Patient Information Leaflet

The name of your medication is ACUPAN tablets

The tablets contain an active ingredient called nefopam hydrochloride which is a pain reliever. Each tablet is round, white and marked 'APN' on one side and contains 30 mg of nefopam hydrochloride. The tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients: dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinised maize starch, magnesium stearate,hydrogenated vegetable oil, colloidal silicone dioxide, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, titanium dioxide. The original pack contains 90 tablets.

What your medication is prescribed for

Nefopam is a pain reliever and can be used in a wide range of painful conditions, including pain from an operation, dental pain, joint or muscle pain, or pain from injuries. Nefopam should not be used to treat the pain from a heart attack.

Important points to note before taking ACUPAN tablets.

If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are trying to become pregnant or are taking other medications, please tell your doctor before taking these tablets.

Nefopam should not be taken by children under 12 years of age.

Nefopam should not be taken if you have ever had fits (epilepsy).

If you suffer from liver or kidney disease, or have difficulty passing urine, you should tell your doctor before taking these tablets.

Nefopam should not be taken if you are also taking MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). These are medicines used to treat depression.

If you see any other doctor or dentist, please tell them that you are taking Acupan tablets.

What to do if you are taking other medication

You should tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following types of medicine: anti-cholinergics, sympathomimetics or tricyclics (medicines used to treat depression). Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you about these medicines.

Use of ACUPAN tablets during pregnancy and breast feeding

These tablets should not be taken if you are pregnant or if you are breast feeding, unless your doctor tells you to.

How to take ACUPAN tablets.

Please follow your doctor's instructions.

Adults: the usual starting dose is two tablets taken three times a day. This may be increased up to a maximum of three tablets taken three times a day. Your tablets should be taken with a glass of water.

Elderly: the usual starting dose is one tablet taken three times a day.Your tablets should be taken with a glass of water.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then carry on taking the tablets as recommended by your doctor.

If you are not sure how many tablets to take or how often to take them please ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What to do if an accidental overdose is taken.

Please contact your nearest hospital casualty department, or tell your doctor, immediately.

What might happen when you are taking ACUPAN tablets

Like most other medications, nefopam may cause some side-effects.

These may include feeling sick, light-headed, dizzy or nervous, fainting, a decrease in blood pressure, numbness or tingling in the extremities, a dry mouth, having difficulty in passing urine, convulsions, tremor, confusion, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there).

Other side-effects which may occur include; being sick, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blurred vision, drowsiness, sweating, trouble in sleeping, headaches, palpitations and a fast heart rate (tachycardia), swelling of the skin and soft tissue around the eyes, nose and throat (angioedema), and allergic reactions.

If any side-effects continue for more than a few days please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you notice any other side-effects, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Storing your medication.

Store the tablets in a safe place where children cannot reach them.

Store the tablets below 30°C in a dry place and out of direct sunlight.

Do not use the tablets after the expiry date printed on the original container.

If your doctor decides to stop treatment, return any unused tablets to your pharmacist.