ZISPIN (MIRTAZAPINE)

What is Zispin?
Zispin tablets contain 30 mg (milligram) of mirtazapine in each tablet.

Zispin also contains lactose, maize starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and polyethylene glycol 8000.

Zispin 30 mg tablets are red brown and contain titanium dioxide (E170), yellow iron oxide (E 172) and red iron oxide (E 172).

The oval tablets are marked with TZ 5 on one side and Organon on the other side.

Zispin 30 mg tablets come in packs of 28 tablets.

Zispin is one of a group of medicines called antidepressants.

What is Zispin used for?
Zispin belongs to the group of medicines called antidepressants that are used to treat depression.

The main signs of depression are deep sadness, difficulty in performing day to day tasks, disturbances in sleep, and feelings of anxiety.

No one is sure how depression is caused. It is thought that there is a shortage of substances that help the transfer of signals from one nerve cell to another in the brain.

Antidepressants are thought to remove this shortage, relieving the symptoms of depression.

It may take 2 to 4 weeks before you begin to feel better, sleep well and feel less anxious. So it is very important to keep taking the tablets as directed by your doctor.

Before you take your tablets

. Do you think you may be pregnant?

. Are you breast-feeding?

. Are you sensitive (allergic) to any of the ingredients in Zispin?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES:

. Did you tell your doctor at the last visit or an earlier visit?

. If you did NOT then you should do so as soon as possible and before taking these tablets.

It is not recommended to take Zispin when pregnant or breast-feeding.

Contraception:
If you are a woman who is able to have children you must take contraceptive precautions while you are on Zispin. If you are not sure about which method to use, ask your doctor.

What do you need to know before taking your medicine?
In rare cases, Zispin can cause a shortage of white blood cells, which lowers the body's resistance to infection. Tell your doctor imme­diately if you have a fever, sore throat mouth ulcers, tummy upset or other signs of infection. He/she will probably check your blood. Extra supervision by your doctor may be necessary in some cases.

Tell your doctor if you have, or have ever had:

• epilepsy (seizures)

• liver disease such as jaundice

• kidney disease

• heart disease

• low blood pressure

• eye disease (such as glaucoma)

• difficulty in passing water perhaps as a result of an enlarged prostate.

• diabetes mellitus

• psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and manic depression (alternating periods of elation/overactivity and depressed mood)

• dementia

What other medicines are you taking?
Other medicines may affect how Zispin works or Zispin may affect how they work.

Do not take Zispin while you are on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. phenelzine) or for up to two weeks after stopping treatment

Zispin may add to the drowsiness of benzodiazepines.

Tell your doctor if you are taking (or intend to take) any other medicines.

Alcohol:
Zispin can add to the drowsiness caused by alcohol. You should not drink alcohol while you are on Zispin.

Ability to drive and use machines:
Antidepressants con affect your judgement or concentration. When you first start taking Zispin make sure that your judgement or concentration are not affected before you drive or use machinery.

Remember that the best time to take your tablets is about 2 hours before going to bed.

How do you take Zispin?
It is important to take this medicine only as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Zispin is only intended for adults and must not be given to children.

How much?
Usually you will start with a low dose (15 mg per day) which may be gradually increased by your doctor to the dose that is best for you.

For the treatment to work it is very important that you keep taking your tablet(s) every day.

Keep strictly to the recommended dose and the instructions for use.

Do not stop taking Zispin without first asking your doctor.

After the first 2-4 weeks you should discuss with your doctor what effect treatment has had.

If you still don't feel well then your doctor may prescribe a higher dose. After another 2-4 weeks you should discuss the effect of treatment with your doctor again.

How to take the tablets.
It's best to take the tablet(s) at the same time each day, preferably as a single dose.

Before going to bed is a good time to take them.

Your doctor might also allow you to take your medicine in divided doses during the day. For example, half the amount in the morning and the other half before going to bed.

Swallow the tablet(s), without chewing, with some water.

What to do if someone accidentally takes too much.
If someone accidentally takes too many tablets, tell a doctor immediately. The person should be made to vomit as soon as possible. Symptoms most likely to occur are drowsiness or sleepiness.

What to do if you miss a dose.If you forget to take your tablets, do not take the missed dose. Just miss it out Take your next dose at the normal time

Do not stop taking Zispin just because your complaints have disappeared.

If you are feeling better, your doctor will tell you how to reduce the dose gradually.

If you stop taking Zispin suddenly, you may feel ill and suffer from headaches and nausea.

What about side-effects?
Zispin sometimes causes side-effects in some people. Some side-effects have been noticed more often than others, but some are very rare.

More common side-effects include:

. increase in appetite and weight gain

. sleepiness during the first few weeks of treatment

Less often:

. yellow colouring of the skin or eyes

Side-effects noticed rarely include:

. swollen ankles or feet caused by fluid retention (oedema)

. a shortage of white blood cells. This lowers the body's resistance to infection.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have a fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, tummy upsets or other signs of infection.

. occasional dizziness or faintness, especially when you get up quickly from a lying or sitting position

. rash or skin eruptions (exanthema).

. mania

. convulsions

. tremor

. muscle contractions

If you have any of these side-effects tell your doctor.

Tell your doctor about any problems that you cannot explain but you think may be caused by Zispin.

How do you store Zispin?
Do not use Zispin after the "Use by" date on the push-through strip and pack.

Keep the tablets in the original pack. Keep them dry and away from light, at room tem­perature (between 2-30 'C).

Keep your tablets where children cannot see or reach them.

This information was lost updated in October 2000.

GENERAL THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT MEDICINES

1. Only use this medicine for your current medical problems, Do not use this medicine for anything else.

2. Do not allow other people to use your medicines and do not use medicines meant for other people.

3. Tell any doctor treating you what medicines you are taking. Always carry a medical information card showing which medicines you are using. This can also be very important in case you are involved in an accident.

4. Return any medicines you have not used to the pharmacy. They will get rid of them safely.

5. Make sure that other people you live with or who look after you read this information.

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