Medical Carbon Dioxide
BOC
A Member of The Linde Group
Medical Carbon Dioxide Medicinal gas, liquefied
Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Medical Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide 99.5% (min)
Medicinal gas, liquefied
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start
using this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet as you may need to read it again.
• If you have further questions, ask your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse or pharmacist).
• This medicine has been prescribed for you.
• Do not pass it on to others as it may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If any of the side effects become serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your healthcare professional immediately.
This leaflet gives you information about:
1. What is Medical Carbon Dioxide and what is it used for
2. Things to consider before use
3. How to use Medical Carbon Dioxide
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Medical Carbon Dioxide
6. Further Information
1. WHAT MEDICAL CARBON DIOXIDE IS AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR
Medical Carbon Dioxide is a liquefied medicinal gas, supplied in cylinders filled to a high pressure. Medical Carbon Dioxide may be used in the following situations:
• during anaesthesia
• to expand the blood vessels if required
• to stimulate breathing after a period of nonbreathing
• to increase Carbon Dioxide levels after a period of rapid breathing
• during bodily investigations
• to inflate body cavities during surgery (such as key-hole surgery)
• in solid form (dry ice) for freezing of tissue and removal of warts.
If Medical Carbon Dioxide is given to you to breathe, it will always be given to you with Medical Oxygen.
2. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE USE
Medical Carbon Dioxide is only given to you in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Ensure that your healthcare professional is aware of any medical conditions that you may have.
Do not use Medical Carbon Dioxide:
• if your blood or tissues are high in acid
• if you have obstructive lung disease such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema because it can increase breathing difficulties
Carbon Dioxide should not be used during resuscitation
Taking other medicines
Medical Carbon Dioxide can affect other medicines in the body, including those taken for treating high blood pressure and muscle relaxants.
Medical Carbon Dioxide should not be used with adrenaline or similar drugs.
Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Pregnancy and breast feeding
The use of Medical Carbon Dioxide is not recommended during pregnancy. Medical Carbon Dioxide will not affect you or your baby if used during breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
You may drive and use machines after using Medical Carbon Dioxide providing that your healthcare professional considers that you are both fit and capable.
3. HOW TO USE MEDICALCARBON DIOXIDE Instructions for use
Your healthcare professional will ensure that your Medical Carbon Dioxide supply is suitable for your use and that the equipment has been set up correctly so that you receive the right amount of gas.
When you are given your Medical Carbon Dioxide to breathe as a mixture with other medical gases, it will be supplied via a facemask, mouthpiece or endotracheal tube (which is placed down your airways).
Special medical equipment will be used if it is being used to inflate parts of your body during keyhole surgery or gynaecological procedures.
If you have any further questions on how this product is used, ask your healthcare professional.
If you use more Medical Carbon Dioxide than you should
When Medical Carbon Dioxide is supplied at concentrations higher than 5%, it may cause extreme breathing difficulties, raised blood pressure, cause nausea and vomiting and occasionally unconsciousness.
In the event of an overdose your healthcare professional will stop administration and continue appropriate care.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your healthcare professional.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Medical Carbon Dioxide may cause side effects, although not everyone will get them.
The side effects which may occur are:
• breathing difficulties, raised blood pressure and sickness if administered in concentrations over 5%
• dizziness if administered in concentrations above 8%
• unconsciousness if administered in concentrations above 12.5%.
Less common side effects which may occur are:
• heart rhythm problems, when high levels of Carbon Dioxide enter the blood during laparoscopy
• heart attacks due to gas bubbles in the bloodstream.
Reporting of side effects
If you experience any of these side effects, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, contact your healthcare professional immediately. You can also report side effects directly to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via the Yellow Card Scheme www. mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard and to BOC Healthcare. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE COMPRESSED MEDICAL OXYGEN CYLINDERS
Expiry date
Medical Carbon Dioxide should not be used after the expiry date stated on the batch label on the cylinder.
Product should be used in strict rotation so that cylinders with the earliest expiry date are used first
Cylinder storage
Cylinders should be securely stored, in a well ventilated, dry and clean area, away from oils, greases, flammable materials and sources of extreme temperature.
The healthcare professional in the hospital or clinic will be responsible for making sure the cylinders are stored correctly.
DO NOT SMOKE or have a naked flame near your Carbon Dioxide gas cylinder.
NEVER se oil based moisturising creams with your cylinder equipment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
What Medical Carbon Dioxide contains:
Your Medical Carbon Dioxide cylinder contains a minimum of 99.5% (min) Carbon Dioxide.
There are no other ingredients.
Medical Carbon Dioxide cylinders
Medical Carbon Dioxide is supplied in the following size cylinders:
|
Cylinder Size |
Cylinder Contents (Litres) |
|
C |
450 |
|
E |
1800 |
|
LF |
3600 |
|
VF |
3600 |
The colour coding of the shoulder of Medical Carbon Dioxide cylinders is grey. The body is colour coded white.
For a limited period cylinders may have a grey body.
Shoulder of cylinders viewed from above
Body of cylinder types viewed from the side
All cylinders require separate pressure regulators to be fitted to the cylinder valve before use
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer BOC Ltd
The Priestley Centre
10 Priestley Road
The Surrey Research Park
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 7XY
Tel 0800 1 11333
This leaflet was last approved in 02/2016
HLC/505550_CO2/UKS/0316
BOC: living healthcare