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Brand Name: the name given to the medicine by the company that makes the medicine. There may be more than one brand name if more than one company makes the medicine.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Reading the CMI does not take the place of counselling by a health professional.
Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all aspects of your medicines, including
why you are taking them and what benefits / risks you can expect.
The CMI for your medicine that is on this web site is the most up-to-date version
available. It may differ from a CMI that you previously received from your doctor
or pharmacist, or in your pack of medicine.
This web site does not contain all CMIs for medicines sold in Australia and not
all medicines have a CMI available for them. If you do not find a CMI for your medicine
on this page, contact the pharmaceutical company who makes the medicine or talk
to your doctor or pharmacist. The information on this web site is intended for use
in Australia only.
Product name
Date released
Aldurazyme
11 Jan 2019
ALDURAZYME is used as enzyme replacement therapy in Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I)
storage disorder, a disease in which the level of α-L-iduronidase is absent or lower
than normal.
How it works
Patients with MPS I disease do not produce enough of their own enzyme, α-L-iduronidase.
The reduced or absent α-L-iduronidase activity in patients results in the accumulation
of substances called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in most cell types and tissues. ALDURAZYME
is an enzyme replacement therapy that is intended to restore a level of enzyme activity
sufficient to remove the accumulated GAGs and to prevent further accumulation.
Alecensa is used to treat adults with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell
lung cancer. It is used if your cancer:
is ALK-positive – this means your cancer cells have a fault in a gene called anaplastic
lymphoma kinase (ALK)
is advanced or has spread to another part of your body (metastatic)
Alecensa contains the active ingredient alectinib.
Alecensa belongs to a group of medicines called anti-neoplastic (or anti-cancer) agents
which are used to treat cancer.
Alecensa prevents the activity of the ALK protein. This protein is known to be involved
in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Alecensa may slow down or stop the growth of your cancer. It may also help to shrink
your cancer.
Some people may experience side effects not yet known or mentioned in this leaflet.
If you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please inform your doctor
or pharmacist.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Alecensa has been prescribed for
you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Alecensa is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Alendronate Plus D3 APOTEX contains both alendronate and colecalciferol (vitamin D).
It is used to treat osteoporosis and to provide additional vitamin D.
Alendronate belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates. Vitamin D is an
essential nutrient required for calcium absorption and healthy bones.
Understanding bone
Throughout life, old bone is being broken down and rebuilt as new bone in a continuous
cycle. Until our late 20s, while bones are still developing, we gain bone by building
more than we lose. From then until about age 35 the process is usually in balance,
so that the amount of bone lost is about equal to the amount that is replaced. After
age 35 this balance is disturbed, with bone loss occurring at a slightly faster rate
than it can be replaced. After menopause, hormonal changes in women cause bone loss
at an even faster rate. Excessive bone loss causes bones to become thinner and weaker,
and therefore more likely to break.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease which causes bones to become more porous, gradually making
them weaker, more brittle and likely to break. Osteoporosis is common in postmenopausal
women. The earlier a woman reaches the menopause, the greater the risk of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis also occurs in men but is less common than in women. Early osteoporosis
usually has no symptoms. However, if left untreated it can result in broken bones
or fractures. Spinal bone fractures may go unnoticed until they cause height loss.
Fractures may occur during everyday activities, such as lifting, or from minor injury
that would not ordinarily fracture normal bone. Fractures usually occur at the hip,
spine, or wrist and can lead to pain, deformity and disability, such as stooped posture
from curvature of the spine, and loss of mobility.
What should I know about vitamin D?
The main source of vitamin D is through exposure to the sun, which makes vitamin D
in our skin. Clothing or sun block can prevent enough sunlight from getting through.
In addition, as people age their skin becomes less able to make vitamin D. Very few
foods are natural sources of vitamin D. Too little vitamin D leads to inadequate calcium
absorption and low phosphate-minerals that make bones strong. Even if you are eating
a diet rich in calcium or taking a calcium supplement, your body cannot absorb calcium
properly unless you have enough vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency may cause bone loss,
osteoporosis and muscle weakness, which can lead to falls and a higher risk of fracture.
How it works
Alendronate works by slowing down the process of old bone being removed, which allows
the bone-forming cells time to rebuild normal bone. This reverses the progression
of osteoporosis by helping to prevent the loss of bone, rebuild bone and make bone
less likely to fracture. Alendronate starts working on the bone cells immediately,
but measurable effects on bone mass may not be seen for several months or more.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
You doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children.
anxiety, such as the anxiety associated with depression
tremor, anxiety and confusion associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Alepam contains the active ingredient oxazepam, which belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. These medicines
are thought to work by their action on brain chemicals.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Alepam has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed Alepam for another reason.
In general, benzodiazepines such as Alepam 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.
Alepam 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.
Alepam is available only with a doctor's prescription.
rare conditions where high levels of uric acid occur in the blood (for example, Lesch-Nyhan
syndrome).
It belongs to a group of medicines called anti-uricaemic agents.
This medicine works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body. High levels
of uric acid may cause gout attacks or kidney stones. Allopurinol is used to prevent
gout attacks, not to treat them once they occur.
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.
Use in children
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine for children.
Alodorm is used to treat insomnia (sleeping problems).
Alodorm contains the active ingredient nitrazepam, which belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. These medicines
are thought to work by their action on brain chemicals.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Alodorm has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed Alodorm for another reason.
In general, benzodiazepines such as Alodorm 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.
Alodorm is available only with a doctor's prescription.
