Nesiritide

What is the most important information I should know about nesiritide?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to nesiritide, or if you have very low blood pressure.

Before receiving nesiritide, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or high blood pressure (especially if you take blood pressure medication for it).

Tell your doctor about any heart problems you currently have or have had in the past. There are certain heart conditions that could make it dangerous for you to receive nesiritide.

Nesiritide is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion. The needle will remain in place while you receive the medication continuously for up to 48 hours.

Your blood pressure will be checked often while you are receiving nesiritide.

Call your doctor at once if you have dizziness, chest pain, fast heart rate, or confusion shortly after you receive nesiritide. Other serious side effects include feeling light-headed, fainting, coughing up blood, fever, pale skin, easy bruising, or unusual weakness.

What is nesiritide?

Nesiritide relaxes and dilates blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.

Nesiritide is used to improve breathing in people with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Nesiritide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using nesiritide?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to nesiritide, or if you have very low blood pressure.

Before receiving nesiritide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease; or
• high blood pressure (hypertension).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive nesiritide, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Tell your doctor about any heart problems you currently have or have had in the past. There are certain heart conditions that could make it dangerous for you to receive nesiritide.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether nesiritide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use nesiritide?

Nesiritide is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion. The needle will remain in place while you receive the medication continuously for up to 48 hours.

Your blood pressure will be checked often while you are receiving nesiritide.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medication is given for only a short time while you are in a hospital or clinic setting, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Tell your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a nesiritide overdose may include feeling light-headed or fainting.

What should I avoid while using nesiritide?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while receiving nesiritide unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

What are the possible side effects of nesiritide?

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• dizziness, chest pain, fast heart rate, or confusion shortly after you receive nesiritide;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• coughing up blood; or
• fever, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual weakness.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• pain, itching, or swelling where the IV needle was placed;
• numbness or tingling;
• drowsiness;
• tremors or shaking;
• cough;
• increased sweating;
• skin rash or itching;
• leg cramps; or
• blurred vision.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect nesiritide?

Before receiving nesiritide, tell your doctor if you are using any blood pressure medications (to treat hypertension).

There may be other drugs that can affect nesiritide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor has information about nesiritide written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Nesiritide is available with a prescription under the brand name Natrecor. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision date: 2/9/07.