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|Duraclon

Duraclon

Duraclon is used for:

Treating severe pain. Duraclon is used with opiates in cancer patients for whom opioid (narcotic) analgesics alone have not been adequately effective. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Duraclon is an alpha agonist analgesic. It works in the spinal cord by preventing pain signal transmission to the brain.

Do NOT use Duraclon if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Duraclon
• you are pregnant, in labor, or about to begin labor
• you have bleeding problems
• you have an infection at the injection site
• you are taking an anticoagulant (eg, warfarin, heparin)

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

Before using Duraclon :

Some medical conditions may interact with Duraclon . 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 kidney problems, porphyria, or depression
• if you have blood vessel disease affecting the brain or severe heart disease, or you have had a stroke or a recent heart attack
• if you are scheduled for surgery

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

• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil), or digitalis because a severe decrease in heart rate may occur
• Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the effectiveness of Duraclon may be decreased and certain side effects may be increased
• Anticoagulant therapy (eg, warfarin, heparin) because the risk of bleeding at the injection site may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Duraclon 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 Duraclon :

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

• Duraclon is usually given by continuous epidural infusion devices at your doctor"s office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Duraclon at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Duraclon . Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
• Do not use Duraclon if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Duraclon . You may have an increased risk of side effects (eg, excessive elevations in blood pressure, nervousness, headache, confusion). If you need to stop Duraclon or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Duraclon , contact your doctor right away.

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

Important safety information:

• Duraclon may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Duraclon with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Duraclon ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Duraclon may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Duraclon . Doing so may cause withdrawal symptoms like nervousness, irritability, or shakiness. You could also get a headache and high blood pressure. The risk of these effects may be greater if you have been taking high doses of Duraclon . The risk may also be greater if you are taking a beta-blocker (eg, atenolol). Rarely, very serious effects like increased blood pressure in the brain, stroke, or death have occurred. Check with your doctor before you change your dose or stop Duraclon .
• If you experience dry mouth, use candy or gum, or melt bits of ice in your mouth.
• Use Duraclon with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.
• Duraclon should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. Use is limited to patients old enough to tolerate placement and management of an epidural catheter.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Duraclon while you are pregnant. Duraclon is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Duraclon , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

If you stop taking Duraclon suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include nervousness, agitation, headache, tremor, and rapid increase in blood pressure.

Possible side effects of Duraclon :

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:

Chest pain; confusion; constipation; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushing; general weakness; headache; nausea; ringing in the ears; sweating; tiredness; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; decreased heartbeat; dizziness; fainting; fever; hallucinations; lightheadedness; painful burning on urination.

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. Accidental overdose of Duraclon is an increasing cause of poisoning in children 3 years of age and younger. Symptoms may include difficult or slow breathing; drowsiness leading to unresponsiveness or coma; irritability; lightheadedness (especially upon standing); pinpoint pupils; slow heartbeat; vomiting; weakness.

Store Duraclon at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Because the product does not contain a preservative, discard any unused portion. Keep Duraclon out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Duraclon , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Duraclon 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 Duraclon . 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.