Consumer Medicines Information
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DI-GESIC®
dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride with paracetamol
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about DI-GESIC. It does not contain all the available information and does not take the place of talking with your doctor.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking DI-GESIC against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with this medicine. You may need to read it again.
What DI-GESIC is used for
DI-GESIC tablets contain dextropropoxyphene and paracetamol as the active ingredients. They belong to a group of medicines called analgesics and are used to provide relief from mild to moderate pain.
DI-GESIC may be habit forming so it is important to take it exactly as directed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
Before you take it
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions or if you have ever experienced any of these conditions.
When you must not take it
Do not take DI-GESIC:
- if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it or to any other products containing dextropropoxyphene, paracetamol or to any of the tablet ingredients listed at the end of the leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty in breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or any other part of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
- if you have a history of alcoholism or substance abuse.
- if you have ever been suicidal
- if the packaging is torn, shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.
- if the expiry date printed on the pack has passed.
If you take it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not take other paracetamol containing products if you have taken 12 DI-GESIC tablets in a day.
Your total daily intake of paracetamol should not exceed 4 g.
Before you start to take it
You must tell your doctor:
- if you have or have had the following medical conditions:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- anaemia, a condition in which there is a decreased number of red blood cells. - if you have had any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
Do not take DI-GESIC if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
Do not take it if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
It is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it is found in breast milk.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by DI-GESIC or may affect how well it works. These include:
- tranquillisers, medicines that calm you down
- antidepressants, medicines to treat depression
- sedatives, medicines that help you sleep
- muscle relaxants, e.g. orphenadrine
- alcohol
- any other central nervous system depressant drugs
- anticonvulsants, e.g. carbamazepine
- medicines that prevent blood clotting, e.g. warfarin.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
Do not give DI-GESIC to children.
The safety of this medicine in children has not been established.
How to take it
How much to take
Take your medicine as directed by your doctor.
The usual adult dose is two tablets every four hours, as needed, for pain. If you are elderly or have a pre-existing kidney or liver condition, you may need to take fewer tablets.
Do not take more than twelve (12) DI-GESIC tablets per day.
Do not take more than the recommended dosage even if you are not getting pain relief.
This medicine can produce drug dependence when taken in higher than recommended doses over long periods of time.
How to take it
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
When to take it
This medicine can be taken with or without food.
How long to take it
Your doctor will decide how long you should take this medicine.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take your medicine, take your dose as soon as you remember.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
Taking more of this medicine does not necessarily mean greater pain relief.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor, or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else has taken too much DI-GESIC.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking it
Things you must do
You should avoid alcohol while you are taking DI-GESIC.
This medicine and alcohol in combination are dangerous and may lead to symptoms of overdose (difficulty breathing, confusion, anxiety, severe drowsiness and dizziness).
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking DI-GESIC.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start any new medicine that you are taking DI-GESIC.
If you become pregnant while you are taking it, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Things you must not do
Do not take more than the dosage recommended by your doctor even if you are not getting pain relief.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how DI-GESIC affects you.
It may make you drowsy or dizzy.
Do not give DI-GESIC to anyone else.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking DI-GESIC.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything unusual or if you are concerned about any aspect of your health, even if you think the problems are not connected with this medicine and are not referred to in this leaflet.
Like other medicines, DI-GESIC may cause some unwanted side effects. These are likely to vary from patient to patient. Some side effects may be related to the dose of DI-GESIC. Your doctor may then decide to adjust the dose you are taking.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following common side effects and they worry you:
- dizziness
- sedation
- nausea
- vomiting.
These side effects may be lessened if you lie down.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following:
- constipation
- stomach pain
- skin rashes
- allergic reactions
- lightheadedness
- headache
- muscle weakness
- sensation of extreme happiness, known as euphoria
- abnormal unhappy mood
- hallucinations
- minor visual disturbances
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers.
Some of these may be serious side effects of DI-GESIC. You may need medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
If any of the following happen, stop taking DI-GESIC and tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
- jaundice, yellowing of the skin or eyes
- fits
- psychoses, abnormal thought processes.
These are very rare side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
After taking it
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
Keep it in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Store DI-GESIC tablets where young children cannot reach them. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking DI-GESIC or you find that the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Product Description
What it looks like
DI-GESIC are white film coated, capsule-shaped tablets marked with "DIGESIC" on one side.
It is available in blister packs of 20 tablets.
Ingredients
Active Ingredients:
Each tablet contains 32.5 mg of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride and 325 mg of paracetamol.
Inactive Ingredients:
- starch - maize
- starch - pregelatinised maize
- magnesium stearate
- hypromellose
- glycerol
- titanium dioxide.
DI-GESIC tablets do not contain lactose, gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Supplier
Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos St
St Leonards NSW 2065
Australia
Australian Registration Number:
AUST R 52509
This leaflet was revised in
January 2010.
Published by MIMS/myDr August 2010
