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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
Akamin
09 Oct 2019
Akamin is used to:
treat certain infections caused by bacteria
control acne.
Akamin is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called tetracyclines.
These medicines work by stopping the growth of bacteria which cause infections or
make acne worse.
Akamin will not work against infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Akamin has been prescribed for
you.
Your doctor may have prescribed Akamin for another reason.
Akamin is available only with a doctor's prescription.
To treat essential hypertension (high blood pressure with an unknown cause)
To treat oedematous disorders (swelling with fluid), including congestive cardiac
failure
For the diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism (a hormone disorder causing
fluid retention)
As add-on therapy in malignant hypertension (a very serious form of high blood pressure)
Where there is a low amount of potassium (a mineral) in the blood caused by another
diuretic (fluid-removing medicine)
Aldactone improves the blood pressure lowering action of thiazide diuretics while
at the same time reducing or preventing potassium loss due to these medicines.
For the prevention of low amounts of potassium in the blood in patients taking digitalis
(a type of heart drug)
For the treatment of hirsutism (excess body hair in women)
How Aldactone works
Aldactone acts by working against a hormone called aldosterone. Too much aldosterone
causes increased amounts of sodium (a mineral) and water to be retained by the kidneys,
while too much potassium is removed from the body. Aldactone works against the effects
of aldosterone.
Aldactone acts by removing excess fluid and by lowering blood pressure. It may be
given alone or with other diuretics (fluid-removing medicines). It improves the effectiveness
of other medicines used to lower blood pressure.
Aldactone also has a moderate ability to act against male sex hormones (anti-androgenic
effect). Because of this, Aldactone is effective in the treatment of female hirsutism
(excess body hair). It reduces hair growth, thickness and hair colour. Increased urine
flow is unlikely to be a problem when Aldactone is used to treat hirsutism. This is
because aldosterone levels are not normally high in patients with hirsutism.
The safety of Aldactone for the treatment of hirsutism in women of child-bearing age
has not been established by specific studies.
Your doctor may recommend combined use with oral contraceptives to provide both regular
menstrual cycles and adequate contraception.
Your doctor, however, may prescribe Aldactone for another purpose.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Aldactone has been prescribed
for you.
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Aldara or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Aldara? in the full CMI.
Solar keratosis (SK) on the face and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma (sBCC)
Solar keratoses are thickened, scaly patches of skin caused by too much sun exposure.
Solar keratosis is also known as actinic keratosis.
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer.
Genital/perianal warts
External genital/perianal warts (condyloma acuminata) are warts that appear on the
surface of the penis or vulva (external female sexual organ) and around the anus.
ALDIQ is not recommended for use in patients under the age of 18 years as there have
been no studies of its effects in this age group.
ALDIQ cream contains the active ingredient imiquimod. 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 ALDIQ
works is unknown, it is believed to be due to its effects on the immune system.
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.
ALDURAZYME is used as enzyme replacement therapy in Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I)
storage disorder, a disease in which the level of α-L-iduronidase is absent or lower
than normal.
How it works
Patients with MPS I disease do not produce enough of their own enzyme, α-L-iduronidase.
The reduced or absent α-L-iduronidase activity in patients results in the accumulation
of substances called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in most cell types and tissues. ALDURAZYME
is an enzyme replacement therapy that is intended to restore a level of enzyme activity
sufficient to remove the accumulated GAGs and to prevent further accumulation.
Alecensa is used to treat adults with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell
lung cancer. It is used if your cancer:
is ALK-positive – this means your cancer cells have a fault in a gene called anaplastic
lymphoma kinase (ALK)
is advanced or has spread to another part of your body (metastatic)
Alecensa contains the active ingredient alectinib.
Alecensa belongs to a group of medicines called anti-neoplastic (or anti-cancer) agents,
which are used to treat cancer.
Alecensa prevents the activity of the ALK protein. This protein is known to be involved
in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Alecensa may slow down or stop the growth of your cancer. It may also help to shrink
your cancer.
Some people may experience side effects not yet known or mentioned in this leaflet.
If you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please inform your doctor
or pharmacist.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Alecensa has been prescribed for
you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Alecensa is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
anxiety, such as the anxiety associated with depression
tremor, anxiety and confusion associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Alepam contains the active ingredient oxazepam, which belongs to a group of medicines
called benzodiazepines. These medicines are thought to work by their action on brain
chemicals.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Alepam has been prescribed for
you.
Your doctor may have prescribed Alepam for another reason.
In general, benzodiazepines such as Alepam should be taken for short periods only
(for example 2 to 4 weeks). Continuous long term use is not recommended unless advised
by your doctor. The use of benzodiazepines may lead to dependence on the medicine.
Alepam is not recommended for use in children under 16 years of age, as its safety
and effectiveness have not been established in this age group.
Alepam is available only with a doctor's prescription.
you are allergic to any other medicines containing:
loratadine (e.g. Claratyne, Clarinase, Lorastyne)
desloratadine (e.g. Claramax)
or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching or hives;
swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing,
wheezing or shortness of breath.
you are giving to children under 12 years of age
they have passed the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date, it may not work as well.
the packaging shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.
you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor
or pharmacist.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you:
have any other medical conditions
take any medicines for any other condition
are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
have liver problems
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
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
ALLEREZE is not recommended for use during pregnancy or while you are breastfeeding.
Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the risks involved.
Alodorm is used to treat insomnia (sleeping problems).
Alodorm contains the active ingredient nitrazepam, which belongs to a group of medicines
called benzodiazepines. These medicines are thought to work by their action on brain
chemicals.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Alodorm has been prescribed for
you.
Your doctor may have prescribed Alodorm for another reason.
In general, benzodiazepines such as Alodorm should be taken for short periods only
(for example 2 to 4 weeks). Continuous long-term use is not recommended unless advised
by your doctor. The use of benzodiazepines may lead to dependence on the medicine.
Alodorm is available only with a doctor's prescription.
