Indication:
For palliative treatment of Hodgkins disease
Adverse Reaction:
Dermatologic -
Occassionally maculopapular skin eruptions occurs. but this may be idiosyncratic
and dose not necessary recur with subsequent courses of the drug.
Erythema multiforme, have been observed.
Herpes zoster a common complicating infection. may first appear.
Discontinue further treatment during acute phase of illness
GI -
Mechlorethamine is given preferably at night in case sedation for side efects is required.
Nausea and vomoting usually occur 1 o 3 hours after use of the drug..
Emesis may diappear in thr firstb8 hours, but nausea may persist for 24 hours
Premedication with antiemetics in addition to sedatives may help to control severe nausea
GU-
Impaired spermatogenesis, azoospermia and total aplasia have been reported in male patients treated with alkylating agents in combination with other drugs.
Warn patients of the potential to their repoductive capacity
Haematologic-
Produces a lymphocytopenia within 24 hours after the first injection.
Significant granulocytopenia occurs within 6 o 8 days and last for 10 days to 3 weeks
Depression of the hemotopoietic system may be found up to 50 days or more after starting therapy
Miscellaneous -
Hypesensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported.
Contra-Indications:
Infectious disease , previous anaphylactic reactions to mechlorethamine .
Special precautions/ Warnings-
Amyloidosis - Nitrogen mustard may contribute to extensive and raid development of
amyloidosis. Use it if foci of acute and acute and chronic suppurative inflammation are absent.
Tumors- tumors of bone and nervous tissue have responded poorly to therapy.
Concomittant therapy- precautions must be observed with the use of mechloethamine and x-ray therapy or chemotherapy in alternating courses.Haemopoetic function is characterstilcally depresssed by either form of therapy
Immunosuppression- mechloethamine has been reported to have imunosuppressive activity.
Hyperuricemia - may develop during therapywith mechlorethamine
Hematologic - use of mechloethamine in patients with leukopenia , thrombocytopenia and anemia due to invasion of bone marrow by tumor carries a greater risk.
Pregnancy- appraise the patient of the potenial hazard to the fetus. Advice women
of childbearing potential tomavoid becoming pregnant
Lactation- decide whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Children- safety and efficacy in pediatric patients have not been established
Dosages/ Overdosage Etc:
Indication-
For palliative treatment of Hodgkins disease
Leukemia lymphomas, polythemia vera, Mycosa fungoides, Bronchogenic carcinoma IV only
Dosage -
Dosage of mechlorethamine varies with the clinical siuation.
A total dose of 0.4mg/kg of body weight for each course usually given as a single dose or in
divided doses of 0.2 to 0.2mg.kg/ day. Base dosage on ideal dry weight.
Presence of edema or acites must be considered so that dosage will be based on weight
inaugemented by these conditions
Patient Information:
Ref - USP PDI Vol II 17th Edition (1997)
1.Allergies-
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to
mechlorethamine. Also tell your healthcare care professional if you are allergic
to any other substances such as foods. preservatives or dyes.
2.Pregnancy-
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you intend to have children. This
medicine may cause birth defects if the male or the female is receiving it.
Sterility has been reported and it should be borne in mind.
It is best to use some kind of birth control if you are receiving mechlorethamine.
3. Breast-feeding-
Because this medicine may cause serious side effects, breast feeding is not
recommended while you are receiving it.
4.Children-
Although there is no specific information comparing use of mechlorethamine
in children with use in other age groups this medicine is not expected to cause
different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
5.Older adults-
There is no specific information comparing use of mechlorethamine in the elderly
with use in other age groups
6. Other medicines-
Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following -
Amphotericin or
Antithyroid agents or
Azathioprine or
Chloramphenicol or
Colchicine or
Flucytosine or
Ganciclovir or
Interferon
Plicamycin or
Zidovudine - if you ever been treated with radiation or cancer medicines-
mechlorethamine may increase the effects of these medicines or radiation
therapy on the blood.
7. Other medical problems-
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems
especially-
Chickenpox including recent exposure or
Herpes zoster - risk of severe disease affecting other parts of the body.
Gout or
kidney stones - mechlorethamine may increase levels of uric acid in the body.
Infection- mechlorethamine may decrease bodys ability to fight infection
Pregnancy and lactation:
Pregnancy-
Appraise the patient of the potenial hazard to the fetus. Advice women
of childbearing potential tomavoid becoming pregnant
Lactation-
Decide whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug taking into account
the importance of the drug to the mother.
Children-
Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients have not been established
Manufacturer Details