Consumer medicine information

TRANDOLAPRIL-DP CAPSULES

Trandolapril


Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Trandolapril-DP
capsules.

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 Trandolapril-DP capsules 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules is used for

Trandolapril-DP capsules is used to treat high blood pressure,
which doctors call 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. Trandolapril-DP
capsules helps to lower your blood pressure.

Trandolapril-DP capsules 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules for another
reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Trandolapril-DP
capsules has been prescribed for you.

Trandolapril-DP capsules is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

Trandolapril-DP capsules is not addictive.

Trandolapril-DP capsules is not recommended for use in children
as there have been no studies of its effects in children.

Before you take Trandolapril-DP capsules

When you must not take it

Do not take Trandolapril-DP capsules if you have had an allergic
reaction to Trandolapril-DP capsules or to any of the ingredients
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.

Do not take Trandolapril-DP capsules if you have taken any
other ACE inhibitor medicine before which caused your face, lips,
tongue, throat, hands or feet to swell up or made it hard for you
to breathe.
If you have had an allergic reaction to an ACE inhibitor before,
you may be allergic to Trandolapril-DP capsules.

Do not take Trandolapril-DP capsules if you have a history
of swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, throat, hands or feet
for no apparent reason.
Taking Trandolapril-DP capsules could cause this problem to
happen again.

Do not take Trandolapril-DP capsules if you are undergoing
haemodialysis or having your blood treated outside your body.
Taking Trandolapril-DP capsules could cause an allergic reaction.

Do not take Trandolapril-DP capsules if you are pregnant or
intend to become pregnant.
Trandolapril-DP capsules may affect your developing baby if
you take it during pregnancy.

Do not take Trandolapril-DP capsules if you are breastfeeding
or plan to breastfeed.
Like most ACE inhibitors, Trandolapril-DP capsules is not
recommended while you are breastfeeding.

Do not take Trandolapril-DP capsules after the expiry date printed
on the pack.

Do not take Trandolapril-DP capsules 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 Trandolapril-DP
capsules, 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. Trandolapril-DP capsules should not be used during pregnancy
or while you are breastfeeding.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell
them before you start taking Trandolapril-DP capsules

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 Trandolapril-DP capsules may interfere
with each other.

These include:

  • other high blood pressure medicines including diuretics
    (fluid) tablets
  • lithium – a medicine used to treat mood changes
  • some medicines used to treat arthritis, pain or
    fever
  • potassium supplements or large amounts of salt
  • potassium-containing salt substitutes on your food
    (check the label)
  • antacids
  • medicines which lower the body’s resistance to
    disease
  • general anaesthetics

These medicines may be affected by Trandolapril-DP capsules
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 with or avoid
while taking Trandolapril-DP capsules.

How to take Trandolapril-DP capsules

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 4 mg (two 2 mg 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 Trandolapril-DP
capsules, depending on how quickly your kidneys and liver can remove
it from your body.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules with water.

When to take it

Take Trandolapril-DP capsules 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules.

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

Trandolapril-DP capsules helps control your condition, but does
not cure it.

Therefore you must take Trandolapril-DP capsules 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 pharmacist or the Poisons
Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency
at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may
have taken too much Trandolapril-DP capsules. Do this even if there
are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

You may need urgent medical attention.

If you take too much Trandolapril-DP capsules, you may feel
dizzy, light-headed, weak, have palpitations or faint.

While you are using Trandolapril-DP capsules

Things you must do

Have your blood pressure checked when your doctor says, to make
sure Trandolapril-DP capsules is working.

If you become pregnant while taking Trandolapril-DP capsules
tell your doctor immediately.

If you feel light-headed or dizzy after taking your first dose
of Trandolapril-DP capsules, or when your dose is increased, tell
your doctor immediately.

Tell your doctor if you have excessive vomiting and/or diarrhoea
while taking Trandolapril-DP capsules.
You may lose too much water and salt and your blood pressure
may drop too much.

Drink plenty of water when you are using Trandolapril-DP capsules,
especially if you sweat a lot (e.g. during hot weather or exercise).
If you do not drink enough water while taking Trandolapril-DP
capsules, 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules.

If you are about to be started on any new medicines, tell your
doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking Trandolapril-DP
capsules.

If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic,
tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Trandolapril-DP capsules.

If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor
that you are taking Trandolapril-DP capsules.
Trandolapril-DP capsules 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules to anyone else, even if
they have the same condition as you.

Do not take Trandolapril-DP capsules to treat any other complaints
unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not stop taking Trandolapril-DP capsules, 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
Trandolapril-DP capsules affects you.
Trandolapril-DP capsules may cause dizziness, light-headedness
or tiredness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Trandolapril-DP
capsules 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules.
Trandolapril-DP capsules 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules.

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 Trandolapril-DP
capsules and tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency
at your nearest hospital.

  • fainting within a couple of hours of taking Trandolapril-DP
    capsules
  • 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 occur in some patients.
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 Trandolapril-DP capsules

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.

Store in a cool dry place below 25 deg C.

Do not store Trandolapril-DP capsules 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 Trandolapril-DP capsules
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

Trandolapril-DP capsules are available in four different strengths.

  • Trandolapril-DP capsules 0.5 mg are orange
    coloured cap imprinted with ‘TR’ in black ink and ivory
    coloured body imprinted with ‘0.5’ in black ink.
  • Trandolapril-DP capsules 1 mg are orange coloured
    cap imprinted with ‘TR’ in black ink and light orange
    coloured body imprinted with ‘1’ in black ink.
  • Trandolapril-DP capsules 2 mg are orange
    coloured cap imprinted with ‘TR’ in black ink and orange
    coloured body imprinted with ‘2’ in black ink.
  • Trandolapril-DP capsules 4 mg are flesh coloured
    cap imprinted with ‘TR’ in black ink and flesh coloured
    body imprinted with ‘4’ in black ink.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients:

  • Trandolapril-DP capsules 0.5 mg – 0.5 mg
    trandolapril per capsule
  • Trandolapril-DP capsules 1 mg – 1 mg trandolapril
    per capsule
  • Trandolapril-DP capsules 2 mg – 2 mg trandolapril
    per capsule
  • Trandolapril-DP capsules 4 mg – 4 mg trandolapril
    per capsule

Inactive Ingredients:

  • Lactose
  • Starch- maize
  • Povidone
  • Sodium stearylfumarate

In addition the 0.5mg and 2 mg capsule contains the following:
gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), erythrosine – FD & C
red 3 (E127), yellow iron oxide (E172) and black ink (SW-9008).

The 1 mg capsule contains: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171),
erythrosine – FD & C red 3 (E127), yellow iron oxide (E172),
red iron oxide (E172) and black ink (SW-9008).

The 4 mg capsule contains: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171),
red iron oxide (E172) and black ink (SW-9008 / SW-9009).

Trandolapril-DP capsules do not contain gluten, sucrose, tartrazine
or any other azo dyes

Supplier

Trandolapril-DP capsules are supplied in Australia by :
Genepharm Pty Ltd
3/10 Inglewood Place
Baulkham Hills
NSW 2153

Australian Registration Numbers:

Trandolapril-DP capsules 0.5 mg capsules: AUST R 135957
Trandolapril-DP
capsules 1 mg capsules: AUST R 135967
Trandolapril-DP capsules
2 mg capsules: AUST R 135977
Trandolapril-DP capsules 4 mg capsules:
AUST R 135983

This leaflet was prepared in November 2007

Published by MIMS March 2009