Flumazenil 0.5 mg/5 mL and 1 mg/10 mL, solution for injection
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Flumazenil-Claris. It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you being given Flumazenil-Claris against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
What Flumazenil-Claris is used for
Flumazenil-Claris is used to reverse benzodiazepine overdose, both suspected and known. It is given to arouse people after surgery or benzodiazepine overdose. Your doctor may have prescribed Flumazenil-Claris for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions why Flumazenil-Claris has been prescribed for you.
Before you are given Flumazenil-Claris
When you must not be given it
Do not use Flumazenil-Claris if:
- you have had an allergic reaction to Flumazenil-Claris or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
- you are taking a benzodiazepine for control of a potentially life-threatening condition
Before you are given it
Your doctor must know about all the following before you are given Flumazenil-Claris.
You must tell your doctor if:
- you are allergic to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes
- you suffer from epilepsy
- you have severe liver disease
- you suffer from panic disorder
- you have been taking high doses of benzodiazepines and /or you have been taking benzodiazepines for a long time.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given Flumazenil-Claris.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you have bought from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Flumazenil-Claris or affect how well it works. These medicines include:
- benzodiazepines e.g. diazepam (Valium), bromazepam (Lexotan), temazepam (Temaze, Normison) etc.
- anticonvulsants
- antidepressants
How Flumazenil-Claris is given
Flumazenil-Claris is given as an injection into a vein. Flumazenil-Claris must only be given by an anaesthetist or experienced physician.
Your doctor will decide what dose of Flumazenil-Claris you will receive. This depends on your condition. Usually only a single dose of Flumazenil-Claris is required.
While you are using Flumazenil-Claris
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Flumazenil-Claris affects you. This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people. This can be due to the possibility of resedation within the first 24 hours after administration of Flumazenil-Claris.
If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Be careful if you are elderly, unwell or taking other medicines.
Some people may experience side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, dizziness and unsteadiness in the first 24 hours after administration which may increase the risk of a fall.
There is also a possibility of other benzodiazepine effects such as difficulty in breathing, within the first 24 hours after administration.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after you have been given Flumazenil-Claris.
Flumazenil helps most people who experience an overdose with benzodiazepine medicines but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- nausea with or without vomiting
- dizziness, light-headedness
- feeling anxious or fearful
- rapid or irregular heart beat
- depression, tearfulness with or without agitation
- allergic reactions, including sudden life threatening allergic reactions. Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
These may be related to the reversal of anaesthetic.
After being given Flumazenil-Claris
Flumazenil-Claris will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. It is kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 °C.
Product Description
What it looks like
Flumazenil-Claris is available as a clear, solution at a concentration of 0.1mg per mL in 5 mL and 10 mL glass ampoules. It comes in packs of 5 and 10 ampoules.
Ingredients
Each 5 mL Flumazenil-Claris ampoule contains 0.5 mg flumazenil as the active ingredient.
Each 10 mL Flumazenil-Claris ampoule contains 1 mg flumazenil as the active ingredient.
Flumazenil-Claris also contains:
- glacial acetic acid
- sodium chloride
- sodium hydroxide
- water for injections
Each mL of Flumazenil-Claris contains approximately 3.5 mg sodium. This medicine does not contain gluten, lactose, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Distributor
AFT Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
296 Burns Bay Road
Lane Cove
Sydney 2066
Flumazenil-Claris 0.5 mg/5 mL: AUST R 231405
Flumazenil-Claris 1 mg/10 mL: AUST R 231406
This leaflet was prepared on: 2 December 2015
Published by MIMS June 2018