What is in this leaflet?
This leaflet answers some common questions about Medicinal Oxygen. It contains only some information, and does not take the place of talking to your doctor or appropriate healthcare professional.
All medicines may assist you, but sometimes there are risks. Your doctor or healthcare professional has weighed up the risks of you using Medicinal Oxygen against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any questions about using Medicinal Oxygen, ask your doctor.
Keep this leaflet with you as you may want to read it again.
What Medicinal Oxygen is used for?
Medicinal Oxygen is used for breathing, to treat or prevent oxygen deficiency.
It is usually given by a doctor, anaesthetist, dentist, ambulance officer or nurse via a mask or nasal prongs. When directed by a doctor, Medicinal Oxygen can be used in your home.
Medicinal Oxygen works by increasing uptake and concentrating oxygen in your tissues.
Your doctor may prescribe Medicinal Oxygen for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Medicinal Oxygen has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you use Medicinal Oxygen
When you must not use it:
WARNING: MEDICINAL OXYGEN WILL BOOST BURNING AND MAY INCREASE THE CHANCE OF FIRE.
DO NOT use Medicinal Oxygen if:
a. You are smoking.
b. You are near open flames.
c. You are cooking.
Do not use Medicinal Oxygen if the cylinder is damaged or has the tamper evident plastic seal removed.
Before you start to use it
You must tell your doctor if:
- You are a smoker.
- You have had any reaction to Medicinal Oxygen therapy.
- You have or have had any other health problems or Medicinal conditions, including:
- Severe lung disease such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
- You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
- You are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed.
Care should be taken when using Medicinal Oxygen because it is stored at high pressure in the gas cylinder.
Medicinal Oxygen helps fires to start and burn. You MUST consider your safety in areas where oxygen can concentrate, as this increases the risk of fire.
Please discuss this with your doctor if you have any questions.
Taking other medicines
Advise your doctor if you are being treated with bleomycin or amiodarone (Cordarone X®). You must tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
If you have a dry nose or other problems, please speak to your chemist or doctor. DO NOT use petroleum jelly (Vaseline®) or any other products around your nose, on or near the equipment.
How to use Medicinal Oxygen
Medicinal Oxygen should only be used under the supervision of your doctor or healthcare professional.
How much to use and how to use it
The amount of Medicinal Oxygen you need will be decided by your doctor. It is given by breathing it through a mask or nasal prongs.
If you are elderly or have lung problems, you may need a lesser amount of Medicinal Oxygen. Your doctor will decide this for you.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully, and do not modify the flow of Medicinal Oxygen.
If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor for help.
How long to use it?
Your doctor will decide how long you need to use Medicinal Oxygen.
If you use too much (overdose)
As Medicinal Oxygen is given to you under the supervision of your doctor, anaesthetist, ambulance officer, dentist or nurse, it is very unlikely you will receive an overdose.
If you have any questions, ask your doctor.
After you have used Medicinal Oxygen
Things you must not do
You must not smoke, or be near naked flames such as candles, gas stoves etc or sources of fire such as matches or lighters.
Side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Medicinal Oxygen. If you experience being sleepy all the time, you may be suffering from over administration. Contact your doctor for advice.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following and they worry you:
- Soreness in the chest with dry cough or any breathing difficulties.
- Problems with eyesight
- Dry nose, mouth or sore ears
- Nausea
These side effects are usually mild.
Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:
- Breathing problems
- Convulsions
These are serious side effects and you may need urgent Medicinal attention. Serious side effects are rare.
If any of the above happens, tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Ask your doctor if you don’t understand anything in this list.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
After using Medicinal Oxygen
Storage
Medicinal Oxygen is stored as a compressed gas in cylinders.
For safety, store cylinders in well ventilated areas and not in small enclosed spaces.
Disposal
Do not discard empty or damaged cylinders.
All cylinders are to be returned to the supplier whose details are printed on the product label.
Product Description
What it looks like
Medicinal Oxygen (O2) is an odourless, colourless gas supplied in all white cylinders (white body with a white shoulder). Cylinder sizes include 0.16, 0.27, 0.46, 0.47, 0.59, 0.76, 1.00, 1.50, 4.10, 4.20, 10.30, 41.20, 41.70, 63.00, 82.40, and 123.60 (m3). Medicinal Liquid Oxygen is stored in in the bulk liquid form and then supplied via a reticulated gas distribution system within healthcare facilities which is available in the gaseous form from the wall outlet.
Ingredients
Active Ingredient:
Oxygen: ≥ 99.5 % v/v min
Excipients:
None
Name and Address of Sponsor & Supplier
Air Liquide Australia Limited
Royal Domain Centre
Level 9, 380 St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 3004
Australia
Australian Registration Number
Oxygen - AUST R 32749 (Compressed)
Oxygen – AUST R 32744 (Liquid)
This leaflet was prepared on July 2019
Version Number: 1
Published by MIMS October 2019