Diagnostic  aid

Adverse reaction-

Allergic - allergic reaction manifested as macular rash with reddening and swelling of hands
which subsided rapidly after the infusion was terminated

Hematologic -  rare -apparent decrease in platelet count from 150,000 to 60000

Miscellaneous - non speciific side effects  (2% ) - nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing, numbness and local venous irritation 

Highly allergic tenderness

Specific Precautions/Warnings-

Deficiency of  pitutiary reserve for HGH -  if the insulin hypoglycemia test  has indicated a defeciency of pitutiatary reserve, a test with arginine hydrochloride is advisable to confirm
negative response.
Some patients who respond to arginine do not respond to insulin and vice versa

IV administration - arginine hcl should always be administered by IV because of hypersentivity.

Diagnostic aid - arginine hcl is a diagnostic aid and not intended for therapeutic use.

Excessive infusion rates- may result in local irritation, flushing, nausea or vomiting.

Chloride content - effect of infusing arginine into patients with electrolyte imbalance should
be evaluated before the test is undertaken

Growth hormone levels -  the basal and post stimulation levels of growth hormone are elevated in patients who are taking oral contraceptives

Hypersensitivity - a suitable antihistamine drug should be available in the event of  an allergic reaction  occurs.

Renal function impairment - the effect of an acute amino acid or nitrogen burden upon patients with impairment of renal  function should be considered when arginine hcl is administered

Pregnancy - should not be used during pregnancy

Lactation- caution should be excercised when arginine hcl is administered to breast feeding women.

Children - extreme caution must be excercised when infusing arginine hcl  into pediatric
oatients

Indication

Diagnostic  aid

Dosage-

Adults -  300ml 30g IV

children - 5ml ( 0.5mg ) per kg of body weight IV

Storage- Avoid excessive heat. store at 25C ( 77 F)

Pregnancy -
Should not be used during pregnancy

Lactation-
Caution should be excercised when arginine hcl is administered to breast feeding
women.

Children -                                                                                                                                  Extreme caution must be excercised when infusing arginine hcl  into pediatric
patients