Antithrombin alfa and Neostigmine Bromide

• Generic Name: antithrombin (recombinant)
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: ATryn

Prevention of perioperative and peripartum thromboembolism in patients with congenital antithrombin III deficiency; designated an orphan drug by FDA for use in these conditions.

Short-term thromboprophylaxis with an appropriate anticoagulant recommended in patients with congenital antithrombin III deficiency during high-risk situations (e.g., surgery, pregnancy, postpartum period); antithrombin III concentrates may be used when anticoagulant therapy is neither feasible (e.g., due to a bleeding risk) nor sufficient.

Not indicated for treatment of thromboembolic events.

Has been used for management of heparin resistance during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

May reduce requirements for fresh frozen plasma and additional heparin during CPB.

• Generic Name: neostigmine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Prostigmin, Bloxiverz

Postoperative reversal of the effects of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g., atracurium, cisatracurium, mivacurium, pancuronium, rocuronium, vecuronium). Use in conjunction with an anticholinergic agent (atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate) to counteract adverse muscarinic effects (e.g., bradycardia, bradyarrhythmias, increased secretions, bronchoconstriction).

Reduces time to recovery of neuromuscular function (defined as a return of train-of-four [TOF] twitch ratio to 0.9).

Not effective in antagonizing deep levels of neuromuscular blockade; attempt reversal only after some degree of spontaneous recovery has occurred (e.g., when there is a detectable twitch response to the first TOF stimulus).

Do not use in patients with complete neuromuscular recovery; paradoxical neuromuscular effects (e.g., weakness of upper airway muscles, increased airway collapsibility) may occur. (See Neuromuscular Dysfunction under Cautions.)

Not effective and should not be used for reversal of depolarizing neuromuscular agents (e.g., succinylcholine).

Has been used for symptomatic treatment of myasthenia gravis to improve muscle strength; however, pyridostigmine generally preferred because of its longer duration of action and lower incidence of adverse muscarinic effects.

An oral preparation (neostigmine bromide; Prostigmin) previously used for this indication no longer is commercially available in the US.

Also has been used for diagnostic testing of myasthenia gravis, although edrophonium usually preferred.

Has been used for treatment of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction or Ogilvie syndrome. May be effective as second-line therapy in patients who fail conservative therapy.

Has been used as a prokinetic agent in patients with postoperative ileus following surgery; however, clinical usefulness may be limited by adverse muscarinic effects (e.g., bradycardia, increased bronchial secretions).

Has been used in the management of severe constipation in patients with thoracic spinal cord injury.