📋 Indications & Clinical Dosage
*Bleeding from oesophageal varices:*
BY IV INJ: Adult (body-weight up to 50 kg): Initially 1 mg, then 1 mg every 4-6 hours for up to 72 hours, to be administered over 1 minute; Adult (body-weight 50-69 kg): Initially 1.5 mg, then 1 mg; every 4-6 hours for up to 72 hours, to be administered over 1 minute; Adult (body-weight 70 kg and above): Initially 2 mg, then1 mg every 4-6 hours for up to 72 hours, to be administered over 1 minute.
💊 Mode of Administration
Administered by IV bolus injection.
⚠️ Precautions & Warnings
Hepatic and renal impairment, hypertension, advanced atherosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmias or coronary insufficiency. Monitor blood pressure, serum electrolyte and fluid balance, elderly, heart disease, history of QT-interval
Prolongation, respiratory disease, septic shock, uncontrolled hypertension, vascular disease
⚠️ Adverse Reactions / Side Effects
Abdominal cramps, arrhythmia, bradycardia, diarrhoea, headache, hypertension, hypotension, pallor, peripheral ischaemia, angina, bronchospasm, convulsions, hot flushes, hyponatraemia, intestinal ischaemia, myocardial infarction, nausea, pulmonary oedema, heart failure, skin necrosis, respiratory failure, tachycardia, vomiting. Rare: Dyspnoea, hyperglycaemia, stroke
🤰 Pregnancy & Lactation Safety
Pregnancy Risk:
Avoid unless benefits outweigh risk
Lactation / Breastfeeding:
Caution advised
🧪 Compatibility & Storage Stability
Stability & Storage: Frozen dried powder and the diluent may be stored at room temperature, protected from direct sunlight. Reconstituted solution should be used within 12 hours.
📚 Official Regulatory & Clinical References
- Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP): Drug Registration, S.R.O. Price Gazettes & National Essential Medicines List (NEML).
- World Health Organization (WHO): Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (ATC/DDD Index).
- Formulary Standards: British National Formulary (BNF) & Pakistan National Formulary (PNF) guidelines.