Minex 15 mg Capsules

MINEX contains phentermine hydrochloride, as phentermine. MINEX is used with a doctor-approved exercise, behaviour change, and reduced-calorie diet program to help you lose weight. It is used by certain overweight people, such as those who are obese or have weight-related medical problems. Losing weight and keeping it off can lessen the many health risks that come with obesity, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a shorter life. It is not known how this medicine helps people to lose weight. It may work by decreasing your appetite, increasing the amount of energy used by your body, or by affecting certain parts of the brain. This medicine is an appetite suppressant and belongs to a class of medicines called sympathomimetic amines.

Do not take MINEX:

• if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to phentermine, to any other sympathomimetic medicines (e.g. decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, stimulants such as amphetamine, appetite suppressants such as diethylpropion) or any of the other ingredients of MINEX (see section 6)
• if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• if you have had a stroke or minor stroke
• if you have a history of heart problems
• if you have an overactive thyroid
• if you have a history of mental/mood problems (e.g. eating disorder (anorexia) or depression)
• if you have glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve of the eye)
• if you have a history of drug or alcohol dependence or abuse
• if you have obstructive uropathy (urine unable to drain from the kidneys to the bladder)
• if you suffer from epilepsy (fits) which is poorly controlled
• if you are taking MAO inhibitors (see Other medicines with MINEX)
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Children under the age of 12 years should not take MINEX.

Warnings and precautions

Take special care with MINEX:

• if you are taking any other medicines for weight loss. Taking MINEX with other medicines for weight loss is not recommended
• if you have mild hypertension (high blood) pressure or kidney problems
• if you suffer from epilepsy
• if you suffer from diabetes. You should check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medicine during treatment with MINEX.
• if you develop symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, swelling of your lower arms or legs, or reduced ability to exercise as you may have a serious lung disease called primary pulmonary hypertension. Discontinue taking MINEX immediately and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms while taking MINEX.

Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always use MINEX exactly as your doctor has instructed you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

Adults and Children over 12 years: The usual dose is one MINEX capsule, swallowed whole first thing in the morning. An evening dose should be avoided, since MINEX may prevent you sleeping. The recommended dose should not be exceeded.

Do not take MINEX with any other weight loss medicines (see Other medicines and MINEX). Children under the age of 12 years should not take MINEX (see Do not take MINEX). Your doctor will tell you how long your treatment with MINEX will last. If you have the impression that the effect of MINEX is too strong or too weak, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Do not increase your dose to increase the effects of this medicine.

If you take more MINEX than you should:

In the event of overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison control centre. Symptoms of overdose may include: Irritability, rapid respiration, agitation, euphoria (intense excitement or happiness), restlessness, overactive reflexes, disorientation, tremor, aggressiveness, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), panic attack, irregular heartbeat, convulsions (fits), fatigue, coma, high or low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

If you forget to take MINEX: If you forget to take MINEX, take a dose as soon as you remember, then continue to take MINEX at the usual times. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.

MINEX can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for MINEX are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen, or if you experience any untoward effects while using MINEX, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional for advice.

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

• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
• rash or itching. These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to MINEX. 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:

• changes in the way your heart beats, for example, if you notice it is beating faster
• pressure, tightness, or pain in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back; shortness of breath, cold sweats (signs of a heart attack or other heart problems)
• numbness or paralysis in the face, leg, or arm, most likely on just one side of the body (signs of a stroke)
• shortness of breath, initially while exercising and eventually while at rest, fatigue, dizziness or fainting spells, chest pressure or pain, swelling in your ankles, legs and eventually in your abdomen (signs of a blockage of the artery which takes blood from the heart to the lungs). 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:

• overstimulation, restlessness, nervousness, problems sleeping, tremor, dizziness, headache.

Less frequent side effects:

• euphoria (intense excitement or happiness) followed by extreme tiredness and depression, mood changes, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).

The following side effects have been reported but the frequency for them to occur is not known:

• impaired emotions and loss of contact with external reality
• blurred vision
• dizziness and light-headedness (high blood pressure)
• nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, stomach cramps, unpleasant taste, diarrhoea, constipation
• skin rash and hives
• you pass more urine than normal or more frequently than normal
• problems with sexual performance or sex drive.

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

Store all medicines out of reach of children. Store at or below 25 °C. Keep blisters in carton until required for use. Do not use after the expiry date stated on the carton. Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist. Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g. toilets).