲ You have an overactive thyroid gland
▲ You have diabetes or low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia)
▲ You have psoriasis
▲ You have mild or moderate blood circulation problems. You may have cold hands and feet that look darker than the rest of your body
▲ You have a form of chest pain known as ‘Prinzmetal’s’ angina
▲ You have a history of allergies If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sectral.
Operations or anaesthetics
Tell your doctor or dentist you are taking Sectral if you are going to have an anaesthetic or an operation (including dental surgery).
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Sectral can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Sectral works.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
• Other medicines for high blood pressure
• Clonidine used for migraine or high blood pressure. If you are taking clonidine and Sectral together, you should not stop taking clonidine unless your doctor tells you. If you have to stop taking clonidine, your doctor will give you instructions
• Medicines for chest pain (angina) such as verapamil, nifedipine or diltiazem. Verapamil must not be taken within several days of taking Sectral
• Medicines for heart problems such as amiodaraone, disopyramide or digoxin
• Medicines used for mental health problems (antipsychotic medicines) - such as haloperidol, sulpiride, pimozide or flupenthixol
• Some medicines used for depression (mono-amine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants) such as phenelzine, imipramine or amitriptyline
• Medicines to help you sleep (barbiturates) such as amobarbital
• Insulin or tablets to treat diabetes - such as glibenclamide. Your doctor may change your dose
• Medicines used for breathing problems - such as aminophylline, theophylline, salbutamol and terbutaline
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - used to relieve pain (such
as ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, indometacin and piroxicam)
• Fingolimod used for treating multiple sclerosis. Your doctor may perform monitoring at the start of treatment
Taking Sectral with food and drink Take Sectral with or just after meals Pregnancy and breast-feeding Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if:
• You are pregnant, might become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant. Sectral should not normally be given during pregnancy as it may cause problems with the foetus or newly born baby.
• You are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. You should not breast-feed if you are taking Sectral. This is because small amounts may pass into mothers’ milk.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
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Driving and using machines
You may feel tired or dizzy while taking this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Sectral
This medicine contains:
• Lactose. This medicine contains lactose, a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you can not tolerate some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking Sectral.
3. How to take Sectral
Always take Sectral exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Taking this medicine
• Take this medicine by mouth
• Swallow the tablets with a drink of water
• If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor
How much to take
Adults (including the elderly)
The usual dose of Sectral depends on your needs and the illness being treated. Your doctor will advise you.
Chest pains (angina)
• The starting dose is 400mg once a day at breakfast or 200mg twice a day
• If necessary, your doctor may increase this to 300mg three times a day
• The maximum daily dose is 1200mg High blood pressure
• The starting dose is 400mg once a day at breakfast or 200mg twice a day
• If necessary, after 2 weeks, your doctor may increase this to 400mg twice a day
Uneven or unusually fast heart beats (arrhythmia)
• The starting dose is 200mg daily
• If necessary, your doctor may increase this to 400mg to 1200mg daily
Patients with kidney problems
Your doctor may decide to lower your dose of Sectral if necessary.
If you take more Sectral than you should If you take more tablets than you should
• Tell a doctor or go to a hospital casualty department straight away.
• Take the medicine pack with you. This is so the doctors know what you have taken.
• The following effects may happen:
Feeling dizzy or weak, difficulty in breathing or wheezing, low blood sugar or serious heart problems.
If you forget to take Sectral
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you
remember it. However, if it is nearly time for
the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take
a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Sectral
Keep taking Sectral until your doctor tells you
to stop. If you stop treatment suddenly your
illness may get worse. When your doctor says
that you can stop taking Sectral, you need to do
this gradually. Your doctor will help you do this.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Sectral can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop taking Sectral and see your doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
• You have an allergic reaction. The signs may include: rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the following side-effects:
Very common (affects more than 1 person in 10)
• Blood tests may show changes to your immune system. Signs may include joint aches and pains, swollen joints, increased sensitivity to sunlight, mouth ulcers, hair loss, anxiety, fevers, night sweats and stomach pain.
Common (affects less than 1 person in 10)
• Changes in behaviour or depression, nightmares
• Pain in your chest and feeling weak or dizzy. These could be signs of heart problems or low blood pressure.
• Blurred vision
• Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, cough, tiredness, fainting.These could be signs of inflammation in your lungs.
Other side effects include:
• Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), confusion
• Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
• Dry eyes
• Slow heart rate. Swelling of feet or ankles. These could be signs that your heart is not working properly
• Episodes of muscle cramps or muscle pain especially when you walk or exercise
• Fingers and toes changing colour when cold and tingling or painful on warming up. This could be Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days.
Very common (affects more than 1 person in 10)
• Lethargy
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If you have any further questions about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Common (affects less than 1 person in 10) • Diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea), headache
POM
Other side effects include:
• Lack of interest in sexual activities (loss of libido)
• Being sick (vomiting)
• Unusual skin sensations such as numbness, tingling, pricking, burning or creeping on the skin (paraesthesia)
Blood tests
Sectral can increase the levels of liver enzymes shown up in blood tests. This can mean that your liver is not working properly. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Sectral
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use Sectral after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
If your tablets show signs of deterioration or discolouration seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
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.
What Sectral looks like and contents of the pack
Off-white to cream colour, oblong, film coated tablet, one face impressed with a score-line and plain on the reverse.
Sectral are available in blister packs of 30 tablets.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by Product Licence Holder Ennogen Healthcare Ltd,
Unit G4 Riverside Industrial Estate,
Riverside Way,
Dartford,
Kent DA1 5BS UK.
Who manufactured your medicine
Manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis S.p.A.,
Viale Europa,
11-21040 Origgio (VA),
Italy.
Leaflet date: 24 February 2015 Ref: Sect400/v2
PL: 40739/0024
Sectral is a registered trademark of Aventis Pharma SA
6. Further Information
What Sectral Tablets contain
Each film-coated tablet contains 400mg
acebutolol (as hydrochloride).
Also includes: maize starch, povidone, colloidal anhydrous silica, talc, magnesium stearate, zein, butyl acetoricinoleate and lactose.