Doxapram

Administration

  • Type: Respiratory Stimulator
  • Dosage Forms: INJ
  • Routes of Administration: IV
  • Common Trade Names: Dopram

Adult Dosing

Respiratory depression, postanesthesia

  • Intermittent Injection
    • 0.5-1 mg/kg IV q5min prn
      • Max: 1.5 mg/kg/single dose, 2 mg/kg/total dose, 3g/24h
  • Intermittent infusion
    • 0.5-1 mg/kg IV
      • Max: 4 mg/kg/dose, 3 g/24h

CNS depression, drug-induced

  • Intermittent Injection
    • 1-2 mg/kg IV q1-2h prn
  • Intermittent infusion
    • 1-3 mg/kg/h IV up to 2h

Acute hypercapnia, COPD-assoc.

  • 1-3 mg/min IV up to 2h

Pediatric Dosing

Respiratory depression, postanesthesia

  • Intermittent Injection
    • 0.5-1 mg/kg IV q5min prn
      • Max: 1.5 mg/kg/single dose, 2 mg/kg/total dose, 3g/24h
  • Intermittent infusion
    • 0.5-1 mg/kg IV
      • Max: 4 mg/kg/dose, 3 g/24h

CNS depression, drug-induced

  • Intermittent Injection
    • 1-2 mg/kg IV q1-2h prn
  • Intermittent infusion
    • 1-3 mg/kg/h IV up to 2h

Special Populations

Renal Dosing

  • Adult: Caution advised in significant impairment
  • Pediatric: Caution advised in significant impairment

Hepatic Dosing

  • Adult: Caution advised in significant impairment
  • Pediatric: Caution advised in significant impairment

Contraindications

  • Allergy to class/drug
  • Concurrent mechanical ventilation
  • Mechanical disorders of ventilation
  • Seizure disorder
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Head injury
  • Stroke
  • Cerebral edema
  • Cardiovascular impairment, Heart failure, HTN

Adverse Reactions

Serious

Common

Pharmacology

  • Half-life: 3.4h
  • Metabolism: Liver
  • Excretion: Urine (<5% unchanged)

Mechanism of Action

  • Acts on peripheral carotid chemoreceptors to stimulate respiration

Comments

See Also

References