PEXSIG
Perhexiline maleate 100mg tablets
What is in this leaflet?
This leaflet answers some common questions about PEXSIG (perhexiline maleate)
tablets.
It does not contain all the available information about PEXSIG tablets.
It does not replace talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you
taking PEXSIG tablets against the expected benefits.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What is PEXSIG?
The name of your medicine is PEXSIG and is available in a 100mg strength
tablet.
The active ingredient is called perhexiline maleate. Perhexiline belongs
to a group of medicines called anti-anginal agents. These are used to reduce the
frequency of moderate to severe attacks of angina pectoris (severe chest pain
caused by heart disease).
PEXSIG acts by increasing the efficiency of the heart.
Only use PEXSIG when your doctor prescribes it for you.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why PEXSIG has been prescribed
for you.
If you have any concerns you should discuss this with your doctor.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you take PEXSIG
When you must not take it
Do not take PEXSIG if you have liver disease, kidney disease or if you have
ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to PEXSIG or any of its ingredients.
If you are not sure, talk to your doctor about it.
When should I be careful about using PEXSIG?
You should tell your doctor before starting treatment with PEXSIG if you:
Have diabetes: if you use insulin or take a certain type of antidiabetic
tablet you may need to adjust your dosage during the first few days after
starting on PEXSIG.
Have kidney or liver disease.
Are taking any medicines (whether prescription or non-prescription).
Your doctor needs to know about other drugs you may be taking, particularly
medicines known as beta-blockers and anti-diabetics. If your doctor wants you to
stop taking beta-blockers, you must not stop them suddenly; but should withdraw
them gradually over several days.
Should I use PEXSIG during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. As
there is no experience with the use of PEXSIG in pregnant women, your doctor
must weigh the potential benefits against the possible risks.
Do not take PEXSIG if you are breastfeeding.
Should I drive or operate machinery while taking PEXSIG?
PEXSIG may cause dizziness or unsteadiness in some patients. If affected, do
not drive a vehicle, operate machinery or do anything else that could be
dangerous if you are dizzy or faint.
Should I take PEXSIG with other medicines?
Tell your doctor about any other medicines that you take, including medicines
bought without a doctor's prescription.
There are several medicines, particularly medicines known as beta-blockers (used
for heart conditions and high blood pressure) and anti-diabetics (used to treat
diabetes), which may affect the way PEXSIG works. Your doctor may still want you
to take these other medicines but may need to adjust the dose of them or take
other precautions.
You can still check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you are taking any
of these types of medicines.
How to take PEXSIG properly
How much PEXSIG should I take?
Please follow the instructions of your doctor.
The dose will be decided by your doctor and will depend on your condition and
how you respond to PEXSIG. A common starting dose is one PEXSIG tablet taken
once or twice a day; your doctor may increase or decrease this dose at
intervals, usually 2 to 4 weeks, based on the results obtained.
Generally, the dose should not exceed three PEXSIG tablets a day in divided
doses. In some cases, a dose of 4 PEXSIG tablets per day may be necessary. Do
NOT take more tablets than your doctor has prescribed.
Some patients may require a lower dose than the 100mg contained in PEXSIG
tablets; in this case, PEXSIG tablets can be broken in half, giving 50mg in each
half tablet.
When should I take PEXSIG?
If your doctor has prescribed you more than one PEXSIG tablet per day, you
will take them in divided doses as directed by your doctor. For example, if you
have been prescribed two tablets per day, your doctor would probably direct you
to take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening. Follow the directions
on the pharmacist's label on the pack. PEXSIG tablets should be swallowed whole
with a glass of water.
How long do I need to take PEXSIG?
PEXSIG controls your condition but does not cure it. Therefore, PEXSIG should
be taken every day for as long as your doctor has prescribed it.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss taking your PEXSIG dose, take the tablet(s) as soon as you
remember and then go back to taking it as you would normally. However, if it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose. If
you are unsure about this, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Further Information
Do not purchase or use PEXSIG if the packing shows signs of tampering.
Is a doctor's prescription required to obtain PEXSIG tablets? Yes.
Before you start taking PEXSIG, your doctor will examine you and have some blood
tests carried out. While you are taking PEXSIG, the doctor will repeat the
examinations and tests at regular intervals (at least once a month) in order to
see how you are responding and whether your body is tolerating the treatment.
One of these tests is to measure the amount of PEXSIG in your blood, so that
your doctor may adjust the dose, if necessary.
If the blood tests or the examinations reveal certain results, your doctor may
decide that you stop taking PEXSIG or change the dose.
If your doctor orders any blood tests, the fact that you are taking PEXSIG may
cause some changes in the results which your doctor may discuss with you.
Remember that this medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you.
Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if they have the same
condition as you.
Do not give PEXSIG to children.
What unwanted effects may PEXSIG cause?
Although most people benefit from taking PEXSIG, it may have unwanted
effects. The following unwanted effects have been reported in patients taking
PEXSIG (most unwanted effects usually occur in the first few weeks of treatment
and some may disappear in 2 to 4 weeks). More often they go away if the dose is
reduced. In some cases, they only go away if the treatment is stopped.
Serious unwanted effects
Immediately contact your doctor, or, if your doctor is not available, go to
the casualty department at your nearest hospital, if you develop any of the
following symptoms:
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
More common unwanted effects (reported in 65% of patients)
- Dizziness or drunken sensation
- Difficulty in/or changed walking
- Unsteadiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Lack of appetite and moderate weight loss (2 to 4kg)
- Temporary increases in blood substances from the liver
- Increases in blood fats
- Moderate decreases in blood sugar
- Alterations to the ECG (the electrical record of heart activity)
Less common unwanted effects
- Profound weakness
- Nervousness
- Weariness and lack of interest
- Inability to sleep
- Tremors
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Fainting
- Disorders of the urinary and sexual organs
- Changes in sexual drive
- Flushing or sweating
- Rash or itchy rash
Rare, more severe, unwanted effects
Inflammation of the nerve roots of the skin and spine, and accompanied by
fever (the first signs may be numbness, tingling and/or weakness in the legs
with difficulty in walking), severe lack of sugar in the blood, significant
weight loss (more than 10%) and liver disease.
Other unwanted effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell
your doctor if you notice any other unwanted effects or are concerned, or
troubled in any way, by unwanted effects.
In case of overdose
If you accidentally take too many tablets, you will likely have the following
symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unsteady walking and headache
More severe symptoms, for example, liver damage or irregular or rapid
heartbeat, may develop. Damage to the liver could occur.
You should immediately contact your doctor or go to the casualty
department of your nearest hospital if you have taken too many PEXSIG tablets.
In New Zealand the telephone number for the Poisons Information Centre is as
follows:
URGENT 
(03) 474-7000
.
How should I store PEXSIG tablets?
Keep PEXSIG tablets out of reach of children.
Keep PEXSIG tablets away from direct sunlight and away from the damp and store
below 30 degrees Celsius. Do not store them in the bathroom or near the kitchen
sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Keep PEXSIG tablets in the pack given to you by your pharmacist. Only take your
tablet(s) out of the bottle when it is time to take them.
If your doctor tells you to stop taking PEXSIG tablets, return any left over to
your pharmacist for disposal.
Where do I go for further information
This is not all the information that is available on PEXSIG. If you have any
more questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Product description
What it looks like:
A white to off-white tablet scored on one side and marked PEXSIG on the other,
in amber glass bottles containing 100 tablets.
Each PEXSIG tablet contains 100mg of the active ingredient (perhexiline
maleate). The other excipients or non-active ingredients are lactose,
starch-maize, sucrose and purified talc.
The tablets do not contain preservatives, gluten or azo dyes.