Phentolamine

- 10 mg/1 ml ampules (subcutaneous)
- 5 mg lyophilized powder (subcutaneous)

Executive Summary

(July 2, 2023)

Phentolamine is a vasodilator used to prevent tissue necrosis caused by extravasated catecholamine infusions (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, etc). Available in the US. Limited stock in Canada. Unavailable in Chile. 


Adult dose for vasopressor extravasation:
5-10 mg diluted in 10-20 ml of NaCl 0.9% subcutaneous immediately after extravasation (use within 12 hours). 

Adult dose

Adult dose for injection site vasopressor extravasation

Phentolamine 5 to 10 mg in 10 ml of normal saline,  subcutaneous within 12 hours into the area of extravasation. 

Pediatric dose

Pediatric dose for injection site vasopressor extravasation

Mechanism of Action and Usage

Mechanism of Action

 

Usage

Renal, hepatic, or other adjustments

No adjustments required. 

Dosage Forms and brand names

Cautions

The following issues of concern are related mostly to  endovenous administration of phentolamine. Consider that subcutaneous use in extravasation is intended to cause local effects rather than systemic effects. The following issues of concern are related to IV administration. 

Pregnancy and Lactation

Consider that subcutaneous use in extravasation is intended to cause local effects rather than systemic effects, with an hypothetical low risk for the fetus or infant. 

Pharmacology

Alpha-adrenergic block of relatively short duration. Also direct but less marked positive inotropic and chronotropic effects. The pharmacokinetics of phentolamine are largely unknown. 


Following specifications are not applicable to subdermic administration:

References

® 2023 EMDrugs. All rights reserved.

contact@emdrugs.com

DISCLAIMER

This website provides general information and discussion about medications, health, and related subjects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this website, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately-licensed physi­cian or other legally accredited health care worker in the country that resides or is visiting. 

 

Please do not delay your medical concerns and potential health emergencies by searching information in this website, instead look out for medical opinion in the services that exist with that specific purpose and work under the respective local health-care regulations. 

 

The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are  affiliated. 

 

For other instances, the authors of this website do not have any conflict of interest with any institution or pharmaceutical company in particular, and do not receive any compensation about any licenced drug mentioned in the website. In the same matter, the website is not intended to recommend any specific patented medication.


EMDrugs Team