Dolargan

Uses

What is Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride) used for?

Dolargan is commonly used to control moderate to severe pain including obstetric analgesia, pre-operative medication, analgesia during anesthesia and post-operative analgesia.

Dolargan may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should I take Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride)?

Use tablet:

Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets. Swallow tablet whole with a glass of water.

Use injection:

It will be given by your health care provider.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Dolargan.

How do I store Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride)?

Dolargan is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Dolargan in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Dolargan that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush Dolargan down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride)?

Consult with your doctor or pharmacist, if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because, while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.
• You are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
• You have allergy with any of active or inactive ingredients of Dolargan or other medications.
• You have any other illnesses, disorders, or medical conditions.
• You have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Pregnancy:

There are no adequate studies in women for determining risk when using Dolargan during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before taking Dolargan. Dolargan is pregnancy risk category B, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA pregnancy risk category reference below:

• A=No risk
• B=No risk in some studies
• C=There may be some risk
• D=Positive evidence of risk
• X=Contraindicated
• N=Unknown

Breastfeeding:

Drug excreted in breast milk.

Always consult your health care provider prior to using this medication if you are pregnant, breastfeeding.

Side effects

What side effects can occur from Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride)?

Here are side effects:

• Respiratory depression
• Hypotension
• Tachycardia
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Euphoria
• Dysphoria
• Weakness
• Headache
• Agitation
• Tremor
• Uncoordinated muscle movements
• Convulsions
• Hallucinations
• Visual disturbances
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Biliary tract spasm
• Flushing of the face
• Tachycardia
• Bradycardia
• Palpitation
• Hypotension
• Syncope
• Urinary retention
• Pruritus
• Urticaria
• Other skin rashes
• Wheal and flare over the vein with intravenous injection
• Other such as pain at the injection site and local tissue irritation

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride)?

Dolargan may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

Products may interact with this drug, including:

• Anxiolytics
• Hypnotics
• Antidepressants
• Analgesics
• General anesthetics
• Respiratory depression medicines
• Hypotension medicines
• Phenothiazine
• Cimetidine
• Monoamine inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Anticholinergics

Does food or alcohol interact with Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride)?

Dolargan may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride)?

Dolargan may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.

Health conditions that may interact with Dolargan including:

• Respiratory depression
• Obstructive airways disease
• Asthma

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.

What is the dose of Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride) for an adult?

For moderate or severe pain

• Normal single dose (usually not to be repeated more often than 4 hourly)
• 25 – 100 mg by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection
• By slow intravenous injection 25 – 50 mg

For obstetric analgesia

• 50 – 100 mg by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection repeated 1 – 3 hours later
• Maximum of 400mg in 24 hours

As a premedication

50 – 100mg by intramuscular injection one hour prior to the operation.

For the enhancement of analgesia

10 -25mg as required by slow intravenous injection.

Elderly or debilitated patients

Initial doses should not exceed 25mg as this group of patients may be especially sensitive to the central depressant effect of the drug.

What is the dose of Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride) for a child?

For moderate or severe pain

By intramuscular injection 0.5 – 2 mg per kg of body weight.

As a premedication

By intramuscular injection one hour prior to the operation 1 – 2 mg per kg of body weight.

How is Dolargan (Pethidine Hydrochloride) available?

Dolargan is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

• Dolargan 100 mg/2 ml x 10 tube
• Dolargan 25 mg x 20 tablet

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

It is also important to carry a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking with you in case of emergencies.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Dolargan, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.