Prostin VR Pediatric (Alprostadil) Drug Overview and Uses for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Prostin VR Pediatric

Congenital Heart Defects »

What are congenital heart defects?

Congenital (kon-JEN-i-tal) heart defects are problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth. These defects can involve the interior walls of the heart, valves inside the heart, or the arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart or out to the body. Congenital heart defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart.

There are many different types of congenital heart defects. They range from simple defects with no symptoms to complex defects with severe, life-threatening symptoms.

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting 8 of every 1,000 newborns. Each year, more than 35,000 babies in the United States are born with congenital heart defects. Most of these defects are simple conditions that are easily fixed or need no treatment.

A small number of babies are born with complex congenital heart defects that need special medical attention soon afte...

Read the Congenital Heart Defects article »

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Prostin VR Pediatric

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Prostin VR Pediatric®
(alprostadil) Injection, USP
500 micrograms per mL

WARNING
Apnea is experienced by about 10 to 12% of neonates with congenital heart defects treated with PROSTIN VR PEDIATRIC (alprostadil) Sterile Solution. Apnea is most often seen in neonates weighing less than 2 kg at birth and usually appears during the first hour of drug infusion. Therefore, respiratory status should be monitored throughout treatment, and PROSTIN VR PEDIATRIC (alprostadil) should be used where ventilatory assistance is immediately available.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

PROSTIN VR PEDIATRIC (alprostadil) Sterile Solution for intravascular infusion contains 500 micrograms alprostadil, more commonly known as prostaglandin E₁, in 1.0 ml dehydrated alcohol.

The chemical name for alprostadil is (11α, 13E, 15S)-11, 15 dihydroxy -9- oxoprost-13-en-1-oic acid, and the molecular weight is 354.49.

Alprostadil is a white to off-white crystalline powder with a melting point between 110° and 116° C. Its solubility at 35°C is 8000 micrograms per 100 ml double distilled water.