What is Barhemsys and how is it used?
Barhemsys (amisulpride) is a dopamine-2 (D2) antagonist indicated in adults to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), either alone or in combination with an antiemetic of a different class, and to treat PONV in patients who have received antiemetic prophylaxis with an agent of a different class or have not received prophylaxis.
What are side effects of Barhemsys?
Side effects of Barhemsys include:
- increased blood prolactin concentrations,
- chills,
- low blood potassium (hypokalemia),
- procedural low blood pressure (hypotension),
- abdominal distension, and
- infusion site pain
DESCRIPTION
The active ingredient of BARHEMSYS is amisulpride, a dopamine-2 (D2) receptor antagonist. Its chemical name is 4-Amino-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]-5(ethylsulfonyl)-o-anisamide. It has the following chemical structure:
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The empirical formula is C17H27N3O4S representing a molecular weight of 369.48.
Amisulpride is a white or almost white crystalline powder. It is practically insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in ethanol and freely soluble in methylene chloride, and has a melting point of around 126°C. The compound is racemic and shows no optical rotation and is not hygroscopic. No other polymorphs of amisulpride have been reported.
BARHEMSYS (amisulpride) injection is a clear, colorless, nonpyrogenic, sterile solution formulation of amisulpride 5 mg/2 mL (2.5 mg/mL) for intravenous infusion presented in a single-dose vial. It has a pH of approximately 5.0 and the osmolality of the product is between 250 and 330 mOsmol/kg.
Each 2 mL vial of BARHEMSYS contains 5 mg of amisulpride; 18.7 mg of citric acid monohydrate USP; 3.6 mg of sodium chloride USP; 32.64 mg of trisodium citrate dihydrate; hydrochloric acid NF and sodium hydroxide NF as needed to adjust the pH (4.75 to 5.25); and Water for Injection USP to make up to volume.