Suscard Buccal Tablets

rd Buccal Tablets are designed to be held under the upper lip. Place the tablet high up between the upper lip and the gum, to either side of the front teeth. 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 into position, 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.
• 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.

What’s the dose?

• 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 pain occurs.
• If you experience pain when attempting certain activities, such as gardening or playing golf, or in 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 your existing angina medicine.
• 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 to 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.

Could it interact with other tablets?

• 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?
• If the answer is 'YES' to any of these questions and your doctor is not aware - do not use Suscard Buccal Tablets - but tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Herbal products should also only be taken after talking with your doctor.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

All medicines sometimes cause side-effects. Suscard Buccal Tablets may occasionally cause:

• headache
• dizziness
• flushing of the face or skin
• 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. Suscard Buccal Tablets may also cause blisters inside the mouth and on the tongue. 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 chance 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.

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

Alcohol along with Suscard can result in very low blood pressure and so should be avoided.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

This product should not be used during pregnancy and in women breast feeding infants, unless considered essential by the doctor.

 

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublabial_administration

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/heart-and-blood/a8405/suscard-tablets-discontinued-in-the-uk-february-2013/

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/15565