GEFFER EFFERVESCENT GRANULES 24 SACHETS OF 5 G

Name
Geffer effervescent granules


What is it and what is it for?
Geffer belongs to the therapeutic group of prokinetics (medicines that accelerate gastric emptying): it is a combination medicine intended for the treatment of disorders resulting from gastric hyperacidity (excess acid in the stomach), excessive eating, abnormal presence of air and gas in the stomach and digestive difficulties.
Geffer is used to treat the symptoms of hyperacidity (heart pain and burning), when accompanied by slow gastric transit (slow digestion), nausea, aerophagia and meteorism (conditions characterised by an abnormal accumulation of gas in the stomach or intestines which causes belching, tension and abdominal swelling).

Contact your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 3 days.


What you need to know before taking the medicine
Don't take Geffer
- if you are allergic to the active substances or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
- if you are pregnant or breast-feeding (see "Pregnancy and breast-feeding");
- if you are under 16 years of age (see "Children and adolescents");
- if you are taking medicines belonging to the group of anticholinergics (medicines that inhibit the effects of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter);
- in cases where stimulation of intestinal motility could prove dangerous, for example in the presence of gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, mechanical obstruction (blockage of the intestinal tract).

- If you suffer from one of the following diseases:
• glaucoma (an eye disease characterized by increased pressure in the eye),
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland),
• epilepsy,
• Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders (involuntary movement disorders),
• porphyria, a rare disease in which the activity of particular enzymes is altered,
• metabolic or respiratory alkalosis (conditions in which the blood pH reaches a value higher than normal),
• hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels).


Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Geffer.

If you are an elderly person, you should not exceed 3 consecutive days of treatment and you should stick to the minimum dosages indicated (see "How to take Geffer" and "Possible side effects").

Stop treatment and contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms while taking Geffer: high fever, high blood pressure, seizures, sweating, or saliva production. These may be signs of a disorder called neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

High doses or prolonged use of Geffer may cause metabolic or respiratory alkalosis (alterations in blood pH).

Consult your doctor before taking Geffer:
- if you suffer from hypokalaemia (low levels of potassium in the blood), because this medicine may worsen alkalosis;
- if you suffer from conditions that cause edema (fluid retention in the body) such as congestive heart failure and reduced kidney function;
- if you suffer from hyperaldosteronism (excessive production of the hormone aldosterone);
- if you suffer from kidney problems (renal failure).

Children and adolescents
Geffer should not be given to children under 16 years of age (see "Do not take Geffer").


Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Side effects due to the presence of metoclopramide in the medicine:
• Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- visual disturbances and involuntary deviation of the eye
• Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- hyperprolactinemia (increased blood levels of prolactin, a hormone secreted by the endocrine glands);
- menstrual cycle disorders;
- galactorrhea (milk secretion in males or in non-breastfeeding women);
- gynecomastia (breast development) in men;
- drowsiness;
- tiredness;
- dizziness;
- porphyria (a rare disease in which the activity of particular enzymes is altered);
- various types of extrapyramidal reactions, usually dystonic. These may include facial spasms, trismus (jaw spasm that prevents opening the mouth), and abnormal head posture; these reactions usually resolve within 24 hours of stopping treatment.

Hypertensive crises, sometimes with fatal outcome, have been reported in patients with pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland); therefore, the use of Geffer in these patients is contraindicated (see "Do not take Geffer").

Tardive dyskinesia (a severe extrapyramidal reaction characterized by involuntary body movements), potentially irreversible, has been reported in some elderly patients treated for prolonged periods; therefore, elderly patients should absolutely avoid therapies lasting more than 3 days.

• Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- high fever, high blood pressure, seizures, sweating, drooling. These may be symptoms of a disorder called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (see "Warnings and Precautions").
- Very high blood pressure

Side effects due to the presence of citrate salts in the medicine:
• Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
Digestive system disorders
Oral administration of excessive doses of citrate salts may have a laxative effect.

Effects due to the presence of sodium bicarbonate in the medicine:
• Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Decreased potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia), increased sodium levels in the blood (hypernatremia), metabolic alkalosis (symptoms may include shortness of breath, muscular effects such as weakness, muscle hypertonicity, involuntary contractions, muscle spasms, especially with reduced calcium levels, and effects on the central nervous system).

Following the instructions in the package leaflet reduces the risk of side effects.
These side effects are generally transient. However, if they occur, it is advisable to consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects
If you experience any side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system at: https://www.aifa.gov.it/content/segnalazionireazioni-avverse .
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.