trandolapril
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Gopten.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Gopten against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What GOPTEN is used for
Gopten is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and also to treat some heart conditions.
There are usually no symptoms of hypertension. The only way of knowing that you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. If high blood pressure is not treated it can lead to serious health problems. You may feel fine and have no symptoms, but eventually hypertension can lead to serious health problems, including stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. Gopten helps to lower your blood pressure.
Gopten belongs to a group of medicines called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It works by relaxing your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to move around your body. This helps lower blood pressure and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
Your doctor may prescribe Gopten for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Gopten has been prescribed for you.
Gopten is only available with a doctor's prescription.
Gopten is not addictive.
Gopten is not recommended for use in children as there have been no studies of its effects in children.
Before you take GOPTEN
When you must not take it
Do not take Gopten if you:
Are allergic (sensitive) to trandolapril or any of the ingredients in Gopten capsules listed at the end of this leaflet
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itchiness, shortness of breath , swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, hands or feet.
Have ever had an allergic reaction to any other ACE inhibitor
If you have had an allergic reaction to an ACE inhibitor before, you may be allergic to Gopten.
You have a history of swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, throat, hands or feet for no apparent reason.
Taking Gopten could cause this problem to happen again.
Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Gopten may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy
Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
Like most ACE inhibitors, Gopten is not recommended while you are breastfeeding.
Are suffering from any obstruction that slows the flow of blood to the heart, such as narrowing of one of the valves in the heart (aortic stenosis)
Recently had severe or prolonged sickness or diarrhoea
Have ever had the condition known as angioedema (a severe allergic skin condition)
Are undergoing haemodialysis or having your blood treated outside your body.
Taking Gopten could cause an allergic reaction.
Are taking any of the following medications, or medications containing these ingredients:
aliskiren (under certain conditions)
neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors such as sacubitril and racecadotril.
Gopten must not be given to children.
Do not take Gopten after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
Do not take Gopten if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering or if the capsules don't look quite right.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking Gopten , contact your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to:
any other medicines
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
kidney or liver problems
regular dialysis, blood filtration or similar procedures
high levels of potassium in your blood
dizzy spells
diabetes
connective tissue disease
are about to have surgery or a general anaesthetic
any heart conditions
Tell your doctor if you have a family history of excessive swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat.
Tell your doctor if you are following a very low salt diet.
Tell your doctor if you are about to receive desensitisation treatment for an allergy e.g. to insect stings
Tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or breastfeed.
Gopten should not be used during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Gopten
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Gopten may interfere with each other.
These include:
any other medication for high blood pressure
aliskiren
neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors such as sacubitril or racecadotril
diuretics (also known as 'fluid' tablets)
potassium supplements or large amounts of salt
potassium - containing salt substitutes in your food (check the label)
any other medication associated with increases in potassium (e.g. trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole - an antibiotic)
anti-inflammatory pain medicines used to treat arthritis, pain or fever
any antidiabetic medicine (used to lower blood glucose)
lithium or tricyclic antidepressants (used to treat mood changes)
sympathomimetics - these may be found in some decongestants, cough / cold remedies and asthma medicines
antacids
immunosuppressants (medicines which lower the body's resistance to disease)
procainamide (used for abnormal heart rhythms)
allopurinol (medicines used to treat gout)
cytostatic medicines (medicines used to treat certain cancers)
neuroleptic medicines (medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions)
general anaesthetics
injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate) (medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis)
These medicines may be affected by Gopten or may affect how well it works. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines. They also have a more complete list of medicines to be careful of or to avoid while taking Gopten.
How to take GOPTEN
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how many capsules you will need to take each day. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
The usual dosage is one or two capsules taken once daily, up to a maximum of 4mg (two 2mg capsules) once daily.
Dosage for older people over 65 years.
The usual starting dose for older people is less than that for younger adults. Your doctor will adjust the dose of Gopten, depending on how quickly your kidneys and liver can remove it from your body.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
These directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How to take it
Swallow Gopten with water.
When to take it
Take Gopten at about the same time each day.
Taking your capsules at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take the capsules.
It does not matter if you take Gopten before, during or after food.
If you need to take an antacid, take it at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after your dose of Gopten.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
How long to take it
Gopten helps control your condition, but does not cure it.
Therefore you must take Gopten every day. Continue taking the capsules for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Gopten. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much Gopten, you may feel dizzy, light-headed, weak, have palpitations or faint.
While you are using GOPTEN
Things you must do
Have your blood pressure checked when your doctor says, to make sure Gopten is working.
If you become pregnant while taking Gopten tell your doctor immediately.
If you feel light-headed or dizzy after taking your first dose of Gopten, or when your dose is increased, tell your doctor immediately.
Tell your doctor if you have excessive vomiting and/or diarrhoea while taking Gopten.
You may lose too much water and salt and your blood pressure may drop too much.
Drink plenty of water when you are using Gopten, especially if you sweat a lot (e.g. during hot weather or exercise).
If you do not drink enough water while taking Gopten, you may faint or feel light-headed or sick. This is because your blood pressure is dropping suddenly. If you continue to feel unwell, tell your doctor.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Gopten.
If you are about to be started on any new medicines, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking Gopten.
If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Gopten.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking Gopten.
Gopten may interfere with the results of some tests.
Go to your doctor regularly for a check-up.
Your doctor may occasionally do a blood test to check your potassium level in the blood and to see how your kidneys are working.
Things you must not do
Do not give Gopten to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not take Gopten to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking Gopten, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor.
Things to be careful of
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint, get up slowly when getting out of bed or standing up.
Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Gopten affects you.
Gopten may cause dizziness, light-headedness or tiredness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Gopten before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or light-headed.
If this occurs, do not drive.
If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Gopten.
Gopten helps most people with hypertension and some heart conditions, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
light-headedness or dizziness
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pains
indigestion
persistent dry cough
headache
unusual tiredness or weakness
aching, tender or weak muscles not caused by exercise
taste disturbance
These are the more common side effects of Gopten.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:-
fast or irregular heart beat, also called palpitations
signs of worrying or frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
itchy skin rash or other skin problems
symptoms of sunburn (such as redness, itching, swelling, blistering) which may occur more quickly than normal.
These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
If any of the following happen, stop taking Gopten and tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital.
fainting within a couple of hours of taking Gopten
swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
severe dizziness and confusion with visual disturbances and speech problems
chest pain
rapid, shallow breathing, cold clammy skin, a rapid, weak pulse, dizziness, weakness and fainting
These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about side effects, as they have a more complete list of side effects. Inform your doctor promptly about these or any other symptoms. If the condition persists or worsens, seek medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them or only some of them.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using GOPTEN
Storage
Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the capsules out of the pack, they will not keep well.
Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store Gopten or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on a window sill.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Gopten or the capsules have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Gopten capsules are available in four different strengths. Each strength has a separate colour to distinguish it from the others.
Gopten 0.5mg: red & yellow capsules
Gopten 1mg: red & orange capsules
Gopten 2mg: red capsules
Gopten 4mg: red and maroon capsules
All strengths are available in packs of 28 capsules
Ingredients
Active Ingredient:
Gopten 0.5mg - 0.5 mg trandolapril per capsule
Gopten 1mg - 1mg trandolapril per capsule
Gopten 2mg - 2mg trandolapril per capsule
Gopten 4mg - 4mg trandolapril per capsule
Inactive Ingredients:
maize starch
lactose monohydrate
povidone
sodium stearylfumarate
gelatin
titanium dioxide
sodium lauryl sulfate
erythrosine
iron oxide yellow
The 4 mg strength capsule also contains:
iron oxide black
Gopten does not contain gluten, sucrose or tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
