NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.
RULIDE®
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.
Why am I using Rulide?
Rulide contains the active ingredient roxithromycin. Rulide is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria. For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Rulide? in the full CMI.
What should I know before I use Rulide?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to roxithromycin 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. For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Rulide? in the full CMI.
What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Rulide and affect how it works. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
How do I use Rulide?
The recommended adult dosage is 300 mg per day
The recommended dosage for children more than 40 kg is one 150 mg tablet twice daily.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use Rulide? in the full CMI.
What should I know while using Rulide?
Things you should do | Remind any doctor or dentist you visit that you are using Rulide. If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor. If you get severe diarrhoea tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after Rulide has been stopped. If you get a sore, white mouth or tongue while taking, or soon after stopping Rulide, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you get vaginal itching or discharge. If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Rulide |
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Things you should not do | Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to. Do not stop taking your tablets because you are feeling better, unless advised by your doctor or pharmacist. |
Driving or using machines | Make sure you know how Rulide affects you before driving or operating machinery |
Drinking alcohol | Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol |
Looking after your medicine | Keep the medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep the tablets in the blister until its time to take them |
For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Rulide? in the full CMI.
Are there any side effects?
Common side effects include: rash; loss of appetite. Refer to the CMI for all side effects. 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: Roxithromycin (rocks-e-throw-my-sin)
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Rulide. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further informationor if you have any concerns or questions about using Rulide.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Rulide?
2. What should I know before I use Rulide?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use Rulide?
5. What should I know while using Rulide?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
Why am I using Rulide?
Rulide contains the active ingredient roxithromycin. Rulide is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called macrolides. These antibiotics work by killing or stopping the growth of the bacteria that are causing your infection.
Rulide, like other antibiotics, does not work against viral infections such as the flu.
Rulide is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria. For example:
acute pharyngitis (sore throat and discomfort when swallowing)
tonsillitis
sinusitis
acute bronchitis (infection of the bronchi causing coughing)
exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
pneumonia (lung infection characterised by fever, malaise, headache)
skin and soft tissue infections
non gonococcal urethritis
impetigo (bacterial infection causing sores on the skin)
What should I know before I use Rulide?
Warnings
Do not use Rulide if:
1. you are allergic to roxithromycin, or any other macrolide antibiotic e.g. azithromycin, clarithromycin or erythromycin, any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching, shortness of breath or swelling of the face, lips or tongue which cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
2. you have severe liver problems
3. if you are taking certain medicines migraine headache called ergot alkaloids e.g. Cafergot, Dihydergot; (not all brands listed)
4. the product has expired or the packaging appears tampered with.
Check with your doctor if you:
have allergies to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
have or have had the following medical conditions:
kidney problems (impaired function)
liver problems (hepatic cirrhosis with jaundice and /or ascites)
have any other medical conditions
take any medicines for any other condition
plan to have surgery
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
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Like most medicines of this kind, Rulide is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the risks and benefits of taking it if you are pregnant
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Rulide passes into breast milk. Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the risks and benefits of taking it if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Use in the Elderly
Rulide can be used in the elderly with no dosage adjustment required
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 be affected by Rulide, or may affect how well Rulide works. These include:
theophylline (Neulin), a medicine used to treat asthma
some medicines for migraine headache such as ergotamine (Cafergot)or dihydroergotamine (Dihydergot tablets)
terfenadine and astemizole, over the counter medicines used to treat allergies
warfarin (Coumadin, Marevan), a medicine used to prevent blood clots
digoxin (Lanoxin, Sigmaxin), a medicine used to treat heart failure
midazolam (Hypnovel, Midazolam Sandoz), used to induce sleep before operations
ciclosporin (Neoral, Cicoral, Cysporin, Sandimmun), a medicine used to prevent organ transplant rejection or to treat certain problems with the immune system
cisapride, a medicine used to treat gastrointestinal problems
pimozide (Orap), an antipsychotic medicine
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitaminsor supplements you are taking and if these affect Rulide.
How do I use Rulide?
How much to take
The recommended adult dosage is 300 mg per day which may be taken according to one of the following alternative dosage regimens:
one 300 mg tablet once a day, or
one 150 mg tablet twice a day, or
two 150 mg tablets once a day
However, depending on your condition and how you react to the medicine, your doctor may ask you to take a different dose.
The recommended dosage for children more than 40 kg is one 150 mg tablet twice daily. The dosage of Rulide given to children is dependent on the child’s weight.
Your doctor will tell you exactly how much to take.
Follow the instructions provided and use Rulide until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to take Rulide
Rulide should be taken at least 15 minutes before food or on an empty stomach (i.e. more than 3 hours after a meal).
Rulide works best if you take it on an empty stomach
How to take it
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
How long to take it
For treating infections, Rulide is usually taken for 5 to 10 days. However, your doctor may prescribe Rulide for longer periods
Continue taking the tablets until you finish the pack or until your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop
If you forget to use Rulide
Rulide should be used regularly at the same time each day.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your nextdose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you use too much Rulide
If you think that you have used too much Rulide, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or the National Poisons Centre, 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766 (New Zealand).
(by calling 13 11 26), or the National Poisons Centre, 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766 (New Zealand).
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.
What should I know while using Rulide?
Things you should do
If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
If you get severe diarrhoea tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after Rulide has been stopped.
Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
If you get a sore, white mouth or tongue while taking, or soon after stopping Rulide, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you get vaginal itching or discharge.
This may mean you have a fungal/yeast infection called thrush. Sometimes the use of Rulide allows fungi/yeast to grow and the above symptoms to occur. Rulide does not work against fungi/yeast.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Rulide.
If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Rulide
If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
If you become pregnant while you are taking Rulide, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately
Things you should not do
Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking your tablets because you are feeling better, unless advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, all of the bacteria causing your infection may not be killed. These bacteria may continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or it may return.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Rulideaffects you.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Looking after your medicine
Keep the medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them
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.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
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.
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
Less serious side effects | What to do |
|---|---|
oral thrush – white, furry, sore tongue and mouth vaginal thrush – sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhoea, flatulence loss of appetite red and/or itchy skin headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears hallucinations confusion tiredness altered taste rash blurred vision and/or visual impairment | Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worryyou. These side effects are usually mild and short-lived |
Serious side effects
Serious side effects | What to do |
|---|---|
severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps watery and severe diarrhoea, which may sometimes be bloody fever, in combination with one or both of the above | Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of the following, particularlyif they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with Rulide. These are rare but serious side effects. You may have a serious condition affectingyour bowel. Therefore, you may need urgent medical attention Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor |
frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers severe persistent diarrhoea swelling of the face, lips, mouth and tongue difficulty in swallowing or breathing an allergic reaction (for example, itchy skin, rash, swelling, asthma) severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals severe skin rash | Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor straight away, or go straight to theEmergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious sideeffects. These are very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a seriousallergic reaction to Rulide. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making youfeel 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 or medsafe at https://nzphvc.otago.ac.nz/reporting/ (New Zealand).
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 stoptaking any of your medicines.
Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
What Rulide contains
Active ingredient (main ingredient) | Each tablet contains either 150 mg or 300 mg of roxithromycin |
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Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) | hyprolose poloxamer povidone colloidal anhydrous silica magnesium stearate (470) purified talc (553) maize starch hypromellose glucose titanium dioxide (171) propylene glycol (1520) |
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
Rulide does not contain gluten, lactose, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes
What Rulide looks like
Rulide 150 mg tablets are round white film coated tablets. Each blister pack contains 10 tablets (Aust R 39409).
Rulide 300 mg tablets are round white film coated tablets. Each blister pack contains 5 tablets (Aust R 42565).
Who distributes Rulide
Rulide tablets are manufactured for:
sanofi aventis australia pty ltd
12-24 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
This leaflet was prepared in September 2020.
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