Uriben

How does it work?

Uriben suspension contains the active ingredient nalidixic acid, which is a type of medicine called a quinolone antibiotic. Antibiotics are used to treat infections with bacteria.

Nalidixic acid works by killing the bacteria that are causing an infection. It does this by entering the bacterial cells and inhibiting a bacterial enzyme called DNA-gyrase. This enzyme is involved in replicating and repairing the genetic material (DNA) of the bacteria. If this enzyme doesn't work, the bacteria cannot reproduce or repair themselves and this kills the bacteria.

Nalidixic acid reaches high levels in the urine and so is used mainly in the treatment of urinary tract infections.

What is it used for?

Bacterial infections of the bladder or tubes that pass urine

Warning!

Shake the bottle well before use.

Avoid exposing your skin to excessive sunlight, sunlamps or sunbeds while taking nalidixic acid, as it may increase the sensitivity of your skin to UV light. If you get a rash or other skin reaction on exposure to sunlight you should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor.

If you need to take this medicine for longer than two weeks your doctor may want to take blood tests to monitor your blood count and kidney and liver function.

This medicine may interfere with certain urine tests for glucose, causing the test to give a "false positive" result (ie, the test may say that glucose is present in the urine even if it is not). If you need to test your urine for glucose while taking this medicine you should ask your pharmacist for advice.

Quinolone antibiotics may rarely cause tendon inflammation (tendinitis) and tendon rupture. Elderly people and those taking corticosteroid medication are most at risk of this. You should stop taking this medicine immediately if you experience any pain or inflammation in your joints during treatment. Rest the affected limb(s) and consult a doctor immediately.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of this antibiotic medicine, even if you feel better or it seems the infection has cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the infection will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic.

Use with caution in

Children

Decreased kidney function

Liver disease

Lack of the enzyme G6PD in the blood (G6PD deficiency)

Abnormal muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)

Not to be used in

Infants under three months of age

Severely decreased kidney function

History of convulsions, eg epilepsy

Hereditary blood disorders known as porphyrias

History of tendon disorders caused by previous treatment with a quinolone-type antibiotic

Rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency (Uriben suspension contains sorbitol and sucrose)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy. This is because quinolone antibiotics have been shown to cause joint disease in immature animals and may therefore potentially have this effect in humans. There are usually safer alternative antibiotics available. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. It should be used with caution in women who are breastfeeding and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Avoid exposure of skin to direct sunlight or sun lamps.

Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.

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