Bonefos Capsules

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The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.

This PIL is in PDF format and so you must have a PDF reader installed on your device to read it.

Text only version for the visually impaired
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information leaflet. The original may contain images or tables and can be viewed in PDF format using the link above. This PIL may be available from the RNIB in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information please call the RNIB Medicine Leaflet line on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is/are: PL 00010/0521.

Bonefos Capsules

Due to regulatory changes, the content of the following Patient Information Leaflet may vary from the one found in your medicine pack. Please compare the 'Leaflet prepared/revised date' towards the end of the leaflet to establish if there have been any changes.

If you have any doubts or queries about your medication, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Package leaflet: – Information for the user

Bonefos 400 mg capsules sodium clodronate

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1 What Bonefos capsules are and what they are used for
2 What you need to know before you take Bonefos capsules
3 How to take Bonefos capsules
4 Possible side effects
5 How to store Bonefos capsules
6 Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Bonefos capsules are and what they are used for

Bonefos capsules contain sodium clodronate which belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates. These medicines help prevent the loss of calcium from bones.

Bonefos capsules are used to help manage bone diseases, particularly those associated with cancer. Bonefos capsules also help maintain normal levels of calcium in your blood.

2. What you need to know before you take Bonefos capsules

Do not take Bonefos capsules if:

you have very poor kidney function
you are allergic to sodium clodronate, or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
you are already taking another similar medicine.

Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you and do not take Bonefos.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Bonefos capsules.

Your doctor will take special care if:

you have problems with your kidneys
you have (or have had) pain, swelling or numbness of the jaw or a “heavy jaw feeling” or loosening of a tooth.

Tell your doctor before you take Bonefos capsules, if any of these apply to you.

If you are having dental treatment or will undergo dental surgery, tell your dentist that you are being treated with a bisphosphonate. Certain types of dental treatment are not recommended while taking bisphosphonates.

Other medicines and Bonefos capsules

Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you are taking:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain (e.g. ibuprofen or diclofenac)
antibiotics
antacids or mineral supplements
a drug called estramustine which is used to treat cancer.

Do not take any other medicines by mouth for 2 hours before and 1 hour after each dose of Bonefos capsules.

Bonefos capsules with food and drink

It is important that you take your capsules on an empty stomach (otherwise your body will not absorb the drug properly).

Except for plain water, do not eat or drink for 2 hours before and 1 hour after each dose. It is particularly important to avoid drinking milk in this period.

You can drink water whenever you like.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Bonefos capsules are not normally given to people during pregnancy. If you are pregnant think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Do not breastfeed while you are taking Bonefos capsules.

Driving and using machines

Bonefos capsules have no known effect on your ability to drive or use machines.

Bonefos capsules contain lactose

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to take Bonefos capsules

You need to take plenty of fluids (such as water) before, during and after your treatment.

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The capsules should be swallowed whole with plain water. Never take them with milk because it reduces the amount of Bonefos capsules that your body can absorb.

The daily dosage of Bonefos capsules varies. In most cases the dose is between 1600mg (4 capsules) and 3200mg (8 capsules) per day. If you have problems with your kidneys then the daily dosage may be reduced.

If you have been prescribed a single daily dose of Bonefos capsules, it should be taken (preferably in the morning) on an empty stomach with a glass of plain water. After using Bonefos capsules, you should not eat, drink (other than plain water) or take any other medicines by mouth for 1 hour.

If you have been prescribed a twice daily dose, the first dose should be taken as recommended above. The second dose should be taken between meals, more than 2 hours after and 1 hour before eating, drinking (other than plain water), or taking any other medicines by mouth.

If you take more Bonefos capsules than you should

Get medical help immediately and drink plenty of water. If possible, take your capsules with you to show the doctor. Your doctor may want to check the amount of calcium in your blood and how well your kidneys and liver are working.

If you forget to take the Bonefos capsules

Do not take the missed dose, just take your next dose at the usual time.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects have been observed during treatment with Bonefos capsules.

If you experience any of these serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention:

difficulty breathing
allergic skin reactions such as a rash, redness or itching
numbness and tingling sensations around the mouth and/or in the fingers and toes, muscle cramps or spasms (in the back, hands and/or feet) or fits
kidney problems which can be experienced as feeling generally unwell, a reduced appetite and you may observe foamy urine
severe kidney damage which may include symptoms such as weakness or tiredness, change in frequency of urination and swelling of the face, arms, legs and abdomen. These problems are more common when taking some types of anti-inflammatory drug (most often diclofenac) at the same time as Bonefos capsules
pain, swelling or numbness of the jaw, a “heavy jaw feeling” or loosening of a tooth, especially if you have been treated in the past with bisphosphonates such as zoledronate and pamidronate
severe bone, joint and/or muscle pain that can start days to several months after starting treatment with Bonefos capsules
talk to your doctor if you have ear pain, discharge from the ear, and/or an ear infection. These could be signs of bone damage in the ear (osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal) which could occur very rarely.

Unusual fracture of the thigh bone particularly in patients on long-term treatment for osteoporosis may occur rarely. Contact your doctor if you experience pain, weakness or discomfort in your thigh, hip or groin as this may be an early indication of a possible fracture of the thigh bone.

The following side effects are presented by how often they may occur:

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

low calcium levels in the blood without any symptoms (asymptomatic hypocalcaemia) or small increases in the levels of liver enzymes, which can be detected by blood tests
diarrhoea
feeling sick or being sick

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

low calcium levels in the blood with symptoms (symptomatic hypocalcaemia) which may include numbness and tingling sensations around the mouth and/or in the fingers and toes, muscle cramps or spasms (in the back, hands and/or feet) or, less frequently, fits
increased blood levels of a hormone (parathyroid hormone) or certain enzymes (alkaline phosphatase) which can be detected by blood tests
allergic skin reaction such as a rash, redness or itching
breathing difficulties (bronchospasm) – if you have any difficulty breathing seek immediate medical attention.
Unusual fracture of the thigh bone (particularly in patients on long-term treatment for osteoporosis) – contact your doctor if you experience pain, weakness or discomfort in your thigh, hip or groin

Other Side effects (frequency unknown)

breathing problems in patients with a condition called aspirin-sensitive asthma
allergic reaction causing difficulty breathing – if you have any difficulty breathing seek immediate medical attention
kidney problems which may include severe kidney damage and in rare cases fatal kidney failure have been reported. These problems are more common when taking some types of anti-inflammatory drug (most often diclofenac) at the same time as Bonefos capsules
dead tissue in the jaw bone (osteonecrosis of the jaw) which is mainly seen in patients who have been treated in the past with bisphosphonates such as zoledronate and pamidronate. Symptoms include pain, swelling or numbness of the jaw, a “heavy jaw feeling” or loosening of a tooth
severe bone, joint and/or muscle pain that can start days to several months after starting treatment with Bonefos capsules. However, these symptoms may also be linked to the reason you are taking Bonefos capsules.
Swelling and irritation of the uvea (the middle layer of the eye) has been observed with Bonefos. Swelling or infection of the conjunctiva (the membrane lining of the eyelids) has been reported in one patient who received Bonefos and another biphosphonate at the same time. To date, swelling and irritation of the episclera (a thin layer of tissue covering the sclera, the white outer wall of the eye) and the sclera, which has been reported with other biphosphonates, have not been reported with Bonefos.

Tell your doctor if any side effect gets serious, or if you get any effects not listed in this leaflet.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below).

By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

United Kingdom

Yellow Card Scheme

Website:www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

Malta

ADR Reporting

Website:www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt/adrportal

5. How to store Bonefos capsules

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and each blister strip of capsules after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not store above 25°C.

Do not throw away any medicines via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Bonefos capsules contain

The active substance is sodium clodronate.

Each capsule contains 400mg sodium clodronate.

The other ingredients are calcium stearate, colloidal silica, lactose and talc gelatine, titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172) and red iron oxide (E172).

What Bonefos capsules look like and contents of the pack

Pale yellow, hard gelatine capsules printed 'BONEFOS' in black

Bonefos Capsules are available in packs of 120

Marketing authorisation holder:

Bayer plc
Bayer House
Strawberry Hill
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 1JA

Manufacturer:

Bayer Oy
Pansiontie 47
20210 Turku
Finland

This leaflet was last revised in: March 2016

Product licence number: PL00010/0521

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