Nitrocine 1mg/ml, solution for infusion

Nitrocine 1mg/ml, solution for infusion

Ampoules containing 10 mg glyceryl trinitrate in 10 ml, or glass bottles containing 50 mg glyceryl trinitrate in 50 ml.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Isotonic sterile solution for infusion

Surgery:

Nitrocine is indicated for:

1. the rapid control of hypertension during cardiac surgery.

2. reducing blood pressure and maintaining controlled hypotension during surgical procedures.

3. controlling myocardial ischaemia during and after cardiovascular surgery.

Unresponsive congestive heart failure:

Nitrocine may be used to treat unresponsive congestive heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction.

Unstable angina:

Nitrocine may be used to treat unstable angina, which is refractory to treatment with beta blockers and sublingual nitrates.

Posology

Adults

The dose of Nitrocine should be adjusted to meet the individual needs of the patient.

The recommended dosage range is 10 - 200 mcg/min but up to 400 mcg/min may be necessary during some surgical procedures.

Elderly

There is no evidence that a posology adjustment is required in the elderly

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Nitrocine in children has not yet been established.

Surgery:

A starting dose of 25 mcg/min is recommended for the control of hypertension, or to produce hypotension during surgery. This may be increased by increments of 25 mcg/min at 5 minute intervals until the blood pressure is stabilized. Doses between 10 - 200 mcg/min are usually sufficient during surgery, although doses of up to 400 mcg/min have been required in some cases.

The treatment of perioperative myocardial ischaemia may be started with a dose of 15 - 20 mcg/min, with subsequent increments of 10 - 15 mcg/min until the required effect is obtained.

Unresponsive congestive heart failure:

The recommended starting dose is 20 - 25 mcg/min. This may be decreased to 10 mcg/min, or increased in steps of 20-25 mcg/min every 15 - 30 minutes until the desired effect is obtained.

Unstable angina:

An initial dose of 10 mcg/min is recommended with increments of 10mcg/min being made at approximately 30 minute intervals according to the needs of the patient.

Patients with renal and hepatic impairment

Additional dose adjustments in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency or severe renal failure may be necessary and require additional monitoring.

Method of administration

Nitrocine can be administered undiluted by slow intravenous infusion using a syringe pump incorporating a glass or rigid plastic syringe.

Alternatively, Nitrocine may be administered intravenously as an admixture using a suitable vehicle such as Sodium Chloride Injection B.P. or Dextrose Injection B.P. In case of dilution, Nitrocine must be mixed under aseptic conditions immediately after opening.

Prepared admixtures should be given by intravenous infusion or with the aid of a syringe pump to ensure a constant rate of infusion.

During Nitrocine administration there should be close haemodynamic monitoring of the patient.

The posology of GTN i.v. should be adjusted to achieve the desired clinical response.

Example of admixture preparation

To obtain an admixture of GTN at a concentration of 100 mcg/ml, add 50 ml Nitrocine solution (containing 50 mg glyceryl trinitrate) to 450 ml of infusion vehicle to give a final volume of 500 ml.

A dosage of 100 mcg/min. can be obtained by giving 60 ml of the admixture per hour. This is equivalent to a drip rate of 60 paediatric microdrops per minute or 20 standard drops per minute. At this drip rate the admixture provides enough solution for an infusion time of 8 hours 20 minutes.

For full details it is advisable to consult the following dosage chart.

1 ml = 60 paediatric microdrops = 20 standard drops

Bottles of Nitrocine are for single use only and should not be regarded as multi-dose containers.

Nitrocine should not be used in the following cases:

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance, other nitro compounds or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1

• Acute circulatory failure (shock, collapse)

• Cardiogenic shock (unless a sufficient end-diastolic pressure is maintained by appropriate measures)

• Severe anaemia

• Severe hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg)

• Severe hypovolemia

• Cardiac tamponade

• During nitrate therapy, phosphodiesterase inhibitors type 5 (PDE5) (e.g. sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil) must not be used because PDE5 inhibitors may amplify the vasodilatory effects of GTN resulting in severe hypotension (see sections 4.4 and 4.5).

• Conditions associated with an increased intracranial pressure.

• Myocardial insufficiency due to obstruction, aortic or mitral stenosis, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy or constrictive pericarditis.

• During nitrate therapy, the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat must not be used (see section 4.5).

Nitrocine must be used only with particular caution and under medical supervision in:

• Low filling pressures e.g. in acute myocardial infarction, impaired left ventricular function (left ventricular failure). Reducing systolic blood-pressure below 90 mmHg must be avoided.

• Orthostatic dysfunction

The development of tolerance and cross tolerance to other nitro compounds has been described.

Nitrocine must not be used in patients known to be taking phosphodiesterase inhibitor-containing products (e. g. sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil) in the intervening 24h (48h for tadalafil). Patients who receive GTN solution therapy must be warned not to take phosphodiesterase inhibitor-containing products (e. g. sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil) (see sections 4.3 and 4.5).

During treatment with Nitrocine alcohol should be avoided as it may potentiate the hypotensive and vasodilating effect of Nitrocine (see section 4.5).

Materials made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) have proven to be suitable for infusing GTN solution. However, infusion material made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane (PU) has been shown to induce a loss of the active substance due to adsorption. If these materials are used the dose must be adjusted to suit patient's needs (see also section 6.2).

The solution contains glucose; this should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Hypoxaemia:

Caution should be exercised in patients with arterial hypoxaemia due to severe anaemia (including G6PD deficiency induced forms), because in such patients the biotransformation of nitroglycerin is reduced.

Similarly, caution is called for in patients with hypoxaemia and ventilation/perfusion imbalance due to lung disease or ischaemic heart failure.

Patients with angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or cerebral ischaemia frequently suffer from abnormalities of the small airways (especially alveolar hypoxia).

Under these circumstances vasoconstriction occurs within the lung to shift perfusion from areas of alveolar hypoxia to better ventilated regions of the lung (see also section 4.8). As a potent vasodilator, nitroglycerin could reverse this protective vasoconstriction and thus result in increased perfusion of poorly ventilated areas, worsening of the ventilation/perfusion imbalance, and a further decrease in the arterial partial pressure of oxygen.

Methemoglobinemia

Following treatment with GTN, methemoglobinemia has been reported. Treatment of methaemoglobinemia with methylene blue is contraindicated in patients with glucose-6-phosphate deficiency or methemoglobin-reductase deficiency (see also section 4.9).

Concomitant treatment with other vasodilators, calcium channel antagonists, ACE inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, antihypertensives, tricyclic antidepressants and neuroleptics, as well as the consumption of alcohol, may potentiate the hypotensive effect of the preparation.

The blood pressure lowering effect of Nitrocine will be increased if used together with phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil) which are used for erectile dysfunction (see Section 4.3). This might lead to life threatening cardiovascular complications. Patients who have recently taken phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil) therefore must not be treated with Nitrocine solution in the intervening 24h (48h for tadalafil). Patients who are on nitrate therapy must not use phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil).

The use of Nitrocine with riociguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, is contraindicated (see section 4.3) since concomitant use can cause hypotension.

Simultaneous intravenous infusions of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and glyceryl trinitrate may accelerate plasma clearance of tPA by increasing hepatic blood flow.

Reports suggest that, when administered concomitantly, nitrocine may increase the blood level of dihydroergotamine and its effect. This warrants special attention in patients with coronary artery disease, because dihydroergotamine antagonises the effect of Nitrocnine and may lead to coronary vasoconstriction.

The use of heparin and nitrocine solution can lead to a partial loss of action of heparin when both drugs are given simultaneously by intravenous route.

Concurrent administration of Nitrocine with acetyl salicylic acid may potentiate the blood pressure lowering effects of Nitrocine.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs except acetyl salicylic acid may diminish the therapeutic response of GTN.

Sapropterine (Tetrahydrobiopterine, BH4) is a cofactor for nitric oxide synthetase. Caution is recommended during concomitant use of sapropterine-containing medicine with all agents that cause vasodilation by affecting nitric oxide (NO) metabolism or action, including classical NO donors (e.g. glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), isosorbide 5-mononitrate (5-ISMN) and others).

Pregnancy

Developmental toxicity studies performed in rats and rabbits using various routes of administration did not reveal any effect on the embryos, fetuses or the young animals even at toxic doses for the dam.

Breast-feeding

Available evidence is inconclusive or inadequate for determining infant risk when used during breastfeeding. There is data that nitrates are excreted in breast milk and may cause methemoglobinemia in infants. The extent of excretion of nitroglycerin in human breast milk has not been determined. A risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded.

A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from Nitrocine therapy taking into account the benefit of breast feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

Fertility

Reproduction toxicity studies performed in rats and rabbits using various routes of administration did not reveal any effect on mating, fertility and general reproductive parameters. There is no data available on the effect of GTN on fertility in humans.

Nitrocine may affect the patient's reactivity to an extent that her/his ability to drive or to operate machinery is impaired. This effect is increased in combination with alcohol.

Undesirable effects frequencies are defined as: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000) or very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

During administration of Nitrocine the following undesirable effects may be observed:

Severe hypotensive responses have been reported for organic nitrates and include nausea, vomiting, restlessness, pallor, and excessive perspiration.

During treatment with Nitrocine, a temporary hypoxemia may occur due to a relative redistribution of the blood flow in hypoventilated alveolar areas. Particularly in patients with coronary artery disease this may lead to a myocardial hypoxia.

Like other nitrate preparations, Nitrocine commonly causes dose-dependent headaches due to cerebral vasodilation. These often regress after a few days despite the maintenance of therapy. If headaches persist during intermittent therapy, they should be treated with mild analgesics. Unresponsive headaches are an indication for reducing the dosage of Nitrocine or discontinuing treatment.

A slight reflex-induced increase in heart rate can be avoided by resorting, if necessary, to combined treatment with a beta-blocker.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme, website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Animal experience:

In rats and mice, significant lethality (LD₅₀) at single intravenous doses of 23.2 mg/kg and 10.6 mg/kg, respectively, was observed.

In rats and mice, significant lethality (LD₅₀) at single subcutaneous doses of 94 mg/kg and 110 mg/kg, respectively, was observed.

Human experience:

Symptoms could include the following:

• Fall in blood pressure ≤ 90 mmHg

• Pallor

• Sweating

• Weak pulse

• Reflex tachycardia

• Collapse

• Syncope

• Dizziness postural

• Headache

• Asthenia

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Methaemoglobinaemia has been reported in patients receiving other organic nitrates. During glyceryl trinitrate biotransformation nitrite ions are released, which may induce methaemoglobinaemia and cyanosis with subsequent tachypnoea, anxiety, loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest. It can not be excluded that an overdose of glyceryl trinitrate may cause this adverse reaction

• In very high doses the intracranial pressure may be increased. This might lead to cerebral symptoms

General procedure:

• Stop delivery of the drug.

• General procedures in the event of nitrate-related hypotension

Patient should be kept horizontal with the head lowered and legs raised or, if necessary, compression bandaging of the patient's legs

Supply oxygen

Expand plasma volume

For specific shock treatment admit patient to intensive care unit

Special procedure:

• Raising the blood pressure if the blood pressure is very low

• Treatment of methaemoglobinaemia

Treatment with intravenous methylene blue

- Initially 1 to 2 mg/kg, not exceeding 4 mg/kg of a 1% solution over 5 minutes.

- Repeat dose in 60 minutes if there is no response.

- Administer oxygen (if necessary)

- Initiate artificial ventilation

Treatment of methaemoglobinemia with methylene blue is contraindicated in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency or methaemaglobin reductase deficiency (see also section 4.4).

Where treatment with methylene blue is contraindicated or is not effective, exchange transfusion and / or transfusion of packed red blood cells is recommended.

Resuscitation measures:

In case of signs of respiratory and circulatory arrest, initiate resuscitation measures immediately.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Vasodilators used in cardiac diseases, organic nitrates, ATC Code: C01DA02

Pharmacodynamic effects

Glyceryl trinitrate reduces the tone of vascular smooth muscle. This action is more marked on the venous capacitance vessels than the arterial vessels. There is a reduction in venous return to the heart and a lowering of elevated filling pressure. This lowering of filling pressure reduces the left ventricular end diastolic volume and preload. The net effect is a lowering of myocardial oxygen consumption.

Systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular pressure and arterial pressure are also reduced by glyceryl trinitrate and there is a net reduction in the afterload.

By reducing the preload and afterload, glyceryl trinitrate reduces the workload on the heart.

Glyceryl trinitrate affects oxygen supply by redistributing blood flow along collateral channels from the epicardial to endocardial regions.

Metabolism

As with all commonly used organic nitrates the metabolic degradation of glyceryl trinitrate occurs via denitration and glucuronidation. The less active metabolites resulting from this biotransformation can be recovered from the urine within 24 hours.

Elimination

Glyceryl trinitrate is eliminated from plasma with a short half-life of about 2-3 minutes. This rapid disappearance from plasma is consistent with the high systemic clearance values for this drug (up to 3270 L/hour)

Conventional studies of acute and repeated dose toxicity reveal no special hazard to humans.

Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity:

Reproductive toxicity studies, in rats and rabbits using various routes of administration did not show any adverse effects on fertility or embryo fetal development at dosages which did not induce parental toxicity.

Mutagenicity:

Standard mutagenicity tests provided contradictory results in vitro, however in vivo studies provided no evidence of genotoxicity.

Carcinogenicity:

Long term dietary studies in rodents led to the conclusion that Glyceryl trinitrate has no cancirogenic effect relevant for the therapeutic dose range in humans.

Glucose

Propylene glycol

Water for injection

Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)

Nitrocine contains glyceryl trinitrate in isotonic sterile solution and is compatible with commonly employed infusion solutions. No incompatibilities have so far been demonstrated.

Nitrocine is compatible with glass infusion bottles and with rigid infusion packs made of polyethylene. Nitrocine may also be infused slowly using a syringe pump with a glass or plastic syringe.

Nitrocine is incompatible with polyvinylchloride (PVC) and severe losses of glyceryl trinitrate (over 40%) may occur if this material is used. Contact with polyvinylchloride bags should be avoided. Polyurethane also induces a loss of the active ingredient.

For admixture shelf life, refer to section 6.4.

Chemical and physical in-use stability of the admixture has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 25°C in suitable containers.

From a microbiological point of view, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8°C, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

Glass ampoules 10 ml (Type I glass)

Glass, rubber stoppered vials 50 ml (Type II glass)

Not all pack sizes may be marketed

Bottles of Nitrocine are for single use only and should not be regarded as multi-dose containers.

Admixtures are prepared by replacing a given volume of infusion vehicle with an equal volume of the product to produce the final infusion solution. For admixture storage, refer to section 6.4.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

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Date of latest renewal: 21 January 2009

21/08/2018