▼ This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE (LURASIDONE HYDROCHLORIDE) FILM-COATED TABLETS
Lurasidone Hydrochloride
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about PHARMACOR LURASIDONE.
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 PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 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 PHARMACOR LURASIDONE is used for
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE is used to treat adults and adolescents (aged 13 years or over) with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental illness with disturbances in thinking, feelings and behaviour.
Your doctor may have prescribed PHARMACOR LURASIDONE for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why PHARMACOR LURASIDONE has been prescribed for you.
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE belongs to a group of medicines called atypical antipsychotics. It helps to correct chemical imbalances in the brain, which may cause mental illness. There is no evidence that PHARMACOR LURASIDONE is addictive or habit forming.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE is not recommended for use in children or adolescents under 13 years of age, as safety and effectiveness have not been established in this age group.
Before you take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE
When you must not take it
Do not take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE if:
- you have an allergy to lurasidone hydrochloride (the active ingredient in PHARMACOR LURASIDONE ) or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- you are taking medicines that can affect how your body processes PHARMACOR LURASIDONE such as:
– ketoconazole or voriconazole, used to treat certain fungal infections
– ritonavir, used to treat HIV Infection
– carbamazepine, used to treat convulsions (fits)
– phenytoin, used to treat convulsions (fits) and some heart conditions
– rifampicin or clarithromycin, used to treat bacterial infections
– herbal medicines derived from St. John’s wort, used to treat depression.
Do not take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE after the expiry date printed on the pack or the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE , talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to:
- any other medicines
- any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Like most atypical antipsychotic medicines, PHARMACOR LURASIDONE is not recommended for use during pregnancy. However, if you need to take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE during your pregnancy, your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and risks of taking it.
Tell your doctor if you are breast feeding or plan to breast-feed.
It is recommended that you do not breast-feed while taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE , as it may pass into breast milk and therefore there is a possibility that the breast-fed baby may be affected.
Be sure you have discussed with your doctor the risks and benefits of using this medicine while breast-feeding.
Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol you drink. People who drink excessive quantities of alcohol should not take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
- dementia-related psychosis (particularly in the elderly)
- neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a reaction to some medicines with a sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions
- tardive dyskinesia, a reaction to some medicines with wormlike movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks or jaws which may progress to the arms and legs
- disease of the blood with a reduced number of white blood cells (e.g. leukopenia or neutropenia)
- diabetes, increased blood sugar (also known as hyperglycaemia)
- seizures
- suicidal thoughts or behaviour
- cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart failure, history of heart attack, ischemia, conduction abnormalities, or have a condition known as QT prolongation)
- dyslipidemia (e.g. changed levels of lipids such as cholesterol, triglycerides etc. in the blood)
- low blood pressure (also known as hypotension) or fainting
- venous thromboembolism (e.g. blockage of a blood vessel by a blood clot formed elsewhere in the body)
- cerebrovascular disease (e.g. stroke, dehydration, low blood pressure), particularly in the elderly
- liver or kidney problems
- breast cancer, pituitary tumours (e.g. tumours at the base of the brain)
- high blood prolactin levels (which may present as breast swelling, unusual secretion of breast milk, missed or irregular menstrual periods, breast enlargement in men or impotence)
- difficulty in swallowing
- weight gain.
- sleep apnoea (temporarily stopping breathing while sleeping)
Tell your doctor if you are participating in activities that may contribute to an elevation in core body temperature (e.g. exercising strenuously, exposure to extreme heat) or subject you to dehydration.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist 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 PHARMACOR LURASIDONE may interfere with each other, these medicines are listed in the When you must not take it section above.
These medicines may be affected by PHARMACOR LURASIDONE, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor will advise you.
How to take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE
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 pack ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many tablets you will need to take each day. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
How to take it
Swallow PHARMACOR LURASIDONE whole with a glass of water. Do not chew the tablets.
When to take it
Take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE during or immediately after food, consider evening meal.
Unless your doctor gives you other directions, you should take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE only once a day.
How long to take it
Continue taking the tablets for as long as your doctor tells you.
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE helps control your condition, but does not cure it. Therefore you must take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE every day.
Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to – even if you feel better.
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.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26 in Australia), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much PHARMACOR LURASIDONE. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention. If you take too much, you may experience:
- fast, slow or irregular heart beat
- low blood pressure (i.e. dizziness, lightheadedness)
- reduced alertness
- seizures (i.e. fits) uncontrolled muscle spasms affecting the head and neck.
While you are using PHARMACOR LURASIDONE
Things you must do
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE if:
- you are about to be started on any new medicines
- you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic
- you become pregnant while taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE
- you need to have any medical tests while you are taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE
- you have signs of frequent infections such as fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
- you have hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)
- You have a sudden increase in body temperature, sweating, fast heart beat, muscle stiffness, high blood pressure and convulsions (these symptoms may be associated with a condition called ‘neuroleptic malignant syndrome’).
- dizziness on standing up, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position (orthostatic hypotension) or fainting
- high blood prolactin levels (which may present as breast swelling, unusual secretion of breast milk, missed or irregular menstrual periods, breast enlargement in men or impotence).
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE may affect the results of some tests.
Be sure to keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Things you must not do
Do not give PHARMACOR LURASIDONE to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar or they have the same condition as you.
Do not take PHARMACOR LURASIDONE to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking PHARMACOR LURASIDON, or lower the dosage, even if you are feeling better, without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE suddenly, your condition may worsen or your chance of getting an unwanted side effect may increase.
To prevent this, your doctor may gradually reduce the amount of PHARMACOR LURASIDONE you take each day before stopping completely.
Do not take any medicines that cause drowsiness while you are taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE , unless recommended by your doctor.
Things to be careful of
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided while taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE. Grapefruit juice contains one or more components that alter the metabolism of some medicines, including PHARMACOR LURASIDONE. This may lead to higher and unpredictable levels of PHARMACOR LURASIDONE in the blood.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how PHARMACOR LURASIDONE affects you. Speak with your doctor about when you can resume these activities. As with other antipsychotic medicines, PHARMACOR LURASIDONE has the potential to impair judgement, thinking or motor skills in some people. Make sure you know how you react to PHARMACOR LURASIDONE before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are affected by PHARMACOR LURASIDONE.
Side Effect
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking PHARMACOR LURASIDONE.
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.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- nausea, vomiting
- diarrhoea, abdominal pain
- restlessness, agitation, anxiety
- extrapyramidal symptoms including Parkinsonism (e.g. unusual movements, including trembling and shaking of the hands and fingers, twisting movements of the body, rigid posture, stiffness of the arms and legs, slow movements and a shuffling, unbalanced walk)
- sleepiness, difficulty sleeping
- indigestion
- increased saliva
- back pain
- dizziness
- decreased appetite
- blurred vision
- high blood pressure
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
- sudden signs of allergy such as skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- severe spasms in the muscles of the shoulders, neck and upper body
- temporary paralysis, weakness of muscles or muscle pain
- worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the tongue
- mouth, cheeks, or jaw which may progress to the arms and legs
- suicidal thoughts or behaviour
- seizure
- sudden severe headache, loss of vision, loss of coordination, slurred speech, shortness of breath, chest pain, numbness, heat or swelling in the arms and legs (these symptoms may be associated with a blockage in a blood vessels).
These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
After using PHARMACOR LURASIDONE
Storage
Keep your tablets in the Blister & Bottle pack until it is time to take them.
Keep tablets Store below 25°C.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on window sills. 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 PHARMACOR LURASIDONE or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 20 mg: White to off white, round shaped, film coated tablets debossed with “20” on one side and “L” on other side.
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 40 mg: White to off white, round shaped, film coated tablets debossed with “40” on one side and “L” on other side.
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 80 mg: Light-green to green, oval shaped, film coated tablets debossed with “80” on one side and “L” on other side.
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 20, 40 & 80 mg coming in a Al/Alblister pack of 7, 10, 14, 28, 30, 56, 60, 90, 98 or 100 tablets and HDPE bottle of 30, 90 & 500 tablets.
Ingredients
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE Active ingredient:
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 20 mg tablets contain 20 mg of Lurasidone Hydrochloride.
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 40 mg tablets contain 40 mg of Lurasidone Hydrochloride.
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 80 mg tablets contain 80 mg of Lurasidone Hydrochloride.
The inactive ingredients in PHARMACOR LURASIDONE tablets include
- Lactose monohydrate
- Mannitol
- Pregelatinised maize starch
- Croscarmellose sodium
- Povidone
- Citric acid
- Magnesium stearate
- Opadry complete film coating system Y-1-7000H white (ARTG PI NO. 108918) – 20 mg and 40 mg tablets
- Opadry complete film coating system 02B510016 Green (ARTG PI No. 114420) – 80 mg tablets
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE does not contain sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
It contain Lactose.
Sponsor
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE is supplied in Australia by:
Pharmacor Pty Ltd.
CHATSWOOD, NSW 2067,
Australia
www.pharmacor.com.au
Australian Register Number:
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 20 mg:
Blister pack: AUST R 324026
Bottle pack: AUST R 324023
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 40 mg:
Blister pack: AUST R 324021
Bottle pack: AUST R 324030
PHARMACOR LURASIDONE 80 mg:
Blister pack: AUST R 324027
Bottle pack: AUST R 324020
Date of preparation
This leaflet was prepared on 08/2020
Published by MIMS February 2021
