contains the active ingredient metoprolol tartrate
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Minax.
It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Minax against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Minax is used for
Minax is used to:
lower high blood pressure, also called hypertension
prevent angina (chest pain)
treat or prevent heart attacks, or reduce your risk of heart complications following a heart attack
prevent migraine headaches.
Minax belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. It works by changing the body's response to some nerve impulses, especially in the heart. As a result, it helps prevent angina and helps the heart to beat more regularly. It also widens the blood vessels in the body causing blood pressure to fall.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Minax has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed Minax for another reason.
Minax may be used either alone or in combination with other medicines to treat your condition.
Minax is not recommended for use in children, as its safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
Minax is available only with a doctor's prescription.
There is no evidence that Minax is addictive.
Before you take Minax
When you must not take it
Do not take Minax if you are allergic to:
metoprolol tartrate or any other beta-blocker medicine
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
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.
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, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
If you are allergic to or have a history of severe allergic reactions to medicines, foods, dyes, preservatives or insect stings, tell your doctor immediately.
If you have a history of allergies, there is a chance that Minax may cause allergic reactions to be worse and harder to treat.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Minax may affect your baby if you take it early in pregnancy or in the last weeks before your baby is due. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Minax.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed.
Minax passes into breast milk, hence there is a possibility that the breastfed baby may be affected. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Minax when breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions, especially the following:
asthma
diabetes
kidney problems
liver problems
an overactive thyroid gland
certain types of angina, such as Prinzmetal angina or variant angina
any other heart problems
phaeochromocytoma.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Minax.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by Minax, or may affect how well it works. These include:
other beta-blocker medicines, including eye drops
other medicines used to treat high blood pressure or angina (chest pain)
medicines used to treat high blood pressure
medicines used to treat heart problems
insulin and other medicines used to treat diabetes
medicines used to treat depression.
Your doctor can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
If you are not sure whether you are taking any of these medicines, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Minax.
How to take Minax
How much to take
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 pack ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
For high blood pressure:
The usual starting dose is one 50 mg or 100mg tablet once a day for one week.
The dose is then usually increased to 50 mg or 100 mg once or twice daily.
Your doctor may tell you to take a different amount of Minax.
If you are taking other prescription medicines which lower blood pressure, your doctor may need to change the dose of them to obtain the best results for you.
For angina pectoris:
The usual dose is 50 mg or 100 mg taken two or three times a day.
After myocardial infarction:
The usual dose is 100 mg taken twice a day, often starting with a lower dose for 2 days.
For migraine prevention:
The usual dose is 50 mg to 75 mg taken twice a day (100 to 150 mg a day).
When to take it
Take your medicine at about the same time each day.
Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
How to take it
Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
Minax tablets can be divided in half along the breakline, if your doctor has prescribed half a tablet.
How long to take it
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
This medicine helps to control your condition, but does not cure it. It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.
DO NOT STOP TAKING MINAX TABLETS SUDDENLY.
The dose needs to be reduced slowly over 7 to 14 days to make sure that your condition does not get worse.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose (within 6 hours), skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets 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 take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Minax. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much Minax, you may feel faint, have a very slow heart beat or difficulty breathing. You may also feel sick, vomit, have convulsions or lose consciousness.
While you are taking Minax
Things you must do
Before starting any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Minax.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Minax.
If you become pregnant while taking Minax, tell your doctor.
If you have a severe allergic reaction to foods, medicines or insect stings, tell your doctor immediately.
If you have a history of allergies, there is a chance that Minax may worsen the allergic reactions and cause it to be harder to treat.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly.
You may feel light-headed or dizzy when you begin to take Minax. This is because your blood pressure has fallen suddenly.
Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem gets worse or continues, talk to your doctor.
Make sure you drink enough water during exercise and hot weather when you are taking Minax, especially if you sweat a lot.
If you do not drink enough water while taking Minax, you may feel faint or light-headed or sick. This is because your blood pressure is dropping too much. If you continue to feel unwell, tell your doctor.
If you are being treated for diabetes, make sure you check your blood sugar level regularly and report any changes to your doctor.
Minax may affect how well your diabetes is controlled. It may also cover up some of the symptoms of low blood sugar (also called hypoglycaemia) such as a fast heartbeat. Minax may increase the time your body takes to recover from low blood sugar. Your doctor may need to change your dose of diabetic medicines, including insulin.
Tell your surgeon, anaesthetist or dentist that you are taking Minax if you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery, that needs a general anaesthetic..
Minax interacts with certain general anaesthetics and may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Tell your doctor if you have to take any medical tests while you are being treated with Minax.
Visit your doctor regularly so they can check on your progress.
Elderly patients especially need to be monitored to stop their blood pressure falling too far.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking Minax, or lower the dose, without checking with your doctor.
Stopping Minax suddenly may worsen your angina or cause other heart complications to occur. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of Minax you are taking before stopping completely.
Do not use Minax to treat any other conditions unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give Minax to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not take Minax to relieve sudden angina attacks. Your doctor will have prescribed a spray or other tablets that you put under your tongue when you get an angina attack.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Minax affects you.
Minax may cause drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness in some people. If any of these occur, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Be careful drinking alcohol while taking Minax.
Combining Minax and alcohol can make you more drowsy, dizzy or lightheaded.
Dress warmly during cold weather, especially if you will be outside for a long time.
Beta-blocker medicines tend to decrease blood circulation in the skin, fingers and toes. This may make you more sensitive to cold temperatures.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Minax.
Like all other medicines, Minax may have unwanted side effects in some people. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
headache, tiredness, drowsiness, weakness or lack of energy
short-term memory loss, inability to concentrate or confusion
mood changes or depression
sleeping problems, nightmares
dry mouth, changes in taste sensation
feeling sick (nausea), vomiting
stomach upset, diarrhoea or constipation, weight gain
aches and pains, painful joints
hair loss
increased sweating, runny or blocked nose.
These side effects are usually mild.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting especially on getting up quickly
dry or irritated eyes, blurred vision
buzzing or ringing in the ears, deafness
skin rash or worsening of psoriasis
tingling or "pins and needles" in the hands or feet
symptoms of sunburn such as redness, itching and blistering, that occur more quickly than usual
problems with sexual function
abnormal thinking or hallucination.
These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty swallowing
chest tightness, difficulty breathing, wheezing
chest pain, changes in heart rate or palpitations
yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice), generally unwell
constant flu-like symptoms with tiredness or lack of energy
swelling of the ankles, feet or legs
shortness of breath (sometimes with tiredness, weakness and reduced ability to exercise), which may occur together with swelling of the feet or legs due to fluid build up.
These are very serious yet rare side effects. You may require immediate medical attention.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
After taking Minax
Storage
Keep Minax 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.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store Minax or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave Minax in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Minax, or your tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Minax comes in 2 strengths of tablets:
Minax 50 mg - round, white, scored tablet marked ML/50 on one side and a Greek alpha symbol on the reverse. Each bottle contains 100 tablets.
Minax 100 mg - round, white, scored tablet marked ML/100 on one side and Greek alpha symbol on the reverse. Each bottle contains 60 tablets.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Minax is metoprolol tartrate:
each Minax 50 mg tablet contains 50 mg of metoprolol tartrate
each Minax 100 mg tablet contains 100 mg of metoprolol tartrate.
The tablets also contain:
lactose
microcrystalline cellulose
povidone
colloidal anhydrous silica
sodium starch glycollate
magnesium stearate.
Minax 100 also contains:
purified talc
carmellose sodium.
The tablets are gluten free.
