Please read this leaflet before you start to take your medicine.

It is essential to follow your doctor's advice. If there is anything you do not understand, please ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist). Keep this leaflet until you have finished all tablets in your prescribed course of 'Ridaura '. You may want to read it again.

If you are helping someone else to take this medicine, please read this leaflet before you give the first dose.

What are 'Ridaura Tiltab' Tablets? 'Ridaura Tiltab' is the maker's name for a medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The active ingredient in 'Ridaura' is auranofin.

What do 'Ridaura Tiltab' Tablets do? They are used to relieve the swelling, pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis. 'Ridaura' is not a cure but may slow down the progress of the disease.

1. Before taking 'Ridaura' tell your doctor if you are pregnant (or think you may be), or if you are breast feeding.
1. Take 'Ridaura' as directed by your doctor. Read the label.
1. It is important to take 'Ridaura' for as long as your doctor has told you. It may be several months before you feel the full benefit of 'Ridaura' treatment.
1. Like all medicines, 'Ridaura' can sometimes cause unwanted effects. (You will find more about this later in this leaflet.)
1. ALWAYS KEEP MEDICINES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

For more information on 'Ridaura', please read the rest of the leaflet.

What should I do if I think I am pregnant (or I am breast feeding)? 'Ridaura' should not be taken when you are pregnant or when you are breast feeding. If you think there is a chance that you are pregnant, ask your doctor before starting the treatment. Women who can have children should take full contraceptive precautions during treatment (and for at least six months after treatment has stopped.)

'Ridaura Tiltab' Tablets should be swallowed with water.

How much should I take and how often? Do as your doctor tells you and read the label on the container carefully; it will tell you how many 'Ridaura' tablets to take for each dose and when to take them.

DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN THE DOSE YOUR DOCTOR HAS RECOMMENDED. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure.

How long should I carry on taking 'Ridaura Tiltab' Tablets? For as long as your doctor tells you. It may well be three or four months before you notice any improvement in your arthritis symptoms. If you stop your treatment too early, you could have a flare-up of your rheumatoid arthritis.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose? It is very important that you take 'Ridaura' doses as you have been told. However, if you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as you remember. Then carry on as before, but do not take two doses within an hour of each other.

What unwanted effects might the tablets have? Serious side effects with 'Ridaura' are uncommon. Some patients may have loose bowel motions during the first few weeks of treatment with 'Ridaura'. But this usually clears up quite quickly by itself and a high-fibre diet may be helpful. You may have nausea or abdominal pain but these are less common.

If you suffer badly, tell your doctor.

Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any unusual symptoms, such as:

Your doctor will carry out blood and urine tests regularly to check for any side effects and to monitor the progress of your treatment.

What if I have taken too much? If a large amount has been taken, consult your doctor or local hospital casualty department at once.

How should I store 'Ridaura Tiltab' Tablets? Keep the tablets in a dry place and in the original container.

KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN – preferably in a locked cupboard or medicine cabinet.

What should I do with any medicine which is left at the end of treatment? If your doctor decides to stop treatment, take any left-over medicine back to your pharmacist (chemist).

Remember this medicine has been prescribed just for you. Never offer your medicine to other people. It may not be suitable for them even if their symptoms seem the same as yours.

The special design of your 'Tiltab' tablets is exclusive to the maker of 'Ridaura'. It allows them to be picked up more easily.

'Ridaura Tiltab' Tablets: Each pale yellow, square 'Tiltab' tablet contains 3 milligrams of auranofin.

'Ridaura Tiltab' Tablets also contain ingredients which do not treat the condition but make the medicine easier to take, including lactose. 'Ridaura Tiltab' Tablets do not contain tartrazine or other azo dyes.

Non-proprietary name: Auranofin Tablets.

Product Licence Holder: Smith Kline & French Laboratories, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England AL7 1EY.

Product Authorisation Holder: Smith Kline & French Laboratories Ltd, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England AL7 1EY.

Manufacturer: SmithKline Beecham Pharma GmbH, Postfach 4, 3212 Gronau, Germany.

How can I get more information about 'Ridaura'? In this short leaflet, we can give you only the most important information about 'Ridaura'. If you would like to know more, ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist).

Where can I get more advice about rheumatoid arthritis? As well as advice from your doctor, pharmacist and other health professionals, two societies give information on arthritis and practical advice on day-to-day activities and local support groups:

Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England AL7 1EY.

'Ridaura', 'Tiltab', the Bencard logo and the shape of the tablets are trade marks.

Leaflet prepared in June 1992. © 1992 Bencard