This salt alternative could help reduce blood pressure. So why are so few people usingit?

Active ingredient(s): phenoxymethylpenicillin (as potassium)

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using CILICAINE VK. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using CILICAINE VK.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using CILICAINE VK?
2. What should I know before I use CILICAINE VK?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use CILICAINE VK?
5. What should I know while using CILICAINE VK?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I using CILICAINE VK?

CILICAINE VK contains the active ingredient phenoxymethylpenicillin (as potassium). CILICAINE VK is a type of antibiotic that belongs to the group of medicines called penicillins.

CILICAINE VK is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria. It works by killing the bacteria that are causing the infection.

CILICAINE VK will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or the flu.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.

Your doctor may have prescribed CILICAINE VK for another purpose.

This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.

2. What should I know before I use CILICAINE VK?

Warnings

Do not use CILICAINE VK if:

• you are allergic to any medicine containing phenoxymethylpenicillin, other penicillins medicines, cephalosporins as you may have an increased chance of being allergic to CILICAINE VK if you are allergic to this or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
  – shortness of breath
  – wheezing or difficulty breathing
  – swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
  – rash, itching or hives on the skin
  – nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, contact your doctor.

Check with your doctor if you:

• have any allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes
• have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
  – diarrhoea after taking antibiotics previously
  – bleeding disorders
  – kidney problems
  – liver problems
  – any other health problem

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking CILICAINE VK.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

The active ingredient in CILICAINE VK passes into breast milk and there is a possibility that your baby may be affected.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and CILICAINE VK may interfere with each other. These include:

• probenecid, a medicine used to treat gout
• antacids, medicines used to reduce heartburn or indigestion
• oral contraceptive pills, medicines used for contraception
  You may need to use other birth control methods while you are taking CILICAINE VK.
• aminoglycosides, medicines used treat some bacterial infections
• methotrexate, a medicine used treat rheumatoid arthritis, some cancers and inflammatory conditions

These medicines may be affected by CILICAINE VK or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect CILICAINE VK.

4. How do I use CILICAINE VK?

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

The usual dose is:

• Adults:
  – 250 mg to 500 mg every four to six hours.
• To prevent recurrence of rheumatic fever:
  – 250 mg twice a day for as long as your doctor tells you to.

The dose you take will depend on the type of treatment you are to receive. Your doctor will decide your dose and how long you take CILICAINE VK for.

How to take it

• Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water.

When to take CILICAINE VK

• CILICAINE VK should be taken 1 hour before food.

How long to take it

• Continue taking your medicine until you finish the pack or for as long as your doctor tells you.
• It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.

If you forget to use CILICAINE VK

If it is less than 4 hours before your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you use too much CILICAINE VK

If you think that you have used too much CILICAINE VK, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

• phone the Poisons Information Centre
  (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
• contact your doctor, or
• go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You may need urgent medical attention.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while using CILICAINE VK?

Things you should do

• If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking CILICAINE VK.
• Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
• If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor immediately.
• If you get diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after you have stopped taking CILICAINE VK.
  Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care.
• If you are about to have any blood or urine tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
  It may interfere with the results of some tests.

Things you should not do

• Do not take any medicine for diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not take CILICAINE VK to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
• Do not stop taking CILICAINE VK without checking with your doctor.
  Your infection and symptoms may not clear completely.

Things to be careful of

Tell your doctor if you get a sore mouth or tongue while taking or after you have stopped taking CILICAINE VK.

This could be due to a fungal infection called thrush. This may also result in fever and irritation in your stomach.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how CILICAINE VK affects you.

Looking after your medicine

Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them.

If you take the capsules out of the pack they may not keep well.

Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store CILICAINE VK or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.

Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

6. Are there any side effects?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking CILICAINE VK.

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

What CILICAINE VK contains

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What CILICAINE VK looks like

CILICAINE VK 250 mg capsules: Size 2 hard gelatin capsule shell, opaque, maroon. (AUST R 339013)

CILICAINE VK 500 mg capsules: Size 0 hard capsule, opaque, maroon in colour (AUST R 339012)

Sponsor

Viatris Pty Ltd
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
www.viatris.com.au
Phone: 1800 274 276

This leaflet was prepared in July 2022.

CILICAINE® is a Viatris company trade mark

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