Active ingredient: Milrinone - Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data

Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data

Drug Category

• Vasodilator Agents
• Cardiotonic Agents

Dosage Forms

• Liquid

Brands / Synonyms

Corotrop; Corotrope; Milrila; Milrinone; Milrinone IN Dextrose; Milrinone Lactate; Milrinone Lactose in 5% Dextrose; Primacor; Primacor

Indications

Indicated for the treatment of congestive heart failure.

Pharmacology

Milrinone, a synthetic dimethylxanthine derivative structurally related to theophylline and caffeine, is used in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases and in the management of cerebrovascular insufficiency, sickle cell disease, and diabetic neuropathy.

Mechanism of Action

Milrinone inhibits erythrocyte phosphodiesterase, resulting in an increase in erythrocyte cAMP activity. Subsequently, the erythrocyte membrane becomes more resistant to deformity. Along with erythrocyte activity, Milrinone also decreases blood viscosity by reducing plasma fibrinogen concentrations and increasing fibrinolytic activity.

Absorption

Milrinone is rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral administration. Bioavailability is 92% (in healthy volunteers).

Toxicity

LD₅₀ = 0.3 mg/L in rats

Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism

There are five metabolites but the O-glucuronide represents the major pathway of biotransformation.

Contraindications

PRIMACOR is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to it.

Drug Interactions

No untoward clinical manifestations have been observed in limited experience with patients in whom PRIMACOR was used concurrently with the following drugs: digitalis glycosides; lidocaine, quinidine; hydralazine, prazosin; isosorbide dinitrate, nitroglycerin; chlorthalidone, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone; captopril; heparin, warfarin, diazepam, insulin; and potassium supplements.

Chemical Interactions

There is an immediate chemical interaction which is evidenced by the formation of a precipitate when furosemide is injected into an intravenous line of an infusion of PRIMACOR. Therefore, furosemide should not be administered in intravenous lines containing PRIMACOR.