Imagine, sometimes after surgery, or after using a certain medicine, a person's breathing becomes a little slower and less deep. Or some people have a lung disease, for example, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which can suddenly increase difficulty breathing. Today, we are talking about a special vaccine that is used only in hospitals at times like this. That is the Doxapram vaccine.
What is Doxapram?
Simply put, this is a drug that sends a 'message' to the breathing center in our brain, making it a little more active and stimulating. It's like talking to a sleeping person and waking them up. This drug works on our respiratory system.
This vaccine helps the lungs breathe properly and steadily. But this is not a medication that is used continuously. It is a medication that is given for a very short period of time, only in an emergency, in a hospital, under medical supervision.
Things you need to tell your doctor before giving this medicine
Before deciding to give you this vaccine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. This is because people with certain medical conditions need to be very careful when giving this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions below.
| Your medical condition | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| A head injury | Because pressure on the brain can be affected. |
| Heart disease, heart failure | It can affect heart function and heart rate. |
| High Blood Pressure | This medication can further increase blood pressure. |
| Hyperthyroidism | It can have unwanted effects on the body's metabolism. |
| Kidney or liver disease | The process of eliminating the drug from the body may be disrupted. |
| A condition called Pheochromocytoma | This is a tumor that develops in the adrenal glands and can cause high blood pressure. |
| Seizures or Stroke | Because it can affect brain function. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or substances | It is important to know if you are allergic to Doxapram or any of its ingredients. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | Consideration should be given to the potential impact on the fetus or nursing baby. |
How is this medicine administered to the body?
This is not a medicine that you can take at home. This is an intravenous injection . That means it is given into the body through a cannula, like saline. It is given by a medical team in a hospital or clinic. So you don't have to worry about it.
Do you use this for children?
It is generally not used in children under 12 years of age. However, in some special cases, if a doctor decides it is necessary, this medicine can be given to children over 12 years of age. However, this should be done with great caution and under strict medical supervision.
What to do if the medication dose is increased?
Since this is given in a hospital setting, the chances of mistaking the dose are very low. However, if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, inform your medical team immediately. Alternatively, you can inform the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . If in a hospital setting, it is best to inform the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can be dangerous when taken with Doxapram. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking.
| Drugs that should never be used together | |
|---|---|
MAOIs (e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate), a class of medications used to treat mental illnesses such as depression, can cause dangerous conditions such as high blood pressure when combined with Doxapram. | |
| Drugs to be careful when used together | |
| Aminophylline and Theophylline | These are also medications used to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma. If combined with Doxapram, side effects may increase. |
| General anesthetics | Anesthetics (e.g. halothane, isoflurane) used during surgery can affect the heart rate. |
| Muscle relaxants for surgery | Doxapram may interfere with the action of these medications. |
Remember, this list is not complete. It is safest to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
What are the possible side effects of taking the medicine?
Like any medicine, Doxapram can cause side effects in some people. Some of these may require immediate medical attention, while others may be less serious.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor or nurse immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, chest pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing. |
| Increased blood pressure | Severe headaches, vision changes. |
| Seizures | Loss of consciousness, convulsions. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Cough | Dizziness |
| Redness of the face | Headache |
| Nausea | Sweating |
This list may not include all side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your medical team about it.
Take-Home Message
- Doxapram is a vaccine that is only given in a hospital to restore breathing when certain medications or medical conditions cause it to become weak.
- This stimulates the respiratory center in the brain and helps the lungs breathe properly.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about all medical conditions you have (especially heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy) and all other medications you are taking.
- If you experience serious side effects such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, you should seek immediate medical attention.
- This is not a take-home medicine, so there is no need to worry about that. All treatment takes place in the hospital.
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