This leaflet tells you about your medicine. Please read it before taking your medicine. Please keep this leaflet, you may want to read it again.

If there is anything you do not understand or you want to know more about your medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist).

'Algitec' Suspension contains the active ingredients cimetidine and Sodium Alginate BPC. Each 10 ml of 'Algitec' Suspension contains 200 mg cimetidine and 500 mg Sodium Alginate BPC.

Your medicine also contains inactive ingredients. These are potassium bicarbonate, microcrystalline cellulose (E460), carboxymethylcellulose sodium (E466), propylene glycol, butyl and propyl parabens, disodium edetate, sorbitol (E420), sodium acid phosphate, sodium phosphate, sodium saccharin, titanium dioxide (E171), passion fruit and peppermint flavours.

The sodium content of 'Algitec' Suspension is 66 mg/10 ml.

Your medicine is available in bottles of 600 ml.

The Product Licence/Authorisation Holder is Smith Kline & French Laboratories Ltd., trading as SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England AL7 1EY.

'Algitec' Suspension is manufactured by Smith Kline & French Laboratories, Manor Royal, Crawley.

'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, Fe 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. Cimetidine (which u a histamine H2 receptor antagonist) helps to reduce the amount of acid being produced in your stomach, so even if the contents get through the alginate rat, there is much less acid to cause any damage.

'Algitec' Suspension is used for the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux.

If you answer YES to any of the following questions, DO NOT take this medicine until you have talked to your doctor. You may need to be given another medicine or the dose may need to be changed.

• Are you allergic to 'Algitec' (cimetidine or sodium alginate)?
• Do you have a 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 the following medicines

• Medicines which thin the blood (anticoagulants, e.g. wafarin)
• Medicines to prevent fits (anticonvulsants, e.g. phenytoin
• Theophylline tablets to help your breathing
• Lignocaine

Your medicine should be taken using the plastic measuring cup, supplied with the bottle, or with a 5 ml spoon (provided by your pharmacist). Shake the bottle before use.

'Algitec' is not suitable for children.

The usual dosage is 10 ml 'Algitec' Suspension taken four times a day - one dose after breakfast, one dose after your midday meal, one dose after your evening meal (or tea) and one dose at bedtime.

Your doctor may increase the dose to 20 ml to be taken lour times a day if you do not start to feel better after taking the usual dose.

50044GB2

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.

Keep taking the suspension until the prescribed course is finished. You may start to feel better after a few days, but do not stop taking the suspension. it you stop too soon your symptoms may come back.

Leave out that dose completely. Take your next dose of 'Algitec' at the normal time it is due.

You should take the dose that your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you take too much tell your doctor or local hospital casualty department at once. Take the suspension bottle with you.

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 side effects should disappear when treatment is stopped.

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

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

Keep 'Algitec' in its original pack. Store below 25°C (77°F), but do not refrigerate.

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

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

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.
1. 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.
1. 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.
1. 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 best on wooden blocks or bricks can help a great deal.
1. Activity - Try to avoid bending over or stooping, whenever possible. Try to kneel instead and keep your back straight. Wear loose-fitting clothes if you can.