pralidoxime

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Pronunciation: PRAL i DOX eem

Brand: Protopam Chloride

What is the most important information I should know about pralidoxime?

If possible, before you receive pralidoxime, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, or if you are allergic to any drugs.

Also tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.

What is pralidoxime?

Pralidoxime reverses muscle weakness or paralysis caused by a poison or certain drug overdose.

Pralidoxime is used as an antidote to treat poisoning by a chemical or pesticide (insect spray), or by a drug used to treat a muscle disorder.

This medication is not effective as an antidote for all types of pesticide poisonings.

Pralidoxime may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving pralidoxime?

If possible, before you receive pralidoxime, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, or if you are allergic to any drugs.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether pralidoxime is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether pralidoxime passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with pralidoxime to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. However, make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received this medication.

How is pralidoxime given?

Pralidoxime is usually given as soon as possible after the onset of poisoning or overdose symptoms. You may need to receive pralidoxime for several days.

Pralidoxime is injected into a muscle, under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. Pralidoxime must be given slowly. The IV infusion can take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving this medication.

After treatment with pralidoxime, you may be watched for up to 72 hours to make sure the medicine has been effective and you no longer have any effects of the poison or drug overdose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since pralidoxime is given by a healthcare professional in an emergency setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

Overdose symptoms may include some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid after receiving pralidoxime?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of pralidoxime?

Some of the side effects of pralidoxime may be similar to the symptoms of poisoning. Your caregivers will watch you closely to determine whether your body is responding well to the medication, or if you are having any serious side effects.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

  • fast heart rate;
  • rapid breathing;
  • increased muscle stiffness;
  • a choking feeling;

Less serious side effects may include:

  • pain where the medicine was injected;
  • blurred vision;
  • feeling dizzy or drowsy;
  • headache; or
  • nausea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect pralidoxime?

If possible, before you receive this medication, tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

  • aminophylline (Phyllocontin, Truphylline);
  • atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine, and others);
  • morphine (Avinza, Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph);
  • reserpine;
  • theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl);
  • a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton); or
  • a tranquilizer such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with pralidoxime. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about pralidoxime.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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