Metaraminol tartrate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about this medicine. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of giving you this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about receiving this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What this medicine is used for
Metaraminol solution for injection is used to increase your blood pressure, which can drop during spinal anaesthesia or can drop as a reaction to medications or surgical complications.
How this medicine works
Metaraminol solution for injection belongs to a group of medicines called sympathomimetic amines.
It works by strengthening the contraction of the heart muscle and constricting blood vessels to help increase blood pressure.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
The effects of this medicine on your ability to drive and use machinery has not been assessed.
There is not enough information to recommend giving metaraminol solution for injection to children.
Before you are given this medicine
When you must not be given this medicine
You should not be given metaraminol solution for injection if you have an allergy to:
- any medicine containing metaraminol
- sulfites
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may 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
Do not receive this medicine if you are also being given cyclopropane or halothane anaesthesia (unless your doctor decides it is necessary).
Do not give this medicine to a child. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
This medicine should not be given after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. Your doctor or nurse will check to make sure the medicine is not expired or damaged.
If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given this medicine
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- Sulfite sensitivity
- Liver disease
- Cirrhosis
- Heart disease
- Thyroid disease
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Malaria
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you are given this medicine.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and this one may interfere with each other. These include:
- Certain medicines used to treat depression, e.g. monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- Digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure.
These medicines may be affected by this medicine or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor will have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid when you are given this medicine.
How this medicine is given
How it is given
Metaraminol solution for injection is administered in a hospital as an injection into a vein, or it may be diluted before use and given with fluids into a vein. This medicine must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
To reduce microbial hazard, use as soon as practicable after preparation. If storage is necessary, hold at 2-8°C for not more than 24 hours. The injection solution contains no antimicrobial preservative and is for single use in one patient only. Discard any residue.
How much is given
Your doctor will decide on what dose of metaraminol injection you will receive and for how long you will receive it. This will depend on your medical condition and other factors, such as your weight.
If you are given too much (overdose)
Metaraminol solution for injection is administered in a hospital, under the supervision of a doctor. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will receive too much. However, you should tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you feel unwell at all whilst you are being given metaraminol solution for injection. You may need urgent medical attention.
The Poisons information centre can be contacted on 13 11 26 for further advice on overdose management.
While you are being given this medicine
Things you must do
Always follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Your doctor or nurse will carefully monitor your blood pressure.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine has affected you. This medicine may cause a fast or pounding heartbeat, and swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing or breathlessness or any difficulty breathing in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given this medicine.
This medicine helps most people, however 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 attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following whilst you are being given this medicine:
- skin problems at the site of injection
- fast or pounding heartbeat
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- breathlessness or any difficulty breathing.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
Storage and Presentation
Storage
Metaraminol solution for injection should only be given to you in a hospital. It should be kept in the original packaging until it has been given to you.
Metaraminol solution for injection must be stored below 25°C. Protect from light.
Disposal
Any unused or expired medicine should be returned to your pharmacist.
Product description
What it looks like
Metaraminol solution for injection is a clear, colourless sterile solution. It is supplied in a pack of 5 clear glass ampoules.
Ingredients
Metaraminol solution for injection comes in two strengths.
Each ampoule contains metaraminol tartrate equivalent to either
5mg/10mL (AUST R 309267) or
10mg/1mL (AUST R 309266)
of metaraminol.
Each ampoule also contains:
- sodium chloride in water for injection
- sodium metabisulfite as a preservative.
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Distributor
This medicine is distributed in Australia by:
Arrotex Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
15 – 17 Chapel Street
Cremorne VIC 3121
www.arrotex.com.au
This leaflet was prepared in March 2023.
Published by MIMS April 2023