Cisatracurium

(2.1) Administer intravenously only by or under the supervision of experienced clinicians familiar with drug’s actions and possible complications (2.1) Use only if personnel and facilities for resuscitation and life support, and a cisatracurium besylate injection antagonist are immediately available (2.1) Use a peripheral nerve stimulator to determine adequacy of blockade (e.g., need for additional doses), minimize risk of overdosage or underdosage, assess extent of recovery from blockade, potentially limit exposure to toxic metabolites through dose titration, and facilitate more rapid reversal of cisatracurium besylate injection-induced paralysis (2.1) See the Full Prescribing Information for: o Dosage and administration instructions in adults, pediatric patients, geriatric patients, patients with neuromuscular disease, burns, end-stage renal disease, and patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with induced hypothermia (2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5) o Continuous infusion rates (2.6) o Preparation instructions (2.7) o Drug compatibility (2.8) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions Risk of Medication Errors Accidental administration of neuromuscular blocking agents may be fatal. Store cisatracurium besylate injection with the cap and ferrule intact and in a manner that minimizes the possibility of selecting the wrong product [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] . Important Administration Instructions : Cisatracurium besylate injection is for intravenous use only. Administer cisatracurium besylate injection in carefully adjusted dosage by or under the supervision of experienced clinicians who are familiar with the drug’s actions and the possible complications. Use cisatracurium besylate injection only if the following are immediately available: personnel and facilities for resuscitation and life support (tracheal intubation, artificial ventilation, oxygen therapy); and an antagonist of cisatracurium besylate injection [see Overdosage (10)] . The dosage information which follows is intended to serve as an initial guide for individual patients; base subsequent cisatracurium besylate injection dosage on the patients’ responses to the initial doses. Use a peripheral nerve stimulator to: o Determine the adequacy of neuromuscular blockade (e.g., need for additional cisatracurium besylate injection doses, reduction of the infusion rate). o Minimize risk of overdosage or underdosage. o Assess the extent of recovery from neuromuscular blockade (e.g., spontaneous recovery or recovery after administration of a reversal agent e.g., neostigmine). o Appropriately titrate doses to potentially limit exposure to toxic metabolites. o Facilitate more rapid reversal of the cisatracurium besylate injection-induced paralysis. 2.2 Recommended Cisatracurium Besylate Injection Dose for Performing Tracheal Intubation Tracheal Intubation in Adults Prior to selecting the initial cisatracurium besylate injection bolus dose, consider the desired time to tracheal intubation and the anticipated length of surgery, factors affecting time to onset of complete neuromuscular block such as age and renal function, and factors that may influence intubation conditions such as the presence of co-induction agents (e.g., fentanyl and midazolam) and the depth of anesthesia. In conjunction with a propofol/nitrous oxide/oxygen induction-intubation technique or a thiopental/nitrous oxide/oxygen induction-intubation technique, the recommended starting weight-based dose of cisatracurium besylate injection is between 0.15 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg administered by bolus intravenous injection. Doses up to 0.4 mg/kg have been safely administered by bolus intravenous injection to healthy patients and patients with serious cardiovascular disease [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]. Patients with Neuromuscular Disease The maximum recommended initial bolus dose of cisatracurium besylate injection is 0.02 mg/kg in patients with neuromuscular diseases (e.g., myasthenia gravis and myasthenic syndrome and carcinomatosis) [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Geriatric Patients and Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Because the time to maximum neuromuscular blockade is approximately 1 minute slower in geriatric patients compared to younger patients (and in patients with end-stage renal disease than in patients with normal renal function), consider extending the interval between administering cisatracurium besylate injection and attempting intubation by at least 1 minute to achieve adequate intubation conditions in geriatric patients and patients with end-stage renal disease. A peripheral nerve stimulator should be used to determine the adequacy of muscle relaxation for the purposes of intubation and the timing and amounts of subsequent doses [ see Use in Specific Populations (8.5, 8.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Tracheal Intubation in Pediatric Patients Infants 1 to 23 Months of Age The recommended dose of cisatracurium besylate injection for intubation of pediatric patients ages 1 month to 23 months is 0.15 mg/kg administered over 5 to 10 seconds. When administered during stable opioid/nitrous oxide/oxygen anesthesia, 0.15 mg/kg of cisatracurium besylate injection produced maximum neuromuscular blockade in about 2 minutes (range: 1.3 to 4.3 minutes) with a clinically effective block (time to 25% recovery) for about 43 minutes (range: 34 to 58 minutes) [ see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. Pediatric Patients 2 to 12 Years of Age The recommended weight-based bolus dose of cisatracurium besylate injection for pediatric patients 2 to 12 years of age is 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg administered over 5 to 10 seconds. When administered during stable opioid/nitrous oxide/oxygen anesthesia, 0.1 mg/kg cisatracurium besylate injection produced maximum neuromuscular blockade in an average of 2.8 minutes (range: 1.8 to 6.7 minutes) with a clinically effective block (time to 25% recovery) for 28 minutes (range: 21 to 38 minutes). When administered during stable opioid/nitrous oxide/oxygen anesthesia, 0.15 mg/kg cisatracurium besylate injection produced maximum neuromuscular blockade in an average of about 3 minutes (range: 1.5 to 8 minutes) with a clinically effective block for 36 minutes (range: 29 to 46 minutes) [ see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. 2.3 Recommended Maintenance Bolus Cisatracurium Besylate Injection Doses in Adult Surgical Procedures Determine if maintenance bolus doses are needed based on clinical criteria including the response to peripheral nerve stimulation. The recommended maintenance bolus dose of cisatracurium besylate injection is 0.03 mg/kg; however, smaller or larger maintenance doses may be administered based on the required duration of action. Administer the first maintenance bolus dose starting: • 40 to 50 minutes after an initial dose of cisatracurium besylate injection 0.15 mg/kg; • 50 to 60 minutes after an initial dose of cisatracurium besylate injection 0.2 mg/kg. For long surgical procedures using inhalational anesthetics administered with nitrous oxide/oxygen at the 1.25 MAC level for at least 30 minutes, consider administering less frequent maintenance bolus doses or lower maintenance bolus doses of cisatracurium besylate injection [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. No adjustment to the initial cisatracurium besylate injection maintenance bolus dose should be necessary when cisatracurium besylate injection is administered shortly after initiation of volatile agents or when used in patients receiving propofol anesthesia. 2.4 Dosage in Burn Patients Burn patients have been shown to develop resistance to nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents; therefore, consider increasing the cisatracurium besylate injection dosages for intubation and maintenance [ see Use in Specific Populations (8.8) ]. 2.5 Dosage for Continuous Infusion Continuous Infusion for Surgical Procedures in Adults and Pediatric Patients During extended surgical procedures, cisatracurium besylate injection may be administered by continuous infusion to adults and pediatric patients aged 2 or more years if patients have spontaneous recovery after the initial cisatracurium besylate injection bolus dose. Following recovery from neuromuscular blockade, it may be necessary to re-administer a bolus dose to quickly re-establish neuromuscular blockade prior to starting the continuous infusion. If patients have had recovery of neuromuscular function, the recommended initial cisatracurium besylate injection infusion rate is 3 mcg/kg/minute [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. Subsequently reduce the rate to 1 to 2 mcg/kg/minute to maintain continuous neuromuscular blockade. Use peripheral nerve stimulation to assess the level of neuromuscular blockade and to appropriately titrate the cisatracurium besylate injection infusion rate. If no response is elicited to peripheral nerve stimulation, discontinue the infusion until a response returns. Consider reducing the infusion rate by up to 30% to 40% when cisatracurium besylate injection is administered during stable isoflurane anesthesia for at least 30 minutes (administered with nitrous oxide/oxygen at the 1.25 MAC level) [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]. Greater reductions in the cisatracurium besylate injection infusion rate may be required with longer durations of administration of isoflurane or with the administration of other inhalational anesthetics. Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery Consider reducing the infusion rate in patients undergoing CABG with induced hypothermia to half the rate required during normothermia [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]. Spontaneous recovery from neuromuscular block following discontinuation of cisatracurium besylate injection infusion is expected to proceed at a rate comparable to that following administration of a single bolus dose. Continuous Infusion for Mechanical Ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit in Adults During extended need for mechanical ventilation and skeletal muscle relaxation in the intensive care unit (ICU), cisatracurium besylate injection may be administered by continuous infusion to adults if a patient has spontaneous recovery of neuromuscular function after the initial cisatracurium besylate injection bolus dose. Following recovery from neuromuscular blockade, it may be necessary to re-administer a bolus dose to quickly re-establish neuromuscular blockade prior to starting the continuous infusion. The recommended cisatracurium besylate injection infusion rate in adult patients in the ICU is 3 mcg/kg/minute (range: 0.5 to 10.2 mcg/kg/minute) [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ]. Use peripheral nerve stimulation to assess the level of neuromuscular blockade and to appropriately titrate the cisatracurium besylate injection infusion rate. 2.6 Rate Tables for Continuous Infusion The intravenous infusion rate depends upon the cisatracurium besylate injection concentration, the desired dose, the patient's weight, and the contribution of the infusion solution to the fluid requirements of the patient. Tables 1 and 2 provide guidelines for the cisatracurium besylate injection infusion rate, in mL/hour (equivalent to microdrops/minute when 60 microdrops = 1 mL), in concentrations of 0.1 mg/mL or 0.4 mg/mL, respectively. Table 1. Cisatracurium Besylate Injection Infusion Rates for Maintenance of Neuromuscular Blockade During Opioid/Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Anesthesia with a Concentration of 0.1 mg/mL Drug Delivery Rate (mcg/kg/minute) 1 1.5 2 3 5 Patient Weight Infusion Delivery Rate (mL/hour) 10 kg 6 9 12 18 30 45 kg 27 41 54 81 135 70 kg 42 63 84 126 210 100 kg 60 90 120 180 300 Table 2. Cisatracurium Besylate Injection Infusion Rates for Maintenance of Neuromuscular Blockade During Opioid/Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Anesthesia with a Concentration of 0.4 mg/mL Drug Delivery Rate (mcg/kg/minute) 1 1.5 2 3 5 Patient Weight Infusion Delivery Rate (mL/hour) 10 kg 1.5 2.3 3 4.5 7.5 45 kg 6.8 10.1 13.5…

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of cisatracurium besylate injection as an adjunct to general anesthesia to facilitate tracheal intubation, and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery in pediatric patients 1 month through 12 years of age were established from three studies in pediatric patients [ see Dosing and Administration (2.2, 2.5) and Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. The three open-label studies are summarized below. The safety and effectiveness of cisatracurium besylate injection have not been established in pediatric patients less than 1 month of age. Tracheal Intubation A study of 0.15 mg/kg cisatracurium besylate injection evaluated 230 pediatric patients (ages 1 month to 12 years). Excellent or good intubating conditions were produced 120 seconds following 0.15 mg/kg of cisatracurium besylate injection in 88 of 90 of patients induced with halothane and in 85 of 90 of patients induced with thiopentone and fentanyl. The study also evaluated 50 pediatric patients during opioid anesthesia, with maximum neuromuscular blockade achieved in an average of about 3 minutes and a clinically effective block for 36 minutes in patients ages 2 to 12 years, and maximum neuromuscular block in about 2 minutes and a clinically effective block for about 43 minutes in infants 1 to 23 months [ see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. In a study of 0.1 mg/kg cisatracurium besylate injection administered in 16 pediatric patients (ages 2 to 12 years) during opioid/nitrous oxide/oxygen anesthesia, maximum neuromuscular blockade was achieved in an average of 2.8 minutes with a clinically effective block for 28 minutes [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Skeletal Muscle Relaxation During Surgery In a study of cisatracurium besylate injection administered during halothane/nitrous oxide/oxygen anesthesia, 18 pediatric patients (ages 2 to 12 years) were scheduled for surgical procedures that required neuromuscular block for 60 minutes or longer. The average duration of continuous infusion was 62.8 minutes (range: 17 to 145 minutes). The overall mean infusion rate for 9 patients whose infusion was 45 minutes or longer was 1.7 mcg/kg/minute (range: 1.19 to 2.14 mcg/kg/minute). Serious Adverse Reactions in Infants Due to Benzyl Alcohol Preservative in 10 mL Multiple-Dose Vials Serious adverse reactions including fatal reactions and the “gasping syndrome” occurred in premature neonates and infants in the neonatal intensive care unit who received drugs containing benzyl alcohol as a preservative. In these cases, benzyl alcohol dosages of 99 to 234 mg/kg/day produced high levels of benzyl alcohol and its metabolites in the blood and urine (blood levels of benzyl alcohol were 0.61 to 1.378 mmol/L). Additional adverse reactions included gradual neurological deterioration, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, hematologic abnormalities, skin breakdown, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Preterm, low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop these reactions because they may be less able to metabolize benzyl alcohol. When prescribing the 10 mL multiple-dose cisatracurium besylate vials in infants consider the combined daily metabolic load of benzyl alcohol from all sources including cisatracurium besylate (multiple-dose vials contain 9 mg of benzyl alcohol per mL) and other drugs containing benzyl alcohol. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which serious adverse reactions may occur is not known [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. This warning is not applicable to the 5 mL and 20 mL cisatracurium besylate single-dose vials because these vials do not contain benzyl alcohol. The use of 10 mL cisatracurium besylate multiple-dose vials is contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 1 month of age and low birth-weight infants because these patients are more likely to develop benzyl alcohol toxicity.