Package Leaflet: Information for the user

Cataflam® 25 mg and 50 mg Coated Tablets

(diclofenac potassium)

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important
information for you.
 Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
 If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
 This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it onto others. It may harm them, even
if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
 If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet.
 This medicine will be referred to as Cataflam in this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet?
1. What Cataflam is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Cataflam
3. How to take Cataflam
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Cataflam
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Cataflam is and what it is used for

Diclofenac potassium, the active ingredient in Cataflam is one of a group of medicines called “non‐
steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs” (NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation. They have no effect
on the causes of inflammation.
Cataflam is used to treat a number of painful conditions including:
 joint, muscle or tendon pain
 attacks of gout
 pain and swelling caused after surgery
 sprains, strains and other injuries
 gynaecology problems such as period pain
 painful ear, nose or throat infections
 migraine.

2. What you need to know before you take Cataflam

Do not take Cataflam if:
 you think you may be allergic to diclofenac potassium or to any of the other ingredients of Cataflam
(listed in Section 6). Signs of a hypersensitivity reaction include swelling of the face and mouth
(angioedema), breathing problems, runny nose, skin rash or any other allergic type reaction
 you have now, or have ever had, a stomach (gastric) or duodenal (peptic) ulcer, or bleeding in the
gut (digestive tract). This can include blood in vomit, bleeding when emptying bowels, fresh blood
in stools or black tarry stools. This may have been when you used an NSAID before
• you are in the last three months of pregnancy
• you have severe kidney or liver problems
• you have ever had an allergic reaction (such as asthma, wheezing, skin rash, face swelling, runny
nose) after taking medicines to treat pain and inflammation (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
• you have heart disease (e.g. if you have had a heart attack, have angina or blockages in the arteries
of your heart)
• you have cerebrovascular disease (e.g. if you have had a stroke, mini‐stroke or have blockages of the
arteries to the brain)
• you have peripheral arterial disease (e.g. poor circulation or blockages of the arteries to the legs and
feet)
• you have severe heart failure

Do not take Cataflam if any of these apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist
before taking Cataflam.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine if:
 if you have diabetes
 if you smoke
 If you have angina, blood clots, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol or raised triglycerides
 you have bowel problems such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
 you have kidney or liver problems
 you have any blood or bleeding problems – your doctor will take regular blood tests
 you have a condition called porphyria
 you have ever had asthma, other breathing problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary
diseases, COPD) or often get chest infections
 you have ever had hay fever or nasal polyps
 you have any allergies
 you could be dehydrated
 you have ever had stomach or bowel problems.
If any of these apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking
Cataflam.
If you have significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, abnormally
high levels of fat (cholesterol, triglycerides) in your blood, diabetes, or if you smoke, and your doctor
decides to prescribe Cataflam, you must use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration
necessary.

Look out for serious side effects

Cataflam can cause some serious side effects. These are listed at the beginning of Section 4. You will
need to look out for these while you are taking Cataflam. If you get a serious side effect you need to
stop taking Cataflam and talk to your doctor straight away. Side effects may be minimised by using the
lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary.

Risk of heart attack or stroke with Cataflam

There is a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke when you are taking any medicine like Cataflam.
The risk is higher when you are taking higher doses for a long time. Always follow the doctors
instructions on how much to take and how long to take it for. If, at any time while taking Cataflam you
experience any signs or symptoms of problems with your heart or blood vessels such as chest pain,
shortness of breath, weakness, or slurring of speech, contact your doctor immediately.
Signs of infection
Because it is an anti‐inflammatory medicine, Cataflam may reduce the symptoms of infection, for
example, headache and high temperature. If you feel unwell and need to see a doctor, remember to tell
him or her that you are taking Cataflam

Tests and checks

If you have significant risks for heart disease, your doctor will periodically re‐evaluate whether you
should continue treatment with Cataflam.

If you have any liver impairment, kidney impairment or blood impairment, you will have blood tests
during treatment. These will monitor the function of your liver, kidney or your blood count. Your doctor
will take these blood tests into consideration to decide if Cataflam needs to be discontinued or if the
dose needs to be changed.

If you are elderly or underweight

If you are elderly or underweight you may be more sensitive to the effects of Cataflam than other
adults. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Try to take the smallest amount of tablets that give
you relief, for the shortest possible time. Tell your doctor straight away if you get any side effects,
especially stomach problems.

Children and adolescents

This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 14 years of age.
Other medicines and Cataflam
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This
includes medicines obtained without a prescription or herbal medicines.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
 medicines to treat diabetes
 anticoagulants (blood thinning tablets like warfarin)
 diuretics (water tablets)
 lithium (used to treat some mental problems)
 methotrexate (for some inflammatory diseases and some cancers)
 ciclosporin , tacrolimus (medicines primarily used in patients who have received organ transplants
Trimethoprim (a medicine used to prevent or treat urinary tract infections).
 quinolone antibiotics (for infections) or voriconazole (for fungal infections)
 any other NSAID or COX‐2 (cyclo‐oxygenase‐2) inhibitor, for example aspirin or ibuprofen
 digoxin (used to treat heart problems)
 medicines known as SSRIs used to treat depression
 oral steroids (an anti‐inflammatory drug)
 phenytoin (used to treat seizures)
 medicines used to treat heart conditions or high blood pressure, for example beta‐blockers or ACE
inhibitors.
 Colestipol and cholestyramine (used to treat high cholesterol). These medicines can reduce the effect
of Cataflam. Take Cataflam at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after taking these medicines.
If any of these apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking
Cataflam.
Fertility, pregnancy and breast‐feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or are
breast‐feeding.
 Taking Cataflam may make it more difficult to get pregnant. You should talk to your doctor if you are
planning to become pregnant or if you have problems getting pregnant.
 Do not take Cataflam if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy as it could harm your unborn child
or cause problems at delivery. You should not take Cataflam during the first 6 months of pregnancy
unless absolutely necessary.
 Do not breast‐feed if you are having Cataflam. This is because small amounts may pass into the
mother’s milk.
Driving and using machines
Very occasionally people have reported that Cataflam has made them feel dizzy, tired or sleepy.
Problems with eyesight have also been reported. If you are affected in this way you should not drive or
use any tools or machines.
Cataflam contains sucrose
Cataflam contains sucrose (a type of sugar). If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot
tolerate or digest some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to take Cataflam

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or
pharmacist if you are not sure.
Taking this medicine
You should take Cataflam by mouth. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink and before a meal or on an
empty stomach. Do not crush, chew or suck the tablets.
 The doctor may also prescribe another medicine to protect the stomach to be taken at the same
time, particularly if you have had stomach problems before, or if you are elderly, or taking certain
other medicines as well.
 The number of tablets you need will depend on the strength the doctor has given you.
How much to take
Adults
 The recommended starting dose is 100 mg to 150 mg each day.
 In mild cases, as well as for long term treatment, 75 mg to 100 mg each day is usually enough.
 The daily dose is divided into 2 or 3 separate doses.
 Do not take more than 150 mg in one day.
 For painful periods, the recommended starting dose is 50 mg to 100 mg as soon as you feel the
first symptoms. Continue with 50 mg up to three times a day for a few days, as needed. If the
daily dose of 150 mg does not provide enough pain relief for your next two to three periods,
your doctor may ask you take up to 200 mg each during your next period.
 For migraine, take 50 mg as soon as you feel the first signs of an attack. If pain relief is not
enough after 2 hours, you may take another 50 mg. You can take 2 more doses of 50 mg every 4
to 6 hours but do not take more than 200 mg per day.
The elderly
Your doctor may give you a dose that is lower than the usual adult dose if you are elderly.
Children and adolescents
  Cataflam can be given to children aged 14 and over.
 A dose of 75 mg to 100 mg is usually enough.
 The daily dose is divided into 2 or 3 separate doses.
 The maximum dose for children is 150 mg in a day.
 Do not take for migraines in children under 18 years old.
If you forget to take Cataflam
If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember it. If it is nearly time for your next dose
though, just take the next dose and forget about the one you missed. Do not take a double dose to
make up for a forgotten dose.
If you take more Cataflam than you should
If you accidentally take too much Cataflam, tell your doctor or go to your nearest hospital casualty
department straight away. Take your medicine pack with you so that people can see what you have
taken. The following effects may happen: vomiting, bleeding in your stomach, diarrhoea, feeling dizzy,
hearing problems or fits. In severe overdose kidney or liver problems can happen.
If you stop taking Cataflam
Keep using the tablets for as long as you have been told unless you have any problems. In that case,
check with your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Cataflam can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following
side effects may happen with this medicine.

Some side effects could be serious. Stop taking Cataflam and see a doctor straight away if you notice
any of the following serious side effects – you may need urgent medical treatment:
 Chest pain or tightness with shortness of breath (may affect between 1 and 10 in every 1000
patients)
 Breathlessness, difficulty of breathing when lying down, swelling of the feet or legs (may affect
between 1 and 10 in every 1000 patients)
 Vomiting of blood, bleeding from the bowel (may affect from less than 1 to 10 in every 10,000
patients)
 Sudden slurred speech, facial drooping, weakness, disorientation, or speech problems (may affect
from less than 1 to 10 in every 10,000 patients)
 allergic reactions which can include skin rash, itching, bruising, painful red areas, peeling or
blistering, wheezing or shortness of breath (“bronchospasm”), swollen face, lips hands or fingers,
hypotension (low blood pressure) and fainting (may affect from less than 1 to 10 in every 10,000
patients)

The following side effects have also been reported in patients taking Cataflam
These rare or very rare side effects may affect from less than 1 to 10 in every 10,000 patients
 allergic reactions which can include skin rash, itching, bruising, painful red areas, peeling or blistering,
wheezing or shortness of breath (“bronchospasm”), swollen face, lips hands or fingers, hypotension
(low blood pressure) and fainting
 stomach pain, indigestion, heartburn, wind, feeling sick (nausea), or being sick (vomiting)
 any sign of bleeding in your stomach or intestine, for example, when emptying your bowels, blood in
vomit, or black tarry faeces
 yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
 pain in your abdomen and lower back, with feeling or being sick or loss of appetite (possible signs of
pancreatitis)
 persistent sore throat or high temperature
 an unexpected change in the amount of urine produced and/or its appearance
 bruising more easily than usual
 frequent sore throats or infections
 fits, headaches together with a dislike of bright lights, fever and a stiff neck
 headache and dizziness (signs of high blood pressure, hypertension)
 serious skin rashes including Stevens‐Johnson syndrome and Lyell’s syndrome
 sudden severe headache, nausea, dizziness, numbness, inability or difficulty to speak, paralysis
(possible signs of stroke)
Stop taking Cataflam and see a doctor straight away if you notice any of the side effects above.
Other side effects
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
 stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, wind, loss of appetite
 headache, dizziness, vertigo
 skin rash or spots
 raised levels of liver enzymes in the blood.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
 stomach ulcers or bleeding (there have been very rarely reported cases resulting in death,
particularly in the elderly)
 drowsiness, tiredness
 skin rash and itching
 Fluid retention, symptoms of which include swollen ankles.
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
Effects on the nervous system:
Tingling or numbness in the fingers, tremor, blurred or double vision, hearing loss or impairment,
tinnitus (ringing in the ears), sleeplessness, nightmares, mood changes, depression, anxiety, mental
health disorders, disorientation and loss of memory.
Effects on the stomach and digestive system:
Constipation, inflammation of the tongue, taste changes, mouth ulcers, problems with your food
pipe, lower gut disorders (including inflammation of the colon).
Effects on the heart, chest or blood:
Palpitations (fast or irregular heart beat), inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), inflammation of
the lung (pneumonitis), congestive heart failure, blood disorders (including anaemia).
Effects on the liver or kidneys:
Kidney or liver disorders, presence of blood or protein in the urine.
 Effects on skin or hair:
Skin rashes which may be made worse by exposure to sunlight, hair loss.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side
effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By
reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
FREEPOST, IMB Pharmacovigilance Section, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Tel: +353 1 6764971, Fax: +353 1 6762517, Website: www.imb.ie, e‐mail:
[email protected].

5. How to store Cataflam

 Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
 Do not take Cataflam after the expiry date which is stated on the blister pack and carton after ‘EXP’.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
 Store in the original package.
 Do not store above 30oC.
 Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Cataflam Tablets contain
 The active substance is diclofenac potassium. Each 25 mg tablet contains diclofenac potassium 25
mg. Each 50 mg tablet contains diclofenac potassium 50 mg.
 The other ingredients are magnesium stearate, povidone, silica colloidal anhydrous, sodium starch
glycollate, maize starch, calcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, macrogol 8000, red iron
oxide (E172) and titanium dioxide (E171) (dispersed Anstead), talc, sucrose.
What Cataflam Tablets look like and contents of the pack
 Cataflam Tablets are sugar‐coated.
 Cataflam Tablets 25 mg come in blister packs of 20 or 30.
 Cataflam Tablets 50 mg come in blister packs of 10, 20 or 30.
 Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Frimley Business Park,
Frimley, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 7SR, UK.
Manufacturer
Novartis Farma S.p.A,
131 via Provinciale Schito, Torre, Annunziata, Italy.
Irish Company Address
Novartis Ireland Limited, Beech House, Beech Hill Office Campus,
Clonskeagh, Dublin 4.

This leaflet was last revised in February 2014