Overview
11 DESCRIPTION Gleostine (lomustine) is an alkylating drug for oral administration. The chemical name for lomustine is 1-(2-chloro-ethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea and the molecular formula is C 9 H 16 ClN 3 O 2 . The molecular weight is 233.71. Lomustine is a yellow powder, which is soluble in 10% ethanol (0.05 mg per mL) and in absolute alcohol (70 mg per mL). Lomustine is insoluble in water (
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Lomustine alkylates DNA and RNA. As with other nitrosoureas, it may also inhibit several key enzymatic processes by carbamoylation of amino acids in proteins. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics The pharmacodynamics of lomustine are unknown. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Distribution Lomustine crosses the blood-brain barrier. Elimination The serum half-life of lomustine metabolites ranges from 16 hours to 48 hours. Metabolism Metabolic pathways involved in the elimination of lomustine have not been characterized. Excretion Following oral administration of radioactive lomustine at doses ranging from 30 mg/m 2 to 100 mg/m 2 , approximately half of the radioactivity administered was excreted in the urine in the form of degradation products within 24 hours.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Gleostine is an alkylating drug indicated for the treatment of patients with: Brain tumors, primary and metastatic, following appropriate surgical and/or radiotherapeutic procedures. ( 1 ) Hodgkin's lymphoma in combination with other chemotherapies, following disease progression with initial chemotherapy. ( 1 ) 1.1 Brain Tumors Gleostine is indicated for the treatment of patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors following appropriate surgical and/or radiotherapeutic procedures. 1.
Common Doses
- 130 mg
- 10 mg
- 100 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended dose in adult and pediatric patients is 130 mg/m 2 orally every 6 weeks. ( 2.1 ) Round dose to nearest 10 mg. Give as a single oral dose and do not repeat for at least 6 weeks. 2.1 Important Prescribing and Dispensing Information PRESCRIBE ONLY ONE DOSE FOR EACH TREATMENT CYCLE. DO NOT DISPENSE ENTIRE CONTAINER. Dispense only a sufficient number of capsules for one dose. Confirm the total dose prescribed by the physician and the appropriate combination of capsule strengths.
Black Box Warning
WARNING: DELAYED MYELOSUPPRESSION AND RISK OF OVERDOSAGE DELAYED MYELOSUPPRESSION Gleostine causes myelosuppression including fatal myelosuppression. Myelosuppression is delayed, dose-related, and cumulative; occurring 4 to 6 weeks after drug administration and persisting for 1 to 2 weeks. Thrombocytopenia is generally more severe than leukopenia. Cumulative myelosuppression from Gleostine is manifested by greater severity and longer duration of cytopenias. Monitor blood counts for at least 6 weeks after each dose.
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None.
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Delayed myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Risks of overdosage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Pulmonary toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Secondary malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Nephrotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.
Interactions
- No major interactions listed on the FDA label. Always consult a healthcare professional.