Before you take ENDONE

When you must not take it

Do not take ENDONE if you have an allergy to:

• any medicine containing oxycodone hydrochloride
• any other narcotic analgesics such as morphine, codeine, or opium
• any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet

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

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. It may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.

Do not breast-feed if you are taking this medicine. The active ingredient in ENDONE passes into breast milk and there is a possibility that your baby may be affected.

Do not give this medicine to children. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Do not take this medicine if you have or have had any of the following:

• head injury
• brain tumour
• epilepsy or other convulsive disorders
• heart problems such as an irregular and/or rapid heartbeat
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma or other respiratory diseases
• severe headaches, or headaches due to raised pressure in the head
• a history of alcohol or drug abuse
• a history of mental illness

Do not take this medicine if you are taking or have taken medicines for depression called Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOs) within the last 14 days.

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 be taking this medicine, consult your doctor.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you currently have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

• muscle weakness
• underactive thyroid
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low blood pressure
• prostate problems, or difficulty in passing urine
• bowel disorders

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking ENDONE.

Taking other medicines

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

Some medicines ENDONE may interfere with each other. These include:

• anaesthetics
• anticoagulants, medicines used to thin the blood
• medicines used to treat epilepsy
• medicines used to help with sleeping
• medicines used to help lower blood pressure
• medicines used to treat anxiety
• medicines used to treat depression
• medicines used to treat “flu” symptoms
• other medicines used to relieve pain
• medicines such as metoclopramides, used to relieve stomach cramps or spasms
• medicines used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder

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

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

How to take ENDONE

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 box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

The usual dose is one tablet every six hours.

Your doctor may prescribe a different dose for you. Be sure to follow your doctor’s directions about when and how to take ENDONE.

How to take it

Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.

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.

ENDONE should be taken after food or with milk.

How long to take it

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.

If you have been using this medicine for a long period of time and it is no longer needed to manage your pain DO NOT stop taking ENDONE suddenly. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of ENDONE you are taking before stopping completely in order to lessen the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

If you forget to take it

If it is less than 3 hours before your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

If you or someone else receives too much (overdose), and experience one or more of the symptoms below, immediately call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them every now and then. You should follow the above steps even if someone other than you have accidentally used ENDONE that was prescribed for you. If someone takes an overdose, they may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• slow, unusual or difficult breathing
• drowsiness, dizziness or unconsciousness
• slow or weak heartbeat
• nausea or vomiting
• convulsions or fits

If you think you or someone else may have used too much ENDONE, you should immediately:

• phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), or
• contact your doctor, or
• go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

When seeking medical attention, take this leaflet and any remaining medicine with you to show the doctor. Also tell them about any other medicines or alcohol which have been taken.

While you are using ENDONE

Things you must do

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking ENDONE.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.

If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.

If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.

Things you must not do

Do not take ENDONE to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without first checking with your doctor. If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen, you may have unwanted side effects, or you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will gradually reduce the amount you take each day before stopping this medicine completely.

Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how ENDONE affects you. This medicine may impair the mental and physical ability needed to drive a car or operate heavy machinery. It may cause drowsiness. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.