General Information
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Serepax. 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 risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Serepax against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
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 Serepax is used for
Serepax is used to treat
Anxiety
Tremor, confusion or anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Your doctor may have prescribed Serepax for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Serepax has been prescribed for you.
Serepax contains the active ingredient oxazepam, a benzodiazepine. It is thought to work by acting on the brain chemicals.
In general, benzodiazepines such as Serepax should be taken for short periods only (for example 2 to 4 weeks). Continuous long term use is not recommended unless advised by your doctor. The use of benzodiazepines may lead to dependence on the medicine.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Before you take Serepax
When you must not take it
Do not take SEREPAX if you are allergic to:
Oxazepam or any other benzodiazepine medicines
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 Serepax if you have:
severe and chronic lung disease or breathing difficulties
sleep apnoea
Do not take Serepax if the packaging shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.
Do not take Serepax if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
Serepax is not recommended for use in children under 16 years of age, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established in this age group.
Before you take it
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Like other benzodiazepine medicines, Serepax may cause unwanted effects in the newborn baby if used during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Serepax during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor you are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed. Serepax may pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness and feeding difficulties in the baby. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Serepax when breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions, especially the following:
liver, kidney or lung problems
epilepsy, fits or convulsions
severe muscle weakness known as myasthenia gravis
low blood pressure
glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
depression, psychosis or schizophrenia
drug or alcohol dependence or a past history of these problems.
Your doctor may want to take special care if you have any of these conditions.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly. Alcohol may increase the effects of Serepax.
Tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take any Serepax.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Serepax. These include:
other sleeping tablets, sedatives or tranquillisers
medicines for depression, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses
medicines to treat epilepsy and fits
medicines for allergies, for example antihistamines or cold tablets
medicines used to treat parksinson’s disease
muscle relaxants
some pain relievers
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 or pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Serepax.
How to take SEREPAX
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
How much to take
The dose of Serepax varies from patient to patient.
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day and when to take them. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
How to take it
Swallow Serepax with a glass of water.
Serepax can be taken with or without food.
How long to take it
Take Serepax only for as longer as your doctor recommends.
Serepax is usually used for short periods only (such as 2 to 4 weeks). Continuous long term use is not recommended unless advised by your doctor. The use of benzodiazepines may lead to dependence on the medicine.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for 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 it 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 unsure about whether to take your next dose, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Serepax. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much Serepax you may feel drowsy, confused, tired, dizzy, have difficulty breathing, feel weak or become unconscious.
While you are using SEREPAX
Things you must do
Take Serepax exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Serepax.
If you become pregnant while you are taking Serepax, tell your doctor immediately.
Visit your doctor regularly so they can check on your progress. Your doctor will check your condition to see whether you should continue to take Serepax.
Tell your doctor if you feel Serepax is not helping your condition.
If you have to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking Serepax. Serepax may affect the results of some tests.
Keep enough Serepax to last weekends and holidays.
Things you must not do
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Serepax affects you. Serepax may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people. If any of these occur, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Do not take Serepax for a longer time than your doctor has prescribed.
Do not stop taking Serepax or change the dose, without first checking with your doctor.
Stopping Serepax suddenly may cause some unwanted effects. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of Serepax you are taking before stopping completely. This may help reduce the possibility of unwanted side effects.
Do not use Serepax to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give Serepax to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Things to be careful of
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Serepax. Combining Serepax and alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy or lightheaded.
Your doctor may suggest that you avoid alcohol or reduce the amount of alcohol you drink while you are taking Serepax.
Be careful if you are elderly, unwell or taking other medicines.
Some people may experience side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, dizziness and unsteadiness, which may increase the risk of a fall.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Serepax. Like all other medicines, Serepax 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.
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 if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired
lightheadedness or feeling faint
headache
nausea, stomach pain
unpleasant dreams
slurred speech
blurred vision
tingling or numbness of the hands or feet
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
confusion
behavioural or mood changes such as sudden outbursts of anger and increased excitement
hallucinations
signs of frequent infections such as fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
dark coloured urine
The above list includes serious side effects which may require medical attention.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
fainting
any type of skin rashes, itching or hives
swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
wheezing or shortness of breath
The side effects listed above are serious and require urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
After using SEREPAX
Storage
Keep your tablets in their blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep Serepax in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store Serepax, or any other medicines, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. 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 Serepax or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Serepax tablets are available in 2 strengths.
Serepax 15 - white, round tablets, one face convex marked “15” and the opposite face flat with Ezi-split breakline.
Serepax 30 - orange, round tablets, one face convex marked “30” and the opposite face flat with Ezi-split breakline.
Each pack contains 25 tablets.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in SEREPAX tablets is oxazepam.
Each SEREPAX 15 mg tablet contains 15mg oxazepam.
Each SEREPAX 30 mg tablet contains 30mg oxazepam.
SEREPAX 15mg and 30mg tablets also contain:
. magnesium stearate
. methylcellulose
. polacrilin potassium
. lactose
SEREPAX 30 mg also contains Sunset Yellow CI 15985 as a colouring agent.
SEREPAX does not contain gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Supplier
SEREPAX is supplied in Australia by:
Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd
96 Merrindale Drive
Croydon Vic 3136
Tel: 03 - 9839 2800
Australian Registration Numbers:
SEREPAX 15 - AUST R 10414
SEREPAX 30 - AUST R 10417
This leaflet was prepared on 13 March 2001 and updated on 2 July 2009.
® Registered Trade Mark