Overview
11 DESCRIPTION Esmolol hydrochloride injection is a beta adrenergic receptor blocker with a very short duration of action (elimination half-life is approximately 9 minutes). Esmolol hydrochloride is: (±)-Methyl p-[2-hydroxy-3-(isopropylamino) propoxy] hydrocinnamate hydrochloride and has the following structure: Esmolol hydrochloride has the empirical formula C 16 H 26 NO 4 Cl and a molecular...
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Esmolol hydrochloride injection is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent with rapid onset, a very short duration of action, and no significant intrinsic sympathomimetic or membrane stabilizing activity at therapeutic dosages. Its elimination half-life after intravenous infusion is approximately 9 minutes. Esmolol hydrochloride injection inhibits the beta 1 receptors located chiefly in cardiac muscle, but this preferential effect is not absolute and at higher doses it begins to inhibit beta 2 receptors located chiefly in the bronchial and vascular musculature. 12.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Esmolol hydrochloride injection is a beta adrenergic blocker indicated for the short-term treatment of: Control of ventricular rate in supraventricular tachycardia including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter and control of heart rate in noncompensatory sinus tachycardia ( 1.1 ) Control of perioperative tachycardia and hypertension ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Supraventricular Tachycardia or Noncompensatory Sinus Tachycardia Esmolol hydrochloride injection is indicated for the rapid control of ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in perioperative,...
Common Doses
- 500 mcg
- 50 mcg
- 200 mcg
- 1 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Administer intravenously ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) • Titrate using ventricular rate or blood pressure at ≥4-minute intervals. ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) • Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or noncompensatory sinus tachycardia ( 2.1 ) • Optional loading dose: 500 mcg per kg infused over one minute • Then 50 mcg per kg per minute for the next 4 minutes • Adjust dose as needed to a maximum of 200 mcg per kg per minute. • Additional loading doses may be administered • Perioperative tachycardia and hypertension ( 2.
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Esmolol hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in patients with: Severe sinus bradycardia: May precipitate or worsen bradycardia resulting in cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Heart block greater than first degree: Second- or third-degree atrioventricular block may precipitate or worsen bradycardia resulting in cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Sick sinus syndrome: May precipitate or worsen bradycardia resulting in cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (incidence >10%) are symptomatic hypotension (hyperhidrosis, dizziness) and asymptomatic hypotension ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Gland Pharma at 864-879-9994 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concomitant use of esmolol hydrochloride injection with other drugs that can lower blood pressure, reduce myocardial contractility, or interfere with sinus node function or electrical impulse propagation in the myocardium can exaggerate esmolol hydrochloride injection’s effects on blood pressure, contractility, and impulse propagation. Severe interactions with such drugs can result in, for example, severe hypotension, cardiac failure, severe bradycardia, sinus pause, sinoatrial block, atrioventricular block, and/or cardiac arrest.