Common uses

This medicine 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)
• pneumonia (lung infection characterised by fever, malaise, headache)
• skin and soft tissue infections
• non gonoccocal urethritis
• impetigo (bacterial infection causing sores on the skin)

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.

Your doctor may have prescribed Rulide for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Rulide has been prescribed for you.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Rulide is not addictive.

Before using

Do not take Rulide if you have an allergy to: roxithromycin or any other macrolide antibiotic eg., azithromycin, clarithromycin or erythromycin. Any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet (see product description). If you are taking certain medicines for migraine headache called ergot alkaloids.

Before you start taking this medicine tell your doctor if: you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant; you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed; you have or have ever had any other health problems/medical conditions, including: kidney problems (impaired function), liver problems (hepatic cirrhosis with jaundice and /or ascites)

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Directions

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information you read. If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

Swallow Rulide tablets whole with a glass of water. Rulide should be taken at least 15 minutes before food or on an empty stomach (ie. more than 3 hours after a meal). Rulide works best if you take it on an empty stomach. For treating infections, Rulide is usually taken for 5 to 10 days.

However, your doctor may prescribe Rulide for longer periods. Check with your doctor if you are not sure how long you should be taking it. Continue taking Rulide until you finish the pack or until your doctor recommends.

If you miss a dose: If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally. If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not double a dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

Cautions

If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Rulide. Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Rulide.

Do not stop taking your tablets because you are feeling better, unless advised by your doctor.

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.

Do not give Rulide to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. Do not use Rulide to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

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 Rulide in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.

Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines. Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres (5 ft) above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.

If you take too much

Immediately contact your doctor if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Rulide. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

Possible side effects

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 your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Rulide. Rulide helps many people with bacterial infections, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. Medical treatment may be required for some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have regarding side effects.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

• oral thrush — white, furry, sore tongue and mouth
• vaginal thrush — sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, flatulence
• loss of appetite
• red and/or itchy skin
• headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears
• tiredness
• altered taste

Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

• swelling of the face, lips, mouth and tongue
• severe persistent diarrhoea
• an allergic reaction (for example, itchy skin, rash, swelling, asthma)

These may be signs of a serious allergic reaction. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.

After finishing taking this medicine: tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with Rulide:

• severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps
• watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
• fever, in combination with one or both of the above

These are rare but serious side effects. You may have a serious condition affecting your bowel.

Therefore, you may need urgent medical attention. However, this side effect is rare. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor. Some people may get other side effects while taking Rulide. Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. Most people do not experience any of them.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.