This leaflet provides some useful information on your product. Please read it carefully before you start using this product. If you have any further questions or are unsure of anything ask your doctor.
Composition
Each tablet contains: Diclofenac potassium 50 mg
Properties and action
Cataflam belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),which are used to treat pain and inflammation. Cataflam relieves the symptoms of inflammation, such as pain and swelling, and also reduces fever. It has no effect on the causes of inflammation or fever. In migraine attacks, Cataflam is effective in relieving the headache as well as in improving the accompanying symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
Indications
Cataflam can be used for short-term treatment of the following conditions:
- Sprains , strains, or other injuries;
- Pain and swelling following surgery;
- Painful menstrual periods;
- Migraine attacks;
- Back pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, and other forms of soft-tissue rheumatism;
- Infections of the ear, nose, or throat.
Cataflam may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Contraindications
You should not use Cataflam if you have an ulcer of the stomach or intestine; if you have ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. skin rash or wheezing) to medicines containing diclofenac or to similar substances such as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or ibuprofen; if you have blood in your stools or black stools.
Precautions
If you have had any disease of the stomach or intestine, or have experienced stomach discomfort or heartburn after taking NSAIDs in the past, tell your doctor. If you suffer from asthma, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, a bleeding disorder or other blood disorders, including hepatic porphyria, also tell your doctor. He or she will take these things into account before and during your treatment with Cataflam.
Drug interactions
Tell the doctor if you are taking any other medicines apart from Cataflam, because it may be necessary to change the dosage or stop taking one of the medicines. This applies to both prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter) medicines. The effects of the following medicines in particular may be affected by Cataflam:
- Lithium, digoxin, methotrexate, and cyclosporin - Medicines used to treat diabetes, except insulin
- Medicines used to increase the output of urine(diuretics)
- Medicines used to prevent blood clotting (“blood thinners”) such as warfarin
- Some medicines used to treat infection (quinolone antibacterials) Other NSAIDs such as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or ibuprofen
Use in the elderly
Since elderly patients may react more strongly to the effect of Cataflam than other adults, they should use the lowest effective dose for their condition. It is specially important for elderly patients to report unwanted effects immediately to their doctor.
Use in children
Cataflam tablets are not recommended for use in children less than 14 years of age. The use of Cataflam in migraine has not been established in children.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may take Cataflam only if and as your doctor advises you. Especially if taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy Cataflam could harm your unborn child or cause problems at delivery.
Capability to drive or operate machinery
A few patients using Cataflam may experience dizziness or drowsiness, or disturbed vision. If you notice such effects you should not drive a car, use machinery, or do other things that need careful attention; tell your doctor as soon as possible if you experience such effects.
Dosage and administration
Take your medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you. Do not change the dose without talking to your doctor. Cataflam tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water or other liquid, preferably before meals or on an empty stomach.
Adults At the beginning of treatment the daily dosage is generally 100-150 mg. In milder cases, as well as for children over 14 years of age, 75-100 mg daily is usually sufficient. The daily dosage should be taken in 2-3 separate doses. Do not take more than the maximum daily dosage of 150 mg.
In painful menstrual periods start treatment with a single dose of 50-100 mg as soon as you feel the first symptoms. Continue with 50 mg up to three times a day for a few days, as needed. If the maximum daily dosage of 150 mg does not provide sufficient pain relief during 2-3 menstrual periods, you may take up to 200 mg per day during your next menstrual periods.
In migraine, take Cataflam at the first symptoms of a migraine attack. The initial dose is 50 mg. If relief is not obtained within 2 hours, take a further dose of 50 mg. This may be repeated at intervals of 4-6 hours, but do not exceed the maximum daily dose of 200 mg.
Overdosage
If you accidentally take many more Cataflam tablets than prescribed, seek medical advice at once.
Side effects
Like all medicines, Cataflam may sometimes cause unwanted effects in addition to its desirable effects. These include stomach discomfort, feeling sick, heartburn, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, wind, loss of appetite; headache, dizziness; rashes. Rare side effects, occurring in less than 1% of patients treated: vomiting blood, passing black stools, ulcer of the stomach or intestine, bloody diarrhoea, constipation; drowsiness, tingling of the limbs, disorientation, disturbances of vision (e.g. blurred or double vision), hearing problems, ringing in the ears, sleeplessness, irritability, fits, depression, trembling; nettle-rash, serious skin reactions, loss of hair, increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, bleeding into the skin; kidney disorders leading to swelling of the face, feet, or legs; sudden decrease in the amount of urine, bloody urine; liver disorders resulting in yellowing of the skin or eyes, sometimes with high temperature or swelling and tenderness of the upper right region of the abdomen; symptoms of serious blood disorders such as persistent sore throat and high temperature; allergic reactions such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or fainting; high blood pressure. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
If you notice any effects which you think may be related to Cataflam, tell your doctor.
IMMEDIATLEY:
If you notice any of the following effects, tell your doctor
- Stomach discomfort, heartburn, or pain in the upper region of the abdomen
- Vomiting blood, or passing blood stools or bloody urine
- Skin problems such as rash or itching
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Persistent sore throat or high temperature
- Swelling of the face, feet, or legs
- Severe headache
- Chest pain with cough
Remark
This medicine has been prescribed for your current medical problem only. Do not give it to other people or use it for other problems unless your doctor tells you to.
Storage
Do not use Cataflam after the expiry date shown on the package. Remember to take back any unused medicine to your pharmacist. Protect from moisture and heat (store below 30oC). Keep this medicine out of the reach of children; unsupervised use of this medicine could harm them.
Packing
Pack of 10 coated tablets
Pack of 20 coated tablets