Cisatracurium Besylate Injection (Pfizer Canada): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

ABOUT THIS MEDICATION

What the medication is used for:

CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION is used for providing muscle relaxation during surgery, or during other medical procedures. CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION is only used in conjunction with an anesthetic.

What it does:

CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION belongs to a group of medicines called neuromuscular blockers. It works by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, a chemical involved in muscle contraction. This relaxes muscles in the body before surgery or insertion of a breathing tube.

When it should not be used:

CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION should not be used in neonates (infants less that 1 month of age) or low birth-weight infants. Before surgery, be sure to tell all consulting physicians if you:

• are allergic to cisatracurium besylate;

• are allergic to any bis-benzylisoquinolinium agents; o are allergic to benzyl alcohol.

What the medicinal ingredient is:

cisatracurium besylate

What the non-medicinal ingredients are:

CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION also contains benzenesulfonic acid , benzyl alcohol, and water for injection.

What dosage forms it comes in:

CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION is available as an injection in vials of 2 mg/mL (10 mL multiple-dose vial).

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

BEFORE you use CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:

• You have difficulty with intubations
• You are susceptible to malignant hyperthermia o You have kidney or liver problems

• You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-

  feeding

  • You are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications or herbal medicines
  • You are allergic to cisatracurium besylate, other medications or substances (e.g., benzyl alcohol); o You have muscle weakness or partial paralysis on one side of the body or partial paralysis affecting the lower limbs (e.g., Lambert-Eaton syndrome, myasthenia gravis); o You have an electrolyte disturbance or acid-base imbalance or tissue wasting, or are debilitated;
  • You have had a burn injury requiring medical treatment.

CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION contains benzyl alcohol, which could be lethal to neonates (infants less than 1 month of age) and low birth-weight infants.

INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION

Drugs that may interact with CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION include:

• succinylcholine
• inhalation anesthetics (e.g., isoflurane, enflurane) o anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine) o antibiotics (e.g. aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, bacitracin, polymyxins, lincomycin)
• anti-arrhythmics (e.g., procainamide and quinidine) o lithium and magnesium salts
• local anesthetics

PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION

Usual dose:

CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION is a medicine that is given by injection. CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION will be administered by an anesthetist or other trained professional during surgery or other medical procedures. The dosage will vary according to many factors such as body weight, age and the duration of the procedure. It will be given to you once you are anesthetised (lost all awareness) for your surgery or procedure.

Overdose:

• Overdoses of CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE

  INJECTION lead to prolonged relaxation of the body’s muscles. This can be readily treated; however, this situation is unlikely to occur because CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION is only administered by an anesthetist or other trained doctor who will closely monitor your progress.

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

Like all medicines, CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION can cause uncommon side effects which include flushing; skin rashes, feeling agitated, increased cough, nausea, and vomiting.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ

Product Monograph - PrCisatracurium besylate Injection Page 32 of 32 After exposure to CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION,

you should contact your physician or anesthesia professional if you

have any of the side effects listed in the table below.

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking CISATRACURIUM BESYLATE INJECTION, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS

You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Report online at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html
• Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345

• Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:

  • Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or

  • Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program

    Health Canada

    Postal Locator 1908C Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect^™ Canada Web site at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html.

NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

MORE INFORMATION

This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be obtained by contacting the sponsor, Pfizer Canada Inc., at: 1-800-463-6001.

Pfizer Canada Inc.

Kirkland, Québec H9J 2M5

Last revised: November 07, 2017