Bloxiverz by is a Prescription medication manufactured, distributed, or labeled by Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC. Drug facts, warnings, and ingredients follow.
BLOXIVERZ, is a cholinesterase inhibitor, indicated for the reversal of the effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents after surgery (1).
Injection: 0.5 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL in 10 mL multiple-dose vials and 1 mg/mL in 5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe (3)
Most common adverse reactions during treatment: bradycardia, nausea and vomiting. (6)
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC at 1-888-451-4321 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Revised: 12/2023
BLOXIVERZ should be administered by trained healthcare providers familiar with the use, actions, characteristics, and complications of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) and neuromuscular block reversal agents. Doses of BLOXIVERZ should be individualized, and a peripheral nerve stimulator should be used to determine the time of initiation of BLOXIVERZ and should be used to determine the need for additional doses.
BLOXIVERZ is for intravenous use only and should be injected slowly over a period of at least 1 minute. The BLOXIVERZ dosage is weight-based [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
Prior to BLOXIVERZ administration and until complete recovery of normal ventilation, the patient should be well ventilated and a patent airway maintained. Satisfactory recovery should be judged by adequacy of skeletal muscle tone and respiratory measurements in addition to the response to peripheral nerve stimulation.
An anticholinergic agent, e.g., atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate, should be administered prior to or concomitantly with BLOXIVERZ [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)]
Adult guidelines should be followed when BLOXIVERZ is administered to pediatric patients. Pediatric patients require BLOXIVERZ doses similar to those for adult patients.
An anticholinergic agent, e.g., atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate, should be administered prior to or concomitantly with BLOXIVERZ. The anticholinergic agent should be administered intravenously using a separate syringe. In the presence of bradycardia, it is recommended that the anticholinergic agent be administered prior to BLOXIVERZ.
1. Perform visual inspection on the syringe by verifying:
2. Do not remove the tamper evident seal. Push plunger rod slightly in to break the stopper loose while tip cap is still on
3. Remove tip cap and tamper evident seal by twisting off. (See Figure 1):
Figure 1.
4. Discard the tip cap.
5. Expel air bubble.
6. Adjust dose into sterile material (if applicable).
7. Connect the syringe to an appropriate intravenous connection.
8. Depress plunger rod to deliver medication. Ensure that pressure is maintained on the plunger rod during the entire administration.
9. Remove syringe from NLAD (if applicable) and discard into appropriate receptacle.
NOTES:
All steps must be done sequentially
- Do not re-sterilize syringe
- Do not use this product on a sterile field
- Do not introduce any other fluid into the syringe at any time
- This product is for single dose only
BLOXIVERZ is contraindicated in patients with:
Neostigmine has been associated with bradycardia. Atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate should be administered prior to BLOXIVERZ to lessen the risk of bradycardia [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
BLOXIVERZ should be used with caution in patients with coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, recent acute coronary syndrome or myasthenia gravis. Because of the known pharmacology of neostigmine methylsulfate as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, cardiovascular effects such as bradycardia, hypotension or dysrhythmia would be anticipated. In patients with certain cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias or recent acute coronary syndrome, the risk of blood pressure and heart rate complications may be increased. Risk of these complications may also be increased in patients with myasthenia gravis. Standard antagonism with anticholinergics (e.g., atropine) is generally successful to mitigate the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Because of the possibility of hypersensitivity, atropine and medications to treat anaphylaxis should be readily available.
Large doses of BLOXIVERZ administered when neuromuscular blockade is minimal can produce neuromuscular dysfunction. The dose of BLOXIVERZ should be reduced if recovery from neuromuscular blockade is nearly complete.
It is important to differentiate between myasthenic crisis and cholinergic crisis caused by overdosage of BLOXIVERZ. Both conditions result in extreme muscle weakness but require radically different treatment [see Overdosage (10)].
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Adverse reactions to neostigmine methylsulfate are most often attributable to exaggerated pharmacological effects, in particular, at muscarinic receptor sites. The use of an anticholinergic agent, e.g., atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate, may prevent or mitigate these reactions.
Quantitative adverse event data are available from trials of neostigmine methylsulfate in which 200 adult patients were exposed to the product. The following table lists the adverse reactions that occurred with an overall frequency of 1% or greater.
System Organ Class |
Adverse Reaction |
Cardiovascular Disorders |
bradycardia, hypotension, tachycardia/heart rate increase |
Gastrointestinal Disorders |
dry mouth, nausea, post-procedural nausea, vomiting |
General Disorders and Administration
|
incision site complication, pharyngolaryngeal pain, procedural complication, procedural pain |
Nervous System Disorders |
dizziness, headache, postoperative shivering, prolonged |
Psychiatric Disorders |
insomnia |
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders |
dyspnea, oxygen desaturation <90% |
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders |
pruritus |
The following adverse reactions have been identified during parenteral use of neostigmine methylsulfate. 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.
System Organ Class |
Adverse Reaction |
Allergic Disorders |
allergic reactions, anaphylaxis |
Nervous System Disorders |
convulsions, drowsiness, dysarthria, fasciculation, loss of |
Cardiovascular Disorders |
cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias (A-V block, nodal rhythm), hypotension, nonspecific EKG changes, syncope |
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders |
bronchospasm; increased oral, pharyngeal and bronchial |
Skin and Sub-cutaneous Tissue Disorders |
rash, urticaria |
Gastrointestinal Disorders |
bowel cramps, diarrhea, flatulence, increased peristalsis |
Renal and Urinary Disorders |
urinary frequency |
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders |
arthralgia, muscle cramps, spasms, weakness |
Miscellaneous |
diaphoresis, flushing |
The pharmacokinetic interaction between neostigmine methylsulfate and other drugs has not been studied. Neostigmine methylsulfate is metabolized by microsomal enzymes in the liver. Use with caution when using BLOXIVERZ with other drugs which may alter the activity of metabolizing enzymes or transporters.
Risk Summary
Published studies and case reports over several decades about the use of neostigmine products, including neostigmine methylsulfate, in pregnant women have not identified any drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. However, most of the available data are based on studies with exposure that occurred at the time of caesarean section or labor and delivery. These studies have not identified an adverse effect on maternal or infant outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed after administration of neostigmine methylsulfate to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis with doses up to 0.1 and 0.2 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 5mg/60kg/person/day based on body surface area (mg/m2).
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20% respectively.
Data
Animal Data
In embryofetal development studies, rats and rabbits were administered neostigmine methylsulfate at human equivalent doses (HED, on a mg/m2 basis) of 1.6, 4 and 8.1 mcg/kg/day and 3.2, 8.1, and 13 mcg/kg/day, respectively, during the period of organogenesis (Gestation Days 6 through 17 for rats and Gestation Days 6 through 18 for rabbits). There was no evidence for a teratogenic effect in rats and rabbits up to HED 8.1 and 13 mcg/kg/day, which are approximately 0.097 times and 0.16 times the MRHD of 5 mg/60 kg, respectively in the presence of minimal maternal toxicity (tremors, ataxia, and prostration). The studies resulted in exposures in the animals well below predicted exposures in humans.
In a pre- and postnatal development study in rats, neostigmine methylsulfate was administered to pregnant female rats at human equivalent doses (HED) of 1.6, 4 and 8.1 mcg/kg/day from Day 6 of gestation through Day 20 of lactation, with weaning on Day 21. There were no adverse effects on physical development, behavior, learning ability, or fertility in the offspring at HED doses up to 8.1 mcg/kg/day which is 0.097 times the MRHD of 5 mg/60 kg on a mg/m2 basis in the presence of minimal maternal toxicity (tremors, ataxia, and prostration). The studies resulted in exposures in the animals well below predicted exposures in humans.
Risk Summary
Published data from case reports are insufficient to determine the presence of neostigmine methylsulfate in human milk or the effects on the breastfed infant. There is no information on the effects of neostigmine on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for BLOXIVERZ and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from BLOXIVERZ or from the underlying maternal condition.
BLOXIVERZ is approved for the reversal of the effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents after surgery in pediatric patients of all ages.
Recovery of neuromuscular activity occurs more rapidly with smaller doses of cholinesterase inhibitors in infants and children than in adults. However, infants and small children may be at greater risk of complications from incomplete reversal of neuromuscular blockade due to decreased respiratory reserve. The risks associated with incomplete reversal outweigh any risk from giving higher doses of BLOXIVERZ (up to 0.07 mg/kg or up to a total of 5 mg, whichever is less).
The dose of BLOXIVERZ required to reverse neuromuscular blockade in children varies between 0.03 mg - 0.07 mg/kg, the same dose range shown to be effective in adults, and should be selected using the same criteria as used for adult patients [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Since the blood pressure in pediatric patients, particularly infants and neonates, is sensitive to changes in heart rate, the effects of an anticholinergic agent (e.g., atropine) should be observed prior to administration of neostigmine to lessen the probability of bradycardia and hypotension.
Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, BLOXIVERZ should be used with caution and monitored for a longer period in elderly patients. The duration of action of neostigmine methylsulfate is prolonged in the elderly; however, elderly patients also experience slower spontaneous recovery from neuromuscular blocking agents. Therefore, dosage adjustments are not generally needed in geriatric patients; however, they should be monitored for longer periods than younger adults to assure additional doses of BLOXIVERZ are not required. The duration of monitoring should be predicated on the anticipated duration of action for the NMBA used on the patient [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Elimination half-life of neostigmine methylsulfate was prolonged in anephric patients compared to normal subjects.
Although no adjustments to BLOXIVERZ dosing appear to be warranted in patients with impaired renal function, they should be closely monitored to assure the effects of the neuromuscular blocking agent, particularly one cleared by the kidneys, do not persist beyond those of BLOXIVERZ. In this regard, the interval for re-dosing the neuromuscular blocking agent during the surgical procedure may be useful in determining whether, and to what extent, post-operative monitoring needs to be extended.
The pharmacokinetics of neostigmine methylsulfate in patients with hepatic impairment have not been studied. Neostigmine methylsulfate is metabolized by microsomal enzymes in the liver. No adjustments to the dosing of BLOXIVERZ appear to be warranted in patients with hepatic insufficiency. However, patients should be carefully monitored if hepatically cleared neuromuscular blocking agents were used during their surgical procedure as their duration of action may be prolonged by hepatic insufficiency whereas BLOXIVERZ, which undergoes renal elimination, will not likely be affected. This could result in the effects of the neuromuscular blocking agent outlasting those of BLOXIVERZ. This same situation may arise if the neuromuscular blocking agent has active metabolites. In this regard, the interval for re-dosing the neuromuscular blocking agent during the surgical procedure may be useful in determining whether, and to what extent, post-operative monitoring needs to be extended.
Muscarinic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, increased bronchial and salivary secretions, and bradycardia) may appear with overdosage of BLOXIVERZ (cholinergic crisis), but may be managed by the use of additional atropine or glycopyrrolate. The possibility of iatrogenic overdose can be lessened by carefully monitoring the muscle twitch response to peripheral nerve stimulation. Should overdosage occur, ventilation should be supported by artificial means until the adequacy of spontaneous respiration is assured, and cardiac function should be monitored.
Overdosage of BLOXIVERZ can cause cholinergic crisis, which is characterized by increasing muscle weakness, and through involvement of the muscles of respiration, may result in death. Myasthenic crisis, due to an increase in the severity of the disease, is also accompanied by extreme muscle weakness and may be difficult to distinguish from cholinergic crisis on a symptomatic basis. However, such differentiation is extremely important because increases in the dose of BLOXIVERZ or other drugs in this class, in the presence of cholinergic crisis or of a refractory or “insensitive” state, could have grave consequences. The two types of crises may be differentiated by the use of edrophonium chloride as well as by clinical judgment.
Treatment of the two conditions differs radically. Whereas the presence of myasthenic crisis requires more intensive anticholinesterase therapy, cholinergic crisis calls for the prompt withdrawal of all drugs of this type. The immediate use of atropine in cholinergic crisis is also recommended. Atropine may also be used to lessen gastrointestinal side effects or other muscarinic reactions; but such use, by masking signs of overdosage, can lead to inadvertent induction of cholinergic crisis.
Neostigmine methylsulfate, a cholinesterase inhibitor, is (m-hydroxyphenyl) trimethylammonium methylsulfate dimethylcarbamate. The structural formula is:
Neostigmine methylsulfate is a white crystalline powder and is very soluble in water and soluble in alcohol. BLOXIVERZ is a sterile, nonpyrogenic solution intended for intravenous use.
Each mL of the 0.5 mg/mL strength contains neostigmine methylsulfate 0.5 mg, phenol 4.5 mg (used as preservative) and sodium acetate trihydrate 0.2 mg, in water for injection. The pH is adjusted, when necessary, with acetic acid/sodium hydroxide to achieve a value of 5.5.
Each mL of the 1 mg/mL strength contains neostigmine methylsulfate 1 mg, phenol 4.5 mg (used as preservative), and sodium acetate trihydrate 0.2 mg, in water for injection. The pH is adjusted, when necessary, with acetic acid/sodium hydroxide to achieve a value of 5.5.
Each mL of the 5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe contains 1 mg neostigmine methylsulfate, USP, 90 mg sodium chloride, USP and 1 mg sodium acetate trihydrate, USP in water for injection. May contain sodium hydroxide, NF and/or glacial acetic acid, USP as needed for pH adjustment to achieve a value of 5.5.
Neostigmine methylsulfate is a competitive cholinesterase inhibitor. By reducing the breakdown of acetylcholine, neostigmine methylsulfate induces an increase in acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft which competes for the same binding site as nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents, and reverses the neuromuscular blockade.
Neostigmine methylsulfate-induced increases in acetylcholine levels results in the potentiation of both muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic activity. The resulting elevation of acetylcholine competes with nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents to reverse neuromuscular blockade. Neostigmine methylsulfate does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier and, therefore, does not significantly affect cholinergic function in the central nervous system.
Distribution: Following intravenous injection, the observed neostigmine methylsulfate volume of distribution is reported between 0.12 and 1.4 L/kg. Protein binding of neostigmine methylsulfate to human serum albumin ranges from 15 to 25%.
Metabolism: Neostigmine methylsulfate is metabolized by microsomal enzymes in the liver.
Elimination: Following intravenous injection, the reported elimination half-life of neostigmine methylsulfate is between 24 and 113 minutes. Total body clearance of neostigmine methylsulfate is reported between 1.14 and 16.7 mL/min/kg.
Renal impairment: Elimination half-life of neostigmine methylsulfate was prolonged in anephric patients compared to normal subjects; elimination half-life for normal, transplant and anephric patients were 79.8 ± 48.6, 104.7 ± 64 and 181 ± 54 min (mean ± SD), respectively.
Hepatic impairment: The pharmacokinetics of neostigmine methylsulfate in patients with hepatic impairment has not been studied.
Pediatrics: Elimination half-life of neostigmine methylsulfate in infants (2-10 months), children (1-6 years) and adults (29-48 years) were 39 ± 5 min, 48 ± 16 min, and 67 ± 8 min (mean ± SD), respectively. Observed neostigmine methylsulfate clearance for infants, children and adults were 14 ± 3, 11 ± 3 and 10 ± 2 mL/min/kg (mean ± SD), respectively.
Drug Interaction Studies: The pharmacokinetic interaction between neostigmine methylsulfate and other drugs has not been studied.
Carcinogenesis: Long-term animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of neostigmine.
Genotoxicity: Neostigmine methylsulfate was not mutagenic or clastogenic when evaluated in an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test), an in vitro Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosomal aberration assay, or an in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.
Impairment of Fertility: In a fertility and early embryonic development study in rats, male rats were treated for 28 days prior to mating and female rats were treated for 14 days prior to mating with intravenous neostigmine methylsulfate (human equivalent doses of 1.6, 4, and 8.1 mcg/kg/day, based on body surface area). No adverse effects were reported at any dose (up to 0.1 times the MRHD of 5 mg/60 kg person based on a body surface area comparison).
The evidence for the efficacy of neostigmine methylsulfate for the reversal of the effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents after surgery is derived from the published literature. Randomized, spontaneous-recovery or placebo-controlled studies using similar efficacy endpoints evaluated a total of 404 adult and 80 pediatric patients undergoing various surgical procedures. Patients had reductions in their recovery time from neuromuscular blockade with neostigmine methylsulfate treatment compared to spontaneous recovery.
BLOXIVERZ (Neostigmine Methylsulfate Injection, USP) is available in the following:
NDC No. |
Strength |
Vial Size |
51754-1210-3 |
0.5 mg/mL |
10 mL multiple-dose vials (supplied in packages of 10) |
51754-1220-3 |
1 mg/mL |
10 mL multiple-dose vials (supplied in packages of 10) |
51754-1200-3 |
1 mg/mL |
5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe (supplied in packages of 10) |
The vial stopper is not made with natural rubber latex.
NDC: 51754-1210-1
Bloxiverz
(Neostigmine Methylsulfate
Injection, USP)
5 mg/10 mL
(0.5 mg/mL)
For Intravenous Use
10 mL Multiple-Dose Vial
NDC: 51754-1210-1
Bloxiverz
(Neostigmine
Methylsulfate
Injection, USP)
5 mg/10 mL
(0.5 mg/mL)
For Intravenous Use
10 mL Multiple-Dose Vial
Rx Only
NDC: 51754-1220-1
Bloxiverz
(Neostigmine Methylsulfate
Injection, USP)
10 mg/10 mL
(1 mg/mL)
For Intravenous Use
10 mL Multiple-Dose Vial
NDC: 51754-1220-1
Bloxiverz
(Neostigmine
Methylsulfate
Injection, USP)
10 mg/10 mL
(1 mg/mL)
For Intravenous Use
10 mL Multiple-Dose Vial
Rx Only
NDC: 51754-1200-1 Rx only
Bloxiverz
(Neostigmine Methylsulfate Injection, USP)
5 mg/5 mL
(1 mg/mL)
5 mL Single Dose prefilled syringe. Discard Unused Portion. For IV Use.
Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].
NDC: 51754-1200-3 Rx only
Bloxiverz
(Neostigmine Methylsulfate Injection, USP)
5 mg/5 mL (1 mg/mL)
For Intravenous Use
10 x 5 mL Single Dose Prefilled Syringes
Discard Unused Portion
BLOXIVERZ
neostigmine methylsulfate injection |
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BLOXIVERZ
neostigmine methylsulfate injection |
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BLOXIVERZ
neostigmine methylsulfate injection |
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Labeler - Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC (831274399) |
Establishment | |||
Name | Address | ID/FEI | Business Operations |
---|---|---|---|
Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC | 831274399 | LABEL(51754-1210, 51754-1220, 51754-1200) , MANUFACTURE(51754-1200) , API MANUFACTURE(51754-1200) |
Mark Image Registration | Serial | Company Trademark Application Date |
---|---|
BLOXIVERZ 85686242 4433582 Live/Registered |
Ãclat Pharmaceuticals, LLC 2012-07-25 |