TIMENTIN™ Injection

Ticarcillin disodium/Potassium clavulanate

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about TIMENTIN. It does not
contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to
your doctor or pharmacist.

Please read this leaflet before you start using TIMENTIN.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the expected
benefits against possible risks of you using TIMENTIN. If you have any concerns
about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What TIMENTIN is used for

TIMENTIN is an antibiotic used to treat infections in different parts of the
body caused by bacteria. TIMENTIN will not work against infections caused by
viruses such as colds or the flu.

TIMENTIN is also used to prevent infection from major surgery.

TIMENTIN is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called
penicillins. These antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that are causing
your infection.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Before you take TIMENTIN

Do not take TIMENTIN if:

• you have an allergy to TIMENTIN, other penicillins or any of the
  ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
  

  Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching,
  difficulty breathing.

• you have had an allergic reaction to cephalosporins (another type of
  antibiotic).
  
  You may have an increased chance of being allergic to TIMENTIN if you are
  allergic to cephalosporins.
• the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
• the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
  
  If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work.

If you are not sure whether you should start using TIMENTIN, contact your
doctor.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else. Your doctor has prescribed it
specifically for you and your condition.

Before you start to take TIMENTIN

Tell your doctor if:

• you have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances,
  such as foods, preservatives or dyes
• you have kidney disease or your kidneys do not work as well as they should
• you are on a salt-restricted (low sodium) diet
• you are taking warfarin (Coumadin™, Marevan™) or other medicines used to
  prevent blood clots
• you are passing less urine than usual, or have any reason to be dehydrated
  e.g. had diarrhoea (frequent watery bowel motions/poos), been vomiting, been
  sweating excessively
• you could have a salt (electrolyte) imbalance, e.g. from vomiting,
  drinking too much water, had diarrhoea, or have a bowel problem.
• you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss
  with you the possible risks and benefits of using TIMENTIN during pregnancy.
• you are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed. Your doctor will discuss with
  you the possible risks and benefits of using TIMENTIN during breastfeeding.
• you are taking any other medicines or herbal remedies

TIMENTIN is not addictive.

TIMENTIN does not usually affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.

Taking other medicines with TIMENTIN

Tell your doctor if you are taking:

• Probenecid, Allopurinol (Zyloprim™, Progout™; usually used for gout)
• Birth control pills ("the pill", oral contraceptives)
  

  Birth control pills may not work as well in preventing pregnancy when TIMENTIN
  is used. Talk to your doctor about the need for an additional method of
  contraception while using TIMENTIN.

Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work. Your doctor or
pharmacist will be able to tell you which medicines are safe to take with
TIMENTIN.

How to use TIMENTIN injection

TIMENTIN is mixed up with appropriate liquid then injected into the vein.

TIMENTIN must only be given by a doctor or nurse.

Your doctor will decide what dose and how long you will receive TIMENTIN.
This depends on your infection and other factors, such as your weight. For most
infections, TIMENTIN is usually given in divided doses throughout the day.

Sometimes only a single dose of TIMENTIN is required for the treatment and
prevention of certain infections.

While you are using TIMENTIN

Things you must do

• If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if
  they become worse, tell your doctor.
• If you develop itching with swelling or skin rash or difficulty breathing
  while you are using TIMENTIN do not take any more and contact your doctor
  immediately.
• If you get severe diarrhoea tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse
  immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after TIMENTIN has been
  stopped.
  
  Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You
  may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first
  checking with your doctor.
• If you get a sore white mouth or tongue while using or soon after stopping
  TIMENTIN, tell your doctor. Also tell your doctor if you get vaginal itching
  or discharge.
  
  This may mean you have a fungal infection called thrush.
• If you become pregnant while you are using TIMENTIN tell your doctor.
• If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and
  pharmacist that you are taking TIMENTIN.
• If you have to have any blood tests tell your doctor you are using
  TIMENTIN.
  
  TIMENTIN may affect the results of some blood tests.
• Drink plenty of water, juice or other fluids (e.g. 6-8 glasses per day).
• Tell any doctor, dentist and pharmacist treating you that you are using
  TIMENTIN.

Things to be careful of

• Do not stop using your injection because you are feeling better, unless
  advised by your doctor.
• If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, all of
  the bacteria causing your infection may not be killed. These bacteria may
  continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely
  or it may return.
• Do not give TIMENTIN to anyone else, even if they have the same condition
  as you.
• Do not use TIMENTIN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells
  you to.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well
while you are using TIMENTIN.

Like other medicines, TIMENTIN can cause some side effects. If they occur,
they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, rarely some may be
serious and need medical attention.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Mild Effects

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following that are troublesome or
ongoing:

• oral thrush - white, furry, sore tongue and mouth
• vaginal thrush - sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge
• diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting .
• pain, swelling, burning or a hard lump where injected.

More Serious Effects

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever,
  itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and dark coloured urine.
  This may be a sign of liver disease. It may occur while using TIMENTIN or even
  a few weeks after stopping TIMENTIN.
• symptoms such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers which
  can be a sign of lack of white blood cells
• rash - even if it starts a few days or more after starting TIMENTIN
• itchy or burning skin - even if it starts a few days or more after
  starting TIMENTIN
• 
  
  You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side
effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with
TIMENTIN:

• severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps
• watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
• fever, in combination with one or both of the above

These are very rare but serious side effects. You may have a serious condition
affecting your bowel. Therefore, you may need urgent medical attention. However,
this side effect is rare.

Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.

If any of the following happen, stop using TIMENTIN and tell your doctor
immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest
hospital:

• sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin,
  swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of
  breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause
  difficulty in swallowing or breathing

These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or
hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.

Other side effects reported with TIMENTIN include:

• seizures (very rare).

Some people may get other side effects while using TIMENTIN.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not
experience any of them.

After using TIMENTIN

Storage

Store TIMENTIN injection vials containing powder in a cool dry place where
the temperature stays below 25°C. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Do not keep medicines in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car
or on window sills.

Store all medicines out of the reach of children such as in a locked
cupboard.

Disposal

If your doctor advises you to stop using TIMENTIN or the medicine has passed
its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any injection vials that
are left over.

Product Description

What It Looks Like

TIMENTIN is a white to pale yellow powder in a glass vial (small
bottle). It is dissolved in a liquid before injecting.

Ingredients

Each vial contains sterile ticarcillin disodium equivalent to 3g ticarcillin
and sterile potassium clavulanate equivalent to 0.1g clavulanic acid.

TIMENTIN injection does not contain sucrose, lactose, gluten or
tartrazine.

Further Information

TIMENTIN injection is only available if prescribed by a doctor.

TIMENTIN is available in packs of 10 vials.