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Cyclizine Intravenous for Adults
Who can administer
May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife
Available preparations
Valoid 50mg per 1ml ampoule
Reconstitution
Already in solution
Draw up using a 5 micron filter needle
Infusion fluids
Not applicable - product ready for use
Methods of intravenous administration
Slow intravenous injection
- Administer over at least 3 minutes (ref 1) as rapid intravenous injection can lead to symptoms similar to those of overdose
- If the volume is too small to be given as a slow intravenous injection, it may be diluted with 5 to 10ml Water for injections, Sodium chloride 0.9% or Glucose 5%. Immediately after dilution, and again just before administration, check the solution for signs of precipitation. Discard if there is any cloudiness or haze formation (unlicensed) (ref 1)
Dose in adults
Usual dose
- Nausea and vomiting: 50mg, repeated up to three times daily
- Prevention of post-operative nausea: Give 50mg, 20 minutes before anticipated end of surgery
- Prevention of regurgitation and aspiration during emergency surgery: Give 25mg before induction of general anaesthesia
Further information
- Case reports of paralysis in patients using intravenous cyclizine - use with particular caution in patients with underlying neuromuscular disorders
- Cyclizine can have a hypotensive effect when given by the intravenous route
- Extravasation is likely to cause tissue damage due to its low pH (ref 1)
- Cyclizine is extremely irritant and can cause injection site reactions, including vein tracking, erythema, pain, rash, thrombophlebitis and blisters (ref 1)
Storage
Store below 250C
References
SPC July 2018
1: Injectable Medicines administration guide, downloaded from Medusa 14/10/2021
Therapeutic classification
Drug used in nausea and vertigo
IV Guide Type