الأدوية والمكملات الغذائية

Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

To use the Secuado® skin patch:

• This medicine should only be used on skin that is not irritated or injured. Do not put the patch in your mouth, chew it, or swallow it.
• Asenapine skin patches are packaged in sealed pouches. Do not cut open the foil pouch and remove the patch from the sealed pouch until you are ready to apply it.
• Apply the patch to a dry, flat skin area on your upper arm, upper back, abdomen, or hips. Choose a place where the skin is not very oily and is free of scars, cuts, burns, or irritation.
• Apply 1 patch to 1 application site every 24 hours. Rotate your application site every time you change a patch. Do not wear the patch longer than 24 hours.
• If the patch lifts or falls off after applying it, throw it away and apply a new patch in the same area.
• Do not shave the skin where you will apply the patch. You may cut the hair with a pair of scissors.
• Avoid bathing or swimming while wearing the patch. You may take a shower while using it.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For transdermal dosage form (skin patch):
  • For schizophrenia:
    • Adults—At first, 1 patch (containing 3.8 milligrams (mg) of asenapine) every 24 hours. After 1 week, your doctor may increase your dose as needed and tolerated.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed. Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

To dispose of the Secuado® patch, fold the patch in half with the sticky side inside. If the patch has not been used, take it out of the pouch and remove the liner that covers the sticky side of the patch before folding it in half. Ask your pharmacist about the best way to dispose of patches you do not use. Do not flush the pouch or the protective liner down the toilet. Put them in a trash can.