Side effects of doxapram infusion

Abstract

Four cases are reported where patients reacted with severe restlessness, violence or hallucinations at low doses of doxapram infusion. A possible association with hepatic dysfunction is discussed. These reactions persisted long after the cessation of doxapram infusion and the various treatments used are described.

A New Look at the Respiratory Stimulant Doxapram

“…12, No. [3][4]2006 246 C. S. YOST was significantly useful but as safer and shorter-acting anesthetic agents have arrived, the need for doxapram in the recovery room has declined. Similarly, the use of doxapram in the intensive care unit, whether in adults or neonates with respiratory insufficiency is also reduced, having been supplanted by other agents or techniques.…”

“…12, No. [3][4]2006 DOXAPRAM 237 humans (8-10 min) (51). Approximately 40-50% of a bolus dose can be recovered as metabolites in the urine after 24-48 h. The effective blood concentration is approximately 2 ìg/mL (9), which can be reached in patients by administering a loading dose of 1 mg/kg followed by an infusion of 1 mg/kg/h (42).…”

“…12, No. [3][4]2006 242 C. S. YOST block, an inhibitory action is revealed that may be post-junctional. However the concentrations of doxapram at which these effects occurred were approximately five times higher than those reached in plasma after a standard clinical dose.…”

“…12, No. [3][4]2006 240 C. S. YOST TASK-3 are known to be expressed in carotid bodies and the brainstem (56). Acidic pH values and hypoxia inhibit TASK-1 and TASK-3 channel function, while volatile anesthetics such as halothane and isoflurane enhance their currents (33,38).…”

“…Volatile anesthetics -halothane, chloroform, and isoflurane generally. Other drugs shown to activate some channels include diethyl ether, desflurane and sevoflurane 3. Gaseous anesthetics -nitrous oxide, xenon, cyclopropane.…”