Patient leaflet - Monuril, Fosfomycin 3 g granules
1. What Monuril is and what it is used for
Monuril contains the active substance fosfomycin (as fosfomycin trometamol). It is an antibiotic that works by killing bacteria which can cause infections.
Monuril is used to treat uncomplicated infection of the bladder in women and female adolescents.
Monuril is used as antibiotic prophylaxis for transrectal prostate biopsy in adult man.
2. What you need to know before you take Monuril
Do not take Monuril if you:
- ‒ are allergic to fosfomycin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Monuril if you suffer from one of the following disorders:
- ‒ persistent infections of the bladder,
- ‒ previously had diarrhoea after taking any other antibiotics.
Conditions you need to look out for
Monuril can cause serious side effects. These include allergic reactions and an inflammation of the large intestine. You must look out for certain symptoms while you are taking this medicine, to reduce the risk of any problems. See “Serious side effects” in Section 4.
Children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children less than 12 years of age, as its safety and efficacy have not been established in this age group.
Other medicines and Monuril
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
This is especially important if you are taking:
- ‒ metoclopramide or other medicinal products that increase the movement of food through the stomach and intestines, because they may reduce the uptake of fosfomycin by your body,
‒ anticoagulants, as their ability to prevent your blood from clotting might be altered by fosfomycin and other antibiotics.
Monuril with food
Food may delay the absorption of fosfomycin. Therefore, this medicinal product should be taken on an empty stomach (2-3 hours before or 2-3 hours after a meal).
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 or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
If you are pregnant your doctor will only give you this medicine when it is clearly needed.
Breast-feeding mothers can take a single oral dose of this medicine.
Driving and using machines
You may experience side effects, such as dizziness, which may affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Monuril contains
Sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per sachet that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
Sucrose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Sulfites
May rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm.
3. How to take Monuril
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
In case of treatment of uncomplicated infection of the bladder, in women and female adolescents, the recommended dose is 1 sachet of Monuril (3 g Fosfomycin).
When used as antibiotic prophylaxis for transrectal prostate biopsy, the recommended dose is 1 sachet of Monuril (3 g fosfomycin) 3 hours prior to the procedure and 1 sachet of Monuril (3 g fosfomycin) 24 hours after the procedure.
Use in patients with renal impairment
This medicine should not be used in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinin clearance < 10 ml/min).
Use in children and adolescents
This medicine should not be used in children less than 12 years of age.
Method of administration
For oral use.
Take this medicine by mouth, on an empty stomach (2-3 hours before or 2-3 hours after a meal), preferably before going to bed after emptying the bladder.
Dissolve the content of one sachet in a glass of water and drink immediately.
If you take more Monuril than you should
If you accidentally take more than your prescribed dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Serious side effects
While taking Monuril, if you develop any of the following symptoms you should stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately:
- ‒ anaphylactic shock, a life threatening type of allergic reaction (the frequency is unknown). Symptoms include a sudden onset of rash, itching or hives on the skin and or shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty in breathing,
- ‒ swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat with breathing difficulties (angioedema) (the frequency is unknown),
- ‒ moderate to severe diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, bloody stools and/or fever may mean that you have an infection of the large intestine (antibiotic-associated colitis) (the frequency is unknown). Do not take medicines against diarrhoea that inhibit the bowel movements (antiperistaltics).
Other side effects
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- ‒ headache
- ‒ dizziness
- ‒ diarrhoea
- ‒ nausea
- ‒ indigestion
- ‒ abdominal pain
- ‒ infection of the female genital organs with symptoms like inflammation, irritation, itching (vulvovaginitis).
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- ‒ vomiting
- ‒ rash
- ‒ urticaria
- ‒ itching
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- ‒ allergic reactions.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Monuril
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after <EXP>. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Keep sachet in the outer carton.
Store away from direct sunlight.
Use immediately after reconstitution.
If the granules become discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, consult your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Monuril contains
- ‒ The active substance is fosfomycin. Each sachet contains fosfomycin trometamol equivalent to 3 g of fosfomycin.
- ‒ The other ingredients are saccharin, sucrose, orange flavour (contains maize starch and sulfites (E 220 and E 222)), mandarin flavour (contains sucrose and sulfites (E 220 and E 222)) (see section 2 for information on sucrose and sulfites).
What Monuril looks like and contents of the pack
Monuril is a white granular powder with a characteristic citrus odour.
Monuril is available in packs of 1, 2 or 5 sachets containing 8g of granules for oral solution in a single dose sachet.
PLGB: 15814/1866 POM
Manufactured by Zambon S.p.A., Via della Chimica, 9, 36100 Vicenza, Italy.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder: O.P.D. Laboratories Ltd., Unit 6 Colonial Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4PR.
Leaflet revision and issue date (Ref.): 07.02.2022.
Monuril is a trademark of Zambon S.p.A., Italy.
To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call 01923 332 796.