Doxacurium injection

What is doxacurium injection?

DOXACURIUM (Nuromax®) is a muscle relaxant. It relaxes muscles in patients who are having surgery or in patients who are on breathing machines (ventilators). Generic doxacurium injection is not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive doxacurium?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• dehydration

• fever

• heart disease

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung disease or breathing difficulties

• muscle weakness

• history of malignant hyperthermia during prior surgery

• neuromuscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis

• other chronic illness

• an unusual or allergic reaction to doxacurium, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Doxacurium is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is given only by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Contact your health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

Doxacurium is given only by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

What drug(s) may interact with doxacurium?

• water pills

• corticosteroids

• tetracyclines or clindamycin

• lithium

• magnesium or calcium salts

• medicines for angina or high blood pressure

• medicines for pain

• medicines to control heart rhythm

• medicines to control seizures such as phenytoin or carbamazepine

• certain antibiotics given by injection

• cisplatin

• edrophonium or neostigmine

• polymyxin B or bacitracin

• local anesthetics such as procaine

• general anesthetics

• succinylcholine or other muscle relaxants

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking doxacurium?

You will be carefully monitored for side effects while you receive doxacurium, and for some time afterwards.

What side effects may I notice from receiving doxacurium?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• fainting, dizziness or lightheadedness

• fever

• hives

• pain, redness, swelling or irritation at the injection site

• pounding heartbeat or slow heartbeat

• difficulty breathing or wheezing

• unusual muscle weakness or tiredness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• flushing (reddening of the skin)

Where can I keep my medicine?

Doxacurium is given only by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting. Doxacurium is stored at room temperature at 15 to 25 degrees C (59—77 degrees F).