Patient Information Leaflet on
‘Algitec' Chewtab
(cimetidine/alginic acid) Tablets

This leaflet tells you about 'Algitec' Chewtab Tablets. Please read it before taking your tablets.
If there is anything you do not understand, or if you want to know more about your tablets, ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist).
Please keep this leaflet. You may want to read it again.

What is in Algitec' Chewtab Tablets?
'Algitec' Chewtab Tablets contain the active ingredients cimetidine and alginic acid. Each tablet of 'Algitec' Chewtab contains 200 milligrammes (mg) of cimetidine and 500 mg of alginic acid (E400).

Your tablets also contain inactive ingredients. These are sodium bicarbonate (E500), Eudragit, sorbitol (E420), pregelatinised starch, croscarmellose sodium type A, lactose, aspartame, sodium saccharin, magnesium stearate (E572) and aniseed, butterscotch and peppermint flavours.

'Algitec' Chewtab Tablets contain 47 mg of sodium in each tablet.

Each pack contains 120 tablets in six tubes of 20.

Who makes Algitec?
The Product Licence/Authorisation Holder is Smith Kline & French Laboratories Ltd., trading as SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England AL7 1EY.
'Algitec' Chewtab Tablets are manufactured by Smith Kline & French Laboratories Ltd., Manor Royal, Crawley.

What is 'Algitec' and how does it work?
'Algitec' is an antacid. If the acid from your stomach comes up into your gullet (reflux) it can cause pain and inflammation. 'Algitec' can help to treat this in two ways. In your stomach, the alginate (alginic acid) makes a frothy layer or raft which floats on the stomach contents and helps to prevent them coming up into your gullet. The cimetidine (which is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist) helps to reduce the amount of acid being produced in your stomach, so even it the contents get through the alginate ran, there is much less acid to cause any damage.

What are 'Algitec' Chewtab Tablets used for?
'Algitec' Chewtab Tablets are used for the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux.

Before taking your medicine

If you answer YES to any of the following questions DO NOT take this medicine. Go back to your doctor and ask what to do. You may need to be given another medicine or the dose may need to be changed.

•	Are you allergic to 'Algitec' (cimetidine or alginic acid)?
•	Do you have kidney problem?
•	Do you have a blood disease?
•	Are you pregnant or do you think you may be?
•	Are you breast feeding?
You should also tell your doctor before taking 'Algitec', if you are taking any of the following medicines:
•	Medicines which thin the blood (anticoagulants, e.g. warfarin)
•	Medicines to prevent fits (anticonvulsants, e.g. phenytoin)
•	Theophylline tablets to help your breathing
•	Lignocaine

Taking your medicine

How should you take your tablets?
Chew your tablets well before swallowing. Have a drink of water after the tablet if you need one. 'Algitec' is not suitable for children.

How much should you take and how often?
The usual dosage of 'Algitec' Chewtab Tablets is one tablet taken four times a day. Take the first tablet after breakfast, another one after your midday meal, the third tablet after your evening meal (or tea) and the fourth at bedtime.

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Your doctor may increase the dose to two tablets four times a day if you do not start to feel better after taking the usual dose.

Doctors sometimes prescribe different doses to those given in this leaflet, if this applies to you, discuss it with your doctor if you have not already done so

The pharmacist's label on your pack will tell you how much your doctor would like you to take. Please read the label carefully.

Do not take more than your doctor has recommended.

How long should you carry on taking ‘Algitec'?
Keep taking your tablets until the prescribed course is finished. You may start to feel better after a few days, but do not stop taking the tablets. If you stop too soon your symptoms may come back.

You will usually be given enough tablets to last you for between four and eight weeks.

What if you miss a dose?
If you forget to take your tablet, miss out that dose completely. Take your next tablet at the normal time.

What if you have taken too much?
You should only take the dose that your doctor or pharmacist has told you. II you take too many tablets tell your doctor or hospital casualty department straight away. Take your tablet pack with you.

After taking your medicine

What unwanted effects might your tablets cause?
Side effects with your medicine are usually mild and do not last long. The most common unwanted effects are diarrhoea, dizziness, rash and tiredness.

Other more rare side effects are confusion, breast enlargement in men, blood changes, kidney disorders, liver disorders, inflammation of the pancreas, fever, headache, aching muscles, aching joints, heart effects and impotence. All these unwanted effects should disappear when treatment is stopped.

Very rarely allergic reactions (such as rash, itching, shortness of breath and low blood pressure) and hair loss have occurred 

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of these effects or any other unwanted effects not mentioned above.

Storing your tablets

Your tablets will have an expiry date on the pack. You should not use your tablets after this date.

Keep the tablets in their original pack, at room temperature (below 30°C).

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.

Keep all  medicines out of the reach of children - preferably in a locked cupboard or medicine cabinet.

SELF HELP

What else can be done to reduce symptoms? IN ADDITION to the prescribed course of 'Algitec', a number of practical measures can help.

1.	Reduce weight - If you are overweight, this can “squeeze” the stomach. A sensible weight-reducing diet will help to ease this pressure on the stomach and reduce reflux.
	
2.	Meals - Don't rush your food or eat in a 'hunched-up” position. Eat regular, sensible meals. Try to avoid eating or drinking late at night or before you go to bed.
	
3.	Smoking - As well as the well-known dangers of smoking, it has been shown that smoking stops the valve-like muscle at the bottom of the gullet from working properly. Stopping smoking, or greatly cutting down, will help your reflux.
	
4.	Sleeping - When you are Iying down it is easier for the stomach contents to “leak” into the oesophagus (gullet) causing heartburn. Raising the head of your bed on wooden blocks or bricks can help a great deal .
	
5.	Activity - Try to avoid bending or stooping, whenever possible. Try to kneel instead and keep your back straight. Wear loose-fitting clothes if you can.

	Leaflet prepared May 1995
Pharmaceuticals 'Algitec' and the SB logo are trade marks
© 1995 SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals	

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