Active ingredient
- carbimazole
Legal Category
POM: Prescription only medicine
POM: Prescription only medicine
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. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 20072/0240.
Carbimazole 5mg and 20 mg tablets
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Carbimazole 5 mg and 20 mg tablets
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you:
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Carbimazole is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Carbimazole
3. How to take Carbimazole
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Carbimazole
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. WHAT CARBIMAZOLE IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
The name of your medicine is Carbimazole 5 mg tablets or Carbimazole 20 mg tablets (called Carbimazole in this leaflet). This belongs to a group of medicines called 'anti-thyroid' medicines. Carbimazole is used for adults and children with an over-active thyroid gland (called 'hyper-thyroidism').
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE CARBIMAZOLE
Do not take Carbimazole if:
Do not take Carbimazole tablets if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Carbimazole.
Warnings and precautions
Take special care with Carbimazole
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine if:
If you are not sure if the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Carbimazole.
Children
Do not give this medicine to children under the age of two years because it may not be safe or effective.
Other medicines and Carbimazole
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines.
This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Carbimazole can affect the way some medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Carbimazole works.
In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Carbimazole.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. This is because there is a very small chance that your baby may be affected.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe Carbimazole while you are pregnant. He or she will talk to you about this. If they do, they will lower the possibility of any effects on your baby by:
Do not breast-feed if you are taking Carbimazole. This is because small amounts may pass into the mother's milk.
Driving and using machines
You can drive when taking Carbimazole, but do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Carbimazole tablets contain lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate or digest some sugars (have an intolerance to some sugars), talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. HOW TO TAKE CARBIMAZOLE
Always take Carbimazole exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Taking this medicine
How much to take at the start
The doctor will decide on a starting dose, and then see how well it works.
Adults
The recommended starting dose for the 5 mg tablets is between 4 and 12 tablets each day.
The recommended starting dose for the 20 mg tablets is between 1 and 3 tablets each day.
Use in children
The recommended starting dose is three 5 mg tablets each day.
How much to take after the starting dose
Your illness will usually start to improve within one to three weeks. However, it usually takes four to eight weeks to have full benefit from your treatment.
You may need to keep taking Carbimazole for several months to keep control of your thyroid gland. Your doctor will decide when treatment can be stopped. Your doctor may ask you to have occasional blood tests to see how well your treatment is working.
Your doctor may decide to add an additional tablet (I-thyroxine), to help control your condition.
Radio-iodine
Another treatment for an over-active thyroid is called "radio-iodine". If you need radio-iodine treatment your doctor will tell you to stop taking Carbimazole tablets for a while.
If you take more Carbimazole than you should
If you take more Carbimazole than you should, talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack or this leaflet and any remaining tablets with you.
If you forget to take Carbimazole
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, take both doses together.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Carbimazole can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The side effects usually happen in the first eight weeks of your treatment. Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not get any of them.
Allergic reactions
If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking Carbimazole and see a doctor straight away. The signs may include: sudden rash, swelling or difficulty breathing.
Stop taking Carbimazole and see a doctor straight away, if you notice any of the following side effects:
Your doctor may need to do some tests to check for something called 'bone marrow depression' before you start your treatment again.
Tell your doctor if you get any of the following side effects:
Other side effects include:
If you get any of the following side effects, they normally go away while you keep taking your medicine.
The following side effects have also been reported:
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 via the Yellow Card Scheme, website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE CARBIMAZOLE
Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What Carbimazole 5 mg and 20 mg tablets contain
What Carbimazole 5 mg and 20 mg tablets look like and contents of the pack
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Manufacturer:
This leaflet was last revised in April 2016.
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