ZINNAT tablets

ZINNAT tablets

Active ingredient: cefuroxime axetil

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Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using ZINNAT tablets. 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 ZINNAT tablets.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

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

1. Why am I using ZINNAT tablets?

ZINNAT tablets contains the active ingredient cefuroxime axetil. ZINNAT belongs to a group of medicines called cephalosporin antibiotics.

ZINNAT works by killing bacteria (germs) that cause infections such as infections of:

• ear, nose and throat
• lungs or chest
• urinary tract
• skin and soft tissues

ZINNAT is also used to treat sexually transmitted infections (urethritis and cervictis).

ZINNAT is not addictive.

2. What should I know before I use ZINNAT tablets?

Warnings

Do not use ZINNAT tablets if:

• you have ever had an allergic reaction to cefuroxime, penicillin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
• Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
• the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
• the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Check with your doctor if you:

• are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.
• have had to stop taking another medicine for your infection.
• test your urine for sugar. ZINNAT may interfere with some urine tests.
• have kidney problems.
• are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription.
• need a blood test. ZINNAT can affect the results of a test for blood sugar levels, or a blood screen called the Coombs test.
• are taking the contraceptive pill. ZINNAT may reduce how well the contraceptive pill works.

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.

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 ZINNAT tablets and affect how it works. This include:

• Combined oral contraceptives
• Ranitidine (histamine-2 blocker)

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

4. How do I use ZINNAT tablets?

How much to take

• Take your complete course of ZINNAT tablets as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
  Do not stop just because you feel better, as the medicine may not have killed all the germs and you may start feeling unwell again.
• The usual dose of ZINNAT is one 250 mg tablet twice a day for 7 to 10 days. Your doctor may have prescribed a different dosage regimen.

How to take ZINNAT tablets

• Swallow the whole tablet with a drink of water.
• ZINNAT tablets work better when taken after food.

If you forget to use ZINNAT tablets

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 then go back to taking it as you would normally.

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

If you use too much ZINNAT tablets

If you think that you have used too much ZINNAT tablets, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

• phone the Poisons Information Centre
  (by calling 13 11 26), or
• contact your doctor, or
• go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while using ZINNAT tablets?

Things you should do

Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as directed. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.

Remind any doctor or pharmacist you visit that you are taking ZINNAT tablets.

Things you should not do

• Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
• Do not use ZINNAT tablets to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how ZINNAT tablets affects you.

Looking after your medicine

Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.

Store it a cool, dry place where it stays below 30°C. Do not store it:

• in the bathroom, or
• in the car or on window sills.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

Keep your ZINNAT in its pack until it is time to take it.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

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.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effects	What to do
Gastrointestinal-related abdominal pain nausea or vomiting mild diarrhoea indigestion or wind dry mouth. Nervous system-related Headache Dizziness muscle spasm encephalopathy (such as reduced ability to think clearly or concentrate, memory loss, drowsiness, seizures, muscle twitches and personality change)	Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects	What to do
Skin-related skin rash, which may blister, and looks like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) erythema multiforme a widespread rash with blisters and skin peeling on much of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis), particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) Gastrointestinal-related persistent diarrhoea, even if it occurs sometime after you have stopped taking your ZINNAT Other an overgrowth of yeast (Candida) in the body which can lead to fungal infections (such as thrush). This side effect is more likely if you take ZINNAT for a long time.	Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these side effects.
Nervous system-related seizure Allergic reaction-related wheezing swelling of the lips/mouth difficulty in breathing lumpy rash (“hives”) fainting hayfever	Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor straight away, or go 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 ZINNAT tablets contains

Active ingredient (main ingredient)	cefuroxime (as cefuroxime axetil), 125 or 250 mg
Other ingredients (inactive ingredients)	microcrystalline cellulose croscarmellose sodium vegetable oil-hydrogenated sodium lauryl sulfate colloidal anhydrous silica hypromellose propylene glycol Opaspray White M-1-7120 methyl hydroxybenzoate propyl hydroxybenzoate.

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

What ZINNAT tablets looks like

Zinnat Tablets 125 mg: White, film coated, capsule shaped, biconvex tablets engraved “GXES5” on one face and blank on the other. Available in blister packs (AUST R 47620) of 2, 10, 14 and 50.

Zinnat Tablets 250 mg: White, film coated, capsule shaped, biconvex tablets engraved “GXES7” on one face and blank on the other. Available in blister packs (AUST R 47621) of 2, 10, 14, 20 and 50.

Not all strengths/pack sizes are distributed in Australia.

Who distributes ZINNAT tablets

Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos Street
St Leonards, NSW 2065
Australia

This leaflet was revised in January 2024.