- State officials desire quick-response emergency capability to treat
suspected and known cyanide poisoning -
NAPA, Calif., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Dey, L.P. today announced that the
Florida Department of Health, Office of Emergency Operations, will stock
Cyanokit(R) 5g (hydroxocobalamin for injection) ANTIDOTE for Cyanide
Poisoning in the State's emergency medical service (EMS) and fire vehicles
through a federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security. As the
only FDA-approved treatment that can be given to victims of suspected
cyanide poisoning, Cyanokit provides emergency first-responders with a
critical care medication to treat patients immediately at the scene of a
fire or other accident as well as in a hospital emergency room.(1)
Studies have shown that cyanide, a common but often unrecognized toxic
chemical found in fire smoke, may play a significant role in causing the
deaths of smoke inhalation victims.(2) In the United States, smoke
inhalation is responsible for up to 10,000 civilian and firefighter deaths
and more than 20,000 injuries annually.(3)(4)
"It is critical that we do whatever we can to enhance the safety of
Florida's first response personnel and the victims they care for in
emergencies involving potential exposure to cyanide," said Dr. Joe Nelson,
State EMS Medical Director. "Because cyanide poisoning acts very quickly,
the immediate quick response capability that Cyanokit provides at the scene
of an emergency will be critical in treating known or suspected victims of
cyanide poisoning. Inclusion of Cyanokit in our EMS and fire vehicles will
help protect both our emergency first responders and Florida's citizens."
"Florida's stocking of Cyanokit in its EMS and fire vehicles reflects a
recognition by State officials that first responders need to be prepared to
treat cyanide poisoning immediately in an emergency," said Carolyn Myers,
Ph.D., President of Dey, L.P. "The ability to treat suspected cases of
cyanide poisoning at the scene of a fire or other accident gives potential
victims a much-needed measure of safety when survival can be measured in
minutes."
About Cyanokit(R) 5g (hydroxocobalamin for injection) ANTIDOTE(1)
Cyanokit is indicated for the treatment of known or suspected cyanide
poisoning. If clinical suspicion of cyanide poisoning is high, Cyanokit
should be administered without delay.
Important Safety Information
Prior to administration of Cyanokit, smoke-inhalation victims should be
assessed for: exposure to fire or smoke in an enclosed area; presence of
soot around the mouth, nose or oropharynx; altered mental status.
Use caution in the management of patients with known anaphylactic
reactions to hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin. Allergic reactions may
include: anaphylaxis, chest tightness, edema, urticaria, pruritus, dyspnea,
and rash.
Most common adverse reactions (>5%) are transient and include
chromaturia (red-colored urine), erythema (skin redness), rash, increased
blood pressure, nausea, headache, decreased lymphocyte percent, and
injection site reactions. Usage may interfere with some clinical laboratory
evaluations.
If the decision is made to administer another antidote with Cyanokit,
these drugs should not be administered in the same IV line. The safety of
simultaneous administration has not been established.
Please see full Prescribing Information at http://www.cyanokit.com or call
800-755-5560 and ask for Customer Service.
About Dey, L.P.
Dey, L.P., a subsidiary of Mylan Inc. (NYSE: MYL), is a specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and
marketing of prescription drug products for the treatment of respiratory
diseases, respiratory-related allergies, and emergency care medicine. As
the U.S. leader in sales of nebulized respiratory medication, Dey, L.P.
puts patients first through its development of innovative and affordable
therapies. The Web sites for Dey, L.P. include http://www.dey.com,
http://www.accuneb.com, http://www.curosurfusa.com, http://www.cyanokit.com, http://www.duoneb.com,
http://www.epipen.com and http://www.perforomist.com.
Cyanokit is a registered trademark of Merck Sante s.a.s. Cyanokit is
distributed exclusively in the United States by Dey, L.P. of Napa, CA.
Media Contacts:
Dey, L.P. Media Line
800-755-5560, ext. 8363
OR
Nicole Arens
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
202-729-4069
Nicole.arens@ogilvypr.com
References
1 Full Prescribing Information for Cyanokit.
2 "Report of the Investigation Committee into the Cyanide Poisonings of
Providence Firefighters," May 30, 2006.
3 "Cyanide: Understanding the Risk, Enhancing Preparedness, RTI
International," Clinical Toxicology 47-63.
4 Inna Leybell, "Toxicity, Cyanide," Emedicine from WebMD,
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic118.htm (last updated May 18, 2006).
SOURCE Dey, L.P.
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Related links:
http://www.dey.com
http://www.cyanokit.com
CONTACT:
Dey, L.P. Media Line, +1-800-755-5560, ext.
8363, or Nicole Arens of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide,
+1-202-729-4069, Nicole.arens@ogilvypr.com, for Dey, L.P.
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