Introduction About LEVAZEO INJECTION

LEVAZEO INJECTION contains Levosulpiride which belongs to the group of medicines called Dopamine Antagonists. It is used to manage nausea, vomiting, indigestion and diabetic gastroparesis (diabetes that causes a delay in emptying the stomach contents into the intestines).

It can also be used to manage depression and schizophrenia (disorder of thoughts and behavior) in adults.

LEVAZEO INJECTION should be used only under medical supervision. It is highly recommended by doctors only when oral therapy is not feasible.

Before receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION inform your doctor if you have any kidney or heart problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have epilepsy, mania or any other mental illness as a precaution.

LEVAZEO INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients having bleeding or any blockage or tear in the gut. It is also not suitable for use in patients having cancer or tumours in the body. Inform your doctor before receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The most common side effects of receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION are headache, drowsiness, tiredness, breast enlargement and discharge and decrease in sex drive. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect bothers you.

Uses Of LEVAZEO INJECTION

It is used to manage:

• nausea and vomiting
• indigestion
• diabetic gastroparesis (causing sensation of fullness or lack of appetite)
• depression
• schizophrenia

How LEVAZEO INJECTION Works

LEVAZEO INJECTION is an antipsychotic medicine with anti-emetic and anti-dyspeptic properties. It acts by blocking the actions of certain chemical messengers (dopamine and serotonin) in the brain that controls the mood, behaviour and movement of stomach muscles.

As a result, it improves muscle movement in the stomach (gastric motility) and reduces the unpleasant symptoms of GI tract (such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion, sensation of fullness and lack of appetite). It can also stabilize your mood, reduces the signs of depression and control abnormal thoughts and behaviours.

How to use LEVAZEO INJECTION

LEVAZEO INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein (intravenously) or into the muscles (intramuscularly).

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

Side Effects Of LEVAZEO INJECTION

How To Manage Side Effects

Headache:

Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Drowsiness:

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling drowsy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your drowsiness. Consult your doctor if your drowsiness worsens.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

LEVAZEO INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may harm the growing baby. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

Breastfeeding

LEVAZEO INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

Driving and Using Machines

Do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if you feel drowsy after receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION.

Alcohol

Avoid consumption of alcohol while receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION, as it could make you feel drowsier.

Kidney

LEVAZEO INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Therefore, consult with your doctor before receiving it.

Allergy

Do not receive LEVAZEO INJECTION if you are allergic to Levosulpiride.

Heart Disease

LEVAZEO INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with heart problems (such as cardiac insufficiency, prolong QT interval). Therefore, consult with your doctor before receiving it.

Interactions

A. Drug – Drug Interactions:

Before receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:

• levodopa, ropinirole (medicines used to manage Parkinsonism)
• medicines used to manage high blood pressure (such as propranolol, atenolol, amlodipine, diltiazem, clonidine, methyldopa, ramipril, azilsartan)
• medicines used to manage severe tics (such as pimozide)
• medicine used to manage mental illness or depression (such as haloperidol, lithium, imipramine, thioridazine, sulpiride)
• methadone (a medicine used to manage drug addiction)
• other medicines used to manage stomach disorders (such as cisapride, aluminium hydroxide, sucralfate)
• medicines used to manage anxiety (such as diazepam, clonazepam, pentobarbital, phenobarbital)
• narcotic analgesics (used for pain relief) Ex. morphine, fentanyl, pethidine
• medicines used to manage allergic reactions (Ex. cetirizine, levocetirizine)
• analgesics (used for pain relief) Ex. codeine, oxycodone
• anticholinergic medicines (used to reduce muscle movements) Ex. atropine

Overdosage:

LEVAZEO INJECTION will be administered to you only by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, consult your doctor or nurse if you experience any unusual symptoms such as extrapyramidal disturbances (such as involuntary muscle contraction, tremors, muscles stiffness, involuntary facial movements and inability to sit still) and sleep disorders.

Synopsis

More Information

• Keep LEVAZEO INJECTION out of the sight and reach of children
• Store LEVAZEO INJECTION at room temperature

FAQs About LEVAZEO INJECTION

What is LEVAZEO INJECTION used for?

LEVAZEO INJECTION is used to manage nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diabetic gastroparesis, depression and schizophrenia when oral therapy is not feasible.

How LEVAZEO INJECTION is administered?

LEVAZEO INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein (intravenously) or into the muscles (intramuscularly).

How long should I take LEVAZEO INJECTION?

You need to take LEVAZEO INJECTION for the stipulated duration prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

What are the most common side effects of receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION?

The most common side effects of receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION are headache, drowsiness, tiredness, breast enlargement and discharge and decrease in sex drive. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect bothers you.

Can I stop receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION without consulting your doctor?

No. You should not stop receiving therapy with LEVAZEO INJECTION without consulting your doctor because it may lead to reversal of symptoms. If you feel better after using LEVAZEO INJECTION, consult your doctor for advice.

What precautions do I need to follow while receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION?

Before receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION inform your doctor if you have any kidney or heart problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have epilepsy, mania or any other mental illness as a precaution. LEVAZEO INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients having bleeding or any blockage or tear in the gut. It is also not suitable for use in patients having cancer or tumours in the body. Do not take LEVAZEO INJECTION without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Can I take medication for high blood pressure along with LEVAZEO INJECTION?

It is not advisable to take medicines to control blood pressure along with LEVAZEO INJECTION without consulting your doctor as they may further reduce your blood pressure and make you feel dizzier.

Can LEVAZEO INJECTION be used in pregnant women?

LEVAZEO INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may harm the growing fetus. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

Can LEVAZEO INJECTION make me feel drowsy?

Yes. Drowsiness is one of the common side effects of receiving LEVAZEO INJECTION. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling drowsy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your drowsiness. Consult your doctor if your drowsiness worsens.

Can the use of LEVAZEO INJECTION affect my sexual life?

LEVAZEO INJECTION may cause decrease in sex drive and problems in erection in some individuals, although not everybody gets them. These side effects are usually temporary and disappears once the therapy is stopped. However, consult your doctor if it bothers you.

References

1. Laurence Brunton, John Lazo, Keith Parker. Drugs Affecting Gastrointestinal Function. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Eleventh Edition. 2005. Page – 986.

2. Renuka Sharma, Pradeep Goyal, Manish Wadhwa, Money Gupta, Vishal Mandial, K S Jaswal. Efficacy of Levosulpride in minimizing Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research. May 2019. [Accessed on 8th November 2022] https://www.ijcmr.com/uploads/7/7/4/6/77464738/ijcmr_2518.pdf

3. Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Levazeo Injection. [Accessed on 8th November 2022] https://www.torrentian.com/pisheet/Upload/PI_Sheet/2499.pdf

4. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. Levosulpiride Inj. 25mg/ml, 2ml. September 2008. [Accessed on 8th November 2022] https://cdscoonline.gov.in/CDSCO/Drugs

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• Abdomen - Ultrasound