1. What Winex is and what it is used for

Winex contains a medicine called cefixime. This belongs to a group of antibiotics called ‘cephalosporins’. Winex is used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

These include infections of the:

- Ear.

- Nose, sinuses (such as sinusitis).

- Throat (such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis).

- Chest and lungs (such as bronchitis, pneumonia).

- Urinary system (such as cystitis and kidney infections).

2. Before you take Winex

Do not take Winex

Tell your doctor:

If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to cefixime, any other cephalosporin antibiotics including penicillin or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

Signs of an allergic reaction include: A rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of the lips, face, throat and tongue.

Do not take this medicine if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or your pharmacist before taking Winex.

Take special care with Winex

Check with your doctor or your pharmacist before taking this medicine if:

- You have ever had colitis.

- You have severe kidney problems.

- Your child is under 6 months.

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.

Taking other medicines

Please tell your doctor or your pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines.

This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Winex can affect the way some other medicines work.

Also some medicines can affect the way Winex works.

In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking the following:

- Medicines to thin the blood such as warfarin.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if:

- You are pregnant, might become pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

- You are breast-feeding or planning to breast feed.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Tests

If you require any tests (such as blood or urine tests) while taking this medicine, please make sure your doctor knows that you are taking Winex.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Winex Oral Suspension

Winex Oral Suspension contains:

Sucrose: This is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate or digest some sugars talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to take Winex

Taking this medicine

Always use Winex exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

- Take this medicine or give it to your child by mouth.

- The amount of Winex Oral Suspension given will depend on the weight and age of your child.

- Winex Oral Suspension comes with a measuring spoon. Use this spoon to give your child the medicine.

- The dose can be given in one go or the dose can be divided into two and given at different times. I

- f you feel the effect of the medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor.

Carefully read the label from the pharmacist. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure about the dose to take. The medicine should be taken for the prescribed number of days.

How much to take

The usual dose is:

Adults, Elderly and Children over 10 years or weighing more than 50 kg

- (1-2) capsules each day given as a single or divided dose or 10 ml to 20 ml each day, depending on the infection.

Children 5 to 10 years old

- 10 ml each day.

Children 1 to 4 years old

- 5 ml each day.

Children 6 months to 1 year old

- 3.75 ml each day.

People with kidney problems

- Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose.

Reconstitution of the Oral Suspension:

Add water up to the red line marked on the label.

Shake well then readjust the volume with water.

Shake well before using.

If you take more Winex than you should

If you have too much of this medicine, talk to your doctor straight away.

If you forget to take Winex

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Winex

Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor. You should not stop taking Winex just because you feel better. This is because the infection may come back or get worse again.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Winex can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Tell your doctor straight away or go to the nearest hospital casualty department if you notice any of the following serious side effects, you may need urgent medical treatment:

- You have an allergic reaction. The signs may include: A rash, joint pain, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.  

- Blistering or bleeding of the skin around the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. Also flu-like symptoms and fever. This may be something called ‘Stevens-Johnson syndrome’.

- Severe blistering rash where layers of the skin may peel off to leave large areas of raw exposed skin over the body. Also a feeling of being generally unwell, fever, chills and aching muscles. This may be something called ‘Toxic epidermal necrolysis’.

- You have a skin rash or skin lesions with a pink/red ring and a pale centre which may be itchy, scaly or filled with fluid. The rash may appear especially on the palms or soles of your feet. These could be signs of a serious allergy to the medicine called ‘erythema multiforme’.

- You get infections more easily than usual. This could be because of a blood disorder. This normally gets better after stopping the medicine. You bruise or bleed more easily than normal. This could be because of a blood disorder. This normally gets better after stopping the medicine.

Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor without delay if you get:

- Severe watery diarrhea that will not stop and you are feeling weak and have a fever. This may be something called ‘Pseudomembranous colitis’.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get serious or lasts longer than a few days.

- Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting).

- Stomach pains, indigestion or wind.

- Headaches. Feeling dizzy.

- Feeling itchy in the genital or vaginal area.

Tell your doctor if any of the side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet. Blood tests

Winex can cause blood clots or small changes to the way the liver and kidney work. This would be shown up in blood tests. This is not common and goes back to normal after stopping this medicine.

If you think you are reacting badly to the medicine or having any problems, then discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.

5. How to store Winex

Keep out of reach of children.

Winex Capsules: Store below 30°C.

Winex Oral Suspension: Store below 25°C.

After reconstitution, the suspension may be kept for 14 days either at room temperature, or under refrigeration, without significant loss of potency.

Keep tightly closed.

Do not use beyond the expiry date or if the product shows any sign of deterioration.