Maxigesic 500mg/150mg 12 Tablets

Maxigesic® contains paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Paracetamol works to stop the pain messages from getting through to the brain. It also acts in the brain to reduce fever.

Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs). It relieves pain and reduces inflammation (swelling, redness or soreness).

Maxigesic® is used for temporary relief of pain associated with: headache, migraine headache, tension headache, sinus pain, toothache, dental procedures, backache, sore throat, arthritis, tennis elbow, period pain, muscular pain, rheumatic pain, aches and pains associated with colds and flu. Reduces fever.

Maxigesic® is not addictive.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about this medicine.

Before you take Maxigesic®

When you must not take it

Do not take Maxigesic® if you have an allergy to:

• any medicine containing paracetamol;
• any medicine containing ibuprofen;
• any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet;
• aspirin or any other NSAIDs
  Many medicines used to treat headache, period pain and other aches and pains contain paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAID medicines. If you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines, ask your pharmacist.

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
• stomach ache, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting
• fainting

If you are allergic to aspirin or NSAID medicines and take Maxigesic®, these symptoms may be severe.

Do not take this medicine if:

• you are pregnant
• you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed;
• you are (or have previously) bled from the rectum (back passage), have black sticky bowel motions (stools) or bloody diarrhoea;
• you have impaired kidney function, impaired liver function or heart problems
• you have a peptic ulcer (e.g.. stomach or duodenal ulcer), a recent history of one, or have had peptic ulcers before or any other stomach disorders;

Do not take Maxigesic® if you regularly drink large quantities of alcohol.

Do not take Maxigesic® 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 Maxigesic®, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Before you start to take Maxigesic®

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if:

• you have difficulty urinating;
• you are currently having an infection;
• you plan to have surgery
• you are aged 65 years or over;
• you have or have had other medical conditions including:
  - high blood pressure;
  - severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome;
  - asthma;
  - vision problems;
  - tendency to bleed or other blood problems;
  - bowel or intestinal problems such as ulcerative colitis;
  - swelling of ankles or feet;
  - diarrhoea.

Taking other medicines

Do not take with other medicines containing paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDs unless under the advice of a doctor

Many medicines used to treat headache, period pain and other aches and pains contain paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAID medicines. These medicines have a range of different trade names. It is important to check the labels of all other medicines you are taking to make sure they do not contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, aspirin or any other NSAIDs. Taking too much paracetamol or ibuprofen may cause serious side effects. If you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines, ask your pharmacist.

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

Maxigesic® may interfere with some medicines. These include:

• medicines to prevent blood clots such as warfarin
• medicines to treat epilepsy or fits
• chloramphenicol, an antibiotic used to treat ear and eye infections
• metoclopramide, a medicine that increases gastric emptying
• propantheline, a medicine used for treating cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines (gut) or bladder
• cholestyramine, a medicine used as a bile acid sequestrant
• probenecid, a medicine used to treat gout
• zidovudine, a medicine used to treat HIV (the virus that causes AIDs)
• Co-trimoxazole, an antibacterial medicine
• medicines used to treat tuberculosis such as isoniazid
• medicines to treat high blood pressure or other heart conditions
• diuretics, also called fluid tablets
• lithium, a medicine used to treat some types of depression
• methotrexate, a medicine used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer
• corticosteroids, such as prednisone, cortisone

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

Your doctor and pharmacist will have more information on these and other medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.

Dosage

Adults and Children over 12 years: The usual dosage is one to two tablets taken every six hours, as required, up to a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours.

Children under 12 years: Maxigesic® is not recommended for children under 12 years.

Do not take more than 8 tablets in a 24 hours period.

If your doctor prescribes a different dose, follow directions given by your doctor.