Pediatrace

DESCRIPTION

Pedtrace®-4 is a sterile, nonpyrogenic solution of four trace elements for use as an additive for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in pediatric patients.

Each mL contains:

Zinc sulfate is chemically designated ZnSO₄, a white crystalline compound freely soluble in water. Cupric sulfate is chemically designated CuSO₄, a blue crystalline compound very soluble in water. Manganese sulfate is chemically designated MnSO₄, a pale red, slightly efflorescent compound soluble in water. Chromic chloride is chemically designated CrCl₃, a greenish compound soluble in water.

Sulfuric acid for pH adjustment (approximately 2.5).

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Zinc is an essential nutritional requirement that serves as a cofactor for more than 70 different enzymes including carbonic anhydrase alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase,and both RNA and DNA polymerase. Zinc facilitates wound healing, helps maintain normal skin hydration and the senses of taste and smell.

Zinc resides in muscle, bone, skin, the kidney, liver, pancreas, retina, prostate and particularly in the red and white blood cells. Zinc binds to plasma albumin, a2-macroglobulin and some plasma amino acids including histidine, cysteine, threonine, glycine and asparagine. Ingested zinc is excreted mainly in the stool (approximately 90%), and to a lesser extent in the urine and in perspiration. Providing zinc during TPN helps prevent development of deficiency symptoms such as: Parakeratosis, hypogeusia, anorexia, dysosmia, geophagia,hypogonadism, growth retardation and hepatosplenomegaly.

The initial manifestations of hypozincemia in TPN patients are diarrhea, apathy and depression. At plasma levels below 20 mcg zinc/100 mL, dermatitis followed by alopecia has been reported for TPN patients. Normal zinc plasma levels are 100±12 mcg/100 mL.

Copper is an essential nutrient that serves as a cofactor for serum ceruloplasmin, an oxidase necessary for proper formation of the iron carrier protein, transferrin. Providing copper during TPN helps prevent development of the following deficiency symptoms: Leukopenia,neutropenia, anemia, depressed ceruloplasmin levels, impaired transferrin formation and secondary iron deficiency.

Normal serum copper values range from 80 to 163 mcg/100 mL (mean, approximately 110 mcg/100 mL). The serum copper level at which deficiency symptoms appear is not precisely defined. The daily turnover of copper through ceruloplasmin is approximately 0.5 mg. Excretion of copper is through the bile (80%), directly through the intestinal wall (16%), and in urine (4%).

Manganese is an essential nutrient that serves as an activator for enzymes such as polysaccharide polymerase, liver arginase, cholinesterase and pyruvate carboxylase.

Providing manganese during TPN helps prevent development of deficiency symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, weight loss, dermatitis and changes in growth and color of hair. Under conditions of minimal intake, 20 mcg manganese/day is retained. Manganese is bound to a specific transport protein, transmanganin, a p31-globulin. Manganese is widely distributed but concentrates in the mitochondria-rich tissues such as brain, kidney, pancreas and liver. Assay for manganese in whole blood results in concentrations ranging from 6 to 12 mcg manganese/L. Excretion of manganese occurs mainly through the bile, but in the event of obstruction, ancillary excretion routes include pancreatic juice, or return into the lumen of duodenum, jejunum or ileum. Urinary excretion of manganese is negligible.

Trivalent chromium is party of glucose tolerance factor, an essential activator of insulin-mediated reactions. Chromium helps to maintain normal glucose metabolism and peripheral nerve function. Providing chromium during TPN helps prevent deficiency symptoms including impaired glucose tolerance, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and a confusional state similar to mild/moderate hepatic encephalopathy.

Serum chromium is bound to transferrin (siderophilin) in the b-globulin fraction. Typical blood levels for chromium range from 1 to 5 mcg/L, but blood levels are not considered a meaningful index of tissue stores. Administration of chromium supplements to chromium-deficient patients can result in normalization of the glucose tolerance curve from the diabetic-like curve typical of chromium deficiency. This response is viewed as a more meaningful indicator of chromium nutriture than serum chromium levels.

Excretion of chromium is via the kidneys, ranging from 3 to 50 mcg/day. Biliary excretion via the small intestine may be an ancillary route, but it is believed that only small amounts of chromium are excreted in this manner.

INDICATIONS

Pedtrace®-4 is indicated for use as a supplement to intravenous solution given for TPN. Administration of Pedtrace®-4 in TPN solutions helps to maintain plasma levels of zinc, copper, manganese, and chromium and to prevent depletion of endogenous stores of these trace elements and subsequent deficiency symptoms in pediatric patients.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

The suggested dosage ranges for the four trace elements in neonates and pediatric patients are:

Periodic monitoring of plasma levels of zinc, copper, manganese and chromium is suggested as a guideline preparation.

Aseptic addition of Pedtrace®-4 to the TPN solution under a laminar wflow hood is recommended. The trace elements present in Pedtrace®-4 are physically compatible with the electrolytes and vitamins usually present in the amino acid/dextrose solution used for TPN.

Parenteral drug products should be visually inspected for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

HOW SUPPLIED

Store at controlled room temperature 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).

Preservative Free. Discard unused portion.

CAUTION: Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription.

SIDE EFFECTS

The amounts of zinc, copper, chromium and manganese in Pedtrace®-4 are very small and toxicity symptoms due to these trace elements at suggested dosage levels are considered unlikely to occur.

DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

None known.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

No information provided.

WARNINGS

Pedtrace®-4 is a hypotonic solution which should be administered in admixtures only. Supplementation of TPN solutions with Pedtrace®-4 should be immediately discontinued if toxicity symptoms due to any of the constituent trace elements in Pedtrace®-4 is observed in the patient.

PRECAUTIONS

• Before administering Pedtrace®-4 in TPN solutions, the physician must assess the metabolic requirements of trace elements and disease state of the patient. Frequent determinations of serum levels of the four trace elements are suggested as a guideline for adjusting the dosage or completely omitting Pedtrace®-4. Zinc is eliminated via the intestine and kidneys; copper and manganese are eliminated mainly via the bile; and chromium primarily via the kidneys. The possibility of their retention should be considered in patients with malfunctioning excretory routes of the respective trace elements.

• Syringes equipped with aluminum needles or hubs should not be used, as the solution is acidic.

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Pedtrace®-4. It is also not known whether Pedtrace®-4 can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Pedtrace®-4 should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.