Gees Linctus Bp
Patient Information Leaflet GEE’S LINCTUS BP
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• The name of the medicine is Gee’s Linctus BP. Each 5ml spoonful of this medicine contains Camphorated Opium Tincure BP 1.67ml and Squill Oxymel BP 1.67ml. It contains the inactive ingredients sucrose and Tolu Flavour Solution BP containing cinnamic acid, benzoic acid (E210), ethyl cinnamate, vanillin, cinnamon oil, sucrose, ethanol and water.
• The manufacturer and product licence holder (PL 32515/0001) for this medicine is Sterling Pharmaceuticals Limited, Birmingham, B12 9DR.
• This medicine is available in pack sizes of 100ml and 200ml.
• This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called narcotic cough suppressants. It is used as a cough suppressant to relieve dry, painful coughs.
What you should check before taking this medicine
• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Camphorated Opium Tincture, Squill Oxymel, E210 or any of the other ingredients listed above.
• Do not take this medicine if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis or any other chronic lung disorder causing breathing difficulty.
• Do not take this medicine if you have heart, liver or kidney disease.
• Do not take this medicine if you suffer from alcoholism or raised pressure in the head.
• Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding.
• Do not take this medicine at the same time as other opiates ormono-amine oxidase inhibitors. This medicine should not be taken within 2 weeks after treatment with mono-amine oxidase inhibitors and opiates has finished.
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicines including any that you can buy without prescription. This is particularly important if you are taking medicines to treat diarrhoea such as diphenoxylate, loperamide or kaolin, atropine, pectin, opium tincture, blood pressure lowering medicines, ‘anti-muscarinics’, or metoclopramide.
This medicine will add to the habit forming effects (causing mental and physical dependence) of some central nervous system depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly by causing drowsiness).
• Consult your doctor before taking, if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, any bowel disorders, or breathing problems.
• This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery whilst you are taking this medicine.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Alcohol will increase the drowsiness produced by this medicine.
• This medicine is not meant for infants. Do not give it to an infant unless your doctor has recommended it.
How to take the medicine
The treatments described below are those usually given. If you are not sure how much of this medicine to take and how often, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Dose
Adults: One 5ml spoonful 3-4 times daily.
Elderly: As for adults. To be used with caution in the elderly.
• This medicine may become habit-forming. If you think this medicine is not working properly after you have taken it for a few weeks, do not increase the dose without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine. You may need to reduce the dose gradually to lessen the chance of withdrawal effects.
• If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosage schedule. Do not double the doses.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact your doctor straight away or go to the nearest hospital casualty department. Take with you any remaining medicine and the empty container so that this medicine can be identified. Signs of overdose that may occur include pinpoint pupils, slow or irregular breathing.
After taking this medicine
• When taking this medicine according to the normal dose, the incidence of serious side-effects are low. However, in large doses the following side-effects may occur:-nausea, vomiting, general feeling of discomfort or illness, unusual tiredness, weakness, dizziness, light-headedness, feeling faint, lowering of blood pressure, drowsiness, confusion, tremor, uncontrolled muscular movements, disturbed vision, difficult or painful urination, frequent urge to urinate, dry mouth, false sense of well being, headache, increased sweating, flushing of face and restlessness.
Side effects that may occur rarely include hives, itching, skin rash, hallucinations; fast, slow or pounding heart beat, swelling of the face, mental depression, shortness of breath and unusual excitement.
Consult your doctor if any side effects persist or become troublesome.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any other unusual or unexpected symptoms.
Storing this medicine
• Keep this medicine in a cool place and protect from light.
• Keep this medicine in a safe place where children cannot reach it. This medicine could harm them.
• Remember this medicine is for YOU. Do not give it to anyone else even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• Return any unwanted medicine to the pharmacist.
May 2001
Date of revision of the leaflet
Gee's Linctus BP (PL 32515/0001)
Patient Information Leaflet