PATIENT
INFORMATION LEAFLET
BritLofexTM
Tablets 0.2mg
Lofexidine hydrochloride
What
you should know about BritLofex tablets
Please
read this leaflet carefully before you start to take
your medicine. This leaflet does not contain all the
information about your medicine. If you have any
questions or are not sure about anything ask your
doctor or community drugs worker.
What
your medicine contains
The
active ingredient of each peach coloured BritLofex
tablet is lofexidine hydrochloride. Each tablet
contains 0.2mg of lofexidine hydrochloride.
The
following ingredients are also contained in
BritLofex tablets: lactose, citric acid, povidone,
microcrystalline cellulose, calcium stearate, sodium
lauryl sulphate, Opadry OY-S-9480 Brown (contains
sunset yellow). These are included to help make the
tablets.
BritLofex is supplied in packs of 60 tablets.
What
your tablets are for
BritLofex is
an imidazoline derivative and belongs to a group of
medicines called alpha2
adrenergic agonists. The tablets are taken to relieve
the symptoms you experience when you stop taking an
opiate, (e.g. methadone, heroin, dihydrocodeine etc.)
such as chills, sweating, stomach cramps, muscle pain
and runny nose.
BritLofex
will not stop you craving opiates.
Before
you take your tablets
- Do
you think you might be pregnant?
- Are
you breast-feeding?
- Do
you have a low pulse rate?
- Do
you have a heart condition (e.g. angina), or have
you had a recent heart attack?
- Do
you have kidney problems?
- Do
you suffer from depression?
- Are
you taking tablets for depression?
- Are
you taking barbiturates or other sedatives?
- Have
you ever had a stroke?
- Do
you think you might be allergic to any of the
ingredients of the tablets?
- Do
you think you might be allergic to other medicines
similar to BritLofex (imidazoline derivatives)?
-
Certain medicines need to be used with caution
during lofexidine treatment. Please consult your
doctor or pharmacist if you are currently taking, or
intend to take any other medication during
lofexidine treatment.
- Have
you been diagnosed with the heart condition, QT
prolongation?
If the
answer to any of the above questions is
YES, or you are
unsure, you should tell you doctor or
community drugs worker
before taking these
tablets.
BritLofex
tablets contain sunset yellow (E110) which can cause
allergic reactions.
BritLofex
tablets contain lactose. If you have been told by your
doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars,
contact your doctor before taking this medicinal
product.
WARNING
It is recommended that you should
avoid drinking alcohol and taking opiates while you are
undergoing detoxification with BritLofex.
If you are unable to continue with
your detoxification programme you should contact your
doctor or community drugs worker as soon as possible.
BritLofex tablets may make you feel
light-headed or drowsy. If you feel like this do not
drive or operate machinery.
Taking your medicine
Read the
label on your medicine before you start to take it.
Your doctor or community drugs worker will tell you
when and how often to take the tablets.
Your
doctor or community drugs worker will explain how to
stop using opiates and the course of treatment to
follow during the withdrawal stages. Please follow
these instructions as closely as possible.
The
usual dose of BritLofex is four 0.2mg tablets taken
throughout the first day (0.8mg). The dose is then
increased each day by up to four tablets according
to the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. The
maximum daily dose is 12 tablets (2.4mg). You should
not take more than 4 tablets (0.8mg) as a single
dose.
Sometimes the dosage may differ from this. For
example, you may be prescribed a higher starting
dose. Your doctor or community drugs worker will
tell you the number of tablets you need to take each
day.
BritLofex is usually taken for 7-10 days. However,
sometimes it may be taken for a longer or shorter
time. Your doctor or community drugs worker will
tell you for how long to take the tablets.
When the
withdrawal symptoms are less severe the daily dose
of BritLofex can be reduced gradually. BritLofex
tablets should never be stopped suddenly.
BritLofex tablets are not suitable for children.
How
to take your tablets
Swallow
your tablets
whole with a
drink of water.
What
to do if you miss a dose
If you
forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you
remember. Then go on as before.
What
to do if you take too many tablets
Always
take the tablets as your doctor or community drugs
worker has told you. If you take more tablets than
you have been told to, tell your doctor or community
drugs worker immediately, or contact your nearest
hospital emergency department.
Do not
drive as you may feel sleepy or dizzy.
How
to stop your tablets
Never
stop your tablets suddenly; your blood pressure
might rise if you do so. The dose should be lowered
gradually over several days. Your doctor or
community drugs worker will tell you how to do this.
Side
effects
All
medicines sometimes cause side effects in some people.
BritLofex tablets may sometimes cause the following:
- dry
mouth or throat
- dry
nose
-
sleepiness
-
light-headed or dizzy upon standing
- slow
heart beat
When you
stop taking opiates, the withdrawal symptoms can make
you feel unwell, however if you think that BritLofex is
making you feel unwell, tell your doctor or community
drugs worker.
After finishing your tablets
After
completing the course of BritLofex tablets you
should be detoxified from opiates and no longer have
the withdrawal symptoms. However, if you don't feel
better after you have finished your tablets, tell
your doctor or community drugs worker.
Your
doctor or community drugs worker will offer advice
on how to remain opiate free.
How to
store your tablets
- Do
not use the tablets after the expiry date printed on
the pack.
-
Store your tablets below 25°C. Store in the original
package.
-
ALWAYS KEEP BRITLOFEX AND ALL OTHER MEDICINES OUT OF
THE REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN.
Remember - this medicine is for you.
Do not give it to others, even if they have the same
symptoms as you.
You may want to read this leaflet
again. Do not throw it away until you have finished your
medicine.
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