Patient Information Leaflet

What is in

your medicine?

The tablets are white and come in one strength containing 1 mg of polythiazide.

The inactive ingredients in each tablet are: calcium phosphate dibasic, lactose, maize starch, vanillin. magnesium stearate and sodium lauryl sulphate.

Nephril comes in packs of 28 tablets.

Product Licence Holder

and Manufacturer

Pfizer Limited, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ

What type of

medicine is Nephril?

Nephril is one of a group of medicines called thiazide diuretics.

What is your

medicine for?

The tablets are used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) or oedema (fluid retention), sometimes in addition to other medication.

Before you

take your medicine
  • Have you had an allergic reaction to Nephril or any other thiazide diuretics or sulphonamides in the past This may have been itching, reddening of the skin or difficulty in breathing.
  • Are you breast feeding.
  • Do you have any illness which stops you from making or passing urine.
  • Are you under 16 years of age.

If the answer is YES, tell your doctor immediately as the tablets may not be suitable for you.

  • If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, tell your doctor before you start taking the tablets, as diuretics may be harmful to unborn babies and are not used to treat toxaemia of pregnancy.
  • If you have liver disease such as jaundice tell your doctor before you start taking the tablets.
  • If you suffer from asthma tell your doctor before you start taking the tablets, as there is a risk of allergic reactions occurring.
  • If you suffer from diabetes mellitus tell your doctor before you start taking the tablets, as your insulin needs may change.
  • If you suffer from kidney disease tell your doctor before you start taking the tablets.
  • Your doctor may carry out regular blood tests as diuretic treatment may effect mineral levels such as potassium. Treatment may also reveal diabetes which can be confirmed by blood tests.
  • If you have a history of gout, treatment may cause or aggravate gout
  • Are you being treated with antihypertensives, digoxin, steroids or tubocurarine? These may react with diuretics.
  • If you suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus as this can be made worse or recur.

    • How to take

    your medicine

    The usual dose of Nephril is one to four tablets daily taken at once. Take your tablet(s) as your doctor told you and as written on the pack. It is best to take your tablet(s) at about the same time each day with a drink of water. If you are elderly your doctor will usually prescribe a low dose, as the elderly are more likely to suffer from the side effects of diuretics.

    What if you take

    too many tablets?

    Too many tablets at once may make you unwell. if several tablets are taken it may be dangerous. Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest hospital accident and emergency department

    MORE INFORMATION ON NEPHRIL

    What if you

    miss a tablet?

    If you miss a dose of the tablet(s) take it as soon as possible, unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case do not take the missed dose, but take your next dose at the correct time. Do not take double doses.

    Does your

    medicine cause

    undesirable effects?

    Nephril, like most medicines may cause undesirable effects: these may be:-

    • anorexia (loss of appetite)
    • gastric irritation (upset stomach)
    • nausea (feeling sick)
    • vomiting
    • abdominal cramps
    • diarrhoea
    • constipation
    • jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
    • pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas gland)
    • dizziness
    • vertigo
    • paraesthesia (numbness and tingling)
    • headache
    • alteration of colour vision
    • changes in number of circulating blood cells
    • bruising
    • photosensitivity (increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight)
    • skin rashes
    • orthostatic hypotension (dizziness on getting up from Iying or sitting)
    • hyperglycaemia (blood sugar levels too high)
    • glycosuria (sugar in urine)
    • hyperuricaemia (gout)
    • muscle spasm
    • weakness
    • restlessness

    If you suffer from any other side effects or problems connected with your medicine they should be reported to your pharmacist or doctor.

    Look after

    your medicine

    This treatment is for YOU. Do not give it to others. It may not suit them.

    Do not use this medicine after the date stamped on the pack.

    Where to keep

    your medicine

    • Keep your medicine in a cool, dry place, below 25°C.
    • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children

    Further information

    This leaflet does not contain ail the information about this medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist

    The information in this leaflet is about Nephril only.

    Date Nephril Republic of Ireland/

    United Kingdom last revised - January 1995

    © Pfizer Limited 1995