Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Vecuronium Bromide for Injection
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
Vecuronium Bromide For Injection is used as part of the general anesthetic. It relaxes muscles during an operation, including cesarean section. It can also be used to ease mechanical ventilation which helps you breathe.
What it does:
Vecuronium Bromide For Injection blocks the nerve impulses to move your muscles. Because the muscles needed for breathing also become relaxed, you will need help breathing (mechanical ventilation) during and after your operation until you can breathe on your own. At the end of surgery, the effects of Vecuronium Bromide For Injection will wear off so you can start breathing on your own.
When it should not be used:
if you have had an allergic reaction to vecuronium, to
bromide or any of the other ingredients in Vecuronium Bromide For Injection.
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
in newborns less than 1 month of age. Vecuronium Bromide
For Injection when reconstituted with bacteriostatic water for injection contains benzyl alcohol, a preservative that has been associated with fatal complications including "gasping syndrome" in premature infants.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Vecuronium bromide.
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Citric acid anhydrous, mannitol, sodium phosphate dibasic. May also contain phosphoric acid and/or sodium hydroxide.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Vials of 10 mg and 20 mg.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Serious Warnings and Precautions
As for all drugs used during an operation, this drug should be administered only in a facility prepared to give resuscitation and life support by adequately trained health care professionals familiar with its actions, characteristics, and hazards.
Your medical history can influence the way that Vecuronium Bromide For Injection is given to you.
BEFORE you receive Vecuronium Bromide For Injection talk to your doctor if you have:
- myasthenia gravis or myasthenic (Eaton-Lambert) syndrome or other neuromuscular diseases.
- cancer, particularly lung cancer
- a decreased kidney function or kidney disease
- a heart disease or heart valve disease
- severe obesity,
- have a recent burn
- pulmonary hypertension or lung disease
- oedema (fluid retention for example at the ankles)
- recent, severe vomiting, diarrhea, and “water pill” use
- a liver or gallbladder disease or decreased liver function
- diseases affecting nerves or muscles
- an allergy to muscle relaxants
- a history or family history of malignant hyperthermia (very high body temperature with increased breathing heart rate, and stiff muscles)
Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, as they may influence how Vecuronium Bromide For Injection works.
Driving and Using Machines
Your doctor will inform you when it is safe to drive and operate potentially dangerous machinery after you have been administered Vecuronium Bromide For Injection.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
It is very important to tell your doctor about any medications you may be taking including medicines obtained without a prescription. This will help your doctor to decide the correct dose of Vecuronium Bromide For Injection for you.
Be sure to tell about any antibiotics and medications for diseases which lead to electrolyte imbalance such as adrenal cortical insufficiency or medication to counter electrolyte imbalance such as magnesium salts.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
The dose given is decided by the doctor based on the clinical need and your physical condition.
Only an adequately trained health care professional may give Vecuronium Bromide For Injection.
Overdose:
As medical personnel will be monitoring your condition during the procedure it is unlikely that you will be given too much Vecuronium Bromide For Injection. However, if this happens artificial
respiration will be continued until you are able to breathe again on your own. It is possible to counteract the effects of (too much) Vecuronium Bromide For Injection and speed-up your recovery by giving you a drug that reverses the effects of Vecuronium Bromide For Injection.
Vecuronium Bromide For Injection will be given under the supervision of a qualified physician who will manage your condition in the event of an overdose.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Like all medicines, Vecuronium Bromide For Injection can have side effects. Your anaesthetist or intensive care doctor will care for you if any of the following side effects or any other undesirable events occur.
For the following serious side effects, you must seek immediate emergency medical treatment.
Allergic reactions (rash, swelling of the face, throat, lips,
difficulty breathing).
- Feeling cold and/or clammy
- Difficulty breathing/choking/wheezing
- Muscle weakness or paralysis
- Rapid or slow heart beat
Sudden fever with stiffness, pain and weakness in your
muscles
- Seizure/seizure-like activity
For the following serious side effects, call your doctor or pharmacist.
- Dizziness especially upon standing up quickly
- Lowering of blood pressure if measured
- Severe itching
- Jaundice/yellowing of the skin/eyeballs
- Problems with your vision
- Excessive salivation (drooling)
- Skin rash
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects after receiving Vecuronium Bromide For Injection, contact your doctor or nurse.
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 www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect $ 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 0701E
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect™ Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.
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 found by contacting the sponsor, Hospira Healthcare Corporation, at: 1-866-488-6088, Option 4.