PATIENT
INFORMATION LEAFLET
ALL ABOUT FRUSENE
Furosemide and Triamterene
Please read
this leaflet carefully before you start to take Frusene.
It contains a summary of the available information about
your medicine.
Keep this
leaflet. You may need to read it again.
If you have
any further questions or are not sure about anything,
please ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Frusene is
available in packs of 100 tablets. Your doctor will
decide how many tablets to prescribe for you.
- The
active ingredients in each Frusene tablet are
furosemide (40 mg) and triamterene (50 mg).
-
Other ingredients are lactose, maize starch,
pregelatinised starch, gelatin, polysorbate 80,
sodium starch glycolate and magnesium stearate.
The active
ingredients belong to a group of medicines known as
diuretics, they work on your kidneys to get rid of
excess water from the body.
WHAT IS TREATMENT WITH FRUSENE
FOR?
You may have
gone to your doctor with problems such as swollen ankles
or feeling breathless. These and other symptoms often
occur because there is excess water in your body.
You have
been prescribed these tablets to help get rid of this
excess water, and you will notice that you pass more
urine soon after you take your tablets.
BEFORE TAKING YOUR MEDICINE
You
should not take this medicine if:-
-
You have kidney or serious liver problems.
-
You know you are allergic to any of the
ingredients (these are listed at the beginning
of this leaflet) or similar medicines containing
sulphonamides.
-
You have been told that you have high levels of
potassium or low sodium in your blood.
You
should tell your doctor if:-
-
You know that you have a folic acid deficiency
-
You suffer from hyperplasia of the prostate
(enlarged prostate)
-
You have experienced any kidney or liver
problems.
-
You are diabetic.
-
You have had a heart attack
-
You are taking other medicines for your heart or
your blood pressure. Your doctor may decide to
alter the amount of the dose of these once you
start taking Frusene.
-
You have difficulty passing urine.
-
You are pregnant, or think you may become
pregnant, or you are breastfeeding a baby.
Blood Tests
Your
doctor will need to check your blood tests
regularly.
You
should also remember to tell your doctor that you
are taking Frusene if you need to have any kind of
surgery.
Taking other medicines
You
should consult your doctor BEFORE taking other
medicines, in particular;
-
Other diuretic agents such as amiloride,
spironolactone
-
Drugs used to treat high blood pressure and
heart conditions especially the group of drugs
known as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors.
-
Potassium supplements
-
Muscle relaxants
-
Antibiotics
-
Immunosuppressants such as ciclosporin
-
Drugs used to treat diabetes
-
Lithium salts
-
Antiepileptic agents such as phenobarbitol,
phenytoin and carbamazepine
-
Anti-inflammatory drugs including
corticosteroids and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen
-
Anticoagulants such as warfarin
-
Drugs that alter your hormones including the
contraceptive pill and some anticancer
medications.
Patients
should note that smoking tobacco can reduce the
effect of Frusene.
Large
amounts of Glychyrrizin which is contained in
Liquorice can effect how well Frusene works. If you
are unsure ask your doctor for advice
Driving and using machinery
At the
start of therapy some patients may experience
dizziness or vertigo. If this occurs then you should
not drive or use machinery.
Important information about some of the ingredients
in Frusene
Frusene
contains Lactose. If you have been told by your
doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars,
contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
HOW TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE
You should
take your tablets as your doctor tells you to. For
adults, including the elderly, this is normally half to
2 tablets per day, but your doctor may have told you to
take more than this. You should not take more than 6
tablets per day. Frusene is not recommended for use in
children. The tablets have a score line which will help
you to cut them in half if this is necessary.
You should
take Frusene tablets with a glass of water on an empty
stomach.
You will
find that you have the urge to pass water soon after
taking your Frusene. Because of this it is better to
take your tablet(s) first thing in the morning, so that
you pass any extra water early in the day, leaving you
free to go about your usual routine, undisturbed. If
your work is at night, it will be better for you to take
your tablets in the evening.
If you
forget to take your usual dose, take it as soon as you
remember, then go on as before.
Do not try
to catch up by taking tablets you have missed. Do not
stop taking this medicine without telling your doctor
first.
If you
accidentally take too much Frusene, you may get rid of
too much water and become dehydrated. You may notice
this by feeling dizzy or having muscle cramps. If this
happens, drink plenty of water and see your doctor as
soon as possible.
AFTER TAKING YOUR MEDICINE
As well as
the expected effect of passing a lot of water, you may
notice side effects such as headache, dry mouth and
feeling thirsty.
Tell your
doctor if these side effects give you a lot of problems.
If a rash starts, stop taking Frusene and speak to your
doctor. Sometimes your urine may look slightly blue in
colour, this is nothing to worry about.
Uncommon
side-effects include restlessness, tingling sensations
(paraesthesias), nausea and diarrhoea, tiredness, skin
rashes, unexpected bruising, changes to blood-sugar
levels, gout, visual problems, low blood pressure,
changes in blood chemistry, unusual heart beats
(arrhythmias), incontinence, problems passing urine and
kidney stones.
Very rarely,
taking Frusene can damage your hearing, or cause anaemia
(particularly if your diet is poor). In some people it
may cause them to be more sensitive to light. Frusene
can also affect the immune system, making you feel very
tired and prone to minor illnesses such as coughs, colds
or infections. It can also cause liver and kidney
problems and pancreatitis. If you have any of these side
effects, go back to your doctor straight away.
If you
suffer cramps, feel dizzy, have aching muscles or
swollen, painful joints after taking Frusene, go back to
your doctor straight away.
If you
experience any other side effects other than the ones
mentioned here, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR TABLETS
Store the
tablets in their original container.
Do not store
above 30°C.
Do not use
the tablets after they have passed their expiry date,
this is shown on the container.
Keep your
medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
REMEMBER
- this medicine is for your use only. Only a
doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to anyone
else, even if their symptoms seem to be the same as
yours, as it may be harmful to them.