Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Metaxall as follows:
- Metaxall, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain, exacerbation of SOB, and difficulty breathing. Low oxygen levels in the body with elevated carbon-di-oxide levels can contribute to altered levels of consciousness, sedation, slow & shallow breathing, severely compromised endurance and exercise tolerance, extreme fatigue, and development of seizures. Severe cases might also lead to emergency situations, such as, respiratory arrest and can result in serious debility and death. This risk with metaxall can be even high when it is taken along with any other products and medications causing central nervous and respiratory depression, such as, alcohol, opioid pain medications, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and sedatives. Metaxall must either be avoided or used with extra caution in individuals with history of breathing issues, such as, asthma and COPD, to prevent development of any episodes of severe SOB and respiratory arrest.
- Metaxall use can sometimes result in poor red blood cell integrity, predisposing the cells to lysis, contributing to development of hemolytic anemia. Anemic individuals can present with pallor of skin, episodes of confusion, dizziness, exacerbated shortness of breath, and compromised endurance. Also, breakdown of red blood cells with metaxall intake, can result in elevated levels of the yellow pigment, bilirubin, in the blood, leading to signs and symptoms of jaundice, such as, itching, dark urine, yellowing of skin and eyes, nausea and vomiting, poor metabolism, and fatigue. Metaxall is contraindicated in individuals with history of hemolytic anemia or used with extreme caution, with close watch maintained for development of symptoms of jaundice and anemia.
- Metaxall use in expectant mothers could increase risk for pregnancy complications. Newborns could also present with harmful side-effects of the medication. Use of metaxall is discouraged in pregnant women, unless the potential benefits of use significantly outweigh the potential risks for the fetus. So, metaxall is either avoided for an alternative safer drug or cautiously administered with careful monitoring for complications during pregnancy and in women planning for pregnancy. Women in the child-bearing age group taking metaxall regularly must employ effective contraceptive measures in order to avoid getting pregnant.
