Mivacurium injection

What is mivacurium injection?

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

NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the United States.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

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

• asthma or breathing difficulties

• dehydration

• fever

• heart disease

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung disease

• muscle weakness

• history of malignant hyperthermia during prior surgery

• genetic deficiency of pseudocholinesterase enzyme

• neuromuscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis

• other chronic illness

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

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Mivacurium 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?

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

What drug(s) may interact with mivacurium?

• birth control pills

• 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

• 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 mivacurium?

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

What side effects may I notice from receiving mivacurium?

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 skin)

• skin rash

Where can I keep my medicine?

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