patient information leaflet betim

Patient information leaflet

Betim® 10 mg Tablets

Timolol maleate

This leaflet gives you some helpful information about Betim Tablets. Please read it carefully before you take the tablets. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

WHAT IS IN BETIM TABLETS?

Betim Tablets are white, flat circular tablets engraved with "102" on the scored face and "ICN" on the other face.

Each tablet contains 10 mg of timolol maleate, the active ingredient.

The tablets also contain some inactive ingredients. These are microcrystalline cellulose, starch and magnesium stearate.

The tablets are available only on prescription in packs of 30 tablets.

HOW DO BETIM TABLETS WORK?

Betim Tablets belong to a group of medicines called beta-blockers which slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure reducing the workload of the heart.

WHAT ARE BETIM TABLETS USED FOR?

Betim Tablets are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina).

The tablets are also used to prevent reoccurrence of a heart attack in those people who have already had one and in reducing the number of migraine attacks for those who suffer from migraine.

BEFORE TAKING THE TABLETS

When not to use your medicine:

Do not take this medicine if you have a history of wheezing or asthma. Consult your doctor or pharmacist first.

Also, you should not take Betim Tablets if:

You are pregnant, you think you may be pregnant, or you are breast-feeding.
You are allergic to any of the ingredients in Betim Tablets (these are listed under the heading "What is in Betim Tablets?").
You have a certain type of angina (Prinzmetal's angina).
You have uncontrolled heart failure.
You have been told that you have a slower than normal heart beat or cardiogenic shock (a severe heart condition).
You are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression.
You have chronic (long-term) breathing difficulties.
You have any problems with your blood circulation.
You have a condition affecting your adrenal glands called phaeochromocytoma.
You have metabolic acidosis (a condition that causes acidity of the blood).
You have low blood pressure.

Tell your doctor before taking any medicine if any of the above apply to you. If you have ever had any heart problems at all, discuss these with your doctor before taking any medicine. If you become pregnant during your treatment, you should consult your doctor immediately.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER ILLNESSES?

Tell your doctor if you have or develop any of the following problems:

Liver or kidney problems.
Diabetes. Betim Tablets may mask some of the usual signs that your blood sugar level is too low. If you are on medication for diabetes, Betim Tablets could also increase the effectiveness of insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs so your dose of these may need to be changed.
The skin condition psoriasis.
Poor circulation in your legs or arms.
Any allergies (e.g. to pollen), as Betim Tablets may intensify your allergic reaction.

Also, tell your doctor if you develop an abnormally slow heart rate or any other heart problems while you are on this treatment.

It is important to discuss these with your doctor because you may need to stop your treatment or have your dose changed.

WHAT OTHER MEDICINES ARE YOU TAKING?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines. This is because you should not use some other medicines while you are taking Betim Tablets. Also, certain other drugs can be used only if special precautions are taken. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:

Any medicines for high blood pressure (e.g. reserpine, guanethidine, clonidine or hydralazine).
Other medicines for heart problems (e.g. verapamil, disopyramide, lignocaine, tocainide, diltiazem, quinidine, amiodarone, nifedipine, digitalis glycosides (e.g. digoxin), or any of the medicines known as class 1 antiarrhythmic agents).
Other beta-blockers.
Medicines for depression or other mental problems (tricyclic antidepressants or phenothiazines).
Barbiturates to treat sleeping disorders.
Insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs.
An anti-ulcer drug called cimetidine.
An antibiotic called rifampicin.
Anti-inflammatory medicines (e.g. aspirin or indomethacin).
Medicines to improve circulation.
Medicines for breathing difficulties (e.g. salbutamol or isoprenaline).
Medicines for migraine known as ergot preparations.
Medicines known as prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin).

Betim Tablets may need to be stopped gradually before you have an anaesthetic such as ether, cyclopropane, trichloroethylene. You should not be given a local anaesthetic combined with adrenaline while you are taking Betim Tablets. Discuss this with your doctor or dentist before any surgery.

You should avoid excessive alcohol consumption while taking Betim Tablets.

DRIVING OR OPERATING MACHINES

This medicine may cause tiredness or dizziness as a side effect. You should take this into account if you are going to drive or operate machinery.

TAKING THE TABLET

Your doctor will work out the right number of tablets for you. Take the tablets as your doctor tells you.

Read the label on the pack carefully. It will let you know how many tablets to take and when to take them on each day, depending on the condition being treated.

The usual dose for adults is:

Half a tablet to three tablets twice a day for chest pains.
One to six tablets a day for high blood pressure.
Half tablet to one tablet twice a day after a heart attack.
One to two tablets a day to prevent migraine attacks.

If you are elderly the doctor will probably start with the lowest adult dose and then adjust your dose carefully, depending on how you respond to treatment.

Betim Tablets are not suitable for children.

Your doctor may change the number of tablets you take. This will depend on how well you respond to the treatment. Do not alter the number of tablets you are taking without checking with your doctor.

Do not stop taking the tablets without first consulting your doctor. If it is right for you to stop taking the medicine then your doctor will probably reduce the dose gradually since it is important not to stop suddenly. Swallow the tablet(s) with a glass of water.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FORGET TO TAKE THE TABLETS?

If you forget to take your tablet(s), take the next dose as normal. Do not take an extra dose to make up.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I TAKE TOO MANY TABLETS?

If you or anybody else accidentally take more than the recommended dose of these tablets, call your doctor immediately or go to your nearest hospital casualty department.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE UNWANTED EFFECTS OF BETIM TABLETS?

Your doctor will see you regularly during your treatment to monitor your progress and decide whether your treatment is working properly.

As with all medicines, some side-effects may occur in a few people. See your doctor if you have any of the following problems:

Unusual tiredness or weakness, slow heart beat or the heart slows so much that you faint, other abnormalities in the heart, heart failure or other heart problems, cold or bluish hands and feet, low blood pressure, "pins and needles", tingling in the hands or feet, a worsening of any problems with blood circulation in your legs, impotence.
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, abdominal pain.
Dizziness or light headedness, feeling faint, vertigo, headaches, trouble with sleeping, nightmares, depression, hallucinations, drowsiness, disorientation, confusion or other mental problems.
Breathing difficulties, a worsening of asthma, skin rashes, painful joints, visual disturbances or dry eyes.
You may have increased levels of antibody in the blood.

Remember, this treatment is for you.

Only a doctor can prescribe it for you.

Do not let other people take your tablets.

If you feel unwell or notice anything unusual or which you do not understand, tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

STORING BETIM TABLETS

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

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date given on the pack. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist.

Medicine: betim