NIMODIPINE JUNO

NIMODIPINE JUNO

Active ingredient(s): nimodipine

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Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using NIMODIPINE JUNO. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using NIMODIPINE JUNO.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using NIMODIPINE JUNO?
2. What should I know before I use NIMODIPINE JUNO?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use NIMODIPINE JUNO?
5. What should I know while using NIMODIPINE JUNO?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I using NIMODIPINE JUNO?

NIMODIPINE JUNO contains the active ingredient nimodipine. NIMODIPINE JUNO belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. NIMODIPINE JUNO works by relaxing the smooth muscle of the small blood vessels in the brain.

This allows narrowed vessels to open up, thereby increasing blood flow, reducing blood pressure, and improving circulation.

NIMODIPINE JUNO is used to prevent or to treat a lack of blood supply in the brain caused by narrowing of the blood vessels after a haemorrhage (burst blood vessel in the brain).

2. What should I know before I use NIMODIPINE JUNO?

Warnings

Do not use NIMODIPINE JUNO if:

• you are allergic to nimodipine, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
• Oral nimodipine (other brands) if you are taking:
  – phenobarbitone, phenytoin, carbamazepine or other anticonvulsants; medicines used to treat epilepsy or seizures
  – rifampicin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis and other serious infections

Check with your doctor if you:

• have any other medical conditions:
  – low blood pressure
  – heart conditions
  – fluid retention in the brain
  – kidney or liver disease
  – bowel obstruction
  – take any medicines for any other condition

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

Alcohol

• Tell your doctor if you suffer from alcoholism or impaired alcohol metabolism. Patients with liver disease, epilepsy, pregnant or breastfeeding should take into account that NIMODIPINE JUNO contains alcohol.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with NIMODIPINE JUNO and affect how it works. These include:

• medicines used to lower your blood pressure and/or reduce water retention, such as frusemide
• medicines used to treat tuberculosis, such as
• rifampicin
• medicines used to treat epilepsy or seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, sodium valproate
• certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins
• medicines used to treat HIV infection and AIDS, such as ritonavir, zidovudine
• antifungals, such as ketoconazole
• medicines used to treat depression, such as
• nefazodone, fluoxetine, nortryptyline
• medicines used to treat heartburn, such as cimetidine
• medicines used to treat cancer, such as doxorubicin, vincristine

Food that may increase the effect of NIMODIPINE JUNO include:

• You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are on NIMODIPINE JUNO because this can increase the effects of it.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect NIMODIPINE JUNO.

4. How do I use NIMODIPINE JUNO?

How much to use

• Your doctor will decide the appropriate dose for you.

When to use NIMODIPINE JUNO

• NIMODIPINE JUNO should be used as directed by your doctor.

If you forget to use NIMODIPINE JUNO

NIMODIPINE JUNO is administered by a doctor or nurse in a hospital. If you miss your dose at the usual time, tell your doctor.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

If you use too much NIMODIPINE JUNO

As NIMODIPINE JUNO is given to you in hospital under the supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive an overdose. Symptoms of a nimodipine overdose include the effects listed below in the ‘Side Effects’ section but are usually of a more severe nature.

5. What should I know while using NIMODIPINE JUNO?

Things you should do

Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you have been given nimodipine.

Things you should not do

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without checking with your doctor.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how NIMODIPINE JUNO affects you.

NIMODIPINE JUNO may cause dizziness or faintness in some people.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Alcohol may cause dizziness or faintness to be worse..

Looking after your medicine

NIMODIPINE JUNO will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. The injection is kept in a cool dry place, protected from light, where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

Any unwanted medicine will be disposed of in a safe manner by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects	What to do
signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing, or trouble breathing irregular heartbeats lack of bowel movement, stomach pain or cramping	Stop taking nimodipine. Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

What NIMODIPINE JUNO contains

Active ingredient (main ingredient)	Nimodipine
Other ingredients (inactive ingredients)	Ethanol Macrogol 400 Sodium citrate dihydrate Citric acid Water for injections
Potential allergens	Ethanol. This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or other azo dyes.

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What NIMODIPINE JUNO looks like

NIMODIPINE JUNO is a clear slightly yellowish solution containing 10 mg nimodipine/50 mL contained in a glass vial with a grey rubber closure and sealed with a flip off top packed in packs of 5. (Aust R 335255).

Who distributes NIMODIPINE JUNO

Juno Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
42 Kelso Street,
Cremorne,
VIC 3121

Pharmacovigilance & Medical Enquiries
Phone: 1800 620 076
Email: medical-enquiries@junopharm.com.au

This leaflet was prepared in August 2021.