Doxapram
Description
Doxapram is a respiratory stimulant used to treat patients with respiratory failure. It is used to stimulate respiration in post-operative patients with respiratory depression and also patients with acute respiratory insufficiency superimposed on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is also indicated to treat mild to moderate respiratory and central nervous system depression in patients due to drug overdosage.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Doxapram
- Cough
- Chest discomfort
- Headache and dizziness
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
Uses of Doxapram
What is it prescribed for?
- Postanesthesia Respiratory Depression
- Drug overdosage respiratory or CNS depression
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 20 to 40 seconds of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 5 to 12 minutes.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Doxapram or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Epilepsy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with epilepsy or any other convulsive disorders due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Severe hypertension
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe hypertension due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Cerebrovascular accident
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with cerebrovascular accident or head injury due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Pulmonary embolism
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who are suspected or proven with pulmonary embolism (a condition where the lung arteries are blocked by blood clots) due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Severe coronary artery disease
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe coronary artery disease due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Hyperthyroidism
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with hyperthyroidism (a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormones) due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment due to the risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of the liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment due to the risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of the kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Sudden hypotension
This medicine may cause sudden hypotension (low blood pressure) in some patients during the therapy. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Tramadol
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Linezolid
Dopamine
Dobutamine
Disease interactions
Cardiac Diseases
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with heart diseases such as severe hypertension, severe coronary disease, heart structural abnormalities, serious arrhythmias, uncompensated heart failure, etc. due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of cardiovascular status is necessary for such patients receiving this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Reactive Airway Disease
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with mechanical disorders of ventilation or conditions resulting in restriction of the chest wall, obstruction of the respiratory tract, alveolar expansion, etc. due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment due to the risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of the kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Doxapram helps in increasing the tidal volume thereby increases the respiratory rate.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Respiratory Stimulants
Schedule
Schedule H
Doxapram - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 6 December 2018]. Available from:
Doxapram Hydrochloride BP 20mg/ml Solution for Injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 6 December 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - Dopram- doxapram hydrochloride injection [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 6 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 25 February 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 25 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.