Vasograin

Uses

Caffeine is a stimulant present in tea, coffee, cola beverages, analgesic drugs, and agents used to increase alertness. It is also used in to prevent and treat pulmonary complications of premature birth.

Caffeine is indicated for the short term treatment of apnea of prematurity in infants and off label for the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia caused by premature birth. In addition, it is indicated in combination with sodium benzoate to treat respiratory depression resulting from an overdose with CNS depressant drugs. Caffeine has a broad range of over the counter uses, and is found in energy supplements, athletic enhancement products, pain relief products, as well as cosmetic products.

Ergotamine is a alpha-1 selective adrenergic agonist vasoconstrictor used to treat migraines with or without aura and cluster headaches.

For use as therapy to abort or prevent vascular headache, e.g., migraine, migraine variants, or so called "histaminic cephalalgia".

Prochlorperazine Maleate Tablet: Each tablet contains Prochlorperazine maleate 5 mg.

Prochlorperazine Mesilate Syrup: Each 5 ml syrup contains Prochlorperazine maleate 5 mg

Prochlorperazine Mesilate Injection: Each 1 ml ampoule contains Prochlorperazine mesilate 12.5 mg.

• For control of severe nausea and vomiting caused by radiation therapy, cancer chemotherapy, surgery, and other conditions.
• Relieving nausea, vomiting and attacks of dizziness or spinning sensations (vertigo) associated with Meniere's disease and other inner ear disorders.
• For the treatment of psychotic illness such as schizophrenia (hallucinations and hostility).
• Acute mania.
• For the short-term treatment of generalized non-psychotic anxiety.

Vasograin is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), Common Cold, Dark circles under eyes, Dyspepsia, Fatigue, Fever, Flu caused by Influenza, Headache, Migraine, Pain, Pain, Acute, Pain, Menstrual, Primary apnea of premature newborns, Respiratory Depression, Rheumatic Pain, Somnolence, Soreness, Muscle, Tension Headache, Toothache, Moderate Pain, Analgesia, Antacid therapy, Athletic PerformanceCluster Headache, Migraine, Uterine Atony, Vascular HeadachesAcute Migraine, Schizophrenia, Tension Headache, Non-psychotic generalized anxiety, Severe Nausea and vomiting

How Vasograin works

The mechanism of action of caffeine is complex, as it impacts several body systems, which are listed below. The effects as they relate to various body systems are described as follows:

General and cellular actions

Caffeine exerts several actions on cells, but the clinical relevance is poorly understood. One probable mechanism is the inhibition of nucleotide phosphodiesterase enzymes, adenosine receptors, regulation of calcium handling in cells, and participates in adenosine receptor antagonism. Phosphodiesterase enzymes regulate cell function via actions on second messengers cAMP and cGMP. This causes lipolysis through activation of hormone-sensitive lipases, releasing fatty acids and glycerol.

Respiratory

The exact mechanism of action of caffeine in treating apnea related to prematurity is unknown, however, there are several proposed mechanisms, including respiratory center stimulation in the central nervous system, a reduced threshold to hypercapnia with increased response, and increased consumption of oxygen, among others. The blocking of the adenosine receptors enhances respiratory drive via an increase in brain medullary response to carbon dioxide, stimulating ventilation and respiratory drive, while increasing contractility of the diaphragm.

Central nervous system

Caffeine demonstrates antagonism of all 4 adenosine receptor subtypes (A1, A2a, A2b, A3) in the central nervous system. Caffeine's effects on alertness and combatting drowsiness are specifically related to the antagonism of the A2a receptor.

Renal system

Caffeine has diuretic effects due to is stimulatory effects on renal blood flow, increase in glomerular filtration, and increase in sodium excretion.

Cardiovascular system

Adenosine receptor antagonism at the A1 receptor by caffeine stimulates inotropic effects in the heart. Blocking of adenosine receptors promotes catecholamine release, leading to stimulatory effects occurring in the heart and the rest of the body. In the blood vessels, caffeine exerts direct antagonism of adenosine receptors, causing vasodilation. It stimulates the endothelial cells in the blood vessel wall to release nitric oxide, potentiating blood vessel relaxation. Catecholamine release, however, antagonizes this and exerts inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart, ultimately leading to vasoconstriction. Finally, caffeine is shown to raise systolic blood pressure measurements by 5 to 10 mmHg when it is not taken regularly, versus no effect in those who consume it regularly. The vasoconstricting effects of caffeine are beneficial in migraines and other types of headache, which are normally caused by vasodilation in the brain.

Ergotamine acts on migraine by one of two proposed mechanisms: 1) activation of 5-HT_1D receptors located on intracranial blood vessels, including those on arterio-venous anastomoses, leads to vasoconstriction, which correlates with the relief of migraine headache, and 2) activation of 5-HT_1D receptors on sensory nerve endings of the trigeminal system results in the inhibition of pro-inflammatory neuropeptide release.

The mechanism of action of prochlorperazine has not been fully determined, but may be primarily related to its anti-dopaminergic effects. Prochlorperazine blocks the D2 dopamine receptors in the brain, which are somatodendritic autoreceptors. Inhibition of D2 receptor signaling results in the blockade of postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the mesolimbic system and an increased dopamine turnover. Nausea and vomiting are proposed to arise from peripheral or central stimulation of serotonin type 3 (5-HT3) and dopamine type 2 receptors, the predominant receptors expressed at the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). Prochlorperazine exerts antiemetic effects and was shown to inhibit apomorphine-induced vomiting by blocking D2 dopamine receptors in the CTZ..

Dosage

Vasograin dosage

Antiemetic:

Children (not recommended in children <10 kg or <2 years):

• 10-14 kg: 2.5 mg every 12-24 hours as needed; maximum: 7.5 mg/day
• 15-18 kg: 2.5 mg every 8-12 hours as needed; maximum: 10 mg/day
• 19-39 kg: 2.5 mg every 8 hours or 5 mg every 12 hours as needed; maximum: 15 mg/day

Adults: 5-10 mg 3-4 times/day; usual maximum:40 mg/day

Antipsychotic:

• Children 2-12 years (not recommended in children <10 kg or <2 years): 2.5 mg 2-3 times/day; increase dosage as needed to maximum daily dose of 20 mg for 2-5 years and 25 mg for 6-12 years
• Adults: 5-10 mg 3-4 times/day; doses up to 150 mg/day may be required in some patients for treatment of severe disturbances

Nonpsychotic anxiety:

• Adults: Usual dose: 15-20 mg/day in divided doses; do not give doses >20 mg/day or for longer than 12 weeks
• Elderly: Initial: 2.5-5 mg 1 -2 times/day; increase dose at 4 to 7 day intervals by 2.5-5 mg/day; increase dosing intervals (twice daily, thrice daily, etc) as necessary to control response or side effects; maximum daily dose should probably not exceed 75 mg in elderly; gradual increases (titration) may prevent some side effects or decrease their severity. Prochlorperazine may be administered without regards of meal.

Side Effects

Drowsiness, jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms, fine worm-like tongue movements, rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements, slow or difficult speech, difficulty swallowing, restlessness and pacing, tremors, shuffling walk, skin rash, yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Toxicity

The oral LD50 of caffeine in rats is 192 mg/kg. An acute fatal overdose of caffeine in humans is about 10–14 grams (equivalent to 150–200 mg/kg of body weight).

Caffeine overdose

In the case of caffeine overdose, seizures may occur, as caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It should be used with extreme caution in those with epilepsy or other seizure disorders. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal upset. Intoxication with caffeine is included in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Agitation, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, tachycardia, tremors, tachycardia, psychomotor agitation, and, in some cases, death can occur, depending on the amount of caffeine consumed. Overdose is more likely to occur in individuals who do not consume caffeine regularly but consume energy drinks.

Overdose management

For a mild caffeine overdose, offer symptomatic treatment. In the case of a severe overdose, intubation for airway protection from changes in mental status or vomiting may be needed. Activated charcoal and hemodialysis can prevent further complications of an overdose and prevent absorption and metabolism. Benzodiazepine drugs can be administered to prevent or treat seizures. IV fluids and vasopressors may be necessary to combat hypotension associated with caffeine overdose. In addition, magnesium and beta blocking drugs can be used to treat arrhythmias that may occur, with defibrillation and resuscitation if the arrhythmias are lethal. Follow local ACLS protocols.

Signs of overexposure include irritation, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, thirst, coldness of skin, pruritus, weak pulse, numbness, tingling of extremities, and confusion.

LD₅₀ and Overdose

Oral LD₅₀ in rats is 750 mg/kg. Intraperitoneal and subcutaneous LD₅₀ in mice are 191 mg/kg and 320 mg/kg, respectively. In placebo-controlled trials, there were increased incidences of mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis receiving antipsychotic medications. The risk of death in drug-treated patients was about 1.6 to 1.7 times that of placebo-treated patients. Deaths were largely resulting from cardiovascular, such as heart failure and sudden death, or infectious, such as pneumonia, conditions. Due to its antagonist action on dopamine receptors, prochlorperazine is associated with a risk for developing extrapyramidal symptoms such as tardive dyskinesia, which is a syndrome consisting of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements. This risk is also conferred on other antipsychotic agents that block dopamine receptors. It is proposed that increased duration of the drug treatment is likely thus increased total cumulative dose of antipsychotic drugs administered to the patient leads to increased risk for developing the syndrome and the likelihood that it will become irreversible. As with other antipsychotic agents, prochlorperazine is associated with a risk for causing neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which is a potentially fatal symptom complex, which is manifested as hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status and evidence of autonomic instability.

There is no known antidote for prochlorperazine thus overdose treatment should be supportive and symptomatic. Overdose of prochlorperazine may produce dystonic reactions that involve extrapyramidal mechanism. To reduce these symptoms, antiparkinsonism drugs, barbiturates, or diphenhydramine may be used. Symptoms of central nervous system depression, such as somnolence or coma, may also be observed. Amphetamine, destroamphetamine, or caffeine and sodium benzoate may be used to induce stimulatory effects. In contrast, agitation and restlessness may also be seen in case of overdose. Other possible manifestations include convulsions, EKG changes and cardiac arrhythmias, fever, and autonomic reactions such as hypotension, dry mouth and ileus. Hypotension can be responded with the standard measures for managing circulatory shock.

Nonclinical Toxicology

In a rat developmental or reproductive toxicity study, abnormalities in both the reproductive measures and neurobehavioral testing were observed following administration of 25 mg/kg of prochlorperazine.

Use in specific populations

As the use of antipsychotic agents during the third trimester of pregnancy is associated with a risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery, the use of prochlorperazine in pregnant patients is generally not recommended and it should be limited after careful consideration of the potential benefit of drug therapy justifying the potential risk to the fetus. Caution should be exercised when prochlorperazine is administered to a nursing mother. While lower doses of prochlorperazine is reported to be safe for elderly patients, caution is still advised, especially those with higher susceptibility to hypotension and neuromuscular reactions.

Precaution

Caution should be taken while performing tasks that require alertness, such as driving or using machinery. Use of alcohol can cause extreme drowsiness. This medication may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Prolonged sun exposure should be avoided and a sunscreen and protective clothing should be taken when anybody is exposed to the sun. This medication can reduce sweating making more susceptible to heat stroke.

Interaction

Alcohol, barbiturate & other sedatives may increase the CNS depressant action. Some drugs like Antacids, antiparkinson's drug, lithium may interfere the absorption of Prochlorperazine. This drug may interfere the plasma concentration of Propanolol, Phenobarbital.

Volume of Distribution

Caffeine has the ability to rapidly cross the blood-brain barrier. It is water and fat soluble and distributes throughout the body. Caffeine concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of preterm newborns are similar to the concentrations found in the plasma. The mean volume of distribution of caffeine in infants is 0.8-0.9 L/kg and 0.6 L/kg in the adult population.

In a preliminary pharmacokinetic study involving healthy volunteers, the mean apparent volume of distribution following intravenous administration of 6.25 mg and 12.5 mg prochlorperazine were approximately 1401 L and 1548 L, respectively. Prochlorperazine is reported to be distributed to most body tissues with high concentrations being distributed into liver and spleen. There is evidence that phenothiazines are excreted in the breast milk of nursing mothers.

Elimination Route

Caffeine is rapidly absorbed after oral or parenteral administration, reaching peak plasma concentration within 30 minutes to 2 hours after administration. After oral administration, onset of action takes place within 45 to 1 hour. Food may delay caffeine absorption. The peak plasma level for caffeine ranges from 6-10mg/L. The absolute bioavailability is unavailable in neonates, but reaches about 100% in adults.

The bioavailability of sublingually administered ergotamine has not been determined.

Following oral administration, prochlorperazine is reported to be well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The onset of pharmacological action is about 30 to 40 minutes following oral administration and 10 to 20 minutes following intramuscular administration. The duration of action for all routes is about 3 to 4 hours. Following oral administration in healthy volunteers, the mean oral bioavailability was about 12.5%. In these patients, the time to reach the peak plasma concentrations was about 5 hours. Repeated oral dosing resulted in an accumulation of prochlorperazine and its metabolite. Following multiple twice daily dosing, the steady state of prochlorperazine was reached by 7 days.

Half Life

In an average-sized adult or child above the age of 9, the half-life of caffeine is approximately 5 hours. Various characteristics and conditions can alter caffeine half-life. It can be reduced by up to 50% in smokers. Pregnant women show an increased half-life of 15 hours or higher, especially in the third trimester. The half-life in newborns is prolonged to about 8 hours at full-term and 100 hours in premature infants, likely due to reduced ability to metabolize it. Liver disease or drugs that inhibit CYP1A2 can increase caffeine half-life.

2 hours

Following intravenous and single oral dose administration, the terminal elimination half live were 9 and 8 hours, respectively.

Clearance

The clearance of caffeine varies, but on average, is about 0.078 L/kg/h (1.3 mL/min/kg).

The mean plasma clearance (CL) of prochlorperazine following intravenous administration in healthy volunteers was approximately 0.98L/h x kg. The mean renal clearance was about 23.6 mL/h.

Elimination Route

The major metabolites of caffeine can be found excreted in the urine. About 0.5% to 2% of a caffeine dose is found excreted in urine, as it because it is heavily absorbed in the renal tubules.

Prochlorperazine is reported to be mainly excreted via the feces and bile. Low quantities of unchanged prochlorperazine and its metabolite were detectable in the urine.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

No evidence of adverse effects of this drug has been reported during pregnancy & lactation.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity to prochlorperazine or any component of the formulation, severe CNS depression; coma; should not be used in children <2 years of age or <10 kg.

Acute Overdose

Symptoms of overdose include deep sleep, coma, extrapyramidal symptoms, abnormal involuntary muscle movements, and hypotension.

Storage Condition

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light and moisture.

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