Patient Leaflet Updated 24-Apr-2025 | Nordic Pharma Limited
Carbex
Carbex
In this leaflet:
1 What Carbex® is and what it is used for
2 Before you use Carbex®
3 How to use Carbex®
4 Possible side effects
5 How to store Carbex®
6 Further information
The name of your medicine is Carbex®. It is presented as effervescent granules in sachets together with a liquid for administration (the granules must be taken with the liquid).
The active ingredients of Carbex® are sodium bicarbonate, simeticone and citric acid. Each sachet of Carbex® granules contains 1.26 grams of sodium bicarbonate and 42 mg (milligrams) of simeticone. The bottle of liquid contains 1 gram of citric acid.
Carbex® is used during barium meal X-rays of the stomach to improve the image of the X-ray. When the granules are swallowed with the liquid, Carbex® produces carbon dioxide gas in the stomach. This makes the stomach larger which allows better coating of the barium to the stomach wall and helps to produce better detail in the X-ray picture. The simeticone prevents too much foaming in the stomach which may be caused by the carbon dioxide gas.
Do not take Carbex® if you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed in the “Further Information” section below.
Carbex® contains methyl paraben (E218) and propyl paraben (E216) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
Tell your doctor if you think you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Carbex® .
This medicinal product contains 15mmol of sodium (350 milligrams). To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
There are no reported problems of Carbex® interfering with other medicines taken at the same time. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicine – even those which your doctor has not prescribed for you, but which you may have bought yourself without a prescription.
There are no reported problems when Carbex® has been given during pregnancy or breast feeding.
It is not known whether Carbex® affects your ability to drive or operate machinery.
A doctor or nurse will help you to take Carbex® before your X-ray. The contents of one sachet of Carbex® granules should be placed on your tongue and then immediately washed down with 10ml of the liquid. It is recommended that the barium (for the X-ray) should be swallowed 30 seconds later.
Since you have been given this medicine by a doctor or nurse it is unlikely that you will be given too much. However, tell the doctor or nurse if you are worried that you have taken too much.
There are no known side effects associated with the use of Carbex®.
If you get any side effects, talk to your dentist, doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the UK Yellow Card Scheme (website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellow card) or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not store above 25°C.
On the label you will find the letters “EXP” followed by some numbers. These numbers are the date when the medicine is no longer fit for use. Do not use this medicine after this date.
Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines which you no longer require. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Carbex® sachet contains 2.8grams of granules which contain the active ingredients sodium bicarbonate 1.26 grams and simeticone 42mg (milligrams). It also contains the inactive ingredients povidone, mannitol (E421) and lemon flavouring.
Each 10ml bottle of the liquid contains 1 gram of the active ingredient citric acid. The liquid also contains the preservatives methylparaben (E218) and propyl paraben (E216) and the inactive ingredients saccharin sodium, orange flavour and purified water.
Carbex® is presented as effervescent granules in sachets together with a liquid for administration. It is supplied as a pack containing one sachet of granules and one bottle containing 10ml of the liquid.
Carbex® granules are white with an odour of lemon.
This leaflet was prepared in April 2024
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