What ARTIFLO is used for?

• ARTIFLO is used to treat and prevent blood clots blocking the blood vessels e.g. deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• ARTIFLO does not dissolve blood clots that have already formed but it may stop the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems

Tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without prescription

• heparin or other anticoagulants to thin the blood in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis, blood clots or after surgery
• antibiotics (e.g. clindamycin)
• Salicylic acid and related substances (e.g. Acetyl salicylic acid, aminosalicylic acid, diflunisal) medicine used against pain
• Anabolic steroids - used as replacement therapy androgens such as testosterone and mesterolone - used as replacement therapy.
• Corticosteroids such as prednisolone and methylprednisolone - steroids used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and certain skin conditions.
• anti-arrhythmic agents such as amiodarone and quinidine - medicines for an irregular heartbeat
• disulfiram - for alcohol dependence
• etacrynic acid or thiazide diuretics (water tablets) such as Bendroflumethiazide or metolazone - for water retention or high blood pressure
• tramadol - a strong pain killer
• tamoxifen - for breast cancer and fertility
• azathioprine - for organ transplantation, chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
• Proton pump inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole)
• sulphonylureas such as tolbutamide, chlorpropamide and glibenclamide - oral medicines for diabetes
• plasminogen activators (e.g. urokinase; streptokinase and alteplase, thrombin inhibitors (e.g. argatroben) - medicines used to breakdown blood clots during heart stroke
• statins and other lipid lowering drugs such as fenofibrate, simvastatin or colestyramine - used to lower blood cholesterol levels
• Prokinetic agents (e.g. cisapride) - medicines used against HIV disease antacids (e.g. magnesium hydroxide) and viloxazine - medicine used against stomach acidity.
• antineoplastics such as mercaptopurine and 5-fluorouracil - for breast, gastrointestinal and skin cancer
• H2-agonists such as cimetidine or ranitidine - used to treat stomach or intestinal ulcers
• amino glutethimide - used to treat cancer or Cushings syndrome
• protease inhibitors such as ritonavir or indinavir - used to treat HIV
• barbiturates such as sodium amytal or Phenobarbital and carbamazepine - for epilepsy or to help you sleep
• oral contraceptives such as Femodene, Logynon and Cilest - for birth control
• rifampicin - medicine used against infection

• Always take ARTIFLO exactly as your doctor has told you to
• ARTIFLO should be taken as a single dose at the same time every day. Swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water
• Your doctor will decide on your dose by doing regular blood tests during treatment with ARTIFLO
• You should not receive any injections into your muscles whilst you are taking ARTIFLO
• If you need any injections into your spine or as part of a scan or X-ray test or if you need minor surgery, including dental surgery, make sure you discuss your treatment with your doctor first
• The usual starting dose is between 2 mg/day to 4 mg/day without administration of a loading dose. Treatment can be started with a loading dose regimen, usually 6 mg on the first day followed by 4 mg on the second day.
• Elderly patients, patients with liver disease or severe heart failure or malnourished patients may need lower doses

If you take more ARTIFLO

• If you accidentally take too many tablets, or someone else takes any of your medicine, you should tell your doctor immediately or contact the nearest accident and emergency department

If you forget to take ARTIFLO

• Do not worry. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time to take the next dose. Do not take a double dose. Then go on as before.

If you stop taking ARTIFLO

• Do not stop using ARTIFLO unless your doctor advice to do so