contains the active ingredient risedronate sodium and calcium carbonate
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Acris Combi.
It does not contain all 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 Acris Combi against the benefits expected 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 ACRIS COMBI is used for
Acris Combi is a combination medicine consisting of 7 tablets for each week of therapy. Each week of therapy includes:
One Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet (the small light-orange tablet) and 6 Calcium Carbonate 1250mg tablets (the light lavender tablets).
Acris Combi belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates. It is used to treat:
osteoporosis (brittle or fragile bones that may fracture easily)
osteoporosis caused by taking steroids.
Bone is a living tissue consisting of calcium and other minerals.
Throughout life, old bone is constantly broken down and replaced by new bone.
Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablets works by helping to:
slow down the process of removing old bone. This allows the cells time to rebuild
maintaining and increasing bone density.
reverse the progression of osteoporosis.
The Calcium Carbonate tablets help to supply the calcium your body needs to build new bone.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease which causes bones to become less dense, gradually making them weaker, more brittle and consequently, more likely to break.
Broken bones may result from injury or falls. Breaks may occur in normal, everyday activity, such as lifting, or from minor injury that would not ordinarily fracture normal bone.
Fractures usually occur at the hip, spine or wrist, although can occur in any bone of the body.
Osteoporosis can also cause back pain, height loss and a curvature of the spine.
Many patients with osteoporosis have no symptoms and may not know that they have osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis can occur in men and women, however it is more common in post menopausal women.
It is also more likely to occur in women who have had an early menopause.
Long term steroid treatment can lead to osteoporosis in both men and women.
This medicine is not addictive.
Acris Combi may be used alone, or in combination with other medicines, to treat your condition.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you take ACRIS COMBI
When you must not take it
Do not take Acris Combi if you have an allergy to:
any medicine containing risedronate
any medicine containing calcium carbonate
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 unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes.
Do not take this medicine if you have hypercalciuria.
Hypercalciuria is a condition in which there are high calcium levels present in the blood.
Do not take this medicine if you have kidney stones.
Do not give this medicine to a child under the age of 18 years.
Safety and effectiveness in children younger than 18 years have not been established.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant.
Acris Combi is not recommended for use during pregnancy, unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
Do not breast-feed if you are taking this medicine.
It is not known whether Acris Combi passes into breast milk.
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
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
kidney disease
problems with your oesophagus (food pipe) such as inflammation or ulcers
Sarcoidosis, a disease that results from inflammation of body tissues
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any disturbances of bone and mineral metabolism, for example:
vitamin D deficiency
parathyroid abnormalities. Parathyroid is a hormone produced by the parathyroid glands in the neck which help control the level of calcium in the body.
Ask your doctor or dentist if you require a dental checkup before starting Acris Combi.
A checkup with your dentist is particularly important if you are being given:
any medicines (or having therapy) to treat cancer
corticosteroids, medicines which reduce the activity of your immune system, such as prednisone or cortisone.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking Acris Combi.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Acris Combi may interfere with each other. These include:
antacids, medicines used to treat heartburn and indigestion such as Gaviscon and Mylanta
any other products containing calcium
iron supplements
These medicines may be affected by Acris Combi or may affect how well it works. You may need to take your medicine at a different time of day to Acris Combi, or you may need to take different medicines.
You can take aspirin while you are being treated with Acris Combi.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
How to take ACRIS COMBI
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and 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
Take one tablet per day.
How to take it
Day 1
Take the Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet (light orange coloured tablet) in the morning, at least 30 minutes before your first meal, drink or medication of the day.
Acris is most effective when your stomach is empty.
Take your Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet while sitting or standing upright.
Do not lie down immediately after swallowing it.
It is important to stay upright, for example, sitting, standing or walking around, for at least 30 minutes after swallowing your tablet. It is also very important to stay upright until after you have eaten your first food of the day. This will help make sure the tablet reaches your stomach quickly and helps avoid irritation to your oesophagus (food pipe).
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of plain water.
It is important to take Acris Combi with plain water only (120 mL), not mineral water. Mineral water and other drinks, including fruit juices, coffee and tea, will reduce the effect of Acris Combi.
Do not chew or suck the tablets.
Days 2 to 7
Take one calcium carbonate tablet (light lavender tablet) the day after you start taking the Acris 35mg Once-a-Week.
Continue taking one calcium carbonate tablet each day for the next 6 days.
Always take your calcium carbonate tablet with a meal.
Calcium uptake is improved if taken with food.
Do not take your Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet on the same day that you take your calcium carbonate tablet.
The days of the week are printed on the blister foil to help you remember when to take your medicine.
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 long to take it
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to.
If you forget to take it
For the Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet (light orange tablet):
Take your Acris 35mg Once-a Week tablet on the following day on an empty stomach (refer 'How to Take it' above).
Do not take two tablets in one day to make up for the tablet you missed.
You should only ever take one tablet per day.
Do not take your Acris 35mg Once-a Week tablet on any day you take your calcium carbonate tablet.
Discard any calcium carbonate tablets (light lavender tablets) left in the blister pack after your weekly cycle. Use a new blister pack every 7th day.
You should be taking one Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet (light orange tablet) on Day 1, each week.
For the calcium carbonate tablets (light lavender tablets):
Take the calcium carbonate tablet on the day the missed dose is remembered.
Do not take two tablets in one day to make up for the tablet you missed.
You should only ever take one tablet per day.
Discarding any tablets left in the blister at the end of the weekly cycle.
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)
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 that you or anyone else may have taken too much Acris Combi. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking ACRIS COMBI
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Acris Combi.
Tell any other doctors and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
If you require a dental procedure, tell your dentist that you are taking Acris Combi.
Invasive dental procedures should be avoided wherever possible.
If you develop a degenerative disease of the jaw (osteonecrosis) while taking Acris Combi, any dental surgery may exacerbate the condition.
If you develop a toothache, jaw pain, painful exposed bone or swelling, especially following dental work, tell your doctor or dentist immediately.
Speak to your doctor and dentist about good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups while you are using Acris Combi.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
Things you must not do
Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet (light orange tablet).
Do not have any food or drink, except plain water for 30 minutes after taking the Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet (light orange tablet).
Do not take Acris Combi 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 change the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Acris Combi affects you.
This medicine may cause dizziness or blurred vision in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly.
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 continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Acris Combi.
This medicine helps most people with osteoporosis, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of 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:
stomach pain
indigestion, an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach or belching after eating
diarrhoea
constipation
aching muscles, muscle tenderness or weakness, not caused by exercise
painful, swollen joints
painful bones
headache
nausea
runny or blocked nose, sneezing, facial pressure or pain
sore throat and discomfort when swallowing
dizziness
unusual weakness.
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
blurred vision, difficulty seeing or inflammation of the of the eye
delayed healing and/or infection of the jaw or teeth, most commonly following a tooth extraction or invasive dental work.
The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention. Serious side are rare.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
signs of allergy such as skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing difficulty or pain on swallowing
difficulty or pain on swallowing
severe skin reaction
new or worsening heartburn.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After taking ACRIS COMBI
Storage
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store Acris Combi or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it 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.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet: light orange film-coated, round, biconvex, tablets marked M on one side of the tablet and 714 on the other side.
Calcium carbonate tablet: light lavender, clear film-coated, modified oval shaped, biconvex, beveled edge tablet debossed with "M CC5" on one side of the tablet and plain on the other side.
Ingredients
Acris 35mg Once-a-Week tablet contains 35 mg of risedronate sodium as the active ingredient.
It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
mannitol
cellulose - microcrystalline
crospovidone
silicon dioxide
magnesium stearate
Opadry II complete film coating system 40L97490 beige (ARTG No. 107225)
Opadry complete film coating system YS-1-7006 clear (ARTG No. 12789).
Calcium carbonate tablet contains 1250 mg calcium carbonate (equivalent to elemental calcium 500 mg).
It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
hydroxypropylcellulose
polysorbate 80
water - purified
cellulose - microcrystalline
croscarmellose sodium
Indigo carmine
Allura red AC
talc - purified
magnesium stearate
Opadry Aqueous film-coating Y-19-7483 (ARTG No. 3751).
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
