Norprolac 75 Micrograms Tablets
1. What Norprolac is and what it is used for
2. Before you take Norprolac
3. How to take Norprolac
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER NORPROLAC® 75 micrograms tablets
(quinagolide hydrochloride)
Your medicine is available as the above name but will be referred to as Norprolac throughout this leaflet.
Your medicine is available in other strengths and all strengths will be referred to throughout this leaflet.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet, you may need to use it again
• If you have further questions, please ask your doctor or pharmacist
• This medicine has been prescribed for you personally and you should not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the
same as yours.
In this leaflet:
1. What Norprolac is and what it is used for
2. Before you take Norprolac
3. How to take Norprolac
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Norprolac
6. Further information
Norprolac is for oral use only. It is available in strengths of 25 micrograms, 50 micrograms and 75 micrograms.
Norprolac contains quinagolide which decreases the production of the hormone prolactin.
Norprolac is used to treat conditions resulting from high levels of prolactin in the blood (hyperprolactinaernia) including:
• excess production of breast milk
• changes in menstrual bleeding patterns
• infertility
• reduced sexual drive.
Do not take Norprolac:
• if you have a medical condition affecting your liver or kidneys
• if you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed in section 6
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, please
refer to the pregnancy section of this leaflet.
Before taking Norprolac:
• please consult your doctor if you have ever had any mental illness.
• Norprolac may cause your blood pressure to drop when you stand up, particularly for the first few days of treatment or following an increase in your dosage. This may result in reduced alertness or fainting. To avoid this, stand up slowly from a sitting or lying down position. Your doctor will normally check your blood pressure during the first few days of treatment and when increasing your dosage.
• Inform your doctor if you or your family/carer notices that your are developing urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for you and you cannot resist the impulse, drive or temptation to carry out certain activities that could harm yourself or others. These are called impulse control disorders and can include behaviours such as addictive gambling, excessive eating or spending, an abnormally high sex drive or an increase in sexual thoughts or feelings. Your doctor may need to adjust or stop your dose.
Taking/using other medicines:
Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or
have recently taken or used any other medicines - even those
not prescribed.
Taking Norprolac with drink:
Drinking alcohol may increase the side effects of Norprolac. If this happens, you should avoid drinking alcohol while you are on treatment with Norprolac.
Pregnancy:
• Fertility may be restored while you are on Norprolac, so women of child-bearing age who do not wish to become pregnant should use a reliable method of contraception.
• If you are planning a pregnancy, it is recommended that Norprolac is stopped when pregnancy is confirmed. However, some patients may need to continue treatment with Norprolac during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while you are on Norprolac, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Breast-feeding:
Norprolac reduces production of breast-milk, so it is not normally possible to breast-feed while you are taking it. You should not breast-feed even if it is possible to do so. This is because it is not known whether the active ingredient in Norprolac passes into breast-milk.
Driving and using machines:
While you are on Norprolac, caution is advised if you drive or operate machinery. This is because Norprolac:
• may cause your blood pressure to drop, particularly during the first few days of treatment or following dosage increase. This may result in reduced alertness or fainting.
• may also cause somnolence (drowsiness or sleepiness).
If you experience any of these effects, please do not drive or engage in any other activity (e.g. operating machinery) where impaired alertness may put you or others at risk of serious injury or death and please consult your doctor, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
Important information about some of the ingredients in Norprolac:
Norprolac contains the ingredient, lactose. Therefore, if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars (including lactose), contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Adults:
It is important to take your medicine as directed by your doctor. The label on your medicine should tell you how much to take and when to take it. If it does not, or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Elderly:
Take this medicine only if your doctor has decided that this is appropriate for you. Follow the instructions given to you very carefully.
The tablets should only be removed from the blister when it is
time to take your medicine.
• Your treatment will normally begin with the ' starter pack' and you will take one 25 micrograms tablet daily (one light pink tablet) for the first three days (marked Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 on the blister strip).
• This is followed by one 50 micrograms tablet daily (one very pale blue tablet) for the next three days (marked Day 4, Day 5 and Day 6 on the blister strip).
• From Day 7, the recommended dose is one 75 micrograms tablet daily (one whitish tablet). Most patients require a daily dose of 75 to 150 micrograms. Some patients require a daily dose of 300 micrograms or higher. Your doctor will tell you if you need a higher dose. You should not change the dose yourself.
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