Carbetocin

Chemical formula: C₄₅H₆₉N₁₁O₁₂S  Molecular mass: 988.161 g/mol  PubChem compound: 16681432

Interactions

Carbetocin interacts in the following cases:

Prostaglandins

Since it has been found that prostaglandins potentiate the effect of oxytocin, it is expected that this can also occur with carbetocin. Therefore, it is not recommended that prostaglandins and carbetocin be used together. If they are concomitantly administered, the patient should be carefully monitored.

Ergot alkaloids

During combination with ergot-alkaloids, such as methylergometrine, oxytocin and carbetocin may enhance the blood pressure enhancing effect of these agents. If oxytocin or methylergometrine are administered after carbetocin there may be a risk of cumulative exposure.

Halothane, cyclopropane

Some inhalation-anesthetics, such as halothane and cyclopropane may enhance the hypotensive effect and weaken the effect of carbetocin on the uterus. Arrhythmias have been reported for oxytocin during concomitant use.

Oxytocin

Since carbetocin is closely related in structure to oxytocin, the occurrence of interactions known to be associated with oxytocin cannot be excluded:

Severe hypertension has been reported when oxytocin was given 3 to 4 hours following prophylactic administration of a vasoconstrictor in conjunction with caudal-block anaesthesia.

During combination with ergot-alkaloids, such as methylergometrine, oxytocin and carbetocin may enhance the blood pressure enhancing effect of these agents. If oxytocin or methylergometrine are administered after carbetocin there may be a risk of cumulative exposure.

Since it has been found that prostaglandins potentiate the effect of oxytocin, it is expected that this can also occur with carbetocin. Therefore, it is not recommended that prostaglandins and carbetocin be used together. If they are concomitantly administered, the patient should be carefully monitored.

Hyponatraemia

Animal studies have shown carbetocin to possess some antidiuretic activity (vasopressin activity: <0.025 IU/vial) and therefore the possibility of hyponatraemia cannot be excluded, particularly in patients also receiving large volumes of intravenous fluids. The early signs of drowsiness, listlessness and headache should be recognised to prevent convulsions and coma.

Migraine, asthma, cardiovascular disease

In general, carbetocin should be used cautiously in the presence of migraine, asthma and cardiovascular disease or any state in which a rapid addition to extracellular water may produce hazard for an already overburdened system. The decision of administering carbetocin can be made by the physician after carefully weighing the potential benefit carbetocin may provide in these particular cases.

Pregnancy

Carbetocin is contraindicated during pregnancy and must not be used for the induction of labour.

Nursing mothers

No significant effects on milk let-down have been reported during clinical trials. Small amounts of carbetocin have been shown to pass from plasma into breast milk of nursing women. The small amounts transferred into colostrum or breast milk after a single injection of carbetocin, and subsequently ingested by the infant are assumed to be degraded by enzymes in the gut.

Breast-feeding does not need to be restricted after the use of carbetocin.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Not relevant.

Adverse reactions


The adverse events observed with carbetocin during the clinical trials were of the same type and frequency as the adverse events observed with oxytocin.

Intravenous administration* – Tabulated summary of adverse reactions:

Very common ≥1/10
Common ≥1/100 and <1/10
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Common: Anaemia

Nervous system disorders

Very common: Headache, tremor

Common: Dizziness

Cardiac disorders

Not known: Tachycardia, bradycardia***, arrhythmia***, myocardial ischaemia***, and QT prolongation***

Vascular disorders

Very common: Hypotension, flushing

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Common: Chest pain, dyspnoea

Gastrointestinal disorders

Very common: Nausea, abdominal pain

Common: Metallic taste, vomiting

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Very common: Pruritus

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Common: Back pain

General disorders and administration site conditions

Very common: Feeling of warmth

Common: Chills, pain

* Based on studies in caesarean section
*** Reported with oxytocin (closely related in structure to carbetocin)

In the clinical trials sweating was reported as sporadic cases.

Intramuscular administration** – Tabulated summary of adverse reactions:

Uncommon ≥1/1,000 and <1/100
Rare ≥1/10,000 and <1/1,000
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Uncommon: Anaemia

Nervous system disorders

Uncommon: Headache, dizziness

Rare: Tremor

Cardiac disorders

Uncommon: Tachycardia

Not known: Bradycardia***, arrhythmia***, myocardial ischaemia***, and QT prolongation***

Vascular disorders

Uncommon: Hypotension

Rare: Flushing

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon: Chest pain

Rare: Dyspnoea

Gastrointestinal disorders

Uncommon: Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rare: Pruritus

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Uncommon: Back pain, muscular weakness

Renal and urinary disorders

Rare: Urinary retention

General disorders and administration site conditions

Uncommon: Chills, pyrexia, pain

** Based on studies in vaginal delivery
*** Reported with oxytocin (closely related in structure to carbetocin)

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