Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Fomepizole for Injection
What is Fomepizole for Injection used for?
- Fomepizole for Injection is an antidote which is a medicine used to counter the effects of a poison.
- It is used as an antidote for ethylene glycol and methanol poisoning.
- Ethylene glycol or methanol poisoning can happen from swallowing substances like antifreeze, coolant or windshield washer fluid.
How does Fomepizole for Injection work?
Fomepizole for Injection blocks an enzyme in the body called alcohol dehydrogenase. This prevents it from breaking down ethylene glycol and methanol into their toxic forms that harm the body.
What are the ingredients in Fomepizole for Injection?
Medicinal ingredient: Fomepizole
Non-medicinal ingredients: None
Fomepizole for Injection comes in the following dosage forms:
Each 1.5 mL vial of Fomepizole for Injection contains 1.5 g of the medicinal ingredient fomepizole (1 g / mL).
Do not use Fomepizole for Injection if:
- you are allergic to fomepizole or other medicines called pyrazoles. An example of a pyrazole is celecoxib, a medicine use to treat pain. If you are not sure whether a drug is a pyrazole, ask your healthcare professional.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you receive Fomepizole for Injection. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you are:
pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
- breastfeeding since you should not breastfeed while taking Fomepizole for Injection.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Fomepizole for Injection:
- Alcohol.
Drugs that use a system called CYP450 in the body. If you are not sure whether a drug uses the CYP450 system, ask a healthcare professional. Some examples of these drugs are:
- Cimetidine, a medicine used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers.
- Ketoconazole, a medicine used to treat fungal infections.
- Phenytoin and carbamazepine, medicines used to control seizures.
How to take Fomepizole for Injection:
- Fomepizole for Injection will be given to you by a healthcare professional.
- It will be infused directly into your vein.
- It will be infused over 30 minutes.
- Follow all instruction given to you by your healthcare professional.
Usual dose:
Your doctor will determine the dose of Fomepizole for Injection that is right for you. They will also decide how many doses of Fomepizole for Injection you should get. Your doctor may decide to use Fomepizole for Injection alone or in combination with kidney dialysis.
Overdose:
What are possible side effects from using Fomepizole for Injection?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when receiving Fomepizole for Injection. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- abnormal smell
- back pain
- bad or metallic taste in your mouth
- blurred vision
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- dizziness, light-headedness
- facial flushing
- feeling anxious or nervous
- feeling drunk or hung-over
- fever
- headache
- heartburn
If you think you have received too much Fomepizole for Injection, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
- hiccups
- low blood pressure
- nausea, vomiting
- pain, redness and swelling at injection site
- rapid, involuntary eye movements
- rash
- roar in the ear
- sleepiness
- sore throat
- speech or visual disturbances
- stomach pain
- upset stomach
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
RARE Anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction): difficulty breathing, itching, skin rash or hives, swelling of your tongue or throat, warm red skin, wheezing. | ✓ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Storage:
Store at controlled room temperature (20 to 25 °C). Fomepizole for Injection vials are for single use only. Unused portions should be discarded.
Reporting Side Effects
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.
If you want more information about Fomepizole for Injection:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html); the manufacturer’s website (http://www.sterimaxinc.com) or by calling SteriMax Inc. at 1-800-881-3550.