Bayer Alka-Seltzer 20 effervescent tablets

Pain Reliever, Fever Reducer, Anti-Inflammatory
Properties:

• Relieves pain, has an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect
• neutralizing substances

field of use

The active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has an analgesic, fever-reducing and anti-inflammatory effect. The neutralizing substances contained in Alka-Seltzerâ effervescent tablets ensure good stomach tolerance. 

When are Alka-Seltzer effervescent tablets used?
Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate pain such as headaches, toothaches and period pains. For the relief of pain and fever associated with colds and flu-like infections.

If you do not feel better or worse after 3-4 days with pain and fever after 3 days, or if new symptoms appear (e.g. redness or swelling), you must consult a doctor as these can be signs of a serious illness.

Contraindications

Alka-Seltzer effervescent tablets must not be taken

• if you are allergic to the active substance acetylsalicylic acid, other salicylates or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
• if you have had an asthma attack or other hypersensitivity reaction to certain pain-relieving medicines - acetylsalicylic acid or substances with a similar mechanism of action (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in the past;
• of children under 1 year. Due to its indication, this medicine is not intended for children and therefore may only be given to children under 12 years of age if prescribed by a doctor.
• if you suffer from acute gastric and intestinal ulcers;
• if you have a history of bleeding or perforation of the stomach or intestines related to previous NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) therapy;
• if you have active gastrointestinal ulcers/bleeding or you have a history of bleeding, ulceration or perforation in the gastrointestinal tract;
• if you suffer from a pathologically increased tendency to bleed (haemorrhagic diathesis);
• if you suffer from severe liver dysfunction;
• if you suffer from severe renal impairment;
• if you suffer from severe heart muscle weakness (heart failure);
• if you take 15 mg or more methotrexate (medicine used to treat cancer or certain rheumatic diseases) per week at the same time;
• if you are also taking anticoagulants (medicines for “blood thinning”), if high doses of salicylates are used;
• in the last 3 months of pregnancy;
• if you suffer from hyperoxaluria (a type of disease with a tendency to form kidney stones).

interactions

The effect of the drugs or groups of preparations listed below can be influenced if they are treated with Alka-Seltzerâ effervescent tablets at the same time.

Combinations not allowed:

• If you are taking methotrexate (medicine used to treat cancer or certain rheumatic diseases) in doses of 15 mg/week or more, you must not take Alka-Seltzerâ - effervescent tablets.
• If you are taking anticoagulants (medicines for “blood thinning”), you must not take high doses of Alka-Seltzerâ effervescent tablets.

Combinations that require special care:

• Methotrexate in doses below 15 mg/week (drugs for the treatment of cancer or certain rheumatic diseases) - there is a risk of increased (side) effects of methotrexate.
• Anticoagulant medicines, blood clot-dissolving medicines/other medicines that prevent blood platelets from sticking and clumping together (platelet aggregation inhibitors)/medicines that inhibit hemostasis (haemostasis inhibitors) - bleeding may occur as a result of the increased effect. Alka-Seltzerâ - effervescent tablets may increase the risk of bleeding if taken before a treatment to dissolve blood clots. Therefore, you must be alert for signs of external or internal bleeding (e.g. bruising) if you are about to have this type of treatment. A medical check-up is absolutely necessary.
• Other analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/anti-inflammatory drugs) at high doses of acetylsalicylic acid: increased - 6 - risk of ulcers and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract; an overdose is also possible.
• Certain medicines used to treat depression (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding increases.
• Certain medicines for the treatment of heart muscle weakness and for the treatment of certain cardiac arrhythmias (digoxin): Enhancement of the effect up to an increased risk of side effects. Appropriate monitoring and, if necessary, dose adjustment by the doctor is recommended.
• Certain medicines for gout (e.g. probenecid, benzbromarone). Possible weakening of the effect of the gout medication. It is recommended to use another pain reliever.
• Drugs for diabetes (e.g. insulin, sulfonylureas): hypoglycaemia can occur due to increased effects. More frequent blood glucose self-monitoring is recommended.
• Certain medicines used to drain water and lower blood pressure (diuretics): there is a risk of severe kidney dysfunction. If taken at the same time, make sure you drink enough fluids. Certain diuretics (e.g. furosemide) can weaken the antihypertensive effect, which is why blood pressure checks are recommended.
• Medicines containing cortisone or cortisone-like substances (with the exception of products applied to the skin or hydrocortisone in cortisone replacement therapy for Addison's disease): increased risk of bleeding or ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Certain medicines for high blood pressure (antihypertensives) and/or cardiac muscle weakness (“ACE inhibitors”, aldosterone antagonists): there is a risk of severe kidney dysfunction, and the antihypertensive effect may be reduced. If taken at the same time, make sure you drink enough fluids. Blood pressure checks are recommended.
• Certain medicines for epilepsy (valproic acid): There is a risk of increased (side) effects of valproic acid.

Please also note that:
Higher doses of Alka-Seltzerâ effervescent tablets can change the results of laboratory tests, so tell your doctor about taking Alka-Seltzerâ effervescent tablets.

Taking Alka-Seltzer - effervescent tablets together with alcohol
Please avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with Alka-Seltzerâ - effervescent tablets, it could increase the side effects of the drug (risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, prolonged bleeding time).

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy:
First and second trimester of pregnancy:
During the first six months of pregnancy and if you wish to have children, you may only take AlkaSeltzer effervescent tablets after consulting your doctor. The dose should be kept as low and the treatment as short as possible.

Third trimester of pregnancy:
You must not take Alka-Seltzerâ - effervescent tablets during the last three months of pregnancy because of an increased risk of complications for mother and child. Due to the acetylsalicylic acid component, there is a risk of developmental disorders in the unborn child (maldevelopments in the circulatory system and/or kidney dysfunction up to kidney failure).
During birth, there may be increased bleeding in both mother and child and the birth process may be delayed/extended.

Breast-feeding:
The active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid and its breakdown products are excreted in small amounts in breast milk. With short-term use of Alka-Seltzerâ - effervescent tablets and low dose, interruption of breastfeeding will not be necessary. However, you should stop breastfeeding if you use it for a longer period of time or if you use higher doses.

Fertility :
Alka-Seltzerâ - effervescent tablets belong to a group of medicines (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that can impair fertility in women. This effect is reversible (reversible) after stopping the drug. 

application

Unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor, the usual dose is:

Adults and adolescents (from 12 years of age):
Single dose: 1 - 2 effervescent tablets (324 mg - 648 mg acetylsalicylic acid).
Daily dose: 3 - maximum 9 effervescent tablets (equivalent to 972 mg - 2.92 g acetylsalicylic acid).
The maximum daily dose of 3 g acetylsalicylic acid must not be exceeded.

Use in children (under 12 years of age):
Drugs containing ASA (such as Alka-Seltzerâ - effervescent tablets) may only be given to children under 12 years of age if prescribed by a doctor.
Alka-Seltzer - effervescent tablets are not suitable for children, since children's dosages are not possible with this dosage form.

How and when should you take Alka-Seltzer effervescent tablets?
For oral use after reconstitution.

Completely dissolve the effervescent tablets in a glass of water and drink. Do not take on an empty stomach.
A single dose can be taken at 4-8 hour intervals, up to 4 times a day, if needed.
As the tablets are sensitive to moisture, the airtight film should only be torn open immediately before the tablet is used.

Alka-Seltzer effervescent tablets should not be taken for longer than 3-4 days in the case of pain and for no longer than 3 days in the case of fever without a doctor's prescription. If pain or fever persists during this time or even worsens when new symptoms appear (eg redness or swelling), you must see your doctor as these can be signs of a serious illness.

side effects

Common:
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.

Uncommon:
Hypersensitivity reactions such as skin reactions. Reddening of the skin, hives (urticaria), itching.

Rare:
Hypersensitivity reactions of the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system, especially in asthmatic patients. Signs of a hypersensitivity reaction can be: drop in blood pressure, attacks of shortness of breath, life-threatening shock or swelling of the skin and mucous membranes.
Severe skin reactions such as rash with redness, blistering and peeling skin.
Gastrointestinal inflammation, gastrointestinal ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, which very rarely can lead to anemia due to iron deficiency.
Perforation of a gastrointestinal ulcer, especially in elderly patients.
Discontinue Alka-Seltzer effervescent tablets if you experience abdominal pain, blackening of the stool, vomiting blood or coffee grounds-like vomiting and inform the doctor immediately.

Rare to very rare:
Serious bleeding such as B. Cerebral haemorrhages, especially in patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure and/or concomitant treatment with anticoagulants, which can be life-threatening in individual cases, have been reported.

Very rare:
drop in blood sugar.
Acetylsalicylic acid reduces uric acid excretion in low doses. In vulnerable patients, this can potentially trigger a gout attack.

Not known:
anemia due to blood loss, red blood cell breakdown, anemia due to blood breakdown.
Drug hypersensitivity, allergic swelling and swelling of the skin and mucous membranes, severe allergic reaction up to life-threatening shock.
Cerebral hemorrhage and cranial hemorrhage.
Dizziness, headaches, impaired hearing, ringing in the ears and mental confusion can already be signs of an overdose. Shortness of breath due to heart disease.
Bleeding with prolonged bleeding such as nosebleeds, gum bleeding, skin bleeding, bleeding in the urinary and genital organs (urogenital tract), bleeding during and after operations, bruising or muscle bleeding. This effect can last for 4 to 8 days after you stop taking the Alka-Seltzer effervescent tablets.
Asthma, runny nose, stuffy nose.
Indigestion, gastrointestinal pain, upper abdominal pain.
Hepatic dysfunction, elevations in liver values. Sudden, reversible severe hepatotoxic episodes have been reported, particularly in patients with a history of liver damage and in patients with rheumatic diseases such as those with juvenile arthritis, rheumatic fever or systemic lupus erythematosus. (In these patients, the doctor will monitor liver function regularly).
Restriction of renal function, acute renal failure.
Swelling due to fluid retention, high blood pressure and heart failure have been reported with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment.

The use of medications such as Alka-Seltzer - Effervescent Tablets may be associated with a slightly increased risk of heart attack or stroke (particularly at high doses and during long-term treatment).

composition

The active substance is acetylsalicylic acid.
One effervescent tablet contains 324 mg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).
The other ingredients are sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, povidone 25, dimeticone, calcium silicate, docusate sodium, sodium benzoate, saccharin sodium, lemon flavor, lime flavor.