Ibuprofen + Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
This medicine should always be taken exactly as described in the patient leaflet or as advised by a doctor or pharmacist.
ZATOTABS has a combined effect of two components: ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and pseudoephedrine, a sympathomimetic drug.
Ibuprofen has analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Pseudoephedrine is a drug that reduces congestion of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. It clears the nose and sinuses, reducing the amount of discharge.
The drug is intended for temporary use to relieve symptoms of nasal congestion and sinusitis with accompanying headache, pain related to sinusitis, and fever in the course of flu or cold.
If there is no improvement after 3 days or if the patient feels worse, they should consult a doctor.
Before starting treatment with ZATOTABS, the patient should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist.
Particular caution should be exercised when taking ZATOTABS in patients:
Patients who have ever had hypertension and/or heart failure should be particularly cautious and consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking the medicine, as NSAID treatment has been associated with fluid retention, hypertension, and edema.
Taking anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, such as ibuprofen, may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke, especially when taken in high doses. The recommended dose should not be exceeded, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible.
Before taking ZATOTABS, the patient should discuss their treatment with their doctor or pharmacist if:
if they have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease or stroke, or if they smoke.
There is a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, or perforation, which can be fatal and may not be preceded by warning signs or may occur in patients who have had such warning signs. If bleeding or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract occurs, the medicine should be stopped immediately, and a doctor should be consulted. Patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases, especially the elderly, should inform their doctor about any unusual gastrointestinal symptoms (especially bleeding), especially during the initial treatment period. Such patients should use the lowest effective dose.
Caution should be exercised when taking the medicine in patients taking other medications that may increase the risk of gastrointestinal disorders or bleeding, such as corticosteroids or anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin (acenocoumarol) or antiplatelet agents, such as acetylsalicylic acid.
Concomitant, long-term use of analgesic medications may lead to kidney damage with a risk of kidney failure (analgesic nephropathy).
Skin reactions
Severe skin reactions have been reported with the use of ZATOTABS.
If the following occur: any skin rash, changes in the mucous membranes, blisters, or other signs of an allergic reaction, the patient should stop taking ZATOTABS and seek medical help immediately, as these may be the first signs of a severe skin reaction. See section 4.
Similar to other central nervous system stimulants, there is a risk of abuse when taking pseudoephedrine. When taking increased doses, toxic effects may occur. Long-term use may lead to the development of tachyphylaxis (loss of sensitivity to the drug) with an increased risk of overdose. After sudden withdrawal of the medicine, depression may occur.
The medicine should be used with caution in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants and other sympathomimetic medications (vasoconstrictor medications), appetite suppressants, amphetamine-like psychostimulants.
Effect on fertility in women
ZATOTABS belongs to a group of medications that may adversely affect fertility in women.
There is evidence that cyclooxygenase inhibitors (prostaglandin synthesis), including ibuprofen, may cause fertility disorders in women by affecting ovulation.
This effect is temporary and disappears after the end of treatment.
Children and adolescents
Do not give to children under 12 years of age.
In dehydrated patients - adolescents aged 12-18 years, there is a risk of kidney function disorders.
Elderly patients
In elderly patients, there is an increased risk of side effects.
To minimize the risk of side effects, the medicine should be taken for the shortest period necessary to relieve symptoms.
Warning for athletes: after taking pseudoephedrine, a positive result may be obtained in doping tests.
Consult a doctor, even if the above warnings refer to past situations.
The patient should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medications they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medications they plan to take.
ZATOTABS may affect the action of other medications or other medications may affect the action of ZATOTABS. For example:
Some other medications may also be affected or have an effect on ZATOTABS treatment.
Therefore, before taking ZATOTABS with other medications, the patient should always consult their doctor or pharmacist.
ZATOTABS should not be taken with the following medications:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors and for 14 days after stopping the inhibitor. When taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors and sympathomimetic medications, hypertensive crises may occur.
Due to the increased risk of vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure, it is not recommended to take ZATOTABS (due to the presence of pseudoephedrine) with the following medications:
dopamine receptor agonists, ergot alkaloid derivatives - bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide;vasoconstrictor dopaminergic medications - dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergometrine;linezolid;medications that reduce congestion of the nasal mucosa (taken orally or nasally)
It is not recommended to take the following medications with pseudoephedrine:
appetite suppressants (pseudoephedrine may increase their effect);
psychostimulant medications of the amphetamine type (pseudoephedrine may increase their effect);
antihypertensive medications, alpha-methyldopa, mecamylamine, reserpine, ergot alkaloids, guanethidine (pseudoephedrine may reduce their antihypertensive effect);
tricyclic antidepressant medications (pseudoephedrine may theoretically increase the risk of hypertension and heart rhythm disorders).
When taking halogenated anesthetics, general inhalation anesthetics, in combination with pseudoephedrine, a severe hypertensive reaction may occur during the perioperative period, similar to when these medications are taken with other medications with indirect sympathomimetic action. Therefore, it is recommended to discontinue ZATOTABS 24 hours before scheduled general anesthesia.
The medicine should be taken after meals.
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Taking ZATOTABS in pregnant or breastfeeding women is contraindicated.
Fertility
Taking ZATOTABS may adversely affect fertility in women. See "Warnings and precautions".
While taking ZATOTABS, the patient should be cautious when driving vehicles and operating machinery.
If the patient has previously been diagnosed with intolerance to some sugars, they should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.
This medicine should always be taken exactly as described in the patient leaflet or as advised by a doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
The medicine is taken orally. The recommended dose is:
Adults and adolescents over 12 years:1 tablet every 4 hours after meals. The dose should not exceed 3 tablets per day (maximum daily dose of 1200 mg ibuprofen and 180 mg pseudoephedrine hydrochloride in divided doses).
The single dose should be reduced to ½ tablet if it is sufficient to relieve symptoms.
Elderly patients:no dose adjustment is required unless kidney or liver function is impaired. If kidney or liver function is impaired, the doctor should determine the dose individually.
The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest period necessary to relieve symptoms. This minimizes the risk of side effects.
The patient should consult their doctor if it is necessary to take the medicine for more than 3 days or if symptoms worsen.
The medicine should not be given to children under 12 years of age.
If the patient has taken a higher dose of ZATOTABS than recommended or if a child has accidentally taken the medicine, they should always consult their doctor or go to the nearest hospital to get an opinion on the possible risk to their health and advice on what to do.
Symptoms may include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting (which may contain blood), headache, ringing in the ears, disorientation, and nystagmus. After taking a large dose, drowsiness, chest pain, palpitations, loss of consciousness, seizures (mainly in children), weakness, and dizziness may occur.
There may also be an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.
The doctor will provide symptomatic and supportive treatment. Within one hour of taking the medicine, it is recommended to administer activated charcoal (adults: 50 g; children: 1 g/kg body weight). If the above symptoms occur, electrolyte levels should be checked, and an electrocardiogram should be performed.
A double dose should not be taken to make up for a missed dose.
If the patient has any further doubts about taking this medicine, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, ZATOTABS can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Uncommon(affects 1 to 10 people in 1,000):
headache, indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, urticaria, and itching.
Rare(affects 1 to 10 people in 10,000):
Very rare(affects less than 1 person in 10,000):
NSAID treatment has been associated with edema, hypertension, and heart failure.
Taking medications like ZATOTABS may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke.
indigestion, gastrointestinal disorders, redness, and rash, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, dizziness, increased thirst, tachycardia, arrhythmia, anxiety, insomnia, rarely - uncontrolled urination, muscle weakness, tremors, anxiety, disorientation, thrombocytopenia.
If the patient experiences any side effects, including any possible side effects not listed in the leaflet, they should tell their doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products:
Jerozolimskie Avenue 181C, 02-222 Warsaw
tel.: 22 49 21 301, fax: 22 49 21 309
e-mail: ndl@urpl.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
Reporting side effects will help to gather more information on the safety of the medicine.
Store in a temperature below 25°C. Store in the original packaging.
The medicine should be stored out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.
ZATOTABS coated tablets are white, oval, and biconvex with a dividing line on both sides.
The packaging consists of PVC/PVDC/Aluminum blisters in a cardboard box. One pack of the medicine contains 6 or 12 tablets.
Hasco-Lek Pharmaceutical Company S.A.
51-131 Wrocław, Żmigrodzka 242E
tel.: 22 742 00 22
e-mail: informacjaoleku@hasco-lek.pl
Date of last update of the leaflet:11-2019
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