INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
Please read
this leaflet carefully before you start to take this
medicine. It gives an outline of the more important
things you should know. If you want to know more about
this medicine, or if you are not sure about anything ask
your doctor or pharmacist. You should keep this leaflet
throughout your course of treatment.
THE NAME
OF YOUR MEDICINE IS EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS BP
Ephedrine
Hydrochloride Tablets BP contain the active ingredient
ephedrine hydrochloride. The tablets are available in
three strengths, 15mg, 30mg or 60mg.
The other
ingredients in Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets BP are
lactose, maize starch, acacia spray-dried, stearic acid
and magnesium stearate.
Ephedrine
Hydrochloride 15mg Tablets BP are white circular tablets
marked E15 on one face and CP on the reverse.
Ephedrine
Hydrochloride 30mg Tablets BP are white circular tablets
marked E30 on one face and CP on the reverse.
Ephedrine
Hydrochloride 60mg Tablets BP are white circular tablets
marked E60 on one face and CP on the reverse.
Ephedrine
Hydrochloride Tablets BP are available in polypropylene
containers of 28 tablets.
HOW DOES
YOUR MEDICINE WORK?
Ephedrine
hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called
bronchodilators, which open up the airways and prevent
or relieve wheezing.
WHAT ARE
EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS FOR?
Ephedrine
Hydrochloride Tablets BP are used in adults and children
to prevent or relieve wheezing with asthma.
BEFORE
TAKING THIS MEDICINE
You should not take Ephedrine
Hydrochloride Tablets BP if
-
you have ever had a reaction to or been told
that you are allergic to ephedrine or any of the
other ingredients in the tablets. Check by
reading the list of ingredients above.
-
you have coronary heart disease
-
you have high blood pressure
-
you have an overactive thyroid gland
-
you are pregnant or breast feeding (unless your
doctor considers it essential)
-
you have an enlarged prostate gland
-
you are being treated for depression with
monoamine oxidase inhibitors or have only
recently stopped taking them (within the last
two weeks)
Taking
another medicine while you are taking ephedrine can
affect how it or the other medicine works. Make sure
that your doctor knows what other medicines you are
taking. Do not take any other medicines while you
are taking Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets BP unless
you have told your doctor or pharmacist and asked
their advice. This includes medicines you may have
bought yourself.
Examples of medicines that can
affect ephedrine hydrochloride are
-
Some drugs used to treat depression: Tricyclic
antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and
dothiepin, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors,
such as phenelzine.
-
Beta-blockers and other drugs used to treat high
blood pressure and heart disease such as
propranolol and atenolol
-
Dexamethasone, a steroid
-
Anaesthetics such as halothane
-
Methysergide and ergotamine, used to treat
migraine.
-
Some drugs used to treat heart failure, such as
digoxin
-
Oxytocin, used to induce labour and prevent
bleeding
-
Agents used to make the urine more alkaline
(such as potassium citrate) or more acid
(ascorbic acid)
If you have
any doubts about whether you should take this medicine
then talk to your doctor.
ADVICE
WHEN TAKING EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS BP
Drinking
alcohol whilst taking these tablets may affect how they
work.
Care should
be taken if you suffer from diabetes, glaucoma or if you
have kidney problems.
If you have
been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to
some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this
medicinal product.
TAKING
THIS MEDICINE
The usual
starting dose for adults is 15-60mg three times daily.
For the elderly the starting dose should be half the
adult dose.
For children
1-5 years old the usual dose is 15mg three times daily
and for children 6-12 years old the dose is usually 30mg
three times daily. The tablets are not recommended for
children under 1 year of age.
Your doctor
will decide the dose which is best for you. Always
follow your doctor's instructions completely. Also
follow any instructions or warnings which appear on the
label which the pharmacist has put on the pack. If you
do not understand, or are in any doubt, ask your doctor
or pharmacist.
Unless
instructed differently take the tablets with a glass of
water.
You should
take your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you
to. If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon
as you remember. If it is almost time for your next
dose, then do not take the missed dose at all. Never
double the next dose to make up for the one missed.
If you
accidentally take too many Ephedrine Hydrochloride
Tablets BP you should contact your doctor, pharmacist or
nearest hospital casualty department immediately. Take
this leaflet and any tablets you have left to show the
doctor or pharmacist.
ARE
THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Like many
medicines, Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets BP may cause
side-effects in some patients particularly when you
first start taking them. Side-effects that some patients
have had with Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets BP include
feeling sick, restlessness, insomnia (difficulty in
sleeping), anxiety, dry mouth, palpitations (more likely
in the elderly), trembling, headaches and very rarely
heart attack. You may experience poor circulation in the
tips of your fingers and toes. If you have been taking
Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets BP for a long time you
may become dependent on them. In children ephedrine may
cause bed-wetting, sleep problems or drowsiness.
If you
experience any other side-effects or feel that the
medicine is affecting you badly, tell your doctor or
pharmacist.
SAFE
KEEPING FOR YOUR MEDICINE
- Do
not take this medicine if the expiry date on the
label has passed or if the tablets show signs of
"going off" such as discoloration.
-
These tablets should not be stored above 25°C (room
temperature is fine). Store in the original
container in order to protect from light.
-
Keep Ephedrine Hydrochloride
Tablets BP in a secure place where children cannot
get at them.
-
Remember this medicine is
for you only.
Never give it to anyone
else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are
the same as yours
-
Unless your doctor tells you to, do not keep tablets
that you no longer need. Give them back to your
pharmacist.