contains the active ingredient pantoprazole
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about SALPRAZ. 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 SALPRAZ 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 SALPRAZ is used for
The name of your medicine is SALPRAZ. It contains the active ingredient called pantoprazole.
Ulcers:
SALPRAZ is used to treat and help heal duodenal and gastric ulcers.
Depending on the position of the ulcer it is called a gastric or duodenal ulcer. A gastric ulcer occurs in the stomach. A duodenal ulcer occurs in the duodenum which is the tube leading out of the stomach.
These can be caused in part by too much acid being made in the stomach.
SALPRAZ may be used to prevent ulcers associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These are medicines used to relieve pain, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation, including arthritis (inflammation of the joints).
Reflux disease:
SALPRAZ is used to treat reflux oesophagitis or reflux disease. This can be caused by "washing back" (reflux) of food and acid from the stomach into the food pipe, also known as the oesophagus.
Reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest rising up to the throat, also known as heartburn.
Salpraz is also used to prevent reflux oesophagitis from coming back.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome:
SALPRAZ is used to treat a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, where the stomach produces very large amounts of acid, much more than in ulcers and reflux disease.
This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
This medicine works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach makes, to give relief from the symptoms and allow healing to take place.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why SALPRAZ has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
How SALPRAZ works
There is no evidence that SALPRAZ is addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
However, do not drive a car or operate machines if you experience side effects such as dizziness or blurred vision.
Salpraz should not be given to children under 5 years of age.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine for children under the age of 5 years.
Before you take SALPRAZ
When you must not take it
Do not take SALPRAZ if you have an allergy to:
any medicine containing pantoprazole
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Do not take SALPRAZ if you have severe liver disease or cirrhosis.
Do not take SALPRAZ in combination with antibiotics or any other medicine if:
you are allergic to any of the antibiotics or medicines your doctor may prescribe with SALPRAZ
you have moderate to severe liver or kidney disease.
Do not take Salpraz in combination with atazanavir or nelfinavir (anti-viral medications).
Do not take SALPRAZ if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
Do not take SALPRAZ after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
If it has expired or is damaged return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any other medical conditions.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits involved. If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take Salpraz.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
unintentional weight loss
repeated vomiting
vomiting blood
difficulty or pain when swallowing
you look pale and feel weak
you notice blood in your stools
Your doctor may need to perform some additional tests before you take Salpraz.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by SALPRAZ, or may affect how well it works. These may include:
warfarin, phenprocoumon - medicines used to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants)
atazanavir, nelfinavir - medicines used to treat viral infections such as HIV
ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole - medicines used to treat fungal infection
methotrexate - a medicine used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer
erlotinib or related medicines used to treat cancer
tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil - medicines used to suppress the immune system
fluvoxamine - a medicine used to treat anxiety and depression
These medicines may be affected by Salpraz, or may affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicine, or take different medicines.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while taking Salpraz.
How to take SALPRAZ
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box/bottle, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
The usual dose is one tablet per day.
Your doctor will prescribe the dose that is right for you.
The dose and frequency of SALPRAZ that your doctor prescribes for you depends on your medical condition. Your doctor may change the dose as your condition changes.
How and when to take it
Swallow your tablets whole with a little water with or without food.
Do not crush or chew the tablets. SALPRAZ tablets have a special coating to protect them form the acidic contents of your stomach. For SALPRAZ to work effectively, this coating must not be broken.
How long to take it
You doctor will tell you how long to take your tablets.
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 it 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 have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to casualty at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much SALPRAZ. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking SALPRAZ
Things you must do
Use SALPRAZ exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking SALPRAZ.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking SALPRAZ.
If you take SALPRAZ for a long period of time, e.g. over 1 year, you will need to see your doctor regularly so that he/she can monitor your condition.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while you are taking SALPRAZ.
Tell your doctor if you do not feel better while taking SALPRAZ.
Your doctor may recommend further examination.
Things you must not do
Do not give SALPRAZ to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Do not take SALPRAZ to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Things that may help your condition
Some self help measures suggested below may help your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these measures and for more information.
Alcohol - your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake.
Aspirin and many other medicines used to treat arthritis/period pain/headaches-these medicines may irritate the stomach and may make your condition worse. Your doctor or pharmacist may suggest other medicines you can take.
Caffeine -
your doctor may advise you to limit the number of drinks which contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cocoa and cola drinks, because they contain ingredients that may irritate your stomach.
Eating habits -
eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eat slowly and chew your food carefully. Try not to rush at meal times.
Smoking -
your doctor may advise you to stop smoking or at least cut down.
Weight -
your doctor may suggest losing some weight to help your condition.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking SALPRAZ, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or they are not listed in this leaflet.
Like other medicines, SALPRAZ can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
headache
dizziness
diarrhoea
nausea or vomiting
stomach pain
excessive gas in the stomach or bowel
indigestion
constipation
dry mouth
metallic taste
weakness or tiredness
increased sweating
blurred vision
skin problems such as itchiness
and rash.
These are the more common side effects of SALPRAZ. Some of these side effects may be due to the combination of other medicines you are taking with SALPRAZ.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
unusual tiredness or weakness
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and dark coloured urine.
skin problems such as itchiness and rash, or swelling, blistering or peeling of the skin
swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
chest pain
shortness of breath
high blood pressure
swelling of the legs
bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
depression, confusion or anxiety.
These may be serious side effects and you may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell when you are taking, or soon after you have finished taking SALPRAZ.
After taking SALPRAZ
Storage
Keep your tablets in their blister pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep SALPRAZ in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 35°C.
Do not store SALPRAZ or any other medicines in a bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep SALPRAZ 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 SALPRAZ or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
SALPRAZ is available as 20 mg and 40 mg tablets. The tablets have an acid-resistant coating called an enteric coating.
The 20 mg tablets are yellow to light yellow oval shaped, plain on both sides,
The 40 mg tablets are yellow to light yellow oval shaped, plain on both sides.
The 20 mg and 40 mg tablets are available in blister packs of 30 tablets.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in SALPRAZ tablets is pantoprazole.
SALPRAZ 40 mg tablets contain the equivalent of 40 mg pantoprazole and;
SALPRAZ 20 mg tablets contain the equivalent of 20 mg pantoprazole.
SALPRAZ tablets also contain Mannitol, Sodium carbonate ,Sodium starch glycollate, Crospovidone, Colloidal anhydrous silica, Calcium stearate, Hypromellose, Macrogol 6000, Purified water, Sodium hydroxide, Eudragit L30-D55 and Opadry AMB Aqueous Moisture Barrier Coating System 80W52172 Yellow.
SALPRAZ does not contain gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
