Pralidoxime (Systemic)

Brand Names : Protopam Chloride, 2-PAM, 2-PAM chloride

Before Using This Medicine

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 pralidoxime, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pralidoxime. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether pralidoxime passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Although there is no specific information comparing use of pralidoxime in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no information comparing use of pralidoxime in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using pralidoxime, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Aminophylline (e.g., Somophyllin) or
• Caffeine (e.g., NoDoz) or
• Theophylline (e.g., Theo-Dur, Somophyllin-T) - These medicines may make the effects of the poisoning worse

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

• Kidney disease - The effects of this medicine may be increased

• Myasthenia gravis - This medicine may make the condition worse