Patient Information Leaflet

What is your medicine used for?

It has several uses: it can be used to help stop restlessness and agitation and to help you if you are unable to sleep. It can also be used in certain cases to help with alcohol withdrawal problems.

Before taking your medicine

Heminevrin Syrup is only for adults and should not be taken by children.

Make sure you have told your doctor about any other medicines you are taking including those you have bought without a prescription.

Please read the following questions carefully.

They are being asked to help check if the medicine is suitable for you to take. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you should talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.

• Is it usual for you to experience difficulty in breathing?
• Do you suffer from sleep apnoea syndrome (interrupted breathing when you are asleep)?
• Are you receiving any treatment for high blood pressure, low blood glucose or anxiety?
• Have you been told in the past that you have a large amount of liver damage or kidney disease?
• Are you taking any other medicines that contain either cimetidine (which may be given for problems such as stomach ulcers or heartburn) or carbamazepine (which may be used to treat epilepsy or a painful condition of the face called trigeminal neuralgia or to help control mood swings)?
• Have you ever had an allergic reaction to this syrup or any of the ingredients?

You must tell your doctor if you know you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant or if you are breast-feeding.

This medicine may cause drowsiness so you should avoid driving or operating machinery.

Note: If Heminevrin Syrup is to be given to you to help with alcohol problems, you must tell your doctor if you have recently had a drink containing alcohol.

Heminevrin Syrup contains small amounts of ethanol (alcohol), less than 100 mg per dose.

One ml of Heminevrin Syrup contains 350 mg of sorbitol. When taken according to the dosage recommendations each dose supplies up to 7 g of sorbitol. Unsuitable in hereditary fructose intolerance. Can cause stomach upset and diarrhoea.

Taking your medicine

It is important to take your medicine at the times you were told by your doctor. The instructions on the label will remind you of what the doctor said.

It will tell you how much syrup to take and how often. Do not take more than you have been told.

If you have been given this medicine to help you sleep at night, the usual dose is one to two 5 ml spoonfuls before bed. The dose may be higher, one 5 ml spoonful 3 times a day if you have been given it to stop you feeling restless or agitated.

If you are taking this syrup to help you withdraw from alcohol, your dosage will start high, perhaps two to four 5 ml spoonfuls every few hours but then it will gradually be reduced by your doctor. You should not take Heminevrin Syrup for longer than the doctor has advised which is usually not more than 9 days.

 

After taking your medicine

Some side effects that may occur with Heminevrin Syrup are:

• tingling or blocked nose
• sore eyes and headache
• runny nose and chest phlegm
• rash which may be itchy
• stomach upset
• abnormal blood test of the liver
• high doses may make you feel drowsy, especially if you are elderly
• hangover may occur in the elderly
• rarely overexcitement or confusion may occur
• rarely a severe allergic reaction may occur.

If you experience any of these, or notice any other unusual or unexpected symptoms, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist (chemist).

Storing your medicine

Do not take any syrup after the expiry date given on the packaging.

Store your medicine carefully: keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Your medicine should be stored between 2–8°C in the fridge, but not frozen. Remember to return any unused medicine to your pharmacist (chemist).