What is intrathecal injection used for?

An intrathecal injection can help control pain after surgery. An anesthesiologist injects a single dose of narcotic (opioid) medicine around your spinal cord. One injection will last up to 24 hours after it is given. An intrathecal injection can reduce the amount of other medicines needed to control your pain.

Which drug should never be given intrathecal?

Accidental administration of any vinca alkaloids—especially vincristine but also vinblastine, vinorelbine, or others—via the intrathecal route is nearly always fatal.

Which of the following medications can be safely administered intrathecally?

Currently there are only three medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use via the intrathecal route, ie, morphine, ziconotide, and baclofen.

What is the meaning of intrathecal administration?

Intrathecal administration is where drug is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid (e.g. epidural anesthetics, administration of some cytotoxic drugs to treat brain tumors).

Is intrathecal injection painful?

Intrathecal chemotherapy Because of the short half-life of cytotoxic agents (methotrexate and cytarabine), frequent intrathecal injections (lumbar punctures) are necessary, which are painful and inconvenient for the patient.

Which chemo drugs can be given Intrathecally?

The chemotherapy drugs that are most commonly given intrathecally (with a lumbar puncture) are:

• methotrexate.
• cytarabine.

Why vincristine is not to be given intrathecally?

Vincristine has a high neurotoxicity level. If given intrathecally by accident, it can cause ascending radiculomyeloencephalopathy, which is almost always fatal.

Can you inject into the heart?

Intracardiac injections are injections that are given directly into the heart muscles or ventricles. They can be used in emergencies, although they are rarely used in modern practice.

Is intrathecal same as epidural?

Intrathecal administration is delivered directly into the CSF and into the superifical spinal cord; epidural administration diffuses through the dura into the CSF, and thus has a slower onset of action.

Is intrathecal chemotherapy painful?

After intrathecal chemotherapy Having this treatment is not usually painful. Some people may find it uncomfortable or have a headache for a few hours afterwards. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have a headache, as they can give you mild painkillers to help.

What is the antidote for vincristine?

Hyaluronidase: is the recommended antidote for the extravasation of vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, vinflunine. has been reported to produce positive outcomes for paclitaxel extravasation; if used for a paclitaxel extravasation, no compress is recommended.

What chemo is fatal intrathecally?

Most intrathecal chemotherapy errors involve the accidental injection of vincristine; however, all of the vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vindesine, vinore- lbine, and vincristine) can cause fatal neurologic effects if given intrathecally (World Health Organization, 2007).

Which is the correct definition of intrathecal administration?

cavum subarachnoideale. Anatomical terminology. Intrathecal administration is a route of administration for drugs via an injection into the spinal canal, or into the subarachnoid space so that it reaches the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is useful in spinal anesthesia, chemotherapy, or pain management applications.

Are there any drugs that can be given intrathecally?

Intrathecal chemotherapy Currently, only four agents are licensed for intrathecal chemotherapy They are methotrexate, cytarabine (Ara-C), hydrocortisone, and, rarely, thiotepa. Accidental administration of vincristine via the intrathecal route is nearly always fatal.

What happens if you take vincristine on the intrathecal route?

Accidental administration of any vinca alkaloids —especially vincristine but also vinblastine, vinorelbine, or others—via the intrathecal route is nearly always fatal.

What do you need to know about intrathecal chemotherapy?

Intrathecal chemotherapy is administered during a procedure called a lumbar puncture or through an ommaya reservoir (shunt). Prior to having IT chemotherapy, you will have your labwork done. You need to have a sufficient platelet count to ensure that your blood will clot at the site after the procedure.