Patient leaflet - MEDICINAL AIR SYNTHETIC 21.75% V/V MEDICINAL GAS COMPRESSED
1. what medicinal air synthetic is and what it is used for
Medicinal air synthetic is an inhalation gas and belongs to the group of medicinal gases.This medicine is used to prevent oxygen deficiency where treatment with atmospheric air is indicated.
2. what you need to know before you use medicinal air synthetic
Do not use Medicinal air synthetic
There are no known situations in which this medicine cannot be used.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
- Before treatment with medicinal air synthetic, ensure that it is administered at atmospheric pressure.
- The administration of pressurised medicinal air synthetic may cause decompression sickness and oxygen toxicity.
Decompression sickness is a disease that occurs during the transition from high pressure to normal pressure and causes headache, nausea, and confusion, and sometimes paralysis and un-consciousness (and even death).
- If medicinal air is mixed with other inhalational gases, there should be sufficient oxygen (at least 21% v/v) in this gas mixture. Therefore mixtures of medicinal air with other gases must always include additional oxygen from other sources.
- If you administer medicinal air at a high flow rate because it may feel cold.
- Medicinal air should not be used where higher than atmospheric concentrations of oxygen (>21%) would be indicated.
Other medicines and Medicinal air synthetic
It is not known whether this medicine may affect the use of other medicines.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking; have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
This medicine can be used if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
This medicine does not affect the ability to drive and use machines.
3. how to use medicinal air synthetic
Dosage
The dosage depends on the clinical situation and should be adjusted to the patient’s needs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
How to use Medicinal air synthetic
In order to be able to use medicinal air, the high pressure in the cylinder must be reduced to the required pressure using a reducing device.
If you need to use medicinal air for a long period, it is recommended that the medicinal air is humidified.
Your healthcare professional will ensure that your medicinal air supply is suitable for your use and that the equipment has been set up correctly so that you receive the right amount of air.
This medicine is a gas for inhalation and is administered with inhaled air via a special device, such as a nasal catheter, a face mask, with a hood that fits around the head or by a tube into the windpipe (tracheotomy). The device must be used as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Any excess air leaves your body through breathing out and is mixed with the surrounding air.
If you are unable to breathe by yourself, you may receive artificial ventilation.
BEFORE USE
- Remove tamper evident seal
- Ensure connecting faces are clean
- Check sealing washer condition
- Open cylinder valve slowly
- Check for leaks
AFTER USE
- Close cylinder valve when not in use
- Close valve slowly with moderate force
Follow your supplier’s instructions, particularly with regard to the following:
- The gas cylinder must not be used if it is visibly damaged or is suspected of having been damaged or exposed to extreme temperatures.
- All contact with oil, grease or other hydrocarbons (like vaseline, vaseline containing creams) must be avoided.
- Only equipment suitable for the specific type of gas cylinder and gas should be used.
- No tongs or other tools should be used to open or close the gas cylinder valve to prevent risk of damage.
- No change to the way the cylinder is packed should be made.
- In the event of leakage, the cylinder valve must be closed immediately, if this is safe to do so. If the valve cannot be closed, the cylinder must be taken to a safe place to let it empty in the open air.
- Valves of empty cylinders must be closed.
- Connections for tubes, valves, etc. must be clean and dry. If necessary, clean them according to the supplier’s instructions.
Do not use any solvents. Use clean, lint-free cloths for cleaning and drying.
- The siphoning of gas under pressure is not permitted.
- Smoking or naked flames are not permitted near gas cylinders.
If you use more Medicinal air synthetic than you should
There are no known risks of overdose with this medicine.
If you forget to use Medicinal air synthetic
Use this medicine as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. possible side effects
There are no known side effects.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme (website: yellowcard). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. how to store medicinal air synthetic
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the gas cylinder after “do not use after” or “exp”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
The following safety precautions must be followed when storing the gas cylinders:
- Store between –20°C and +65°C.
- Store in a vertical position. For cylinders with a rounded base, store horizontally or in a crate.
- Protect from falling or shock, by taking appropriate precautions such as securing the cylinders or placing them in a crate.
- Protect from sunlight. Store in a well ventilated room that is intended exclusively for storage of medicinal gases.
- Keep away from combustible materials.
- Gas cylinders containing different type of gas or composition should be stored separately.
- Full and empty gas cylinders should be stored separately.
- Gas cylinders must not be stored close to sources of heat.
- Store cylinders under cover and protected against the effects of weather.
- Close valves of gas cylinders after use.
- Return gas cylinders to supplier when empty.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What Medicinal air synthetic contains
The active substance is oxygen 21.75% v/v The other ingredient is nitrogen
What Medicinal air synthetic looks like and contents of the pack
- Medicinal air synthetic is an inhalation gas. The gas is colourless, odourless and tasteless.
- Medicinal air synthetic is stored in gas cylinders under the pressure of 200 bar (at 15°C).
- The cylinders are made of steel or aluminium. The valves are made of brass, steel or aluminium.
- The shoulder of the cylinder is colour-coded in black and white. The colour of the cylinder body is white.
- The gas cylinders, valves and valve outlets conform to relevant EU standards.
- Gas cylinders with a capacity of (x) litres supply (y) litres of air at 15°C and 1 Bar as follows: