Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Sevoflurane (Blue-Zone Technologies)
Serious Warnings and Precautions
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What is SEVOFLURANE used for?
- SEVOFLURANE is used in adults and children to put them to sleep during surgery (general anesthesia).
How does SEVOFLURANE work?
SEVOFLURANE contains the medicinal ingredient sevoflurane which belongs to a group of medicines called general anesthetics. Sevoflurane is a liquid, that when put into a special machine becomes a gas. This gas mixes with the oxygen you will be breathing in during surgery. SEVOFLURANE works by temporarily reducing the activity of the body’s central nervous system. This causes a loss of consciousness, muscle relaxation and loss of sensation. This allows surgery to be carried out without pain or distress.
What are the ingredients in SEVOFLURANE?
Medicinal ingredient: sevoflurane Non-medicinal ingredient: none
SEVOFLURANE comes in the following dosage forms: volatile liquid: 99.9875% v/v
Do not use SEVOFLURANE if you:
- are allergic to sevoflurane or any other general anesthetic medicines.
- have had liver problems, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), unexplained fever, or certain types of inflammation reactions after having a general anesthetic.
- or a family member have had malignant hyperthermia (a serious, sometimes deadly, reaction to anesthesia where your body temperature becomes dangerously high and your muscles contract).
- have been told that you should not receive general anesthesia.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your anesthesia professional prior to surgery. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have difficulty with airway intubations (having a tube put down your throat to help you breathe).
- have kidney or liver problems.
- have heart problems.
- have a neuromuscular disease such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- have a history of seizures or fits.
- have a mitochondrial disorder.
are pregnant.
- are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed for 48 hours after receiving SEVOFLURANE.
Other warnings you should know about:
Once you have stopped receiving SEVOFLURANE you should regain consciousness within minutes. Like with other anesthetics, you might notice small changes in your mood. This might last for several days after you have had SEVOFLURANE. Talk to your healthcare professional if this becomes severe.
Pompe’s disease and Down syndrome: If your child has Pompe’s disease or Down syndrome it is important to let their healthcare professional know before they are given SEVOFLURANE.
Driving and using machines: Give yourself time after being given SEVOFLURANE to see how you feel before driving a vehicle or using machinery. It might take some time for you to become fully alert.
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 SEVOFLURANE:
alcohol
- benzodiazepines (a type of sedative)
- calcium antagonists (high blood pressure and heart medicine)
- isoniazid (an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis)
- non-selective MAO-inhibitors (a type of antidepressant)
- opioids (pain medicine)
Tell your healthcare professional if you have a history of drug interactions. Your healthcare professional will manage this according to your condition.
How to take SEVOFLURANE:
SEVOFLURANE will always be given to you by a healthcare professional trained in the administration of general anesthesia.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide on the dose that is right for you.
Overdose:
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have been given too much SEVOFLURANE, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
What are possible side effects from using SEVOFLURANE?
These are not all the possible side effects you or your child may have after being given SEVOFLURANE. If you or your child experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects when you wake up may include:
- feeling agitated
- increased cough
- nausea
- vomiting
- chills
- dizziness
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 | ||
| VERY COMMON | |||
| Low blood pressure: dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness (may occur when you go from lying or sitting to standing up) | √ | ||
| COMMON | |||
| Heart rate problems: change in heartbeat (slow or fast) | √ | ||
| High blood pressure: headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath | √ | ||
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 | ||
| UNCOMMON | |||
| Breathing problems: difficulty breathing/choking, wheezing | √ | ||
| High blood sugar: frequent urination, thirst, and hunger | √ | ||
| UNKNOWN | |||
| Allergic reaction: rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing | √ | ||
| Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite | √ | ||
| Malignant hyperthermia: sudden fever, stiffness, pain and weakness in the muscles | √ | ||
| Seizures or fits | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
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.
Storage:
SEVOFLURANE will be stored by your healthcare professional.
If you want more information about SEVOFLURANE:
- 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/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website (https://www.blue-zone.ca), or by calling 1-844-761-1224.