Dilzem Xl 240mg Prolonged-Release Hard Capsules
1645/1646 30.03.16[16]
Dilzem® XL 180 mg Prolonged-release Hard Capsules Dilzem® XL 240 mg Prolonged-release Hard Capsules
(Diltiazem hydrochloride)
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- 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 signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
The medicine is available using one of the above names but will be referred to as Dilzem XL throughout the following.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Dilzem XL is and what it is used for.
2. What you need to know before you take Dilzem XL.
3. How to take Dilzem XL.
4. Possible side effects.
5. How to store Dilzem XL.
6. Contents of the pack and other information.
1. WHAT DILZEM XL IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Dilzem XL contains the active ingredient, diltiazem hydrochloride.
Diltiazem hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers (which interfere with the movement of calcium in heart muscle cells). These medicines work to lower blood pressure and ease anginal chest pain by preventing the narrowing of blood vessels.
Dilzem XL is designed to release the active ingredient, diltiazem hydrochloride, in a controlled manner throughout the whole day so that blood pressure and angina are treated for a full 24 hour period.
Dilzem XL is used to treat and control mild to moderately high blood pressure and to prevent and treat chest pain (angina pectoris) due to the narrowing of blood vessels in the heart, which is brought on by exercise.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE DILZEM XL Do not take Dilzem XL:
- if you are allergic to diltiazem hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- if you are a woman able to have children and not using contraception.
- if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or are breast-feeding.
- if you are currently in shock (reduced blood flow to vital organs).
- if you suffer from any serious heart problems such as heart failure with shortness of breath, a markedly slow heartbeat and abnormal heart rhythm which may result in palpitation and do not have a pacemaker.
- if you have had a complicated heart attack.
- if you have a very low pulse rate or low blood pressure.
- if you are currently receiving an infusion of a muscle relaxant called dantrolene (this is only given in hospitals).
- if you are taking a medicine containing ivabradine for the treatment of certain heart diseases
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Dilzem XL:
- if you have diabetes.
- if you have any liver or kidney problems or if you are 65 or over.
- if you have any heart problems, such as heart failure with shortness of breath, low pulse rate, abnormal heart rhythm which may result in palpitation.
- if you have a rare disease of the blood pigment called “porphyria”, or anyone in your family has it.
- if you have myasthenia gravis (a nervous condition which causes muscle weakness).
- if you suffer from constipation.
In some patients this medicine has caused mood changes, including
depression. If you think you are affected in this way talk to you doctor.
If any of the above apply to you, please tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking Dilzem XL.
Children
This medicine is not recommended for use in children.
Other medicines and Dilzem XL
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
- Statins e.g. Simvastatin, or atorvastatin (used to treat high cholesterol)
- Lithium (used to treat mental health problems such as depression and manic disorder)
- Warfarin (used to thin the blood)
- Nitrate derivatives (usually used to treat angina or heart disease such as glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide dinitrate)
- Theophylline (used to treat asthma or breathing problems)
- Alpha-blockers used to treat high blood pressure (such as hytrin and doxazosin). If you are taking Alpha-blockers your doctor should strictly monitor your blood pressure.
- Any medicine used to treat heart problems, including beta-blockers (such as propranolol), amiodarone or digoxin. If you are taking beta-blockers your doctor will monitor your heart rate at the beginning of treatment.
- Methyldopa, nifedipine, diuretics ‘water tablets' (such as bendrofluazide), ACE inhibitors (such as enalapril), or any other medicines used to treat high blood pressure
- Phenobarbital or carbamazepine (used to treat epilepsy, fits and stabilization of mood) or rifampicin (used to treat bacterial infections and tuberculosis) Blood levels of carbamazepine may be raised in combination with Dilzem XL.
- Cimetidine or ranitidine (medicines used to treat stomach problems)
- Ciclosporin (which works by suppressing the body's immune or defence system used to prevent your body from rejecting skin grafts, transplanted organs or bone marrow)
- Benzodiazepines (midazolam, triazolam) used for the treatment of mental illness
- Methylprednisolone (a corticosteroid-a hormone used to treat different types of diseases.)
- Any medicine which affects contractility of your heart muscle
- Ivabradine (for the treatment of certain heart diseases).
If you are due to have surgery, or visit your dentist, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Dilzem XL as it may interact with anaesthetics and the effect of the anaesthetics on the function of your heart may be increased by Dilzem XL.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not take Dilzem XL if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Dilzem XL should not affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you feel faint or dizzy, do not drive or operate any machines.
Dilzem XL contains sucrose
Dilzem XL contains sucrose. If you have been told that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Dilzem XL.
3. HOW TO TAKE DILZEM XL
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The recommended dose for adults is one 180 mg capsule a day.
Always swallow the capsules whole with water.
Do not suck or chew the capsule or remove the contents as this will affect the special release properties of the product.
Your doctor may increase the dose of Dilzem XL, depending on your response to the drug.
Elderly patients and those with kidney or liver problems may be started on a lower dose of 120 mg a day.
Dilzem XL is not recommended for children.
If you take more Dilzem XL than you should
If you accidentally take too many Dilzem XL capsules, tell your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital accident and emergency department. An overdose is likely to cause severe low blood pressure, collapse, and slow heart rate. Take along any capsules that are left, the container and this leaflet so that the hospital staff can easily tell what medicine you have taken.
If you forget to take Dilzem XL
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose (up to eight hours before), do not take the missed dose but take your next dose at your normal time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten one.
Dilzem XL 180mg PL No: 20636/1645 Dilzem XL 240mg PL No: 20636/1646
If you stop taking Dilzem XL
Do NOT stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first even if you feel better.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you notice any of the following, stop taking Dilzem XL and contact your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:
- An allergic reaction. The signs include: a red or lumpy rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of the face, throat, lips, tongue or glands, sore throat and fever. This is a very serious side effect. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalization.
- Blistering or peeling of the skin around the lips, eyes, skin rash, blistering affecting the skin, mouth, eyes, genitals or anus, flu-like symptoms of fever. This could be an illness called “Stevens-Johnson syndrome”.
- Severe blistering rash in which layers of the skin may peel off to leave large areas of raw exposed skin over the body. You may feel generally unwell, have a fever, chills or aching muscles. This could be an illness called “Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis”.
- Difficulty controlling movements and restlessness. This could be an illness called “Extrapyramidal syndrome”.
It is not known how often these side effects happen.
If you notice any of the following, stop taking Dilzem XL and contact your doctor immediately:
- Darkening of your urine.
- Pale stools.
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes.
As these may be signs of liver problems.
Other side effects include:
Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 people);
- Swelling of the ankles, feet or fingers
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
- Headache, dizziness
- A heart problem called “atrioventricular block”, palpitations (feeling your heart beat)
- Flushing (Red face and redness of skin)
- Constipation, indigestion, chest pain due to stomach acidity, stomach pain, feeling sick (nausea)
- Oedema (swelling due to excess fluids), feeling of weakness, tiredness
- A heart problem called “atrioventricular block” (heart block), palpitations (abnormal or irregular heart beat).
- Rapid and irregular heart beat (Palpitation)
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling general discomfort.
Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people)
- Nervousness, difficulty in sleeping
- Bradycardia (abnormally slow heart beat)
- Low blood pressure
- A fall in blood pressure on standing up which causes dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting)
- Vomiting (being sick), diarrhoea
- Blood tests which show changes in the way the liver is working
Rare (affects less than 1 in 1000 people)
- Dry mouth, hives (lumpy, red, itchy skin)
Side effects with frequency not known:
- An allergic skin reaction
- Mood changes (including depression), change in personality
- Seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- Reduction in blood platelets, which increases risk of bleeding or bruising, high levels of white blood cells called eosinophils
- Shortness of breath or chest pains (angina)
- Feeling unsteady on your feet, fainting, memory loss, tingling or numbness, sleepiness, shaking
- A disease of the blood vessels called vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels, often with skin rash. Other symptoms of this may include: red face, headache, swollen lower limbs, weight loss, fever, red spots on skin, aching joints, mouth ulcer, abdominal pain, breathing difficulty.)
- Heart failure (Heart problems which can cause shortness of breath or ankle swelling)
- Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis. Symptoms of this may include: blisters on the skin, bleeding into the skin, small solid raised hives on skin etc
- Swollen, enlarged or bleeding gums
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Red or brown lesions at sun exposed skin areas
- Sweating
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Swelling of breast tissue in men, loss of ability to have, or loss of interest in sex
- Lazy eye, eye irritation
- Nose bleed, blocked nose
- Loss of appetite, increased blood sugar levels
- Weight gain
- Increase of something called Creatine-Kinase (CK) in your blood, which may be a sign of muscle damage
- Increased need to pass urine or an increased volume of urine, especially at night
- Muscle weakness or pain in muscles, bones or joints
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Widespread red, itchy and scaly skin
- Fever.
- Serious illness with blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals
- Serious illness with skin cell death
- Serious illness with detachment of top layer of skin from the lower layer
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 DILZEM XL
Do not use Dilzem XL after the last day of the month shown in the expiry date. This will be printed on the outside of the pack.
Do not store above 25oC. Store in the original pack.
Remember, as with all medicines, keep Dilzem XL capsules out of the sight and reach of children.
If your doctor tells you to stop your treatment, return any left over to the pharmacist. Only keep it if the doctor tells you to.
Remember, this medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to others. It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
If your capsules become discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, seek the advice of a pharmacist.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION What Dilzem XL contains
Each prolonged release hard capsule contains either 180mg or 240mg of diltiazem hydrochloride as the active ingredient.
It also contains the following inactive ingredients: fumaric acid, talc, sucrose, maize starch, povidone, ammonio methacrylate copolymer Type A, ammonio methacrylate copolymer Type B, gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171) and purified water. The printing ink contains black iron oxide (E172), shellac and propylene glycol.
Warning: This medicine contains sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, please contact your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine.
What Dilzem XL looks like and contents of the pack
Dilzem XL 180mg capsules are available as white, hard gelatin capsules, printed with ‘D180' on capsule body and cap, containing roughly spherical white to off-white beads.
Dilzem XL 240mg capsules are available as white, hard gelatin capsules, printed with ‘D240' on capsule body and cap, containing roughly spherical white to off-white beads.
Dilzem XL is supplied in blister strip packs of 30 and 100 capsules.
MANUFACTURER AND PRODUCT LICENCE HOLDER
Manufactured by Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH.,
Heinrich- Mack-Strasse 35, 89257 Illertissen, Germany. Procured from within the EU by Product Licence holder Star Pharmaceuticals Ltd,
5 Sandridge Close, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 1XD. Repackaged by Servipharm Ltd.
Leaflet revision and issue date (Ref) 30.03.16[16] Dilzem is a trademark of Cephalon Ltd.