Dexmedetomidine (dex-med-e-toh-med-een) (as the hydrochloride)
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Dexmedetomidine Mylan. It does not
contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your
doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits.
Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Dexmedetomidine Mylan against the
benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet
You may need to read it again.
What Dexmedetomidine Mylan is used for
Intensive Care Sedation
Dexmedetomidine Mylan can be used as a sedative (calming agent) if adults need to
be calm or sleepy in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital whilst they are being ventilated
(on a breathing machine). It may be given as an infusion for up to 24 hours whilst
in a hospital.
Procedural Sedation
Dexmedetomidine Mylan can be given to adults prior to an operation if they are not
on a ventilator (breathing machine) and if they are required to be sleepy and calm
for the procedure or surgery performed in a hospital.
This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-2-receptor agonists. This
medicine works by its actions on brain chemicals.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Dexmedetomidine Mylan is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
Before you are given Dexmedetomidine Mylan
When you must not use it
Do not use Dexmedetomidine Mylan if you have an allergy to:
any medicine containing dexmedetomidine hydrochloride
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant.
It may affect your developing baby if you use it during pregnancy.
Do not breast-feed if you are given this medicine.
The active ingredient in Dexmedetomidine Mylan passes into breast milk and there is
a possibility that your baby may be affected.
Do not give this medicine to a child under the age of 18 years.
Safety and effectiveness in children younger than 18 years have not been established.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging
is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, it will be disposed of by the hospital pharmacist.
If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives
or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
diabetes
kidney or liver problems
heart problems
high or low blood pressure
Elderly patients greater than 65 years old may be more prone to the blood pressure
lowering effects of Dexmedetomidine Mylan.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you are
given Dexmedetomidine Mylan.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
that you get without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Dexmedetomidine Mylan may interfere with each other. These include:
medicines used to produce calmness or to help you sleep
strong pain relievers
These medicines may be affected by Dexmedetomidine Mylan or may affect how well it
works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different
medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or
avoid if you are given this medicine whilst in hospital.
How Dexmedetomidine Mylan is given
How this medicine is given
Dexmedetomidine Mylan is given by a slow injection (drip) into a vein. Dexmedetomidine
Mylan should only be given by a doctor or nurse in the hospital.
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on your condition
and other factors such as your weight. The dose will be adjusted to keep you at the
right depth of sleep or sedation.
What do I do if I am given too much? (overdose)
As Dexmedetomidine Mylan is given to you under the supervision of your doctor in a
hospital, it is very unlikely that you will receive too much.
Symptoms of an overdose may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, weakness
or becoming unconscious.
If you think you or someone else may have been given too much Dexmedetomidine Mylan,
you should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26) , or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
After you are given Dexmedetomidine Mylan
Your doctor will be able to tell you whether there are any special instructions you
should follow after you have been given Dexmedetomidine Mylan.
Things you must do
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking
this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking
this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this
medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Things you must not do
Do not take Dexmedetomidine Mylan to treat any other complaints unless your doctor
tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Things to be careful of
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Dexmedetomidine Mylan affects
you.
This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, drowsiness, and therefore
affect alertness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive,
operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Ask your doctor when you can return to work if it involves driving or operating machinery
or heavy equipment.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get
up slowly.
Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or a chair, will help your
body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues
or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after you
have been given Dexmedetomidine Mylan.
This medicine helps provide sedation for most people, but it may have unwanted side
effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time
they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any
of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
dizziness
light-headedness
nausea and/or vomiting
high temperature
dry mouth
constipation or diarrhoea
feelings of agitation, confusion, or tiredness
fluid retention or swelling in the arms or legs
changes in your blood sugar levels
increased sweating
changes to your vision
reduced or increased urine output or feeling thirsty
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually
mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
changes in heart rate including slowing or quickening of heart beat
shortness of breath, rapid breathing or breathing difficulties
The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and
Emergency at your nearest hospital:
pressure, tightness or pain in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw
or back
unusual bruising
overheating of your body that you can't control by normal cooling methods
excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, lack of energy, confusion, muscle twitching or
spasms, restlessness, seizures
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention
or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.After using Dexmedetomidine
Mylan
Storage
Dexmedetomidine Mylan will be stored in the hospital pharmacy or kept on the ward.
The injection is kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Product description
What it looks like
Dexmedetomidine Mylan is a clear, colourless solution. It is available in 2 mL glass
vials.
Ingredients
Dexmedetomidine Mylan contains 118 microgram/mL of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (equivalent
to 100 microgram/mL dexmedetomidine base) as the active ingredient.
It also contains:
sodium chloride
water for injections
nitrogen
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo
dyes.
Supplier / Sponsor
Dexmedetomidine Mylan is supplied by:
Alphapharm Pty Ltd
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Australian registration numbers
Dexmedetomidine Mylan is available in the following strengths:
200 microgram/2 mL -
AUST R 271410
Date of preparation
This leaflet was prepared in June 2021.
Dexmedetomidine Mylan _cmi\Jun21/00