ZOTON FASTABS TAB 30MG 28

Category: Prescription Drug

Choose eMedical online pharmacy Australia for all your prescription, non prescription and compounding pharmacy requirements.

What Zoton is used for

Peptic Ulcers

Zoton is used to treat peptic ulcers in adults. Depending on the position of the ulcer it is called a gastric or duodenal ulcer. A gastric ulcer occurs in the stomach. A duodenal ulcer occurs in the duodenum, which is the tube leading out of the stomach. Too much acid being made in the stomach can cause these ulcers. Zoton is also used to help stop duodenal ulcers from coming back.

Reflux Oesophagitis

Zoton is used to treat the symptoms of reflux oesophagitis or reflux disease in adults and in children from 1 to 17 years of age. This can be caused by backflow (reflux) of food and acid from the stomach into the food pipe, also known as the oesophagus.

Reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest rising up to the throat, also known as heartburn.

Heartburn and stomach pain associated with reflux or peptic ulcer

ZOTON is used for the short-term treatment of heartburn and peptic ulcer symptoms in adults.

Peptic Ulcers Associated with Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Most people who have a peptic ulcer also have bacteria called Helicobacter pylori in their stomach. When Zoton is taken with antibiotics, they will kill Helicobacter pylori and let your peptic ulcer heal. However, it is possible that the antibiotics may not always kill Helicobacter pylori.

How Zoton works

Zoton contains lansoprazole, which is a type of medicine called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach makes, to give relief from the symptoms of excessive acid and allow healing to take place. This does not stop food being digested in the normal way.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Zoton has been prescribed for you.

Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another reason.

There is no evidence that Zoton is habit-forming. This medicine is available only with a doctor`s prescription.

Before you use Zoton

When you must not use it

• 1.Do not take Zoton if you have an allergy to:
• Lansoprazole
• Any medicines containing a proton-pump inhibitor
• Any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, or hives on the skin; shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; and swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body.

• 2.Do not use Zoton if you have severe liver disease.
• 3.Do not use Zoton after the use by (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 take this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to use it

You must tell your doctor if:

• 1.You have any allergies to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
• 2.You are pregnant or breast-feeding or intend to become pregnant or breast- feed.

Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Zoton during pregnancy. It is not known if your baby can take in Zoton from breast milk if you are breastfeeding. The use of Zoton during breast-feeding should be avoided.

• 3.You have any other medical conditions, including:
• Liver or kidney problems.
• A tumour in the stomach region.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take Zoton.

Taking other medicines

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

Some medicines may interfere with Zoton. These medicines and their typical uses include:

• Theophylline used to treat asthma
• Oral contraceptives
• Warfarin used to prevent blood clots
• Carbamazepine and phenytoin used to treat seizures
• Ketoconazole used to treat fungal infections
• Digoxin used to treat heart complaints
• Sucralfate (used to treat gastric ulcers) and antacids (used to treat heartburn and indigestion).

Zoton should be taken at least one hour before taking sucralfate or an antacid.

• Iron preparations
• Ampicillin esters used in some antibiotics.

These medicines may be affected by Zoton, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.

How to take Zoton

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.

When to take it

Take Zoton in the morning before food.

Zoton works best when taken on an empty stomach.

How much to take

Take one Zoton capsule each day, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Adults

The dose is usually 30 mg a day. The dose may vary from 15 mg to 30 mg a day depending on what the condition is and how long you need treatment.

Children (1 year or older)

The recommended dose depends on the weight of the child.

For children weighing 30 kg or less, the usual dose is one 15 mg capsule daily.

For children weighing over 30 kg, the usual dose is one 30 mg capsule daily.

How to take it

Swallow Zoton capsules whole with a glass of water.

If the capsules are chewed or crushed, they will not work properly.

If you have difficulty swallowing Zoton capsules, you can open a capsule and sprinkle the granules inside on some food or in a drink.

Follow these instructions for using the granules from inside the capsules

• 1.Open the capsule. The granules must be used whole. Don`t crush them.
• 2.Sprinkle the granules on one tablespoon of apple sauce, strained pears, cottage cheese or yoghurt.
• 3.Swallow immediately.

The capsules may also be emptied into a small amount of either apple juice, orange juice or tomato juice and used like this:

• 1.Open the capsule. The granules must be used whole. Don`t crush them.
• 2.Sprinkle the granules into a small amount of apple juice, orange juice or tomato juice.
• 3.Stir them together and swallow the mixture immediately.
• 4.To make sure that you get the full dose, rinse the glass two or three times with more juice and swallow it immediately each time.

Do not use other foods or liquids because they have not been tested for use with Zoton.
If you have a nasogastric tube in place

Zoton capsules may be given by opening the capsule, mixing the intact granules with 40 mL apple juice, and injecting the mixture through the tube into the stomach. The tube is then flushed through with more apple juice to clear it. A doctor or nurse would do this.

How long to take it

Keep taking Zoton as directed, unless your doctor gives you other instructions.

In most patients, Zoton relieves symptoms rapidly and healing is usually complete within 4 weeks. However, you may find that the pain and discomfort caused by an ulcer or heartburn will go away well before you finish taking all your medicine.

Although Zoton heals ulcers very successfully, it may not prevent them coming back at a later date. Your doctor may want you to keep taking Zoton on a long-term basis to prevent the condition from coming back. However, Zoton is only recommended for short-term use (8 to 12 weeks) in children.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms return.

You may need further treatment.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to your normal routine.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

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 (Tel 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Zoton. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

While you are using Zoton

Things you must do

Use Zoton exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are taking Zoton.

If you are about to start any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Zoton.

Things you must not do

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

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

Do not stop taking your medicine or change the dosage without checking with your doctor.

If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted side effects.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Zoton affects you.

Zoton generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, Zoton may cause dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Zoton before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy. If you drink alcohol, dizziness may be worse.

Things that may help your condition

Some self help measures suggested below may help your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these measures and for more information.

• Alcohol –

your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake.

• Aspirin and many other medicines used to treat arthritis, period pain or headaches –

these medicines may irritate the stomach and may make your condition worse. Your doctor or pharmacist may suggest other medicines you can take.

• Caffeine –

your doctor may advise you to limit the number of drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cocoa and cola drinks, because they contain ingredients that may irritate the stomach.

• Eating habits –

eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eat slowly and chew your food carefully. Try not to rush at meal times. Eat your meals well before bedtime.

• Smoking –

your doctor may advise you to stop smoking or at least cut down.

• Weight –

your doctor may suggest losing some weight to help your condition.

Side effects

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while taking Zoton.

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.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

Stomach or bowel problems such as:

• Vomiting or nausea
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Stomach pain
• Indigestion
• Flatulence or wind.

If you suffer from severe persistent diarrhoea and/or vomiting when taking Zoton, tell your doctor.

As natural acid in the stomach helps to kill bacteria, the lowering of acid by acid-reducing medicines such as Zoton may cause some people to get certain stomach infections.

Difficulty thinking or working because of:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Joint or muscle aches or pains
• Generally feeling unwell
• Feeling confused, depressed or having hallucinations

Changes to your appearance such as:

• Skin rashes
• Hives or itchy skin
• Hair thinning
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Breast enlargement and impotence in men with long term use

Signs of infection such as:

• Coughs, colds, sore throats or sinuses indicating an upper respiratory tract infection
• Frequent and painful passing of urine indicating a urinary tract infection
• Dry or sore mouth or throat

Changes in your sight, hearing, taste or touch such as:

• Tingling or numbness of hands and feet
• Blurred vision
• Taste disturbances.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

• Red, itchy blistering spots
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, especially if accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark coloured urine or light coloured bowel movements
• Watery and severe diarrhoea
• Pain in the kidney region
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, which may cause difficulty breathing
• Swelling of hands, ankles or feet
• Bruising or bleeding more easily than normal, bleeding under the skin or red or purple flat pinhead spots under the skin
• Frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers.

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

Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything making you feel unwell when taking, or soon after finishing taking, Zoton.

Other problems are more likely to arise from the ulcer itself rather than the treatment.

For this reason, contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Pain or indigestion occurring during treatment with Zoton
• You begin to vomit blood or food
• You pass black (blood-stained) motions.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand anything in this list.

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

After taking Zoton

Storage

Keep your capsules in their blister pack until it is time to take them.

If you take the capsules out of the blister pack they may not keep well.

Keep it in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C. Do not store it or any other medicines in a bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on windowsills.

 

Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where young 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 Zoton or the capsules have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any capsules that are left over.

Ingredients

Each Zoton capsule contains either 15 mg or 30 mg of lansoprazole as the active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients:

• Magnesium carbonate
• Sucrose
• Maize starch
• Hydroxypropylcellulose
• Methacrylic acid copolymer
• Non-pareil inert microgranules
• Talc
• Macrogol 8000
• Titanium dioxide
• Polysorbate 80
• Colloidal anhydrous silica
• Gelatin
• Iron oxide black
• Black ink – Opacode S-1-8100-SV.

The 30 mg capsules also coloured with erthyrosine and indigo carmine.

The 15 mg capsules are coloured with iron oxide yellow.

Zoton does not contain gluten, lactose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.