(mini-tran)
Transdermal Delivery System
Glyceryl trinitrate (gliss-er-ill tri-nite-rate)
Consumer Medicine Information
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons
living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common
questions about . It does
not contain all the information that is known about
. It does not take the
place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks
and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine
against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have
any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.
What Minitran is used for
These patches are used to help prevent attacks of angina (chest pain).
The active ingredient, glyceryl trinitrate, belongs to a group of medicines called nitrates.
When a Minitran patch is placed on the skin, glyceryl trinitrate passes slowly through the skin and into the blood stream.
Glyceryl trinitrate works by widening blood vessels, letting more blood and oxygen reach the heart.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Before using Minitran
When you must not use Minitran
Do not use Minitran if your have an allergy to:
medicines containing nitrates
any medicine or food containing nitrates or nitrites
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives of the skin
Minitran should not be used in children.
Safety and effectiveness in children has not been established.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pouch or if the package is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
Before you start to use it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
low blood pressure
certain heart conditions
glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
severe anaemia
raised intracranial pressure (pressure within the head).
Ask your doctor for further information.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or breast-feed.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start using Minitran patches.
Minitran has been prescribed for you only.
Do not use them on anyone else even if you think their condition is the same as yours.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines including any that you get from your pharmacy, supermarket
or health food shop.
Some medicines and Minitran may interfere with each other. These include:
any medicines to treat
depression
mental illness
heart conditions
male impotence
migraine
any medicines that you buy without a prescription
sildenafil (a medicine used to treat male impotence)
These medicines may be affected by Minitran or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines,
or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using this medicine.
How to use Minitran
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
To use Minitran take the following steps:
1)
Start at the notched corner.
2)
Tear pouch along the dotted line.
3)
Bend the patch so that the tab on the liner pops up.
4)
Hold the tab to peel off the liner.
5)
Apply sticky side of the patch to the upper arm or chest.
6)
Remove and discard the other piece of liner.
7)
Press patch firmly into place.
How much to use
The usual dose of Minitran is one patch applied every day. Your doctor will prescribe the correct dose for you.
When to use it
Apply a new patch at the same time every day.
Each patch is usually worn for 12 to 16 hours each day, or for as long as your doctor tells you.
How to use Minitran
Minitran patches can be placed on the chest, shoulder, upper arm or back.
Do not place Minitran patches on your forearm or lower leg.
Always put your patch on a different area of skin each day.
If you use the same area too much you may get a rash.
Minitran patches should not be placed on broken skin such as cuts or grazes.
You should place the patch on a hairless area of skin.
If the area of skin is hairy, clip or shave the hair off.
The skin should be clean and dry before sticking a Minitran patch on.
This will make the patch stick properly.
Do not use dusting powder or any greasy substances, eg. ointments or creams, on the skin before applying the patch.
How long to use it
Continue using your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
This medicine helps control your condition, but does not cure it. It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you
feel well.
If you forget to use Minitran
If you forget to use Minitran, apply the patch as soon as you remember.
However, if it is more than 4 hours after you were due to use the patch, skip the patch that you missed.
Apply the next patch at the normal time.
Never apply extra patches to make up for the patch you have missed.
If you use too much Minitran
Glyceryl trinitrate overdose is unlikely when using Minitran patches.
If accidental overdose does occur, remove the patch and contact your doctor or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest
hospital.
While you are using Minitran
Things you must do
Minitran patches are intended to prevent angina attacks.
If you do have an attack of chest pain when using Minitran, you should use under-the-tongue glyceryl trinitrate tablets or
a similar medication as instructed by your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you continue to have angina attacks or if they become more frequent while you are using Minitran.
Ask your doctor if it is safe to drink alcohol while you are using Minitran.
You can bathe, shower and swim as normal when wearing a Minitran patch.
If a patch does not stick or falls off, simply use a new patch on a different area of skin.
Do not re-use a patch once it has been removed from the skin.
Things you must not do
Do not stop using Minitran abruptly.
If you are to stop using Minitran, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose over 4 to 6 weeks before you completely stop
using it.
Things to be careful of
Minitran patches may lower your blood pressure and make you feel dizzy, particularly when changing position suddenly.
You should be especially careful if you are driving or operating machinery.
This medicine may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people.
If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything that could be dangerous.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly.
Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position
and blood pressure. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Minitran.
This medicine helps most people with angina, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have
side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of
the side effects.
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.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
Headaches: These may develop when you begin to use Minitran. They are usually mild and stop after the first few days of
treatment.
Red and itchy skin: This usually only lasts for a few hours after removing the patch. You can help to prevent this if you
make sure your skin is dry before you apply a patch and if you use a different area of skin each day.
Other common side effects include dizziness, light headedness, low blood pressure, hot flushes, nausea and vomiting
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After using Minitran
Storage
Keep your patches in the pouch until it is time to use them.
If you take the patches out of the pouch they may not keep well.
Keep Minitran patches in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.
Do not keep Minitran patches in the fridge.
Keep Minitran patches where children cannot reach them.
Dispose of used Minitran patches where children or others cannot find them.
There is still some of the active ingredient in the used patches and this may be dangerous to others.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any
medicine that is left over.
Product Description
What Minitran patches look like
Minitran is a patch made of thin, clear plastic covered by a layer of adhesive and the active ingredient, glyceryl trinitrate.
Minitran patches are oval shaped and are available in Australia in three sizes:
MINITRAN 5 is a 6.7 cm squared patch (AUST R 52028). It releases 5 mg of glyceryl trinitrate every 24 hours. The patch is
marked "MINITRAN 5".
MINITRAN 10 is a 13.3 cm squared patch (AUST R 52029). It releases 10 mg of glyceryl trinitrate every 24 hours. The patch
is marked "MINITRAN 10".
MINITRAN 15 is a 20 cm squared patch (AUST R 52030). It releases 15 mg of glyceryl trinitrate every 24 hours. The patch is
marked "MINITRAN 15".
MINITRAN 5 and MINITRAN 10 are available in New Zealand.
Each box of Minitran contains 30 patches.
Ingredients
MINITRAN 5 contains 18 mg of glyceryl trinitrate
MINITRAN 10 contains 36 mg of glyceryl trinitrate
MINITRAN 15 contains 54 mg of glyceryl trinitrate
Each Minitran patch also contains:
polymer 3273
ethyl oleate
glyceryl laurate
Sponsor
Minitran is supplied in Australia by:
iNova Pharmaceuticals (Aust) Pty Ltd
(ABN 88 000 222 408)
9-15 Chilvers Road Thornleigh NSW 2120
Australia
Distributor
Minitran is distributed in New Zealand by:
Douglas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Central Park Drive, Lincoln
AUCKLAND 0610
New Zealand
™ = Trademark
This leaflet was prepared in
August 2008.