pain . coma . confusion . cytarabine syndrome . dizziness . drowsiness . haemorrhage . hepatic disorders . hyperbilirubinaemia . neurotoxicity . neurotoxicity rash . neutropenia . pancreatitis . personality change . pulmonary

oedema .reticulocytopenia .rhabdomyolysis . seizure . tremor

l CONCEPTION AND CONTRACEPTION Contraceptive advice

required, see Pregnancy and reproductive function in

Cytotoxic drugs p. 888.

l PREGNANCY Avoid (teratogenic in animal studies). See

also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs

p. 888.

l BREAST FEEDING Discontinue breast-feeding.

l HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT

Dose adjustments Reduce dose—consult product literature.

l MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

▶ Haematological monitoring Cytarabine is a potent

myelosuppressant and requires careful haematological

monitoring.

l NATIONAL FUNDING/ACCESS DECISIONS

DEPOCYTE ®

Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) decisions

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has advised (July 2007)

that liposomal cytarabine suspension (DepoCyte ®) is not

recommended for use within NHS Scotland for the

intrathecal treatment of lymphomatous meningitis.

l MEDICINAL FORMS There can be variation in the licensing of

different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available

from special-order manufacturers include: solution for

injection

Solution for injection

▶ Cytarabine (Non-proprietary)

Cytarabine 20 mg per 1 ml Cytarabine 100mg/5ml solution for

injection Cytosafe vials | 5 vial P £20.48 (Hospital only)

Cytarabine 500mg/25ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £19.50

Cytarabine 100mg/5ml solution for injection vials | 5 vial P £30.00 (Hospital only) | 5 vial P £20.98

Cytarabine 500mg/25ml solution for injection Cytosafe vials | 1 vial P £19.50 (Hospital only)

Cytarabine 100 mg per 1 ml Cytarabine 1g/10ml solution for

injection Cytosafe vials | 1 vial P £39.00 (Hospital only)

Cytarabine 1g/10ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £40.00–

£49.78 (Hospital only) | 1 vial P £37.05–£39.00

Cytarabine 500mg/5ml solution for injection vials | 5 vial P £100.00 (Hospital only) | 5 vial P £89.78

Cytarabine 100mg/1ml solution for injection vials | 5 vial P £26.93

Cytarabine 2g/20ml solution for injection Cytosafe vials | 1 vial P £77.50 (Hospital only)

Cytarabine 2g/20ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £79.00–

£98.92 (Hospital only) | 1 vial P £73.63–£77.50

Suspension for injection

▶ DepoCyte (Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd)

Cytarabine liposomal pegylated 10 mg per 1 ml DepoCyte

50mg/5ml suspension for injection vials | 1 vial P £1,223.75

(Hospital only)

Combinations available: Daunorubicin with cytarabine, p. 900

Decitabine 31-Jul-2018

l DRUG ACTION Decitabine is a pyrimidine analogue.

l INDICATIONS AND DOSE

Treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia in

patients over 65 years of age who are not candidates for

standard induction chemotherapy

▶ BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION

▶ Elderly: (consult local protocol)

l CAUTIONS History of severe congestive heart failure . history of unstable cardiac disease

l INTERACTIONS → Appendix 1: decitabine

l SIDE-EFFECTS

▶ Common or very common Anaemia . diarrhoea . epistaxis . fever. headache . hypersensitivity . increased risk of

infection . leucopenia . nausea . neutropenia . sepsis . stomatitis .thrombocytopenia . vomiting

▶ Uncommon Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis . pancytopenia

▶ Frequency not known Gastrointestinal disorders . interstitial lung disease

l CONCEPTION AND CONTRACEPTION Men must avoid

fathering a child during and for 3 months after treatment.

l PREGNANCY Avoid (teratogenic in animal studies). See

also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs

p. 888.

l BREAST FEEDING Discontinue breast-feeding.

l HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT Manufacturer advises caution—no

information available.

l RENAL IMPAIRMENT Manufacturer advises caution if

creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute—no

information available.

l MEDICINAL FORMS There can be variation in the licensing of

different medicines containing the same drug.

Powder for solution for infusion

ELECTROLYTES: May contain Potassium, sodium

▶ Dacogen (Janssen-Cilag Ltd)

Decitabine 50 mg Dacogen 50mg powder for concentrate for

solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £970.86

Fludarabine phosphate

l INDICATIONS AND DOSE

Initial treatment of advanced B-cell chronic lymphocytic

leukaemia (CLL) or after first line treatment in patients

with sufficient bone-marrow reserves

▶ BY MOUTH

▶ Adult: 40 mg/m2 for 5 days every 28 days, usually given

for 6 cycles

▶ BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION

▶ Adult: (consult product literature)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

RISKS OF INCORRECT DOSING OF ORAL ANTI-CANCER MEDICINES

See Cytotoxic drugs p. 888.

l CONTRA-INDICATIONS Haemolytic anaemia

l CAUTIONS Increased susceptibility to skin cancer. worsening of existing skin cancer

CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION

▶ Immunosuppression Fludarabine has a potent and prolonged

immunosuppresive effect. Patients treated with

fludarabine are more prone to serious bacterial,

opportunistic fungal, and viral infections, and prophylactic

therapy is recommended in those at risk. To prevent

potentially fatal transfusion-related graft-versus-host

reaction, only irradiated blood products should be

administered. Prescribers should consult specialist

literature when using highly immunosuppressive drugs.

Co-trimoxazole is used to prevent pneumocystis

infection.

l INTERACTIONS → Appendix 1: fludarabine

l SIDE-EFFECTS

GENERAL SIDE-EFFECTS

▶ Common or very common Anaemia . appetite decreased . asthenia . bone marrow depression (may be cumulative). chills . cough . diarrhoea . fever. increased risk of infection . malaise . mucositis . nausea . neoplasms . nerve disorders .

BNF 78 Cytotoxic responsive malignancy 909

Immune system and malignant disease

8

neutropenia . oedema . stomatitis .thrombocytopenia . vision disorders . vomiting

▶ Uncommon Autoimmune disorder. confusion . haemorrhage .tumour lysis syndrome

▶ Rare or very rare Agitation . arrhythmia . coma . heart

failure . seizure . severe cutaneous adverse reactions

(SCARs)

SPECIFIC SIDE-EFFECTS

▶ Common or very common

▶ With oral use Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

(PML). skin reactions . viral infection reactivation

▶ With parenteral use Rash

▶ Uncommon

▶ With oral use Acquired haemophilia . crystalluria . dyspnoea . electrolyte imbalance . haemolytic anaemia . hyperuricaemia . metabolic acidosis .renal failure . respiratory disorders

▶ With parenteral use Pulmonary toxicity

▶ Frequency not known

▶ With parenteral use Encephalopathy . intracranial

haemorrhage

l CONCEPTION AND CONTRACEPTION Manufacturer advises

effective contraception during and for at least 6 months

after treatment in men or women.

l PREGNANCY Avoid (embryotoxic and teratogenic in animal

studies). See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in

Cytotoxic drugs p. 888.

l BREAST FEEDING Discontinue breast-feeding.

l RENAL IMPAIRMENT Avoid if creatinine clearance less than

30 mL/minute.

Dose adjustments Reduce dose by up to 50% if creatinine

clearance 30–70 mL/minute.

l MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

▶ Monitor for signs of haemolysis.

▶ Monitor for neurological toxicity.

▶ Assess creatinine clearance in patients over 65 years

before treatment initiation.

l DIRECTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION Concentrate for

intravenous injection or infusion must be diluted before

administration (consult product literature).

l NATIONAL FUNDING/ACCESS DECISIONS

NICE decisions

▶ Fludarabine monotherapy for the first-line treatment of

chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (February 2007) NICE TA119

Fludarabine monotherapy is not recommended for the

first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

www.nice.org.uk/TA119

▶ Fludarabine for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic

leukaemia (September 2001) NICE TA29

Oral fludarabine is recommended for the second-line

treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in

patients who have either failed, or are intolerant of, first

line chemotherapy, and who would otherwise have

received combination chemotherapy of either:

. cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and

prednisolone (CHOP)

. cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisolone (CAP)

or

. cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone (CVP)

Intravenous fludarabine should only be used when oral

fludarabine is contra-indicated.

www.nice.org.uk/TA29

Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) decisions

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has advised (October

2006) that fludarabine is accepted for restricted use for the

treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

in patients with sufficient bone marrow reserves. First-line

treatment should only be initiated in patients with

advanced disease, Rai stages III/IV (Binet stage C), or Rai

stages I/II (Binet stage A/B) where the patient has diseaserelated symptoms or evidence of progressive disease.

l MEDICINAL FORMS There can be variation in the licensing of

different medicines containing the same drug.

Solution for injection

▶ Fludarabine phosphate (Non-proprietary)

Fludarabine phosphate 25 mg per 1 ml Fludarabine phosphate

50mg/2ml concentrate for solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £156.00 (Hospital only) | 1 vial P £155.00

Tablet

▶ Fludara (Sanofi)

Fludarabine phosphate 10 mg Fludara 10mg tablets | 15 tablet P £302.48 (Hospital only) | 20 tablet P £403.31

(Hospital only)

Powder for solution for injection

▶ Fludarabine phosphate (Non-proprietary)

Fludarabine phosphate 50 mg Fludarabine phosphate 50mg

powder for solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £155.00 (Hospital

only)

▶ Fludara (Sanofi)

Fludarabine phosphate 50 mg Fludara 50mg powder for solution

for injection vials | 5 vial P £735.34 (Hospital only)

Fluorouracil 22-May-2019

l INDICATIONS AND DOSE

Treatment of some solid tumours including gastrointestinal tract cancers and breast cancer | In

combination with folinic acid in advanced colorectal

cancer

▶ BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION,

OR BY INTRA-ARTERIAL INFUSION

▶ Adult: (consult product literature)

l CONTRA-INDICATIONS Bone marrow depression (after

treatment with radiotherapy or other antineoplastic

agents). complete or near complete absence of

dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity (increased risk

of severe, life-threatening, or fatal toxicity)—consult

product literature . serious infections

l CAUTIONS History of heart disease . partial

dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency—consult

product literature

l INTERACTIONS → Appendix 1: fluorouracil

l SIDE-EFFECTS

▶ Common or very common Agranulocytosis . alopecia . anaemia . anal inflammation . appetite decreased . asthenia . bone marrow disorders . bronchospasm . diarrhoea . gastrointestinal disorders . haemorrhage . hand

and foot syndrome (long term use). healing impaired . immunosuppression . increased risk of infection . ischaemic heart disease . leucopenia . malaise . mucositis . nausea . neutropenia . skin reactions . stomatitis . thrombocytopenia . vomiting

▶ Uncommon Arrhythmias . cardiac inflammation . cardiogenic shock . cardiomyopathy congestive . dehydration . dizziness . drowsiness . euphoric mood . eye

disorders . eye inflammation . headache . heart failure . hepatic disorders . hypotension . movement disorders . myocardial infarction . nail discolouration . nail disorders . nerve disorders . ovulation disorder. parkinsonism . photosensitivity reaction . sepsis . spermatogenesis

disorder. vision disorders

▶ Rare or very rare Biliary sclerosis . cardiac arrest. cerebral

ischaemia . cholecystitis . coma . confusion . embolism and

thrombosis . encephalopathy . fever. muscle weakness . peripheral vascular disease .renal failure . seizure . speech

impairment. sudden cardiac death

▶ Frequency not known Vein discolouration

910 Cytotoxic responsive malignancy BNF 78

Immune system and malignant disease

8

l CONCEPTION AND CONTRACEPTION Contraceptive advice

required, see Pregnancy and reproductive function in

Cytotoxic drugs p. 888.

l PREGNANCY Avoid (teratogenic). See also Pregnancy and

reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 888.

l BREAST FEEDING Discontinue breast-feeding.

l HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT Manufacturer advises caution

(increased risk of hyperammonaemia and

hyperammonaemic encephalopathy).

Dose adjustments Manufacturer advises consider dose

reduction.

l RENAL IMPAIRMENT Manufacturer advises caution

(increased risk of hyperammonaemia and

hyperammonaemic encephalopathy).

Dose adjustments Manufacturer advises consider dose

reduction.

l PRE-TREATMENT SCREENING Manufacturer advises

genotyping of the DPYD gene to identify patients at

increased risk for severe toxicity—consult product

literature.

l MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Manufacturer advises

monitor cardiac function regularly

l HANDLING AND STORAGE Caution in handling—irritant to

tissues.

l MEDICINAL FORMS There can be variation in the licensing of

different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available

from special-order manufacturers include: solution for

injection

Solution for injection

▶ Fluorouracil (Non-proprietary)

Fluorouracil (as Fluorouracil sodium) 25 mg per 1 ml Fluorouracil

500mg/20ml solution for injection vials | 10 vial P £64.00

(Hospital only)

Fluorouracil 250mg/10ml solution for injection vials | 5 vial P £24.00 (Hospital only)

Fluorouracil (as Fluorouracil sodium) 50 mg per 1 ml Fluorouracil

1g/20ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £12.16–£12.80

Fluorouracil 500mg/10ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £6.08–£6.40 | 5 vial P £32.00 (Hospital only)

Solution for infusion

▶ Fluorouracil (Non-proprietary)

Fluorouracil (as Fluorouracil sodium) 25 mg per 1 ml Fluorouracil

2.5g/100ml solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £32.00 (Hospital

only) | 1 vial P £32.00

Fluorouracil (as Fluorouracil sodium) 50 mg per 1 ml Fluorouracil

5g/100ml solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £64.00 (Hospital

only) | 1 vial P £60.80–£64.00

Fluorouracil 2.5g/50ml solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £32.00

(Hospital only) | 1 vial P £30.40–£32.00

Gemcitabine 23-Jul-2018

l INDICATIONS AND DOSE

First-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic

non-small cell lung cancer (as monotherapy in elderly

patients and in palliative treatment; otherwise in

combination with cisplatin)| Treatment of locally

advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer | Treatment of

advanced or metastatic bladder cancer (in combination

with cisplatin)| Treatment of locally advanced or

metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer which has relapsed

after a recurrence-free interval of at least 6 months

following previous platinum-based therapy (in

combination with carboplatin)| Treatment of metastatic

breast cancer which has relapsed after previous

chemotherapy including an anthracycline (in

combination with paclitaxel)

▶ BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION

▶ Adult: (consult local protocol)

l INTERACTIONS → Appendix 1: gemcitabine

l SIDE-EFFECTS

▶ Common or very common Alopecia . anaemia . appetite

decreased . asthenia . back pain . bone marrow depression . chills . constipation . cough . diarrhoea . drowsiness . dyspnoea . fever. haematuria . headache . hyperhidrosis . influenza like illness . insomnia . leucopenia . myalgia . nausea . neutropenia . oedema . oral disorders . proteinuria .rhinitis . skin reactions .thrombocytopenia . vomiting

▶ Uncommon Respiratory disorders

▶ Rare or very rare Capillary leak syndrome . hypotension . myocardial infarction . posterior reversible

encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). severe cutaneous

adverse reactions (SCARs). skin ulcer.thrombocytosis

▶ Frequency not known Arrhythmias . colitis ischaemic . gangrene . haemolytic uraemic syndrome . heart failure . hepatic disorders . pulmonary oedema .radiation injuries . renal failure . stroke . vasculitis

SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Gemcitabine

should be discontinued if signs of microangiopathic

haemolytic anaemia occur.

l CONCEPTION AND CONTRACEPTION Manufacturer advises

effective contraception during treatment. Men must avoid

fathering a child during and for 6 months after treatment.

l PREGNANCY Avoid (teratogenic in animal studies). See

Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs

p. 888.

l BREAST FEEDING Discontinue breast-feeding.

l HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT Manufacturer advises caution

(limited information available).

l RENAL IMPAIRMENT Manufacturer advises caution.

l NATIONAL FUNDING/ACCESS DECISIONS

NICE decisions

▶ Gemcitabine for the treatment of pancreatic cancer (May

2001) NICE TA25

Gemcitabine is an option for first-line chemotherapy for

patients with advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of

the pancreas and a Karnofsky score of at least 50

[Karnofsky score is a measure of the ability to perform

ordinary tasks].

Gemcitabine is not recommended for patients who can

have potentially curative surgery. There is insufficient

evidence to support its use for second-line treatment of

pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA25

▶ Gemcitabine for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer

(January 2007) NICE TA116

Gemcitabine, in combination with paclitaxel, is an option

for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer only when

docetaxel monotherapy or docetaxel plus capecitabine are

also considered appropriate.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA116

▶ Bevacizumab in combination with gemcitabine and

carboplatin for the treatment of the first recurrence of

platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer (May 2013)

NICE TA285

Bevacizumab in combination with gemcitabine and

carboplatin is not recommended within its marketing

authorisation, that is, for the treatment of the first

recurrence of platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer

(including fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer)

that has not been previously treated with bevacizumab or

other vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors

or VEGF receptor-targeted agents.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA285

▶ Topotecan, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride,

paclitaxel, trabectedin and gemcitabine for treating recurrent

ovarian cancer (April 2016) NICE TA389

Gemcitabine, in combination with carboplatin, is not

recommended for treating the first recurrence of

platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.

BNF 78 Cytotoxic responsive malignancy 911

Immune system and malignant disease

8

Patients currently receiving gemcitabine in combination

with carboplatin should have the option to continue their

treatment until they and their clinician consider it

appropriate to stop.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA389

▶ Paclitaxel as albumin-bound nanoparticles with gemcitabine

for untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer (September 2017)

NICE TA476

Gemcitabine with paclitaxel as albumin-bound

nanoparticles (nab-paclitaxel) is recommended as an

option for untreated metastatic adenocarcinoma of the

pancreas in adults, only if:

. other combination chemotherapies are unsuitable and

they would otherwise have gemcitabine monotherapy,

and

. the manufacturer provides nab-paclitaxel with the

discount agreed in the patient access scheme.

Patients whose treatment with nab-paclitaxel was started

before this guidance was published, should have the

option to continue treatment until they and their NHS

clinician consider it appropriate to stop.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA476

Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) decisions

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has advised (December

2006) that gemcitabine (Gemzar ®) is accepted for

restricted use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of

metastatic breast cancer, which has relapsed following

previous chemotherapy including an anthracycline (unless

contra-indicated).

l MEDICINAL FORMS There can be variation in the licensing of

different medicines containing the same drug.

Solution for infusion

▶ Gemcitabine (Non-proprietary)

Gemcitabine (as Gemcitabine hydrochloride)

200 mg Gemcitabine 200mg/2ml concentrate for solution for

infusion vials | 1 vial P £6.40

Gemcitabine 200mg/5.26ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials

| 1 vial P £30.56 (Hospital only)

Gemcitabine (as Gemcitabine hydrochloride) 1 gram Gemcitabine

1g/26.3ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £152.67 (Hospital only)

Gemcitabine 1g/25ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £13.09

Gemcitabine 1g/10ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £13.09

Gemcitabine (as Gemcitabine hydrochloride) 2 gram Gemcitabine

2g/50ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £26.86

Gemcitabine 2g/20ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £26.86

Gemcitabine 2g/52.6ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £305.36 (Hospital only)

Gemcitabine (as Gemcitabine hydrochloride) 10 mg per

1 ml Gemcitabine 1.6g/160ml infusion bags | 1 bag P £140.00

Gemcitabine 2.2g/220ml infusion bags | 1 bag P £200.00

Gemcitabine 2g/200ml infusion bags | 1 bag P £180.00

Gemcitabine 1.2g/120ml infusion bags | 1 bag P £120.00

Gemcitabine 1.8g/180ml infusion bags | 1 bag P £160.00

Powder for solution for infusion

▶ Gemcitabine (Non-proprietary)

Gemcitabine (as Gemcitabine hydrochloride)

200 mg Gemcitabine 200mg powder for solution for infusion vials |

1 vial P £32.00–£32.55 (Hospital only) | 1 vial P £30.56–

£32.00

Gemcitabine (as Gemcitabine hydrochloride) 1 gram Gemcitabine

1g powder for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £162.00–

£162.76 (Hospital only) | 1 vial P £148.26–£162.00

Gemcitabine (as Gemcitabine hydrochloride) 2 gram Gemcitabine

2g powder for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £324.00

(Hospital only) | 1 vial P £324.00–£393.82

Mercaptopurine

(6-Mercaptopurine)

l INDICATIONS AND DOSE

Severe acute Crohn’s disease | Maintenance of remission of

Crohn’s disease | Ulcerative colitis

▶ BY MOUTH

▶ Adult: 1–1.5 mg/kg daily, some patients may respond

to lower doses

Acute leukaemias | Chronic myeloid leukaemia

▶ BY MOUTH USING TABLETS

▶ Adult: Initially 2.5 mg/kg daily, adjusted according to

response, alternatively initially 50–75 mg/m2 daily,

adjusted according to response

▶ BY MOUTH USING ORAL SUSPENSION

▶ Adult: Initially 25–75 mg/m2 daily, adjusted according

to response

DOSE ADJUSTMENTS DUE TO INTERACTIONS

▶ Manufacturer advises reduce dose to one-quarter of

the usual dose with concurrent use of allopurinol.

DOSE EQUIVALENCE AND CONVERSION

▶ Mercaptopurine tablets and Xaluprine ® oral

suspension are not bioequivalent, haematological

monitoring is advised when switching formulations.

l UNLICENSED USE Not licensed for use in severe ulcerative

colitis and Crohn’s disease.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

SAFE PRACTICE

Mercaptopurine has been confused with mercaptamine;

care must be taken to ensure the correct drug is

prescribed and dispensed.

RISKS OF INCORRECT DOSING OF ORAL ANTI-CANCER MEDICINES

See Cytotoxic drugs p. 888.

l CONTRA-INDICATIONS Absent thiopurine

methyltransferase activity

l CAUTIONS Reduced thiopurine methyltransferase activity

CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION

▶ Thiopurine methyltransferase The enzyme thiopurine

methyltransferase (TPMT) metabolises thiopurine drugs

(azathioprine, mercaptopurine, tioguanine); the risk of

myelosuppression is increased in patients with reduced

activity of the enzyme, particularly for the few individuals

in whom TPMT activity is undetectable. Patients with

absent TPMT activity should not receive thiopurine drugs;

those with reduced TPMT activity may be treated under

specialist supervision.

l INTERACTIONS → Appendix 1: mercaptopurine

l SIDE-EFFECTS

▶ Common or very common Anaemia . appetite decreased . bone marrow depression . diarrhoea . hepatic disorders . hepatotoxicity (more common at high doses). leucopenia . nausea . oral disorders .thrombocytopenia . vomiting

▶ Uncommon Arthralgia . fever. increased risk of infection . neutropenia . pancreatitis .rash

▶ Rare or very rare Alopecia . face oedema . intestinal ulcer. neoplasms . oligozoospermia

▶ Frequency not known Photosensitivity reaction

l CONCEPTION AND CONTRACEPTION Contraceptive advice

required, see Pregnancy and reproductive function in

Cytotoxic drugs p. 888.

l PREGNANCY Avoid (teratogenic). See also Pregnancy and

reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 888.

l BREAST FEEDING Discontinue breast-feeding.

912 Cytotoxic responsive malignancy BNF 78

Immune system and malignant disease

8

l HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT

Dose adjustments May need dose reduction.

l RENAL IMPAIRMENT

Dose adjustments Reduce dose.

l PRE-TREATMENT SCREENING Consider measuring

thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity before

starting mercaptopurine therapy.

l MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monitor liver function.

l PRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING INFORMATION Flavours of

oral liquid formulations may include raspberry.

l MEDICINAL FORMS There can be variation in the licensing of

different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available

from special-order manufacturers include: tablet, capsule, oral

suspension

Oral suspension

EXCIPIENTS: May contain Aspartame

▶ Xaluprine (Nova Laboratories Ltd)

Mercaptopurine 20 mg per 1 ml Xaluprine 20mg/ml oral suspension

| 100 ml P £170.00 DT = £170.00

Tablet

▶ Mercaptopurine (Non-proprietary)

Mercaptopurine 10 mg Mercaptopurine 10mg tablets | 100 tablet P s

Mercaptopurine 50 mg Mercaptopurine 50mg tablets | 25 tablet P £49.15 DT = £49.15

Methotrexate 01-Feb-2019

l DRUG ACTION Methotrexate inhibits the enzyme

dihydrofolate reductase, essential for the synthesis of

purines and pyrimidines.

l INDICATIONS AND DOSE

Severe Crohn’s disease

▶ BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION

▶ Adult: Initially 25 mg once weekly until remission

induced; maintenance 15 mg once weekly

Maintenance of remission of severe Crohn’s disease

▶ BY MOUTH

▶ Adult: 10–25 mg once weekly

Moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis

▶ BY MOUTH

▶ Adult: 7.5 mg once weekly, adjusted according to

response; maximum 20 mg per week

Severe active rheumatoid arthritis

▶ BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION, OR BY SUBCUTANEOUS

INJECTION

▶ Adult: Initially 7.5 mg once weekly, then increased in

steps of 2.5 mg once weekly, adjusted according to

response; maximum 25 mg per week

Neoplastic diseases

▶ BY MOUTH, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION, OR BY

INTRAVENOUS INFUSION, OR BY INTRA-ARTERIAL INFUSION,

OR BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION, OR BY INTRATHECAL

INJECTION

▶ Adult: (consult product literature)

Severe psoriasis unresponsive to conventional therapy

(specialist use only)

▶ BY MOUTH, OR BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION, OR BY

INTRAVENOUS INJECTION, OR BY SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION

▶ Adult: Initially 2.5–10 mg once weekly, then increased

in steps of 2.5–5 mg, adjusted according to response,

dose to be adjusted at intervals of at least 1 week; usual

dose 7.5–15 mg once weekly, stop treatment if

inadequate response after 3 months at the optimum

dose; maximum 30 mg per week

l UNLICENSED USE Not licensed for use in severe Crohn’s

disease.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Note that the dose is a weekly dose. To avoid error with

low-dose methotrexate, it is recommended that:

. the patient is carefully advised of the dose and

frequency and the reason for taking methotrexate and

any other prescribed medicine (e.g. folic acid);

. only one strength of methotrexate tablet (usually

2.5 mg) is prescribed and dispensed;

. the prescription and the dispensing label clearly show

the dose and frequency of methotrexate

administration;

. the patient is warned to report immediately the onset

of any feature of blood disorders (e.g. sore throat,

bruising, and mouth ulcers), liver toxicity (e.g. nausea,

vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and dark urine), and

respiratory effects (e.g. shortness of breath).

l CONTRA-INDICATIONS Active infection (in non-malignant

conditions). ascites . immunodeficiency syndromes (in

non-malignant conditions). significant pleural effusion

l CAUTIONS Photosensitivity—psoriasis lesions aggravated

by UV radiation (skin ulceration reported). diarrhoea . extreme caution in blood disorders (avoid if severe). peptic

ulceration .risk of accumulation in pleural effusion or

ascites— drain before treatment. ulcerative colitis . ulcerative stomatitis

CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION

▶ Blood count Bone marrow suppression can occur abruptly;

factors likely to increase toxicity include advanced age,

renal impairment, and concomitant use with another antifolate drug (e.g. trimethoprim). A clinically significant

drop in white cell count or platelet count calls for

immediate withdrawal of methotrexate and introduction

of supportive therapy.

▶ Gastro-intestinal toxicity Withdraw treatment if stomatitis

develops—may be first sign of gastro-intestinal toxicity.

▶ Liver toxicity Liver cirrhosis reported. Treatment should not

be started or should be discontinued if any abnormality of

liver function tests or liver biopsy is present or develops

during therapy. Abnormalities can return to normal within

2 weeks after which treatment may be recommenced if

judged appropriate.

▶ Pulmonary toxicity Pulmonary toxicity may be a special

problem in rheumatoid arthritis (patient to seek medical

attention if dyspnoea, cough or fever); monitor for

symptoms at each visit—discontinue if pneumonitis

suspected.

l INTERACTIONS → Appendix 1: methotrexate

l SIDE-EFFECTS

▶ Common or very common

▶ With intrathecal use Necrotising demyelinating

leukoencephalopathy . neurotoxicity

▶ With oral use Anaemia . appetite decreased . diarrhoea . drowsiness .fatigue . gastrointestinal discomfort. headache . increased risk of infection . leucopenia . nausea . oral disorders .respiratory disorders . skin reactions . throat ulcer.thrombocytopenia . vomiting

▶ With parenteral use Anaemia . appetite decreased . chest

pain . cough . diarrhoea . drowsiness . dyspnoea .fatigue . fever. gastrointestinal discomfort. headache . leucopenia . malaise . nausea . oral disorders .respiratory disorders . skin reactions .throat complaints .thrombocytopenia . vomiting

▶ Uncommon

▶ With oral use Agranulocytosis . alopecia . arthralgia . bone

marrow disorders . chills . confusion . cystitis . depression . diabetes mellitus . dysuria . fever. gastrointestinal

disorders . haemorrhage . healing impaired . hepatic

disorders . myalgia . neoplasms . nephropathy .

BNF 78 Cytotoxic responsive malignancy 913

Immune system and malignant disease

8

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