Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Desflurane
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
DESFLURANE is an inhaled general anesthetic used during surgery.
What it does:
DESFLURANE maintains unconsciousness, muscle relaxation, and loss of sensation over the entire body while surgery is being performed.
When it should not be used:
- If you have been told that you are allergic to desflurane or other inhaled general anesthetics, or components of the container.
- If you have a history of liver inflammation (hepatitis) due to the use of an inhaled general anesthetic, or have experienced unexplained liver problems (for example jaundice with fever) after a previous use of an inhaled general anesthetic.
- If you or any member of your family has experienced a condition called malignant hyperthermia (a genetic disorder that causes rapid raise in body temperature) during an operation.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Desflurane, USP.
What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are: The finished product is composed solely of the active ingredient, desflurane, USP.
What dosage forms it comes in:
DESFLURANE is available as a volatile liquid that is 100% v/v in concentration.
Serious Warnings and Precautions
- DESFLURANE should only be administered by qualified individuals trained in general anesthesia in an adequately equipped facility;
- DESFLURANE may trigger a rise in blood potassium or body temperature. You may experience stiff muscles, changes in blood pressure, rapid breathing, a bluish colour to lips or fingers, rapid or irregular heart rate. Trained health care professionals will take care of you if this happens.
You should talk to your anaesthesia professional prior to surgery if you are aware of any of the following conditions:
- If you have been told that you are allergic to desflurane or other inhaled general anesthetics, or components of the container.
You are pregnant or could be pregnant.
- You are breast-feeding.
- You are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, even those not prescribed.
- You have previously had general anesthesia, particularly if repeated over a short period of time.
- You are suffering from any illness, other than those connected with your operation, such as diabetes, severe headaches, cancer, problems with your nerves or muscles (especially muscular dystrophy), nausea or vomiting.
- You or a member of your family suffers from malignant hyperthermia (a genetic disorder that causes rapid raise in body temperature).
- You suffer from a heart, liver, or kidney problem.
- If your child who needs anesthetics has asthma or has recently had an upper respiratory (airway) infection.
Recovery of consciousness following DESFLURANE administration generally occurs within minutes. As with other anesthetics, small changes in moods may persist for several days following administration.
Performance of activities requiring mental alertness, such as operating a motor vehicle or hazardous machinery, may be impaired for some time after general anesthesia. Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate hazardous machinery for at least 24 hours after having a general anesthetic.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN, AND WHAT TO DO WITH THEM
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Drugs that may interact with DESFLURANE include:
Other anesthetics, tranquillizers (e.g. benzodiazepines) and narcotics (e.g. opioids), nitrous oxide gas, muscle relaxants (e.g. pancuronium), beta blockers (e.g. to treat high blood pressure), Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO) inhibitors (e.g. to treat depression) and indirect-acting sympathomimetics (e.g. amphetamines, stimulants and appetite suppressants).
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
Your anesthetist will decide what dose of DESFLURANE you will receive. The dose will vary depending on your age, weight, and the type of operation that you are having.
You will receive another anesthetic to make you go to sleep before receiving DESFLURANE by inhalation.
Overdose:
This will be handled by the anesthetist.
In case of drug overdose (especially if you have accidentally come in contact with DESFLURANE on your skin, in your eyes, by swallowing it or by breathing it in), contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
After exposure to DESFLURANE, you should contact your physician or anesthesia professional if you have any of the following reactions:
Agitation
Difficulty breathing/choking/shortness of breath, wheezing
Decreased oxygen in your blood: shortness of breath, bluish colour to lips or fingers.
Elevated Rise in Blood Glucose, if measured
Heart Attack
High or low Blood Pressure
Bleeding
Slow, rapid or irregular Heartbeat
Dizziness
Jaundice: yellow colour to skin and eyes, dark urine
Mild to Severe Allergic reactions
Rash, hives, severe itching
Severe muscle pain or sore throat
Sudden fever with stiffness, pain and weakness in your muscles
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking DESFLURANE, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
DESFLURANE should only be administered in an adequately equipped facility. DESFLURANE must be kept out of reach and sight of children. Store upright between 15-25oC.
Side effects include headache, cough, nausea, vomiting, and excessive production of saliva.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Serious Drug Interactions
Tell your healthcare professional if you have muscular diseases (especially muscular dystrophy), and:
- You are taking potassium, and/or
- You have heart problems, especially irregular heart beats
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting
(https://www.canada.ca/en/
health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect- canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be obtained by contacting the sponsor, Blue-Zone Technologies Ltd., at 1-844-761-1224.
Concord, Ontario, Canada, L4K 3C1
Date prepared: April 16, 2020