Alumag D 5 mg/400 mg/200 mg/10 ml Suspension

ALUMAG D belongs to a group of medicines called acid neutralisers with antispasmodics. ALUMAG D is indicated as an antacid.

Do not take ALUMAG D:

• if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to dicyclomine hydrochloride, dried aluminium hydroxide, light magnesium oxide or any of the other ingredients of ALUMAG D (listed in section 6)
• if you suffer from prostatic enlargement, intestinal obstruction or pyloric obstruction where it can lead to obstruction or severe inflammation of the colon
• if you suffer from a condition causing abnormal weakness of certain muscles, called myasthenia gravis
• if you suffer from glaucoma
• if you suffer from renal failure
• if you suffer from urinary tract disease, thyrotoxicosis (disease of thyroid gland) or heart failure.

Do not give ALUMAG D to children under two years.

Warnings and precautions

Take special care with ALUMAG D:

• if you suffer from conditions characterised by tachycardia (abnormal rapid heart rate)
• if ALUMAG D is given to elderly men
• if your stomach does not contract normally or if you have an obstruction in your stomach or intestines
• if you have a hernia associated with heartburn
• if you have kidney problems.

Other medicines and ALUMAG D

Always tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicine. (This includes complementary or traditional medicines.) Taking ALUMAG D with other medicines can decrease or increase the absorption of the other medicines. ALUMAG D should be taken at least 2 to 3 hours before or after other oral medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• amantadine, used for Parkinson’s disease
• antibiotics used to treat infection, called tetracyclines
• anticholinergic medicine, medicines that block the action of a neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine, thereby reducing spasms in smooth muscles
• antihistamines, used to treat allergies
• barbiturates, used for anxiety, sleeplessness, and epilepsy
• digoxin, a medication used to treat various heart conditions
• medicines used for certain mental conditions, such as butyrophenones, phenothiazines and tricyclic antidepressants
• quinidine, used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats
• quinine, used to treat malaria
• vitamins
• warfarin, a medicine to help prevent blood clots.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The safety of ALUMAG D in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. ALUMAG D contains benzyl alcohol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because large amounts of benzyl alcohol can build-up in your body and may cause side effects (called “metabolic acidosis”). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare provider for advice before taking ALUMAG D.

Driving and using machines

Since adverse reactions such as fatigue, sedation, dizziness and blurred vision have been reported in patients receiving ALUMAG D, patients should not drive, use machinery or perform any tasks that require concentration, until they are certain that ALUMAG D does not adversely affect their ability to do so (see “Possible side effects”).

Always take ALUMAG D exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist have told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. The usual dose is:

• Adults: Two to four medicine measures (10 - 20 ml) three to four times daily.
• Children over 2 years of age: One to two medicine measures (5 - 10 ml) three to four times daily.

If you have the impression that the effect of ALUMAG D is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more ALUMAG D than you should

In the event of overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre.

If you forget to take ALUMAG D

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.

ALUMAG D can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for ALUMAG D are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking this medicine, please consult your healthcare provider for advice. Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

• hypersensitivity (allergy) which may appear as conjunctivitis or a skin rash
• flushing and dryness of the skin
• dry mouth, thirst
• bronchospasm (a tight chest with difficulty breathing)
• breathing problems (called “gasping syndrome”) in young children
• fatigue, sedation
• headache, dizziness
• blurred vision
• tachycardia (rapid heart rate) with palpitations and arrhythmias
• low phosphate levels in the body
• constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, stomach discomfort
• urinary retention, urine becomes alkaline.

If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects

If you get side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA online: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of ALUMAG D.

Store all medicines out of reach of children. Store at or below 25 °C. Do not store in a bathroom. Do not use after the expiry date stated on the label. Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist. Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g., toilets).