WHAT IS ACTIBLOK AM?

ACTIBLOK AM is the combination of Amlodipine Besylate (calcium channel blockers) and Metoprolol Tartarate (Beta blockers).

CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION:

THERAPEUTIC USES:

What ACTIBLOK AM is used for? It is used in the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. It prevents death due to heart attacks.

INTERACTIONS:

Do not take ACTIBLOK AM if you are already taking:

• Other antihypertensives as injection especially verapamil, diltiazem or disopyramide.
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression.
• Cimetidine (to treat stomach ulcers).
• Hydralazine, Clonidine or Prazosin (to treat high blood pressure).
• Amiodarone and Propafenone (for irregular heart rhythm).
• Tricyclic or SSRI antidepressants (to treat depression).
• Barbiturates (to treat epilepsy).
• Phenothiazines (for mental illness)
• Anaesthetics such as cyclopropane or trichloroethylene.
• Aldesleukin (to treat some cancers, particularly cancer of the kidney).
• Alprostadil (to treat erectile dysfunction).
• Anxiolytics or hypnotics (e.g. temazepam, nitrazepam, diazepam).
• Indometacin or celecoxib (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)).
• Rifampicin (antibiotic) or Terbinafine or Ketoconazole and Itraconazole (antifungal).
• Cocaine.
• Corticosteroids (e.g. hydrocortisone, prednisolone).
• Other beta-blockers e.g. eye drops..
• Adrenaline (epinephrine) or Noradrenaline (norepinephrine), used in anaphylactic shock or other sympathomimetics.
• medicines used to treat diabetes.
• Lidocaine (a local anaesthetic).
• Moxisylyte (used in Raynauds syndrome).
• Mefloquine (to treat malaria).
• Tropisetron (to prevent nausea and vomiting).
• Xanthines such as Aminophylline or Theophylline (to treat asthma).
• Medicines to treat migranes such as Ergotamine
• Cardiac glycosides e.g. Digoxin (to treat heart conditions).
• Hydroxychloroquine (to treat rheumatoid arthritis).
• Diphenydramine (sedative antihistamine).
.
• HIV-protease-inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir).
• Clarithromycin, erythromycin and telithromycin, rifabutin (antibiotics).
• Nefazodone (medicine to treat depression).
• Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum; herbal medicine for depression).
• Dantrolene (infusion for severe body temperature abnormalities).
• Tacrolimus (medicine used to alter the way your immune system works).
• Simvastatin (cholesterol lowering medicine)
• Cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant).

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you

• You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• Swallow the medicine with a glass of water

SIDE EFFECTS:

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

SERIOUS:

• allergic reaction such as itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, throat or tongue.
• sudden wheeziness, chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.
• severe skin reactions including intense skin rash, hives, reddening of the skin over your whole body, blistering, peeling and swelling of the skin, inflammation of mucous membranes (Stevens johnson syndrome) toxic epidermal necrolysis.
• heart attack, abnormal heart beat.
• inflamed pancreas which may cause severe abdominal and back pain accompanied with feeling very unwell.

COMMON:

• tiredness, dizziness, headache, sleepiness.
• a slow heart rates.
• feeling faint on standing due to low blood pressure.
• shortness of breath with or without strenuous physical activity.
• feeling or being sick.
• stomach pain or stomach upset.
• oedema (fluid retention)
• palpitations (awareness of your heart beat), flushing
• abdominal pain, feeling sick(nausea).
• altered bowel habits, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion.
• visual disturbances, double vision
• muscle cramps
• swollen ankles

UNCOMMON:

• enlarged breasts or discomfort in men.
• sleep disorders, irritability, depression, mood changes, anxiety.
• pain, feeling unwell, dry mouth, uncontrolled shaking, pins and needles, increased sweating.
• problems with your eye-sight (visual disturbances).
• trembling, taste abnormalities.
• numbness or tingling sensation in your limbs, loss of pain sensation.
• sneezing/running nose caused by inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis).
• disorder in passing urine, increased need to urinate at night, increased number of times of passing urine.
• ringing or buzzing in the ears.
• fainting, increased heart rate, chest pain, muscle cramps, back pain, muscle and joint pain aggravation of angina may occur at the beginning of the treatment.
• low blood pressure, inflammation of the blood vessels.
• breathing difficulties, inflammation of the nasal mucosa, cough.
• dry mouth, vomiting (being sick), diarrhoea, constipation, swollen gums.
• prickling and tingling sensation of the skin, itching, red patches on skin, nettle rash, hair loss,discoloration of the skin.
• increase or decrease in weight.

RARE:

• depression, nightmares, inability to think cl.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS:

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR:

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine If you:

• are allergic to ACTIBLOK AM.
• suffer with heart conduction or rhythm problems, heart failure, blocked blood vessels.
• suffer from a tight, painful feeling in the chest in periods of rest (Prinzmetals angina).
• are suffering from narrowing of the aortic heart valve (aortic stenosis).
• with untreated phaeochromocytoma (high blood pressure due to a tumor near the kidney).
• suffer from increased acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis).
• have low blood pressure.
• have or have had breathing difficulties or asthma including COPD.
• with diabetes associated with frequent episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).
• have liver or kidney disease or failure.
• have difficulties in passing urine.
• have low levels of potassium (hypokalaemia) or sodium (hyponatraemia) in your blood.
• have high levels of calcium (hypercalcaemia).
• suffer with gout due to high levels of uric acid.
• have or have suffered from psoriasis (severe skin rashes).
• have myasthenia gravis.
• are going to have an operation or an anaesthetic, please tell your doctor that you are taking ACTIBLOK AM tablets, as your heart beat might slow down too much

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 for advice before taking this medicine.

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS:

• Do not give this medicine to children.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES:

• ACTIBLOK AM may make you feel tired and dizzy. Make sure you are not affected before you drive or operate machinery, particularly after changing to another medicine or if taken with alcohol.

STORAGE:

• Keep this medicine out of reach of children
• Store at room temperature (15-25C).
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

FAQs:

If I take more ACTIBLOK AM? If you or someone else has taken too much ACTIBLOK AM, contact your nearest hospital casualty department.

If I forget to take ACTIBLOK AM? If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If I stop taking ACTIBLOK AM? Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine as this may cause worsening of heart failure and increase the risk of heart attack. Only change the dose or stop the treatment in consultation with your doctor.

Disclaimer:

The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.