Drug Detail:Bloxiverz (Neostigmine [ nee-o-stig-meen ])
Generic Name: NEOSTIGMINE METHYLSULFATE 1mg in 1mL
Dosage Form: injectio
Drug Class: Cholinergic muscle stimulants Miscellaneous genitourinary tract agents
Important Dosage Information
BLOXIVERZ should be administered by trained healthcare providers familiar with the use, actions, characteristics, and complications of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) and neuromuscular block reversal agents. Doses of BLOXIVERZ should be individualized, and a peripheral nerve stimulator should be used to determine the time of initiation of BLOXIVERZ and should be used to determine the need for additional doses.
BLOXIVERZ is for intravenous use only and should be injected slowly over a period of at least 1 minute. The BLOXIVERZ dosage is weight-based [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
Prior to BLOXIVERZ administration and until complete recovery of normal ventilation, the patient should be well ventilated and a patent airway maintained. Satisfactory recovery should be judged by adequacy of skeletal muscle tone and respiratory measurements in addition to the response to peripheral nerve stimulation.
An anticholinergic agent, e.g., atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate, should be administered prior to or concomitantly with BLOXIVERZ [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
Dosage in Adults
- 1.
- Peripheral nerve stimulation devices capable of delivering a train-of-four (TOF) stimulus are essential to effectively using BLOXIVERZ.
- 2.
- There must be a twitch response to the first stimulus in the TOF of at least 10% of its baseline level, i.e., the response prior to NMBA administration, prior to the administration of BLOXIVERZ.
- 3.
- Prior to administration, visually inspect BLOXIVERZ for particulate matter and discoloration.
- 4.
- BLOXIVERZ should be injected slowly by intravenous route over a period of at least 1 minute.
- 5.
- A 0.03 mg/kg to 0.07 mg/kg dose of BLOXIVERZ will generally achieve a TOF twitch ratio of 90% (TOF0.9) within 10 to 20 minutes of administration. Dose selection should be based on the extent of spontaneous recovery that has occurred at the time of administration, the half-life of the NMBA being reversed, and whether there is a need to rapidly reverse the NMBA.
- 1.
- The 0.03 mg/kg dose is recommended for:
- 1.
- Reversal of NMBAs with shorter half-lives, e.g., rocuronium, or
- 2.
- When the first twitch response to the TOF stimulus is substantially greater than 10% of baseline or when a second twitch is present.
- 2.
- The 0.07 mg/kg dose is recommended for:
- 3.
- NMBAs with longer half-lives, e.g., vecuronium and pancuronium, or
- 4.
- When the first twitch response is relatively weak, i.e., not substantially greater than 10% of baseline or
- 5.
- There is need for more rapid recovery.
- 6.
- TOF monitoring should continue to be used to evaluate the extent of recovery of neuromuscular function and the possible need for an additional dose of BLOXIVERZ.
- 7.
- TOF monitoring alone should not be relied upon to determine the adequacy of reversal of neuromuscular blockade as related to a patient’s ability to adequately ventilate and maintain a patent airway following tracheal extubation.
- 8.
- Patients should continue to be monitored for adequacy of reversal from NMBAs for a period of time that would assure full recovery based on the patient’s medical condition and the pharmacokinetics of neostigmine and the NMBA used.
- 9.
- The recommended maximum total dose is 0.07 mg/kg or up to a total of 5 mg, whichever is less.
Dosage in Pediatric Patients, Including Neonates
Adult guidelines should be followed when BLOXIVERZ is administered to pediatric patients. Pediatric patients require BLOXIVERZ doses similar to those for adult patients.
Anticholinergic (Atropine or Glycopyrrolate) Administration
An anticholinergic agent, e.g., atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate, should be administered prior to or concomitantly with BLOXIVERZ. The anticholinergic agent should be administered intravenously using a separate syringe. In the presence of bradycardia, it is recommended that the anticholinergic agent be administered prior to BLOXIVERZ.