1. To protect against the peripheral muscarinic actions of anticholinesterases such as neostigmine and pyridostigmine, used to reverse residual neuromuscular blockade produced by non-depolarising muscle relaxants.

2. As a pre-operative antimuscarinic agent to reduce salivary tracheobronchial and pharyngeal secretions and to reduce the acidity of the gastric contents.

3. As a pre-operative or intra-operative antimuscarinic to attenuate or prevent intra-operative bradycardia associated with the use of suxamethonium or due to cardiac vagal reflexes.

Posology

Premedication:

Adults and Elderly: 200 to 400 micrograms (0.2mg to 0.4mg) intravenously or intramuscularly before the induction of anaesthesia. Alternatively, a dose of 4 to 5 micrograms/kg (0.004 to 0.005mg/kg) up to a maximum of 400 micrograms (0.4mg) may be used. Larger doses may result in profound and prolonged antisialagogue effect which may be unpleasant for the patient.

Paediatric population: 4 to 8 micrograms/kg (0.004 to 0.008mg/kg) up to a maximum of 200 micrograms (0.2mg) intravenously or intramuscularly before the induction of anaesthesia. Larger doses may result in profound and prolonged antisialagogue effect which may be unpleasant for the patient.

Intra-operative use:

Adults and Elderly: A single dose of 200 to 400 micrograms (0.2 to 0.4mg) by intravenous injection should be used. Alternatively, a single dose of 4 to 5 micrograms/kg (0.004 to 0.005mg/kg) up to a maximum of 400 micrograms (0.4mg) may be used. This dose may be repeated if necessary.

Paediatric population: A single dose of 200 micrograms (0.2mg) by intravenous injection should be used. Alternatively, a single dose of 4 to 8 micrograms/kg (0.004 to 0.008mg/kg) up to a maximum of 200 micrograms (0.2mg) may be used. This dose may be repeated if necessary.

Reversal of residual non-depolarising neuromuscular block:

Adults and Elderly: 200 micrograms (0.2mg) intravenously per 1000 micrograms (1mg) neostigmine or the equivalent dose of pyridostigmine. Alternatively, a dose of 10 to 15 micrograms/kg (0.01 to 0.015mg/kg) intravenously with 50 micrograms/kg (0.05mg/kg) neostigmine or equivalent dose of pyridostigmine. Glycopyrrolate Injection may be administered simultaneously from the same syringe with the anticholinesterase; greater cardiovascular stability results from this method of administration.

Paediatric population: 10 micrograms/kg (0.01mg/kg) intravenously with 50 micrograms/kg (0.05mg/kg) neostigmine or the equivalent dose of pyridostigmine. Glycopyrrolate Injection may be administered simultaneously from the same syringe with the anticholinesterase; greater cardiovascular stability results from this method of administration.

Method of administration:

Glycopyrrolate Injection is for intravenous or intramuscular injection.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

In common with other antimuscarinic drugs caution is advised in patients with prostatic hypertrophy, paralytic ileus, pyloric stenosis and closed angle glaucoma. Quaternary ammonium compounds in large dose have been shown to block the nicotinic muscle end plate receptors. This must be evaluated prior to its administration in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Anticholinesterase-antimuscarinic combinations such as neostigmine plus glycopyrronium should be avoided in patients with a prolonged QT interval.

Antimuscarinics should be used with caution (due to increased risk of side effects) in Down's syndrome, in children and in the elderly.

Extreme caution is advised in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, acute myocardial infarction, thyrotoxicosis, coronary artery disease, cardiac dysarythmias, hypertension, congestive heart failure conditions characterised by tachycardia (including hyperthyroidism, cardiac insufficiency, cardiac surgery) because of the increase in heart rate produced by their administration, coronary artery disease and cardiac arrhythmias, pyrexia (due to inhibition of sweating), pregnancy and breast feeding.. As glycopyrrolate inhibits sweating, patients with increased temperature (especially children) should be observed closely.

Because of prolongation of renal elimination, repeated or large doses of Glycopyrronium Bromide should be avoided in patients with uraemia.

Anticholinergic drugs can cause ventricular arrhythmias when administered during inhalation anaesthesia especially in association with the halogenated hydrocarbons.

Unlike atropine, glycopyrrolate is a quaternary ammonium compound and does not cross the blood-brain barrier. It is therefore less likely to cause postoperative confusion which is a particular concern in the elderly patients. Compared to atropine, glycopyrrolate has reduced cardiovascular and ocular effects.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 2 ml, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

Many drugs have antimuscarinic effects; concomitant use of two or more of such drugs can increase side-effects such as dry mouth, urine retention and constipation. Concomitant use can also lead to confusion in the elderly.

Anticholinergic agents may delay absorption of other medication given concomitantly.

Concurrent administration of anticholingergics and corticosteroids may result in increased intraocular pressure.

Concurrent use of antocholinergic agents with slow-dissolving tablets of digoxin may cause increased serum digoxin levels.

Ritodrine: tachycardia

There is increased risk of antimuscarinic side effects in patients taking drugs with antimuscarinic effects such as MAOIs, amantadine, clozapine, tricyclic antidepressants, disopyramaide, antihistamines, pethidine, phenothiazines (increased antimuscarinic side effects of phenothiazines but reduced plasma concentrations) and nefopam.

Domperidone/Metoclopramide: antagonism of effect on gastro-intestinal activity Ketoconazole: reduced absorption of ketoconazole

Levodopa: absorption of levodopa possibly reduced

Memantine: effects possibly enhanced by memantine

Nitrates: possibly reduced effect of sublingual nitrates (failure to dissolve under the tongue owing to dry mouth)

Parasympathomimetics: antagonism of effect

Pregnancy

For use as indicated, animal studies are of very limited relevance (see section 5.3). Use in human pregnancy has not been systematically evaluated. This product should only be used in pregnancy if considered essential.

Breast-feeding

May reach breast milk but in amounts probably too small to be harmful.

Caution is advised when considering administration to a nursing mother.

Fertility

There are no data on the effects of glycopyrronium bromide on male or female fertility. For non-clinical studies please refer to section 5.3

Glycopyrrolate has moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, systemic administration of antimuscarinics may cause blurred vision, dizziness and other effects that may impair a patient's ability to perform skilled tasks such as driving. These activities should not be undertaken until any disturbance of visual accommodation or balance has resolved. Do not operate or drive heavy machinery unless the drug has been shown not to interfere with mental or physical ability.

Adverse reactions listed by System Organ Class. Frequencies are defined using the following convention: Very common: (≥ 1/10); Common (≥ 1/100, <1/10); Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000, <1/100); Rare (≥ 1/10,000, <1/1,000); Very rare (<1/10,000); not known: cannot be estimated from the available data

Tabulated list of adverse reactions:

Other side effects of anti-muscarinics include-

*Particularly in elderly

** Followed by tachycardia, palpitation and arrhythmias

However, the use of Glycopyrronium Injection as a preoperative anticholinergic is associated with less effect on the cardiovascular system compared to atropine.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme

Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Symptoms

Since glycopyrrolate is a quaternary ammonium agent, symptoms of overdosage are peripheral rather than central in nature.

Management

To combat peripheral anticholinergic effects, a quaternary ammonium anticholinesterase such as neostigmine methylsulphate may be given in a dose of 1000 micrograms (1.0mg) for each 1000 micrograms (1.0mg) of glycopyrrolate known to have been administered by the parenteral route.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Quaternary ammonium antimuscarinic

ATC Code: A03AB02

Mechanism of action:

Glycopyrrolate is a quaternary ammonium antimuscarinic agent and like other anticholinergic agents, it inhibits the action of acetylcholine on structures innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves and on smooth muscles that respond to acetylcholine but lack cholinergic innervation. These peripheral cholinergic receptors are present in the autonomic effector cells of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, the sinoatrial node, the atrioventricular node, exocrine glands and to a limited degree in the autonomic ganglia. Thus it diminishes the volume and free acidity of gastric secretions and controls excessive pharyngeal, tracheal and bronchial secretions. Glycopyrrolate antagonizes muscarinic symptoms (e.g. bronchorrhea, bronchospasm, bradycardia and intestinal hypermotility) induced by cholinergic drugs such as the anticholinesterases.

The highly polar quaternary ammonium group of glycopyrrolate limits its passage across lipid membranes, such as the blood-brain barrier, in contrast to atropine sulphate and scopolamine hydrobromide, which are non-polar tertiary amines which penetrate lipid barriers easily.

Glycopyrronium Injection has been used successfully as an adjunct to reversal by neostigmine when atropine has been used as the preoperative anticholinergic. The use of Glycopyrronium Injection as an adjunct to reversal by neostigmine of non-depolarising muscle relaxants is associated with less initial tachycardia and better protection against the cholinergic effects of neostigmine compared to reversal with a mixture of neostigmine and atropine.

Absorption

With intravenous injection, the onset of action is generally evident within one minute. Peak effects occur approximately 30 to 45 minutes after intramuscular administration. The vagal blocking effects persist for 2 to 3 hours and the antisialagogue effects persist up to 7 hours, periods longer than for atropine.

Elimination

Glycopyrrolate is rapidly diminished and/or excreted after intravenous administration. The terminal elimination phase is relatively slow with quantifiable levels remaining up to 8 hours after administration.

Safety Pharmacology

Acute toxicity of glycopyrrolate was studied in mice and rats. Following intraperitoneal administration, the LD50 was estimated to be 107 mg/kg in mice and 196 mg/kg in rats. Following oral dosing, the LD50 was estimated to be 1150 mg/kg in rats. Chronic oral administration doses of 4, 16, and 64 mg/kg for up to 27 weeks in dogs produced mydriasis, cycloplegia, xerostomia, emesis, occasional lacrimation, injection of sclera and rhinorrhea. There were no changes in organ weight and histopathology showed no drug-related changes. Safety in human pregnancy and lactation has not been established.

Teratogenicty

Although reproduction studies in rats and rabbits revealed no teratogenic effects from glycopyrrolate.

Toxicity to reproduction and development

Diminished rates of conception and of survival at weaning were observed in rats, in a dose-related manner. Studies in dogs suggest that this may be due to diminished seminal secretion which is evident at high doses of glycopyrrolate. The significance of this for man is not clear.

Sodium Chloride

Dilute Hydrochloric Acid

Water for Injections

Glycopyrronium Injection has been shown to be physically compatible with the following agents commonly used in anaesthetic practice: Butorphanol, Lorazepam, Droperidol and Fentanyl Citrate, Levorphanol Tartrate, Pethidine Hydrochloride, Morphine Sulphate, Neostigmine, Promethazine and Pyridostigmine.

Glycopyrronium Injection has been shown to be physically incompatible with the following agents commonly used in anaesthetic practice: Diazepam, Dimenhydrinate, Methohexitone Sodium, Pentazocine, Pentobarbitone Sodium, Thiopentone Sodium.

18 months

Protect from light.

Do not store above 25° C.

Glycopyrronium Injection 1ml and 3ml is presented in clear Open Point Cut (OPC) glass ampoules, packed in cardboard cartons to contain 10 x 1ml; 10 x 3ml and 3 x 3ml ampoules.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

If only part of an ampoule is used, discard the remaining solution.

No special requirements for disposal.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.