Suscard® Buccal Tablets
Prescription Products
Suscard Buccal Tablets (Glyceryl Trinitrate)
Patient Information Leaflet
Please read this leaflet carefully. It gives you a summary of the information about your medicine. If there is anything you do not understand, please ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist) to explain it to you.
1. What’s in your medicine
Your medicine is called Suscard Buccal Tablets. Each tablet contains either 2mg, 3mg or 5mg of an active ingredient called glyceryl trinitrate in a prolonged release form. The tablet is designed to release the glyceryl trinitrate slowly when it is held correctly in the mouth. Suscard Buccal Tablets are available in blister packs of 100 tablets.
As well as the active ingredient, your medicine also contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, peppermint and spearmint flavours, stearic acid and silica gel.
Suscard Buccal Tablets belong to a group of medicines called ‘nitrates’ which cause widening of blood vessels, and reduce the work that the heart must do to pump blood through them. In addition, nitrates may improve blood supply to the heart itself.
The Marketing Authorisation holder and manufacturer responsible for batch release of Suscard Buccal Tablets is:
Forest Laboratories UK Ltd, Bexley, Kent DA5 1NX, UK
2. What your medicine is used for
Suscard Buccal Tablets are used to relieve and prevent the chest pain caused by angina pectoris. This occurs when there is an inadequate supply of oxygen for the work the heart is performing.
They may also be given to patients suffering from unstable angina which is a condition that should be treated in hospital, and to help patients with heart failure.
3. Before using your medicine
- Are you pregnant or intending to become pregnant?
- Are you breast feeding a baby?
- Are you taking Viagra (sildenafil) for male erectile problems? If you use Viagra while using nitrate preparations, such as Suscard, a severe and possibly dangerous fall in blood pressure can occur. This would result in collapse, unconsciousness and could be fatal. You should not take Viagra while using Suscard.
- Are you taking any other form of heart medicine which contains glyceryl trinitrate?
- Are you allergic to glyceryl trinitrate or any of the ingredients of Suscard Buccal Tablets listed above?
- Are you anaemic (suffering from low iron content in your blood)?
- Do you have the eye disease called glaucoma?
- Have you ever suffered from bleeding in the brain (stroke) or a serious head injury?
- Do you have trouble with your teeth and gums especially tooth decay (dental caries)?
If the answer is ‘YES’ to any of these questions and your doctor is not aware - do not take Suscard Buccal Tablets - but tell your doctor or pharmacist.
4. How to use your medicine
Suscard Buccal Tablets are designed to be held under the top lip as shown below.
Place the tablet high up between the upper lip and the gum, to either side of the front teeth, as shown in the diagram below. Use your finger, or place the tablet on the tip of your tongue, and push it into position. If you suffer from a dry mouth, moisten the area where you wish to place the tablet with your tongue or a little water before you apply the tablet.
DO NOT PUT THE TABLET UNDER THE TONGUE DO NOT CHEW OR SWALLOW TABLET
If you do accidentally swallow a tablet it will not cause you any harm. Simply replace with another tablet.
When you have placed the tablet as shown, it will soften quite quickly and stick to the gum. It may then be left in place to dissolve, slowly releasing the active ingredient.
You may notice a tingling sensation when you first use the tablet, but this will usually pass after a few minutes.
Some people may be aware of the tablet against the gum and find it slightly uncomfortable at first, but they get used to the feeling quickly.
You can alternate the placing of the tablet to the left or right of the mouth if you find this more comfortable. This will also tend to avoid dental problems which can sometimes occur after long-term usage of this type of medicine (See section headed ‘After taking your medicine’).
Do not move the tablet around the mouth with your tongue as this will cause it to dissolve more rapidly than intended.
Suscard Buccal tablets should not interfere with your eating or drinking, but some patients prefer to remove their tablet before meals and replace it with a fresh tablet after eating.
If you wear false teeth, place the tablet in any comfortable position between the upper lip and the gum. Avoid contact with the surface of the teeth or the dental plate supporting them.
5. How many tablets to use
If your doctor has decided that you should use Suscard Buccal Tablets on a regular basis they are usually used three times a day, but this can vary from person to person. Your doctor will have decided on a suitable dose and tablet strength to suit your particular condition. Read the pharmacy (chemist) label carefully.
- If you suffer chest pains only occasionally, Suscard Buccal Tablets can be used to provide relief whenever the pain occurs.
- If you experience pain when attempting certain activities, such as gardening or playing golf, or other physical, or stressful situations, use a tablet a few minutes beforehand, and leave it in place for as long as required.
- If you suffer from unstable angina, your doctor will decide the correct dose and may prescribe Suscard Buccal Tablets in addition to existing angina medication. For severe attacks, a 5mg dosage of Suscard Buccal Tablets may be required to relieve symptoms. Your doctor will monitor your condition closely.
- In cases of acute heart failure, your doctor may administer an initial dose of 5mg of Suscard Buccal Tablets which he may repeat, depending on how well you respond to the treatment.
- For congestive heart failure, a 5mg dosage is administered three times daily. For more severe cases this dosage may be increased to 10mg (2 x 5mg tablets) three times daily for a period of three or four days. This is achieved by using two tablets, placing one tablet on each side of the front teeth between the upper lip and the gum.
If you have a chest pain while a Suscard Buccal Tablet is in place, an additional tablet may be positioned on the opposite side of the mouth as described above. Your doctor should be told about this when you next see him, as he may wish to change the strength or number of tablets that you are using.
If you find that you cannot control your chest pain with your tablets contact your doctor at once.
Always make sure that you have enough tablets, and do not run out.
If you have any doubts about how many tablets to take and when, ask your pharmacist (chemist) or doctor.
6. What to do if you forget to use your Suscard Buccal Tablet
If you are using this medicine regularly and you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible. However, if the next scheduled dose is within 6 hours, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT use double doses.
7. Overdose
If you or anybody else takes an overdose of your medicine, medical attention should be sought immediately. Take the tablet or container with you to your doctor or to the nearest hospital accident and emergency department.
8. After using your medicine
All medicines sometimes cause side effects.
Suscard Buccal Tablets may occasionally cause headache, dizziness, flushing of the face or skin and giddiness if you stand up too quickly. These effects are usually mild, but if you find them troublesome, remove the tablet and they should stop within a few minutes.
However, if any of these side-effects persist, or become worse, or if you experience any other side-effects not mentioned above, tell your doctor.
Rarely, people who use this type of medicine over a long period may find increased tooth decay (dental caries).
You may reduce the chances of this happening to you by:
- placing the tablet as high up between the lip and the gum and away from the teeth as you find comfortable, as shown in the diagram above;
- placing tablets on opposite sides of the mouth alternately;
- cleaning your teeth and gums regularly, particularly in the region where the tablets are applied. (Do not brush your teeth while a tablet is in place);
- visiting your dentist regularly and taking his advice on general dental hygiene.