Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about taking this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I taking ZIRCOL?
ZIRCOL contains the active ingredient lercanidipine hydrochloride. ZIRCOL is used
to lower high blood pressure, which doctors call hypertension.
2. What should I know before I take ZIRCOL?
Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to lercanidipine hydrochloride
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 ZIRCOL and affect how it works.
4. How do I take ZIRCOL?
ZIRCOL should be taken at about the same time each day, at least 15 minutes before
a meal.
5. What should I know while taking ZIRCOL?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking ZIRCOL.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are taking ZIRCOL.
If you have an operation, tell the anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine.
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Things you should not do
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Do not take ZIRCOL with grapefruit or grapefruit juice as these may increase the effects
of this medicine.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how ZIRCOL
affects you.
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Drinking alcohol
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Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep it in a cool dry place away from sunlight where the temperature stays below 30°C.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry
you: flushing, swelling of the ankles, feet or lower legs, palpitations, headache, dizziness
or fainting, gastrointestinal disturbances such as heartburn, nausea, epigastric pain
or diarrhoea, fatigue or sleepiness. Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects: angina (chest pain or tightness), increased heartbeat, signs of allergy such as rash,
itching or hives on the skin
Active ingredient:
lercanidipine hydrochloride
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about taking ZIRCOL. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about taking ZIRCOL.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I taking ZIRCOL?
ZIRCOL contains the active ingredient lercanidipine hydrochloride. ZIRCOL belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers (of the dihydropyridine
group).
ZIRCOL is used to lower high blood pressure, which doctors call hypertension. It works
by relaxing some of the blood vessels in the body and reducing resistance to the flow
of blood through the blood vessels.
Everyone has blood pressure. This pressure helps get your blood all around your body.
Your blood pressure may be different at different times of the day, depending on how
busy or worried you are. You have hypertension (high blood pressure) when your blood
pressure stays higher than is needed, even when you are calm and relaxed.
There are usually no symptoms of hypertension. The only way of knowing that you have
hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. If high blood
pressure is not treated it can lead to serious health problems. You may feel fine
and have no symptoms, but eventually hypertension can cause stroke, heart disease
and kidney failure. ZIRCOL helps lower your blood pressure.
2. What should I know before I take ZIRCOL?
Warnings
Do not take ZIRCOL if:
you are allergic to lercanidipine, any drugs closely related to lercanidipine (such
as amlodipine, felodipine or nifedipine) or any of the ingredients listed at the end
of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can take this medicine.
you have an obstruction to flow of blood from the heart
you have untreated heart failure
you have unstable angina (chest pain or tightness at rest or that progressively increases)
or you have had a heart attack one month ago or less
you have severe liver or kidney disease
you are also taking another medicine called ciclosporin
you eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice
you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
the tablets show visible sign of deterioration (for example, are broken or discoloured).
If you are not sure whether you should start taking ZIRCOL, talk to your doctor.
Do not give ZIRCOL to a child under the age of 18 years. ZIRCOL is not recommended
for use in children.
Tell your doctor if you:
are allergic to any other medicine, any foods, dyes or preservatives, or have a lactose
intolerance.
are taking other drugs for high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers, diuretics,
ACE-inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
have or have ever had any other health problems/medical conditions, including:
liver or kidney disease or are on dialysis
certain other heart conditions such as: uncontrolled heart failure, an obstruction
to flow of blood from the heart, unstable angina (chest pain or tightness at rest
or that progressively increases) or you have had a heart attack one month ago or less
and/or if you require a pacemaker
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above or if you are not sure, tell
them before you take ZIRCOL.
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.
Like most calcium channel blockers, ZIRCOL is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while you are taking ZIRCOL.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Like most calcium channel blockers ZIRCOL is not recommended while you are breastfeeding.
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 the way ZIRCOL works or may be affected by ZIRCOL.
These include:
astemizole
ciclosporin
cimetidine (more than 800 mg daily)
clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin
fluoxetine
itraconazole, ketoconazole
medicines known as corticosteroids which are used to treat inflammation, allergies
and autoimmune conditions
metoprolol, propranolol
rifampicin
ritonavir
some medicines used to treat an enlarged prostate and improve urinary symptoms
some medicines used to treat depression
some medicines used to treat epilepsy such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
terfenadine
You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different
medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any
of these medicines.
Also ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do if you are taking or are about to take
the following medicines: amiodarone, digoxin, midazolam, quinidine, simvastatin or
sotalol.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the medicines listed above, tell them
before you start taking ZIRCOL.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect ZIRCOL.
4. How do I take ZIRCOL?
How much to take
Follow the instructions provided and take ZIRCOL until your doctor tells you to stop.
The usual dose is one 10 mg tablet taken once daily but may be increased to 20 mg
once daily.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist
for help.
When to take ZIRCOL
ZIRCOL will have the best effect if it is taken at the same time each day at least
15 minutes before meals. This will also help you remember when to take the tablets.
Swallow ZIRCOL whole with a glass of water.
If you forget to take ZIRCOL
ZIRCOL should be taken regularly at the same time each day.
If you miss your dose at the usual time but remember within 12 hours from when the
dose was due, take it straight away, then continue as normal the next day. Otherwise
skip that day's dose but be sure to take the next day's dose when it is due.
If you are not sure about what to do, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you have trouble remembering to take your tablets, ask your pharmacist for some
hints.
If you have missed several doses, consult your doctor.
If you take too much ZIRCOL
If you think that you have taken too much ZIRCOL, 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.
If you take too much ZIRCOL it may cause your blood pressure to become too low, you
may become dizzy, you may get a headache and you may feel your heart beats become
irregular and faster. It may also lead to unconsciousness.
5. What should I know while taking ZIRCOL?
Things you should do
Use ZIRCOL exactly as your doctor has prescribed. If you do not follow your doctor's
instructions correctly, your blood pressure may not be controlled.
Be sure to keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking ZIRCOL.
If you have an operation, tell the anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine.
Tell your doctor straight away if you:
become pregnant while you are taking ZIRCOL
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking ZIRCOL.
Things you should not do
Do not give ZIRCOL to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use ZIRCOL to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not take ZIRCOL with grapefruit or grapefruit juice as these may increase the effects
of this medicine.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how ZIRCOL
affects you.
ZIRCOL generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate
machinery. However, as with other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, a few
people may feel dizzy, light-headed or faint, especially when first taking ZIRCOL
or when starting to take a different amount of medicine.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get
up slowly.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Your doctor may also ask you to limit or stop your alcohol intake while taking medicines
to control your blood pressure, such as ZIRCOL, as alcohol may increase these effects.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep it in a cool dry place away from sunlight 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 take this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
ZIRCOL helps most people with high blood pressure, but it may have unwanted side effects
in a few people.
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 ZIRCOL contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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lercanidipine hydrochloride 10 mg or 20 mg per tablet
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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lactose monohydrate
microcrystalline cellulose
sodium starch glycollate type A
povidone
magnesium stearate
hypromellose
purified talc
titanium dioxide
macrogol 6000
iron oxide yellow (ZIRCOL 10) or
iron oxide red (ZIRCOL 20)
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Potential allergens
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lactose
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What ZIRCOL looks like
The 10 mg film-coated tablets are yellow, circular, biconvex film-coated tablets,
scored on one side (AUST R 295935).
The 20 mg film-coated tablets are pink, circular, biconvex, film-coated tablets (AUST
R 295936).
ZIRCOL 10 and ZIRCOL 20 come in packs of 28 tablets.
Who distributes ZIRCOL
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in February 2024.
ZIRCOL® is a Viatris company trade mark
ZIRCOL_cmi\Mar24/00