Akovaz
- Generic Name: ephedrine sulfate injection
- Brand Name: Akovaz
- Drug Class: Alpha/Beta Adrenergic Agonists
Akovaz (Ephedrine Sulfate Injection) side effects drug center
Akovaz Side Effects Center
What Is Akovaz?
Akovaz (ephedrine sulfate injection) is an alpha- and beta- adrenergic agonist and a norepinephrine-releasing agent that is indicated for the treatment of clinically important low blood pressure (hypotension) occurring in the setting of anesthesia.
What Are Side Effects of Akovaz?
Common side effects of Akovaz include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- rapid heart rate
- palpitations
- dizziness, and
- restlessness
Dosage for Akovaz
A dose of Akovaz injection, 50 mg/mL, (equivalent to 38 mg ephedrine base) is injected intravenously as a bolus.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Akovaz?
Akovaz may interact with clonidine, oxytocin and oxytocic drugs, propofol, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), atropine, alpha-adrenergic antagonists, beta-adrenergic antagonists, reserpine, quinidine, mephentermine, guanethidine, rocuronium, epidural anesthesia, theophylline, and cardiac glycosides. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Akovaz During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before receiving Akovaz. It is unknown if it would affect a fetus. Akovaz passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Additional Information
Our Akovaz (ephedrine sulfate injection) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
Akovaz Professional Information
SIDE EFFECTS
The following adverse reactions associated with the use of ephedrine sulfate were identified in the literature. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting
Cardiac disorders: Tachycardia, palpitations (thumping heart), reactive hypertension, bradycardia, ventricular ectopics, R-R variability
Nervous system disorders: Dizziness
Psychiatric disorders: Restlessness
DRUG INTERACTIONS
| Interactions that Augment the Pressor Effect | |
| Oxytocin and oxytocic drugs | |
| Clinical Impact: | Serious postpartum hypertension has been described in patients who received both a vasopressor (i.e., methoxamine, phenylephrine, ephedrine) and an oxytocic (i.e., methylergonovine, ergonovine). Some of these patients experienced a stroke. |
| Intervention: | Carefully monitor the blood pressure of individuals who have received both ephedrine and an oxytocic. |
| Clonidine, propofol, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), atropine | |
| Clinical Impact: | These drugs augment the pressor effect of ephedrine. |
| Intervention: | Carefully monitor the blood pressure of individuals who have received both ephedrine and any of these drugs. |
| Interactions that Antagonize the Pressor Effect | |
| Clinical Impact: | These drugs antagonize the pressor effect of ephedrine. |
| Intervention: | Carefully monitor the blood pressure of individuals who have received both ephedrine and any of these drugs. |
| Examples: | α-adrenergic antagonists, β-adrenergic receptor antagonists, reserpine, quinidine, mephentermine |
| Other Drug Interactions | |
| Guanethidine | |
| Clinical Impact: | Ephedrine may inhibit the neuron blockage produced by guanethidine, resulting in loss of antihypertensive effectiveness. |
| Intervention: | Clinician should monitor patient for blood pressor response and adjust the dosage or choice of pressor accordingly. |
| Rocuronium | |
| Clinical Impact: | Ephedrine may reduce the onset time of neuromuscular blockade when used for intubation with rocuronium if administered simultaneously with anesthetic induction. |
| Intervention: | Be aware of this potential interaction. No treatment or other interventions are needed. |
| Epidural anesthesia | |
| Clinical Impact: | Ephedrine may decrease the efficacy of epidural blockade by hastening the regression of sensory analgesia. |
| Intervention: | Monitor and treat the patient according to clinical practice. |
| Theophylline | |
| Clinical Impact: | Concomitant use of ephedrine may increase the frequency of nausea, nervousness, and insomnia. |
| Intervention: | Monitor patient for worsening symptoms and manage symptoms according to clinical practice. |
| Cardiac glycosides | |
| Clinical Impact: | Giving ephedrine with a cardiac glycoside, such as digitalis, may increase the possibility of arrhythmias. |
| Intervention: | Carefully monitor patients on cardiac glycosides who are also administered ephedrine. |
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Akovaz (Ephedrine Sulfate Injection)
© Akovaz Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Akovaz Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.