When undergoing a surgical procedure, the muscles must be completely relaxed to facilitate the operation for the medical team.
This relaxation is caused by medications, known as anesthetics and muscle relaxants.
The big problem is that some of these remedies can cause relaxation and paralysis of muscles and vital organs: such as the lungs and even the heart.
When this happens, the patient’s life is at risk during the surgery. In addition, it may be necessary to use devices in the postoperative period, until the effect ends again.
In order to accelerate this recovery of the organism, remedies have been developed that accelerate this process, among them Bridion.
Want to know more about these medications? Then, follow the text.
Contents
What is Bridion?
Bridion is a reference remedy used to accelerate the recovery process of the muscles (mainly the respiratory ones) that tend to go numb after the use of anesthesia to perform surgeries.
Bridion’s active ingredient is a substance called Sugamadex sodium. She belongs to a group called Selective Link Neuromuscular Block Reversal Agents.
The form of administration is by means of an intravenous injection, that is, applied to the vein. This will be done by the anesthesiologist who is part of the surgical medical team.
This medicine can have a drug interaction (when one drug causes some kind of change in the other) with other substances such as fusidic acid (used in antibiotics ), Tamoxifen (medicine to treat breast cancer ) and contraceptives.
In the latter case, if the woman is using pills, the dose should be skipped on the day Bridion is administered.
If the contraceptive method is internal (IUD, vaginal ring, etc.), the ideal is to use a condom for 7 days after the administration of the Bridion dose.
Special groups
Bridion should not be administered to children under 2 years of age and to people with allergies to Sugamadex or other substances present in the drug’s formula.
Pregnant women or those with a suspected pregnancy should talk to their doctor before taking Bridion.
Another group to watch out for is people who follow a controlled salt diet , as the medicine contains sodium.
Also inform the medical professional if you have or have had kidney and liver complications or blood clotting disorders and edema (swelling caused by fluid build-up).
What is Bridion for?
Bridion is indicated so that the recovery of the muscles after the application of anesthesia (used in surgery) is faster. But it has a restricted condition of use: it can only be administered if the muscle relaxant is Rocuronium Bromide or Vecuronium Bromide.
These last 2 substances mentioned are the remedies that cause the muscle relaxation necessary for the surgical procedure.
Thus, Bridion’s function is to act on these substances and stimulate the recovery of muscle relaxation caused by general anesthesia.
The muscles begin to show the first signs of a reaction from the 3rd minute of application of the medicine. Without the Bridion effect, it can take more than 1 hour.
With this accelerated recovery, the patient is also less likely to suffer from cardiac complications or to be dependent on artificial respiration.
What is the mechanism of action of the active ingredient Sugamadex?
Sugamadex sodium belongs to a group known as Selective Neuromuscular Block Reversal Agents.
This means that this substance, when injected, binds with rocuronium bromide or with vecuronium bromide (anesthetizing substances).
When this encounter between the active principle of Bridion and the muscle relaxant happens, Sugamadex ends up blocking the effect of the anesthetic, thus making the patient recover faster.
Is it a controlled medication?
No, Bridion is not considered a controlled drug, but it is restricted to hospitals. So, it is worth remembering that this medicine should only be administered under medical guidance, preferably by a professional anesthetist.
Bridion is a medicine with a common white prescription, that is, it is only sold under medical prescription. But an important detail is that this drug does not have the prescription retained at the time of purchase, one of the differences with controlled drugs.
Controlled drugs have a strong action on the central nervous system and can cause addiction or irreversible psychic conditions. They are used to control diseases such as generalized infections, depression and schizophrenia .
How does the bullet indicate using Bridion?
It is important to note that this medication must be administered by an anesthesiologist, who will know how to calculate the correct dose based on your weight and the amount of muscle relaxant that has been applied.
Doses are usually calculated in the following proportion: between 2mg and 4mg for each patient’s body weight.
The maximum allowable dose is 16mg for each kilo and should only be used when immediate recovery is needed.
In children and adolescents between 2 and 17 years old, the ideal is to apply 2mg per kilo.
What if a dose is missed?
Well, this is unlikely to happen, since the medication is administered in a hospital environment, a few hours after surgery.
Even if it happens, the effect is minimal: the muscles will simply go back to how they were before, recovering their function prior to the surgical procedure.
Of course, Bridion tends to make this process faster, with less pain and more comfort for the patient.
What are the side effects?
Like all medicines, Bridion can also cause adverse reactions.
The good news is that they usually happen while the patient is still in a state of postoperative observation.
If the side effects manifest themselves during the anesthesia action, the medical professional responsible for this will notice them and treat them as needed.
The package insert presents adverse symptoms according to the frequency with which they may occur:
Common
Common side effects occur between 1% and 10% of people who use Bridion. Are they:
- Cough;
- Airway complications;
- Change in heart rate (such as lowering blood pressure).
It is also possible for the patient to wake up during the surgical procedure and need a greater amount of anesthesia to complete the procedure.
Uncommon
Uncommon adverse reactions occur between 0.1% and 1% of cases, which may include:
- Allergies (redness, itching, swelling of the throat or tongue, shortness of breath);
- Allergic reactions that can alter blood pressure or heart rate;
- Return of muscle relaxation after surgery;
- Respiratory difficulties (caused by the contraction of airway muscles).
Unknown frequency
Symptoms of unknown frequency are those that are not estimated in laboratory tests.
In the case of Bridion, there is a possible reaction reported in the package leaflet: decreased heart rate which, in more severe cases, can lead to sudden heart failure.
If you notice aggravation or other side effects that are not mentioned in the package insert, seek medical advice and notify the pharmacist by the Customer Service (SAC).
What is the price of Bridion?
The box 100mg / ml Bridion of 10 vials containing 2ml exits from R $ 4565.50 *
It is worth mentioning that the region of the country and the chain of pharmacies in which the drug is being consumed are factors that can influence the price.
* Prices consulted in February 2020. Prices may change.
Has Bridion generic or similar?
No. Currently, the active ingredient Sugamadex sodium is marketed only as Bridion, by the Schering-plow laboratory.
Is it approved by ANVISA?
Yes, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) approves Bridion’s production and trade.
The laboratory that produces this medicine is the Schering-plow (which since 2009 merged with Merck Sharp, forming the pharmaceutical company MSD).
The company has been authorized by ANVISA to sell Bridion since October 2009. The approval is valid for 20 years, that is, until the same month of 2029.
Sugamadex Sodium Item no SUS?
No. It is clear that the value of a Bridion box is not accessible to the majority of the Brazilian population.
To gain access to this remedy, the patient can file a lawsuit with the guidance of a lawyer.
In this process in the courts, several documents are needed, such as a medical report that proves the need to use medication and a budget with the price of at least 3 establishments that sell this substance.
How to budget?
Making a budget is not always an easy task, mainly because it requires time for research and accounts.
The good news is that, at these times, you can count on the Consultative Remedies Advisory program for legal purchases and high-cost medications.
Just access this link , fill in the fields with your personal data and, in a short time, our team will send you a complete and personalized quote for your case.
Bridion is a medication that is guaranteeing more quality of life and a quick recovery in the postoperative period of surgeries.
This medication is administered by a medical professional, specialized in anesthesiology. Want to know more information about other remedies ? Then access the Healthy Minute and check out our texts.
