Rx Only

DESCRIPTION

Levsin® injection (hyoscyamine sulfate injection USP) is a sterile solution containing 0.5 mg hyoscyamine sulfate per mL in water for injection.

 

Levsin® is one of the principal anticholinergic/antispasmodic components of belladonna alkaloids. The empirical formula is (C 17 H 23 NO 3 ) 2 •H 2 SO 4 •2H 2 O and the molecular weight is 712.85. Chemically, it is benzeneacetic acid, α-(hydroxymethyl)-,8-methyl-8-azabicyclo [3.2.1.] oct-3-yl ester, [3(S)-endo]-, sulfate (2:1), dihydrate with the following structure:

The 1 mL ampuls contain as inactive ingredients: water for injection, pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid when necessary.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Levsin® inhibits specifically the actions of acetylcholine on structures innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves and on smooth muscles that respond to acetylcholine but lack cholinergic innervation. These peripheral cholinergic receptors are present in the autonomic effector cells of the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, the sinoatrial node, the atrioventricular node, and the exocrine glands. It is completely devoid of any action in the autonomic ganglia. Levsin® inhibits gastrointestinal propulsive motility and decreases gastric acid secretion. Levsin® also controls excessive pharyngeal, tracheal and bronchial secretions.

Levsin® disappears rapidly from the blood and is distributed throughout the entire body. The half-life of Levsin® is 3½ hours. Levsin® is partly hydrolyzed to tropic acid and tropine but the majority of the drug is excreted in the urine unchanged within the first 12 hours. Only traces of this drug are found in breast milk. Levsin® passes the blood brain barrier and the placental barrier.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Levsin® is effective as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of peptic ulcer. In acute episodes, Levsin® injection can be used to control gastric secretion, visceral spasm and hypermotility in spastic colitis, spastic bladder, cystitis, pylorospasm, and associated abdominal cramps. For use as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (irritable colon, spastic colon, mucous colitis) and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Also as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of neurogenic bladder and neurogenic bowel disturbances (including the splenic flexure syndrome and neurogenic colon). Parenterally administered Levsin® is also effective in reducing gastrointestinal motility to facilitate diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy or hypotonic duodenography. Levsin® may be used to reduce pain and hypersecretion in pancreatitis, in certain cases of partial heart block associated with vagal activity, and as an antidote for poisoning by anticholinesterase agents.

 

IN ANESTHESIA:

 

Levsin® injection is indicated as a pre-operative antimuscarinic to reduce salivary, tracheobronchial, and pharyngeal secretions, to reduce the volume and acidity of gastric secretions, and to block cardiac vagal inhibitory reflexes during induction of anesthesia and intubation. Levsin® protects against the peripheral muscarinic effects such as bradycardia and excessive secretions produced by halogenated hydrocarbons and cholinergic agents such as physostigmine, neostigmine, and pyridostigmine given to reverse the actions of curariform agents.

 

IN UROLOGY:

 

Levsin® injection may also be used intravenously to improve radiologic visibility of the kidneys. It is also indicated along with morphine or other narcotics in symptomatic relief of biliary and renal colic.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Glaucoma; obstructive uropathy (for example, bladder neck obstruction due to prostatic hypertrophy); obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract (as in achalasia, pyloroduodenal stenosis); paralytic ileus, intestinal atony of elderly or debilitated patients; unstable cardiovascular status in acute hemorrhage; severe ulcerative colitis; toxic megacolon complicating ulcerative colitis; myasthenia gravis.

WARNINGS

In the presence of high environmental temperature, heat prostration can occur with drug use (fever and heat stroke due to decreased sweating). Diarrhea may be an early symptom of incomplete intestinal obstruction, especially in patients with ileostomy or colostomy. In this instance, treatment with this drug would be inappropriate and possibly harmful. Like other anticholinergic agents, Levsin® may produce drowsiness or blurred vision. In this event, the patient should be warned not to engage in activities requiring mental alertness such as operating a motor vehicle or other machinery or to perform hazardous work while taking this drug.

Psychosis has been reported in sensitive individuals given anticholinergic drugs. CNS signs and symptoms include confusion, disorientation, short term memory loss, hallucinations, dysarthria, ataxia, coma, euphoria, decreased anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, agitation and mannerisms, and inappropriate affect. These CNS signs and symptoms usually resolve within 12-48 hours after discontinuation of the drug.

PRECAUTIONS

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Not all of the following adverse reactions have been reported with hyoscyamine sulfate. The following adverse reactions have been reported for pharmacologically similar drugs with anticholinergic/antispasmodic action. Adverse reactions may include dryness of the mouth; urinary hesitancy and retention; blurred vision; tachycardia; palpitations; mydriasis; cycloplegia; increased ocular tension; loss of taste; headache; nervousness; drowsiness; weakness; dizziness; insomnia; nausea; vomiting; impotence; suppression of lactation; constipation; bloated feeling; allergic reactions or drug idiosyncrasies; urticaria and other dermal manifestations; ataxia; speech disturbance; some degree of mental confusion and/or excitement (especially in elderly persons); and decreased sweating.

OVERDOSAGE

The signs and symptoms of overdose are headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dilated pupils, hot dry skin, dizziness, dryness of the mouth, difficulty in swallowing, and CNS stimulation.

Measures to be taken are immediate lavage of the stomach and injection of physostigmine 0.5 to 2 mg intravenously and repeated as necessary up to a total of 5 mg. Fever may be treated symptomatically (tepid water sponge baths, hypothermic blanket). Excitement to a degree which demands attention may be managed with sodium thiopental 2% solution given slowly intravenously or chloral hydrate (100-200 mL of a 2% solution) by rectal infusion. In the event of progression of the curare-like effect to paralysis of the respiratory muscles, artificial respiration should be instituted and maintained until effective respiratory action returns.

In rats, the LD50 for hyoscyamine is 375 mg/kg. Levsin® is dialyzable.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

The dose may be administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously without dilution. As with all parenteral drug products, Levsin® injection should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit.

HOW SUPPLIED

Levsin® injection (hyoscyamine sulfate injection USP, 0.5 mg/mL), is available in 1 mL ampuls.

 

1 mL ampuls — Box of 5           NDC 68220-111-05

Also available as:

Manufactured for:

Marietta, GA 30067

Address medical inquiries to:
Alaven Pharmaceutical LLC
2260 Northwest Parkway, Suite A
Marietta, GA 30067

Or call toll free 1-888-317-0001

By: Akorn Inc.
Decatur, IL 62522, USA

PC2952B
07/08

Printed in USA

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 0.5 mg Carton

NDC 68220-111-05

levsin® injection
(hyoscyamine sulfate injection USP)

0.5 mg hyoscyamine sulfate USP
per mL in water for injection.

Rx only

ALAVEN®
PHARMACEUTICAL LLC

For medical inquiries, call 1-888-317-0001

5-1 mL
ampuls