Nalmefene tablets
Selincro
Granskad av Sid DajaniSenast uppdaterad av Michael Stewart, MRPharmSSenast uppdaterad 27 apr 2023
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Nalmefene will help you to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.
Take one tablet each day that you anticipate drinking alcohol. Where possible, take the tablet 1-2 hours before having any alcohol.
Remember to keep your appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be monitored.
Överblick
Nalmefene tablets (Selincro) help reduce alcohol consumption in people who are alcohol-dependent.
It works by affecting brain processes that cause the urge to drink.
Take one tablet on each day you expect to drink, ideally 1-2 hours before, but do not take more than one a day.
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, mental health issues, or are taking strong painkillers.
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, and sleeping problems.
Do not drive or use machines if you feel dizzy or sleepy after taking this medicine.
About nalmefene tablets
Typ av medicin | Medicine used for alcohol dependence |
Används för | To reduce alcohol consumption |
Även kallad | Selincro® |
Tillgänglig som | Tabletter |
If you are alcohol-dependent, your body becomes used to lots of alcohol, and you experience withdrawal effects if you do not drink. This means that even if you want to reduce your drinking, it is often difficult.
Nalmefene will help you to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink if you are not able to do this on your own. It does this by interfering with the processes in your brain which are responsible for your urge to drink.
Before taking nalmefene
Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking nalmefene tablets it is important that your doctor knows:
If you are under 18 years of age.
Om du är gravid, försöker bli gravid eller ammar.
If you have ever had a mental health problem.
If you have ever had a fit (seizure).
If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or the way your kidneys work.
Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.
If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines. In particular, make sure you tell your doctor if you are taking any strong painkillers.
How to take nalmefene tablets
Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about nalmefene tablets. It will also provide a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking them.
Take nalmefene tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to. Take one tablet a day on each day that you anticipate drinking alcohol. The tablet is best taken 1-2 hours before you drink alcohol, but if you are not able to do this, take it as soon as you can.
Do not take more than one tablet per day.
Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water - do not crush or break the tablet. You can take nalmefene before or after food.
Få ut det mesta av din behandling
Keep your regular appointments with your doctor and/or counsellor. This is so your progress can be checked on a regular basis.
It may help to tell your family and friends how important it is that you reduce your drinking, so that they can be a support to you. Drinking heavily is a serious health risk.
Counselling and other support services are available to help you to reduce your drinking. Your doctor, practice nurse, or local alcohol unit will be able to advise you on what support and self-help groups are available in your area.
If you buy any medicines, check with your doctor or a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take. This is because strong painkillers (some of which can be bought 'over the counter' in a pharmacy) should not be taken with nalmefene tablets.
If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking nalmefene. You may be advised to stop taking the tablets for a short while because they could affect your treatment.
Can nalmefene tablets cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with nalmefene tablets. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.
Very common nalmefene side-effects - these may affect more than 1 in 10 people taking this medicine | Vad kan jag göra om jag upplever detta? |
Känner dig illamående (nausea) | Stick to simple meals - avoid rich or spicy foods. Try taking the tablet with a snack, such as a plain biscuit |
DIarrhoea | Drink plenty of water to replace any lost fluids. If it continues, let your doctor know |
Feeling dizzy or sleepy, blurred vision | Kör inte och använd inte verktyg eller maskiner förrän du mår bättre |
Huvudvärk | Drink plenty of water and ask your pharmacist to prescribe a suitable painkiller (but remember to mention that you are taking nalmefene). If the headaches continue, let your doctor know |
Sleeping problems | Om det är besvärligt, prata med din läkare |
Om du upplever några andra symtom som du tror kan bero på denna medicin, tala med din läkare eller apotekare.
How to store nalmefene tablets
Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.
Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.
Viktig information om alla läkemedel
Viktig information om alla läkemedel
Ta aldrig mer än den föreskrivna dosen. Om du misstänker att du eller någon annan kan ha tagit en överdos av denna medicin, gå till akutmottagningen på ditt lokala sjukhus. Ta med behållaren, även om den är tom.
Denna medicin är för dig. Ge den aldrig till andra människor även om deras tillstånd verkar vara detsamma som ditt.
Behåll inte föråldrade eller oönskade mediciner. Ta dem till ditt lokala apotek som kommer att ta hand om dem åt dig.
Om du har några frågor om denna medicin, fråga din apotekare.
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Vanliga frågor
How does nalmefene actually work in the brain to reduce the urge to drink?
Nalmefene works by interfering with specific processes in your brain that are responsible for the urge to drink alcohol. This helps to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume.
What kind of support is available to help me reduce my drinking when taking nalmefene?
Alongside taking nalmefene, it's recommended to attend regular appointments with your doctor and/or counsellor to monitor your progress. Your doctor, practice nurse, or local alcohol unit can also advise you on available support services and self-help groups in your area.
If I am pregnant or breastfeeding, why is nalmefene not suitable for me?
The article states that if you are pregnant, trying for a baby, or breastfeeding, your doctor needs to know this before you start taking nalmefene. This implies there are considerations or contraindications that make it unsuitable or require extra care in these situations, although the specific reasons are not detailed.
Are there any specific medical conditions that would prevent me from taking nalmefene, besides those listed?
The article lists particular conditions your doctor needs to know about, such as if you are under 18, have mental health problems, a history of fits (seizures), or issues with your liver or kidneys. It also mentions allergic reactions and other medicines you might be taking. However, it does not explicitly state that these conditions would *prevent* you from taking nalmefene, but rather that extra care may be needed or a doctor's assessment is crucial.
Can I take nalmefene if I have an allergic reaction to other medicines?
Before starting nalmefene, it's important to tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine. Your doctor will then be able to assess if nalmefene is suitable for you.
Vidare läsning och referenser
- Manufacturer's PIL, Selincro® 18 mg tablets; Lundbeck Limited, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated June 2022.
- Mediciner Komplett BNF 89:e Utgåvan; Brittiska Läkarföreningen och Kungliga Farmaceutiska Sällskapet i Storbritannien, London.
Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi
Michael Stewart, MRPharmS
Ansvarig för granskning av medicinbroschyrer – Konsult, Apotekare
BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS
Michael är en apotekare som arbetar i Midlands och South Yorkshire med mer än 20 års erfarenhet av att ge råd om läkemedel och medicinska tillstånd. Han har en stark bakgrund inom vårdutbildning och har producerat och levererat utbildningskurser för apoteksteam och personal inom vårdboenden, inklusive sjuksköterskor. Han har också bidragit till apoteksrådgivande styrelser för hantering av mindre allvarliga tillstånd i samhället.
Om recensenten
Sid Dajani
Sultan Dajani tog examen vid London School of Pharmacy 1994 och blev den yngsta valda medlemmen i Royal Pharmaceutical Society-rådet sedan dess grundande 1842.
Artikelhistorik
Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.
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Next review due: 26 Oct 2027
27 apr 2023 | Senaste versionen
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