INDICATIONS
Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol) is indicated for the management of moderate to
severe pain or as a preoperative medication where an opioid analgesic is
appropriate.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Intravenous
The usual recommended starting dose for IV administration is up to 1 mg, given
in divided doses, by slow injection. This may be repeated in 3 to 6 hours as
needed, provided the patient is assessed for signs of hypoventilation or excessive
sedation. Dosage should be adjusted according to the severity of the pain; age,
weight and physical status of the patient; the patient's underlying diseases;
use of concomitant medications; and other factors (see Individualization
Of Dosage, WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).
Total daily doses of more than 4 to 8 mg IV in 24 hours are generally not recommended
as starting doses in nonopioid tolerant patients; lower total daily doses may
be appropriate.
Intramuscular or Subcutaneous
The usual recommended starting dose for IM or SC administration is 1 to 2 mg.
This may be repeated in 6 to 8 hours as needed, provided the patient is assessed
for signs of hypoventilation or excessive sedation. Dosage should be adjusted
according to the severity of the pain; age, weight and physical status of the
patient; the patient's underlying diseases; use of concomitant medications;
and other factors (see Individualization Of Dosage,
WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).
Total daily doses of more than 3 to 8 mg IM in 24 hours are generally not recommended
as starting doses in nonopioid tolerant patients; lower total daily doses may
be appropriate.
Oral
The usual recommended starting dose for oral administration is 2 mg. This may
be repeated in 6 to 8 hours as needed, provided the patient is assessed for
signs of hypoventilation and excessive sedation. If necessary, the dose may
be increased to up to 3 mg every 6 to 8 hours, after adequate evaluation of
the patient's response. Higher doses may be appropriate in opioid tolerant patients.
Dosage should be adjusted according to the severity of the pain; age, weight
and physical status of the patient; the patient's underlying diseases; use of
concomitant medications; and other factors (see Individualization
Of Dosage, WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).
Total oral daily doses of more than 6 to 12 mg in 24 hours are generally not
recommended as starting doses in nonopioid tolerant patients; lower total daily
doses may be appropriate.
Use in Chronic Pain
The dosage of Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol) in patients with cancer or with other conditions
for which chronic opioid therapy is indicated must be individualized (see Individualization
Of Dosage). Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol) is 4 to 8 times as potent as morphine and
has a longer half-life. Because there is incomplete cross-tolerance among opioids,
when converting a patient from morphine to Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol) , the total daily dose
of oral Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol) should begin at approximately 1/15 to 1/12 of the total
daily dose of oral morphine that such patients had previously required and then
the dose should be adjusted to the patient's clinical response. If a patient
is to be placed on fixed-schedule dosing (round-the-clock) with this drug, care
should be taken to allow adequate time after each dose change (approximately
72 hours) for the patient to reach a new steady-state before a subsequent dose
adjustment to avoid excessive sedation due to drug accumulation.
Use in The Perioperative Period
Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol) has been used for analgesic action during premedication and the
postoperative period. Factors to be considered in determining the dosage include
age, body weight, physical status, underlying pathological condition, use of
other drugs, type of anesthesia used, the surgical procedure involved and the
severity of pain (see Individualization Of Dosage,
WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).
Premedication
The preoperative medication dose of Levo-Dromoran should be individualized
(see Individualization Of Dosage, WARNINGS
and PRECAUTIONS). The usual dose for healthy
young adults is 1 to 2 mg intramuscularly or subcutaneously, administered 60
to 90 minutes before surgery. Older or debilitated patients usually require
less drug. Two mg of Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol) is approximately equivalent to 10 to 15 mg
of morphine or 100 mg of meperidine.
NOTE: Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually
for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever
solution and container permit.
Pharmaceutical Incompatibilities of Levo-Dromoran
Levorphanol tartrate injection has been reported to be
physically incompatible with solutions containing aminophylline, ammonium chloride, amobarbital sodium, chlorothiazide sodium, heparin sodium, methicillin
sodium, nitrofurantoin sodium, novobiocin sodium, pentobarbital sodium, perphenazine,
phenobarbital sodium, phenytoin sodium, secobarbital sodium, sodium
bicarbonate, sodium iodide, sulfadiazine sodium, sulfisoxazole diethanolamine
and thiopental sodium.
Safety and Handling
Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol) is packaged in sealed systems that have a low
risk of accidental exposure to health care workers. Ordinary care should be
taken to avoid aerosol generation while preparing a syringe for use.
Significant absorption from accidental dermal exposure is unlikely, and spilled
Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol) should be washed from the skin by rinsing with cool water. As with
all controlled substances, abuse by health care personnel is possible and the
drug should be handled accordingly.
HOW SUPPLIED
Ampuls: 1 mL, 2 mg/mL levorphanol tartrate –
boxes of 10 (NDC 0187-3072-10).
Multiple-Dose Vials: 10 mL, 2 mg/mL levorphanol
tartrate – boxes of 1 (NDC 0187-3074-20).
Scored Oral Tablets: 2 mg round, white, flat
beveled edge tablets in bottles of 100 (NDC 0187-3251-10); with LEVO
engraved on one side and 3251 and full bisect scored on the other side.
Storage: Tablets should be stored at 25°C (77°F); excursions
permitted to 15°C- 30°C (59°F - 86°F).
Dispense in tight containers as defined in USP/NF.
Parenteral dosage forms should be stored at 25°C (77°F);
excursions permitted to 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 86°F).
DEA Order Form Required.
Manufactured for: Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Costa
Mesa, CA 92626. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, 3300 Hyland Ave., Costa
Mesa, CA 92626 U.S.A. 714-545-0100. Rev. April 2004.