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The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL16950/0161.
Targinact 5 mg/2.5 mg, 10 mg/5 mg, 20 mg/10 mg and 40 mg/20 mg prolonged-release tablets
Targinact 5 mg/2.5 mg prolonged-release tablets
Targinact 10 mg/5 mg prolonged-release tablets
Targinact 20 mg/10 mg prolonged-release tablets
Targinact 40 mg/20 mg prolonged-release tablets
Oxycodone hydrochloride / naloxone hydrochloride
1. What Targinact is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Targinact
3. How to take Targinact
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Targinact
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Targinact is a prolonged-release tablet, which means that its active substances are released over an extended period. Their action lasts for 12 hours.
These tablets are only for use in adults.
Pain relief
You have been prescribed Targinact for the treatment of severe pain, which can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics. Naloxone hydrochloride is added to counteract constipation.
How these tablets work in pain relief
These tablets contain oxycodone hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride as active substances. Oxycodone hydrochloride is responsible for the pain-killing effect of Targinact, and is a potent analgesic ("painkiller") of the opioid group. The second active substance of Targinact, naloxone hydrochloride, is intended to counteract constipation. Bowel dysfunction (e.g. constipation) is a typical side effect of treatment with opioid painkillers.
Restless legs syndrome
You have been prescribed Targinact for the second line symptomatic treatment of severe to very severe restless legs syndrome in people who can't be treated with dopamine medicines. People with restless legs syndrome have unpleasant sensations in their limbs. This can start as soon as they sit or lie down and is only relieved by an irresistible urge to move the legs, sometimes the arms and other parts of the body. It makes sitting still and sleeping very difficult. Naloxone hydrochloride is added to counteract constipation.
How these tablets work in restless legs syndrome
These tablets help to relieve the unpleasant sensations and so reduces the urge to move the limbs.
The second active substance of Targinact, naloxone hydrochloride, is intended to counteract constipation. Bowel dysfunction (e.g. constipation) is a typical side effect of treatment with opioids.
Additionally for restless legs syndrome
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Targinact
Repeated use of Targinact may lead to dependence and abuse which may result in life threatening overdose. If you have concern that you may become dependent on Targinact, it is important that you consult your doctor.
Sleep-related breathing disorders
Targinact can cause sleep-related breathing disorders such as sleep apnoea (breathing pauses during sleep) and sleep related hypoxemia (low oxygen level in the blood). The symptoms can include breathing pauses during sleep, night awakening due to shortness of breath, difficulties to maintain sleep or excessive drowsiness during the day. If you or another person observe these symptoms contact your doctor. A dose reduction may be considered by your doctor.
Tell your doctor if any of the above has ever applied to you in the past. Also, please tell your doctor if you develop any of the above disorders while you are taking these tablets. The most serious result of opioid overdose is respiratory depression (slow and shallow breathing). This may also cause blood oxygen levels to fall, resulting in possible fainting, etc.
You must swallow the prolonged-release tablet whole, so as not to affect the slow release of oxycodone hydrochloride from the prolonged-release tablet. Do not break, chew or crush the tablets. Taking broken, chewed or crushed tablets may lead to the absorption of a potentially lethal dose of oxycodone hydrochloride (see section 3 "If you take more Targinact than you should").
If you experience severe diarrhoea at the start of treatment, this may be due to the effect of naloxone. It may be a sign that bowel function is returning to normal. Such diarrhoea can occur within the first 3-5 days of treatment. If diarrhoea should persist after 3-5 days, or give you cause for concern, please contact your doctor.
If you have been using another opioid, withdrawal symptoms may occur when you initially switch to Targinact treatment, e.g. restlessness, bouts of sweating and muscle pain. If you experience such symptoms, you may need to be specially monitored by your doctor.
Tolerance, dependence and addiction
This medicine contains oxycodone which is an opioid medicine. Repeated use of opioid painkillers can result in the drug being less effective (you become accustomed to it, known as tolerance). Repeated use of Targinact can also lead to dependence, abuse and addiction, which may result in life-threatening overdose. The risk of these side effects can increase with a higher dose and longer duration of use. Your prescriber should have explained how long you will be taking it for and when it is appropriate to stop, how to do this safely.
Dependence or addiction can make you feel that you are no longer in control of how much medicine you need to take or how often you need to take it. You might feel that you need to carry on taking your medicine, even when it doesn't help to relieve your pain or severe restless legs syndrome.
The risk of becoming dependent or addicted varies from person to person. You may have a greater risk of becoming dependent or addicted on Targinact if:
If you notice any of the following signs whilst taking Targinact, it could be a sign that you have become dependent or addicted.
If you notice any of these signs, speak to your doctor to discuss the best treatment pathway for you, including when it is appropriate to stop and how to stop safely (See section 3, If you stop taking Targinact).
Tell your doctor in case you have cancer associated to peritoneal metastases or beginning bowel obstruction in advanced stages of digestive and pelvic cancers.
If you need to undergo surgery, please tell your doctors that you are taking Targinact.
Similar to other opioids, oxycodone may affect the normal production of hormones in the body such as cortisol or sex hormones, particularly if you have taken high doses for long periods of time. If you experience symptoms which persist, such as feeling or being sick (including vomiting), loss of appetite, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, changes in menstrual cycle, impotence, infertility or decreased sex drive, talk to your doctor as he/she may want to monitor your hormone levels.
This medicine may increase your sensitivity to pain particularly at high doses. Tell your doctor if this happens. A reduction in your dose or a change in your medicine may be necessary.
You may notice remnants of the prolonged-release tablet in your stools. Do not be alarmed, as the active substances (oxycodone hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride) have already been released in the stomach and gut and absorbed into your body.
These tablets are not suitable for withdrawal treatment.
Targinact should never be abused, particularly if you have a drug addiction. If you are addicted to substances such as heroin, morphine or methadone, severe withdrawal symptoms are likely if you abuse these tablets because they contain the ingredient naloxone. Pre-existing withdrawal symptoms may be made worse.
You should never misuse these tablets by dissolving and injecting them (e.g. into a blood vessel). In particular, they contain talc, which can cause destruction of local tissue (necrosis) and changes in lung tissue (lung granuloma). Such abuse can also have other serious consequences and may even be fatal.
The use of Targinact may produce positive results in doping controls.
The use of Targinact as a doping agent may become a health hazard.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
The risk of side effects increases, if you use antidepressants (such as citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine). These medicines may interact with oxycodone and you may experience symptoms such as involuntary, rhythmic contractions of muscles, including the muscles that control movement of the eye, agitation, excessive sweating, tremor, exaggeration of reflexes, increased muscle tension, body temperature above 38°C. Contact your doctor when experiencing such symptoms.
Concomitant use of opioids, including oxycodone hydrochloride and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs increases the risk of drowsiness, difficulties in breathing (respiratory depression), coma and may be life-threatening. Because of this, concomitant use should only be considered when other treatment options are not possible.
However, if your doctor does prescribe Targinact together with sedative medicines the dose and duration of concomitant treatment should be limited by your doctor.
Please tell your doctor about all sedative medicines you are taking and follow your doctor's dose recommendation closely. It could be helpful to inform friends or relatives to be aware of the signs and symptoms stated above. Contact your doctor when experiencing such symptoms. Examples of these sedatives or related medicines include:
If you take these tablets at the same time as you take other medicines, the effect of these tablets or the other medicine as described below may be changed. Tell your doctor if you are taking:
No interactions are expected between Targinact and paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid or naltrexone.
Drinking alcohol whilst taking Targinact may make you feel more sleepy or increase the risk of serious side effects such as shallow breathing with a risk of stopping breathing, and loss of consciousness. It is recommended not to drink alcohol while you're taking Targinact.
You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking these tablets.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
Use of these tablets should be avoided to the extent possible during pregnancy. If used over prolonged periods during pregnancy, oxycodone hydrochloride may lead to withdrawal symptoms in newborn infants. If oxycodone hydrochloride is given during childbirth, respiratory depression (slow and shallow breathing) may occur in the newborn infant.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment with these tablets. Oxycodone hydrochloride passes into breast milk. It is not known whether naloxone hydrochloride also passes into breast milk. Therefore, a risk for the suckling infant cannot be excluded in particular following intake of multiple doses of Targinact.
Targinact may affect your ability to drive or operate machines. In particular, this is likely at the start of Targinact therapy, after a dose increase or after switching from a different medication. However, these side effects disappear once you are on a stable Targinact dose.
Targinact has been associated with sleepiness and episodes of suddenly falling asleep. If you experience these side effects, you must not drive or operate machinery. You should tell your doctor if this occurs.
Ask your doctor whether you may drive or operate machines.
This medicine contains lactose (milk sugar). If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking these tablets.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Before starting treatment and regularly during treatment, your doctor will discuss with you what you may expect from using Targinact, when and how long you need to take it, when to contact your doctor, and when you need to stop it (see also if you stop taking Targinact).
Targinact is a prolonged-release tablet, which means that its active substances are released over an extended period. Their action lasts for 12 hours.
You must swallow the prolonged-release tablet whole, so as not to affect the slow release of oxycodone hydrochloride from the prolonged-release tablet. Do not break, chew or crush the tablets. Taking broken, chewed or crushed tablets may lead to the absorption of a potentially lethal dose of oxycodone hydrochloride (see section 3 "If you take more Targinact than you should").
Unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor, the usual dose is:
To treat pain
Adults
The usual starting dose is 10 mg oxycodone hydrochloride / 5 mg naloxone hydrochloride as prolonged release tablet(s) every 12 hours.
Your doctor will decide how much you should take every day and how to divide your total daily dosage into morning and evening doses. Your doctor will also decide on any necessary dose adjustments during treatment. Your dose will be adjusted according to your level of pain and individual sensitivity. You should be given the lowest dose needed for pain relief. If you have already been treated with opioids, Targinact treatment can be started at a higher dose.
The maximum daily dose is 160 mg oxycodone hydrochloride and 80 mg naloxone hydrochloride. If you need a higher dose, your doctor may give you additional oxycodone hydrochloride without naloxone hydrochloride. However, the maximum daily dose of oxycodone hydrochloride should not exceed 400 mg. The beneficial effect of naloxone hydrochloride on bowel activity may be affected if additional oxycodone hydrochloride is given without additional naloxone hydrochloride.
If you are switched from these tablets to another another opioid pain medication your bowel function will probably worsen.
If you experience pain between two doses of Targinact, you may need a rapid-acting painkiller. Targinact is not suitable for this. In this case, please talk to your doctor.
If you have the impression that the effect of these tablets is too strong or too weak, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
To treat restless legs syndrome
Adults
The usual starting dose is 5 mg oxycodone hydrochloride / 2.5 mg naloxone hydrochloride as prolonged-release tablet(s) every 12 hours.
Your doctor will decide how much Targinact you should take every day and how to divide your total daily dosage into morning and evening doses. He/she will also decide on any necessary dose adjustments during treatment. Your dose will be adjusted according to your individual sensitivity. You should be given the lowest dose needed to relieve your restless legs syndrome symptoms.
If you have the impression that the effect of Targinact is too strong or too weak, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
The maximum daily dose is 60 mg oxycodone hydrochloride and 30 mg naloxone hydrochloride.
To treat pain or restless legs syndrome
Elderly patients
In general, no dose adjustment is necessary for elderly patients with normal kidney and/or liver function.
Liver or kidney impairment
If you have an impairment of your kidney function or a mild impairment of your liver function, your attending doctor will prescribe these tablets with special caution. If you have a moderate or severe impairment of liver function, these tablets should not be used (see also Section 2 "Do not take Targinact ..." and "Warnings and precautions").
Children and adolescents below 18 years of age
Targinact has not yet been studied in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Its safety and effectiveness have not been proven in children and adolescents. For this reason, Targinact use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age is not recommended.
Oral use
Swallow these tablets whole (without chewing), with sufficient liquid (½ glass of water). You can take the prolonged-release tablets with or without food. Take the tablets every 12 hours, according to a fixed time schedule (e.g. at 8 o'clock in the morning and 8 o'clock in the evening). Do not break, chew or crush the prolonged-release tablets (see section 2 "Warnings and precautions").
In general, you should not take these tablets for any longer than you need to. If you are on long-term treatment, your doctor should regularly check whether you still need these tablets.
If you have taken more than the prescribed dose of these tablets you must inform your doctor immediately.
An overdose may result in:
In severe cases, loss of consciousness (coma), fluid on the lungs and circulatory collapse may occur, which may be fatal in some cases.
You should avoid situations which require a high level of alertness, e.g. driving.
Or if you take a dose lower than the one prescribed, you may not feel any effect.
If you forget to take your dose, please follow the instructions below:
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Do not stop your treatment without consulting your doctor.
If you do not require any further treatment, you must reduce the daily dose gradually after talking to your doctor. In this way, you will avoid withdrawal symptoms, such as restlessness, bouts of sweating and muscle pain.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you are affected by any of the following important side effects, consult your nearest doctor immediately. Slow and shallow breathing (respiratory depression) is the main danger of an opioid overdose. It mostly occurs in elderly and debilitated (weak) patients. Opioids can also cause a severe drop in blood pressure in susceptible patients.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Oxycodone can cause breathing problems (respiratory depression), reduction in size of the pupil in the eye, cramping of the bronchial muscles and cramping of the smooth muscles, as well as depression of the cough reflex.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Very common (may affect 1 in 10 people or more)
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Drug Withdrawal
When you stop taking Targinact, you may experience drug withdrawal symptoms, which include restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, agitation, anxiety, feeling your heartbeat (palpitations), increased blood pressure, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, shaking, shivering or sweating.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store this medicine in a locked safe and secure storage space, where other people cannot access it. It can cause serious harm and be fatal to people when it has not been prescribed for them.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton, label and blister, after "EXP...". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25°C.
Targinact 5/2.5 mg
Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substances are oxycodone hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride.
Targinact 5 mg/2.5 mg
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 5 mg oxycodone hydrochloride, equivalent to 4.5 mg oxycodone and 2.5 mg naloxone hydrochloride as 2.73 mg naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, equivalent to 2.25 mg naloxone.
Targinact 10 mg/5 mg
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 10 mg oxycodone hydrochloride, equivalent to 9 mg oxycodone and 5 mg naloxone hydrochloride as 5.45 mg naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, equivalent to 4.5 mg naloxone.
Targinact 20 mg/10 mg
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 20 mg oxycodone hydrochloride, equivalent to 18 mg oxycodone and 10 mg naloxone hydrochloride as 10.9 mg naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, equivalent to 9 mg naloxone.
Targinact 40 mg/20 mg
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 40 mg oxycodone hydrochloride, equivalent to 36 mg oxycodone and 20 mg naloxone hydrochloride as 21.8 mg naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, equivalent to 18 mg naloxone.
The other ingredients are:
Targinact 5 mg/2.5 mg
Tablet core:
Ethyl cellulose, stearyl alcohol, lactose monohydrate, talc, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropylcellulose
Tablet coat:
Polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolysed, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 3350, talc, brilliant blue FCF aluminium lake (E133)
Targinact 10 mg/5 mg
Tablet core:
Povidone K30, ethyl cellulose, stearyl alcohol, lactose monohydrate, talc, magnesium stearate
Tablet coat:
Polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolysed, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 3350, talc
Targinact 20 mg/10 mg
Tablet core:
Povidone K30, ethylcellulose, stearyl alcohol, lactose monohydrate, talc, magnesium stearate
Tablet coat:
Polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolysed, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 3350, talc, iron oxide red (E172)
Targinact 40 mg/20 mg
Tablet core:
Povidone K30, ethylcellulose, stearyl alcohol, lactose monohydrate, talc, magnesium stearate
Tablet coat:
Polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolysed), titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 3350, talc, iron oxide yellow (E172)
Targinact 5 mg/2.5 mg
Blue, oblong tablets, with a nominal length of 9.5 mm and with a film coating, embossed "OXN" on one side and "5" on the other side
Targinact 10 mg/5 mg
White, oblong tablets, with a nominal length of 9.5 mm and with a film coating, embossed "OXN" on one side and "10" on the other side.
Targinact 20 mg/10 mg
Pink, oblong tablets, with a nominal length of 9.5 mm and with a film coating, embossed "OXN" on one side and "20" on the other side.
Targinact 40 mg/20 mg
Yellow, oblong tablets, with a nominal length of 14 mm and with a film coating, embossed "OXN" on one side and "40" on the other side.
These tablets are available in blister packs of 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 98 and 100 or in a bottle with child-resistant closure containing 100 tablets.
Not all pack sizes and container types may be marketed.
This leaflet is also available in large print, Braille or as an audio CD. To request a copy, please call the RNIB Medicine Information line (free of charge) on:
0800 198 5000
You will need to give details of the product name and reference number.
These are as follows:
Product name: Targinact
Reference number: 16950/0162
This leaflet was last revised in May 2024.
® Targinact, NAPP and the 'NAPP' logo are registered trademarks.
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