indapamide hemihydrate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some of the common questions about Indapamide-GA. 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 Indapamide-GA against the benefits the medicine is expected to 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 Indapamide-GA is used for
Indapamide-GA tablets are used to treat mild to moderate hypertension (high blood pressure).
Indapamide-GA tablets belong to a class of medicines called diuretics (or fluid tablets).
Indapamide-GA allows the heart muscle and surrounding blood vessels to relax more fully and hence carry the same volume of blood more easily. It can be used alone or in combination with other medicines to lower blood pressure.
Your doctor, however, may prescribe Indapamide-GA for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Indapamide-GA has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
There is no evidence that Indapamide-GA is addictive.
Before you take Indapamide-GA
When you must not take it
Do not take Indapamide-GA if:
- You have ever had an allergic reaction to :
- medicines containing indapamide hemihydrate.
- medicines containing other sulphonamide-derived agents.
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- You have severe kidney failure or liver disease.
- You are taking lithium, as Indapamide-GA can increase the side effects caused by lithium.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless in your doctor’s opinion the benefits of treatment outweigh the potential risk to the child. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you if you are concerned.
If you are not sure whether you should be taking Indapamide-GA, talk to your doctor.
Do not take Indapamide-GA if the expiry date on the pack has passed. If you take this medicine after the date has passed it may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect.
Do not take Indapamide-GA if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not take Indapamide-GA if the tablets themselves are broken or damaged or do not look right.
Do not give Indapamide-GA to children.
Before you start to take it
You must tell your doctor if:
- You are taking any medicines containing digoxin.
- You currently have or have ever had SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)
- You currently have or have ever had gout.
- You are taking any other medicines including strong pain killers and medicines to treat high blood pressure.
- You are allergic to any other medicines or other substances such as foods, dyes or preservatives.
- You have or have ever had any other health problems.
- You plan to become pregnant or to breastfeed.
- You are scheduled to have surgery under general anaesthetic.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Indapamide-GA.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
There may be an interference between Indapamide-GA and some other medicines, including:
- Preparations containing lithium
- Preparations containing digoxin
- Diuretics (fluid tablets)
- Other blood pressure tablets
- Alcohol, narcotics and barbiturates
How to take Indapamide-GA
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They 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 the prescribed dose of Indapamide-GA tablets whole with a full glass of water.
When to take it
Indapamide-GA may be taken either before or after food .
How long to take it
Continue taking Indapamide-GA, for as long as your doctor instructs you to do so.
If you forget to take it
Do not take a double dose. Take the next Indapamide-GA dose at the regular time.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to the Accident & Emergency department at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Indapamide-GA. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep telephone numbers of these places/services handy.
If you take too much Indapamide-GA you may suffer nausea, vomiting, weakness, stomach upsets, electrolyte imbalance, reduced breathing, fainting or dizziness.
While you are using Indapamide-GA
Things you must do
If you become pregnant while you are taking Indapamide-GA, tell your doctor.
If you are about to start taking a new medicine tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Indapamide-GA.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking your tablets because you are feeling better, unless advised to do so by your doctor.
Do not give Indapamide-GA to anyone else even if they have the same condition as you.
Things to be careful of
Be careful of driving or operating machinery until you know how Indapamide-GA affects you. Indapamide-GA may cause dizziness or drowsiness, do not drive or operate machinery if Indapamide-GA affects you in this way.
Be careful getting up from a lying or sitting position. Get up slowly, getting up too fast may cause a feeling of light-headedness, dizziness or fainting.
Make sure you drink plenty of water in hot weather and during exercise, especially if you are sweating a lot. Not drinking enough water could cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Side effects
Check with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any problems while you are taking Indapamide-GA, even if you do not think that the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like all medicines, Indapamide-GA can cause side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
While you are taking Indapamide-GA
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- weakness
- headache, dizziness
- light headedness
- stomach upsets
Indapamide-GA can cause an imbalance of the electrolyte (salt) levels in the blood. This is more likely if you are vomiting a lot, are on a drip, have heart failure, poor kidney or liver function, or are on a salt restricted diet. If you suffer from a dry mouth, thirst, weakness, fatigue, lethargy, drowsiness, restlessness, muscle pains or cramps, low blood pressure, low urine output, stomach upsets, nausea or irregular heartbeat, see your doctor.
If you are on long-term therapy with Indapamide-GA, ensure the electrolytes in your blood are monitored regularly by your doctor.
Tell your doctor immediately, or go to Accident & Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- fast or irregular heart beat
- skin rash
- itching
Indapamide-GA may cause other side effects other than those listed above. Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects you may not experience any of them.
After using Indapamide-GA
Storage
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store Indapamide-GA or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave Indapamide-GA in the car or on windowsills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep Indapamide-GA where children can not reach them. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
Tell your doctor if you stop taking the tablets or the tablets have passed their expiry date. Ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Product Description
What Indapamide-GA looks like
Indapamide-GA 2.5 mg tablets are white, round, biconvex, sugar coated tablets.
Indapamide-GA 2.5 mg tablets are available in blister packs of 90 tablets.
Ingredients
Active ingredient:
- Indapamide hemihydrate
Other ingredients (excipients):
- Lactose monohydrate
- Povidone
- Starch – maize
- Magnesium stearate
- Opaseal clear P-2-0300G (ethyl acetate, stearic acid, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, industrial methylated spirit 74 OP)
- Purified talc
- Calcium carbonate
- Acacia
- Titanium dioxide
- Sucrose
- Opaglos 6000P off-white (shellac, industrial methylated spirit 74 OP, beeswax white, carnuba wax)
Indapamide-GA does not contain gluten, tartrazine or any other azo food dyes.
Supplier
www.ascentpharma.com.au
Ascent Pharma Pty Ltd
151-153 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne VIC 3205
For further information call 1800 554 414
Indapamide-GA 2.5 mg tablets
AUST R 167015
This leaflet was prepared in June 2010 .
Published by MIMS October 2010
