Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using CERVAGEM?
CERVAGEM contains the active ingredient gemeprost. CERVAGEM is used for the dilation
and softening of the cervix prior to surgical procedures during pregnancy or for the
induction of miscarriage.
2. What should I know before I use CERVAGEM?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to CERVAGEM or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with CERVAGEM and affect how it works.
4. How do I use CERVAGEM?
CERVAGEM is administered by insertion via the vagina by a doctor or nurse.
5. What should I know while using CERVAGEM?
|
Things you should do
|
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you have been administered
CERVAGEM.
|
|
Things you should not do
|
Do not use CERVAGEM if you are allergic to gemeprost, or any of the ingredients listed
at the end of this leaflet
Do not use if your pregnancy is near full term, or you have previously experienced
a difficult labour or delivery.
|
|
Driving or using machines
|
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how CERVAGEM
affects you
|
|
Drinking alcohol
|
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Store below -10°C (freeze) in the original pack.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Common side effects: vaginal bleeding or uterine pain, nausea, vomiting, lower abdominal
pain, backache, headache, slight fever, flushing, chills, dizziness, lightheadedness,
irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, shortness of breath.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following: asthma,
wheezing or shortness of breath, swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause
difficulty in swallowing or breathing, hives, itching, skin rash or fainting. These
are symptoms of an allergic reaction. Serious side effects may also include: fainting,
chest spasm or pain, prolonged or spasmotic pelvic/lower back pain. You may need urgent
medical attention. For more information, including what to do if you have any side
effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
gemeprost
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using CERVAGEM. 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 CERVAGEM.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using CERVAGEM?
CERVAGEM contains the active ingredient gemeprost. Gemeprost is a member of the prostaglandin class of medicines. Prostaglandins are
hormone-like substances which stimulate changes to the uterus and cervix.
CERVAGEM is used for the dilation and softening of the cervix prior to surgical procedures
during pregnancy or for the induction of miscarriage.
Your doctor may have prescribed Cervagem for another reason.
2. What should I know before I use CERVAGEM?
Warnings
Do not use CERVAGEM if:
you are allergic to gemeprost, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
you are allergic to prostaglandins
your pregnancy is near full term.
you have previously experienced a difficult labour. or delivery.
you are at risk of hemorrhage due to procedures for placenta previa, ectopic pregnancy,
etc.
you have fever due to pelvic infection
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Check with your doctor if you have:
given birth more than twice
uterine scarring
cervical narrowing
vaginal bleeding of unknown origin
had a twin pregnancy
an infection of the cervix or vagina
a respiratory condition
any heart condition
glaucoma or increased eye pressure
allergies to any other medicines, any other substances, such as foods, preservatives
or dyes.
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.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
CERVAGEM is not to be used to soften the cervix or to induce labour in the pregnant
woman at term.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
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 CERVAGEM and affect how it works.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect CERVAGEM.
4. How do I use CERVAGEM?
How to use
CERVAGEM is administered by insertion via the vagina by a doctor or nurse.
5. What should I know while using CERVAGEM?
Things you should do
Call your doctor straight away if you experience:
asthma, wheezing or shortness of breath, swelling of the face, lips or tongue which
may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, hives, itching, skin
rash or fainting. These are symptoms of an allergic reaction.
chest spasm or pain.
prolonged or spasmodic pelvic/lower back pain
bleeding
These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious
side effects are rare.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using CERVAGEM.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how CERVAGEM
affects you.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Looking after your medicine
Store below -10°C (freeze) in the original pack.
Remove only sufficient pessaries from freezer for immediate use. Any pessaries removed
from freezer should NOT be refrozen.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
When to discard your medicine
Once the foil sachet has been opened, any pessary not used within 12 hours should
be destroyed.
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.
6. Are there any side effects?
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.
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.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What CERVAGEM contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
gemeprost 1 mg
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
ethanol and hard fat
|
|
Potential allergens
|
ethanol
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What CERVAGEM looks like
CERVAGEM is a white to creamy torpedo shaped pessary. (Aust R 27491).
Who distributes CERVAGEM
sanofi-aventis australia pty ltd
12-24 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Freecall No: 1800 818 806
This leaflet was prepared in August 2022
cervagem-ccdsv1-cmiv2-02aug22