A patent to use digoxin immunoglobulins C07k16/44 as a regulator of the preeclamptic/eclamptic patients sodium/potassium ATPase activity was approved in 2003 to Charles David Adair under application number WO2004011028A1. Commercial aspects
Price increase was reported to range from US $380 to US $750 during 2013 for digoxin-Fab. However, these price increases are not reflective of the United States average AWP for digoxin-Fab as it represents Australian costs converted to US. Prior to 2011, Digibind and DigiFab pricing was US $797 per 38 mg vial and US $786 per 40 mg vial respectively. After GSK discontinued Digibind sale in USA in 2011, the AWP of DigiFab increases by 15% to US $903 per 40 mg vial. AWP of DigiFab has continued to increase as much as 54% occurring in March 2014 to US $2,370 per 40 mg vial. However, the cost may vary depending on wholesaler contractor manufacturer rebates. References
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Drug information online
Digibind description
Doxapram hydrochloride (marketed as Dopram, Stimulex or Respiram) is a respiratory stimulant. Administered intravenously, doxapram stimulates an increase in tidal volume, and respiratory rate. Mechanism of action
Doxapram stimulates chemoreceptors in the carotid bodies of the carotid arteries, which in turn,  stimulates the respiratory centre in the brain stem. Appearance
Doxapram is a white to off-white, odorless, crystalline powder that is stable in light and air. It is soluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol and practically insoluble in ether. Injectable products have a pH from 3.5-5. Benzyl alcohol or chlorobutanol is added as a preservative agent in the commercially available injections. Uses
Doxapram is used in intensive care settings to stimulate the respiratory rate in patients with respiratory failure. It may be useful for treating respiratory depression in patients who have taken excessive doses of drugs such as buprenorphine or fentanyl analogues which may fail to respond adequately to treatment with naloxone.It is equally as effective as pethidine in suppressing shivering after surgery.Doxapram has been used as an anesthetic reversal agent when taking care of captive sharks but it must be used with caution since "animals can be extremely excitatory and dangerous under the influence of this drug". Side effects
Side effects include high blood pressure, panic attacks, rapid heart rate, tremor, sweating, and vomiting. Convulsions have been reported. Its use is relatively contraindicated in people with coronary heart disease, epilepsy, and high blood pressure.