Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Community data Updated 2 months ago

Indications

Pralidoxime Chloride is used as an antidote in two situations: to treat poisoning caused by pesticides and chemicals (such as nerve agents) of the organophosphate class that have anticholinesterase activity, and to control overdose of anticholinesterase drugs used to treat myasthenia gravis. The main signs that call for its use are muscle weakness and respiratory depression. In severe poisoning, respiratory depression may be the result of muscle weakness.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Pralidoxime Chloride is an acetylcholinesterase reactivator. The principal action of Pralidoxime Chloride is to reactivate acetylcholinesterase (mainly outside of the central nervous system) which has been inactivated by phosphorylation due to an organophosphate pesticide or related compound. The destruction of accumulated acetylcholine can then proceed, and neuromuscular junctions will again function normally. Pralidoxime Chloride also slows the process of "aging" of phosphorylated cholinesterase to a nonreactivatable form, and detoxifies certain organophosphates by direct chemical reaction. The drug has its most certain effect in relieving paralysis of the muscles of respiration. Atropine is always required concomitantly to block the effect of accumulated acetylcholine at this site. Pharmacokinetic properties: Minimum therapeutic concentration of Pralidoxime Chloride in plasma (4 µg/ml) may be reached in about 16 minutes after injection of 600 mg Pralidoxime Chloride. The drug is rapidly excreted in urine partly unchanged and partly as metabolite produced by the liver.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Category C. Pralidoxime chloride should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk, so it should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Adults and children over 16 years: Give an initial dose of 1000 to 2000 mg of Pralidox (Pralidoxime Chloride), preferably as an infusion in 100 ml of normal saline over 15 to 30 minutes. If this is not practical, or if pulmonary oedema is present, give the dose slowly by intravenous injection (over not less than 5 minutes) as a 50 mg/ml solution (for example, 1000 mg in 20 ml). A second dose of 1000 to 2000 mg may be needed after about one hour if muscle weakness has not been relieved. Further doses may be given every 10 to 12 hours if muscle weakness persists. Children 16 years and under: Loading dose: 20 to 50 mg/kg (maximum 2000 mg per dose) over 15 to 30 minutes. Maintenance infusion: 10 to 20 mg/kg per hour. Alternatively, a repeat bolus of 20 to 50 mg/kg (maximum 2000 mg per dose) may be given after 1 hour and repeated every 10 to 12 hours thereafter, as needed. Preparation for administration: For intravenous infusion, reconstitute a single Pralidox (Pralidoxime Chloride) 1000 mg vial by adding 20 ml of Normal Saline (0.9% Sodium Chloride solution) for Injection using a 10 ml syringe; this gives a concentration of 50 mg/ml. Dilute the solution further with the remaining Normal Saline to reach a concentration of 10 to 20 mg/ml (for example, 1000 mg in 100 ml or 2000 mg in 100 ml). For fluid-restricted patients, or for rapid administration (over at least 5 minutes), a maximum concentration of 50 mg/ml may be used. Discard any unused solution once the dose has been withdrawn.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.

Key Interactions

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