| Class: |
Cholinesterase reactivator |
| Route: |
Deep IM |
Adult Dose: |
600mg (1 autoinjector) - 1800mg (3 autoinjectors) - standing order |
| Pediatric Dose: |
Not generally administered to pediatric patients |
| Drug Action: |
- Reactivates cholinesterase which has been deactivated by chemical nerve agents and organophospate poisons
- Relieves paralysis of the respiratory muscles following chemical nerve agent or organophospate exposure
|
| Onset: |
About 15 minutes |
| Duration: |
About 1 hour |
| Indications: |
- Second drug given for the treatment of poisoning due to organophosphate pesticides and chemical nerve agents (First drug is atropine)
- Primary indication for pralidoxime administration is muscle weakness or respiratory depression in these patients
|
| Precautions: |
- Not indicated for poisonings with carbamate pesticides
- Effects during pregnancy are unknown
- Safety and efficacy in children is unknown
- Do not administer more than 3 autoinjectors due to its hypertensive effects
|
| Side Effects: |
- Tachycardia, laryngospasm, muscle rigidity if IV and infused too quickly
- Mild to moderate pain at injection site
- Blurred or double vision, dizziness, loss of coordination, headache drowsiness, hypertension, tachycardia
|