Vamju 30 Mg Modified Release Tablets
◄ 120.00 mm *>
MercuryPharma
Package leaflet: Information for the patient VAMJU 30 mg modified-release tablets VAMJU 60 mg modified-release tablets
Gliclazide
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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. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
1. What VAMJU modified-release tablets are and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take VAMJU modified-release tablets
3. How to take VAMJU modified-release tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store VAMJU modified-release tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. WHAT VAMJU MODIFIED-RELEASE TABLETS ARE AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
VAMJU modified release tablets is a medicine that contains the active ingredient gliclazide that reduces blood sugar levels (oral antidiabetic medicine belonging to the sulphonylurea group).
VAMJU 30 mg and 60 mg modified-release tablets is used in a certain form of diabetes (type 2 diabetes mellitus) in adults, when diet, exercise and weight loss alone do not have an adequate effect on keeping blood sugar at the correct level._
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE VAMJU MODIFIED-RELEASE TABLETS
Do not take VAMJU modified-release tablets
- if you are allergic to gliclazide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6), or to other medicines of the same group (sulphonylureas), or to other related medicines (hypoglycaemic sulphonamides);
- if you have insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1);
- if you have ketone bodies and sugar in your urine (this may mean you have diabetic keto-acidosis), a diabetic pre-coma or coma;
- if you have severe kidney or liver disease;
- if you are taking medicines to treat fungal infections (miconazole, see Section “Other medicines and VAMJU modified-release tablets”);
- if you are breastfeeding (see Section “Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility”).
Warnings and precautions
You should observe the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor to achieve proper blood sugar levels. This means, apart from regular tablet intake, you observe the dietary regimen, have physical exercise and, where necessary, reduce weight.
During gliclazide treatment regular monitoring of your blood (and possibly urine) sugar level and also your glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is necessary.
In the first few weeks of treatment the risk of having reduced blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) may be increased. So particularly close medical monitoring is necessary.
Low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia) may occur:
- if you take meals irregularly or skip meals altogether;
- if you are fasting;
- if you are malnourished;
- if you change your diet;
- if you increase your physical activity and carbohydrate intake does not match this increase;
- if you drink alcohol, especially in combination with skipped meals;
- if you take other medicines or natural remedies at the same time;
- if you take too high doses of gliclazide;
- if you suffer from particular hormone-induced disorders (functional disorders of the thyroid gland, of the pituitary gland or adrenal cortex);
- if your kidney function or liver function is severely decreased.
If you have low blood sugar you may have the following symptoms: headache, intense hunger, nausea, vomiting, weariness, sleep disorders, restlessness, aggressiveness, poor concentration, reduced alertness and reaction time, depression, confusion, speech or visual disorders, tremor, sensory disturbances, dizziness, and helplessness.
The following signs and symptoms may also occur: sweating, clammy skin, anxiety, fast or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, sudden strong pain in the chest that may radiate into nearby areas (angina pectoris).
If blood sugar levels continue to drop you may suffer from considerable confusion (delirium), develop convulsions, lose self control, your breathing may be shallow and your heart beat slowed down, you may become unconscious.
In most cases the symptoms of low blood sugar vanish very quickly when you consume some form of sugar, e.g. glucose tablets, sugar cubes, sweet juice, sweetened tea.
You should therefore always carry some form of sugar with you (glucose tablets, sugar cubes). Remember that artificial sweeteners are not effective. Please contact your doctor or the nearest hospital if taking sugar does not help or if the symptoms recur.
Symptoms of low blood sugar may be absent, less obvious or develop very slowly or you are not aware in time that your blood sugar level has dropped. This may happen if you are an elderly patient taking certain medicines (e.g. those acting on the central nervous system and beta blockers).
If you are in stress-situations (e.g. accidents, surgical operations, fever etc.) your doctor may temporarily switch you to insulin therapy.
Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) may occur when gliclazide has not yet sufficiently reduced the blood sugar, when you have not complied with the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor or in special stress situations. These may include thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, dry itchy skin, skin infections and reduced performance.
If these symptoms occur, you must contact your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have a family history of or know you have the hereditary condition glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (abnormality of red blood cells), lowering of the haemoglobin level and breakdown of red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia) can occur.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking VAMJU modified-release tablets.
Children and adolescents
VAMJU modified-release tablets are not recommended for use in children due to a lack of data.
Other medicines and VAMJU modified-release tablets
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
The blood sugar lowering effect of gliclazide may be strengthened and signs of low blood sugar levels may occur when one of the following medicines is taken:
- other medicines used to treat high blood sugar (oral antidiabetics, GLP-1 receptor agonists or insulin);
- antibiotics (e.g. sulphonamides, clarithromycin);
- medicines to treat high blood pressure or heart failure (beta blockers, ACE-inhibitors such as captopril, or enalapril);
- medicines to treat fungal infections (miconazole, fluconazole);
- medicines to treat ulcers in the stomach or duodenum (H2 receptor antagonists);
- medicines to treat depression (monoamine oxidase inhibitors);
- painkiller or antirheumatics (phenylbutazone, ibuprofen);
- medicines containing alcohol.
The blood glucose lowering effect of gliclazide may be weakened and raised blood sugar levels may occur when one of the following medicines is taken:
- medicines to treat disorders of the central nervous system (chlorpromazine);
- medicines reducing inflammation (corticosteroids);
- medicines to treat asthma or used during labour (intravenous salbutamol, ritodrine and terbutaline);
- medicines to treat breast disorders, heavy menstrual bleeding and endometriosis (danazol).
VAMJU modified-release tablets may increase the effects of medicines which reduce blood clotting (e.g. warfarin).
Consult your doctor before you start taking another medicinal product. If you go into hospital tell the medical staff you are taking VAMJU modified-release tablets.
VAMJU modified-release tablets with food, drink and alcohol
VAMJU modified-release tablets can be taken with food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Drinking alcohol is not recommended as it can alter the control of your diabetes in an unpredictable manner.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
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.
VAMJU modified-release tablets is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If you are
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planning a pregnancy, or become pregnant, inform your doctor so that he may prescribe a more suitable treatment for you.
You must not take VAMJU modified-release tablets while you are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Your ability to concentrate or react may be impaired if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycaemia), or too high (hyperglycaemia) or if you develop visual problems as a result of such conditions.
Bear in mind that you could endanger yourself or others (e.g. when driving a car or using machines). Please ask your doctor whether you can drive a car if you:
- have frequent episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).
- have few or no warning signals of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).
VAMJU modified-release tablets contains lactose.
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. HOW TO TAKE VAMJU MODIFIED-RELEASE _TABLETS_
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The dose is determined by the doctor, depending on your blood and possibly urine sugar levels.
Change in external factors (e.g. weight reduction, change in life style, stress) or improvements in the blood sugar control may require changed gliclazide doses.
The recommended dose is one to four tablets of 30 mg or half to two tablets of 60 mg (maximum 120 mg) in a single intake at breakfast time. This depends on the response to treatment.
If a combination therapy of VAMJU modified-release tablets with metformin, an alpha glucosidase inhibitor, athiazolidinedione, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, a GLP-1 receptor agonist or insulin is initiated your doctor will determine the proper dose of each medicine individually for you.
If you notice that your blood sugar levels are high although you are taking the medicine as prescribed, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Routes and method of administration
Oral use.
Swallow your half tablet or whole tablet(s) in one piece. Do not chew or crush. VAMJU 60 mg modified-release tablets can be divided into equal doses.
Take yourtablet(s) with a glass of water at breakfast time (and preferably at the same time each day).
You must always eat a meal after taking your tablets). If you take more VAMJU modified-release tablets than you should
If you take too many tablets, contact your doctor or the nearest hospital Accident & Emergency department immediately. The signs of overdose are those of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) described in Section 2. The symptoms can be helped by taking sugar (4 to 6 lumps) or sugary drinks straight away, followed by a substantial snack or meal. If the patient is unconscious immediately inform a doctor and call the emergency services. The same should be done if somebody, e.g. a child, has taken the product unintentionally. Unconscious patients must not be given food or drink.
It should be ensured that there is always a pre-informed person that can call a doctor in case of emergency.
If you forget to take VAMJU modilied-release tablets
It is important to take your medicine every day as regular treatment works better.
However, if you forget to take a dose of VAMJU modified-release tablets, take the next dose at the usual time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking VAMJU modified-release tablets
As the treatment for diabetes is usually life long, you should discuss with your doctor before stopping this medicinal product. Stopping could cause high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) which increases the risk of developing complications of diabetes.
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.
The most commonly observed side effect is low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). For symptoms and signs see "Warnings and Precautions" in "Section 2 What you need to know before you take".
If left untreated these symptoms could progress to drowsiness, loss of consciousness or possibly coma. If an episode of low blood sugar is severe or prolonged, even if it is temporarily controlled by eating sugar, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Liver disorders
There have been isolated reports of abnormal liver function, which can cause yellow skin and eyes. If you get this, see your doctor immediately. The symptoms generally disappear if the medicine is stopped. Your doctor will decide whether to stop your treatment.
Skin disorders
Skin reactions such as rash, redness, itching, hives and angioedema (rapid swelling of tissues such as eyelids, face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat that may result in breathing difficulty) have been reported.
The rash may progress to widespread blistering or peeling of the skin.
Blood disorders
Decrease in the number of cells in the blood (e.g. platelets, red and white blood cells) which may cause paleness, prolonged bleeding, bruising, sore throat and fever have been reported.
These symptoms usually vanish when the treatment is discontinued.
Dioestive disorders
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhoea, and constipation.
These effects are reduced when VAMJU modified-release tablets is taken with a meal as recommended. See Section 3 ‘How to take".
Eve disorders
Your vision may be affected for a short time especially at the start of treatment. This effect is due to changes in blood sugar levels.
As for other sulphonylureas, the following adverse events have been observed: cases of severe changes in the number of blood cells and allergic inflammation of the wall of blood vessels, reduction in blood sodium (hyponatraemia), symptoms of liver impairment (e.g. jaundice) which in most cases disappeared after withdrawal of the sulphonylurea, but may lead to life-threatening liver failure in isolated cases.
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.
5. HOW TO STORE VAMJU MODIFIED-RELEASE TABLETS
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister after “EXP:”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What VAMJU modified-release tablets contains
The active substance is gliclazide.
Each modified-release tablet contains 30 mg gliclazide.
Each modified-release tablet contains 60 mg gliclazide.
The other ingredients are: Lactose monohydrate, Hypromellose, Magnesium stearate E572
What VAMJU modified-release tablets looks like and contents of the pack
VAMJU 30 ma modified-release tablets White, biconvex, capsule-shaped tablets, engraved “GLI 30” on one side and plain on the other side, with dimensions 10.0x4.5 mm.
VAMJU 60 ma modified-release tablets White, biconvex, oval-shaped tablet, with a deep break-line on both sides and engraved “GLI” and “60” on either side of break-line on both sides, with dimensions 15.0x7.0 mm.
The 30 mg modified-release tablets are supplied in blisters packs of 28 and 56 tablets.
The 60 mg modified-release tablets are supplied in blisters packs of 28 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Mercury Pharmaceuticals Ltd.,
Capital House, 1st Floor, 85 King William Street, London EC4N 7BL, UK
Manufacturer
APC Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals Ltd.,
Ninth Floor, CP House, 97-107 Uxbridge Rd,
London W5 5TL, UK
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member Stales of the EEA under the following names:
Denmark: Gliclazide 30 mg and 60 mg Modified Release Tablets
United Kingdom: Vamju 30 mg and 60 mg Modified Release Tablets
This leaflet was last revised in May 2014.
103272-73-74/LF/1