perhexiline maleate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Pexsig (perhexiline maleate) tablets. It does not contain all of the available information about Pexsig tablets. It does not replace talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Pexsig tablets against the expected benefits.
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 Pexsig is used for
The name of your medicine is Pexsig and is available in a 100 mg strength tablet.
The active ingredient is called perhexiline maleate. Perhexiline belongs to a group of medicines called anti-anginal agents.
These are used to reduce the frequency of moderate to severe attacks of angina pectoris (severe chest pain caused by heart disease). Pexsig acts by increasing the efficiency of the heart.
Only take Pexsig when your doctor prescribes it for you.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Pexsig has been prescribed for you.
If you have any concerns you should discuss this with your doctor.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Before you take it
When you must not take it
Do not take Pexsig if you have:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- If you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to Pexsig or any of its ingredients.
If you are not sure, talk to your doctor about it.
You should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Pexsig if you:
- Have diabetes
If you use insulin or take a certain type of antidiabetic tablet you may need to adjust your dosage during the first few days after starting on Pexsig. - Have kidney or liver disease
- Are taking any medicines (whether prescription or non-prescription)
Your doctor needs to know about other drugs you may be taking, particularly medicines known as beta-blockers and anti-diabetics.
If your doctor wants you to stop taking beta-blockers, you must not stop them suddenly; but should withdraw them gradually over several days.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. As there is no experience with the use of Pexsig in pregnant women, your doctor must weigh the potential benefits against the possible risks.
Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Do not use it after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
Do not purchase or take Pexsig if the packing shows signs of tampering.
Do not give Pexsig to children.
Pexsig may cause dizziness or unsteadiness in some patients. If affected, do not drive a vehicle, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or faint.
Tell your doctor about any other medicines that you take, including medicines bought without a doctor’s prescription.
There are several medicines, particularly medicines known as beta-blockers (used for heart conditions and high blood pressure) and anti-diabetics (used to treat diabetes), which may affect the way Pexsig works.
Your doctor may still want you to take these other medicines but may need to adjust the dose of them or take other precautions.
You should check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you are taking any of these types of medicines.
How to take it
How much to take
The dose will be decided by your doctor and will depend on your condition and how you respond to Pexsig.
A common starting dose is one Pexsig tablet taken once or twice a day; your doctor may increase or decrease this dose at intervals, usually 2 to 4 weeks, based on the results obtained.
Generally, the dose should not exceed three Pexsig tablets a day in divided doses. In some cases, a dose of 4 Pexsig tablets per day may be necessary.
Do NOT take more tablets than your doctor has prescribed.
Some patients may require a lower dose than the 100 mg contained in Pexsig tablets; in this case, Pexsig tablets can be broken in half, giving 50 mg in each half tablet.
When should I take it
If your doctor has prescribed you more than one Pexsig tablet per day, you will take them in divided doses as directed by your doctor.
For example, if you have been prescribed two tablets per day, your doctor would probably direct you to take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
Follow the directions on the pharmacist’s label on the pack.
Pexsig tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
How long to take it
Pexsig controls your condition but does not cure it. Therefore, Pexsig should be taken every day for as long as your doctor has prescribed it.
If you forget to take it
If you miss taking your Pexsig dose, take the tablet(s) as soon as you remember and then go back to taking it as you would normally.
However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose. If you are unsure about this, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone Australia 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Pexsig tablets. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking it
Before you start taking Pexsig, your doctor will examine you and have some blood tests carried out.
While you are taking Pexsig, the doctor will repeat the examinations and tests at regular intervals (at least once a month) in order to see how you are responding and whether your body is tolerating the treatment.
One of these tests is to measure the amount of Pexsig in your blood, so that your doctor may adjust the dose, if necessary.
If the blood tests or the examinations reveal certain results, your doctor may decide that you stop taking this medicine or change the dose.
If your doctor orders any blood tests, the fact that you are taking Pexsig may cause some changes in the results which your doctor may discuss with you.
Remember that this medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Side effects
Although most people benefit from taking Pexsig, it may have unwanted effects.
The following unwanted effects have been reported in patients taking this medicine (most unwanted effects usually occur in the first few weeks of treatment and some may disappear in 2 to 4 weeks). More often they go away if the dose is reduced. In some cases, they only go away if the treatment is stopped.
Serious unwanted effects
Immediately contact your doctor, or, if your doctor is not available, go to the nearest casualty department at your nearest hospital, if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss.
More common unwanted effects
(reported in 65% of patients)
- Dizziness or drunken sensation
- Difficulty in/or changed walking
- Unsteadiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Lack of appetite and moderate weight loss (2 to 4 Kg)
- Temporary increases in blood substances from the liver
- Increases in blood fats
- Moderate decreases in blood sugar
- Alterations to the ECG (the electrical record of heart activity).
Less common unwanted effects:
- Profound weakness
- Nervousness
- Weariness and lack of interest
- Inability to sleep
- Tremors
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Fainting
- Disorders of the urinary and sexual organs
- Changes in sexual drive
- Flushing or sweating
- Rash or itchy rash.
Rare, more severe, unwanted effects
- Inflammation of the nerve roots of the skin and spine, and accompanied by fever (the first signs may be numbness, tingling and/or weakness in the legs with difficulty in walking)
- Severe lack of sugar in the blood
- Significant weight loss (more than 10%) and liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you notice any other unwanted effects or are concerned, or troubled in any way, by unwanted effects.
Other unwanted effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
If you take too much (overdose)
If you accidentally take too many tablets, you will likely have the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unsteady walking
- Headache.
More severe symptoms, for example, liver damage or irregular or rapid heartbeat, may develop. Damage to the liver could occur.
You should immediately contact your doctor or go to the casualty department of your nearest hospital if you have taken too many Pexsig tablets.
After taking it
Storage
Keep your medicine out of reach of children.
Keep it away from direct sunlight and away from the damp. Store below 30°C.
Do not store them in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on windowsills
Do not use the tablets after the expiry date shown on the pack.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Pexsig tablets, return any left over to your pharmacist for disposal.
Product description
What it looks like
A white to off-white tablet scored on one side. It is supplied in amber glass bottles containing 100 tablets.
Ingredients
Each Pexsig tablet contains 100 mg of the active ingredient (perhexiline maleate).
Each tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients:
- Lactose monohydrate
- Maize starch
- Sucrose
- Purified talc.
The tablets do not contain preservatives, gluten or azo dyes.
Sponsor
Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos Street
St Leonards NSW 2065
Australia
Australian Registration Number: AUST R 52182
This leaflet was revised in July 2020.
Published by MIMS September 2020