Ultane

Generic Name: sevoflurane (Inhalation route)

see-voe-FLOO-rane

Commonly used brand name(s):

In the U.S.

• Sojourn
• Ultane
• Ultane Amerinet
• Ultane Novation

Available Dosage Forms:

• Liquid

Therapeutic Class: Volatile Liquid

Chemical Class: Haloalkane

Uses For Ultane

Sevoflurane belongs to the group of medicines known as general anesthetics. Sevoflurane is used to cause general anesthesia (loss of consciousness) before and during surgery. It is inhaled (breathed in). Although sevoflurane can be used by itself, combinations of anesthetics are often used together. This helps produce more effective anesthesia in some patients.

General anesthetics are given only by or under the immediate supervision of a doctor trained to use them. If you will be receiving a general anesthetic during your surgery, your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will give you the medicine and closely follow your progress.

Before Using Ultane

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Sevoflurane has been tested in children. Sevoflurane may cause children to become agitated (excited) when it is used to start anesthesia when they are awake. Also, children receiving sevoflurane during surgery may become agitated as they awaken after surgery.

Geriatric

Sevoflurane has been tested and does not cause different side effects in older people than in younger adults. However, older people usually need smaller amounts than younger people. Your doctor will consider your age in deciding on the right amount of sevoflurane for you.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Nitrous Oxide
• Oxycodone
• St John's Wort

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Alcuronium
• Atracurium
• Doxacurium
• Metocurine
• Mivacurium
• Pancuronium
• Pipecuronium
• Rocuronium
• Tubocurarine
• Vecuronium

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diseases that can cause muscle weakness, such as familial periodic paralysis, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, or myasthenic syndrome—Weakness may be increased

• Head injury—Sevoflurane may make this condition worse

• Kidney disease—Sevoflurane may make this condition worse

• Liver disease—The effects of sevoflurane may be increased

• Malignant hyperthermia, during or shortly after receiving an anesthetic (history of, or a family history of)—This side effect may occur again

• Portwine stain—Sevoflurane may interfere with the laser treatment to remove portwine stain

Proper Use of sevoflurane

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain sevoflurane. It may not be specific to Ultane. Please read with care.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• Your age.
• Your general physical condition.
• The kind of surgery being performed.
• Other medications you are taking or will receive before and during surgery.

Precautions While Using Ultane

For patients going home within 24 hours after receiving this medicine:

• Sevoflurane may cause some people to feel drowsy, tired, or weak for a while after they receive it. It may also cause problems with coordination and ability to think. Therefore, for about 24 hours (or longer if necessary) after receiving sevoflurane, do not drive, operate moving machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert .
• Unless otherwise directed by your doctor or dentist, do not drink alcoholic beverages or take other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that may make you drowsy or less alert) for about 24 hours after you have received sevoflurane. Taking these medicines or drinking alcoholic beverages may add to the effects of sevoflurane. Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; other sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; and muscle relaxants.

Ultane Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. While you are receiving and recovering from an inhalation anesthetic like sevoflurane, your health care professional will closely follow its effects. However, some effects may not be noticed until later.

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Cough
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• increased amount of saliva
• nausea
• shivering
• vomiting

• Headache

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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