Akorn - Strides Llc
Manufacturer Details
There are currently no manufacturer details available.
Share This Page
Akorn - Strides Llc Drugs
-
Tobramycin
Tobramycin may be given intramuscularly or intravenously. Recommended dosages are the same for both routes. The patient’s pretreatment body weight should be obtained for calculation of correct dosage. It is desirable to measure both peak and trough serum concentrations. (see WARNINGS box and PRECAUTIONS) .
Administration for Patients with Normal Renal Function
Adults with Serious Infections: 3 mg/kg/day in 3 equal doses every 8 hours. (See Table 1).
Adults with Life-Threatening Infections: Up to 5 mg/kg/day may be administered in 3 or 4 equal doses (see Table 1). The dosage should be reduced to 3 mg/kg/day as soon as clinically indicated. To prevent increased toxicity due to excessive blood levels, dosage should not exceed 5 mg/kg/day unless serum levels are monitored (see WARNINGS box and PRECAUTIONS).
Table 1 DOSAGE SCHEDULE GUIDE FOR TOBRAMYCIN INJECTIONIN ADULTS WITH NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION(Dosage at 8-Hour Intervals)For Patient Weighing
Usual Dose for Serious Infections
kg
Lb
1 mg/kg q8h (Total, 3 mg/kg/day)
mg/dose
mL/dose*
q8h
120 264 120 mg 3 mL 115 253 115 mg 2.9 mL 110 242 110 mg 2.75 mL 105 231 105 mg 2.6 mL 100 220 100 mg 2.5 mL 95 209 95 mg 2.4 mL 90 198 90 mg 2.25 mL 85 187 85 mg 2.1 mL 80 176 80 mg 2 mL 75 165 75 mg 1.9 mL 70 154 70 mg 1.75 mL 65 143 65 mg 1.6 mL 60 132 60 mg 1.5 mL 55 121 55 mg 1.4 mL 50 110 50 mg 1.25 mL 45 99 45 mg 1.1 mL 40 88 40 mg 1 mLFor Patient Weighing
Maximum Dose for Life- Threatening Infections(Reduce as soon as possible)
kg
Lb
1.66 mg/kg q8h (Total, 5 mg/kg/day)
mg/dose
mL/dose*
q8h
* Applicable to all product forms except tobramycin pediatric injection (see HOW SUPPLIED ) 120 264 200 mg 5 mL 115 253 191 mg 4.75 mL 95 242 183 mg 4.5 mL 75 231 175 mg 4.4 mL 55 220 166 mg 4.2 mL 115 209 158 mg 4 mL 95 198 150 mg 3.75 mL 75 187 141 mg 3.5 mL 55 176 133 mg 3.3 mL 115 165 125 mg 3.1 mL 95 154 116 mg 2.9 mL 75 143 108 mg 2.7 mL 55 132 100 mg 2.5 mL 115 121 91 mg 2.25 mL 95 110 83 mg 2.1 mL 75 99 75 mg 1.9 mL 55 88 66 mg 1.6 mLPediatric Patients (greater than 1 week of age): 6 to 7.5 mg/kg/day in 3 or 4 equally divided doses (2 to 2.5 mg/kg every 8 hours or 1.5 to 1.89 mg/kg every 6 hours).
Premature or Full-Term Neonates 1 Week of Age or Less: Up to 4 mg/kg/day may be administered in 2 equal doses every 12 hours.
It is desirable to limit treatment to a short term. The usual duration of treatment is 7 to 10 days. A longer course of therapy may be necessary in difficult and complicated infections. In such cases, monitoring of renal, auditory, and vestibular functions is advised, because neurotoxicity is more likely to occur when treatment is extended longer than 10 days.
Dosage in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
In patients with cystic fibrosis, altered pharmacokinetics may result in reduced serum concentrations of aminoglycosides. Measurement of tobramycin serum concentration during treatment is especially important as a basis for determining appropriate dose. In patients with severe cystic fibrosis, an initial dosing regimen of 10 mg/kg/day in 4 equally divided doses is recommended. This dosing regimen is suggested only as a guide. The serum levels of tobramycin should be measured directly during treatment due to wide interpatient variability.
Administration for Patients with Impaired Renal Function
Whenever possible, serum tobramycin concentrations should be monitored during therapy.
Following a loading dose of 1 mg/kg, subsequent dosage in these patients must be adjusted, either with reduced doses administered at 8-hour intervals or with normal doses given at prolonged intervals. Both of these methods are suggested as guides to be used when serum levels of tobramycin cannot be measured directly. They are based on either the creatinine clearance level or the serum creatinine level of the patient because these values correlate with the half-life of tobramycin. The dosage schedule derived from either method should be used in conjunction with careful clinical and laboratory observations of the patient and should be modified as necessary.
Neither method should be used when dialysis is being performed.
Reduced Dosage at 8-hour intervals:
When the creatinine clearance rate is 70 mL or less per minute or when the serum creatinine value is known, the amount of the reduced dose can be determined by multiplying the normal dose from Table 1 by the percent of normal dose from the accompanying nomogram.
* Scales have been adjusted to facilitate dosage calculations
An alternate rough guide for determining reduced dosage at 8-hour intervals (for patients whose steady state serum creatinine values are known) is to divide the normally recommended dose by the patient’s serum creatinine.
Normal Dosage at Prolonged Intervals:
If the creatinine clearance rate is not available and the patient’s condition is stable, a dosage frequency in hours for the dosage given in Table 1 can be determined by multiplying the patient’s serum creatinine by 6.
Dosage in Obese Patients
The appropriate dose may be calculated by using the patient’s estimated lean body weight plus 40 % of the excess as the basic weight on which to figure mg/kg.
Intramuscular Administration
Tobramycin may be administered by withdrawing the appropriate dose directly from a vial.
Intravenous Administration
For intravenous administration, the usual volume of diluent (0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection) is 50 to 100 mL for adult doses. For pediatric patients, the volume of diluent should be proportionately less than that for adults. The diluted solution usually should be infused over a period of 20 to 60 minutes. Infusion periods of less than 20 minutes are not recommended because peak serum levels may exceed 12 mcg/mL. (see WARNINGS box.)
Tobramycin Injection should not be physically premixed with other drugs but should be administered separately according to the recommended dose and route.
Prior to the administration, parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration whenever solution and container permit.
-
Flumazenil
Flumazenil injection, USP is recommended for intravenous use only. It is compatible with 5% dextrose in water, lactated Ringer’s and normal saline solutions. If flumazenil injection is drawn into a syringe or mixed with any of these solutions, it should be discarded after 24 hours. For optimum sterility, flumazenil injection should remain in the vial until just before use. As with all parenteral drug products, flumazenil injection should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
To minimize the likelihood of pain at the injection site, flumazenil injection should be administered through a freely running intravenous infusion into a large vein.
Reversal of Conscious Sedation
Adult Patients
For the reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines administered for conscious sedation, the recommended initial dose of flumazenil injection is 0.2 mg (2 mL) administered intravenously over 15 seconds. If the desired level of consciousness is not obtained after waiting an additional 45 seconds, a second dose of 0.2 mg (2 mL) can be injected and repeated at 60 second intervals where necessary (up to a maximum of 4 additional times) to a maximum total dose of 1 mg (10 mL). The dosage should be individualized based on the patient’s response, with most patients responding to doses of 0.6 mg to 1 mg (see INDIVIDUALIZATION OF DOSAGE).
In the event of resedation, repeated doses may be administered at 20 minute intervals as needed. For repeat treatment, no more than 1 mg (given as 0.2 mg/min) should be administered at any one time, and no more than 3 mg should be given in any one hour.
It is recommended that flumazenil be administered as the series of small injections described (not as a single bolus injection) to allow the practitioner to control the reversal of sedation to the approximate endpoint desired and to minimize the possibility of adverse effects (see INDIVIDUALIZATION OF DOSAGE).
Pediatric Patients
For the reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines administered for conscious sedation in pediatric patients greater than 1 year of age, the recommended initial dose is 0.01 mg/kg (up to 0.2 mg) administered intravenously over 15 seconds. If the desired level of consciousness is not obtained after waiting an additional 45 seconds, further injections of 0.01 mg/kg (up to 0.2 mg) can be administered and repeated at 60 second intervals where necessary (up to a maximum of 4 additional times) to a maximum total dose of 0.05 mg/kg or 1 mg, whichever is lower. The dose should be individualized based on the patient’s response. The mean total dose administered in the pediatric clinical trial of flumazenil was 0.65 mg (range: 0.08 mg to 1.00 mg). Approximately one-half of patients required the maximum of five injections.
Resedation occurred in 7 of 60 pediatric patients who were fully alert 10 minutes after the start of flumazenil injection administration (see PRECAUTIONS: Pediatric Use). The safety and efficacy of repeated flumazenil administration in pediatric patients experiencing resedation have not been established.
It is recommended that flumazenil be administered as the series of small injections described (not as a single bolus injection) to allow the practitioner to control the reversal of sedation to the approximate endpoint desired and to minimize the possibility of adverse effects (see INDIVIDUALIZATION OF DOSAGE).
The safety and efficacy of flumazenil injection in the reversal of conscious sedation in pediatric patients below the age of 1 year have not been established.
Reversal of General Anesthesia in Adult Patients
For the reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines administered for general anesthesia, the recommended initial dose of flumazenil is 0.2 mg (2 mL) administered intravenously over 15 seconds. If the desired level of consciousness is not obtained after waiting an additional 45 seconds, a further dose of 0.2 mg (2 mL) can be injected and repeated at 60-second intervals where necessary (up to a maximum of 4 additional times) to a maximum total dose of 1 mg (10 mL). The dosage should be individualized based on the patient’s response, with most patients responding to doses of 0.6 mg to 1 mg (see INDIVIDUALIZATION OF DOSAGE).
In the event of resedation, repeated doses may be administered at 20-minute intervals as needed. For repeat treatment, no more than 1 mg (given as 0.2 mg/min) should be administered at any one time, and no more than 3 mg should be given in any one hour.
It is recommended that flumazenil be administered as the series of small injections described (not as a single bolus injection) to allow the practitioner to control the reversal of sedation to the approximate endpoint desired and to minimize the possibility of adverse effects (see INDIVIDUALIZATION OF DOSAGE).
Management of Suspected Benzodiazepine Overdose in Adult Patients
For initial management of a known or suspected benzodiazepine overdose, the recommended initial dose of flumazenil injection is 0.2 mg (2 mL) administered intravenously over 30 seconds. If the desired level of consciousness is not obtained after waiting 30 seconds, a further dose of 0.3 mg (3 mL) can be administered over another 30 seconds. Further doses of 0.5 mg (5 mL) can be administered over 30 seconds at 1 minute intervals up to a cumulative dose of 3 mg.
Do not rush the administration of flumazenil injection. Patients should have a secure airway and intravenous access before administration of the drug and be awakened gradually (see PRECAUTIONS).
Most patients with a benzodiazepine overdose will respond to a cumulative dose of 1 mg to 3 mg of flumazenil injection, and doses beyond 3 mg do not reliably produce additional effects. On rare occasions, patients with a partial response at 3 mg may require additional titration up to a total dose of 5 mg (administered slowly in the same manner).
If a patient has not responded 5 minutes after receiving a cumulative dose of 5 mg of flumazenil injection, the major cause of sedation is likely not to be due to benzodiazepines, and additional flumazenil is likely to have no effect.
In the event of resedation, repeated doses may be given at 20-minute intervals if needed. For repeat treatment, no more than 1 mg (given as 0.5 mg/min) should be given at any one time and no more than 3 mg should be given in any one hour.
Safety and Handling
Flumazenil injection is supplied in sealed dosage forms and poses no known risk to the healthcare provider. Routine care should be taken to avoid aerosol generation when preparing syringes for injection, and spilled medication should be rinsed from the skin with cool water.
HOW SUPPLIED
Flumazenil Injection, USP is supplied in vials containing 0.1 mg/mL fulmazenil as follows:
NDC 23360-031-05: 5 mL multi-dose vials in carton of 10.
NDC 23360-031-10: 10 mL multi-dose vials in carton of 10.
-
Pamidronate Disodium
Hypercalcemia of Malignancy
Consideration should be given to the severity of as well as the symptoms of hypercalcemia. Vigorous saline hydration alone may be sufficient for treating mild, asymptomatic hypercalcemia. Overhydration should be avoided in patients who have potential for cardiac failure. In hypercalcemia associated with hemotologic malignancies, the use of glucocorticoid therapy may be helpful.
Moderate Hypercalcemia
The recommended dose of pamidronate disodium in moderate hypercalcemia (corrected serum calcium* of approximately 12 to 13.5 mg/dL) is 60 to 90 mg given as a SINGLE-DOSE, intravenous infusion over 2 to 24 hours. Longer infusions (i.e., >2 hours) may reduce the risk of renal toxicity, particularly in patients with preexisting renal insufficiency.
Severe Hypercalcemia
The recommended dose of pamidronate disodium in severe hypercalcemia (corrected serum calcium* >13.5 mg/dL) is 90 mg given as a SINGLE-DOSE, intravenous infusion over 2 to 24 hours. Longer infusions (i.e., >2 hours) may reduce the risk of renal toxicity, particularly in patients with preexisting renal insufficiency.
*Albumin-corrected serum calcium (CCa, mg/dL) = serum calcium, mg/dL + 0.8 (4.0-serum albumin, g/dL).
Retreatment
A limited number of patients have received more than one treatment with pamidronate disodium for hypercalcemia. Retreatment with pamidronate disodium, in patients who show complete or partial response initially, may be carried out if serum calcium does not return to normal or remain normal after initial treatment. It is recommended that a minimum of 7 days elapse before retreatment, to allow for full response to the initial dose. The dose and manner of retreatment is identical to that of the initial therapy.
Paget’s Disease
The recommended dose of pamidronate disodium in patients with moderate to severe Paget’s disease of bone is 30 mg daily, administered as a 4 hour infusion on 3 consecutive days for a total dose of 90 mg.
Retreatment
A limited number of patients with Paget’s disease have received more than one treatment of pamidronate disodium in clinical trials. When clinically indicated, patients should be retreated at the dose of initial therapy.
Osteolytic Bone Lesions of Multiple Myeloma
The recommended dose of pamidronate disodium in patients with osteolytic bone lesions of multiple myeloma is 90 mg administered as a 4 hour infusion given on a monthly basis.
Patients with marked Bence-Jones proteinuria and dehydration should receive adequate hydration prior to pamidronate disodium infusion.
Limited information is available on the use of pamidronate disodium in multiple myeloma patients with a serum creatinine ≥3.0 mg/dL.
Patients who receive pamidronate disodium should have serum creatinine assessed prior to each treatment. Treatment should be withheld for renal deterioration. In a clinical study, renal deterioration was defined as follows:
For patients with normal baseline creatinine, increase of 0.5 mg/dL. For patients with abnormal baseline creatinine, increase of 1.0 mg/dL.In this clinical study, pamidronate disodium treatment was resumed only when the creatinine returned to within 10% of the baseline value.
The optimal duration of therapy is not yet known, however, in a study of patients with myeloma, final analysis after 21 months demonstrated overall benefits (see Clinical Trials section).
Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Breast Cancer
The recommended dose of pamidronate disodium in patients with osteolytic bone metastases is 90 mg administered over a 2 hour infusion given every 3 to 4 weeks.
Pamidronate disodium has been frequently used with doxorubicin, fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, mitoxantrone, vinblastine, dexamethasone, prednisone, melphalan, vincristine, megesterol, and tamoxifen. It has been given less frequently with etoposide, cisplatin, cytarabine, paclitaxel, and aminoglutethimide.
Patients who receive pamidronate disodium should have serum creatinine assessed prior to each treatment. Treatment should be withheld for renal deterioration. In a clinical study, renal deterioration was defined as follows:
For patients with normal baseline creatinine, increase of 0.5 mg/dL. For patients with abnormal baseline creatinine, increase of 1.0 mg/dL.In this clinical study, pamidronate disodium treatment was resumed only when the creatinine returned to within 10% of the baseline value.
The optimal duration of therapy is not known, however, in two breast cancer studies, final analyses performed after 24 months of therapy demonstrated overall benefit (see Clinical Trials section).
Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation
In the absence of hypercalcemia, patients with predominantly lytic bone metastases or multiple myeloma, who are at risk of calcium or vitamin D deficiency, and patients with Paget’s disease of the bone, should be given oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation in order to minimize the risk of hypocalcemia.
Method of Administration
DUE TO THE RISK OF CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION IN RENAL FUNCTION, WHICH MAY PROGRESS TO RENAL FAILURE, SINGLE DOSES OF PAMIDRONATE DISODIUM SHOULD NOT EXCEED 90 MG. (SEE WARNINGS. )
There must be strict adherence to the intravenous administration recommendations for pamidronate disodium in order to decrease the risk of deterioration in renal function.
Hypercalcemia of Malignancy
The daily dose must be administered as an intravenous infusion over at least 2 to 24 hours for the 60 mg and 90 mg doses. The recommended dose should be diluted in 1000 mL of sterile 0.45% or 0.9% Sodium Chloride, USP, or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP. This infusion solution is stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature.
Paget’s Disease
The recommended daily dose of 30 mg should be diluted in 500 mL of sterile 0.45% or 0.9% Sodium Chloride, USP, or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, and administered over a 4 hour period for 3 consecutive days.
Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Breast Cancer
The recommended dose of 90 mg should be diluted in 250 mL of sterile 0.45% or 0.9% Sodium Chloride, USP, or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, and administered over a 2 hour period every 3 to 4 weeks.
Osteolytic Bone Lesions of Multiple Myeloma
The recommended dose of 90 mg should be diluted in 500 mL of sterile 0.45% or 0.9% Sodium Chloride, USP, or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, and administered over a 4 hour period on a monthly basis.
Pamidronate disodium must not be mixed with calcium-containing infusion solutions, such as Ringer’s solution, and should be given in a single intravenous solution and line separate from all other drugs.
Note : Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
-
Sterile Vancomycin Hydrochloride
Infusion-related events are related to both the concentration and the rate of administration of vancomycin. Concentrations of no more than 5 mg/mL and rates of no more than 10 mg/min are recommended in adults (see also age-specific recommendations). In selected patients in need of fluid restriction, a concentration up to 10 mg/mL may be used; use of such higher concentrations may increase the risk of infusion-related events. An infusion rate of 10 mg/min or less is associated with fewer infusion-related events (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Infusion-related events may occur, however, at any rate or concentration.
Patients with normal renal function
Adults
The usual daily intravenous dose is 2 g divided either as 500 mg every 6 hours or 1 g every 12 hours. Each dose should be administered at no more than 10 mg/min or over a period of at least 60 minutes, whichever is longer. Other patient factors, such as age or obesity, may call for modification of the usual intravenous daily dose.
Pediatric patients
The usual intravenous dosage of vancomycin is 10 mg/kg per dose given every 6 hours. Each dose should be administered over a period of at least 60 minutes. Close monitoring of serum concentrations of vancomycin may be warranted in these patients.
Neonates
In pediatric patients up to the age of 1 month, the total daily intravenous dosage may be lower. In neonates, an initial dose of 15 mg/kg is suggested, followed by 10 mg/kg every 12 hours for neonates in the 1st week of life and every 8 hours thereafter up to the age of 1 month. Each dose should be administered over 60 minutes. In premature infants, vancomycin clearance decreases as postconceptional age decreases. Therefore, longer dosing intervals may be necessary in premature infants. Close monitoring of serum concentrations of vancomycin is recommended in these patients.
Patients with Impaired Renal Function and Elderly Patients
Dosage adjustment must be made in patients with impaired renal function. In the elderly, greater dosage reductions than expected may be necessary because of decreased renal function. Measurement of vancomycin serum concentrations can be helpful in optimizing therapy, especially in seriously ill patients with changing renal function. Vancomycin serum concentrations can be determined by use of microbiologic assay, radioimmunoassay, fluorescence polarization immunoassay, fluorescence immunoassay, or high-pressure liquid chromatography. If creatinine clearance can be measured or estimated accurately, the dosage for most patients with renal impairment can be calculated using the following table. The dosage of vancomycin per day in mg is about 15 times the glomerular filtration rate in mL/min:
DOSAGE TABLE FOR VANCOMYCIN IN PATIENTS WITH IMPAIRED RENAL FUNCTION (Adapted from Meollering et al) 4 Creatinine Clearance mL/min Vancomycin Dose mg/24 hr 100 1,545 90 1,390 80 1,235 70 1,080 60 925 50 770 40 620 30 465 20 310 10 155The initial dose should be no less than 15 mg/kg, even in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency. The table is not valid for functionally anephric patients. For such patients, an initial dose of 15 mg/kg of body weight should be given to achieve prompt therapeutic serum concentrations. The dose required to maintain stable concentrations is 1.9 mg/kg/24 h. In patients with marked renal impairment, it may be more convenient to give maintenance doses of 250 to 1,000 mg once every several days rather than administering the drug on a daily basis. In anuria, a dose of 1,000 mg every 7 to 10 days has been recommended.
When only the serum creatinine concentration is known, the following formula (based on sex, weight, and age of the patient) may be used to calculate creatinine clearance. Calculated creatinine clearances (mL/min) are only estimates. The creatinine clearance should be measured promptly.
Men: [Weight (kg) x (140-age in years)] / [72 x serum creatinine concentration (mg/dL)]
Women: 0.85 x above value
The serum creatinine must represent a steady state of renal function. Otherwise, the estimated value for creatinine clearance is not valid. Such a calculated clearance is an overestimate of actual clearance in patients with conditions: (1) characterized by decreasing renal function, such as shock, severe heart failure, or oliguria; (2) in which a normal relationship between muscle mass and total body weight is not present, such as obese patients or those with liver disease, edema, or ascites; and (3) accompanied by debilitation, malnutrition, or inactivity. The safety and efficacy of vancomycin administration by the intrathecal (intralumbar or intraventricular) route have not been established.
Intermittent infusion is the recommended method of administration.
Preparation and stability
At the time of use, reconstitute by adding either 10 mL of Sterile Water for Injection to the 500-mg vial or 20 mL of Sterile Water for Injection to the 1-g vial of dry, sterile vancomycin powder. FURTHER DILUTION IS REQUIRED.
After reconstitution with Sterile Water for Injection, 5% Dextrose Injection, or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, the vials may be stored in a refrigerator for 14 days without significant loss of potency.
Reconstituted solutions containing 500 mg/10 mL must be further diluted with at least 100 mL of suitable infusion solution. Reconstituted solutions containing 1 g/20 mL must be further diluted with at least 200 mL of suitable infusion solution. The desired dose, diluted in this manner, should be administered by intermittent intravenous infusion over a period of at least 60 minutes.
Compatibility with Other Drugs and Intravenous Fluids
Solutions that are diluted with 5% Dextrose Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection may be stored in a refrigerator for 14 days without significant loss of potency. Solutions that are diluted with the following infusion fluids may be stored in a refrigerator for 96 hours:
5% Dextrose Injection, USP
5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP
Lactated Ringer’s and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP
Normosol®-M and 5% Dextrose
ISOLYTE® E
Vancomycin solution has a low pH and may cause chemical or physical instability when it is mixed with other compounds.
Mixtures of solutions of vancomycin and beta-lactam antibiotics have been shown to be physically incompatible. The likelihood of precipitation increases with higher concentrations of vancomycin. It is recommended to adequately flush the intravenous lines between the administration of these antibiotics. It is also recommended to dilute solutions of vancomycin to 5 mg/mL or less.
Although intravitreal injection is not an approved route of administration for vancomycin, precipitation has been reported after intravitreal injection of vancomycin and ceftazidime for endophthalmitis using different syringes and needles. The precipitates dissolved gradually, with complete clearing of the vitreous cavity over two months and with improvement of visual acuity.
Prior to administration, parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution or container permits.
For Oral Administration
Oral vancomycin is used in treating antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis caused by C. difficile and for staphylococcal enterocolitis. Vancomycin is not effective by the oral route for other types of infections. The usual adult total daily dosage is 500 mg to 2 g given in 3 or 4 divided doses for 7 to 10 days. The total daily dose in children is 40 mg/kg of body weight in 3 or 4 divided doses for 7 to 10 days. The total daily dosage should not exceed 2 g. The appropriate dose may be diluted in 1 oz of water and given to the patient to drink. Common flavoring syrups may be added to the solution to improve the taste for oral administration. The diluted solution may be administered via a nasogastric tube.
-
Sterile Vancomycin Hydrochloride
Infusion-related events are related to both the concentration and the rate of administration of vancomycin. Concentrations of no more than 5 mg/mL and rates of no more than 10 mg/min are recommended in adults (see also age-specific recommendations). In selected patients in need of fluid restriction, a concentration up to 10 mg/mL may be used; use of such higher concentrations may increase the risk of infusion-related events. An infusion rate of 10 mg/min or less is associated with fewer infusion-related events (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Infusion-related events may occur, however, at any rate or concentration.
Patients With Normal Renal Function
Adults
The usual daily intravenous dose is 2 g divided either as 500 mg every 6 hours or 1 g every 12 hours. Each dose should be administered at no more than 10 mg/min or over a period of at least 60 minutes, whichever is longer. Other patient factors, such as age or obesity, may call for modification of the usual intravenous daily dose.
Pediatric patients
The usual intravenous dosage of vancomycin is 10 mg/kg per dose given every 6 hours. Each dose should be administered over a period of at least 60 minutes. Close monitoring of serum concentrations of vancomycin may be warranted in these patients.
Neonates
In pediatric patients up to the age of 1 month, the total daily intravenous dosage may be lower. In neonates, an initial dose of 15 mg/kg is suggested, followed by 10 mg/kg every 12 hours for neonates in the 1st week of life and every 8 hours thereafter up to the age of 1 month. Each dose should be administered over 60 minutes. In premature infants, vancomycin clearance decreases as postconceptional age decreases. Therefore, longer dosing intervals may be necessary in premature infants. Close monitoring of serum concentrations of vancomycin is recommended in these patients.
Patients with Impaired Renal Function and Elderly Patients
Dosage adjustment must be made in patients with impaired renal function. In the elderly, greater dosage reductions than expected may be necessary because of decreased renal function. Measurement of vancomycin serum concentrations can be helpful in optimizing therapy, especially in seriously ill patients with changing renal function. Vancomycin serum concentrations can be determined by use of microbiologic assay, radioimmunoassay, fluorescence polarization immunoassay, fluorescence immunoassay, or high-pressure liquid chromatography. If creatinine clearance can be measured or estimated accurately, the dosage for most patients with renal impairment can be calculated using the following table. The dosage of vancomycin per day in mg is about 15 times the glomerular filtration rate in mL/min:
DOSAGE TABLE FOR VANCOMYCIN IN PATIENTS WITH IMPAIRED RENAL FUNCTION (Adapted from Meollering et al)4 Creatinine Clearance mL/min Vancomycin Dose mg/24 hr 100 1,545 90 1,390 80 1,235 70 1,080 60 925 50 770 40 620 30 465 20 310 10 155The initial dose should be no less than 15 mg/kg, even in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency. The table is not valid for functionally anephric patients. For such patients, an initial dose of 15 mg/kg of body weight should be given to achieve prompt therapeutic serum concentrations. The dose required to maintain stable concentrations is 1.9 mg/kg/24 h. In patients with marked renal impairment, it may be more convenient to give maintenance doses of 250 to 1,000 mg once every several days rather than administering the drug on a daily basis. In anuria, a dose of 1,000 mg every 7 to 10 days has been recommended.
When only the serum creatinine concentration is known, the following formula (based on sex, weight, and age of the patient) may be used to calculate creatinine clearance. Calculated creatinine clearances (mL/min) are only estimates. The creatinine clearance should be measured promptly.
Men: [Weight (kg) x (140-age in years)] / [72 x serum creatinine concentration (mg/dL)]
Women: 0.85 x above value
The serum creatinine must represent a steady state of renal function. Otherwise, the estimated value for creatinine clearance is not valid. Such a calculated clearance is an overestimate of actual clearance in patients with conditions: (1) characterized by decreasing renal function, such as shock, severe heart failure, or oliguria; (2) in which a normal relationship between muscle mass and total body weight is not present, such as obese patients or those with liver disease, edema, or ascites; and (3) accompanied by debilitation, malnutrition, or inactivity. The safety and efficacy of vancomycin administration by the intrathecal (intralumbar or intraventricular) route have not been established.
Intermittent infusion is the recommended method of administration.
Preparation and stability
DIRECTIONS FOR PROPER USE OF PHARMACY BULK PACKAGE - NOT FOR DIRECT INFUSION
The Pharmacy Bulk Package is for use in the Hospital Pharmacy Admixture Service. Use of this product is restricted to a suitable work area, such as a laminar flow hood. Using aseptic technique, the closure should be penetrated one time using a suitable work area such as a laminar flow hood. Using aseptic technique, the closure may be penetrated only one time after reconstitution using a suitable sterile transfer device or dispensing set, allows measured distribution of the contents. Use of a syringe and needle is not recommended as it may cause leakage. After entry use entire content promptly. The withdrawal of the contents of the Pharmacy Bulk Package bottle should be completed within 4 hours after entry. This time limit should begin with the introduction of solvent or diluent into Pharmacy Bulk Package bottle.
At the time of use, reconstitute by adding 100 mL of Sterile Water for Injection to the 5 g Pharmacy Bulk Package. Reconstituted solution contains 500 mg/10 mL and 1 g/20 mL. AFTER RECONSTITUTION FURTHER DILUTION IS REQUIRED. RECONSTITUTED BULK SOLUTION SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR DIRECT INFUSION.
Reconstituted solutions with 10 mL containing 500 mg of vancomycin hydrochloride must be further diluted with at least 100 mL of diluent. Reconstituted solutions containing 1 gram/20 mL must be further diluted with at least 200 mL of diluent. The desired dose, diluted in this manner, should be administered by intermittent intravenous infusion over a period of at least 60 minutes.
Compatibility with Other Drugs and Intravenous Fluids
The following diluents are physically and chemically compatible (with 5 mg/mL vancomycin, present as the HCl):
5% Dextrose Injection, USP
5% Dextrose Injection and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP
5% Dextrose and Lactated Ringer’s Injection
Normosol® –M and 5% Dextrose
0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
ISOLYTE® E
Good professional practice suggests that compounded admixtures should be administered as soon after preparation as is feasible.
Vancomycin solution has a low pH and may cause physical instability when it is mixed with other compounds.
Mixtures of solutions of vancomycin and beta-lactam antibiotics have been shown to be physically incompatible. The likelihood of precipitation increases with higher concentrations of vancomycin. It is recommended to adequately flush the intravenous lines between the administration of these antibiotics. It is also recommended to dilute solutions of vancomycin to 5 mg/mL or less.
Although intravitreal injection is not an approved route of administration for vancomycin, precipitation has been reported after intravitreal injection of vancomycin and ceftazidime for endophthalmitis using different syringes and needles. The precipitates dissolved gradually, with complete clearing of the vitreous cavity over two months and with improvement of visual acuity.
Prior to administration, parenteral drug products should be visually inspected for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution or container permits.
For Oral Administration
Oral vancomycin is used in treating antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis caused by C. difficile and for staphylococcal enterocolitis. Vancomycin is not effective by the oral route for other types of infection. The usual adult total daily dosage is 500 mg to 2 g given in 3 or 4 divided doses for 7 to 10 days. The total daily dose in children is 40 mg/kg of body weight in 3 or 4 divided doses for 7 to 10 days. The total daily dosage should not exceed 2 g. The appropriate dose may be diluted in 1 oz of water and given to the patient to drink. Common flavoring syrups may be added to the solution to improve the taste for oral administration. The diluted solution may be administered via a nasogastric tube.
-
Vecuronium Bromide
Vecuronium bromide for injection is for intravenous use only.
This drug should be administered by or under the supervision of experienced clinicians familiar with the use of neuromuscular blocking agents. Dosage must be individualized in each case. The dosage information which follows is derived from studies based upon units of drug per unit of body weight and is intended to serve as a guide only, especially regarding enhancement of neuromuscular blockade of vecuronium bromide by volatile anesthetics and by prior use of succinylcholine (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions).
To obtain maximum clinical benefits of vecuronium bromide and to minimize the possibility of overdosage, the monitoring of muscle twitch response to peripheral nerve stimulation is advised.
The recommended initial dose of vecuronium bromide is 0.08 to 0.1 mg/kg (1.4 to 1.75 times the ED90) given as an intravenous bolus injection. This dose can be expected to produce good or excellent non-emergency intubation conditions in 2.5 to 3 minutes after injection. Under balanced anesthesia, clinically required neuromuscular blockade lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes, with recovery to 25% of control achieved approximately 25 to 40 minutes after injection and recovery to 95% of control achieved approximately 45 to 65 minutes after injection. In the presence of potent inhalation anesthetics, the neuromuscular blocking effect of vecuronium bromide is enhanced. If vecuronium bromide is first administered more than 5 minutes after the start of inhalation agent or when steady-state has been achieved, the initial vecuronium bromide dose may be reduced by approximately 15%, i.e., 0.06 to 0.085 mg/kg.
Prior administration of succinylcholine may enhance the neuromuscular blocking effect and duration of action of vecuronium bromide. If intubation is performed using succinylcholine, a reduction of initial dose of vecuronium bromide to 0.04 to 0.06 mg/kg with inhalation anesthesia and 0.05 to 0.06 mg/kg with balanced anesthesia may be required.
During prolonged surgical procedures, maintenance doses of 0.01 to 0.015 mg/kg of vecuronium bromide are recommended; after the initial vecuronium bromide injection, the first maintenance dose will generally be required within 25 to 40 minutes. However, clinical criteria should be used to determine the need for maintenance doses.
Since vecuronium bromide lacks clinically important cumulative effects, subsequent maintenance doses, if required, may be administered at relatively regular intervals for each patient, ranging approximately from 12 to 15 minutes under balanced anesthesia, slightly longer under inhalation agents. (If less frequent administration is desired, higher maintenance doses may be administered.)
Should there be reason for the selection of larger doses in individual patients, initial doses ranging from 0.15 mg/kg up to 0.28 mg/kg have been administered during surgery under halothane anesthesia without ill effects to the cardiovascular system being noted as long as ventilation is properly maintained (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics).
Use by Continuous Infusion
After an intubating dose of 80 to 100 mcg/kg, a continuous infusion of 1 mcg/kg/min can be initiated approximately 20 to 40 minutes later. Infusion of vecuronium bromide should be initiated only after early evidence of spontaneous recovery from the bolus dose. Long-term intravenous infusion to support mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit has not been studied sufficiently to support dosage recommendations. (See PRECAUTIONS, Long Term Use in ICU. )
The infusion of vecuronium bromide should be individualized for each patient. The rate of administration should be adjusted according to the patient's twitch response as determined by peripheral nerve stimulation. An initial rate of 1 mcg/kg/min is recommended, with the rate of the infusion adjusted thereafter to maintain a 90% suppression of twitch response. Average infusion rates may range from 0.8 to 1.2 mcg/kg/min.
Inhalation anesthetics, particularly enflurane and isoflurane may enhance the neuromuscular blocking action of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. In the presence of steady state concentrations of enflurane or isoflurane, it may be necessary to reduce the rate of infusion 25 to 60 percent, 45 to 60 minutes after the intubating dose. Under halothane anesthesia it may not be necessary to reduce the rate of infusion.
Spontaneous recovery and reversal of neuromuscular blockade following discontinuation of vecuronium bromide infusion may be expected to proceed at rates comparable to that following a single bolus dose (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ).
Infusion solutions of vecuronium bromide can be prepared by adding vecuronium bromide with an appropriate infusion solution such as Dextrose 5% Injection, Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection, Dextrose 5% and Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection, or Lactated Ringer’s Injection.
Unused portions of infusion solutions should be discarded.
Infusion rates of vecuronium bromide can be individualized for each patient using the following table:
Drug Delivery Rate (mcg/kg/min) Infusion Delivery Rate (mL/kg/min) * 10 mg of Vecuronium bromide in 100 mL solution † 20 mg of Vecuronium bromide in 100 mL solution 0.1 mg/mL* 0.2 mg/mL† 0.7 0.007 0.0035 0.8 0.008 0.0040 0.9 0.009 0.0045 1.0 0.010 0.0050 1.1 0.011 0.0055 1.2 0.012 0.0060 1.3 0.013 0.0065The following table is a guideline for mL/min delivery for a solution of 0.1 mg/mL (10 mg in 100 mL) with an infusion pump.
VECURONIUM BROMIDE INFUSION RATE - mL/min Amount of Drugmcg/kg/min Patient Weight - kg 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0.7 0.28 0.35 0.42 0.49 0.56 0.63 0.70 0.8 0.32 0.40 0.48 0.56 0.64 0.72 0.80 0.9 0.36 0.45 0.54 0.63 0.72 0.81 0.90 1.0 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00 1.1 0.44 0.55 0.66 0.77 0.88 0.99 1.10 1.2 0.48 0.60 0.72 0.84 0.96 1.08 1.20 1.3 0.52 0.65 0.78 0.91 1.04 1.17 1.30NOTE: If a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL is used (20 mg in 100 mL), the rate should be decreased by one-half.
Use in Pediatrics
Pediatric patients (10 to 16 years of age) have approximately the same dosage requirements (mg/kg) as adults and may be managed the same way. Younger pediatric patients (1 to 10 years of age) may require a slightly higher initial dose and may also require supplementation slightly more often than adults.
Infants under 1 year of age but older than 7 weeks are moderately more sensitive to vecuronium bromide on a mg/kg basis than adults and take about 1 1/2 times as long to recover. See also subsection of PRECAUTIONS titled Pediatric Use. Information presently available does not permit recommendation on usage in pediatric patients less than 7 weeks of age (see PRECAUTIONS - Pediatric Use). There are insufficient data concerning continuous infusion of vecuronium in pediatric patients, therefore, no dosing recommendations can be made.
COMPATIBILITY
Vecuronium bromide is compatible in solution with:
Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection
Dextrose 5% Injection
Sterile Water for Injection
Dextrose 5% in Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection
Lactated Ringer’s Injection
Use within 24 hours of mixing with the above solutions.
Vecuronium bromide is also compatible in solution with:
Bacteriostatic Water for Injection (NOT FOR USE IN NEWBORNS )
Use within 5 days of mixing with the above solution.
Reconstituted vecuronium bromide, which has an acid pH, should not be mixed with alkaline solutions (e.g., barbiturate solutions such as thiopental) in the same syringe or administered simultaneously during intravenous infusion through the same needle or through the same intravenous line.
After Reconstitution
See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION-COMPATIBILITY for diluents compatible with Vecuronium Bromide for Injection.
Single-Dose Use
When reconstituted with compatible IV solutions not containing an antimicrobial preservative (e.g., Sterile Water for Injection), refrigerate and use within 24 hours. Discard unused portion.
Multi-Dose Use (NOT FOR USE IN NEWBORNS.)
When reconstituted with bacteriostatic Water for Injection, use within 5 days. The reconstituted solution may be stored at room temperature or refrigerated.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit.
Sign Up for a Free Account