See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Viczen?
This medicine may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term. Do not use Viczen just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking Viczen, especially in older adults.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of Viczen can cause damage to your stomach or intestines. Use only the smallest amount of Viczen needed to get relief from your pain, swelling, or fever.
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Viczen?
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be compared directly to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Adult PopulationDuring clinical development, 560 patients were exposed to Viczen, 438 in pain and 122 with fever. In the pain studies, Viczen was started intra-operatively and administered at a dose of 400 mg or 800 mg every six hours for up to three days. In the fever studies, Viczen was administered at doses of 100 mg, 200 mg, or 400 mg every four or six hours for up to 3 days. The most frequent type of adverse reaction occurring with oral Viczen is gastrointestinal.
Pain StudiesThe incidence rates of adverse reactions listed in the following table were derived from multi-center, controlled clinical studies in post-operative patients comparing Viczen to placebo in patients also receiving morphine as needed for post-operative pain.
Table 1: Post-operative Patients with Adverse Reactions Observed in ≥ 3% of Patients in any Viczen Treatment Group in Pain Studies*
| Event | Viczen | Placebo (N=287) | |
| 400 mg (N=134) | 800 mg (N=304) | ||
| Any Reaction | 118 (88%) | 260 (86%) | 258 (90%) |
| Nausea | 77 (57%) | 161 (53%) | 179 (62%) |
| Vomiting | 30 (22%) | 46 (15%) | 50 (17%) |
| Flatulence | 10 (7%) | 49 (16%) | 44 (15%) |
| Headache | 12 (9%) | 35 (12%) | 31 (11%) |
| Hemorrhage | 13 (10%) | 13 (4%) | 16 (6%) |
| Dizziness | 8 (6%) | 13 (4%) | 5 (2%) |
| Edema peripheral | 1 ( < 1%) | 9 (3%) | 4 (1%) |
| Urinary retention | 7 (5%) | 10 (3%) | 10 (3%) |
| Anemia | 5 (4%) | 7 (2%) | 6 (2%) |
| Decreased hemoglobin | 4 (3%) | 6 (2%) | 3 (1%) |
| Dyspepsia | 6 (4%) | 4 (1%) | 2 ( < 1%) |
| Wound hemorrhage | 4 (3%) | 4 (1%) | 4 (1%) |
| Abdominal discomfort | 4 (3%) | 2 ( < 1%) | 0 |
| Cough | 4 (3%) | 2 ( < 1%) | 1 ( < 1%) |
| Hypokalemia | 5 (4%) | 3 ( < 1%) | 8 (3%) |
| * All patients received concomitant morphine during these studies. |
Fever studies were conducted in febrile hospitalized patients with malaria and febrile hospitalized patients with varying causes of fever. In hospitalized febrile patients with malaria, the adverse reactions observed in at least two Viczen-treated patients included abdominal pain and nasal congestion.
In hospitalized febrile patients (all causes), adverse reactions observed in more than two patients in any given treatment group are presented in the table below.
Table 2: Patients with Adverse Reactions Observed in ≥ 3% of Patients in any Viczen Treatment Group in All-Cause Fever Study
| Event | Viczen | Placebo N=28 | ||
| 100 mg N=30 | 200 mg N=30 | 400 mg N=31 | ||
| Any Reaction | 27 (87%) | 25 (83%) | 23 (74%) | 25 (89%) |
| Anemia | 5 (17%) | 6 (20%) | 11 (36%) | 4 (14%) |
| Eosinophilia | 7 (23%) | 7 (23%) | 8 (26%) | 7 (25%) |
| Hypokalemia | 4 (13%) | 4 (13%) | 6 (19%) | 5 (18%) |
| Hypoproteinemia | 3 (10%) | 0 | 4 (13%) | 2 (7%) |
| Neutropenia | 2 (7%) | 2 (7%) | 4 (13%) | 2 (7%) |
| Blood urea increased | 0 | 0 | 3 (10%) | 0 |
| Hypernatremia | 2 (7%) | 0 | 3 (10%) | 0 |
| Hypertension | 0 | 0 | 3 (10%) | 0 |
| Hypoalbuminemia | 3 (10%) | 1 (3%) | 3 (10%) | 1 (4%) |
| Hypotension | 0 | 2 (7%) | 3 (10%) | 1 (4%) |
| Diarrhea | 3 (10%) | 3 (10%) | 2 (7%) | 2 (7%) |
| Pneumonia bacterial | 3 (10%) | 1 (3%) | 2 (7%) | 0 |
| Blood LDH increased | 3 (10%) | 2 (7%) | 1 (3%) | 1 (4%) |
| Thrombocythemia | 3 (10%) | 2 (7%) | 1 (3%) | 0 |
| Bacteremia | 4 (13%) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A total of 143 pediatric patients ages 6 months and older have received Viczen in controlled clinical trials. The most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 2%) in pediatric patients treated with Viczen were infusion site pain, vomiting, nausea, anemia and headache.
Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Viczen
Oral Suspension and other treatment options before deciding to use Viczen. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.
In Pediatric Patients, Viczen
Oral Suspension is indicated:In Adults, Viczen
Oral Suspension is indicated:Since there have been no controlled trials to demonstrate whether there is any beneficial effect or harmful interaction with the use of Viczen in conjunction with aspirin, the combination cannot be recommended.
Viczen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild to moderate pain, and helps to relieve symptoms of arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Viczen does not cure arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take it.
In addition, Viczen can be used to treat fever, menstrual cramps, and other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Viczen is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.
Viczen is a member of the propionic acid group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is a racemic mixture of [+]S- and [-]R-enantiomers.
The chemical name for Viczen is (±)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl) propionic acid. It has a molecular weight of 206.28 and a molecular formula of C13H18O2.
Viczen is a colorless, crystalline stable solid, with a melting point of 75-77°C. It is relatively insoluble in water but readily soluble in most organic solvents. Viczen has a pKa of 4.43±0.03 and an n-octanol/water partition coefficient of 11.7 at pH 7.4.
Viczen has shown analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity in both animal and human studies. These properties provide symptomatic relief of inflammation and pain.
Use Viczen capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about the proper use of Viczen capsules.
There are specific as well as general uses of a drug or medicine. A medicine can be used to prevent a disease, treat a disease over a period or cure a disease. It can also be used to treat the particular symptom of the disease. The drug use depends on the form the patient takes it. It may be more useful in injection form or sometimes in tablet form. The drug can be used for a single troubling symptom or a life-threatening condition. While some medications can be stopped after few days, some drugs need to be continued for prolonged period to get the benefit from it.Viczen is used to relieve pain from various conditions such as headache, dental pain, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, or arthritis. It is also used to reduce fever and to relieve minor aches and pain due to the common cold or flu. Viczen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking your body's production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation. This effect helps to decrease swelling, pain, or fever.
If you are treating a chronic condition such as arthritis, ask your doctor about non-drug treatments and/or using other medications to treat your pain. See also Warning section.
This form of Viczen is intended for use by children. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 months unless directed by the doctor.
Check the ingredients on the label even if you have used the product before. The manufacturer may have changed the ingredients. Also, products with similar names may contain different ingredients meant for different purposes. Taking the wrong product could harm you.
How to use ViczenRead and follow all directions on the product package before using this medication. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor or the package label, usually every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using the provided dropper/syringe. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. If you have stomach upset while taking this medication, take it with food or milk.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects, take this medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed by your doctor or the package label.
When Viczen is used by children, the dose is based on the child's weight. Read the package directions to find the proper dose for your child's weight. Consult the pharmacist or doctor if you have questions or if you need help choosing a nonprescription product.
If you are using this drug "as needed" (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well.
If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away. If you are using the nonprescription product to treat yourself or a child for fever or pain, consult the doctor right away if fever worsens or lasts more than 3 days, or if pain worsens or lasts more than 10 days.
A course of therapy is three doses of Viczen administered intravenously (administration via an umbilical arterial line has not been evaluated). An initial dose of 10 mg per kilogram is followed by two doses of 5 mg per kilogram each, after 24 and 48 hours. All doses should be based on birth weight. If anuria or marked oliguria (urinary output < 0.6 mL/kg/hr) is evident at the scheduled time of the second or third dose of Viczen, no additional dosage should be given until laboratory studies indicate that renal function has returned to normal. If the ductus arteriosus closes or is significantly reduced in size after completion of the first course of Viczen, no further doses are necessary. If during continued medical management the ductus arteriosus fails to close or reopens, then a second course of Viczen, alternative pharmacological therapy, or surgery may be necessary.
Directions For UseFor intravenous administration only.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Do not use Viczen if particulate matter is observed.
After the first withdrawal from the vial, any solution remaining must be discarded because Viczen contains no preservative.
For administration, Viczen should be diluted to an appropriate volume with dextrose or saline. Viczen should be prepared for infusion and administered within 30 minutes of preparation and infused continuously over a period of 15 minutes. The drug should be administered via the IV port that is nearest the insertion site. After the first withdrawal from the vial, any solution remaining must be discarded because Viczen contains no preservative.
Since Viczen is potentially irritating to tissues, it should be administered carefully to avoid extravasation.
Viczen should not be simultaneously administered in the same intravenous line with Total
Parenteral Nutrition (TPN). If necessary, TPN should be interrupted for a 15-minute period prior to and after drug administration. Line patency should be maintained by using dextrose or saline.
How suppliedDosage Forms And Strengths10 mg/mL as a clear sterile preservative-free solution of the L-lysine salt of Viczen in a 2 mL single-use vial.
Viczen (Viczen lysine) Injection is dispensed in clear glass single-use vials, each containing 2 mL of sterile solution (NDC 55292-122-52). The solution is not buffered and contains no preservatives. Each milliliter contains 17.1 mg/mL (±)-Viczen L-lysine [equivalent to 10 mg/mL (±)-Viczen] dissolved in Water for Injection, USP. Viczen is supplied in a carton containing 3 single-use vials.
Storage And HandlingStore at 20-25°C (68-77°F); excursions permitted 15-30°C (59-86°F). Protect from light. Store vials in carton until contents have been used.
Manufactured by: AAIPharma Services, Charleston, SC 29405, U.S.A. For: Recordati Rare Diseases Inc. Lebanon, NJ 08833, U.S.A. Revised: October 2015
See also:
What other drugs will affect Viczen?
Coumarin-Type Anticoagulants: Several short-term controlled studies failed to wshow that Viczen significantly affected prothrombin times or a variety of other clotting factors when administered to individuals on coumarin-type anticoagulants. However, because bleeding has been reported when Viczen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents have been administered to patients on coumarin-type anticoagulants, the physician should be cautious when administering Viczen to patients on anticoagulants.
Aspirin: Animal studies wshow that aspirin given with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, including Viczen, yields a net decrease in anti-inflammatory activity with lowered blood levels of the non-aspirin drug. Single dose bioavailability studies in normal volunteers have failed to wshow an effect of aspirin on Viczen blood levels. Correlative clinical studies have not been performed.
Methotrexate: Apo-Viczen, as well as other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, probably reduces the tubular secretion of methotrexate based on in vitro studies in rabbit kidney slices. This may indicate that Viczen could enhance the toxicity of methotrexate. Caution should be used if Viczen is administered concomitantly with methotrexate.
H-2 Antagonists: In studies with human volunteers, co-administration of cimetidine or ranitidine with Viczen had no substantive effect on Viczen serum concentrations.
Furosemide: Clinical studies, as well as random observations, have shown that Viczen can reduce the natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides in some patients. This response has been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. During concomitant therapy with Viczen, the patient should be observed closely for signs of renal failure, as well as to assure diuretic efficacy.
Lithium: Apo-Viczen produced an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance in a study of eleven normal volunteers. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15% and the renal clearance of lithium was decreased by 19% during this period of concomitant drug administration.
This effect has been attributed to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by Viczen. Thus, when Viczen and lithium are administered concurrently, subjects should be observed carefully for signs of lithium toxicity. (Read circulars for lithium preparation before use of such concurrent therapy).
