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Drug Info:

Bretylium

Brand names: Bretylol®



Bretylium injection

What is bretylium injection?

BRETYLIUM (Bretylol®) is an antiarrhythmic agent. Bretylium can help to correct a dangerously fast heartbeat (tachycardia) in emergency or critical care situations.

NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the United States.

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

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• other heart problems
• kidney disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to bretylium, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Bretylium is for injection into a muscle or injection or infusion into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with bretylium?

• arsenic trioxide
• astemizole
• bepridil
• certain antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin)
• cisapride
• digoxin
• ginger
• guanethidine
• hawthorn
• medicines for colds or breathing difficulties (including asthma)
• medicines for mental depression such as tricyclic antidepressants
• medicines for mental problems or psychotic disturbances
• medicines to control heart rhythm
• pimozide
• probucol
• some medicines for weight control or dieting
• terfenadine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking bretylium?

You may get dizzy; to avoid a sudden drop in blood pressure and fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older person, until you know how bretylium affects you.

What side effects may I notice from receiving bretylium?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness
• fever
• nausea, vomiting
• slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• diarrhea
• headache
• hiccups
• skin rash
• stomach pain

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused injection solution.


Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

 
 
Wikipedia: Bretylium
Bretylium.svg
Bretylium
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(2-bromophenyl)methyl-ethyl-dimethyl-ammonium
Identifiers
CAS number 59-41-6
ATC code C01BD02
PubChem 2431
DrugBank APRD00830
Chemical data
Formula C11H17BrN+
Mol. mass 243.163 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability NA
Protein binding NA
Metabolism None
Half life 7-8 hours
Excretion Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

C(AU) C(US)

Legal status

-only(US)

Routes IV, IM

Bretylium (also bretylium tosylate) blocks the release of noradrenaline from the peripheral sympathetic nervous system, and is used in emergency medicine, cardiology, & other specialties for the acute management of ventricular tachycardia & ventricular fibrillation. It is contraindicated in patients with AV (atrioventricular) heart block or digoxin toxicity. Bretylium is only used in an ICU setting and should not be used elsewhere due to its dramatic actions and its predominant side effect of hypotension.





Bretylium is no longer taught in ACLS.


 
 

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Copyrights:

Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bretylium" Read more

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