VACUDOL FORTE Tablets
SCHEDULING STATUS:
S5
PROPRIETARY NAME
(and dosage form):
VACUDOL FORTE Tablets
COMPOSITION:
Each tablet contains:
|
Paracetamol |
320mg |
|
Codeine phosphate |
8mg |
|
Caffeine anhydrous |
32mg |
|
Meprobamate |
150mg |
|
Nipastat |
0,025% m/m (preservative) |
CONTAINS TARTRAZINE
PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION:
A 2.8 Analgesic combinations.
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION:
VACUDOL FORTE tablets have analgesic and skeletal muscle-relaxing properties.
INDICATIONS:
Pain and pain associated with tension.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. It should not be administered to patients with acute intermittent porphyria. Patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency. Use of VACUDOL FORTE during pregnancy should be avoided. Asthma, respiratory depression, head injuries and conditions in which intracranial pressure is raised, heart failure secondary to chronic lung disease, a history of cardiac disease, epilepsy, and all convulsive states, patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors or within 14days of stopping such treatment.
WARNINGS:
The use of this medicine leads to drowsiness which is aggravated by the simultaneous intake of alcohol and it is dangerous to drive a vehicle or be in charge of machinery while on treatment with this product. Paracetamol administration in excess of the recommended dosage may cause severe liver damage.
VACUDOL FORTE contains tartrazine which may cause allergic-type reactions (including bronchial asthma) in certain individuals. The overall incidence of tartrazine sensitivity is low, it is however, frequently seen in patients who also have aspirin sensitivity.
DOSAGE AND DIRECTIONS FOR USE:
Not recommended for children.
Adults: Two tablets every 6to 8hours.
SIDE-EFFECTS AND SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS:
Skin rashes and other allergic reactions may occur. The rash is usually erythematous or urticarial but sometimes more serious and may be accompanied by drug fever and mucosal lesions. The use of paracetamol has been associated with the occurrence of neutropenia, pancytopenia and leucopenia.
Codeine may cause respiratory depression, bradycardia, circulatory failure, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, palpitations, deepening coma, confusion, drowsiness, euphoria, mood changes, restlessness, vertigo, flushing, hypothermia, increased intracranial pressure, miosis, dry mouth, muscle rigidity, nausea, vomiting, constipation, pruritus, urticaria, sweating, urinary retention, uteric and biliary spasm, and an antidiuretic effect.
Caffeine may cause headache, nausea, insomnia, restlessness, excitement and muscle tremor. Caffeine increases gastric secretion and may cause gastric ulceration.
Meprobamate may cause drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, paraesthesia, hypotension, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, weakness and central effects such as headache, excitement, dizziness, ataxia and disturbances of vision. Hypersensitivity reactions such as skin rashes, urticaria and purpura may occur or may be more severe with angioneurotic oedema, bronchospasm or anuria.
Erythema multiform has been reported. Blood disorders have been reported. Symptoms of porphyria may be exacerbated. Meprobamate may lower tolerance to alcohol and other central nervous system depressants. It may induce the hepatic microsomal enzymes involved in drug metabolism.
Due to the dependence potential, meprobamate should be gradually withdrawn after long-term treatment.
Precautions: Codeine should be used with caution in patients with obstructive bowel disorders, liver impairment, myasthenia gravis, prostatic hypertrophy, impaired renal function or shock.
It should be used with caution or in reduced doses in patients with adrenocortical insufficiency and hypothyroidism.
Dosages should be reduced in debilitated and in elderly patients.
Interactions: Codeine may affect the activity of other medicines by delaying their absorption The depressant effects are aggravated by alcohol, anaesthetics, hypnotics, sedatives, tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazines.
Meprobamate may lower the tolerance to alcohol and other central nervous system depressants.
Meprobamate may enhance the metabolism of oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, phenytoin, phenothiazines and tricyclic antidepressants.
KNOWN SYMPTOMS OF OVERDOSAGE AND PARTICULARS OF ITS TREATMENT:
Symptoms of overdosage with codeine phosphate include the following: nausea, vomiting, restlessness, sensory disturbances, muscle tremor, diuresis, palpitations, stupor, shock, central stimulation with exhilaration, convulsions, drowsiness, respiratory depression, hypotension with circulatory failure, respiratory collapse, cyanosis and coma.
In acute poisoning the stomach should be emptied by aspiration and lavage. Intensive supportive therapy may be necessary to correct respiratory failure and shock. The specific antagonist naloxone may be used to counteract severe respiratory depression.
Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12to 48hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose and metabolic acidosis may occur. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias have been reported.
Symptoms during the first 2days of acute poisoning do not reflect the potential seriousness of the overdosage. Nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain may persist for a week or more. Liver injury may become manifest on the second day, (or later) initially by elevation of serum transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase activity, increased serum bilirubin concentration and prolongation of prothrombin time. The liver damage may progress to encephalopathy, coma and death. Cerebral oedema and nonspecific myocardial depression have also occurred.
In the event of overdosage consult a doctor or take the patient to the nearest hospital immediately.
Specialised treatment is essential as soon as possible.
Prompt treatment is essential. Any patient who has ingested about 7,5 g of paracetamol in the preceding 4hours should undergo gastric lavage. Specific therapy with an antidote such as acetylcysteine or methionine may be necessary. If decided upon, acetylcysteine should be administered IV as soon as possible.
Acetylcysteine: Acetylcysteine should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within 8hours of overdosage.
IV: An initial dose of 150mg/kg in 200mL glucose injection, given intravenously over 15minutes, followed by an intravenous infusion of 50mg/kg in 500mL of glucose injection over the next 4hours, and then 100mg/kg in 1000mL over the next 16hours. The volume of intravenous fluids should be modified for children.
Orally: 140mg/kg as a 5% solution initially, followed by a 70mg/kg solution every 4hours for 17doses Acetylcysteine is effective if administered within 8hours of overdosage.
Meprobamate: Symptoms of overdosage are mainly due to the depressant effect on the central nervous system. See also Side-effects and Special Precautions. Following recent ingestion of an overdose the stomach may be emptied by gastric lavage and aspiration. Patients should be managed with intensive symptomatic and supportive therapy, with particular attention being paid to the maintenance of cardiovascular, respiratory and renal functions, and to the maintenance of the electrolyte balance.
IDENTIFICATION:
Green, round, flat tablet, bisected on the one side.
PRESENTATION:
Blister packs in strips of 10 packed in cartons containing 20 and 500 tablets and bottles of 1000 tablets.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Store in a dry place below 25°C. Protect from strong light.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
REGISTRATION NUMBER:
27/2.8/0231
NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT:
XIXIA Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd
15 Thora Crescent
Wynberg Ext.3
Sandton
P.O. Box 2080, Gallo Manor, 2052
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS PACKAGE INSERT:
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