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Look Up > Drugs > Methoxamine
Methoxamine
Pronunciation
U.S. Brand Names
Generic Available
Synonyms
Pharmacological Index
Use
Pregnancy Risk Factor
Contraindications
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage/Toxicology
Drug Interactions
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Usual Dosage
Administration
Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status
Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment
Dosage Forms
References

Pronunciation
(meth OKS a meen)

U.S. Brand Names
Vasoxyl®

Generic Available

No


Synonyms
Methoxamine Hydrochloride

Pharmacological Index

Alpha1 Agonist


Use

Treatment of hypotension occurring during general anesthesia; to terminate episodes of supraventricular tachycardia; treatment of shock


Pregnancy Risk Factor

C


Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to methoxamine or any component


Adverse Reactions

1% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Hypertension (severe)

Gastrointestinal: Vomiting

<1%: Ventricular ectopic beats, fetal bradycardia, headache, urinary urgency, diaphoresis


Overdosage/Toxicology

Symptoms of hypertension and bradycardia


Drug Interactions

Decreased pressor effect with phenothiazines

Increased pressor effects with guanethidine, oxytocics, TCAs, Rauwolfia alkaloids, lithium, methyldopa

Increased arrhythmias with bretylium


Mechanism of Action

Direct-acting sympathomimetic amine with similar actions as phenylephrine; causes vasoconstriction primarily via alpha-adrenergic stimulation


Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Adrenergic effect:

Onset of action: I.M.: Within 15 minutes

Duration: I.M.: 1.5 hours; I.V.: ~1 hour

Pressor activity:

Onset of action: I.M.: 15-20 minutes; I.V.: Within 1-2 minutes

Duration: ~1-1.5 hours

Elimination: Not well defined


Usual Dosage

Adults:

Supraventricular tachycardia: I.V.: 10 mg

During spinal anesthesia: I.M.: 10-20 mg


Administration

Can be given IVP slowly at rate of 1 mg/minute; for I.V. infusion, dilute 35-40 mg in 259 mL D5W


Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

None reported


Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

Psychotropics may alter pressor response; monitor blood pressure


Dosage Forms

Injection, as hydrochloride: 20 mg/mL (1 mL)


References

Aviado DM Jr and Wnuck AL, "Mechanisms for Cardiac Slowing by Methoxamine," J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 1957, 119(1):99-106.


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