Doxapram: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage - Drugvu

ℹ️ Compiled from public regulatory records · Last regulator revision: April 10, 2026🚩 Report this page

Doxapram

Respiratory Stimulants

GB MHRA

Drug class: Respiratory Stimulants
Availability: See label
Markets covered: 1
Products on record: 4

Overview

Doxapram is an active pharmaceutical ingredient in the Respiratory Stimulants group (R07AB). The information below is compiled per regulator from the product labels on record, with direct links to the original documents.

Regulatory status by market

Market	Regulator	Products	Last revision
GB United Kingdom	MHRA	4	April 10, 2026

GBUnited Kingdom· MHRA

4 products

Uses

GBOfficial regulatory label· revised November 15, 2024[1]

Doxapram acts as a ventilatory stimulant and Doxapram hydrochloride is used following anaesthesia to stimulate ventilation in the post-operative period as an aid to the reduction of post-operative pulmonary complications, and to permit the use of effective doses of narcotic analgesics without associated problems of ventilatory depression.
Doxapram hydrochloride is also used to increase CNS arousal and spontaneous respiratory activity from inhalational anaesthesia when this would be beneficial.

How to take

Drug interactions

Known interactions involving Doxapram. Select one for details. This list is informational and not a complete interaction checker.

Interaction data compiled from DDInter (academic, CC-BY). Severity classification only - this is not a complete interaction checker and not medical advice.

Sources & citations

[1]MHRA (UK) · PL392800017 · revised November 15, 2024

Information on this page is compiled from public regulatory records. Drugvu is not affiliated with any regulator or pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Side effects & warnings

GBOfficial regulatory label· Adverse reactions· revised November 15, 2024[1]

Adverse reactions listed by System Organ Class. The following adverse reactions have been observed at the frequencies defined using the following convention: Not known: cannot be estimated from the available data.
Nervous system disorders:
Doxapram hydrochloride may produce adverse effects due to general stimulation of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems: pyrexia, sweating, flushing, salivation, headache, dizziness, hyperactivity, confusion, hallucinations, perineal warmth, muscle fasciculation, muscle spasticity, clonus, bilateral babinski, increased deep tendon reflexes and convulsions have been reported.
Doxapram can induce a significant decrease in maximal cerebral blood flow velocity.
Cardiac disorders:
Cardiovascular effects have been observed and include a moderate increase in blood pressure, arrhythmias, sinus tachycardia, bradycardia and extrasystoles, chest pain or chest tightness.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders:
Respiratory problems such as dyspnoea, cough, bronchospasm and laryngospasm may occur.
Gastrointestinal Disorders:
Effects on the gastrointestinal tract such as nausea and vomiting may also occur.
Renal and Urinary disorders:
Urinary retention, stimulation of urinary bladder with spontaneous voiding. 2). The following adverse reactions have been reported in off-licence use of doxapram in preterm neonates and infants: - neurodevelopmental delay - significant prolongation of QT interval, in some cases associated with atrioventricular block.
- bleeding in stools, abdominal distension and necrotizing enterocolitis and multiple gastric perforations - early teeth eruption involving lower central incisors Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important.
It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

GBOfficial regulatory label· Warnings and precautions· revised November 15, 2024[1]

Doxapram hydrochloride should be administered concurrently with oxygen to patients with severe irreversible airways obstruction or severely decreased lung compliance, due to the increased work of breathing in these patients. - In patients presenting with bronchoconstriction, Doxapram hydrochloride should always be used in conjunction with β-adrenoceptor bronchodilator drugs in order to reduce the amount of respiratory effort.
- As Doxapram hydrochloride is metabolised primarily by the liver, use with care in patients with hepatic dysfunction. - Doxapram hydrochloride should be administered cautiously to patients receiving sympathomimetic agents since an additive pressor effect may occur.
- Doxapram hydrochloride should be used with great care in patients who are being treated concurrently with monoamine oxidase inhibiting drugs. Animal studies have shown that the action of doxapram is potentiated after pre- treatment with a MAOI.
- In patients who have received anaesthetics known to sensitize the myocardium to catecholamines, such as halothane, cyclopropane, and enflurane, initiation of doxapram hydrochloride therapy should be delayed for at least 10 minutes following discontinuance of anaesthesia, since an increase in adrenaline release has been noted with Doxapram hydrochloride administration.
- The respiratory stimulant effect of Doxapram hydrochloride may not outlast the residual effects of the depressant drugs. Since respiratory depression may recur after stimulation with Doxapram hydrochloride, the patient should be closely monitored until fully alert for ½ to 1 hour.
Doxapram hydrochloride may temporarily mask the residual effects of curare-type muscle relaxant drugs. - Doxapram hydrochloride should be administered with caution in patients with hypermetabolic states such as phaeochromocytoma. - If sudden hypertension or dyspnoea develops, Doxapram hydrochloride should be stopped.
- Monitoring of the blood pressure and deep tendon reflexes is recommended to prevent overdosage. - To avoid side effects, it is advisable to use the minimum effective dosage. - Doxapram should not be used in conjunction with mechanical ventilation.
- An adequate airway is essential and airway protection should be considered since doxapram may stimulate vomiting. 3) and in patients with impaired cardiac reserve - The administration of this agent does not diminish the need for continuous monitoring of all aspects of patient response, including frequent analysis of arterial-blood gases.

This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.