Atropine Sulfate Injection Usp, 0.5 Mg/0.7 Ml

Atropine is indicated for the treatment of poisoning by susceptible organophosphorus nerve agents having anticholinesterase activity as well as organophosphorus or carbamate insecticides in adults and pediatric patients weighing more than 41 kg (90 pounds). Atropine, a cholinergic muscarinic antagonist, is indicated for the treatment of poisoning by susceptible organophosphorus nerve agents having anticholinesterase activity as well as organophosphorus or carbamate insecticides in adults and pediatric patients weighing more than 41 kg (90 pounds) (1).

Important Administration Information Three (3) Atropine autoinjectors should be available for use in each patient at risk for nerve agent or organophosphate insecticide poisoning; one (1) for mild symptoms plus two (2) more for severe symptoms [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Only administer Atropine to patients experiencing symptoms of organophosphorus poisoning in a situation where exposure is known or suspected. The Atropine autoinjector is intended as an initial treatment of the muscarinic symptoms of insecticide or nerve agent poisonings as soon as symptoms appear; definitive medical care should be sought immediately. In general, atropine should not be used until cyanosis has been overcome since atropine may produce ventricular fibrillation and possible seizures in the presence of hypoxia. The Atropine autoinjector should be used by persons who have had adequate training in the recognition and treatment of nerve agent or insecticide intoxication, but may be administered by a caregiver or by self-administration if a trained provider is not available. Close supervision of all treated patients is indicated for at least 48 to 72 hours. In severe poisonings, concurrent administration of an anticonvulsant (preferably a benzodiazepine) may be warranted if seizure is suspected in the unconscious individual because overt jerking may not be apparent because of the effects of the poison [see Drug Interactions (7.2)]. In poisonings caused by organophosphorous nerve agents and insecticides it may also be helpful to concurrently administer a cholinesterase reactivator such as pralidoxime chloride [see Drug Interactions (7.1)]. The injection site is the mid-lateral thigh area. The Atropine autoinjector can inject through clothing. However, make sure pockets at the injection site are empty. People who may not have a lot of fat at the injection site should also be injected in the mid-lateral thigh, but before giving the injection, bunch up the thigh to provide a thicker area for injection. Dosage Information Dosage for Mild Symptoms in Adults and Pediatric Patients Weighing More Than 41 kg (90 Pounds) First Dose: If the patient experiences two or more mild symptoms of nerve agent (nerve gas) or insecticide exposure listed in Table 1, administer one (1) Atropine injection intramuscularly into the mid-lateral outer thigh. Additional Doses: If, at any time after the first dose, the patient develops any of the severe symptoms listed in Table 1, administer two (2) additional Atropine injections intramuscularly in rapid succession. Wait 10 to 15 minutes for Atropine to take effect. If, after 10 to 15 minutes, the patient does not develop any of the severe symptoms listed in Table 1, no additional Atropine injections are recommended. If possible, a person other than the patient should administer the second and third 2 mg Atropine autoinjectors. Dosage for Severe Symptoms in Adults and Pediatric Patients Weighing More Than 41 kg (90 Pounds) If a patient is either unconscious or has any of the severe symptoms listed in Table 1, immediately administer three (3) Atropine injections intramuscularly into the patient’s mid-lateral outer thigh in rapid succession. Table 1: Common Signs/Symptoms of Organophosphorus and/or Carbamate Poisoning MILD symptoms include: Blurred vision or miosis Unexplained excessive lacrimation Unexplained excessive nasopharyngeal secretions Increased salivation Chest tightness, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or coughing Tremors throughout the body or muscular twitching Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, or diarrhea Tachycardia or bradycardia SEVERE symptoms include: Altered mental status Loss of consciousness Respiratory distress Excessive secretions from the lungs/airway Severe muscular twitching, generalized weakness or paralysis Involuntary urination and/or defecation Convulsions or seizures Additional Care Instructions Environmental All patients should be evacuated immediately from the contaminated environment. Protective masks and clothing should be used when available. Aggressive and safe decontamination procedures should be undertaken as soon as possible. If dermal exposure has occurred, clothing should be removed and the hair and skin washed thoroughly with sodium bicarbonate or alcohol as soon as possible. Physicians and/or other medical personnel assisting evacuated patients of nerve and insecticide poisoning should avoid exposing themselves to contamination by the patient’s clothing. Medical Medical help should be sought immediately. Emergency care of the severely poisoned individual should include removal of oral and bronchial secretions, maintenance of a patent airway, supplemental oxygen and, if necessary, artificial ventilation. Severe difficulty in breathing requires artificial respiration in addition to the use of Atropine since Atropine is not dependable in reversing the weakness or paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Refer to the illustrated dose-specific Instructions for Use for autoinjector administration instructions. Antidotes, such as Atropine, should not be relied upon solely to provide complete protection from chemical nerve agents and insecticide poisoning. Atropine is intended as an initial treatment as soon as symptoms appear; definitive medical care should be sought immediately. (2.1) Administer each dose of the 2 mg Atropine autoinjector into the patient’s mid-lateral outer thigh (2.1). Dosage for Mild Symptoms : If the patient experiences two or more mild symptoms, administer one injection intramuscularly into the mid-lateral thigh. If, at any time after the first dose, the patient develops any of the severe symptoms, administer two additional injections intramuscularly in rapid succession (2.2). Dosage for Severe Symptoms : If a patient has any of the severe symptoms, immediately administer three injections intramuscularly into the patient's mid-lateral thigh in rapid succession (2.2).

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Cardiovascular Risks [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1) ] Heat Injury [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2) ] Acute Glaucoma [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3) ] Urinary Retention [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4) ] Pyloric Stenosis [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5) ] Exacerbation of Chronic Lung Disease [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6) ] Hypersensitivity [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of atropine were identified in the literature. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Injection Site Reactions Mild to moderate pain may be experienced at the site of injection. Adverse Reactions at Recommended Dosages The major and most common side effects of atropine can be attributed to its antimuscarinic action. These include dryness of the mouth, blurred vision, dry eyes, photophobia, confusion, headache, dizziness, fatigue, tachycardia, palpitations, flushing, urinary hesitance or retention, constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, loss of libido, and impotency. Anhidrosis may produce heat intolerance and impairment of temperature regulation especially in a hot environment. Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity reactions will occasionally occur with atropine; these are usually seen as skin rashes, on occasion progressing to exfoliation. Anaphylactic reactions have occurred. Additional Adverse Reactions to Atropine by Organ System The following adverse reactions were reported in published literature for atropine in both adults and pediatric patients: Cardiovascular : Sinus tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, junctional tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, palpitations, ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, atrial arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, atrial ectopic beats, ventricular premature contractions, bigeminal beats, trigeminal beats, nodal extrasystole, ventricular extrasystole, supraventricular extrasystole, asystole, cardiac syncope, prolongation of sinus node recovery time, cardiac dilation, left ventricular failure, myocardial infarction, intermittent nodal rhythm (no P wave), prolonged P wave, shortened PR segment, R on T phenomenon, shortened RT duration, widening and flattening of QRS complex, prolonged QT interval, flattening of T wave, repolarization abnormalities, altered ST-T waves, retrograde conduction, transient AV dissociation, increased blood pressure, decreased blood pressure, labile blood pressure, weak or impalpable peripheral pulses. Eye : Mydriasis, pupils poorly reactive to light, decreased contrast sensitivity, decreased visual acuity, decreased accommodation, cycloplegia, strabismus, heterophoria, cyclophoria, acute angle closure glaucoma, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, blindness, tearing, dry conjunctiva, irritated eyes, crusting of eyelid, blepharitis. Gastrointestinal : Paralytic ileus, decreased bowel sounds, delayed gastric emptying, decreased food absorption, dysphagia. General : Hyperpyrexia, lethargy, somnolence, chest pain, excessive thirst, weakness, syncope, insomnia, tongue chewing, dehydration, feeling hot. Special Investigations : Leukocytosis, hyponatremia, elevated BUN, elevated hemoglobin, elevated erythrocytes, low hemoglobin, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, increase in photic stimulation on EEG, signs of drowsiness on EEG, runs of alpha waves on EEG, alpha waves (EEG) blocked upon opening eyes. Metabolic : Failure to feed. Central Nervous System : Ataxia, hallucinations (visual or aural), seizures (generally tonic-clonic), abnormal movements, coma, stupor, amnesia, diminished tendon reflexes, hyperreflexia, muscle twitching, opisthotnos, Babinski's reflex/Chaddock's reflex, hypertonia, dysmetria, muscle clonus, sensation of intoxication, difficulty concentrating, vertigo, dysarthria. Psychiatric : Agitation, restlessness, delirium, paranoia, anxiety, mental disorders, mania, withdrawn behavior, behavior changes. Genitourinary : Difficulty in micturation, urine urgency, distended urinary bladder, bed-wetting. Pulmonary : Tachypnea, slow respirations, shallow respirations, breathing difficulty, labored respirations, inspiratory stridor, laryngitis, laryngospasm, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, subcostal recession. Dermatologic : Dry mucous membranes, dry warm skin, oral lesions, dermatitis, petechiae, rash, macular rash, papular rash, maculopapular rash, scarlatiniform rash, erythematous rash, sweating/moist skin, cold skin, cyanosed skin, salivation. Adverse Reactions Caused by Inadvertent Injection Administering additional 2 mg Atropine autoinjectors by mistake in the absence of actual nerve agent or insecticide poisoning may cause an overdose of atropine which could result in temporary incapacitation (inability to walk properly, see clearly or think clearly for several or more hours). Patients with cardiac disease may be at risk for serious adverse events, including death. Adverse Reactions Observed in Pediatric Patients after Inappropriate Administration of Atropine Amitai et al. (JAMA 1990) evaluated the safety of an atropine autoinjector in a case series of 240 children who received the atropine inappropriately (i.e., no nerve agent exposure) during the 1990 Gulf War Period. Overall, severity of atropinization followed a nonlinear correlation with dose. Estimated doses up to 0.045 mg/kg produced no signs of atropinization. Estimated doses between 0.045 mg/kg to 0.175 mg/kg and even greater than 0.175 mg/kg were associated with mild and severe effects respectively. Actual dosage received by children may have been considerably lower than estimated since incomplete injection in many cases was suspected. Regardless, adverse events reported were generally mild and self-limited. Few children required hospitalization. Adverse reactions reported were dilated pupils (43%), tachycardia (39%), dry membranes (35%), flushed skin (20%), temperature 37.8° C or 100° F (4%), and neurologic abnormalities (5%). There was also local pain and swelling. In patients with electrocardiograms, 22 of 91 (24%) children had severe tachycardia of 160-190 bpm. Neurologic abnormalities consisted of irritability, agitation, confusion, lethargy, and ataxia. Atropine 2mg is only approved for pediatric patients weighing more than 41kg at the recommended dosing. Mild to moderate pain may be experienced at the site of injection. Common adverse reactions of atropine include dryness of the mouth, blurred vision, dry eyes, photophobia, confusion, headache, dizziness, tachycardia, palpitations, flushing, urinary hesitance or retention, constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, loss of libido, and impotency (6.1, 6.2). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Rafa Laboratories at 1-386-418-7911 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch