What is Algifor Dolo forte Suspension, Sachets and when is it used?

Algifor Dolo forte Suspension contains the active ingredient ibuprofen. Ibuprofen has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and fever-reducing effects. Algifor Dolo forte is a preparation for use in adolescents 12 years of age and older and adults. Unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor, Algifor Dolo forte Suspension may only be administered for short-term treatment (i.e., a maximum of 3 consecutive days) for:

• the treatment of mild to moderate pain (headache, toothache, joint and ligament pain, back pain, pain after injuries)
• the symptomatic treatment of fever.

When should Algifor Dolo forte Suspension, Sachets not be taken?

Algifor Dolo forte Suspension should not be used in the following cases:

• if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or have ever experienced shortness of breath or allergy-like skin reactions after taking acetylsalicylic acid or other painkillers or anti-rheumatic drugs, so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• in the last third of Pregnancy;
• in case of active gastric and/or duodenal ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding;
• in case of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis);
• in case of severe impairment of liver or kidney function;
• in case of severe impairment of heart function;
• for the treatment of pain after coronary bypass surgery (resp. Use of a heart-lung machine);
• in children under 6 months or under 5 kg body weight;
• in cases of known sorbitol intolerance (fructose intolerance);
• in cases of varicella (chickenpox) infection.

When should caution be exercised when taking Algifor Dolo forte Suspension, Sachets?

During treatment with Algifor Dolo forte Suspension, mucosal ulcers, rarely bleeding, or in isolated cases perforations (perforations of the stomach or intestines) may occur in the upper gastrointestinal tract. These complications can occur at any time during treatment, even without warning symptoms. To reduce this risk, your doctor will prescribe the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible duration of treatment. Contact your doctor if you experience stomach pain and suspect it may be related to taking the medicine, or if you have an infection – see "Infections" below.

Certain painkillers, known as COX-2 inhibitors, have been shown to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke at high doses and/or with long-term treatment. This risk may also be slightly increased with Algifor Dolo forte Suspension at a high dose (2400 mg/day). However, no increased risk has been observed at the usual dose (maximum 1200 mg/day). If you have already had a heart attack, stroke, or venous thrombosis, the use of Algifor Dolo forte Suspension at high doses is no longer recommended. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment, and always inform your doctor if you have already had a heart attack, stroke, or venous thrombosis, or if you have risk factors (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood fat levels, smoking). Your doctor will decide whether you can still use Algifor Dolo forte Suspension and what dose is appropriate for you.

Taking Algifor Dolo forte Suspension may impair your kidney function, which may lead to increased blood pressure and/or fluid retention (edema). Inform your doctor if you have heart or kidney disease, if you are taking medication for high blood pressure (e.g., diuretics, ACE inhibitors), or if you are experiencing increased fluid loss, e.g., due to excessive sweating.

This medicine may impair your ability to react, drive, and operate tools or machinery! This is especially true if taken with alcohol.

Caution is advised in patients with a history of stomach or duodenal ulcers, impaired liver, kidney, or heart function, blood clotting disorders, and in patients who suffer or have suffered from asthma, chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa (chronic rhinitis), allergic diseases, or certain rheumatic diseases (lupus erythematosus or collagen vascular diseases).

Skin reactions

Serious skin reactions have been reported in association with treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The highest risk of such reactions appears to be at the beginning of therapy.

If you experience a skin rash, including fever, mucous membrane lesions, blisters, or other signs of allergy, you should stop treatment with Algifor Dolo forte and seek immediate medical attention, as these may be the first signs of a very serious skin reaction (see "What side effects can Algifor Dolo forte Suspension cause?").

Algifor Dolo forte should not be used if you have chickenpox.

Infections

Algifor Dolo forte may mask signs of infection such as fever and pain. Therefore, it is possible that Algifor Dolo forte may delay appropriate treatment of the infection, which may lead to an increased risk of complications. This has been observed in bacterial pneumonia and bacterial skin infections associated with chickenpox have been observed. If you are taking this medicine during an infection and your symptoms persist or worsen, consult a doctor immediately.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have recently been treated for an abortion.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are being treated with medicines such as blood thinners (e.g., low-dose acetylsalicylic acid), diuretics (water tablets), ACE inhibitors or β-blockers (medications for high blood pressure and heart failure), antibiotics, certain antifungal medicines (e.g., voriconazole or fluconazole), immunosuppressants (medications for transplant rejection), herbal Ginkgo biloba extract, medicines for high blood sugar, AIDS, epilepsy, and depression. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, and the medications listed above can interact. In particular, the cardioprotective effect of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid may be reduced during long-term treatment with Algifor Dolo forte Suspension.

Acetylsalicylic acid or other painkillers should not be taken concomitantly with ibuprofen, as the risk of side effects may be increased.

Concomitant alcohol consumption may intensify side effects, particularly those affecting the gastrointestinal tract or central nervous system.

Headaches may occur with prolonged use of painkillers. Do not treat these patients with an increased dose of the medicine, but inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Elderly patients

Elderly patients are more likely to experience side effects after using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly bleeding and perforations in the stomach and intestines. Therefore, elderly patients require particularly careful medical supervision.

This medicine contains 5000 mg sucrose per dose (10 ml). This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus. If you know that you have a sugar intolerance, please only take Algifor Dolo Forte after consulting your doctor.

This medicine contains 1000 mg sorbitol (E420) per 10 ml sachet of suspension. Sorbitol is a source of fructose. Talk to your doctor before you (or your child) take or receive this medicine if your doctor has told you that you (or your child) have an intolerance to some sugars or if you have been diagnosed with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI), a rare genetic condition in which a person cannot break down fructose.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 10 ml sachet, i.e., it is essentially "sodium-free."

This medicine contains 50.4 mg of alcohol (ethanol) per 10 ml dose, contained in the orange flavor. This amount is equivalent to less than 1.4 ml of beer or 0.6 ml of wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine has no noticeable effects.

This medicine contains 21 mg of benzoic acid/benzoate per 10 ml dose.

Inform your doctor, pharmacist, or druggist if you suffer from any other illnesses, have allergies, or are taking or applying other medicines (including those you have bought yourself!) externally.

Should Algifor Dolo forte Suspension, Sachets be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should only take Algifor Dolo forte after consulting your doctor, pharmacist, or druggist. You should not take Algifor Dolo forte unless this medicine is absolutely necessary and if it has been prescribed by your doctor. If taken during the first six months of pregnancy, the dose should be as low as possible and the duration of treatment as short as possible. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from the 20th week of pregnancy onwards can harm your unborn child. If you need to take an NSAID for longer than two days, your doctor may need to monitor the amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus and the heart rate of your unborn child.

Algifor Dolo forte should not be taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Algifor Dolo forte should not be taken while breastfeeding unless your doctor has specifically given you permission.

How do you use Algifor Dolo forte Suspension, Sachets?

The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration necessary to relieve symptoms. If you have an infection, consult a doctor immediately if symptoms (e.g., fever and pain) persist or worsen (see "When should caution be exercised when taking Algifor Dolo forte Suspension?").

Unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor, the following dosage generally applies to adults and adolescents 12 years and older:

Take 1 sachet (=10 ml) of Algifor Dolo forte with some liquid if necessary.

The sachet should be swallowed whole and cannot be divided.

Leave an interval of 4–6 hours between doses.

Maximum daily dose: Do not take more than 3 x 10 ml suspensions within 24 hours, unless prescribed by a doctor.

For pain during During menstruation, it is recommended to start treatment with 10 ml of Algifor Dolo forte at the first sign of symptoms. Do not use Algifor Dolo forte for longer than 3 days and only to treat the symptoms listed above. If symptoms worsen despite taking Algifor Dolo forte, or if the painful area becomes red or swollen, consult your doctor. A serious illness may be the cause.

Even if symptoms do not improve within 3 days at the latest, you should consult your doctor so that the cause can be determined. The 10 ml sachet must be shaken well for 10 seconds before use!

Algifor Dolo forte should preferably be taken on an empty stomach. Do not change the prescribed dosage on your own.

If you have taken more Algifor Dolo forte than you should, or if children have accidentally taken the medicine, always contact a doctor or hospital for risk assessment and advice on further treatment.

Symptoms may include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting (possibly with blood), headache, ringing in the ears, confusion, and eye tremors. At high doses, drowsiness, chest pain, palpitations, fainting, cramps (especially in children), weakness and dizziness, blood in the urine, chills, and breathing difficulties have been reported.

If you forget to take a dose, do not take more than the usual recommended amount the next time you take it.

If you think the medicine is too weak or too strong, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or druggist.

What side effects can Algifor Dolo forte Suspension, Sachets have?

The following side effects may occur when taking Algifor Dolo forte. They are listed in order of frequency:

Common (affects 1 to 10 in 100 patients)

• Gastrointestinal complaints such as indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, upper abdominal pain, flatulence, tarry stools, vomiting of blood, gastrointestinal bleeding
• Central nervous system side effects such as reduced reaction time (especially in combination with alcohol), headache, and dizziness
• Acute skin rash

Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 in 1000 patients)

• Inflammation of the nasal mucosa
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Insomnia, Feelings of anxiety
• You seedisorders (visual disturbances are usually reversible when treatment is discontinued)
• Ringing in the ears, hearing loss, dizziness
• Asthma, spasms of the muscles of the respiratory tract, and shortness of breath. In patients with heart failure, there is a risk of acute pulmonary edema (water lung).
• Fatigue

Rare (affects 1 to 10 in 10,000 patients)

• Aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the meninges)
• Sore throat, high fever, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck
• Allergic reactions, symptoms of lupus erythematosus (butterfly plexus), anemia.
• Depression, Confusional states
• Tingling of the skin, drowsiness
• Irreversible visual disturbances or visual impairment,
• Inflammation of the gastric mucosa, stomach and intestinal ulcers, ulcers of the oral mucosa, stomach and intestinal perforations
• Hepatitis, jaundice, liver dysfunction
• Hives, itching, bleeding into the skin, swelling of the skin and mucous membranes, sensitivity to light
• Various kidney diseases such as kidney dysfunction with fluid retention in the tissue up to kidney failure
• General swelling

Very rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 patients)

• Psychotic states
• Heart failure, Heart attack
• High blood pressure
• Pancreatitis
• Worsening of colitis or Crohn's disease
• Liver failure
• Severe allergic skin reactions with blisters and/or widespread skin peeling.

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

• At the start of treatment, a red, scaly, widespread skin rash with bumps under the skin and blisters accompanied by fever, primarily located on the skin folds, trunk, and upper extremities (acute generalized pustular exanthema). Stop using Algifor Dolo forte if you develop these symptoms and seek immediate medical attention. See also "When should caution be exercised when taking Algifor Dolo forte Suspension?"
• A severe skin reaction known as DRESS syndrome may occur. Symptoms of DRESS include rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and an increase in eosinophils (a type of white blood cell).

If you notice any side effects not listed here, please inform your doctor, pharmacist, or druggist. This applies in particular to side effects not listed in this package leaflet.

What else should I be aware of?

Shelf life

This medicine must only be used until the date marked "EXP" on the container.

Storage instructions

Algifor Dolo forte Suspension should be stored at room temperature (15–25°C).

Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

Further information

Your doctor, pharmacist, or druggist can provide you with further information. These people have access to the detailed product information.

What does Algifor Dolo forte Suspension, Sachets contain?

1 dose of 10 ml contains:

Active ingredients

400 mg ibuprofen

Excipients

Sucrose, sorbitol (E 420), xanthan gum, orange flavor (contains ethanol), sodium benzoate (E 211), sodium cyclamate, polysorbate 80, citric acid monohydrate, disodium edetate, purified water.

Marketing Authorization Number

65916 (Swissmedic).

Where can you get Algifor Dolo forte Suspension, Sachets? Which packages are available?

In pharmacies and drugstores, without a doctor's prescription.

10 sachets of 10 ml.

Marketing Authorization Holder

VERFORA SA, 1752 Villars-sur-Glâne.

This package leaflet was last reviewed by the Swiss Medicines Agency (Swissmedic) in June 2023.