When treating ventricular fibrillation--a condition causing the lower ventricles to contract rapidly, pumping little or no blood--time is of the essence. Without immediate medical attention, collapse and cardiac death can occur within minutes. But until late November, doctors treating this fatal disease were still mixing the effective anti-arrythmic agent
amiodarone IV by hand, wasting precious seconds. Now, doctors treating ventricular fibrillation and other dangerous heart malfunctions have a better alternative, as King of Prussia pharmaceutical firm
Prism Pharmaceuticals announces FDA approval for
Nexterone, a premixed, intravenous bag that overcomes the shortcomings of previous treatments.
"Until now, amiodarone IV required admixture at time of use," says Prism CEO Dr. Warren D. Cooper. "Nexterone Premixed Injection overcomes the need to admix, thereby eliminating the potential for medication admixture error."
Prism created Nexterone as a response to organizations like the
Joint Commission, the
United States Pharmacopeia and the
American Society of Health System Pharmacists who all recommend using pre-mixed ready-to-use products. Nexterone is available in several dosage strengths and
is also a preferred treatment for rapid heart rate condition ventricular tachycardia.
"The ready-to-use packaging is designed for the storage of Nextarone premixed injection at the point of use in automated dispensing cabinets and crash carts, and offers a two-year shelf life," says Cooper.
Source: Dr. Warren D. Cooper, Prism Pharmaceuticals
Writer: John Steele