WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT NIVAQUINE™ TABLETS This leaflet should be read carefully before you start to take the tablets as it is a summary of important information about your medicine. This leaflet also gives additional advice on how to avoid being bitten by mosquitos. If you have any questions, or are not sure about anything to do with your treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. ABOUT THIS MEDICINE
Why have I been given Nivaquine Tablets? NIVAQUINE is usually given to help prevent you getting malaria. Malaria is spread by mosquitos. Some mosquitos carry the malaria parasites and can infect you with them if they bite you - it can take a week or more to develop malaria after an infected bite. NIVAQVINE can help prevent you getting malaria when you have been bitten by a mosquito. Like other similar medicines, in some cases NIVAQUINE will not give complete protection against malaria. It is, therefore, important you follow all other medical advice. Make sure that you have told your doctor or pharmacist which countries you are visiting. In some parts of the world the malaria parasites are not affected by chloroquine. If you have been given another anti-malarial medicine to take with NIVAQUINE, then you must follow the separate directions for it. Sometimes your doctor may have prescribed NIVAQUINE for treating other conditions. Please contact your doctor if this is the case. If you are already taking NIVAQUINE or medicines called "Avloclor" or "PIaquenil" for another condition consult your doctor. Keep this leaflet for reference until you have finished taking the medicine. Before taking your Nivaquine Tablets If the answer is YES to any of the following questions you should discuss the matter with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of the tablets.
NIVAQUINE is a trade mark 59/69/16 (Smaller than original) |
Even if you are breast feeding and taking NIVAQUINE this will not protect your baby against malaria. It is important that you discuss this with your doctor. How should I take my NIVAQUINE Tablets? It is very important that you take your NIVAQUINE tablets properly. If you do not take enough, you have a greater risk of developing malaria. If you take too much, you may develop side effects.
Do not be tempted to take the tablets more often unless your Doctor or Pharmacist tells you to.
What other measures must I take to reduce the risk of developing Malaria? Like other anti-malarial medicines, NIVAQUINE does not give guaranteed complete protection against malaria.
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You should also try to avoid being bitten by mosquitos by doing the following:
Advice on the above can be obtained from your doctor or pharmacist before you leave home. In the countries you are visiting you should obtain information and supplies from a local pharmacist. In the UK further information and supplies can be obtained by telephoning the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) on O71 631 4408. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has a 24 hour recorded help line on 0891 600 350 and recorded advice on preventing mosquito bites on 0891 6C0 274 (calls are charged at 48p per minute at peak rate and 36p per minute at other times). How can I tell if I may have developed Malaria? If any of the following symptoms develop when you are away or within 1 year of arriving home: High temperature with chills, shivering or sweating, Headache, diarrhoea, other 'flu-like' symptoms, or, if you have any concern about your health you should contact a doctor. What should I do if I think I may have developed Malaria?
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What should I do if I accidentally take too many tablets or a young child swallows some tablets? If you have taken too many tablets or you think that a young child has taken some accidentally :
Do NIVAQUINE Tablets have Side Effects? As well as benefits most medicines may have unwanted effects in some people. The following minor side effects of NIVAQUINE are well known. You need not worry about them unless they become troublesome:
Shortly after taking NIVAQUINE your eyesight may become blurred. If you are affected in this way make sure that you do not drive a car or operate machinery until this effect has disappeared - usually within 24 hours. The following are serious side effects and you should tell your doctor or pharmacist about them immediately. skin trouble such as rash or itching psoriasis may worsen severe stomach upset blurred eyesight which lasts for more than 2 days convulsions loss of hair If they occur before you leave home your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend an alternative medicine. If you have any problems which you think may be caused by NIVAQVINE see a doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible How should I store NIVAQUINE Tablets?
How can I tell if my NIVAQUINE Tablets can still be used ?
This Leaflet: Dale of last revision: November 1994 © Rhône-Poulenc Rorer 1993 Prepared in conjunction with Dr. D. Warhurst London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine |