Pancuronium Bromide
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about Pancuronium Bromide Injection. It does not contain all the information that is known about Pancuronium Bromide Injection.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor will have weighed the risks of you being given Pancuronium Bromide Injection against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet.
You may need to read it again.
What Pancuronium Bromide Injection is for
Pancuronium Bromide Injection is used to stop your muscles moving during surgery or in intensive care.
It belongs to a group of medicines called neuromuscular blockers, which work by stopping messages being sent from the nerves to the muscles.
Your doctor will have explained why you are being treated with Pancuronium Bromide Injection.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another use. Ask your doctor if you want more information.
Pancuronium Bromide Injection is not addictive.
Before you are given Pancuronium Bromide Injection
You may already have been given Pancuronium Bromide Injection. Your doctor will have considered the situation carefully and decided to use it. However, if any of the following applies to you, tell your doctor immediately.
When you must not use it
You must not be given Pancuronium Bromide Injection if you:
are sensitive to pancuronium bromide or to the bromide ion
have an allergy to any ingredient listed at the end of this leaflet or any other related medicines.
If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hay fever, asthma or feel faint.
You should not be given Pancuronium bromide injection if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor says so. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits involved.
We do not know if it is safe for you to be given it while you are pregnant. It can be used during childbirth.
Your baby can take in very small amounts of Pancuronium bromide injection from breast milk if you are breastfeeding.
Pancuronium Bromide injection will only be used if the solution is clear, the package is undamaged and the use by (expiry) date marked on the pack has not been passed.
Before you are given it
You must tell your doctor if you have any of these medical conditions
muscle disease or weakness (eg myasthenia gravis)
heart problems
high blood pressure
respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
dehydration
kidney or liver problems
carcinoma
malignant hyperthermia
burns.
It may not be safe for you to be given Pancuronium Bromide Injection if you have any of these conditions.
Taking other medicines
You must tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy at the chemist, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Pancuronium Bromide Injection may interfere with each other. These include:
medicines for anxiety, depression or mental illness
medicine for epilepsy such as phenytoin
antibiotics or anti-infectives
any medicines for heart problems or high blood pressure including quinidine, propranolol, calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers
quinine
diuretics
medicines for immunosuppression
theophylline
medicines for muscle disease
corticosteroids including hydrocortisone and prednisolone
adrenaline
cisplatin (a drug used in chemotherapy)
opiates (strong pain medication)
Botox™
magnesium sulphate or products containing magnesium
thiamine (vitamin B1)
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you are given any Pancuronium Bromide Injection.
How Pancuronium bromide injection is given
Pancuronium Bromide Injection will be given to you by an anaesthetist. It will not be given until you are asleep from an anaesthetic.
It will be given by injection into your bloodstream. The dose you will be given will be carefully worked out depending on the procedure, and your body weight.
Since Pancuronium Bromide Injection will stop your muscles moving, it will be necessary for the anaesthetist to help you breathe while you are being given it.
Overdose
The anaesthetist giving you Pancuronium Bromide Injection will be experienced in its use, so it will be extremely unlikely that you will be given too much.
Pancuronium Bromide Injection doses will be carefully worked out, so problems with overdose are unlikely. There is another medicine called neostigmine which can be used to reverse the effects of too much Pancuronium Bromide Injection.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after you have been given Pancuronium Bromide Injection.
It may have unwanted side-effects in a few people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following:
breathing difficulties
severe rash or irritation
swollen face.
These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
Serious side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
increased saliva
rash or itching
wheezing
redness, pain or burning at the site of injection
flushing
These are all mild side effects of Pancuronium Bromide Injection.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Some people may get other side effects while being given Pancuronium Bromide Injection.
Storage
Pancuronium Bromide Injection will be stored by your doctor or pharmacist under the recommended conditions.
It should be kept in the fridge where the temperature stays between 2-8 degrees C and not be frozen.
Disposal
Any Pancuronium Bromide Injection which is not used will be disposed of in a safe manner by your doctor or pharmacist.
Product description
Pancuronium Bromide Injection is a clear, colourless solution.
It contains pancuronium bromide 2mg/mL as the active ingredient,
plus
Sodium acetate (E262)
Sodium chloride
Acetic acid (E260) and/or sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment
Water for Injections.
Polyamp DuoFit®2mL ampoules in packs of 50.
