Note: the documents on this web site are PDF files. If you do not have a PDF reader, you can download one now.
Brand Name: the name given to the medicine by the company that makes the medicine. There may be more than one brand name if more than one company makes the medicine.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Reading the CMI does not take the place of counselling by a health professional.
Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all aspects of your medicines, including
why you are taking them and what benefits / risks you can expect.
The CMI for your medicine that is on this web site is the most up-to-date version
available. It may differ from a CMI that you previously received from your doctor
or pharmacist, or in your pack of medicine.
This web site does not contain all CMIs for medicines sold in Australia and not
all medicines have a CMI available for them. If you do not find a CMI for your medicine
on this page, contact the pharmaceutical company who makes the medicine or talk
to your doctor or pharmacist. The information on this web site is intended for use
in Australia only.
Product name
Date released
APO-Hydroxychloroquine
31 Aug 2020
The name of your medicine is APO-Hydroxychloroquine. It contains the active ingredient
hydroxychloroquine sulfate.
It may be used for any of the following conditions:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis with inflammation of the joints, characterized
by stiffness, swelling and pain.
Hydroxychloroquine may be used for short or long-term rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
In treating rheumatoid arthritis, hydroxychloroquine may slow down the process of
joint damage and relieve the symptoms of the disease.
Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE)
SLE is a disease in which a person's normal immunity is upset. The body produces an
excess of blood proteins called antibodies and these antibodies may cause problems
in any organ of the body.
These antibodies may end up, for example, in the skin causing a variety of skin rashes
or deposit in the kidney, brain, lung and joints causing injury.
Discoid Lupus Erythematous (DLE)
DLE is similar to SLE, except it only affects the skin and is characterized by a scaling,
red rash.
Malaria (treatment and control of symptoms)
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the presence of parasites in red blood
cells.
The disease is characterized by chills, fever and sweats.
In malaria, hydroxychloroquine destroys the harmful parasite which causes the illness.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed hydroxychloroquine for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
The name of your medicine is APO-Imiquimod. It contains the active ingredient imiquimod.
It is used to treat:
Solar keratosis on the face and scalp.
Solar keratosis is thickened, scaly patches of skin caused by too much sun exposure.
It is also known as actinic keratosis.
Superficial basal cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer).
External genital/perianal warts (condyloma acuminate). They appear on the surface
of the penis or vulva (external female sexual organ) and around the anus.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you. Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
How it works
Imiquimod is an immune response modifier. It activates immune cells in the body. The
immune cells then proceed to kill and remove the virus-infected or cancer cells.
Although the exact way that imiquimod works is unknown, it is believed to be due to
its effects on the immune system.
There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
Use in children
This medicine should not be used in patients under the age of 18 years.
Indapamide SR is used to treat mild to moderate high blood pressure (also known as
hypertension). These tablets release the active ingredient, indapamide, progressively
over 24 hours.
Indapamide belongs to a group of medicines called diuretics (a type of ‘fluid’ or
‘water’ tablet).
Indapamide is thought to lower blood pressure by relaxing some of the blood vessels
in the body. The blood vessels can then carry the same volume of blood more easily.
Everyone has blood pressure. This pressure helps to move your blood all around the
body. Your blood pressure may be different at different times of the day, depending
on how busy or stressed you are.
You have high blood pressure when your blood pressure stays higher than is needed,
even when you are calm and relaxed.
If high blood pressure is not treated it can lead to serious health problems. You
may feel fine and have no symptoms, but eventually it can cause stroke, heart disease
and kidney failure.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
This medicine is not addictive.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children.
Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure and kidney disease in type 2 diabetic
patients with high blood pressure. It belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensin-II
receptor antagonists.
How it works
Irbesartan relaxes your blood vessels, helping to lower your blood pressure. It also
slows the decrease of kidney function in type 2 diabetic patients with high blood
pressure.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
This medicine is not addictive.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children.
Irbesartan HCTZ is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Everyone has blood pressure. This pressure helps get your blood all around your body.
Your blood pressure may be different at different times of the day, depending on how
busy or worried you are. You have high blood pressure which means your blood pressure
stays high, even when you are calm and relaxed.
There are usually no symptoms of high blood pressure. The only way of knowing that
you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regularly basis.
How it works
This product contains both irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Both medicines
reduce blood pressure in different ways.
Irbesartan belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensin-II receptor antagonists.
Angiotensin II is a substance produced in the body which causes blood vessels to tighten.
Irbesartan blocks angiotensin-II and therefore relaxes your blood vessels. This helps
to lower your blood pressure.
HCTZ belongs to the class of medicines known as diuretics. Diuretics cause an increase
in the volume of urine. They also help with lowering blood pressure particularly when
combined with other blood pressure reducing medicines.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
This medicine is not addictive.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine for children.
Isosorbide mononitrate sustained-release tablets are used to prevent angina.
Angina is a pain or uncomfortable feeling in the chest, often spreading to the arms
or the neck and sometimes to the shoulders and back. This is caused by too little
blood and oxygen getting to the heart.
The pain of angina is usually brought on by exercise or stress.
How it works
Isosorbide mononitrate belongs to a group of medicines called nitrates. It works by
relaxing the blood vessels, letting more blood and oxygen reach the heart.
It is not recommended that isosorbide mononitrate be taken for the treatment of acute
attacks.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children.
Isotretinoin is used to treat severe acne, where other treatments have not worked.
It belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids, which are like Vitamin A.
How it works
Isotretinoin works by reducing the amount of the oil (sebum) made by glands in your
skin. It also reduces bacteria and inflammation and helps to open clogged pores.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
This medicine is not addictive.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children.
