BRUFEN^® PLUS 200/12.8

Active ingredient(s): ibuprofen and codeine phosphate hemihydrate

This leaflet provides important information about using BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8?
2. What should I know before I use BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8?
5. What should I know while using BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 contains the active ingredients ibuprofen and codeine phosphate hemihydrate. Ibuprofen belongs to a family of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This group of medicines work by relieving pain, inflammation (e.g. swelling, redness, soreness) and fever. Codeine is an opioid analgesic that works in the brain and spinal cord to relieve pain.

BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 is used to provide temporary relief of acute to moderate pain and inflammation in patients over the age of 12 years.

Once taken, your body processes the codeine into its active form, morphine, in the liver. In about 8% of people, they may experience less pain relief compared to others as their body doesn't convert codeine to morphine very well.

Warnings

Do not give BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 to children under the age of 12 years.

Do not use BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 if:

• you are allergic to ibuprofen, codeine phosphate hemihydrate, other opioid analgesics or any medicine including aspirin, other NSAID or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
  - asthma, 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
  - fainting
  Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
• you are also taking other medicines that contain one or more NSAID medicine, whether prescribed by your doctor or obtained without prescription.
  Many medicines used to treat headache, period pain and other aches and pains contain aspirin or NSAIDs. If you are not sure if the medicines you are taking any of these medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• you are in the last three months of pregnancy.
• you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
• you are vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• you are bleeding from the rectum (back passage), have black sticky bowel motions (stools) or bloody diarrhoea
• you have a stomach or duodenal ulcer or have had one in the past
• you have or have had a history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• you have chronic constipation or severe diarrhoea
• you have shallow breathing
• you consume large amounts of alcohol regularly
• you have severe heart, liver or kidney failure
• you are an ultra-rapid CYP2D6 metaboliser
• you are currently taking a Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 days of stopping treatment with a MAOI.
• you are aged between 12 and 18 years of age and have compromised respiratory function including having had your tonsils or adenoids removed.

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.

Check with your doctor if you:

• have or have had any other medical conditions:
  - difficulty breathing, wheezing, chronic cough, allergies, asthma or other breathing conditions
  - a history of drug dependence, including alcohol dependence
  - skin rash (dermatitis) and skin irritation
  - a history of stomach ulcer
  - stomach problems or recent gastrointestinal surgery
  - liver disease
  - kidney disease
  - heart problems/failure including swelling of ankles or feet
  - thyroid problems or low blood pressure
  - a head injury or intercranial pressure
  - prostate problems
  - a tendency for convulsions, fits
  - a recent head injury
• Tell your doctor if you take sedatives (medicines used to help you relax or sleep).
• Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
• Tell your doctor if you are over 65 years of age.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Unless advised by your doctor, do not take BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 during the first 6 months of pregnancy. Your doctor will decide if you should take BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 during the first 6 months.

BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 is should not be taken during the last three months of pregnancy.

BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 given to the mother during labour can cause breathing problems and signs of withdrawal in the newborn.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 should not be taken while breastfeeding except on your doctor's advice. Codeine passes into the breast milk.

Addiction

You can become addicted to BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 even if you take it exactly as prescribed. BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 may become habit forming causing mental and physical dependence. If abused it may become less able to reduce pain.

Dependence

As with all other opioid containing products, your body may become used to you taking BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8. Taking it may result in physical dependence. Physical dependence means that you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 suddenly, so it is important to take it exactly as directed by your doctor.

Tolerance

Tolerance to BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 may develop, which means that the effect of the medicine may decrease. If this happens, more may be needed to maintain the same effect.

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

Some medicines may interfere with BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 and affect how it works.

These include:

• medicines used to help you relax, sleep or relieve anxiety, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates and sedatives
• aspirin, salicylates or other NSAID medicines
• aminoglycoside antibiotics, medicines used to treat bacterial infections
• atropine
• warfarin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine or other medicines used to stop blood clots or thin the blood
• medicines that are used to treat high blood pressure, e.g. ACE inhibitors, diuretics (fluid tablets) or heart problems including heart failure
• methotrexate, a medicine used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer
• zidovudine, a medicine used to treat HIV infection
• mifepristone
• quinolone, a medicine used to treat bacterial infections
• medicines used to relieve stomach cramps or spasms
• medicines used to treat diarrhoea (e.g. kaolin, pectin, loperamide)
• medicines used to prevent travel sickness, such as hydroxyzine
• metoclopramide, a medicine used to treat nausea and vomiting
• medicines that affect serotonin levels (serotonergic medicines)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), medicines used to treat depression such as moclobemide
• phenothiazines and antipsychotic agents, medicines used to treat mental disorders
• lithium and other medicines used to treat depression or anxiety, e.g. MAOIs (even if taken within the last 14 days)
• medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone, cortisone, ciclosporin and tacrolimus which reduce the activity of your immune system
• quinidine, a medicine used to treat abnormal or irregular heartbeat
• medicines used to treat diabetes
• probenecid, a medicine used to treat gout
• phenytoin, a medicine used to treat epilepsy
• medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease
• other opioids to treat pain or suppress cough
• colestyramine, a medicine used to treat high cholesterol
• cimetidine, a medicine used to reduce stomach acid production
• herbal medicines such as ginkgo biloba
• mexiletine, a medicine used to treat abnormal heart beat
• naloxone, a medicine used in the treatment of an opioid overdose

These medicines may be affected by BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 or may affect how well it works. You may different amounts of your medicines, or you may need different medicines. Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8.

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.

How much to take

• The usual dose of BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 is 2 tablets followed by, if necessary, 1 or 2 tablets every 4 hours.
• Do not take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours.
• If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
• Follow the instructions provided and use BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 until your doctor tells you to stop.

How to take BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8

• Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. It can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

How long to take BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8

• You should not take BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 for more than three days at a time unless instructed to by your doctor.
• If your symptoms persist, worsen or new symptoms develop, talk to your doctor.

If you use too much BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8

If you or someone else take too much (overdose), and experience one or more of the symptoms below, immediately call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them every now and then. You should follow the above steps even if someone other than you has accidentally taken BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 that was prescribed for you. If someone takes an overdose they may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• slow, unusual or difficult breathing
• drowsiness, dizziness or unconsciousness
• slow or weak heartbeat
• nausea or upset stomach, vomiting and/or gastric irritation
• convulsions or fits
• excitability
• blurred vision, ringing in the ears or rapid uncontrollable movements of the eyes.

If you think that you or someone else have used too much BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

• phone the Poisons Information Centre
  (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
• contact your doctor, or
• go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Depending on your body's individual ability to break down codeine, you may experience signs of overdose even when you take BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 as recommended by your doctor. If overdose symptoms occur, seek immediate medical advice.

When seeking medical attention, take this leaflet and remaining medicine with you to show the doctor. Also tell them about any other medicines or alcohol which have been taken.

Things you should do

• If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8.
• Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
• If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine.
• It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
• If your symptoms do not improve after a few days, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will assess your condition and decide if you should continue to take BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8.

Call your doctor straight away if you:

• become pregnant while taking this medicine and stop taking it immediately.

Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist who treat you that you are using BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8.

Things you should not do

• Do not take high doses of the medicine for long periods of time unless your doctor tells you to. Products containing codeine should not be taken for prolonged periods. Codeine may be habit forming.
• Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
• Do not take BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor tells you to.
• Excessive use can be harmful and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or liver damage.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 affects you.

BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 may cause dizziness, light headedness or drowsiness 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 drink alcohol, dizziness, light- headedness and/or drowsiness may be worse.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Using BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 with alcohol may result in severe dizziness, light-headedness or drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing difficulties, coma and death.

Withdrawal

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. If you stop taking this medicine suddenly, your pain may worsen and you may experience some or all of the following withdrawal symptoms:

• nervousness, restlessness, agitation, trouble sleeping or anxiety
• body aches, weakness or stomach cramps
• loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• increased heart rate, breathing rate or pupil size
• watery eyes, runny nose, chills or yawning
• increased sweating

Products containing codeine should not be used for prolonged periods; codeine may be habit forming.

Brufen Plus 200/12.8 given to the mother during labour can cause breathing problems and signs of withdrawal in the newborn.

Looking after your medicine

• 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 30°C.

Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.

Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:

• in the bathroom or near a sink, or
• in the car or on window sills.

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.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.

Less serious side effects

Serious side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 contains

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 looks like

BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 are white to off-white capsule-shaped, biconvex, film-coated tablets (AUST R 298439).

BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8 are available in blister packs containing 30 tablets.

Who distributes BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8

Viatris Pty Ltd
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
www.viatris.com.au
Phone: 1800 274 276

This leaflet was prepared in January 2023.

BRUFEN^® Plus is a Viatris company trade mark

BRUFEN PLUS 200/12.8_cmi\Jan23/00

Published by MIMS April 2023