DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Etomidate (e-TOM-i-date)
Brand Name: Amidate

Amidate is used for:

Inducing general anesthesia and with other medications to provide anesthesia during short surgeries. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Amidate is a hypnotic agent. The exact way that it works is unknown.

Do NOT use Amidate if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Amidate

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Amidate :

Some medical conditions may interact with Amidate . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have porphyria

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Amidate . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amiodarone because the risk of side effects, such as slowed heart rate or heart block, may be increased
• Droxidopa because its actions and side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Amidate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Amidate :

Use Amidate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Amidate is only administered as an intravenous (IV; into a vein) injection in a medical setting by a health care provider who is experienced with cancer chemotherapy.
• If you miss a dose of Amidate , contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Amidate .

Important safety information:

• Amidate may cause drowsiness for up to 24 hours. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Amidate . Using Amidate alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after using Amidate .
• Use Amidate with caution in the ELDERLY, especially those with high blood pressure, because they may be more sensitive to its effects on the heart.
• Amidate is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 10 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Amidate during pregnancy. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Amidate , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Amidate :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Brief pain in the veins; coughing; drowsiness; hiccups; nausea; temporary uncontrollable muscle movements; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Amidate :

Amidate is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. Keep Amidate out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Amidate , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Amidate is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Amidate . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.