Epanutin 300mg Hard Capsules
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Epanutin® 300mg Hard Capsules
(phenytoin sodium)
Patient Information Leaflet
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 get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Your medicine is called Epanutin 300mg Hard Capsules, and will be referred to as Epanutin Capsules throughout this leaflet.
In this leaflet:
™ What Epanutin Capsules are and what they are used for Before you take Epanutin Capsules ^3 How to take Epanutin Capsules ,3 Possible side effects .5 How to store Epanutin Capsules [3 Further information
^ What Epanutin Capsules are and what they are used for
Epanutin Capsules are one of a group of medicines called anti-epileptic drugs; these medicines are used to treat epilepsy.
Epanutin Capsules can be used to control a variety of epileptic conditions, to control or prevent seizures during or after brain surgery or severe head injury. Epanutin Capsules can also be used to treat trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain).
You should ask your doctor if you are unsure why you have been given Epanutin Capsules.
rp Before you take Epanutin Capsules
Do not take Epanutin Capsules
* if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Phenytoin, or any of the other ingredients of Epanutin Capsules.
Take special care with Epanutin Capsules
Medicines are not always suitable for everyone. Your doctor needs to know before you take Epanutin Capsules if you suffer from or have suffered in the past from any of the following conditions:
* Liver disease.
* Porphyria (an inherited disease that affects haemoglobin biosynthesis).
A small number of people being treated with antiepileptics such as phenytoin sodium have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts, immediately contact your doctor.
Serious skin side effects can rarely occur during treatment with Phenytoin Sodium capsules.
This risk may be associated with a variant in genes in a subject with Chinese or Thai origin. If you are of such origin and have been tested previously carrying this genetic variant (HLA-B*1502), discuss this with your doctor before taking Epanutin Capsules.
Taking other medicines
Some medicines can affect the way Epanutin Capsules work and Epanutin Capsules themselves can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time. These include:
* Medicines used for heart and circulation problems (dicoumarol, digitoxin, amiodarone, furosemide, quinidine, reserpine, warfarin, and calcium channel blockers e.g. diltiazem and nifedipine).
* Medicines used for epilepsy (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, sodium valproate and valproic acid, succinimides e.g. ethosuximide and vigabatrin).
* Medicines used to treat fungal infections (e.g. amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and miconazole).
* Medicines used for tuberculosis and other infections (chloramphenicol, isoniazid, rifampicin, sulphonamides, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and nelfinavir).
* Medicines used for stomach ulcers (omeprazole, sucralfate, the medicines known as H2 antagonists e.g. cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine and some antacids).
* Medicines used for asthma and bronchitis (theophylline).
* Medicines used for pain and inflammation (phenylbutazone, salicylates e.g. aspirin and steroids).
* Medicines used for sleeplessness, depression and psychiatric disorders (chlordiazepoxide, clozapine, diazepam, disulfiram, fluoxetine, methylphenidate, paroxetine, phenothiazines, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants, fluvoxamine, sertraline and viloxazine).
* Medicines used for diabetes (tolbutamide).
* Some hormone replacement therapies (oestrogens), oral contraceptives (the birth control pill).
* Medicines used for organ and tissue transplants, to prevent rejection (ciclosporin).
* Medicines used for cancer (antineoplastic agents)
* Muscle relaxants used for surgery (neuromuscular blockers), some anaesthetic drugs (halothane) and methadone.
* Some products available without a prescription (folic acid, theophylline, vitamin D).
Your doctor may need to test the amount of Phenytoin in your blood to help decide if any of these medicines are affecting your treatment.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
The herbal preparation St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) should not be taken at the same time as this medicine. If you already take St John's wort, consult your doctor before stopping the St John's wort preparation.
Epanutin Capsules may also interfere with certain laboratory tests that you may be given.
Taking Epanutin Capsules with food and drink
Epanutin Capsules can be taken before or after food and drinks. Drinking a lot of alcohol can also affect the concentration of Phenytoin in your blood.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding
If you think you might be pregnant, or are planning to get pregnant, tell your doctor before you take Epanutin Capsules.
You should not take Epanutin Capsules if you are breast-feeding.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Epanutin Capsules may cause dizziness or drowsiness, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive or use any tools or machinery.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Epanutin Capsules
Epanutin Capsules contain lactose, a type of sugar. If you have been told that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
[3 How to take Epanutin Capsules
It is best to take Epanutin Capsules at the same time each day.
Swallow the capsules whole, with plenty of water.
Adults
The amount of Epanutin Capsules needed varies from one person to another. Most adults need between 200 mg and 500 mg a day either as a single or divided dose. Occasionally higher doses are needed.
Children
Infants and children usually start on a dose that depends on their weight (5 mg per day for every kg they weigh) and is given as a divided dose, twice a day. The dose is then adjusted up to a maximum of 300 mg a day.
Elderly
The dose of Epanutin Capsules for elderly patients who may be taking other medicines may also need careful consideration and adjustment by their doctor. Always take Epanutin Capsules exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are still not sure.
Epanutin® 300mg Hard Capsules
(phenytoin sodium)
Patient Information Leaflet (continued)
If you take more Epanutin Capsules than you should
Epanutin Capsules are dangerous in overdose. If you accidentally take too many Epanutin Capsules contact your doctor at once or go to the nearest hospital casualty department.
Always take the labelled medicine package with you, whether there are any Epanutin Capsules left or not.
If you forget to take Epanutin Capsules
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 missed dose.
If you stop taking Epanutin Capsules
Do not stop taking Epanutin Capsules unless your doctor tells you to. If you suddenly stop taking this medicine you may have a seizure.
Should you need to stop taking Epanutin Capsules, your doctor will have decided which is the best method for you.
If you have any further questions on how to take these Epanutin Capsules, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
* Effects on your bones: There have been reports of bone disorders including osteopenia and osteoporosis (thinning of the bone) and fractures.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are on long-term antiepileptic medication, have a history of osteoporosis, or take steroids.
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.
Q How to store Epanutin Capsules
* KEEP OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN.
* Do not store above 25°C
* Store in the original package to protect from light.
* Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the carton label or bottle.
* If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine, return any unused capsules to your pharmacist for safe disposal. Only keep this medicine, if your doctor tells you to.
* If your capsules become discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, consult your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Epanutin Capsules can cause side effects, although not
everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following
symptoms after taking this medicine.
Although they are very rare, these symptoms can be serious.
* Sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body).
* If you develop a severe skin rash that causes blistering, (this can also affect the mouth and tongue). These may be signs of a condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).
Your doctor will stop your treatment in these cases.
* If you notice bruising, fever, you are looking pale or you have a severe sore throat. These may be the first signs of an abnormality of the blood, including decreases in the number of red cells, white cells or platelets. Your doctor may take regular blood samples to test for these effects.
* Skin rash and fever with swollen glands, particularly in the first two months of treatment, as these may be signs of a hypersensitivity reaction. If these are severe and you also experience pain and inflammation of the joints this could be related to a condition called systemic lupus erythematosus.
* If you experience confusion or have a severe mental illness, as
this may be a sign that you have high amounts of phenytoin in your blood. On rare occasions, when the amount of phenytoin in the blood remains high, irreversible brain injury has occurred. Your doctor may test your blood to see how much phenytoin is in the blood and may change your dose.
Other side-effects that may occur are:
* Effects on your nervous system: Unusual eye movements, unsteadiness, difficulty in controlling movements, shaking, abnormal or uncoordinated movements, slurred speech, confusion, pins and needles or numbness, drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, sleeplessness, nervousness, twitching muscles, headaches and taste change.
* Effects on your skin: skin rash including measles-like reactions which are mild.
* Effects on your stomach and intestines: feeling sick, being sick and constipation.
* Effects on your blood and lymph system: swelling of the lymph glands.
* Effects on your liver and kidney: inflammation of the kidneys and liver, liver damage (seen as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eye).
* Effects on your reproductive system and breasts: changes in the shape of the penis, painful erection.
* Effects on your hands, face and body: changes in the hands with difficulty in straightening the fingers, changes in facial features, enlarged lips or gums, increased or abnormal body or facial hair.
* Effects on medical tests: increased levels of blood sugar, or decreased levels of blood calcium, folic acid and vitamin D. If you also do not get enough vitamin D in your diet or from exposure to sunlight, you may suffer from bone pain or fractures.
* Effects on your respiratory system: problems breathing, inflammation of the lining of the lung.
* Effects on your immune system: problems with the body's defence against infection, inflammation of the wall of the arteries.
Further information
What Epanutin contains
Each capsule contains 300mg phenytoin sodium as the active ingredient. The other ingredients: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and silica. The gelatin capsule shells contains sodium laurilsulfate and the colouring titanium dioxide (E171), patent blue V (E131) and quinoline yellow (E104). The printing ink contains shellac, black iron oxide (E172) and propylene glycol. It may also contain potassium hydroxide.
What Epanutin looks like and content of the pack
Each hard gelatin capsule has a white opaque body and green cap, both printed with ‘EPANuTiN 300' in black ink.
They are available in blister packs of 28 capsules.
Manufacturer and Licence Holder
This medicine is manufactured by Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Mooswaldallee 1, D-79090, Freiburg, Germany and is procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence Holder: Lexon (UK) Limited, Unit 18, Oxleasow Road, East Moons Moat, Redditch, Worcestershire,
B98 0RE.
[pOmI PL 15184/1320 Epanutin 300mg Hard Capsules Epanutin is a registered trademark of Parke, Davis & Company LLC. Revision date: 16/04/14