Olbetam 250 Mg Capsules
Package leaflet: Information for the user
OLBETAM® 250 mg Capsules / ACIPIMOX 250 mg Capsules
(acipimox)
This product is available as any of the above names but will be referred to as Olbetam Capsules throughout this 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 only. 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 or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Olbetam Capsules are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Olbetam Capsules
3. How to take Olbetam Capsules
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Olbetam Capsules
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Olbetam Capsules are and what they are used for
This medicine contains acipimox, which is used to treat lipid disorders by reducing high blood levels of certain types of fats called triglycerides. Olbetam Capsules should only be used in patients where diet alone or other non-drug measures (weight loss or exercise) failed to correct the levels of these fats. Olbetam Capsules should be used in addition to other medicines, such as medicines called 'statins' or 'fibrates' or instead of these medicines where they may not be appropriate or of expected benefit. Olbetam Capsules prevent the release of fatty acids from fatty tissue and decrease the blood level of triglyceride and cholesterol.
Your doctor will advise you whether Olbetam Capsules will be of benefit to you in reducing the level of fat in your blood.
Your doctor will prescribe this medicine to you only once it is clear that low fat diets and stopping drinking alcohol are not having the desired effect.
You must talk to your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse.
2. What you need to know before you take Olbetam Capsules Do not take Olbetam Capsules:
• If you are allergic to acipimox or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• If you have an ulcer affecting the stomach or gut.
• If you have a severe kidney problem. Your doctor will tell you if this is the case.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Olbetam Capsules.
• This medicine is not effective for all lipid disorders.
• You should have made changes to your diet, alcohol intake and physical exercise before being given this medicine.
• This medicine is for long term use, blood tests should be performed before taking this medicine, and at regular intervals during treatment.
• Your kidney and liver functions should be monitored while you are taking this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines to reduce blood fat levels (see Other medicines and Olbetam).
• This medicine is not given to prevent heart disease.
• Your doctor will assess how well this medicine is working for you based on your response to it over time.
• Tell your doctor immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, muscle tenderness or muscle weakness while you are taking this medicine.
Other medicines and Olbetam
Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other lipid lowering agents. Although no interaction has been shown with other lipid lowering agents, caution should be taken if Olbetam Capsules are used in combination with statins (e.g. simvastatin) or fibrates (e.g. clofibrate).
The absorption of Olbetam Capsules is not affected by taking colestyramine (another lipid lowering agent) at the same time. Pregnancy and Breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Olbetam does not affect the ability to drive and operate machines, however please consult your doctor if you wish to drive whilst taking Olbetam Capsules.
3. How to take Olbetam Capsules
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The usual dosage is one 250 mg capsule 2 or 3 times a day. This should be taken with or after main meals. The capsules should be swallowed with a glass of water.
If you have mild kidney problems you may need to take a lower dose and to take your tablets less often.
The doctor will advise you how much to take and how often (usually one capsule 1 or 2 times a day).
If you take more Olbetam Capsules than you should
If you accidentally take more than the recommended dose, your doctor should be contacted immediately.
If you forget to take Olbetam Capsules
If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, take it at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Olbetam Capsules
Do not stop taking your medicine or alter the dose you are currently taking without seeing your doctor first.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Please contact your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
• Serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing (due to narrowing of the airways), swelling of the tongue, throat, face and / or neck. These effects are uncommon.
• Dilation of blood vessels in the skin causing a feeling of heat, flushing or itching, rash or redness. These reactions usually disappear quickly during the first day of treatment.
Other side effects may include:
Very common side effects which may affect more than 1 user in 10:
• Headache
• Flushing
• Indigestion
Common side effects which may affect up to 1 in 10 users:
• Stomach ache
• Weakness
• Hives
Uncommon side effects may affect up to 1 in 100 users:
• Serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing or dizziness
• Difficulty in breathing or wheezing
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Rash, itching, redness
• Inflammation of muscle tissue causing pain in the muscles and joints
• Feeling hot, malaise (generally not feeling well)
Other side effects (it is not known how often they affect people):
• Eye problems including dry or gritty eye
• Vasodilatation (widening of the blood vessels)
• Diarrhoea
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. Also you can help to make sure that medicines remain as safe as possible by reporting any unwanted side effects via the internet 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 Olbetam Capsules
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in a dry place. Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the carton or blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
If your medicine becomes discoloured or show signs of any deterioration, consult your doctor or pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
6. Contents of the pack and other information What Olbetam Capsules contains
The active substance is acipimox. Each capsule contains 250 mg of acipimox.
The other ingredients are pregelatinised maize starch, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, gelatin, red iron oxide (E172), yellow iron oxide (E172) and titanium dioxide (E171).
What Olbetam Capsules look like and contents of the pack
This medicine is a hard gelatin capsule, with a red-brown cap and dark pink body, containing a white to cream powder. Olbetam Capsules are available in blister packs of 30, 60 or 90 capsules.
POM
PL: 15814/1186
Manufactured by Pfizer Italia S.r.l., Ascoli Piceno, Italy.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder: O.P.D. Laboratories Ltd., Unit 6 Colonial Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4PR.
Leaflet revision and issue date (Ref.): 24.11.2015.
Olbetam is a registered trademark of Pfizer Italia S.r.l.
To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call 01923 332 796.