Medicinehospital

Doxapram Hcl

Doxapram is an injectable breathing stimulant used after anaesthesia or drug overdose.

Clinical information

Common uses

stimulating breathing after anaesthesia
drug-induced breathing and CNS depression
short-term aid in acute breathing failure in COPD

Common side effects

flushing and sweating
dizziness and headache
cough and rapid breathing
nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
mild to moderate rise in blood pressure

Cautions

not for people with epilepsy or seizure disorders
not with mechanical ventilation, pulmonary embolism or airway obstruction
not with head injury, stroke or severe heart disease
contains benzyl alcohol — toxicity risk in newborns

Interactions

volatile anaesthetics (delay doxapram — heart rhythm risk)

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, doxapram hydrochloride injection label, setid 954859c0-a121-34d6-e053-2a95a90a1e19 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations1

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Doxapram Hcl	Parenteral ( Injection )	20mg/ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital