Pralidoxime reverses muscle weakness or paralysis caused by a poison or nerve agent.
The combination of atropine and pralidoxime is used as an antidote to treat poisoning by a pesticide (insect spray) or a chemical that interferes with the central nervous system, such as nerve gas.
This medication is not effective as an antidote for all types of pesticide poisonings. You may need medications or additional treatments.
Atropine and pralidoxime may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
If possible, before you receive atropine and pralidoxime, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure, narrow-angle glaucoma, kidney disease, enlarged prostate, urination problems, a breathing disorder such as asthma or COPD, if you are allergic to any medication, or if you have recently had a heart attack.
Also tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.
If possible, before you receive atropine and pralidoxime, tell your doctor if you have:
- an allergy to any medication;
- heart disease, coronary artery disease;
- high blood pressure;
- kidney disease;
- asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), bronchitis, emphysema, or other breathing problem;
- a heart rhythm disorder;
- narrow-angle glaucoma;
- an enlarged prostate or urination problems; or
- if you have recently had a heart attack.
Atropine and pralidoxime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with atropine and pralidoxime to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.
Atropine-pralidoxime Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
- painful or difficult urination;
- trouble swallowing;
- feeling like you might pass out;
- confusion;
- loss of movement in any part of your body;
- slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop); or
- chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.
- dry mouth, dry nose, dry skin;
- dry eyes, blurred vision;
- increased sensitivity of your eyes to light;
- headache;
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- muscle weakness;
- constipation, stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting;
- loss of interest in sex, impotence; or
- mild skin rash.
Atropine-pralidoxime Interactions
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
If possible, before you receive this medication, tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
- aminophylline (Phyllocontin, Truphylline);
- morphine (Avinza, Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph);
- reserpine;
- theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl);
- a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton); or
- a tranquilizer such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine).
Atropine-pralidoxime Dosage
Atropine and pralidoxime is usually given as soon as possible after the onset of poisoning symptoms. If you still have symptoms after 10 to 15 minutes, you will receive 2 more injections.
Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving this medication.
After treatment with atropine and pralidoxime, you may be watched for up to 72 hours to make sure the medicine has been effective and you no longer have any effects of the poison.
Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
Overdose may occur if you receive atropine and pralidoxime but you have not actually been exposed to the specific poisons this medication is designed to treat. Symptoms may include vision problems, feeling unsteady, loss of balance or coordination, trouble concentrating, fast heart rate, confusion, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things), decreased sweating, hot and dry skin, fainting, weak or shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.
Since atropine and pralidoxime is given by a healthcare professional in an emergency setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.
