Zimhi

Generic name: Naloxone Hydrochloride
Dosage form: injection
Drug class: Antidotes

Usage of Zimhi

Zimhi is a prescription medicine used in adults and children for the treatment of an opioid emergency such as an overdose or a possible opioid overdose with signs of breathing problems and severe sleepiness or not being able to respond.

Zimhi is to be given right away and does not take the place of emergency medical care. Get emergency medical help right away after the first dose, even if the person wakes up.

Zimhi is safe and effective in children for known or suspected opioid overdose.

Zimhi side effects

Zimhi may cause serious side effects, including:

Sudden opioid withdrawal symptoms. In someone who has been using opioids regularly, opioid withdrawal symptoms can happen suddenly after receiving Zimhi and may include:

body aches

runny nose

yawning

nervousness

nausea or vomiting

increased heart rate

fever

sneezing

weakness

restlessness or irritability

stomach cramping

sweating

goose bumps

shivering or trembling

diarrhea

increased blood pressure

The most common side effects include: nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, and increased amounts of red blood cell breakdown products (bilirubin) in your blood.

In infants under 4 weeks old who have been receiving opioids regularly, sudden opioid withdrawal may be life-threatening if not treated the right way. Signs and symptoms include: seizures, crying more than usual and increased reflexes.

These are not all of the possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Zimhi

Do not use Zimhi if you are allergic to naloxone hydrochloride or any of the ingredients. See the end of this page for a complete list of ingredients.

Relate drugs

How to use Zimhi

- Administer Zimhi (naloxone hydrochloride) 5 mg/0.5 mL to adult or pediatric patients into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, through clothing if necessary.

Use: Zimhi is indicated in adult and pediatric patients for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression. Zimhi is intended for immediate administration as emergency therapy in settings where opioids may be present. Zimhi is not a substitute for emergency medical care.

Warnings

Zimhi is used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid medicines. The medicine in Zimhi has no effect in people who are not taking opioid medicines. Always carry Zimhi with you in case of an opioid emergency.

Use Zimhi right away if you or your caregiver think signs or symptoms of an opioid emergency are present, even if you are not sure, because an opioid emergency can cause severe injury or death. Signs and symptoms of an opioid emergency may include:

unusual sleepiness and you are not able to awaken the person with a loud voice or rubbing firmly on the middle of their chest (sternum)

breathing problems including slow or shallow breathing in someone difficult to awaken or they look like they are not breathing

the black circle in the center of the colored part of the eye (pupil) is very small, sometimes called “pinpoint pupils” in someone difficult to awaken

Family members, caregivers, or other people who may have to use Zimhi in an opioid emergency should know where Zimhi is stored and how to give Zimhi before an opioid emergency happens. Make sure everyone reads the information contained in the case and carton as soon as you receive Zimhi.

Zimhi is intended to be given by people 12 years of age or older. Younger children or those with limited hand strength may find the Prefilled syringe difficult to use.

Get emergency medical help right away after using the first dose. Rescue breathing or CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) may be given while waiting for emergency medical help.

The signs and symptoms of an opioid emergency can return after Zimhi is given. If this happens, give additional injections using a new prefilled syringe every 2 to 3 minutes and watch the person closely until emergency help is received.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com'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. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com 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.