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This is indicated for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in women who do not respond to conservative management.

Anti-emetic drugs

Doxylamine Succinate is an antihistamine that blocks Histamine (H1) receptor. It can cross the blood brain barrier and has a high affinity for H1 receptors in the brain that blocks H1 receptors. It also decreases the action of histamine at the H1 receptor by inhibiting both vestibular system & Muscarinic receptor. It affects the vestibular system & decreases the stimulation of the vomiting center. Its muscarinic receptor inhibition may also play a role in antihistamine antiemetic activity. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is a vitamin B6 analog. It is used to prevent nausea and vomiting due to its antiemetic properties.

Initially, take one tablet orally at bedtime (Day 1). If this dose adequately controls symptoms the next day, continue taking one tablet daily at bedtime only. However, if symptoms persist on Day 2, increase the daily dose to one tablet in the morning and one tablet at bedtime. The maximum recommended dose is two tablets per day, one in the morning and one at bedtime. Take on an empty stomach with a glass of water. Swallow tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, or split this tablets. Take daily and not on an as needed basis.

Somnolence or other accidents resulting from the effect of the combined use of Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride with CNS depressants.

Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is contraindicated in women with any of the following conditions:

• Known hypersensitivity to Doxylamine Succinate, other ethanolamine derivative antihistamines, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride or any inactive ingredient in the formulation
• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors intensify and prolong the adverse central nervous system effects of Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride may cause somnolence due to the anticholinergic properties of Doxylamine Succinate, an antihistamine. Women should avoid engaging in activities, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, while using Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride. Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride use is not recommended if a woman is concurrently using central nervous system (CNS) depressants including alcohol.

Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride has anticholinergic properties and, therefore, should be used with caution in women with asthma, increased intraocular pressure, narrow angle glaucoma, stenosing peptic ulcer, pyloroduodenal obstruction or urinary bladder-neck obstruction.

Use of Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is contraindicated in women who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which prolong and intensify the adverse central nervous system effects (the anticholinergic effects) of antihistamines. Concurrent use of alcohol and other CNS depressants (such as hypnotic sedatives and tranquilizers) with Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is not recommended.

Pregnancy category A. This is intended for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in women who do not respond to conservative management. Both Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride are excreted into breast milk. Therefore, caution should be exercised while breastfeeding.

Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is an extended-release or Delayed Release formulation; therefore, signs and symptoms of intoxication may not be apparent immediately. Signs and symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, dryness of mouth, dilated pupils, sleepiness, vertigo, mental confusion and tachycardia. At toxic doses, Doxylamine Succinate exhibits anticholinergic effects, including seizures, rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure and death. If treatment is needed, it consists of gastric lavage or activated charcoal, whole bowel irrigation and symptomatic treatment.

Store at below 30°C in a dry place protected from light. Keep out of reach of children.

Meniere's disease and Meniere-like syndromes are characterized by attacks of vertigo, tinnitus and/or progressive loss of hearing, usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Drugs used in meniere's diseases

The mechanism of action of betahistine is multifactorial. Meniere's disease is thought to result from a disruption of endolymphatic fluid homeostasis in the ear. Betahistine mainly acts as a histamine H1-receptor agonist. The stimulation of H1-receptors in the inner ear causes a vasodilatory effect leading to increased permeability of blood vessels and a reduction in endolymphatic pressure; this action prevents the rupture of the labyrinth, which can contribute to the hearing loss associated with Ménière's disease. Betahistine is also purported to act by reducing the asymmetrical functioning of sensory vestibular organs and increasing vestibulocochlear blood flow, relieving symptoms of vertigo.

In addition to the above mechanisms, betahistine also acts as a histamine H3-receptor antagonist, increasing the turnover of histamine from postsynaptic histaminergic nerve receptors, subsequently leading to an increase in H1-agonist activity. H3-receptor antagonism elevates levels of neurotransmitters including serotonin in the brainstem, inhibiting the activity of vestibular nuclei, thus restoring proper balance and decreasing vertigo symptoms.

The usual initial dose: 8 mg to 16 mg three times daily taken preferably with meals.

Maintenance dose: Up to 48 mg daily has been recommended. Betahistine is not recommended for use in children.

Betahistine is generally well tolerated and there is no known serious adverse effects. In some circumstances gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, rashes and pruritus have been reported.

Betahistine is contraindicated in pheochromocytoma.

Caution should be exercised in patients with bronchial asthma and peptic ulceration.

There are no proven cases of hazardous interactions. Though an antagonism between Betahistine and antihistamines could be expected on a theoretical basis, no such interactions have been reported.

In Pregnancy: The safety of Betahistine in human pregnancy has not been completely established, although there is no known teratogenic effect in animals. A careful assessment of potential benefits should be made before prescribing Betahistine in pregnancy.

In Lactation: Betahistine is excreted in the breast milk of nursing mothers in concentrations similar to those found in plasma. Toxicity to the neonate at these concentrations is not known.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Meniere's disease and Meniere-like syndromes are characterized by attacks of vertigo, tinnitus and/or progressive loss of hearing, usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Drugs used in meniere's diseases

The mechanism of action of betahistine is multifactorial. Meniere's disease is thought to result from a disruption of endolymphatic fluid homeostasis in the ear. Betahistine mainly acts as a histamine H1-receptor agonist. The stimulation of H1-receptors in the inner ear causes a vasodilatory effect leading to increased permeability of blood vessels and a reduction in endolymphatic pressure; this action prevents the rupture of the labyrinth, which can contribute to the hearing loss associated with Ménière's disease. Betahistine is also purported to act by reducing the asymmetrical functioning of sensory vestibular organs and increasing vestibulocochlear blood flow, relieving symptoms of vertigo.

In addition to the above mechanisms, betahistine also acts as a histamine H3-receptor antagonist, increasing the turnover of histamine from postsynaptic histaminergic nerve receptors, subsequently leading to an increase in H1-agonist activity. H3-receptor antagonism elevates levels of neurotransmitters including serotonin in the brainstem, inhibiting the activity of vestibular nuclei, thus restoring proper balance and decreasing vertigo symptoms.

The usual initial dose: 8 mg to 16 mg three times daily taken preferably with meals.

Maintenance dose: Up to 48 mg daily has been recommended. Betahistine is not recommended for use in children.

Betahistine is generally well tolerated and there is no known serious adverse effects. In some circumstances gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, rashes and pruritus have been reported.

Betahistine is contraindicated in pheochromocytoma.

Caution should be exercised in patients with bronchial asthma and peptic ulceration.

There are no proven cases of hazardous interactions. Though an antagonism between Betahistine and antihistamines could be expected on a theoretical basis, no such interactions have been reported.

In Pregnancy: The safety of Betahistine in human pregnancy has not been completely established, although there is no known teratogenic effect in animals. A careful assessment of potential benefits should be made before prescribing Betahistine in pregnancy.

In Lactation: Betahistine is excreted in the breast milk of nursing mothers in concentrations similar to those found in plasma. Toxicity to the neonate at these concentrations is not known.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Oral Retinoid preparations

Tretinoin is not a cytolytic agent but instead induces cytodifferentiation and decreased proliferation of APL cells in culture and in vivo. In APL patients, tretinoin treatment produces an initial maturation of the primitive promyelocytes derived from the leukemic clone, followed by a repopulation of the bone marrow and peripheral blood by normal, polyclonal hematopoietic cells in patients achieving complete remission (CR). The exact mechanism of action of tretinoin in APL is unknown.

The recommended dose is 45 mg/m2/day administered as two evenly divided doses until complete remission is documented. Therapy should be discontinued 30 days after achievement of complete remission or after 90 days of treatment, whichever occurs first. If after initiation of treatment of Tretinoin the presence of the t(15;17) translocation is not confirmed by cytogenetics and/or by polymerase chain reaction studies and the patient has not responded to Tretinoin, alternative therapy appropriate for acute myelogenous leukemia should be considered. Tretinoin is for the induction of remission only. Optimal consolidation or maintenance regimens have not been determined. All patients should, therefore, receive a standard consolidation and/or maintenance chemotherapy regimen for APL after induction therapy with Tretinoin, unless otherwise contraindicated.

Virtually all patients experience some drug-related toxicity, especially headache, fever, weakness, and fatigue. These adverse effects are seldom permanent or irreversible nor do they usually require interruption of therapy. Some of the adverse events are common in patients with APL, including hemorrhage, infections, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, pneumonia, septicemia, and cerebral hemorrhage. The following describes the adverse events, regardless of drug relationship, that were observed in patients treated with Tretinoin.

Tretinoin is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to Tretinoin, any of its components, or other retinoids. Tretinoin should not be given to patients who are sensitive to parabens, which are used as preservatives in the gelatin capsule.

Tretinoin has potentially significant toxic side effects in APL patients. Patients undergoing therapy should be closely observed for signs of respiratory compromise and/or leukocytosis. Supportive care appropriate for APL patients, eg, prophylaxis for bleeding, prompt therapy for infection, should be maintained during therapy with Tretinoin.

There is a risk of thrombosis (both venous and arterial) which may involve any organ system, during the first month of treatment. Therefore, caution should be exercised when treating patients with the combination of Tretinoin and anti-fibrinolytic agents, such as tranexamic acid, aminocaproic acid or aprotinin.

The ability to drive or operate machinery might be impaired in patients treated with Tretinoin, particularly if they are experiencing dizziness or severe headache. Microdosed progesterone preparations ("minipill") may be an inadequate method of contraception during treatment with Tretinoin.

As Tretinoin is metabolized by the hepatic P450 system, there is a potential for alteration of pharmacokinetics parameters in patients administered concomitant medications that are also inducers or inhibitors of this system. Medications that generally induce hepatic P450 enzymes include rifampicin, glucocorticoids, phenobarbital and pentobarbital. Medications that generally inhibit hepatic P450 enzymes include ketoconazole, cimetidine, erythromycin, verapamil, diltiazem and cyclosporine. To date there are no data to suggest that co-use with these medications increases or decreases either efficacy or toxicity of Tretinoin.

Pregnancy Category D. Tretinoin has teratogenic and embryotoxic effects in mice, rats, hamsters, rabbits and pigtail monkeys, and may be expected to cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Tretinoin causes fetal resorptions and a decrease in live fetuses in all animals studied. Although experience with humans administered Tretinoin is extremely limited, increased spontaneous abortions and major human fetal abnormalities related to the use of other retinoids have been documented in humans.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from Tretinoin in nursing infants, mothers should discontinue nursing prior to taking this drug.

Pediatric Use: There are limited clinical data on the pediatric use of Tretinoin. Of 15 pediatric patients (age range: 1 to 16 years) treated with Tretinoin, the incidence of complete remission was 67%. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 1 year have not been established. Some pediatric patients experience severe headache and pseudotumor cerebri, requiring analgesic treatment and lumbar puncture for relief. Increased caution is recommended in the treatment of pediatric patients. Dose reduction may be considered for pediatric patients experiencing serious and/or intolerable toxicity; however, the efficacy and safety of Tretinoin at doses lower than 45 mg/m2 /day have not been evaluated in the pediatric population.

Geriatric Use: Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of Tretinoin, 21.4% were 60 and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

There has been no experience with acute overdosage in humans. The maximal tolerated dose in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or solid tumors was 195 mg/m2 /day. The maximal tolerated dose in pediatric patients was lower at 60 mg/m2 /day. Overdosage with other retinoids has been associated with transient headache, facial flushing, cheilosis, abdominal pain, dizziness and ataxia. These symptoms have quickly resolved without apparent residual effects. There is no specific treatment in the case of an overdose, however, it is important that the patient be treated in a special hematological unit.

Store at 15° to 30°C. Protect from light.

Meniere's disease and Meniere-like syndromes are characterized by attacks of vertigo, tinnitus and/or progressive loss of hearing, usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Drugs used in meniere's diseases

The mechanism of action of betahistine is multifactorial. Meniere's disease is thought to result from a disruption of endolymphatic fluid homeostasis in the ear. Betahistine mainly acts as a histamine H1-receptor agonist. The stimulation of H1-receptors in the inner ear causes a vasodilatory effect leading to increased permeability of blood vessels and a reduction in endolymphatic pressure; this action prevents the rupture of the labyrinth, which can contribute to the hearing loss associated with Ménière's disease. Betahistine is also purported to act by reducing the asymmetrical functioning of sensory vestibular organs and increasing vestibulocochlear blood flow, relieving symptoms of vertigo.

In addition to the above mechanisms, betahistine also acts as a histamine H3-receptor antagonist, increasing the turnover of histamine from postsynaptic histaminergic nerve receptors, subsequently leading to an increase in H1-agonist activity. H3-receptor antagonism elevates levels of neurotransmitters including serotonin in the brainstem, inhibiting the activity of vestibular nuclei, thus restoring proper balance and decreasing vertigo symptoms.

The usual initial dose: 8 mg to 16 mg three times daily taken preferably with meals.

Maintenance dose: Up to 48 mg daily has been recommended. Betahistine is not recommended for use in children.

Betahistine is generally well tolerated and there is no known serious adverse effects. In some circumstances gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, rashes and pruritus have been reported.

Betahistine is contraindicated in pheochromocytoma.

Caution should be exercised in patients with bronchial asthma and peptic ulceration.

There are no proven cases of hazardous interactions. Though an antagonism between Betahistine and antihistamines could be expected on a theoretical basis, no such interactions have been reported.

In Pregnancy: The safety of Betahistine in human pregnancy has not been completely established, although there is no known teratogenic effect in animals. A careful assessment of potential benefits should be made before prescribing Betahistine in pregnancy.

In Lactation: Betahistine is excreted in the breast milk of nursing mothers in concentrations similar to those found in plasma. Toxicity to the neonate at these concentrations is not known.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Meniere's disease and Meniere-like syndromes are characterized by attacks of vertigo, tinnitus and/or progressive loss of hearing, usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Drugs used in meniere's diseases

The mechanism of action of betahistine is multifactorial. Meniere's disease is thought to result from a disruption of endolymphatic fluid homeostasis in the ear. Betahistine mainly acts as a histamine H1-receptor agonist. The stimulation of H1-receptors in the inner ear causes a vasodilatory effect leading to increased permeability of blood vessels and a reduction in endolymphatic pressure; this action prevents the rupture of the labyrinth, which can contribute to the hearing loss associated with Ménière's disease. Betahistine is also purported to act by reducing the asymmetrical functioning of sensory vestibular organs and increasing vestibulocochlear blood flow, relieving symptoms of vertigo.

In addition to the above mechanisms, betahistine also acts as a histamine H3-receptor antagonist, increasing the turnover of histamine from postsynaptic histaminergic nerve receptors, subsequently leading to an increase in H1-agonist activity. H3-receptor antagonism elevates levels of neurotransmitters including serotonin in the brainstem, inhibiting the activity of vestibular nuclei, thus restoring proper balance and decreasing vertigo symptoms.

The usual initial dose: 8 mg to 16 mg three times daily taken preferably with meals.

Maintenance dose: Up to 48 mg daily has been recommended. Betahistine is not recommended for use in children.

Betahistine is generally well tolerated and there is no known serious adverse effects. In some circumstances gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, rashes and pruritus have been reported.

Betahistine is contraindicated in pheochromocytoma.

Caution should be exercised in patients with bronchial asthma and peptic ulceration.

There are no proven cases of hazardous interactions. Though an antagonism between Betahistine and antihistamines could be expected on a theoretical basis, no such interactions have been reported.

In Pregnancy: The safety of Betahistine in human pregnancy has not been completely established, although there is no known teratogenic effect in animals. A careful assessment of potential benefits should be made before prescribing Betahistine in pregnancy.

In Lactation: Betahistine is excreted in the breast milk of nursing mothers in concentrations similar to those found in plasma. Toxicity to the neonate at these concentrations is not known.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Symptomatic treatment of urge incontinence and/or increased urinary frequency and urgency as may occur in patients with overactive bladder syndrome.

Anticholinergics (antimuscarinics)/ Anti-spasmodics, BPH/ Urinary retention/ Urinary incontinence

Solifenacin is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist. It has the highest affinity for M3, M1, and M2 muscarinic receptors. 80% of the muscarinic receptors in the bladder are M2, while 20% are M3. Solifenacin's antagonism of the M3 receptor prevents contraction of the detrusor muscle, while antagonism of the M2 receptor may prevent contraction of smooth muscle in the bladder.

The recommended dose for adults and the elderly: Solifenacin Succinate 5 mg once daily. If needed, the dose may be increased to Solifenacin Succinate 10 mg once daily.

Use in children: Safety and effectiveness in children have not yet been established. Therefore, Solifenacin Succinate should not be used in children.

Due to the pharmacological effect of Solifenacin, it may cause anticholinergic undesirable effects of (in general) mild or moderate severity. The frequency of anticholinergic undesirable effects is dose related. The most commonly reported adverse reactionwith Solifenacin is dry mouth. It occurred in 11% of patients treated with 5 mg once daily, in 22% of patients treated with 10 mg once daily and in 4% of placebo-treated patients. The severity of dry mouth was generally mild and only occasionally led to discontinuation of treatment. In general,medicinal product compliance was very high (approximately 99%) and approximately 90% of the patients treated with Solifenacin completed the full study period of 12 weeks treatment.

• Gastrointestinal disorders: very common- dry mouth, common-constipation, nausea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, uncommon- gastroesophageal reflux diseases, dry throat, rare- colonic obstruction, faecal impaction, very rare- vomiting.
• Infections and infestations: uncommonurinary tract infection, cystitis.
• nervous system disorders: uncommon- somnolence, dysgeusia, very rare-dizziness, headache.
• psychiatric disorders: very rare- hallucinations.
• eye disorders: common- blurred vision, uncommon- dry eyes.
• General disorders and administration site conditions: uncommon- fatigue, peripheral oedema.
• Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: uncommon nasal dryness.
• skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: uncommon- dry skin, very rare- pruritus, rash, urticaria.
• renal and urinary disorders: uncommon- difficulty in micturition, rare- urinary retention.

Solifenacin is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to solifenacin or to any of the excipients. It is also contraindicated in myasthenia gravis, urinary retention, uncontrolled narrow angle glaucoma, severe gastro-intestinal condition (including toxic megacolon), patients undergoing haemodialysis, patients with severe hepatic impairment, patients with severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment and on treatment with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, e.g. ketoconazole.

Other causes of frequent urination (heart failure or renal disease) should be assessed before treatment with Solifenacin Succinate. If urinary tract infection is present, an appropriate antibacterial therapy should be started. Solifenacin Succinate should be used with caution in patients with: clinically significant bladder outflow obstruction at risk of urinary retention, gastrointestinal obstructive disorders, risk of decreased gastrointestinal motility, severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 ml/min), moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9) and doses should not exceed 5 mg for these patients. Caution should be taken in concomitant use of a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor e.g. Ketoconazole, hiatus hernia/ gastroesophageal reflux and/or who are concurrently taking medicinal products (such as Bisphosphonates) that can cause or exacerbate oesophagitis, autonomic neuropathy. Safety and efficacy have not yet been established in patients with a neurogenic cause for detrusor overactivity. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product. The maximum effect of Solifenacin Succinate can be determined after 4 weeks at the earliest.

Concomitant medication with other medicinal products with anticholinergic properties may result in more pronounced therapeutic effects and undesirable effects. An interval of approximately one week should be allowed after stopping treatment with Solifenacin Succinate before commencing other anticholinergic therapy. The therapeutic effect of Solifenacin may be reduced by concomitant administration of cholinergic receptor agonists. Solifenacin can reduce the effect of medicinal products that stimulate the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, such as Metoclopramide and Cisapride. In vitro studies have demonstrated that at therapeutic concentrations, Solifenacin does not inhibit CYP1A1/2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 3A4 derived from human liver microsomes. Therefore, Solifenacin is unlikely to alter the clearance of drugs metabolized by these CYP enzymes. Solifenacin is metabolized by CYP3A4. Simultaneous administration of Ketoconazole (200 mg/day), a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, resulted in a two-fold increase of the AUC of Solifenacin, while Ketoconazole at a dose of 400 mg/day resulted in a three-fold increase of the AUC of Solifenacin. Therefore, the maximum dose of Solifenacin Succinate should be restricted to 5 mg when used simultaneously with Ketoconazole or therapeutic doses of other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. Ritonavir, Nelfinavir, Itraconazole).

Simultaneous treatment of Solifenacin and a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor is contra-indicated in patients with severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment. The effects of enzyme induction on the pharmacokinetics of Solifenacin and its metabolites have not been studied as well as the effect of higher affinity CYP3A4 substrates on Solifenacin exposure. Since Solifenacin is metabolised by CYP3A4, pharmacokinetic interactions are possible with other CYP3A4 substrates with higher affinity (e.g. Verapamil, Diltiazem) and CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. Rifampicin, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine).

Effect of Solifenacin on the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products:

• Oral Contraceptives: Intake of Solifenacin showed no pharmacokinetic interaction on combined oral contraceptives (Ethinylestradiol/Levonorgestrel).
• Warfarin: Intake of Solifenacin did not alter the pharmacokinetics of R-warfarin or S-warfarin or their effect on prothrombin time.
• Digoxin: Intake of Solifenacin showed no effect on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin.
• Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Since Solifenacin, like other anticholinergics may cause blurred vision and, uncommonly, somnolence and fatigue, the ability to drive and use machines may be negatively affected.

No clinical data are available from women who became pregnant while taking Solifenacin. Animal studies do not indicate direct harmful effects on fertility, embryonal / foetal development or parturition. The potential risk for humans is unknown. Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women. No data on the excretion of Solifenacin in human milk are available. In mice, Solifenacin and/or its metabolites was excreted in milk, and caused a dose dependent failure to thrive in neonatal mice. The use of Solifenacin should therefore be avoided during breast-feeding.

Patients with renal impairment: No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance >30 ml/min). Patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min) should be treated with caution and receive no more than 5 mg once daily.

Patients with hepatic impairment: No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild hepatic impairment. Patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9) should be treated with caution and receive no more than 5 mg once daily.

Potent inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4: The maximum dose of Solifenacin Succinate should be limited to 5 mg when treated simultaneously with Ketoconazole or therapeutic doses of other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors e.g. Ritonavir, Nelfinavir, Itraconazole. Solifenacin Succinate tablet should be taken orally and should be swallowed whole with liquids. It can be taken with or without food.

Over dosage with Solifenacin Succinate can potentially result in severe anticholinergic effects. The highest dose of Solifenacin Succinate accidentally given to a single patient was 280 mg in a 5 hour period, resulting in mental status changes not requiring hospitalization. In the event of overdose with Solifenacin Succinate, the patient should be treated with activated charcoal. Gastric lavage is useful if performed within 1 hour, but vomiting should not be induced. As for other anticholinergics, symptoms can be treated as follows:

• Severe central anticholinergic effects such as hallucinations or pronounced excitation: treat with physostigmine or carbachol.
• Convulsions or pronounced excitation: treat with benzodiazepines.
• Respiratory insufficiency: treat with artificial respiration.
• Tachycardia: treat with beta-blockers.
• Urinary retention: treat with catheterisation.
• Mydriasis: treat with pilocarpine eye drops and/or place patient in a dark room.

As with other antimuscarinics, in case of overdosing, specific attention should be paid to patients with known risk for QT-prolongation (i.e. hypokalaemia, bradycardia and concurrent administration of medicinal products known to prolong QT interval) and relevant pre-existing cardiac diseases (i.e. myocardial ischaemia, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure).

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light.

Symptomatic treatment of urge incontinence and/or increased urinary frequency and urgency as may occur in patients with overactive bladder syndrome.

Anticholinergics (antimuscarinics)/ Anti-spasmodics, BPH/ Urinary retention/ Urinary incontinence

Solifenacin is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist. It has the highest affinity for M3, M1, and M2 muscarinic receptors. 80% of the muscarinic receptors in the bladder are M2, while 20% are M3. Solifenacin's antagonism of the M3 receptor prevents contraction of the detrusor muscle, while antagonism of the M2 receptor may prevent contraction of smooth muscle in the bladder.

The recommended dose for adults and the elderly: Solifenacin Succinate 5 mg once daily. If needed, the dose may be increased to Solifenacin Succinate 10 mg once daily.

Use in children: Safety and effectiveness in children have not yet been established. Therefore, Solifenacin Succinate should not be used in children.

Due to the pharmacological effect of Solifenacin, it may cause anticholinergic undesirable effects of (in general) mild or moderate severity. The frequency of anticholinergic undesirable effects is dose related. The most commonly reported adverse reactionwith Solifenacin is dry mouth. It occurred in 11% of patients treated with 5 mg once daily, in 22% of patients treated with 10 mg once daily and in 4% of placebo-treated patients. The severity of dry mouth was generally mild and only occasionally led to discontinuation of treatment. In general,medicinal product compliance was very high (approximately 99%) and approximately 90% of the patients treated with Solifenacin completed the full study period of 12 weeks treatment.

• Gastrointestinal disorders: very common- dry mouth, common-constipation, nausea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, uncommon- gastroesophageal reflux diseases, dry throat, rare- colonic obstruction, faecal impaction, very rare- vomiting.
• Infections and infestations: uncommonurinary tract infection, cystitis.
• nervous system disorders: uncommon- somnolence, dysgeusia, very rare-dizziness, headache.
• psychiatric disorders: very rare- hallucinations.
• eye disorders: common- blurred vision, uncommon- dry eyes.
• General disorders and administration site conditions: uncommon- fatigue, peripheral oedema.
• Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: uncommon nasal dryness.
• skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: uncommon- dry skin, very rare- pruritus, rash, urticaria.
• renal and urinary disorders: uncommon- difficulty in micturition, rare- urinary retention.

Solifenacin is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to solifenacin or to any of the excipients. It is also contraindicated in myasthenia gravis, urinary retention, uncontrolled narrow angle glaucoma, severe gastro-intestinal condition (including toxic megacolon), patients undergoing haemodialysis, patients with severe hepatic impairment, patients with severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment and on treatment with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, e.g. ketoconazole.

Other causes of frequent urination (heart failure or renal disease) should be assessed before treatment with Solifenacin Succinate. If urinary tract infection is present, an appropriate antibacterial therapy should be started. Solifenacin Succinate should be used with caution in patients with: clinically significant bladder outflow obstruction at risk of urinary retention, gastrointestinal obstructive disorders, risk of decreased gastrointestinal motility, severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 ml/min), moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9) and doses should not exceed 5 mg for these patients. Caution should be taken in concomitant use of a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor e.g. Ketoconazole, hiatus hernia/ gastroesophageal reflux and/or who are concurrently taking medicinal products (such as Bisphosphonates) that can cause or exacerbate oesophagitis, autonomic neuropathy. Safety and efficacy have not yet been established in patients with a neurogenic cause for detrusor overactivity. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product. The maximum effect of Solifenacin Succinate can be determined after 4 weeks at the earliest.

Concomitant medication with other medicinal products with anticholinergic properties may result in more pronounced therapeutic effects and undesirable effects. An interval of approximately one week should be allowed after stopping treatment with Solifenacin Succinate before commencing other anticholinergic therapy. The therapeutic effect of Solifenacin may be reduced by concomitant administration of cholinergic receptor agonists. Solifenacin can reduce the effect of medicinal products that stimulate the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, such as Metoclopramide and Cisapride. In vitro studies have demonstrated that at therapeutic concentrations, Solifenacin does not inhibit CYP1A1/2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 3A4 derived from human liver microsomes. Therefore, Solifenacin is unlikely to alter the clearance of drugs metabolized by these CYP enzymes. Solifenacin is metabolized by CYP3A4. Simultaneous administration of Ketoconazole (200 mg/day), a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, resulted in a two-fold increase of the AUC of Solifenacin, while Ketoconazole at a dose of 400 mg/day resulted in a three-fold increase of the AUC of Solifenacin. Therefore, the maximum dose of Solifenacin Succinate should be restricted to 5 mg when used simultaneously with Ketoconazole or therapeutic doses of other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. Ritonavir, Nelfinavir, Itraconazole).

Simultaneous treatment of Solifenacin and a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor is contra-indicated in patients with severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment. The effects of enzyme induction on the pharmacokinetics of Solifenacin and its metabolites have not been studied as well as the effect of higher affinity CYP3A4 substrates on Solifenacin exposure. Since Solifenacin is metabolised by CYP3A4, pharmacokinetic interactions are possible with other CYP3A4 substrates with higher affinity (e.g. Verapamil, Diltiazem) and CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. Rifampicin, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine).

Effect of Solifenacin on the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products:

• Oral Contraceptives: Intake of Solifenacin showed no pharmacokinetic interaction on combined oral contraceptives (Ethinylestradiol/Levonorgestrel).
• Warfarin: Intake of Solifenacin did not alter the pharmacokinetics of R-warfarin or S-warfarin or their effect on prothrombin time.
• Digoxin: Intake of Solifenacin showed no effect on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin.
• Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Since Solifenacin, like other anticholinergics may cause blurred vision and, uncommonly, somnolence and fatigue, the ability to drive and use machines may be negatively affected.

No clinical data are available from women who became pregnant while taking Solifenacin. Animal studies do not indicate direct harmful effects on fertility, embryonal / foetal development or parturition. The potential risk for humans is unknown. Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women. No data on the excretion of Solifenacin in human milk are available. In mice, Solifenacin and/or its metabolites was excreted in milk, and caused a dose dependent failure to thrive in neonatal mice. The use of Solifenacin should therefore be avoided during breast-feeding.

Patients with renal impairment: No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance >30 ml/min). Patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min) should be treated with caution and receive no more than 5 mg once daily.

Patients with hepatic impairment: No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild hepatic impairment. Patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9) should be treated with caution and receive no more than 5 mg once daily.

Potent inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4: The maximum dose of Solifenacin Succinate should be limited to 5 mg when treated simultaneously with Ketoconazole or therapeutic doses of other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors e.g. Ritonavir, Nelfinavir, Itraconazole. Solifenacin Succinate tablet should be taken orally and should be swallowed whole with liquids. It can be taken with or without food.

Over dosage with Solifenacin Succinate can potentially result in severe anticholinergic effects. The highest dose of Solifenacin Succinate accidentally given to a single patient was 280 mg in a 5 hour period, resulting in mental status changes not requiring hospitalization. In the event of overdose with Solifenacin Succinate, the patient should be treated with activated charcoal. Gastric lavage is useful if performed within 1 hour, but vomiting should not be induced. As for other anticholinergics, symptoms can be treated as follows:

• Severe central anticholinergic effects such as hallucinations or pronounced excitation: treat with physostigmine or carbachol.
• Convulsions or pronounced excitation: treat with benzodiazepines.
• Respiratory insufficiency: treat with artificial respiration.
• Tachycardia: treat with beta-blockers.
• Urinary retention: treat with catheterisation.
• Mydriasis: treat with pilocarpine eye drops and/or place patient in a dark room.

As with other antimuscarinics, in case of overdosing, specific attention should be paid to patients with known risk for QT-prolongation (i.e. hypokalaemia, bradycardia and concurrent administration of medicinal products known to prolong QT interval) and relevant pre-existing cardiac diseases (i.e. myocardial ischaemia, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure).

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light.

Ketorolac Tromethamine is indicated for the short-term management of moderate to severe acute post-operative pain.

Drugs used for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Non-Opioid Analgesics

Ketorolac Tromethamine is a potent analgesic of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It acts by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme system and hence inhibits the prostaglandin synthesis. It demonstrates a minimal anti-inflammatory effect at its analgesic dose.

Tablet-

Recommended dose is 10 mg every 4-6 hours. It should be used short-term only (up to 7 days) and are not recommended for chronic use. Doses exceeding 40 mg/day is not recommended.

Injection-

Ketorolac injection may be used as a single or multiple doses, on a regular or when necessary schedule for the management of moderately severe, acute pain that requires analgesia at the opioid level, usually in a postoperative setting. When administering Ketorolac injection, the IV bolus must be given over no less than 15 seconds. The IM administration should be given slowly and deeply into the muscle. The analgesic effect begins within 30 minutes with maximum effect in 1 to 2 hours after dosing IV or IM. Duration of analgesic effect is usually 4 to 6 hours.

Single-Dose Treatment-
IM Dosing (Adult):

• Patients <65 years of age: One dose of 60 mg.
• Patients >65 years of age, renally impaired and/or less than 50 kg of body weight: One dose of 30 mg.

IV Dosing (Adult):

• Patients <65 years of age: One dose of 30 mg.
• Patients >65 years of age, renally impaired and/or less than 50 kg of body weight: One dose of 15 mg.

IV or IM Dosing (2 to 16 years of age):

• IM Dosing: One dose of 1 mg/kg up to a maximum of 30 mg.
• IV Dosing: One dose of 0.5 mg/kg up to a maximum of 15 mg.

Multiple-Dose Treatment (IV or IM)-

• Patients <65 years of age: The recommended dose is 30 mg Ketorolac injection every 6 hours. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 120 mg. Patients >65 years of age, renally impaired patients and patients less than 50 kg: The recommended dose is 15 mg Ketorolac injection every 6 hours. The maximum daily dose for these populations should not exceed 60 mg. For breakthrough pain, do not increase the dose or the frequency of Ketorolac Tromethamine.
• Conversion from Parenteral to Oral Therapy: Ketorolac tablets may be used either as monotherapy or as follow-on therapy to parenteral Ketorolac. When Ketorolac tablets are used as a follow-on therapy to parenteral Ketorolac, the total combined daily dose of ketorolac (oral + parenteral) should not exceed 120 mg in younger adult patients or 60 mg in elderly patients on the day the change of formulation is made. On subsequent days, oral dosing should not exceed the recommended daily maximum of 40 mg. Ketorolac IM should be replaced by Ketorolac tablet as soon as feasible. The total duration of combined parenteral and oral treatment should not exceed 5 days.

Commonly occurring side effects are nausea, vomiting, gastro-intestinal bleeding, melana, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, anxiety, drowsiness, headache, excessive thirst, fatigue, bradycardia, hypertension, palpitation, chest pain, infertility in female and pulmonary edema.

Ketorolac is contraindicated in patients having hypersensitivity to this drug or other NSAIDs. It should not be used in children under 16 years of age. lt is also contraindicated as prophylactic analgesic before surgery.

Caution should be exercised in patients over the age of 65 years. Caution should also be taken in patients with active or suspected peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding or asthma and liver dysfunction.

Other NSAIDs or aspirin: Increase the side effects of ketorolac Tromethamine.
Anti-coagulants: Enhance anti-coagulant effect.
Beta Blocker: Reduce the anti-hypertensive effect .
ACE Inhibitors: Increase the risk of renal impairment.
Methotrexate: Enhance the toxicity of methotrexate.

US FDA Pregnancy category of Ketorolac Tromethamine is C. So, Ketorolac Tromethamine should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation unless the potential benefits to the other outweigh the possible risks to the fetus.

Keep in a dry place away from light and heat. Keep out of the reach of children.

Calcium-channel blockers

Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker, with a long duration of action, used for the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. Amlodipine influences the myocardial cells, the cells within the specialized conducting system of the heart, and the cells of vascular smooth muscle. Administration of Amlodipine results primarily in vasodilation, with reduced peripheral resistance, blood pressure and afterload, increased coronary blood flow and a reflex increase in coronary heart rate. This in turn results in an increase in myocardial oxygen supply and cardiac output.

Hypertension: Usual dose is 5 mg once daily. The maximum dose is 10 mg once daily. Elderly patients with hepatic insufficiency may be started on 2.5 mg once daily; this dose may also be used when adding Amlodipine to other antihypertensive therapy.

Angina (Chronic stable or Vasospastic): 5 to 10 mg, using the lower dose for elderly and in patients with hepatic insufficiency. Most patients require 10 mg.

Administrations: May be taken without regard to meals.

The most common adverse effects of amlodipine are associated with vasodilatory action, such as dizziness, flushing, headache, hypotension and peripheral edema. Gastrointestinal disturbances, increased micturition frequency, lethargy, eye pain and mental depression may also occur. A paradoxical increase in ischaemic chest pain may occur at the start of the treatment and in a few patients excessive fall in blood pressure has led to cerebral or myocardial ischaemia or transient blindness. Rashes, fever and abnormalities in liver function due to hypersensitivity reaction of Amlodipine may occur.

Hypersensitivity to dihydropyridine derivatives. Pregnant woman.

Precaution should be taken in patients with hepatic impairment and during pregnancy and breast feeding.

Drug Interactions-

• Potentially hazardous interactions: Little or no data are available in patients with markedly impaired cardiac left ventricular function; however, as with other calcium antagonist drugs, the combination of Amlodipine and p-blockers should be avoided in such patients.

Other Significant Interactions-

• Digoxin: Absence of any interaction between Amlodipine and Digoxin in healthy volunteers has been documented in a controlled clinical study.
• Cimetidine: An unpublished clinical study indicated no interaction between, Amlodipine and Cimetidine in healthy volunteers.
• Warfarin: An unpublished clinical study in healthy volunteers indicates that Amlodipine did not significantly alter the effect of Warfarin on prothrombin time.
• Food: Food does not alter the rate or extent of absorption of Amlodipine.

Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Amlodipine in pregnant women. Amlodipine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known whether Amlodipine is excreted in human milk. In the absence of this information, it is recommended that nursing be discontinued while Amlodipine is administered.

Children with hypertension from 6 years to 17 years of age: 2.5 mg once daily as a starting dose, up-titrated to 5 mg once daily if blood pressure goal is not achieved after 4 weeks. Doses in excess of 5 mg daily have not been studied in pediatric patients.

Children under 6 years old:  The effect of amlodipine on blood pressure in patients less than 6 years of age is not known.

Elderly: Amlodipine used at similar doses in elderly or younger patients is equally well tolerated. Normal dosage regimens are recommended in the elderly, but increase of the dosage should take place with care.

Renal impairment: Changes in amlodipine plasma concentrations are not correlated with degree of renal impairment, therefore the normal dosage is recommended. Amlodipine is not dialysable.

Hepatic impairment: Dosage recommendations have not been established in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment; therefore dose selection should be cautions and should start at the lower end of the dosing range. The pharmacokinetics of Amlodipine have not been studied in severe hepatic impairment. Amlodipine should be initiated at the lowest dose (2.5 mg once daily) and titrated slowly in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Symptoms: Available data suggest that large overdosage could result in excessive peripheral vasodilatation and possibly reflex tachycardia. Marked and probably prolonged systemic hypotension up to and including shock with fatal outcome have been reported.

Management: Clinically significant hypotension due to amlodipine overdosage calls for active cardiovascular support including frequent monitoring of cardiac and respiratory function, elevation of extremities, and attention to circulating fluid volume and urine output. 

A vasoconstrictor may be helpful in restoring vascular tone and blood pressure, provided that there is no contraindication to its use. Intravenous calcium gluconate may be beneficial in reversing the effects of calcium channel blockade. Gastric lavage may be worthwhile in some cases. In healthy volunteers the use of charcoal up to 2 hours after administration of amlodipine 10 mg has been shown to reduce the absorption rate of amlodipine. Since amlodipine is highly protein-bound, dialysis is not likely to be of benefit.

Keep all medicines out of reach of children. Store in a cool & dry place, protected from light.

Calcium-channel blockers

Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker, with a long duration of action, used for the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. Amlodipine influences the myocardial cells, the cells within the specialized conducting system of the heart, and the cells of vascular smooth muscle. Administration of Amlodipine results primarily in vasodilation, with reduced peripheral resistance, blood pressure and afterload, increased coronary blood flow and a reflex increase in coronary heart rate. This in turn results in an increase in myocardial oxygen supply and cardiac output.

Hypertension: Usual dose is 5 mg once daily. The maximum dose is 10 mg once daily. Elderly patients with hepatic insufficiency may be started on 2.5 mg once daily; this dose may also be used when adding Amlodipine to other antihypertensive therapy.

Angina (Chronic stable or Vasospastic): 5 to 10 mg, using the lower dose for elderly and in patients with hepatic insufficiency. Most patients require 10 mg.

Administrations: May be taken without regard to meals.

The most common adverse effects of amlodipine are associated with vasodilatory action, such as dizziness, flushing, headache, hypotension and peripheral edema. Gastrointestinal disturbances, increased micturition frequency, lethargy, eye pain and mental depression may also occur. A paradoxical increase in ischaemic chest pain may occur at the start of the treatment and in a few patients excessive fall in blood pressure has led to cerebral or myocardial ischaemia or transient blindness. Rashes, fever and abnormalities in liver function due to hypersensitivity reaction of Amlodipine may occur.

Hypersensitivity to dihydropyridine derivatives. Pregnant woman.

Precaution should be taken in patients with hepatic impairment and during pregnancy and breast feeding.

Drug Interactions-

• Potentially hazardous interactions: Little or no data are available in patients with markedly impaired cardiac left ventricular function; however, as with other calcium antagonist drugs, the combination of Amlodipine and p-blockers should be avoided in such patients.

Other Significant Interactions-

• Digoxin: Absence of any interaction between Amlodipine and Digoxin in healthy volunteers has been documented in a controlled clinical study.
• Cimetidine: An unpublished clinical study indicated no interaction between, Amlodipine and Cimetidine in healthy volunteers.
• Warfarin: An unpublished clinical study in healthy volunteers indicates that Amlodipine did not significantly alter the effect of Warfarin on prothrombin time.
• Food: Food does not alter the rate or extent of absorption of Amlodipine.

Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Amlodipine in pregnant women. Amlodipine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known whether Amlodipine is excreted in human milk. In the absence of this information, it is recommended that nursing be discontinued while Amlodipine is administered.

Children with hypertension from 6 years to 17 years of age: 2.5 mg once daily as a starting dose, up-titrated to 5 mg once daily if blood pressure goal is not achieved after 4 weeks. Doses in excess of 5 mg daily have not been studied in pediatric patients.

Children under 6 years old:  The effect of amlodipine on blood pressure in patients less than 6 years of age is not known.

Elderly: Amlodipine used at similar doses in elderly or younger patients is equally well tolerated. Normal dosage regimens are recommended in the elderly, but increase of the dosage should take place with care.

Renal impairment: Changes in amlodipine plasma concentrations are not correlated with degree of renal impairment, therefore the normal dosage is recommended. Amlodipine is not dialysable.

Hepatic impairment: Dosage recommendations have not been established in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment; therefore dose selection should be cautions and should start at the lower end of the dosing range. The pharmacokinetics of Amlodipine have not been studied in severe hepatic impairment. Amlodipine should be initiated at the lowest dose (2.5 mg once daily) and titrated slowly in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Symptoms: Available data suggest that large overdosage could result in excessive peripheral vasodilatation and possibly reflex tachycardia. Marked and probably prolonged systemic hypotension up to and including shock with fatal outcome have been reported.

Management: Clinically significant hypotension due to amlodipine overdosage calls for active cardiovascular support including frequent monitoring of cardiac and respiratory function, elevation of extremities, and attention to circulating fluid volume and urine output. 

A vasoconstrictor may be helpful in restoring vascular tone and blood pressure, provided that there is no contraindication to its use. Intravenous calcium gluconate may be beneficial in reversing the effects of calcium channel blockade. Gastric lavage may be worthwhile in some cases. In healthy volunteers the use of charcoal up to 2 hours after administration of amlodipine 10 mg has been shown to reduce the absorption rate of amlodipine. Since amlodipine is highly protein-bound, dialysis is not likely to be of benefit.

Keep all medicines out of reach of children. Store in a cool & dry place, protected from light.

This is indicated in-

• Patients with essential hypertension
• Patients with angina pectoris & hypertension as co-existing diseases
• ln post Ml patients
• ln patients with refractory angina pectoris where nitrate therapy has failed.

Combined antihypertensive preparations

This is a fixed-dose combination of Amlodipine and Atenolol. Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle; it has a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle than on cardiac muscle. Amlodipine is a peripheral vasodilator that acts directly on vascular smooth muscle to cause a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance and reduction in blood pressure. Amlodipine reduces tone, decreases coronary vasoreactivity and lowers cardiac demand by reducing afterload.

Atenolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker. The cardio-selectivity is dose-related. Atenolol causes a reduction in blood pressure by lowering cardiac output, decreasing the plasma renin activity and sympathetic outflow from CNS. Atenolol also causes a reduction in myocardial oxygen demand by virtue of its negative inotropic and negative chronotropic effects.

The recommended dosage is Amlodipine and Atenolol 5/25 mg tablet once daily. If necessary, the dosage may be increased to 5/25 mg two tablets daily or as advised by the physicians. The dosage however should be individualized.

The combination of Amlodipine and Atenolol is well tolerated. Overall side-effects include
fatigue, headache, edema, nausea, drowsiness, anxiety and depression.

Hypersensitivity to either component, sinus bradycardia, second and higher degrees of heart block, cardiogenic shock, hypotension, congestive heart failure, poor left ventricular function.

Bronchospasm: The combination should be used with caution in patients with airway obstruction.

Renal impairment: The combination can be used in patients with renal impairment. However, caution may be necessary if the creatinine clearance is less than 30 ml/min because of possible reduction in the excretion of unchanged Atenolol.

Hepatic impairment: Caution may be necessary in the use of the combination in patients with severe liver damage because of prolongation of the elimination half-life of Amlodipine.

Drug withdrawal: Since coronary heart disease may exist without being recognized, patients should be warned against stopping the drug suddenly. Any discontinuation should be gradual and under observation.

Disopyramide: Atenolol reduces the clearance of disopyramide by 20%. Additive negative inotropic effects on the heart may be produced.

Ampicillin: at doses of 1 gm and above may reduce Atenolol levels.

Oral antidiabetics and insulin: Beta-blockers may decrease tissue sensitivity to insulin and inhibit insulin secretion e.g. in response to oral antidiabetics. Atenolol has less potential for these actions.

The combination should be used during pregnancy only if the expected benefit outweighs the potential fetal risk. The combination should not be used by nursing mothers. If its use is considered necessary, breast-feeding should be stopped.

Though not documented, hypotension and less frequently congestive cardiac failure may occur in cases of overdosage. Unabsorbed drugs may be removed by gastric lavage or administration of activated charcoal. Symptomatic treatment is suggested.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Alpha adrenoceptor blocking drugs, Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, Beta-blockers

Carvedilol is a cardiovascular drug whose main pharmacological action is non-selective antagonism of β-adrenergic receptors but which also possesses appreciable a-adrenergic antagonistic activity. It also has antiproliferative properties and is a scavenger of reactive free oxidant radicals. It is used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris and congestive heart failure.

In hypertension: initially, 12.5 mg once daily, increased after 2 days to the usual dose of 25 mg once daily; if necessary the dose may be further increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to maximum 50 mg daily in single or divided doses. In elderly patients, the initial dose of 12.5 mg daily may provide satisfactory control.

In angina pectoris: the recommended dose for initiation of therapy is 12.5 mg twice daily for the first 2 days. Thereafter, the recommended dosage is 25 mg twice daily. For elderly patients, the maximum daily dose is 50 mg daily in divided doses.

In heart failure: initially, 3.125 mg twice daily (with food) may be given, the dose may be increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to 6.25 mg twice daily, then to 12.5 mg twice daily, then to 25 mg twice daily. The dose may be increased to the highest dose tolerated, maximum 25 mg twice daily in patients less than 85 kg body-weight and 50 mg twice daily in patients over 85 kg.

Postural hypotension, dizziness, headache, fatigue, gastro-intestinal disturbances, bradycardia; occasionally diminished peripheral circulation, peripheral oedema and painful extremities, dry mouth, dry eyes, eye irritation or disturbed vision, impotence, disturbances of micturition, influenza-like symptoms, rarely angina, AV block, exacerbation of intermittent claudication or Raynaud's phenomenon, allergic skin reactions, exacerbation of psoriasis, nasal stuffiness, wheezing, depressed mood, sleep disturbances, paresthesia, heart failure, changes in liver enzymes, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia are also reported.

Carvedilol is contraindicated in patients with decompensated heart failure requiring intravenous inotropic therapy, bronchial asthma or related bronchospastic conditions, second or third-degree AV block, sick sinus syndrome (unless a permanent pacemaker is in place), cardiogenic shock or severe bradycardia.

Take caution in hepatic impairment and in heart failure monitor clinical status for 2-3 hours after initiation and after increasing each dose. Before increasing dose ensure that the renal function and heart failure are not deteriorating

Digoxin: In normal healthy volunteers a single dose of carvedilol taken together with a single dose of digoxin resulted in significantly increased levels of digoxin 24 hours later. Patients with congestive heart failure stabilized on digoxin have been given carvedilol concomitantly without any adverse effects. Increased monitoring of digoxin is recommended when initiating, adjusting, or discontinuing the dose of carvedilol.

Rifampin: Pretreatment with rifampin resulted in a 60% decrease in Cmax and AUC.

Warfarin: Carvedilol did not alter the in vitro plasma protein binding of warfarin.

Clonidine: β-receptor antagonists potentiate the pressor reaction which may follow the sudden withdrawal of treatment with clonidine although, in theory, the a-blocking action of carvedilol should modify the pressure rise.

Carvedilol should not be used during breast-feeding, since no studies have been performed in lactating women and animal studies have shown that carvedilol is excreted in breast milk. Safety and efficacy in children have not been established with carvedilol. Carvedilol should not be used during pregnancy as no studies have been performed in this group. Animal studies have shown that carvedilol crosses the placental barrier. No information is available on the safety and efficacy of Carvedilol use in neonates.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Alpha adrenoceptor blocking drugs, Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, Beta-blockers

Carvedilol is a cardiovascular drug whose main pharmacological action is non-selective antagonism of β-adrenergic receptors but which also possesses appreciable a-adrenergic antagonistic activity. It also has antiproliferative properties and is a scavenger of reactive free oxidant radicals. It is used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris and congestive heart failure.

In hypertension: initially, 12.5 mg once daily, increased after 2 days to the usual dose of 25 mg once daily; if necessary the dose may be further increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to maximum 50 mg daily in single or divided doses. In elderly patients, the initial dose of 12.5 mg daily may provide satisfactory control.

In angina pectoris: the recommended dose for initiation of therapy is 12.5 mg twice daily for the first 2 days. Thereafter, the recommended dosage is 25 mg twice daily. For elderly patients, the maximum daily dose is 50 mg daily in divided doses.

In heart failure: initially, 3.125 mg twice daily (with food) may be given, the dose may be increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to 6.25 mg twice daily, then to 12.5 mg twice daily, then to 25 mg twice daily. The dose may be increased to the highest dose tolerated, maximum 25 mg twice daily in patients less than 85 kg body-weight and 50 mg twice daily in patients over 85 kg.

Postural hypotension, dizziness, headache, fatigue, gastro-intestinal disturbances, bradycardia; occasionally diminished peripheral circulation, peripheral oedema and painful extremities, dry mouth, dry eyes, eye irritation or disturbed vision, impotence, disturbances of micturition, influenza-like symptoms, rarely angina, AV block, exacerbation of intermittent claudication or Raynaud's phenomenon, allergic skin reactions, exacerbation of psoriasis, nasal stuffiness, wheezing, depressed mood, sleep disturbances, paresthesia, heart failure, changes in liver enzymes, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia are also reported.

Carvedilol is contraindicated in patients with decompensated heart failure requiring intravenous inotropic therapy, bronchial asthma or related bronchospastic conditions, second or third-degree AV block, sick sinus syndrome (unless a permanent pacemaker is in place), cardiogenic shock or severe bradycardia.

Take caution in hepatic impairment and in heart failure monitor clinical status for 2-3 hours after initiation and after increasing each dose. Before increasing dose ensure that the renal function and heart failure are not deteriorating

Digoxin: In normal healthy volunteers a single dose of carvedilol taken together with a single dose of digoxin resulted in significantly increased levels of digoxin 24 hours later. Patients with congestive heart failure stabilized on digoxin have been given carvedilol concomitantly without any adverse effects. Increased monitoring of digoxin is recommended when initiating, adjusting, or discontinuing the dose of carvedilol.

Rifampin: Pretreatment with rifampin resulted in a 60% decrease in Cmax and AUC.

Warfarin: Carvedilol did not alter the in vitro plasma protein binding of warfarin.

Clonidine: β-receptor antagonists potentiate the pressor reaction which may follow the sudden withdrawal of treatment with clonidine although, in theory, the a-blocking action of carvedilol should modify the pressure rise.

Carvedilol should not be used during breast-feeding, since no studies have been performed in lactating women and animal studies have shown that carvedilol is excreted in breast milk. Safety and efficacy in children have not been established with carvedilol. Carvedilol should not be used during pregnancy as no studies have been performed in this group. Animal studies have shown that carvedilol crosses the placental barrier. No information is available on the safety and efficacy of Carvedilol use in neonates.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Alpha adrenoceptor blocking drugs, Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, Beta-blockers

Carvedilol is a cardiovascular drug whose main pharmacological action is non-selective antagonism of β-adrenergic receptors but which also possesses appreciable a-adrenergic antagonistic activity. It also has antiproliferative properties and is a scavenger of reactive free oxidant radicals. It is used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris and congestive heart failure.

In hypertension: initially, 12.5 mg once daily, increased after 2 days to the usual dose of 25 mg once daily; if necessary the dose may be further increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to maximum 50 mg daily in single or divided doses. In elderly patients, the initial dose of 12.5 mg daily may provide satisfactory control.

In angina pectoris: the recommended dose for initiation of therapy is 12.5 mg twice daily for the first 2 days. Thereafter, the recommended dosage is 25 mg twice daily. For elderly patients, the maximum daily dose is 50 mg daily in divided doses.

In heart failure: initially, 3.125 mg twice daily (with food) may be given, the dose may be increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to 6.25 mg twice daily, then to 12.5 mg twice daily, then to 25 mg twice daily. The dose may be increased to the highest dose tolerated, maximum 25 mg twice daily in patients less than 85 kg body-weight and 50 mg twice daily in patients over 85 kg.

Postural hypotension, dizziness, headache, fatigue, gastro-intestinal disturbances, bradycardia; occasionally diminished peripheral circulation, peripheral oedema and painful extremities, dry mouth, dry eyes, eye irritation or disturbed vision, impotence, disturbances of micturition, influenza-like symptoms, rarely angina, AV block, exacerbation of intermittent claudication or Raynaud's phenomenon, allergic skin reactions, exacerbation of psoriasis, nasal stuffiness, wheezing, depressed mood, sleep disturbances, paresthesia, heart failure, changes in liver enzymes, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia are also reported.

Carvedilol is contraindicated in patients with decompensated heart failure requiring intravenous inotropic therapy, bronchial asthma or related bronchospastic conditions, second or third-degree AV block, sick sinus syndrome (unless a permanent pacemaker is in place), cardiogenic shock or severe bradycardia.

Take caution in hepatic impairment and in heart failure monitor clinical status for 2-3 hours after initiation and after increasing each dose. Before increasing dose ensure that the renal function and heart failure are not deteriorating

Digoxin: In normal healthy volunteers a single dose of carvedilol taken together with a single dose of digoxin resulted in significantly increased levels of digoxin 24 hours later. Patients with congestive heart failure stabilized on digoxin have been given carvedilol concomitantly without any adverse effects. Increased monitoring of digoxin is recommended when initiating, adjusting, or discontinuing the dose of carvedilol.

Rifampin: Pretreatment with rifampin resulted in a 60% decrease in Cmax and AUC.

Warfarin: Carvedilol did not alter the in vitro plasma protein binding of warfarin.

Clonidine: β-receptor antagonists potentiate the pressor reaction which may follow the sudden withdrawal of treatment with clonidine although, in theory, the a-blocking action of carvedilol should modify the pressure rise.

Carvedilol should not be used during breast-feeding, since no studies have been performed in lactating women and animal studies have shown that carvedilol is excreted in breast milk. Safety and efficacy in children have not been established with carvedilol. Carvedilol should not be used during pregnancy as no studies have been performed in this group. Animal studies have shown that carvedilol crosses the placental barrier. No information is available on the safety and efficacy of Carvedilol use in neonates.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

This preparation is indicated in-

• Short courses treatment of recalcitrant eczemas.
• Neurodermatoses.
• Psoriasis (excluding widespread plaque psoriasis) where secondary bacterial infection or fungal infection is present, suspected or likely to occur.
• Other inflammatory conditions which do not respond satisfactorily to less active steroids.

Clobetasol / Clobetasone & Combined Preparations

Clobetasol Propionate is a very potent corticosteroid. It is prescribed to treat severe inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis that have not responded to weaker corticosteroids. Neomycin Sulphate is an antibiotic of the aminoglycoside type and is used to treat infections with bacteria. Nystatin is an antifungal that kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. The mechanism of the topical steroids like Clobetasol, in general, is unclear. However, Clobetasol Propionate is highly active corticosteroid with topical anti-inflammatory activity. The major effect of Clobetasol Propionate on skin is a nonspecific anti-inflammatory response, partially due to vasoconstriction and decrease in collagen synthesis. Neomycin binds to the ribosomal 30s and 50s sub-units of susceptible bacteria and inhibits protein synthesis. Neomycin also causes a misreading of the genetic codes of the mRNA template and this causes incorrect amino acids to be incorporated into the growing polypeptide chain. Nystatin acts by binding to sterols in the cell membrane of the fungus with a resultant change in membrane permeability allowing leakage of intracellular components.

Adults: Apply sparingly to the affected area once or twice daily until improvement occurs. In very resistant lesion, especially where there is hyperkeratosis, the anti-inflammatory effect of this preparation can be enhanced (if necessary) by occluding the treatment area with polythene. Treatment should not be continued for more than 7 days without medical supervision. If a longer course is necessary, it is recommended that treatment should not be continued for more than 4 weeks without the patient's condition being reviewed.

Elderly: This preparation is suitable for use in elderly. Caution should be exercised in cases where a decrease in renal function exists and significant systemic absorption of Neomycin Sulphate may occur.

Children: This preparation is suitable for use in children (2 years and over) at the same dose as adults. A possibility of increased absorption exists in very young children, thus this cream/ointment is not recommended for use in neonates and infants (younger than 2 years).

As with other topical corticosteroids, prolonged use of large amount or treatment of extensive areas can result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce the features of hypercortisolism. The effect is more likely to occur in infants and children and if occlusive dressings are used. Prolonged and intensive treatment with highly active corticosteroid preparations may cause local atrophic changes in the skin such as thinning, striae, and dilatation of the superficial blood vessels, particularly when occlusive dressings are used, or when skin folds are involved. There are reports of pigmentation changes and hypertrichosis with topical steroids.

This medication is contraindicated in rosacea, acne vulgaris and perioral dermatitis, primary cutaneous viral infection (eg-Herpes simplex, chicken pox) and hypersensitivity to the preparation.

Long-term continuous topical therapy should be avoided where possible, particularly in infants and children, as adrenal suppression can occur readily even without occlusion. If applied to the eyelids, care is needed to ensure that the preparation does not enter the eye, as glaucoma might result. If this medication does enter the eye, the affected eye should be thoroughly washed with copious amount of water.

Neomycin Sulphate can intensify and prolong the respiratory depressant effects of neuromuscular blocking agents following significant systemic absorption. However, if used in accordance with the recommendations, systemic exposure to Neomycin Sulphate is expected to be minimal and drug interactions are unlikely to be significant. No hazardous interactions have been reported with use of Clobetasol Propionate or Nystatin.

There is little information to demonstrate the possible effect of topically applied Neomycin in pregnancy and lactation. However, Neomycin present in the maternal blood can cross the placenta and may give rise to a theoretical risk of foetal toxicity, thus the use of the preparation is not recommended in pregnancy and lactation. The safety of Clobetasol Propionate has not been established in lactating mothers.

Acute overdosage is very unlikely to occur. No overdose-related problem yet reported. However, in the case of chronic overdosage or misuse, the features of hypercortisolism may appear and in this situation, topical steroids should be discontinued gradually.

Store below 25°C temperature. Do not freeze. Keep out of reach of children.

Candesartan Cilexetil is indicated for hypertension, heart failure with impaired left ventricular systolic function.

Angiotensin-ll receptor blocker

Candesartan Cilexetil is an ester prodrug that is hydrolysed in the body to the active form Candesartan during absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract. Candesartan is angiotensin II receptor (type AT1) antagonist. Candesartan blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor in many tissues (eg, vascular smooth muscle, adrenal gland).

Hypertention: initially 8 mg (hepatic impairment 2 mg, renal impairment or intravascular volume depletion 4 mg) once daily, increased if necessary at intervals of 4 weeks to max 32 mg once daily; usual maintenance dose 8 mg once daily.

Heart failure: initially 4 mg once daily, increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to target dose of 32 mg once daily or to max tolerated dose.

Side-effects are usually mild. Symptomatic hypotension including dizziness may occur, particularly in patients with intravascular volume depletion (e.g. those taking high dose diuretics). Hyperkalemia occurs occassionally; angioedema has also been reported with some angiotension II receptor antagonist. Also vertigo, headache; rarely hepatitis, blood disorders, hyponatraemia, back pain, arthralgia, myalgia, rash, urticaria, pruritous.

Hypersensitivity to any component of this product. Pregnancy, breast-feeding, cholestasis.

Candesartan should be used with caution in renal artery stenosis, aortic or mitral valve stenosis and in obstructive hypertropic cardiomyopathy. Monitoring of plasma-potassium concentration is advised, particularly in the elderly and in patients with renal impairment; lower initial doses may be appropriate in these patients.

No significant drug interactions have been reported in studies of Candesartan Cilexetil given with other drugs such as glyburide, nifedipine, digoxin, warfarin, hydrochlorothiazide and oral contraceptives in healthy volunteers. Because candesartan is not metabolised by the cytochrome P-450 system and has no effects on P-450 enzymes, interactions with drugs that inhibit, or are metabolised by, those enzymes could not be expected.

When pregnancy is detected, Candesartan Cilexetil should be discontinued as soon as possible. It should be used in lactation.

Use in pediatric: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Store in a cool & dry place. Protect from light and moisture

Candesartan Cilexetil is indicated for hypertension, heart failure with impaired left ventricular systolic function.

Angiotensin-ll receptor blocker

Candesartan Cilexetil is an ester prodrug that is hydrolysed in the body to the active form Candesartan during absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract. Candesartan is angiotensin II receptor (type AT1) antagonist. Candesartan blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor in many tissues (eg, vascular smooth muscle, adrenal gland).

Hypertention: initially 8 mg (hepatic impairment 2 mg, renal impairment or intravascular volume depletion 4 mg) once daily, increased if necessary at intervals of 4 weeks to max 32 mg once daily; usual maintenance dose 8 mg once daily.

Heart failure: initially 4 mg once daily, increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to target dose of 32 mg once daily or to max tolerated dose.

Side-effects are usually mild. Symptomatic hypotension including dizziness may occur, particularly in patients with intravascular volume depletion (e.g. those taking high dose diuretics). Hyperkalemia occurs occassionally; angioedema has also been reported with some angiotension II receptor antagonist. Also vertigo, headache; rarely hepatitis, blood disorders, hyponatraemia, back pain, arthralgia, myalgia, rash, urticaria, pruritous.

Hypersensitivity to any component of this product. Pregnancy, breast-feeding, cholestasis.

Candesartan should be used with caution in renal artery stenosis, aortic or mitral valve stenosis and in obstructive hypertropic cardiomyopathy. Monitoring of plasma-potassium concentration is advised, particularly in the elderly and in patients with renal impairment; lower initial doses may be appropriate in these patients.

No significant drug interactions have been reported in studies of Candesartan Cilexetil given with other drugs such as glyburide, nifedipine, digoxin, warfarin, hydrochlorothiazide and oral contraceptives in healthy volunteers. Because candesartan is not metabolised by the cytochrome P-450 system and has no effects on P-450 enzymes, interactions with drugs that inhibit, or are metabolised by, those enzymes could not be expected.

When pregnancy is detected, Candesartan Cilexetil should be discontinued as soon as possible. It should be used in lactation.

Use in pediatric: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Store in a cool & dry place. Protect from light and moisture

Trimetazidine Dihydrochloride is indicated in adults as add-on therapy for the symptomatic treatment of patients with stable angina pectoris who are inadequately controlled by or intolerant to first-line antianginal therapies.

Other Anti-anginal & Anti-ischaemic drugs

Trimetazidine Dihydrochloride is the first 3- keto acyl CoA thiolase inhibitor (KAT), a metabolic anti-ischemic agent with proven benefits for all coronary patients. Trimetazidine Dihydrochloride inhibits fatty acid pathway by inhibiting 3-keto acyl CoA thiolase enzyme and transfers oxygen to glucose pathway. Since glucose pathway is more efficient in producing energy, the same oxygen produces more energy and makes the heart more active. Moreover, the aerobic oxidation of glucose stops production of lactic acid, which prevents angina pectoris.

The recommended dose of Trimetazidine is 35 mg twice daily or 20 mg tablet thrice daily during meals. The benefit of the treatment should be assessed after three months and Trimetazidine should be discontinued if there is no treatment response.

Trimetazidine is safe and well tolerated. The Common side effects associated with Trimetazidine are dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, rash, pruritus, urticaria and asthenia

Trimetazidine is contraindicated in patients who have hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. It is also is contraindicated in patients with Parkinson’s disease, parkinsonian symptoms, tremors, restless legs movement disorders, severe renal impairment.

Trimetazidine is not a curative treatment for angina attacks, nor an initial treatment for unstable angina pectoris. It is also not a treatment for myocardial infarction.

No drug interaction so far has been reported. In particular, no interaction has been reported with beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, nitrates, heparin, hypolipidemic agents or digitalis preparation.

There is no data on the use of Trimetazidine in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of Trimetazidine during pregnancy. It is unknown whether Trimetazidine is excreted in human milk. A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded. Trimetazidine should not be used during breast-feeding.

Keep in a dry place away from light and heat. Keep out of the reach of children.

Second generation Cephalosporins

Cefuroxime is a well-characterized and effective antibacterial agent, which has broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against a wide range of common pathogens, including β-lactamase producing strains. Cefuroxime has good stability to bacterial β-lactamase and consequently, is active against many ampicillin-resistant and amoxycillin-resistant strains.

Tablet or Suspension-

Adolescents and adults (13 years and older)-

• Pharyngitis/tonsillitis: 250 mg b.i.d. for 5-10 days
• Acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis: 250 mg b.i.d. for 10 days
• Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: 250-500 mg b.i.d. for 10 days
• Secondary bacterial infections of acute bronchitis: 250-500 mg b.i.d. for 5-10 days
• Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections: 250-500 mg b.i.d. for 10 days
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections: 250 mg b.i.d. for 7-10 days
• Uncomplicated Gonorrhoea: 1000 mg Single dose
• Community acquired pneumonia: 250-500 mg b.i.d. for 5-10 days
• MDR Typhoid Fever: 500 mg b.i.d. for 10-14 days
• Early Lyme disease: 500 mg b.i.d. for 20 days

Paediatric Patients (3 months to 12 years)-

• Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis: 20 mg/kg/day b.i.d for 5-10 days
• Acute otitis media: 30 mg/kg/day b.i.d for 10 days
• Acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis: 30 mg/kg/day b.i.d for 10 days
• Impetigo: 30 mg/kg/day b.i.d for 10 days

Parenteral-

• Adult: 750 mg three times daily by IM or IV injection. In severe infections, dose can be increased upto 1.5 gm three times daily by IV injection. The frequency may be increased to four times daily, if necessary, giving total daily doses of 3 to 6 gms.
• Children (above 3 months of age): 30 - 100 mg/kg/day given in 3 or 4 equally divided doses. A dose of 60 mg/kg/day is appropriate for most infections.
• Neonate: 30 - 100 mg/kg/day given in 2 or 3 equally divided doses.
• Surgical prophylaxis: 1.5 gm by IV injection at induction of anaesthesia; up to 3 further doses of 750 mg may be given by IV/IM injection every 8 hours for high risk procedures.
• Pneumonia: 1.5 gm IV injection twice daily for 2-3 days, followed by 500 mg twice daily (oral) for 7-10 days.
• 
  Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: 750 mg twice daily (IM or IV injection) for 2-3 days, followed by 500 mg twice daily (oral) for 5-10 days. (Duration of both parenteral and oral therapy is determined by the severity of the infection and the clinical status of the patient.)
• In Gonorrhoea: Adult: 1.5 gm as a single dose (as 2 x 750mg injections intramuscularly with different sites, e.g. each buttock).

In Meningitis:

• Adult: 3 gm IV injection three times daily.
• Children (above 3 months of age): 200-240 mg/kg/day by IV injection in 3 or 4 divided doses reduced to 100 mg/kg/day after 3 days or on clinical improvement.
• Neonate: 100 mg/kg/day by IV injection at initial dose, reduced to 50 mg/kg/day, When clinically indicated.

In bone and joint infections:

• Adult: 1.5 gm IV injection four times daily.
• Children (above 3 months of age): 150 mg/kg/day (not to exceed the maximum adult dose) in equally divided doses every 8 hours.

The use of freshly reconstituted solution is recommended. However, it maintains potency for at least 24 hours at room temperature or 48 hours at 5^o C

Adverse effects to Cefuroxime have occurred infrequently and have been generally mild and transient in nature. Effects reported include rashes and gastrointestinal disturbances. As with other antibiotics, prolonged use may result in the overgrowth of non susceptible organisms e.g. Candida.

Cefuroxime is contraindicated in patients with known allergy to Cephalosporins.

Cefuroxime should be given with care to patients receiving concurrent treatment with potent diuretics & who has history of colitis. Cephalosporin antibiotics may in general be given safely to patients who are hypersensitive to penicillin although cross reactions have reported. Cefuroxime has shown, that is not likely to be a problem at the recommended to dose levels.

No potentially hazardous interactions have been reported.

US FDA pregnancy category of Cefuroxime is B. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Cefuroxime have been shown to be excreted in human milk. So, caution should be exercised when Cefuroxime is administered to a nursing woman.

For 750 mg intramuscular injection: Add 3 ml water for injection to vial and then shake gently for dispersion.

For 750 mg intravenous injection: Add 8 ml water for injection to vial and then shake gently for dispersion. The solution should be slowly injected directly into a vein over a 3 to 5 minutes period.

For 1.5 g intravenous injection: Add 16 ml Water for injection to vial and then shake gently for dispersion. The solution should be slowly injected directly into a vein over a 3 to 5 minutes period.

Store in a cool, dry place (below 30^o C), away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.