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Neostigmine (Monograph)

Brand name: Bloxiverz
Drug class: Parasympathomimetic (Cholinergic) Agents
- Anticholinesterase Agents
VA class: AU300
CAS number: 59-99-4

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Nov 20, 2023. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Anticholinesterase agent.

Uses for Neostigmine

Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade

Reversal of the effects of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g., atracurium, cisatracurium, pancuronium, rocuronium, vecuronium).

Use in conjunction with an anticholinergic agent (atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate) to counteract adverse muscarinic effects (e.g., bradycardia, bradyarrhythmias, increased secretions, bronchoconstriction).

Reduces time to recovery of neuromuscular function (defined as a return of train-of-four [TOF] twitch ratio to 0.9).

Not effective in antagonizing deep levels of neuromuscular blockade; attempt reversal only after some degree of spontaneous recovery has occurred (e.g., when there is a detectable twitch response to the first TOF stimulus).

Do not use in patients with complete neuromuscular recovery; paradoxical neuromuscular effects (e.g., weakness of upper airway muscles, increased airway collapsibility) may occur. (See Neuromuscular Dysfunction under Cautions.)

Not effective and should not be used for reversal of depolarizing neuromuscular agents (e.g., succinylcholine).

Appropriate reversal of neuromuscular blocking agents is critical for preventing postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade. Reversal of neuromuscular blockade should routinely be considered unless there is quantitative evidence indicating that no reversal is needed (TOF >0.9).

Myasthenia Gravis

Has been used for symptomatic treatment of myasthenia gravis [off-label] to improve muscle strength; however, oral preparation (e.g., Prostigmin) previously used for this indication no longer commercially available in the US.

If an anticholinesterase agent is required for symptomatic treatment of myasthenia gravis, pyridostigmine is the preferred drug.

GI Disorders

Has been used for treatment of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction or Ogilvie syndrome [off-label]. May be effective as second-line therapy in patients who fail conservative therapy.

Has been used as a prokinetic agent in patients with postoperative ileus following surgery [off-label]; however, clinical usefulness may be limited by adverse muscarinic effects (e.g., bradycardia, increased bronchial secretions).

Has been used in the management of severe constipation in patients with thoracic spinal cord injury [off-label].

Neostigmine Dosage and Administration

General

Patient Monitoring

Dispensing and Administration Precautions

Other General Considerations

Administration

Administer by slow IV injection over a period of at least 1 minute. Also has been administered by IM or sub-Q injection. [off-label]

Parenteral Administration

For solution and drug compatibility information, see Compatibility under Stability.

Dosage

Available as neostigmine methylsulfate; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.

Pediatric Patients

Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade
IV

Manufacturer states that pediatric patients may receive the same doses recommended for adults. (See Adults under Dosage and Administration.)

Other experts have recommended IV doses of 0.025 to 0.07 mg/kg in neonates, 0.025–0.1 mg/kg in infants, and 0.025–0.08 mg/kg in children.

Adults

Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade
IV

Manufacturer states that a dose of 0.03–0.07 mg/kg usually is sufficient to achieve adequate recovery of neuromuscular function (i.e., TOF ratio of 0.9) within 10–20 minutes.

Individualize selection of dose based on half-life of neuromuscular blocking agent administered, degree of spontaneous recovery, and need for rapid reversal.

To reverse neuromuscular blocking agents with shorter half-lives (e.g., rocuronium) or shallower blocks (i.e., first twitch response substantially >10% of baseline or when a second twitch is present): 0.03 mg/kg recommended.

To reverse longer-acting neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g., pancuronium, vecuronium) or deeper blocks (i.e., first twitch response not substantially >10% of baseline), or when more rapid recovery is needed: 0.07 mg/kg recommended.

Determine need for additional doses based on TOF monitoring and extent of recovery of neuromuscular function.

Prescribing Limits

Pediatric Patients

Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade
IV

Maximum total dose of 0.07 mg/kg or 5 mg, whichever is less. Higher doses unlikely to provide additional clinical benefit.

Adults

Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade
IV

Maximum total dose of 0.07 mg/kg or 5 mg, whichever is less. Higher doses unlikely to provide additional clinical benefit.

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

Dosage adjustment not necessary. (See Hepatic Impairment under Cautions.)

Renal Impairment

Dosage adjustment not necessary. (See Renal Impairment under Cautions.)

Geriatric Patients

Dosage adjustment not required. (See Geriatric Use under Cautions.)

Cautions for Neostigmine

Contraindications

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Bradycardia

Bradycardia may occur. Administer atropine or glycopyrrolate prior to neostigmine to lessen risk.

Serious Reactions with Coexisting Conditions

Risk of adverse cardiovascular effects such as bradycardia, hypotension, tachycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias. Use with caution in patients with coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, recent acute coronary syndrome, or myasthenia gravis; risk of cardiovascular complications may be increased in such patients.

Administer an anticholinergic agent (e.g., atropine) prior to or concomitantly with neostigmine to minimize risk.

Neuromuscular Dysfunction

Paradoxical neuromuscular effects (e.g., weakness of upper airway muscles and increased airway collapsibility) can occur if neostigmine is administered to patients with complete or near complete neuromuscular recovery. Reduce dose if neuromuscular recovery is almost complete.

Cholinergic Crisis

Overdosage may result in cholinergic crisis (e.g., excessive salivation and sweating, miosis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bradycardia or tachycardia, hypotension, confusion, seizures, coma, severe muscle weakness, paralysis); may result in death. If overdosage occurs, withdraw all anticholinesterase drugs, maintain adequate respiration, and administer IV atropine.

Myasthenic crisis, a complication of myasthenia gravis, can also cause extreme muscle weakness. It is extremely important to differentiate between the conditions since treatment methods differ considerably. Whereas more intensive anticholinesterase therapy is required in myasthenic crisis, higher doses of neostigmine can have serious consequences in cholinergic crisis.

Sensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions, including urticaria, angioedema, erythema multiforme, generalized rash, facial swelling, peripheral edema, pyrexia, flushing, hypotension, bronchospasm, bradycardia, and anaphylaxis, reported.

Atropine and other drugs for treatment of anaphylaxis should be readily available.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Not known whether neostigmine can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women or can affect reproductive capacity; use during pregnancy only if clearly indicated.

May induce premature labor if given IV to pregnant women near term.

Lactation

Not known whether neostigmine is distributed into milk. Caution advised.

Pediatric Use

May be used in pediatric patients of all ages to reverse the effects of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents.

Although some pharmacokinetic parameters may differ in children compared with adults, manufacturer recommends same dosing guideline as in adults. (See Dosage under Dosage and Administration.)

Smaller doses usually required to reverse neuromuscular blockade in infants and children compared with adults; however, pediatric patients have a greater risk of incomplete reversal of neuromuscular blockade due to decreased respiratory reserve. Risk of administering higher doses of neostigmine (up to maximum recommended dosage) should not outweigh risk associated with incomplete reversal.

Geriatric Use

Use with caution and increased monitoring. Duration of action of neostigmine is prolonged in geriatric patients; however, such patients also experience slower spontaneous recovery from neuromuscular blocking agents. Monitor for longer periods to ensure that additional doses of neostigmine are not necessary to adequately reverse neuromuscular blockade. (See Geriatric Patients under Dosage and Administration.)

Hepatic Impairment

Carefully monitor if neuromuscular blocking agents with hepatic elimination or active metabolites are administered to patients with hepatic impairment; duration of the neuromuscular blocking agent may be prolonged and persist beyond the effects of neostigmine. (See Hepatic Impairment under Dosage and Administration.)

Renal Impairment

Closely monitor patients with renal impairment if a renally eliminated neuromuscular blocking agent is administered; effects of the neuromuscular blocking agent may persist beyond those of neostigmine. (See Renal Impairment under Dosage and Administration.)

Common Adverse Effects

Bradycardia, nausea, vomiting.

Drug Interactions

Drug interaction studies not conducted to date. Clinically important drug interactions not likely to occur if neuromuscular monitoring is employed and both relaxants and reversal agents are titrated to effect.

Drugs Affecting Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes

Metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes; caution advised when used concomitantly with drugs that inhibit or induce these enzymes.

Specific Drugs

Drug

Interaction

Comments

Anticholinergic agents (atropine, glycopyrrolate)

Antagonize muscarinic effects of neostigmine

Interaction used to therapeutic advantage to counteract muscarinic symptoms of neostigmine toxicity; however, atropine also may mask manifestations of neostigmine overdose and prevent early detection of cholinergic crisis

Neuromuscular blocking agents, depolarizing (e.g., succinylcholine)

Possible enhanced and/or prolonged neuromuscular blockade

Neostigmine is not indicated for reversal of depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents

Neuromuscular blocking agents, nondepolarizing (e.g., atracurium, cisatracurium, pancuronium, rocuronium, vecuronium)

Antagonism of nondepolarizing muscle relaxant effects

Interaction used to therapeutic advantage to reverse muscle relaxation induced by neuromuscular blocking agents after surgery

Neostigmine Pharmacokinetics

Distribution

Extent

Not known whether distributed into human milk.

Plasma Protein Binding

15–25% to serum albumin.

Elimination

Metabolism

Metabolized by microsomal enzymes in the liver.

Elimination Route

Excreted in urine as unchanged drug (50%).

Half-life

IV: 24–113 minutes.

Special Populations

Hepatic impairment: Pharmacokinetics not studied.

Renal impairment reduces neostigmine clearance. Elimination half-life is prolonged in anephric individuals.

Elimination half-life approximately 39, 48, or 67 minutes in infants 2–10 months of age, children 1–6 years of age, or adults 29–48 years of age, respectively.

Stability

Storage

Parenteral

Injection

20–25°C (may be exposed to 15–30°C). Protect from light and store in original carton until use.

Compatibility

Drug Compatibility

Y-Site Compatibility (Neostigmine Methylsulfate)118

Compatible

Heparin sodium

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate

Palonosetron HCl

Potassium chloride

Compatibility in Syringe (Neostigmine Methylsulfate)118

Compatible

Glycopyrrolate

Heparin sodium

Ondansetron HCl

Pentobarbital sodium

Actions

Advice to Patients

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Neostigmine Methylsulfate

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Parenteral

Injection

0.5 mg/mL*

Bloxiverz

Avadel Legacy

Neostigmine Methylsulfate Injection

1 mg/mL*

Bloxiverz

Avadel Legacy

Neostigmine Methylsulfate Injection

AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2024, Selected Revisions November 29, 2021. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

† Off-label: Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

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