Take
special care...
If any of the points in this list apply to you,
you and your doctor need to talk about as soon as you can, if
you haven't already.
If
you have epilepsy. Reductil may make things worse, and it does
not with some medicines for epilepsy. ' Taking Reductil with other
medicines '
If you have a family history of tics -movements or speech that
you cant control
If you're a woman who could get pregnant. You should make sure
take contraceptive precautions, because you shouldn't use ReductiI
if you are pregnant.
Women
who are pregnant or breast-feeding
Don't take Reductil if you're pregnant, might be pregnant or if
you're breast-feeding.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist) for advice.
Taking Reductil: points to watch ?
Checking
your blood pressure
You will be in close touch with your doctors practice when you
take Reductil.
The will want to check your progress regularly, measuring your
weight, blood pressure and pulse rate. a few people ( fewer than
1 in every 10 ) find their blood pressure rises when they take
Reductil. if your blood pressure gets too high, your doctor will
take you off the medicine.
Reductil and alcohol
It is best not to drink alcohol during your weight loss programme
with Reductil.
Alcoholic drinks ( such as beer, cider, wine or spirits ) are
a very common cause of weight gain. So drinking will make it harder
to reach your target.
Driving
and using machines
Reductil may affect your judgment, thinking or handling skills.
If you find this, do not drive or use any tools or machines.
Taking Reductil with other medicines
Some medicines do not mix with Reductil. Check this list:
If
you are taking any of these medicines,
talk to a doctor or pharmacist before you take Reductil:
some
antibiotics, such as rifampicin, erythromycin and clorithromycin.
some cough, cold, allergy and decongestant medicines: some of
these have ingredients that can raise blood pressure -for example
ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or xylometazoline. Ask your pharmacist
for advice.
some epilepsy medicines: carbamazepine, phenobarbital
(phenobarbitone), phenytoin.
the antifungal medicines, ketoconazole or itraconazole.
some migraine medicines: for example sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine.
some opioid pain-killers: for example fentanyl, pentazocine, pethidine,
dextromethorphan.
some steroid drugs and drugs which affect the immune system: cyclosporin,
dexamethasone.
If
you are taking antidepressants, or took them in the last two weeks,
talk to a doctor or pharmacist before you take Reductil.
Types
of antidepressant:
Monoamine
Oxidase Inhibitors or MAOls: these include isocarboxazid, phenelzine
and tranylcypromine
Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors or SSRls: these include
fluoxetine and paraxetine
Tricyclic antidepressants: these include amitrypfiline,
dothiepin and lofepramine.
Please
tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines you're
taking
(or recently took). Remember to mention medicines you bought yourself
without a prescription, over the counter .
How to take Reductil: getting the dose right ?
The
usual dose Adults aged 18 to 65:
Take
1 capsule every morning.
Swallow it whole, with a glass of water
Keep
to this dose unless your doctor told: you something different.
You
can take Reductil with or without food.
Don't
give Reductil to children.
How
long to take it: ?
You
should only take Reductil as part of your weight loss programme.
Your doctor's practice will see you regularly to see how you are
doing.
If
you don't lose weight in the first three months, or if you put
weight on, your doctor may stop prescribing Reductil for you.
In any case, Reductil usually shouldn't be prescribed for more
than one year.
If
you take too many capsules (or someone else does):
Talk to a doctor straight away. Have the box with you.
If
you forget to take Reductil.
Carry on with the next dose as usual. Don't take a double dose
to make up.
When
you stop taking Reductil:
It's unusual to get withdrawal symptoms.
On rare occasions, some people may get headaches or have increased
appetites once they stop taking the capsules. There's no evidence
of any other withdrawal symptoms.
Possible
side effects: what to look for, what to do ?
Some
people taking Reductil get side effects.
Most people don't. Most people who get side effects get them early
on (in the first four weeks) and find they wear off over time.
Generally, side effects are mild enough for people to decide to
carry on taking Reductil.
The
most common side effects
These might affect 10 in every 100 people or more.
Digestive
system : Loss of appetite; constipation; dry mouth.
Other : Problems sleeping.
If
these effects bother you, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Other
common side effects
These might affect between 1 and 10 in every 100 people.
Heart
and circulation : Fast heartbeats; palpitations; raised blood
pressure; hot flushes.
Digestive system : Feeling sick; making piles (haemorrhoids) worse.
Skin : Sweating.
Senses : Odd taste.
Other : Light-headedness; pins and needles; headaches; feeling
anxious.
If
your heart rate goes up enough to make you uncomfortable, or if
any other effect worries you, talk to a doctor or pharmacist as
soon as you can.
Uncommon
side effects
These might affect less than 1 in every 100 people.
Liver
and kidneys : Kidney problems; raised levels of liver enzymes
in tests
Skin : Purple rash on legs; bruising.
Other : Seizures; blurred vision.
If
you get any of these uncommon effects,
stop taking Reductil and talk to a doctor straight away.
Other
signs to watch out for
If you get breathing problems, chest pains or swollen ankles while
you're taking the capsules, stop taking Reductil and talk to a
doctor straight away.
If
you notice anything unusual not mentioned in this leaflet, and
you think it might be caused by the medicine, please talk to your
doctor or pharmacist.
Tips
on taking reductil ?
Remember
three basic steps
Control What you eat: take in fewer calories
Step up your activity: use up more calories
Keep it realistic: set your target now for the next three months,
and make changes you can stick to for good.
You
need to decide when to take your dosage, morning, noon or evening.
This will vary depending on your normal eating patterns.
Storing Reductil: keeping it safe ?
Storing
Reductil: keeping it safe
Store Reductil at normal room temperature in its original packaging.
Keep it where children can't see it or reach it.
Do not use after the expiry date printed on the box.