DICOBALT EDETATE Solution for Injection Ref.[9516] Active ingredients: Dicobalt edetate

Cyanide poisoning must be treated as quickly as possible and intensive supportive measures must be instituted: clear airways and adequate ventilation are essential. 100% oxygen should be administered concurrently with Dicobalt Edetate.

Expert advice on the treatment of poisoning is available at the local poisons centre.

Adults

One 300mg ampoule intravenously over approximately one minute. If the patient shows inadequate response, a second ampoule may be given. If there is no response after a further five minutes, a third ampoule may be administered.

Each ampoule of Dicobalt Edetate Injection may be followed immediately by 50ml Glucose Intravenous Infusion BP 500g/l.

When the patient’s condition is less severe but in the physician’s judgement still warrants the use of Dicobalt Edetate Injection, the period over which the injection is given should be extended to 5 minutes.

Children

There is no clinical experience of the use of Dicobalt Edetate Injection in children. As with adults the dose required will be related to the quantity of cyanide ingested.

The elderly

There is no clinical evidence of the use of Dicobalt Edetate Injection in the elderly, but there is no reason to believe that the dosage schedule should be different from that for adults.

Signs and symptoms – these may be due to cobalt toxicity or to an anaphylactic type reaction, which may be dramatic. Oedema (particularly of the face and neck), vomiting, chest pain, sweating, hypotension, cardiac irregularities and rashes may occur.

Treatment – intensive supportive therapy is required.

Shelf life: Three years.

Store below 25°C away from light.

Packs of six Ph.Eur Type I glass ampoules each containing 20ml of rose-violet coloured sterile pyrogen free solution.

Store below 25°C away from light.