Gamanil 70mg Tablets

What’s the dose?

• The usual dose is 70mg twice daily (140mg) or three times daily (210mg) depending upon patient response.
• The daily dose should always be given in divided doses not exceeding 70 mg per dose.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Tell you doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines including those without a prescription and herbal product.

Do not take Gamanil if you are taking the following medicines:

• medicines to treat depression known as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine or you have taken MAOIs within the last 14 days
• amiodarone, used to control the way your heart beats
• terfenadine, used to treat allergies

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• other medicines used to treat depression including Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine and fluvoxamine or drugs that control your moods or alprazolam which makes you feel less anxious
• medicines used to treat heart problems such as: clonidine, calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem or verapamil or other medicines used to treat high blood pressure
• digoxin
• nitrates used to treat angina
• medicines that control the heart beat such as sotalol, disopyramide, procainamide, propafenone and quinidine
• warfarin used to prevent your blood clotting. Your doctor may want to perform some tests
• diuretics (water tablets)

Also:

• medicines found in cough and cold remedies such as phenylephrine or phenylpropanolamine. Tell your pharmacist that you are taking Gamanil before buying these medicines
• medicines used to treat epilepsy including barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• disulfiram - used to treat patients with alcohol problems
• medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease
• ritonavir - used to treat HIV
• cimetidine - used to treat stomach acid problems
• medicines to treat thyroid problems
• altretamine used to treat ovarian cancer
• rifampicin used to treat tuberculosis (TB)
• oral contraceptives
• painkillers

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Like all medicines, Gamanil can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Gamanil and see a doctor straight away if you have:

• an allergic reaction. Signs may include swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat or difficulty breathing or swallowing severe itching of your skin with raised lumps
• a serious effect on your blood, such as low sodium levels. Signs may include fever or chills, sore throat, ulcers in your mouth or throat, unusual tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding or unexplained bruises. These may also be signs of other blood disorders. If you notice any of these, tell your doctor straight away.

Serious side effects:

• If you feel more depressed, including thinking about suicide

If you get any of the following side effects, see your doctor as soon as possible:

Effects on your heart:

• feeling faint and dizzy when standing up, change in blood pressure, fast or unusual heart beats, heart failure becoming worse

Effects on your brain and nervous system:

• feeling confused
• feeling agitated
• feeling disorientated (not knowing where you are)
• delusions and hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
• difficulty sleeping
• nightmares
• feeling slightly hyperactive
• numbness or tingling or pins and needles (particularly in the hands and feet)
• difficulty in co-ordinating movements
• fits

Effects on your liver:

• hepatitis including changes in liver function that would be identified by a blood test
• yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

Effects on your hormones:

• change in sexual function and sex drive
• breast swelling in men and women
• production of breast milk
• pain in the testicles
• increased or decreased blood sugar levels
• inappropriate secretion of the hormone ADH (antidiuretic hormone) that may make you pass water (urinate) more frequently

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Effects on your ears:

• buzzing or ringing in the ears

Effects on your stomach and intestines:

• feeling or being sick
• nasty taste in your mouth
• dry mouth
• constipation

Effects on the skin:

• skin rashes
• skin rash due to sunlight
• swollen face
• bleeding from the skin
• swelling of the moist areas of the body such as the nose

Effects on your eyesight:

• blurred or double vision
• changes in eyesight
• glaucoma

General effects:

• headache
• dizziness
• tiredness
• increased sweating
• difficulty passing water
• shaking

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• Do not drink alcohol whilst taking Gamanil.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not take Gamanil during pregnancy or while breast feeding.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lofepramine

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/1147

http://www.rateadrug.com/Gamanil-side-effects.aspx