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^®Trasicor oxprenolol hydrochloride | Ciba

Information for Patients

What you need to know about Trasicor tablets 20mg, 40mg and 80mg

Please read both sides of this leaflet carefully before you start to take your tablets.  It contains important information about your tablets.

What's in your medicine

Trasicor tablets contain oxprenolol hydrochloride.  This is one of a group of medicines called beta-blockers.  The tablets are available in three strengths containing 20mg, 40mg and 80mg of oxprenolol hydrochloride.  They also contain the following inactive ingredients: 

20mg and 40mg tablets: calcium phosphate, povidone, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, titanium dioxide, wheat starch, sucrose, talc

80mg tablets: calcium phosphate, maize starch, povidone, silicon dioxide, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, polysorbate, titanium dioxide, talc, yellow iron oxide.

The 20mg and 40mg tablets come in blister packs of 100 tablets.

The 80mg tablets come in blister packs of 56 tablets.

Made by: Ciba Pharmaceuticals, Horsham, West Sussex. Product Licence Holder: Ciba-Geigy plc, Hulley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire.

What this medicine is used for

Trasicor is used to treat high blood pressure and to reduce or prevent chest pain (angina).  It is also used to treat some heart disorders, for example, irregular heart beats, and to relieve the symptoms of anxiety.

Before taking your medicine

•	Are you allergic to oxprenolol or any other beta-blockers?
•	Do you suffer now or have you suffered in the past from asthma or attacks of wheezing?
•	Do you suffer from any heart disease which your doctor does not know about?
•	Do you suffer from low blood pressure?
•	Do you suffer from phaeochromocytoma?
•	Do you suffer from Raynaud's disease (very poor circulation in the hands and feet)?
•	Do you have a very low pulse rate (less than 50-55 beats per minute)?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, do not take the tablets without talking to your doctor again.

•	Do you suffer from bronchitis or emphysema? 
•	Are you diabetic and taking insulin or anti-diabetic tablets?
•	Do you have an overactive thyroid gland?
•	Do you suffer from any serious liver or kidney disease?
•	Are you pregnant or breast feeding?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Are you taking any of the following:

•	Medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems e.g. ACE inhibitors, verapamil or digoxin, which your doctor does not know about?
•	medicines for depression?
•	medicines for migraine which contain ergotamine?
•	cimetidine (an ulcer medicine) or indomethacin ( a pain-killer)?
•	medicines bought from the chemist, especially antihistamines or cold remedies?
•	any other medicines which your doctor does not know about?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Other special warnings

•	Be careful when drinking alcohol - it may affect you more than usual.
•	If you feel dizzy, sleepy or very tired when you start to take these tablets, do not drive or work machinery until these effects have worn off.
•	The 20mg and 40mg tablets contain sugar and gluten and may be unsuitable for diabetics or people with Coeliac disease.

•	If you are going to have a general anaesthetic, tell the doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking Trasicor.
•	If you are diabetic, take particular care with your blood sugar control since this medicine may make you less aware of low blood sugar levels.
•	Trasicor is not suitable for children.

Taking your medicine

It is important to take your tablets at the right time.  You must take them as instructed by your doctor. Read the label on your tablets carefully, it will tell you when to take them.  The usual dosages are as follows:

Chest pain (angina)
The usual total daily dose is 40-160mg.  This will be taken as two or three smaller doses spaced out during the day.

High blood pressure
The starting dose is usually 80mg taken twice a day.  This can be increased by your doctor if necessary.

Irregular heart beats
The starting dose is usually 20-40mg taken three times a day.  This can be increased by your doctor if necessary.

Anxiety
The starting dose is usually 40mg taken twice a day.  This can be increased by your doctor if necessary.  The usual maximum dose is 160mg a day.  Sometimes your doctor may suggest that you take a single dose of Trasicor (40-80mg) for anxiety occurring during a specific stressful situation.

If you are not sure how many tablets to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

•	Swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water.
•	Do not stop taking your tablets suddenly as this may cause your condition to get worse.  Ask your doctor first.
•	If you forget to take a dose, take it when you remember and then take the next dose at the usual time.  However, it is important not to take two doses at the same time.
•	If you accidentally take too many Trasicor tablets, tell your doctor at once or contact your nearest hospital casualty department.

After taking your medicine

These tablets sometimes cause unwanted effects in some people.  If you get any of the following tell your doctor:
•	Attacks of wheezing or feeling short of breath.
•	A very slow pulse (under 50-55 beats per minute).
•	Irregular heart rate.
•	Skin rash, itching or bruising.
•	Dry or sore eyes.
•	Fainting.

Other effects which may occur include:

•	Dizziness, sleepiness or unusual tiredness.
•	Headache or blurred vision.
•	Dry mouth or stomach upset.
•	Sleeplessness or nightmares.
•	Coldness, numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.
•	Reduced sex drive.
•	
These effects are often mild and may wear off after a few days' treatment.  If they are severe or last for more than a few days, tell your doctor Also, if your tablets upset you in any other way, tell your doctor.

Storing your medicine

•	The expiry date for these tablets is given on the carton. Do not take the tablets after this date.
•	Keep your tablets in a dry place out of reach of children.  Return any unused tablets to your pharmacist.

REMEMBER: this medicine is for you.  Only a doctor can prescribe it for you.  Never give it to someone else.  It may harm them even if they have the same symptoms as you.

The information in this leaflet applies only to Trasicor.  This leaflet does not contain the complete information about your tablets.  If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Date:	January 1995	Copyright Ciba-Geigy plc