一般信息
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about SALOFALK. It does not contain all of the available information. Reading this leaflet does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Please read this leaflet before you start taking SALOFALK.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the possible risks of taking SALOFALK against the expected benefits.
If you have any concerns about taking SALOFALK, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may want to read it again.
What SALOFALK is used for
SALOFALK contains an ingredient called mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid), which is used to treat, and prevent relapse of, mild to moderate attacks of ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large bowel) and Crohn's ileitis and colitis (inflammation of the large bowel and last section of the small bowel).
Your doctor may have prescribed SALOFALK for another use. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why SALOFALK has been prescribed for you.
SALOFALK is not addictive.
SALOFALK is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
SALOFALK is only available on a doctor's prescription.
Before you take SALOFALK
When you must not take it
Do not take SALOFALK if:
you are allergic to mesalazine or aspirin-like medicines, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Signs of allergic reactions may include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath and swelling of the face or tongue.
you suffer from a severe kidney or liver problem.
you have or have had stomach or duodenal ulcer.
you have or have had problems with the clotting of your blood or you tend to bleed easily.
the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed. If you use this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
the package is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not give SALOFALK to a child below 6 years of age. The safety and effectiveness of SALOFALK in this group have not been established.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if:
1. You have any allergies.
2. You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant or are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking SALOFALK if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
3. You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
Lung or breathing problems such as asthma.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you take SALOFALK.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
SALOFALK may interfere with the action of the following types of medicines:
Anticoagulants, medicines used to stop blood clots.
Glucocorticoids, medicines used to treat inflammation or swelling, eg. prednisolone.
Sulphonylureas, medicines used to lower blood sugar.
Methotrexate, medicine used to treat some types of cancer and arthritis.
Probenecid/sulphinpyrazone, medicines used to treat gout.
Spironolactone/frusemide, medicines which lower blood pressure or increase volume of urine.
Rifampicin, medicine used to treat tuberculosis.
Azathioprine, medicine used to suppress the immune system.
Mercaptopurine, medicine used to treat leukaemia.
Lactulose or similar preparations, medicines which can change the acidity of the content of the bowels.
You may need to use different amounts of these medicines, or you may need to take different medicines when you are taking SALOFALK. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.
How to take SALOFALK
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
How much to take
Adults and the elderly:
For acute ulcerative colitis, take 1.5 g to 3 g SALOFALK once a day or in 2-3 divided doses. For Crohn's ileitis and colitis take 3 g to 4.5 g SALOFALK once a day or in 2-3 divided doses.
For long term treatment of ulcerative colitis take 1.5 g SALOFALK once a day or in 2-3 divided doses. For Crohn's ileitis and colitis take 1.5 g to 3 g SALOFALK once a day or in 2-3 divided doses. Children over 6 years old:
The dose of SALOFALK for your child depends on disease severity and body weight. Your doctor should tell you how much SALOFALK your child should take.
For acute ulcerative colitis, give your child 30-50 mg SALOFALK/kg/day in one single or 2-3 divided doses.
For long term treatment of ulcerative colitis, give your child 15-30 mg SALOFALK/kg/day in one single or 2 divided doses.
How to take it
The tablets should be taken at least one hour before a meal. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
DO NOT CHEW OR CRUSH.
When to take it
Take SALOFALK the same time each day. This will help you remember when to take SALOFALK.
How long to take it
SALOFALK helps control your condition but does not cure it. Therefore, you must continue to take SALOFALK for as long as your doctor tells you to.
If you forget to take SALOFALK
If you forget to take a dose of SALOFALK, leave out that dose completely. Take your next dose at the normal time it is due.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering when to take SALOFALK, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
Overdose
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much SALOFALK tablets. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Possible symptoms may include feeling sick, vomiting and diarrhoea.
While you are taking SALOFALK
Things you must do
Make sure that all of your doctors and pharmacists know you are taking SALOFALK. Remind them if any new medicines are about to be started.
Things that you must not do
Do not take SALOFALK to treat any complaint other than that directed by your doctor. It may not be safe to use SALOFALK for another complaint.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. It may not be safe for another person to take SALOFALK.
Do not stop taking your SALOFALK or change the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking SALOFALK. Like all medicines, SALOFALK may have some side effects. Most side effects are mild and may disappear without stopping SALOFALK. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Mild effects:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following that are troublesome or ongoing:
Headache
Mild stomach pains
Excessive gas in the stomach or bowel
Increased number of bowel motions
Nausea (feeling sick)
Rash or itchy skin
Dizziness
Common cold
More serious effects:
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
Fever, muscle aches and pains, painful joints and chest pain (sometimes spreading to the neck and shoulders, and sometimes fever)
Mild skin rash, itching or hives
Numbness or weakness of the arms and legs
Pain in the upper belly (may be due to inflammation of the pancreas)
Worsening of ulcerative colitis
If any of the following happens, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
Allergic reaction including swelling of limbs, face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Other rare events, which have been reported with mesalazine, include:
Changes in kidney function and inflammation of the kidney
Changes in blood test results such as low white blood cell and/or platelet counts
Changes in liver function tests
Liver disease with nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and dark coloured urine
Changes relating to your heart
As a precaution, your doctor may have your blood, liver and kidney tested regularly during treatment with SALOFALK.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
After taking SALOFALK Storage
Keep your SALOFALK in their original package until it is time to take them. If you take them out of their packaging, they may not keep well.
Keep your SALOFALK in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store SALOFALK or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave SALOFALK on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep SALOFALK where children cannot reach them. A locked cupboard at least one- and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking SALOFALK or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
SALOFALK tablets are presented as butter yellow to ochre enteric coated tablets, lustreless with smooth surface; no cracking perceptible.
Ingredients
Each SALOFALK tablet contains 500 mg of the active ingredient, mesalazine.
Each SALOFALK tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous sodium carbonate, glycine, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, anhydrous colloidal silica, calcium stearate, hypromellose, methacrylic acid copolymer, purified talc, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow, macrogol 6000, Eudragit E100.
SALOFALK 500 mg tablets are available in blister strips of aluminium foil backing packed in cardboard. Each carton contains 100 tablets.
Manufacturer/Supplier
SALOFALK tablets are made in Germany by:
Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH
Leinenweberstr. 5
D-79041 Freiburg, Germany
and are supplied in Australia by:
Orphan Australia Pty. Ltd.
48 Kangan Drive
Berwick
Victoria 3806.
www.orphan.com.au
This leaflet was prepared in July 2008.
Australian Registration Number:
SALOFALK tablets 500 mg AUST R 133472
SALOFALK® is a registered trademark of Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH, Germany, used under licence by Orphan Australia Pty. Ltd.