What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Zydol capsules. It does not contain all 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 Zydol against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns about taking this medicine.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
What Zydol is used for
ZYDOL is used to relieve severe pain which requires daily, long term treatment. It belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics (pain relievers).
Your doctor may have prescribed ZYDOL for another reason. Ask your doctor why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
ZYDOL is available only on a doctor’s prescription.
ZYDOL is for use in adults and children over 12 years of age. It should not be used in children under the age of 12 years or following the removal of tonsils and/or adenoids in people under 18.
Before you use Zydol
When you must not use this medicine
Do not take ZYDOL if:
- you have a known allergy to Zydol or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing and swelling of the face (including lips, tongue, throat, etc). - you have an allergy to any other medicines known as opioid analgesics, eg. morphine or codeine
- you have respiratory disease or slow or shallow breathing
- you have taken large amounts of alcohol or other substances which can affect your level of consciousness. Some examples of these substances include sleeping pills, pain relievers or other psychotropic medicines (medicines that affect mood and emotions)
- you are taking medicine for depression containing a “monoamine oxidase inhibitor” also known as MAOI, or have taken any within the past two weeks. Examples of MAOI-containing medicines are Nardil®, Parnate®
- you have uncontrolled epilepsy or if your epilepsy is not well controlled by treatment
- you are younger than 12 years old or if you are between 12 – 18 years of age and are recovering from an operation to remove your tonsils and/or adenoids.
Do not take ZYDOL if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not take ZYDOL after the expiry date which is printed on the carton box. If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
If it is after the expiry date, or the packaging is damaged, return it to your phamacist for disposal.
Addiction
You can become addicted to ZYDOL even if you take it exactly as prescribed. ZYDOL 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 ZYDOL. Taking it may result in physical dependence. Physical dependence means that you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking ZYDOL suddenly, so it is important to take it exactly as directed by your doctor.
Tolerance
Tolerance to ZYDOL may develop, which means that the effect of the medicine may decrease. If this happens, more may be needed to maintain the same effect.
Withdrawal
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. If you stop having 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.
Very rarely, some patients have experienced the following withdrawal reactions:
- panic attacks
- severe anxiety
- hallucinations
- tingling or numbness (pins and needles)
- ringing in your ears
- confusion, delusions or paranoia.
ZYDOL given to the mother during labour can cause breathing problems and signs of withdrawal in the newborn.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
You must tell your doctor if:
- you have a known allergy to Zydol or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
- you know you are sensitive to opioids
- you drink alcohol
- you have or ever had any other health problems including:
- any lung or breathing problems
- sleep-related breathing disorders
- fits or convulsions, or take medicines for epilepsy
- any condition that may affect how your kidney or liver work
- any stomach problems
- a severe headache or feel sick due to a head injury
- any fits or convulsions or take medicine for epilepsy. - you have, or have had, any drug or alcohol dependence problems
- you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. ZYDOL is not recommended for use during pregnancy. ZYDOL can pass to your unborn baby when you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using ZYDOL during pregnancy
- you are breast- feeding or plan to breast feed. ZYDOL is not recommended for use during breast feeding. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using ZYDOL during breast-feeding
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking this medicine.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist 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 ZYDOL.
These include:
- carbamazepine (eg. Tegretol®)
- coumarin derivatives (eg. Warfarin: some Brand names are Coumadin®, or Marevan®)
- medicine for irregular or rapid heart beat
- medicines for depression, sleeplessness or mental conditions such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s), serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI’s), tricyclic anti-depressants, quinidine, phenothiazines or anti-psychotics
- some antibiotics.
These medicines may be affected by ZYDOL, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Other interactions not listed above may also occur.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking ZYDOL.
How to take this medicine
ZYDOL is available as capsules (to swallow).
Your doctor will decide:
- how you will receive ZYDOL
- what dose; and
- for how long
How much to take
ZYDOL Capsules
An initial dose of, one ZYDOL capsules may provide sufficient pain relief, followed by one or two capsules two or three times a day as required.
For more severe pain, two ZYDOL capsules are usually required for the first dose, followed by one or two capsules every four to six hours as required.
Patients over 75 years of age may require a lower daily dose.
Do not take more than eight ZYDOL capsules per day.
Follow carefully all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist.
These directions may differ from the information in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How to take it
ZYDOL capsules should be swallowed whole, with water.
When to take it
You can take ZYDOL before, with, or after food.
How long to take it
This differs between individuals depending on how severe your pain is, how you respond to ZYDOL and the cause of your pain. Ask your doctor for advice on how long to take ZYDOL.
Carefully follow all directions given to you by your doctor and the pharmacist.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take a dose, you can take it as soon as you remember. The next dose should be taken after four or six hours, or as prescribed by your doctor.
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 not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take too much (overdose)
If you or someone else receive too much (overdose), and experience one or more of the symptoms below, 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 have accidentally used ZYDOL 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 vomiting
- Convulsions or fits
If you think you or someone else may have used too much ZYDOL, you should immediately:
- phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), 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.
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.
While you are using this medicine
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking this medicine.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If your pain is not as severe and you feel that you do not need to take as much ZYDOL as your doctor prescribed, consult your doctor.
Tell your doctor if your pain is not helped or gets worse. Do not take increased amounts or extra doses without checking with your doctor.
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 you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Things you must not do
Do not take this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they seem to have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Things to be careful of
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, drowsiness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Side effects
Check with you doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking ZYDOL, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like other medicines, ZYDOL can cause side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
The most common side-effects of ZYDOL are:
- dizziness
- sedation, fatigue
- headache
- constipation
- nausea, vomiting
- sweating
- dry mouth.
The following side-effects are less common:
- indigestion
- hiccups
- changes in appetite
- skin reactions
- sudden onset of low blood pressure, collapse
- muscle weakness
- tremor
- seizures
- respiratory depression
- improvement of mood
- confusion
- sleep disturbance
- blurred vision
- difficulty in passing urine
- Serotonin Syndrome: signs of this vary and are not specific; they may include sweating, agitation, muscle twitching, spontaneous muscle contraction, tremor, high body temperature. Serotonin Syndrome may result from interaction of tramadol with other medicines which increase serotonin effects, for example, the SSRI antidepressants.
- low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia)
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side-effects, as urgent medical treatment may be required:
- skin rash (red spots or patches), itching, hives, skin lumps
- swelling or puffiness of the eyelids, face or lips
- chest tightness, wheezing or pain in the chest
- heart palpitations, faintness or collapse
- hallucinations
- convulsions
Talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms while taking ZYDOL.
Extreme fatigue, lack of appetite, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or low blood pressure. This may indicate that you have adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol levels).
Adrenal insufficiency is caused by failure of the adrenal glands to produce enough or any of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
If you have these symptoms, contact your doctor, who will decide if you need to take hormone supplement.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Storage and Disposal
Storage
Keep it in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take Zydol out of the pack it may not keep well.
Keep it in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink. Protect from light.
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 1½ metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Zydol or it passes its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any Zydol that is left over.
Zydol description
What it looks like
Zydol is available as yellow capsules in packs of 20 capsules.
Ingredients
Active ingredient:
50 mg tramadol hydrochloride per capsule.
Inactive ingredients:
- microcrystalline cellulose
- magnesium stearate
- sodium starch glycollate
- colloidal silica anhydrous
- iron oxide yellow
- titanium dioxide
- gelatin
- sodium lauryl sulfate
May contain trace amounts of phenylalanine and sulfites.
Zydol does not contain lactose, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Sponsor
Arrotex Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
15-17 Chapel Street
Cremorne VIC 3121
Australia
Capsules 50mg:
AUST R 80744
Zydol™ is a trademark of Grunenthal GmbH.
This leaflet was prepared in
August 2023
Published by MIMS October 2023