Martacet Tramadol hydrochloride 37,5 mg/325 mg

Martacet contains tramadol and paracetamol. Tramadol is a painkiller belonging to the class of the opioids that acts on the central nervous system. It is used for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. Paracetamol, the other active substance, has centrally acting analgesic effects.

Do not take Martacet:

• If you are allergic to tramadol, paracetamol, any of the other ingredients mentioned in section 6.1, or other opioids such as codeine.
• If you are suffering from acute alcohol poisoning.
• If you are taking sleeping pills, pain relievers or medicines that affect mood and emotions.
• If you are also taking medicines such as tranylcypromine and moclobemide or have taken them in the last 14 days before treatment with Martacet which are used to treat depression. These medicines are used to treat depression and belong to a group called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
• If you have a severe liver disorder.
• Martacet must not be used for narcotic (an addictive substance) withdrawal treatment.
• You should not take Martacet if you suffer from severe breathing problems.
• You should not take Martacet if you are suffering from increased intracranial pressure or central nervous system depression, which are characterised by decreased rate of breathing, decreased heart rate, and loss of consciousness.
• You should not take Martacet if you have fits that are not controlled.

Warnings and precautions

Take special care with Martacet:

• If you take other medicines containing paracetamol or tramadol.
• If you have liver problems or disease as your eyes and skin may turn yellow, which may suggest jaundice.
• If you have kidney problems.
• If you have recently suffered from a head injury, shock or severe headaches associated with vomiting (being sick).
• If you are dependent on any other medicines (for example morphine).
• If you have epilepsy or have experienced fits or seizures.
• Tramadol exerts its effect by converting (metabolising) into its active component. If you convert (metabolise) Tramadol to this active component more rapidly and completely than other patients, you are known as an ultra-rapid metaboliser. This means you are more likely to have serious side effects, such as breathing difficulties, with slow or shallow breathing. If you experience these types of side effects, stop taking Martacet and consult with your doctor immediately.
• If you abruptly stop treatment with Martacet you may suffer from panic attacks, severe anxiety (feeling nervous or worried), hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there), paraesthesia (burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet) and tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears). Your doctor will gradually decrease your dose of Martacet to prevent these side effects from occurring.
• Martacet contains paracetamol. If you are allergic to paracetamol, you may break out in a severe skin rash after you take Martacet. You should stop using Martacet at the first appearance of a skin rash or any other sign of allergy.
• Martacet should not be taken with alcohol containing beverages.
• While taking Martacet you may experience low levels of sodium in your blood (hyponatraemia). Symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, headaches, feeling confused, feeling very tired, feeling restless, feeling irritable, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps and seizures. Elderly patients and patients taking other medicines that lower sodium in the blood are most at risk for this side effect. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Martacet, consult your doctor immediately.
• If you suffer from sleep-related breathing disorders, take special care when taking Martacet.

Talk to your doctor if you develop a craving for Martacet.

Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always take Martacet exactly as your doctor has instructed you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. Your doctor will tell you how long your treatment with Martacet will last. If you have the impression that the effect of Martacet is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

• Swallow the tablets whole with sufficient liquid.
• Do not break or chew the tablets.

Adults: The recommended dosage is 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor. If required, further doses may be taken, as instructed by your doctor. Do not take more than 8 tablets per day.

If you take more Martacet than you should

In the event of over dosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison center. Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage from too much paracetamol. Your kidneys can also become damaged in the absence of liver damage.

If you forget to take Martacet

If you forgot to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.

If you stop taking Martacet

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if Martacet is discontinued abruptly. You may experience anxiety, nervous excitement, difficulty sleeping, excessive abnormal movements, tremor and gastrointestinal symptoms. Other symptoms that have very rarely been seen if tramadol hydrochloride is discontinued abruptly include: panic attacks, severe anxiety, hallucinations, tingling or prickling sensation and ringing in the ears.

Martacet can have side effects. Not all side-effects reported for Martacet are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking Martacet, please consult your healthcare provider for advice.

If any of the following happens, stop taking Martacet and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:

• Rash or itching all over the body
• Allergic reactions along with breathing problems or closing of the throat
• Increased bleeding time

These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious reaction to Martacet. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

The following side effects occur frequently:

• Irregular heartbeat that is much rapid and more pronounced than usual
• Elevated liver enzymes, resulting in abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, weakness, fatigue

These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

Frequent side effects:

• confusional state, sleep disorders, mood changes (anxiety, nervousness, feeling of high spirits)
• dizziness, excessive sleepiness
• headache, trembling
• nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, diarrhoea, stomach pain, indigestion, stomach gas

Less frequent side effects:

• depression, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or imagining things, nightmares
• involuntary muscular contractions, tingling or prickling sensation, loss of memory
• ringing in the ear
• rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat, very fast heartbeat, dysrhythmia
• difficulty swallowing, blood in faeces
• chills
• chest pain
• problems with urination
• difficulty breathing
• increase in blood pressure, hot flushes
• low blood sugar
• drug dependence
• mental confusion and emotional disruption
• convulsions, fainting, speech disorders
• slurred speech, stumbling, convulsions, syncope, speech disorders
• vision blurred, constriction of the pupil (miosis)
• excessive dilation of the pupils (mydriasis)

In addition, the following side effects have been reported by people using medicines that contain only tramadol or only paracetamol:

• feeling faint when getting up from a lying or sitting position, slow heart rate, fainting
• changes in appetite
• muscle weakness, slower or weaker breathing
• mood changes, changes in activity, changes in perception
• worsening of existing asthma

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, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects via http:///www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Store all medicine out of reach of children.

Store at or below 25 °C.

Store in the blisters until required for use.

Do not use the tablets after the expiry date shown on the container.

Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist.

Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g. toilets).