Consumer medicine information

SUPRANE

Desflurane USP


Consumer Medicine Information

WHAT IS IN THIS LEAFLET

What is SUPRANE?
What SUPRANE is used for
Before you receive SUPRANE

  • before you are due to receive it
  • when you must not receive it

Using SUPRANE
Side Effects
Product Description
How Can I Obtain More Facts About SUPRANE?
Manufacturer

WHAT IS SUPRANE

SUPRANE is one of a family of drugs called halogenated methylethlyethers which are administered by inhalation by an anaesthetist when you go for surgery. It is a colourless fluid supplied in an amber coloured glass bottle. It is given by your anaesthetist using a vaporiser specifically designed for use with SUPRANE.

WHAT SUPRANE IS USED FOR

SUPRANE is a special mixture of anaesthetic drug used for maintaining heavy sleep during surgery. It is administered by inhalation by your anaesthetist. The medication produces anaesthesia, a loss of consciousness and pain sensations during the surgery.

SUPRANE is washed out quickly from the body via the lungs so that recovery from the anaesthetic is rapid once the drug has been stopped.

Your doctor will help you understand the benefits of taking SUPRANE during surgery in your case.

BEFORE YOU RECEIVE SUPRANE

Before you are due to receive it

You must tell your doctor if:

  • You had previously had any problems with a general anaesthetic.
  • You, or anyone in your family, have had malignant hyperthermia, during or shortly after receiving an anaesthetic (see Side Effects)
  • You have allergies to:
    * SUPRANE (if you have had this anaesthetic before and experienced an allergic reaction).
    * Halogenated anaesthetic agents which are breathed in to induce anaesthesia.
  • You have the following medical conditions:
    * heart disease; for example coronary artery disease, high or low blood pressure
    * brain disorder such as tumour, infection, or blood clot
    * any problems with your liver.
    * diabetes
  • You are on the following medications:
    * opioids or narcotic drugs like morphine or pethidine
    * sedatives like benzodiazepines or any sort of sleeping tablets
    * muscle relaxing drugs
    * any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription.

These medicines may affect the way your doctor gives you SUPRANE.

  • You are pregnant, or suspect you may be pregnant. The safety of SUPRANE during pregnancy is not yet known.
  • You are breast-feeding. It is not yet known whether SUPRANE is excreted in human milk.

When You Must Not Receive It

SUPRANE should not be given to patients who are not suitable for receiving a general anaesthetic.

SUPRANE should not be given to patients who are allergic or sensitive to halogenated anaesthetic agents.

SUPRANE should not be given to patients who are known or suspected to be susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (see Side Effects).

SUPRANE should not be given in patients in whom liver dysfunction, jaundice or unexplained fever, leucocytosis or eosinophilia has occurred after a previous halogenated anaesthetic.

SUPRANE is not recommended for mask induction of anaesthesia.

USING SUPRANE

SUPRANE comes in a glass bottle and is supplied directly to your anaesthetist.

SUPRANE is given only by persons trained in the administration of general anaesthesia. It is given using a vaporiser specifically designed and designated for use with SUPRANE. A special mask will be placed over your mouth and nose and the medication will be breathed in through the mask. The dose of SUPRANE will be adjusted to keep you at the right depth of sleep.

SUPRANE may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery and it is advisable to avoid such tasks for a period of 24 hours or longer if necessary. Ask your doctor when you can return to work involving machinery or heavy equipment.

If you are given too much SUPRANE

As SUPRANE is given under strict supervision, it is unlikely that you will receive too much. However, the anaesthetist can reduce the dose of SUPRANE and provide oxygen should your blood pressure be too low or you have difficulty in breathing.

SIDE EFFECTS

People usually wake up quickly after anaesthesia with SUPRANE. As with all medicines, unwanted effects sometimes happen.

SUPRANE may cause some lowering of blood pressure and breathing rate. You will not know about these things since you will be asleep but your anaesthetist will adjust the dose of SUPRANE as necessary and will give other medicines if needed.

Some people who received SUPRANE have noticed the following side effects:

  • cough , spasm of the larynx, inflammation of the pharynx
  • breath-holding, breathing with decreased depth, shortness of breath or stopping breathing
  • salivation
  • high blood pressure
  • rapid or slow heart beat irregular or abnormal heartbeat, or stopping of the heart
  • muscle pain or weakness
  • itchy rash or red skin
  • agitation
  • dizziness, headache, fever, generally unwell
  • conjunctivitis
  • fitting
  • yellowing of the eye or skin
  • spitting out blood
  • shock
  • pain in the stomach area

Nausea and vomiting on waking are common after surgery and general anaesthesia.

After anaesthesia there may be a brief rise in your white blood cell count. Your doctor will monitor this if it happens.

It is possible that SUPRANE may cause a very rare group of symptoms known as malignant hyperthermia. The features of this are muscle rigidity, rapid pulse, breathing heavily and quickly, bluish lips and skin, changes in blood pressure and a fever. Your doctor will treat this by stopping the SUPRANE and using other medicines as needed.

SUPRANE may cause inflammation of the liver in patients who have previously been exposed to halogenated anaesthetic. It may also cause some elevation of glucose levels.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

What it looks like:

SUPRANE is a colourless liquid supplied in an amber coloured glass bottle.

Ingredients:

Each vial contains the active substance desflurane, 240mL per bottle.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN MORE FACTS ABOUT SUPRANE?

Your doctor, anaesthetist and hospital pharmacist can discuss SUPRANE with you. If you have any concerns or queries about SUPRANE ask them.

MANUFACTURER

SUPRANE is manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Corporation of Puerto Rico, Guayama, Puerto Rico 00784 USA, and is distributed in Australia by:
Baxter Healthcare Pty Ltd
1 Baxter Drive
Old Toongabbie NSW 2146

Telephone: 02 9848 1111

The information contained in this leaflet was prepared on 21 March 1995. The leaflet was updated on 19 September 2008.

This leaflet or portions of it should not be photocopied and handed out. More copies can be obtained from your doctor or pharmacist.

The Australian Government has approved the use of SUPRANE, the Australian Registration number being 60909.

Baxter and SUPRANE are trademarks of Baxter International Inc.

Published by MIMS February 2009