PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET belongs to a group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation. PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET is used in the emergency treatment of attacks of severe pain, swelling, warmth, redness and tenderness in one or more joints (acute gout attacks). With a maximum daily dose of 3 tablets or 150 mg for a maximum treatment period of 3 days.
1. What PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET
Do not take PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET:
- if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to diclofenac sodium or any of the other ingredients of PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET (listed in section 6).
- if you are allergic to aspirin, ibuprofen or any other NSAID. Signs of a hypersensitivity reaction include swelling of the face and mouth (angioedema), breathing problems, chest pain, runny nose, skin rash or any other allergic type reaction.
- if you have asthma and experience attacks of asthma after taking acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs.
- if you have now, or have ever had, a stomach (gastric) ulcer, or bleeding in the digestive tract (this can include blood in vomit, bleeding when emptying bowels, fresh blood in faeces or black, tarry faeces).
- if you have had stomach or bowel problems after you have taken other NSAIDs.
- if you have kidney or liver failure.
- if you have heart failure, established heart disease and/or cerebrovascular disease, e.g. if you have had a heart attack or stroke.
- if you have or have had problems with your blood circulation (peripheral arterial disease).
- if you have inherited a disorder of the red blood pigment, haemoglobin (porphyria).
- if you are pregnant and you are already at 20 weeks or later in your pregnancy, as PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET may cause problems in your unborn baby.
- if you are breastfeeding your baby.
Warnings and precautions
Take special care with PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET:
- if you suffer from any stomach or bowel disorders including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease (inflammatory diseases), hiatus hernia, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus), angiodysplasia (a small vascular malformation of the gut) as these conditions may be exacerbated.
- if you have or have had an ulcer in the stomach or intestines, especially if this has been complicated by perforation or accompanied by bleeding, you should look out for any unusual symptoms in the abdomen and report them at once to your doctor. If bleeding or ulceration of the digestive tract occurs, the treatment has to be stopped.
- if you have a history of stomach problems when you are taking NSAIDs, particularly if you are elderly, you must tell your doctor straight away if you notice any unusual symptoms.
- if you have kidney or liver problems, or if you are elderly.
- if you have a pre-existing disorders of blood coagulation.
- if you suffer from any blood or bleeding disorder. If you do, your doctor may ask you to go for regular check-ups while you are taking these tablets.
- if you ever had asthma, seasonal allergic rhinitis, swelling of the nasal mucosa (nasal polyps), chronic pulmonary diseases or infections of the respiratory tract.
- if you have an infection since symptoms such as fever and inflammation may be masked. If you take this medicine while you have an infection and your symptoms of the infection persist or worsen, consult a doctor without delay.
- if you have heart problems, chest pain or if you think you might be at risk of these conditions (for example, if you have high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, high amounts of fat in the blood or are a smoker). There is an increased risk of heart attack or stroke when you are taking PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET. Always follow the doctor’s instructions on how much to take and how long to take it for.
- if you, at any time while taking PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET, experience any signs or symptoms of problems with your heart or blood vessels such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or slurring of speech, contact your doctor immediately.
- if you have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (inflammatory, auto-immune disorder which causes symptoms such as joint pain, joint inflammation, skin rashes, fever) or any similar condition.
- if you have serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) and Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS). PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET should be discontinued immediately at the first appearance of any type of skin rash, fever, mucosal lesions, or any other sign of hypersensitivity. You should also contact your doctor as soon as possible.
- if you have any allergic reaction including chest pain, which can be a sign of a potentially serious allergic reaction (Kounis syndrome).
- if you recently had or you are going to have a surgery of the stomach or intestinal tract before taking PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET, as PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET can sometimes worsen wound healing in your gut after surgery.
- if you are pregnant, do not use PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy. PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET may cause kidney problems in your unborn baby, which can lead to low levels of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby. This fluid provides a protective cushion and helps the unborn babies’ lungs, digestive system, and muscles develop. Complications can occur with low levels of this fluid.
3. How to take PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET
Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always take PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration of treatment.
Adults
The usual dose is one tablet dissolved in water three times a day for acute gout attacks. The recommended initial daily dose is 100 mg (2 tablets) to 150 mg (3 tablets). In milder cases 50 mg (1 tablet) to 100 mg (2 tablets) daily is usually sufficient. The total daily dosage should generally be divided into 2 to 3 separate doses. The maximum daily dose is 150 mg for a maximum treatment period of 3 days (three tablets of PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET in divided doses). Do not take more than three tablets a day.
Adolescents (aged 14 years or over)
The usual dose of PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET is a daily dose of 50 mg (1 tablet) to 100 mg (2 tablets). The total daily dose should generally be divided in 2 to 3 doses. The maximum daily dose of 150 mg (3 tablets) should not be exceeded. These tablets cannot be swallowed whole. Place a tablet in a glass full of water, the tablet will disperse, once dispersed fully, drink. If there is medicine on the inside of the glass rinse the glass with water and drink. The tablets must not be divided or chewed.
If you have the impression that the effect of PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET is too strong or too weak, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET than you should
In the event of overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre. Symptoms of an overdose can include: headache, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, abdominal pain, stomach or intestinal bleeding, rarely diarrhoea, disorientation, excitation, coma, drowsiness, dizziness, ringing in the ears, fainting, or occasionally convulsions (seizures, uncontrolled fits).
If you forget to take use PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET
Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.
4. Possible side effects
PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET, please consult your health care provider for advice.
If any of the following happens, stop taking using PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips and mouth or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing,
- rash or itching,
- fainting,
- blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals as these may be due to a serious allergic reaction known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal, necrolysis (TEN), Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS).
These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious reaction to PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET. 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:
- sudden and crushing chest pain (signs of myocardial infarction, heart attack or Kounis syndrome),
- heart disorders, including heart attack or breathlessness, difficulty breathing when lying down, or swelling of the feet or legs (signs of heart failure), especially if you have been taking a higher dose (150 mg per day),
- fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations),
- sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body, sudden loss or disturbance of vision, sudden difficulty in speaking or ability to understand speech; sudden migraine-like headaches which happen for the first time, with or without disturbed vision. These symptoms can be an early sign of a stroke,
- high blood pressure (hypertension), low blood pressure, symptoms of which may include faintness, giddiness or light headedness (hypotension),
- lower gut disorders (including inflammation of the colon or worsening of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease),
- inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis),
- stomach pain, indigestion, heartburn, wind, nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick),
- vomiting blood (haematemesis), black, tarry faeces or stools (melaena),
- diarrhoea containing blood or rectal bleeding (diarrhoea haemorrhagic),
- any sign of ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestine, for example, when emptying your bowels, blood in vomit or black, tarry faeces,
- kidney failure, kidney pain or inflammation of the kidneys,
- liver disorders including liver failure, presence of blood or protein in the urine,
- an unexpected change in the amount of urine produced and/or its appearance,
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice),
- wheezing or shortness of breath (bronchospasm),
- breathlessness, coughing and a tightness across the chest (asthma),
- inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis),
- inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis),
- inflammation of the lining of the brain with symptoms of stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever or disorientation (meningitis),
- mild cramping and tenderness of the abdomen, starting shortly after the start of the treatment with PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET and followed by rectal bleeding or bloody diarrhoea usually within 24 hours of the onset of abdominal pain,
- if you notice that you are bruising more easily than usual or have frequent sore throats or infections.
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:
- stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, wind, burping, loss of appetite,
- vertigo,
- inflammation, irritation or swelling of the stomach lining (gastritis),
- headache, dizziness, nervousness,
- raised levels of liver enzymes in the blood.
Less frequent side effects:
- drowsiness, tiredness (somnolence),
- fluid retention, symptoms of which include swollen ankles (oedema),
- liver function disorders,
- visual disturbances such as blurred or double vision,
- hearing impairment, tinnitus (ringing in the ears),
- sleeplessness, nightmares, mood changes, depression, anxiety, irritability, mental disorders, disorientation, loss of memory, fits,
- confusion, hallucinations, malaise (general feeling of discomfort),
- tingling or numbness in the fingers,
- tremor, taste changes,
- inflammation of the tongue (glossitis), mouth ulcers (aphthous), inflammation of the inside of the mouth or lips (stomatitis),
- blood disorders (including anaemia),
- photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to sunlight),
- hair loss,
- loss of male sexual ability (impotence).
Side effects with an unknown frequency:
- inflammation of the nerves in the eye (optic neuritis).
If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.
5. How to store PANAMOR 50 mg DISPERSIBLE TABLET
Store all medicines out of reach of children. Store at or below 25°C in tightly closed containers. Protect from light and moisture. Keep in original packaging until required for use. Do not store in a bathroom. Do not use after 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).