Author: Unknown

Rheumox*
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. This leaflet provides basic information. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is in your medicine?
The name of your medicine is either Rheumox capsules or Rheumox tablets.
Rheumox capsules are two-tone orange and marked "Wyeth Rheumox". Each capsule contains 300 mg of the active ingredient azapropazone dihydrate. Rheumox capsules also contain: (E127), sunset yellow (E110) and titanium dioxide (E171).
Rheumox tablets are pale orange and marked 'Wyeth' on the side. Each tablet contains 600 mg of the active ingredient azapropazone dihydrate. Rheumox tablets also contain: maize starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate, water, sepifilm (PEG300, cellulose), and sepisperse orange (propylene glycol, titanium dioxide E171, sunset yellow E110, quinoline yellow E104).
Rheumox tablets and capsules are supplied in quantities of 100 packed in amber glass bottles. Your pharmacist will give you as many capsules or tablets as your doctor has prescribed.
Rheumox is one of a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce swelling and pain in joints and muscles.

Distributed by Wyeth Laboratories for Licence Holder
A. H. Robins Co Ltd., Huntercombe Lane South, Taplow, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 0PH.

Manufacturer: Wyeth Laboratories, New Lane, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2NG.

What does your medicine do?
Rheumox is usually prescribed for people with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and acute gouty inflammation of the joints, who have not responded to other NSAIDs.

Before you take your medicine
You should not take Rheumox if:

•	You have ever had an ulcer in the stomach or bowel.
•	You have ever had a blood disease.
•	You have severe kidney problems.
•	You are allergic to Rheumox or any other NSAID (eg ibuprofen, aspirin).
•	You are taking drugs called phenytoin(for epilepsy), methotrexate, or anti-coagulants such as wafarin (to thin your blood).
•	You have severe liver problems.
•	You are suffering from a rare condition called porphyria.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
•	You have any problems with your stomach, heart or liver.
•	You have any problems with your kidneys or are taking a diuretic (water tablets).
•	You suffer from fluid retention or high blood pressure.
•	You suffer from bronchial asthma or an allergy which sometimes causes you difficulty in breathing.
•	You are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or are breast feeding.
•	You are diabetic.
•	You are taking any other medicine including lithium, digoxin, cimetidine or corticosteroids.

•	You have had problems in the past while taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (eg aspirin).

Taking your medicine
The tablets and capsules should be swallowed with a little water. Your doctor will tell you how many 300 mg capsules or 600 mg tablets to take and how often. The usual doses are as follows:

Adults under 60 years old with good kidney function
For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis 1200 mg daily in divided doses.

For the treatment of acute gout, 1800 mg per day in divided doses. By the fourth day, when the pain and swelling should have improved, it is usual to reduce the dose to 1200 mg per day in divided doses. If the conditions does not significantly improve consult your doctor. Drink plenty of liquids when taking Rheumox for acute gout.

Things to be aware of whilst taking your medicine
Occasionally you may have unwanted effects while taking Rheumox. If the following effects are severe or continue to be troublesome for more than a couple of days, you should tell your doctor.

•	Skin rashes or itching which may be caused by direct exposure to sunlight. You should avoid direct sunlight if possible or use sunblock.
•	Feeling bloated or swollen ankles.
•	Stomach upsets, indigestion, heartburn, diarrhoea, or mouth ulcers.
•	Dizziness, headache and fatigue.

On rare occasions the following effects may occur:

•	Severe abdominal pain, vomiting and/or nausea.
•	Vomiting blood or passing abnormal or discoloured stools.
•	Severe shortness of breath.
•	Feeling unusually tired and/or looking pale.
•	Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
•	Areas of redness and swelling of the skin particularly about the face and neck, especially when linked to a shortness of breath.
•	A change in the volume or frequency with which you need to pass water.

If you experience any of these symptoms you should stop taking Rheumox and tell your doctor immediately.
You should also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any other unwanted effect not mentioned above.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Rheumox before taking any other medicine, if you become pregnant or if you enter hospital for treatment. Your medicine may interfere with the results of certain blood tests; if you have a blood test tell the person taking the sample that you are taking Rheumox.

Storing your medicine
You should not take Rheumox after the expiry date shown on the label.
Rheumox capsules and tablets should be protected from light. They should be stored safely, where children cannot see or reach them.
Return any unused medication to your pharmacist. Only keep them if your doctor tells you to.
REMEMBER this medicine is only for YOU. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

Leaflet prepared February 1996.

*Trade mark