March 14, 2001

Emergency drugs added to prefilled syringe range with introduction of 2% Lidoquick Syringe and 0.1% Epiquick Syringe

Tokyo-based Terumo Corporation has expanded its existing series of plastic prefilled syringes with the introduction of 2% Lidoquick Syringe, a lidocaine injection, and 0.1% Epiquick Syringe, an epinephrine injection.

Lidocaine is a drug used in the prevention of acute myocardial infarctions and ventricular arrhythmia, while epinephrine is used in treating shock, or to revive a stopped heart. Both medications are widely used in every day medical emergencies.

Because 2% Lidoquick Syringe and 0.1% Epiquick Syringe are prefilled, preparation for administering the drugs is fast and easy in comparison to traditional injection ampoules, making them well suited for emergency use. Prefilled syringes also reduce the risk of contamination or bacterial infection in non-sterile environments, such as at the scene of a accident. The name of each preparation is clearly marked on the outside of the syringe, to assist in preventing mistaken use of drugs.

Prefilled syringes

Injection solutions often come in ampoules or vials. The drug is drawn up into a syringe and then injected, or has to be mixed with other drugs. It is therefore more logical, for a variety of reasons, that the drug be already inside the syringe. It is said that in the U.S. already over 20% of injection solutions come in pre-filled syringes.

Last year, Terumo launched Japan's first plastic syringes pre-filled with injection solutions and has to date introduced 13 such products, including the most recent two. Terumo aims to continue to contribute to medical safety and more efficient procedures for medical staff by forming tie-ups with pharmaceuticals companies to market syringes pre-filled with drugs for a range of different uses.

'2% Lidoquick Syringe' lidocaine injection

• Indications/effects
  Extrasystole (ventricular), paroxysmal tachycardia (ventricular)
  Prevention of ventricular arrhythmia resulting from acute myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery
  Extrasystole (supraventricular), paroxysmal tachycardia (supraventricular)
• Dosage
  Single intravenous injection
  For normal adults, 50-100mg (1-2mg/kg) of lidocaine hydrochloride is slowly administered intravenously, over a period of 1-2 minutes.
  If there appears to be no effect, the same amount is administered again five minutes later. Or, if a sustained effect is required, the same amount may be given again at 10-20 minute intervals, up to a standard maximum dosage of 300mg in one hour.
  The effect of this drug when given intravenously generally wears off after 10-20 minutes.
  Price under NHI scheme: 204 yen

'0.1% Epiquick Syringe' epinephrine injection

• Indications/effects
  Relief of bronchial spasms resulting from bronchial asthma or whooping cough
  Acute fall in blood pressure accompanying various illnesses or symptoms, including shock
  Stopped heart
• Notes about indications/effects
  This product consists of a kit of epinephrine injection solution contained in a syringe, and is not to be used for any purpose other than those listed above
• Dosage
  "Relief of bronchial spasms resulting from bronchial asthma and whooping cough, acute fall in blood pressure accompanying various illnesses or symptoms, to treat shock, stopped heart"
  A single dose of epinephrine of 0.2-1mg (0.2-1ml) is administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The dosage may be increased or decreased according to patient age/symptoms.

When used in an emergency situation, such as to resuscitate a patient, a single dose of epinephrine of no more than 0.25mg (0.25ml) is diluted with normal saline solution, or some other solution, and given intravenously as slowly as possible. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated every 5 to 15 minutes.

rice under NHI scheme: 204 yen

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