Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Instillagel
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
Instillagel is used in adults and children 2 years of age and older when putting a tube or instrument into their urethra (the canal leading to the bladder). Instillagel is used:
- During insertion of a medical instrument into the urethra (cystoscopy)
- During insertion of a catheter
- During exploration by sound and other operations in the urethra
What it does:
Instillagel contains a local anesthetic (lidocaine) to prevent pain and an antiseptic (chlorhexidine) to reduce the risk of infection getting in, while lubricating to make the process smooth.
When it should not be used:
The gel should not be used if you:
- are below 2 years of age
- know that you are allergic or hypersensitive to these or any of the other ingredients, or to any other “-caine” type anesthetic. Please inform the healthcare professional who is going to use the gel if this applies to you.
What the medicinal ingredients are:
Lidocaine hydrochloride and chlorhexidine gluconate.
What the non-medicinal ingredients are:
Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol and Purified water.
What dosage forms it comes in:
The gel is available as a sterile syringe, in two package sizes - 6 mL and 11 mL.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Instillagel is for urethral use only and is not to be injected.
Before using Instillagel, tell your healthcare professional if:
- you have heart problems
- you have liver problems
- you have kidney problems
- you are epileptic
- you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to Instillagel, to another lidocaine or other medicine ending in “caine”, or to chlorhexidine or chlorhexidine-containing medicines or chlorhexidine-coated catheters.
- there is an infection, cut or rash at or near the area where you wish to apply Instillagel.
- you are in severe shock
- you have malignant hyperthermia (a hereditary condition)
if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding.
The gel should not be used if it is going to be in contact with damaged membranes.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Drugs that may interact with Instillagel include: some other local anesthetics, medicines used for treating irregular heartbeats, a medicine used for heart problems, an antibiotic and a medicine used for depression or obsessive compulsive disorder. These medicines are:
- Amiodarone
- Erythromycin
- Fluvoxamine
- Mexiletine
- Propranolol
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
The gel is available in two package sizes - 6 mL and 11 mL. Usually, the complete contents of the size suitable for the procedure will be used.
Adults: Do not use more Instillagel than the healthcare professional has recommended. A usual adult dose is one syringe of 11 mL, with possibly an additional syringe of 6 or 11 mL (for men) or one syringe of 6 mL (for women). During procedures, the healthcare professional may use as many as 4 syringes (a total of 39 mL) in one dose. Do not use more than 4 doses in a period of 24 hours.
Children (2 years of age and older): Your healthcare professional will instruct you on how much to give your child as the amount will vary depending on age and weight.
The product should start to work within 5-10 minutes of using it.
For self-catheterization: Follow these directions carefully. Clean the urethral area before using Instillagel. The syringe is removed from its sterile package by tearing off the backing paper. Before removing the cap from the end of the syringe, free the plunger by gently pressing it. Remove the cap. Insert the nozzle into the opening of the urethra and press the plunger slowly to push out the gel.
The syringe is for single use only. If the complete contents are not used, the syringe and remaining gel must be thrown away.
This medicine has been prescribed for your current medical problem only. Do not give it to other people.
Overdose:
Avoid contact with your eyes or ears. Numbness in the eyes may prevent you from noticing if you get something in the eye.
For symptoms of serious side effect please consult the table entitled “SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM”.
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Instillagel contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
|---|
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Like all medicines, Instillagel may have, in addition to its beneficial effects, some unwanted effects. You might feel a slight stinging just after the gel is used, but this stops as soon as the anesthetic starts to work. Most people find that there are no problems after the gel has been used, but of course there may be some soreness when the effect of the local anesthetic has worn off.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN 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 | Allergic reaction such as: Shortness of breath, feeling faint, chest pain, faster than usual heartbeat, not present before using this medicine. | ✓ | ||
| Very rare | Overdose: Drowsiness, numbness of your tongue, light-headedness, ringing in your ears, blurred vision, vomiting, dizziness, unusually slow heartbeat, fainting, nervousness, unusual sweating, trembling, or seizures. | ✓ | ||
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, tell your healthcare professional immediately.
If you feel that you have had any reaction to the gel, please tell your healthcare professional as soon as possible.
HOW TO STORE IT
The gel should not be used after the expiry date shown on the package. If you are asked to keep a package of gel for use at another time, store it 15°C to 25°C.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
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. |
MORE INFORMATION
If you want more information about Instillagel:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full prescribing information that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this leaflet by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html) or by calling 1-888-550-6060.
Last revised: February 19, 2025
lnstillagel® is the registered trademark of Farco-Pharma GmbH, 50670, Cologne, Germany