What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Corbeton.
It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Corbeton against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Corbeton is used for
Corbeton is used to:
- lower high blood pressure, also called hypertension
- manage angina
- treat an irregular heart beat (arrhythmia).
Hypertension
Everyone has blood pressure. This pressure helps get your blood all around your body. Your blood pressure may be different at different times of the day, depending on how busy or worried you are. You have hypertension (high blood pressure) when your blood pressure stays higher than is needed, even when you are calm and relaxed.
There are usually no symptoms of hypertension. The only way of knowing that you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. You may feel fine and have no symptoms, but eventually hypertension can cause stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.
Angina
Angina is a pain or uncomfortable feeling in the chest, often spreading to the arms or neck and sometimes to the shoulders and back. This may be caused by too little blood and oxygen getting to the heart. The pain of angina is usually brought on by exercise or stress but it can also happen while you are resting. Corbeton is used in the management of angina but not to treat an attack of angina once it starts.
Irregular heart beat
Irregular heartbeat, also known as arrhythmia, means that there is a disturbance of the normal rhythm or beat of the heart. Arrhythmias may be caused by a number of factors, including some heart diseases, an overactive thyroid gland, or chemical imbalances. Corbeton helps to restore the normal rhythm of the heart.
Corbeton belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. It works by affecting the body's response to certain nerve impulses, especially in the heart. As a result, it decreases the heart's need for blood and oxygen and reduces the amount of work that the heart has to do. It also widens the blood vessels in the rest of the body, causing blood pressure to fall. Corbeton also helps the heart to beat more regularly.
Corbeton can be used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat your condition.
Your doctor may have prescribed Corbeton for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Corbeton has been prescribed for you.
Corbeton is not recommended for use in children, as there is not enough information on its effects in children.
Corbeton is available only with a doctor's prescription.
There is no evidence that Corbeton is addictive.
Before you take Corbeton
When you must not take it
Do not take Corbeton if you are allergic to medicines containing oxprenolol, or any other beta-blocker medicine, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, wheezing or shortness of breath.
Do not take Corbeton if you have:
- asthma, wheezing or difficulty breathing, or a history of any of these lung problems
- a history of allergic problems, including hayfever
- a very slow heart beat, less than 45 to 50 beats per minute
- certain other heart conditions, eg. heart failure, heart block.
Do not take Corbeton if the expiry date (Exp.) printed on the pack has passed.
Do not take Corbeton if the packaging shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to:
- any other medicines
- any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
- bee or wasp stings.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Corbeton may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Corbeton during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed.
Corbeton passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Like most beta-blocker medicines, Corbeton is not recommended while you are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you have, or have had, any medical conditions, especially the following:
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- an overactive thyroid gland
- certain types of angina, such as Prinzmetal angina or variant angina
- any other heart problem
- a severe blood vessel disorder causing poor circulation in the arms and legs
- phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland).
Your doctor may want to take special care if you have any of these conditions.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Corbeton.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by Corbeton, or may affect how well it works. These include:
- other beta-blocker medicines, including eye drops
- calcium channel blockers, medicines used to treat high blood pressure and angina, e.g. verapamil, diltiazem
- certain medicines used to treat an irregular heartbeat, eg. disopyramide, quinidine, amiodarone
- digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure
- other blood pressure medication, eg. clonidine
- diuretics, also known as fluid tablets
- insulin and other medicines used to treat diabetes
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors, medicines used to treat depression.
Your doctor can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
If you are not sure whether you are taking any of these medicines, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Corbeton.
How to take Corbeton
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the bottle, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day and when to take them. This depends on your condition, and whether or not you are taking any other medicines. Your doctor may increase your dose slowly, depending on how you respond to this medicine
For high blood pressure, the usual starting dose is 40 mg to 80 mg twice a day. The maximum dose is 320 mg per day.
For angina, the usual starting dose is 20 mg to 40 mg three times a day. The maximum dose is 320 mg per day.
For irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), the usual starting dose is 20 mg, taken two or three times a day. The maximum dose is 80 mg per day.
Patients with kidney problems may need smaller doses.
How to take Corbeton
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
When to take Corbeton
Take Corbeton at about the same time each day.
This will have the best effect and also help you remember when to take it.
Take the doses at evenly spaced times.
Corbeton can be taken with or without food.
How long to take Corbeton for
Keep taking Corbeton for as long as your doctor recommends.
Corbeton helps control your condition, but does not cure it, so it is important to take it every day, even if you feel well.
Do not stop taking Corbeton without checking with your doctor.
Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of Corbeton you are taking before stopping completely. This may reduce the possibility of your angina worsening or causing other heart problems.
If you forget to take Corbeton
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 the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you are not sure what to do or have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much Corbeton (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Corbeton. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much Corbeton, you may feel dizzy or faint, have a slow heart beat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
While you are taking Corbeton
Things you must do
Before starting any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Corbeton.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Corbeton.
If you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery, that needs an anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Corbeton.
If you become pregnant while taking Corbeton, tell your doctor.
If you have an allergic reaction to a food, another medicine or an insect sting while you are taking Corbeton, tell your doctor immediately.
If you have a history of allergies, there is a chance that Corbeton may make allergic reactions worse or harder to treat.
If you are being treated for diabetes, make sure you check your blood sugar levels regularly and report any problems to your doctor.
Corbeton may change how well your diabetes is controlled. It may also prevent some of the warning signs of low blood sugar, such as fast heart beat, and may make an episode of low blood sugar last longer. The dose of your diabetes medicines may need to be changed.
Visit your doctor regularly so they can check on your progress.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking Corbeton, or change the dose, without checking with your doctor.
Stopping Corbeton suddenly may worsen your angina or irregular heart beat, or cause other heart problems. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of Corbeton you are taking before stopping completely.
Do not let yourself run out of Corbeton over the weekend or on holidays.
Do not use Corbeton to treat any other conditions unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give Corbeton to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Corbeton affects you.
Corbeton may cause tiredness, dizziness, and lightheadedness in some people. If any of these occur, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Be careful getting up from a sitting or lying position.
Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting is not common but may occur due to low blood pressure, especially when you get up quickly. Getting up slowly may help.
Make sure you drink enough water in hot weather and during exercise when you are taking Corbeton, especially if you sweat a lot.
If you do not drink enough water while taking Corbeton, you may feel faint or lightheaded or sick. This is because your blood pressure is dropping suddenly. If you continue to feel unwell, tell your doctor.
Be careful to dress warmly during cold weather, especially if you will be outside for a long time.
Like other beta-blocker medicines, Corbeton may make you more sensitive to cold temperatures, especially if you have problems with your blood circulation. These medicines tend to decrease blood circulation in the skin, fingers and toes.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Corbeton.
Like all other medicines, Corbeton may have unwanted side effects in some people. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- tiredness, lack of energy
- dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up quickly
- headache
- nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, diarrhoea
- indigestion, stomach pain
- difficulty sleeping, vivid dreams, nightmares.
The above list includes the more common side effects of Corbeton. They are usually mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- wheezing, coughing, difficulty in breathing
- numbness, coldness or pain in the arms or legs
- chest pain, changes in heart rate (fast, slow or irregular), palpitations
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- joint pains
- red, itchy skin
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing..
The above list includes serious side effects which require medical attention or hospitalisation. Serious side effects are rare or not common.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
After taking Corbeton
Storage
Keep Corbeton where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep your tablets in the bottle until it is time to take them.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 °C.
Do not store Corbeton or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave Corbeton in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Corbeton, or your tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Corbeton comes in 2 strengths of tablets:
- Corbeton 20 - round, white, scored tablet marked OL over 20 on one side and a Greek alpha symbol on the reverse.
- Corbeton 40 - round, white, scored tablet marked OL over 40 on one side and a Greek alpha symbol on the reverse.
Each bottle contains 100 tablets.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Corbeton is oxprenolol hydrochloride. Each Corbeton tablet contains 20 mg or 40 mg of oxprenolol hydrochloride.
The tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients:
- calcium phosphate
- microcrystalline cellulose
- lactose anhydrous
- pregelatinised maize starch
- purified talc
- sodium starch glycollate
- magnesium stearate
- hypromellose
- diethyl phthalate.
The tablets are gluten free.
Manufacturer
Corbeton is made in Australia by:
Alphapharm Pty Limited
(ABN 93 002 359 739)
Chase Building 2
Wentworth Park Road
Glebe NSW 2037
Phone: (02) 9298 3999
Medical Information
Phone: 1800 028 365
Australian registration numbers:
Corbeton 20 - Aust R 17591
Corbeton 40 - Aust R 17592
This leaflet was prepared on
5 November 2001.