Akamin - Chemist Australia

Akamincontains the active ingredient minocycline (hydrochloride)CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATIONWhat is in this leafletThis leaflet answers some commonquestions about Akamin.It does not contain all the availableinformation. It does not take theplace of talking to your doctor orpharmacist.All medicines have benefits andrisks. Your doctor has weighed therisks of you taking Akamin againstthe benefits expected for you.If you have any concerns abouttaking this medicine, talk to yourdoctor or pharmacist.Keep this leaflet with yourmedicine.You may need to read it again.What Akamin is usedforAkamin is used to:* treat certain infections caused bybacteria* control acne.Akamin is an antibiotic that belongsto a group of medicines calledtetracyclines. These medicines workby stopping the growth of bacteriawhich cause infections or make acneworse.Akamin will not work againstinfections caused by viruses, such ascolds or flu.Ask your doctor if you have anyquestions about why Akamin hasbeen prescribed for you.Your doctor may have prescribedAkamin for another reason.Akamin is available only with adoctor's prescription.There is no evidence that Akamin isaddictive.Before you takeAkaminWhen you must not take itDo not take Akamin if you areallergic to:* medicines containingminocycline (e.g. Minomycin)* medicines containing any othertetracycline antibiotic (e.g.Achromycin, Doryx, Doxylin,Ledermycin, Tetrex, Vibramycin,Vibra-Tabs)* any of the ingredients listed at theend of this leaflet.Symptoms of an allergic reactionmay include skin rash, itching orhives; swelling of the face, lips,tongue or other parts of the body;shortness of breath, wheezing ortroubled breathing.Do not take Akamin if you aretaking preparations containing:* vitamin A* a medicine called a retinoid suchas isotretinoin (Roaccutane,Accure, Oratane), etretrinate(Tigason), acitretin (Neotigason)and tretinoin (Vesanoid).Taking Akamin with any of thesepreparations may lead to unwantedside effects.Ask your doctor or pharmacist ifyou are not sure if you are takingone of these medicines.Do not take Akamin if you arepregnant.If taken during the second half ofyour pregnancy, Akamin may affectyour baby. This may includereduced bone growth, enamel lossand staining of your baby's teeth.High doses of tetracyclines may alsocause liver problems in pregnantwomen. Your doctor will discuss therisks and benefits of taking Akaminduring pregnancy.Do not take Akamin if you arebreastfeeding.Tetracycline medicines, includingAkamin, pass into breast milk andmay cause enamel loss and stainingof your baby's teeth.Do not take Akamin if you have:* severe kidney disease* systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Do not give Akamin to childrenaged 8 years and under unlessdirected by the child's doctor.Tetracycline medicines, includingAkamin, may reduce bone growthand cause permanent staining andenamel loss in developing teeth.Do not take Akamin if the expirydate (EXP) printed on the pack haspassed.Do not take Akamin if thepackaging shows signs oftampering or the tablets orcapsules do not look quite right.AKAMIN 1

Before you start to take itTell your doctor if you are allergicto any other medicines, foods, dyesor preservatives.Tell your doctor if you have anyother medical conditions,especially kidney disease.If you have not told your doctorabout any of the above, tell thembefore you start taking Akamin.Taking other medicinesTell your doctor if you are takingany other medicines, including anythat you buy without aprescription from a pharmacy,supermarket or health food shop.Some medicines may be affected byAkamin or may affect how well itworks. These include:* preparations containing vitaminA including vitamin supplements* a group of medicines calledretinoids used for:- skin problems such asisotretinoin (Roaccutane,Accure, Oratane), etretinate(Tigason) and acitretin(Neotigason)- treating leukaemia (cancer ofthe blood) such as tretinoin(Vesanoid)* medicines used to prevent bloodclots, such as warfarin(Coumadin, Marevan)* another group of antibioticscalled penicillins (e.g. Amoxil,Abbocillin)* diuretics, also called fluid tablets(e.g. Lasix, Midamor, Moduretic,Aldactone)* the contraceptive pill (birthcontrol pill).Akamin may decrease theeffectiveness of some birthcontrol pills.Talk to your doctor about theadditional need for a barriermethod of contraception (e.g.condom or diaphragm) whiletaking Akamin.Your doctor can tell you what to doif you are taking any of thesemedicines.If you are not sure whether you aretaking any of these medicines,check with your doctor orpharmacist.Medicines which interfere with theabsorption of Akamin include:* antacids (containing aluminium,calcium or magnesium) used forindigestion* preparations containing ironincluding vitamin supplements.You can still take these medicineswhile you are taking Akamin.However, you must take Akamin atleast 2 hours before or 2 hoursafter taking any of these medicinesto make sure there is no problemwith absorption.Your doctor and pharmacist havemore information on medicines to becareful with or avoid while takingAkamin.How to take AkaminFollow all directions given to youby your doctor and pharmacistcarefully.They may differ from theinformation contained in this leaflet.If you do not understand theinstructions on the bottle, ask yourdoctor or pharmacist.How much to takeFor treating infections, the usual dosefor adults is 200 mg initially,followed by 100 mg every 12 hours.For controlling acne, the usual doseis 50 mg twice a day.However, depending on yourcondition and how you react to thismedicine, your doctor may ask youto take a different dose.People with kidney problems mayrequire smaller doses.How to take AkaminSwallow the tablets or capsuleswhole with a full glass of water ormilk while sitting or standingupright.Stay upright for at least 30minutes. Do not lie downimmediately after taking Akamin.This is to help avoid irritation toyour oesophagus (food pipe), whichyou may feel as heartburn orindigestion.When to take AkaminTake Akamin during orimmediately after a meal.This will reduce the chances ofstomach upset.Take Akamin at about the sametime each day.Taking it at the same time each daywill have the best effect. It will alsohelp you remember when to take it.How long to take Akamin forKeep taking Akamin until youfinish the tablets or capsules, or foras long as your doctorrecommends.For infections, your doctor will tellyou when to stop taking Akamin, asthe length of treatment variesdepending on the condition youhave. This is usually 24 to 48 hoursafter the fever and signs of infectionhave gone.Do not stop taking Akamin, even ifyou feel better after a few days,unless advised by your doctor.Your infection may not clearcompletely if you stop taking yourmedicine too soon.For controlling acne, Akamin isnormally taken for a few months.AKAMIN 2

If you forget to take AkaminIf it is almost time for your nextdose, skip the dose you missed andtake your next dose when you aremeant to.Otherwise, take the missed dose assoon as you remember, and then goback to taking your tablets orcapsules as you would normally.Do not take a double dose to makeup for the dose you missed.If you are not sure what to do, askyour doctor or pharmacist.While you are takingAkaminThings you must doIf you develop a persistentheadache with one or more of thefollowing symptoms - nausea,vomiting, blurred vision ordizziness; see your doctorimmediately.These may be signs of a rarecondition associated withminocycline, called benignintracranial hypertension (increasedpressure within the skull).If you are taking Akamin for aninfection and your symptoms donot improve within a few days, orif they become worse, tell yourdoctor.If you become pregnant while youare taking Akamin, tell yourdoctor immediately.If you get severe diarrhoea, tellyour doctor or pharmacistimmediately. Do this even if itoccurs several weeks after youhave stopped taking Akamin.Diarrhoea may mean that you have aserious condition affecting yourbowel. You may need urgentmedical care. Do not take anydiarrhoea medicines withoutchecking with your doctor.If you get a sore, white mouth ortongue while taking or soon afterstopping Akamin, tell your doctor.Also tell your doctor if you getvaginal itching or discharge.This may mean you have a fungalinfection called thrush. Sometimesthe use of Akamin allows fungi togrow and the above symptoms tooccur. Akamin does not workagainst fungi.Before starting any new medicine,tell your doctor or pharmacist thatyou are taking Akamin.Tell all the doctors, dentists andpharmacists who are treating youthat you are taking Akamin.If you are taking Akamin for along time, visit your doctorregularly so that they can check onyour progress.Your doctor may want you to havesome blood tests from time to time.Things you must not doDo not stop taking Akamin orchange the dose, without checkingwith your doctor.If you do not complete the fullcourse prescribed by your doctor, allof the bacteria causing your infectionmay not be killed. Your infectionmay not clear completely or mayreturn.Do not let yourself run out ofAkamin over the weekend or onholidays.Do not use Akamin to treat anyother conditions unless your doctortells you to.Do not give Akamin to anyone else,even if they have the samecondition as you.Things to be careful ofProtect your skin when you are inthe sun, especially between 10 amand 3 pm. If outdoors, wearprotective clothing and use a SPF30+ sunscreen.Akamin may cause your skin to bemuch more sensitive to sunlight thanit is normally. This may cause a skinrash, itching, redness or severesunburn.If your skin does appear to beburning, stop taking Akamin andtell your doctor.Be careful driving or operatingmachinery until you know howAkamin affects you.Akamin may cause dizziness orlightheadedness in some people. Ifeither of these occur, do not drive,operate machinery or do anythingelse that could be dangerous.Side effectsTell your doctor or pharmacist assoon as possible if you do not feelwell while you are taking Akamin.Like all other medicines, Akaminmay have unwanted side effects insome people. Sometimes they areserious, most of the time they are not.You may need medical treatment ifyou get some of the side effects.Do not be alarmed by this list ofpossible side effects.You may not experience any of them.Ask your doctor or pharmacist toanswer any questions you mayhave.Tell your doctor if you notice anyof the following and they worryyou:* dizziness, lightheadedness,unsteadiness* headache* blurred vision, hearing loss* feeling sick (nausea), vomiting,diarrhoea* loss of appetiteAKAMIN 3

* sore mouth or tongue* difficulty in swallowing* oral thrush (white, furry soretongue and mouth)* vaginal thrush (sore and itchyvagina, vaginal discharge)* swelling and itching in the analand genital areas* heartburn, which may be due toirritation and ulceration of theoesophagus (food pipe)* staining of the skin, mouth, teethor nails.The above list includes the milderside effects of Akamin.See your doctor immediately or goto Accident and Emergency at thenearest hospital if you notice anyof the following:* symptoms of a rare conditioncalled benign intracranialhypertension (increased pressurewithin the skull) such aspersistent headache along withone or more of the following -nausea, vomiting, blurred visionor dizziness* severe diarrhoea, usually withblood and mucus, stomach painand fever* severe upper stomach pains, oftenwith nausea and vomiting* signs of frequent infections suchas fever, chills, sore throat ormouth ulcers* bruising or bleeding more easilythan normal* being short of breath whenexercising, often with tiredness,headaches, dizziness and lookingpale and yellowing of the skinand/or eyes* joint pain* passing less urine than normal* signs of liver disease such asfeeling generally unwell, loss ofappetite, yellowing of the eyes orskin (jaundice), fever, itching anddark coloured urine* pain in the chest, behind thebreast bone, sometimes withfever* cough, wheezing orbreathlessness.The above list includes serious sideeffects which require medicalattention. Serious side effects arerare.If any of the following happen, stoptaking Akamin and tell yourdoctor immediately, or go toAccident and Emergency at thenearest hospital:* any type of skin rash, itching,hives, flaking or peeling of theskin* severe sunburn that occurs morequickly than normall* swelling of the face, lips, mouthor throat which may causedifficulty swallowing orbreathing.After finishing AkaminTell your doctor immediately ifyou notice any of the following,even if they occur several weeksafter stopping treatment withAkamin:* watery and severe diarrhoea,which may also be bloody* severe stomach cramps.These may be signs of a seriouscondition affecting your bowel.After taking AkaminStorageKeep Akamin where childrencannot reach it.A locked cupboard at leastone-and-a-half metres above theground is a good place to storemedicines.Keep your tablets or capsules in acool dry place where thetemperature stays below 25degrees C.Do not store Akamin or any othermedicine in the bathroom or near asink.Do not leave Akamin in the car oron window sills.Heat and dampness can destroy somemedicines.DisposalIf your doctor tells you to stoptaking Akamin, or your tablets orcapsules have passed their expirydate, ask your pharmacist what todo with any that are left over.Product descriptionWhat it looks likeAkamin comes in two strengths:* Akamin 50 mg - round, goldcoloured, film-coated tablet,marked MC on one side and aGreek alpha symbol on the otherside* Akamin 100 mg - white and greycapsule, marked MC 100 on thewhite half and a Greek alphasymbol on the grey half.Each bottle of Akamin 50 contains60 tablets.Each bottle of Akamin 100 contains11 capsules.IngredientsThe active ingredient of Akamintablets and capsules is minocycline(as minocycline hydrochloride).Akamin 50 tabletsEach Akamin 50 mg tablet contains50 mg of minocycline.The tablets also contain:* lactose* sodium starch glycollate* povidone* microcrystalline cellulose* sodium lauryl sulfate* magnesium stearate* hypromellose* titanium dioxide CI77891 (E171)* macrogol 400AKAMIN 4

* quinoline yellow CI47005 (E104)* sunset yellow FCF CI15985(E110)* indigo carmine CI73015 (E132).Akamin 100 capsulesEach Akamin 100 capsule contains100 mg of minocycline.The capsules also contain:* lactose* maize starch* magnesium stearate* titanium dioxide CI77891(E171)* iron oxide black CI77499 (E172)* sodium lauryl sulfate* colloidal anhydrous silica* potable water* gelatin* shellac* propylene glycol* ammonium hydroxide* potassium hydroxide.Akamin tablets and capsules aregluten free.ManufacturerAkamin is made in Australia by:Alphapharm Pty Limited(ABN 93 002 359 739)Chase Building 2Wentworth Park RoadGlebe NSW 2037Phone: (02) 9298 3999www.alphapharm.com.auMedical InformationPhone: 1800 028 365Australian registration numbers:50 mg tablets - AUST R 70852100 mg capsules - AUST R 53641This leaflet was prepared on12 November 2003.AKAMIN 5