Ultiva
Ultiva is a pain medicine containing remifentanil that works very quickly for a short time.
Form
kuiva-aine välikonsentraatiksi injektio-/infuusionestettä varten, liuos
Strength
2 mg
Active Ingredient
Remifentanil hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Aspen Pharma Trading Limited
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your exact dose, as it depends on your specific needs and the procedure.
Method
Ultiva is given as a single injection into a vein or as a continuous, slow infusion into a vein over a longer period.
Important
Your doctor will decide your maximum dose based on your needs and constant monitoring; it is not usually given for more than 3 days in intensive care.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Muscle stiffness
- •Low blood pressure
- •Nausea or vomiting
- •Slow heart rate
- •Shallow breathing
- •Temporary stop in breathing
- •Itching
- •Cough
- •Chills (after surgery)
- •High blood pressure (after surgery)
- •Pain (after surgery)
RARE
- •Lack of oxygen
- •Constipation
- •Severe allergic reactions (rash, swelling of face/mouth, breathing difficulty, collapse, very low blood pressure, fast heart rate, fainting)
- •Need to take more of the medicine to get the same effect (dependence or tolerance)
- •Seizures
- •Irregular heartbeat
- •Withdrawal syndrome (fast heart rate, high blood pressure, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, chills, shaking, sweating)
- •Feeling calm or sleepy (after surgery)
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to remifentanil, fentanyl-like medicines, or any other ingredients.
- It should not be injected into the spinal canal.
- Do not use as the only medicine to start anesthesia.
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to other opioids like morphine or codeine.
- Tell your doctor if you have lung problems, as you might have breathing difficulties.
Show 13 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you are over 65, frail, have low blood volume, or low blood pressure, as you might be more sensitive to heart problems.
- Tell your doctor if you or a family member have a history of alcohol, prescription drug, or illegal drug abuse or addiction.
- Tell your doctor if you smoke.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of mood problems (like depression or anxiety) or other mental health issues.
- Using this medicine repeatedly can make it less effective and can lead to dependence and overdose. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about becoming dependent.
- Stopping this medicine suddenly, especially after more than three days, can cause withdrawal symptoms like fast heart rate, high blood pressure, and restlessness.
- Always tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, including herbal remedies and non-prescription drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you take heart or blood pressure medicines (like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers).
- Do not take with certain antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs) as this can increase the risk of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
- Using Ultiva with sedatives (like benzodiazepines) or medicines for epilepsy/anxiety (like gabapentin, pregabalin) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, or even be life-threatening.
- Do not drink alcohol until you have fully recovered after receiving Ultiva.
- This medicine can affect your ability to drive or use machines. Your doctor will tell you when it's safe to do so.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to be, or breastfeeding. It can affect your baby's breathing during childbirth, and you should not breastfeed for 24 hours after receiving it.