Leukemias, lymphomas, and other hematologic cancers:

Indications for: MYLERAN

Palliative treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Adult Dosage:

Remission induction: 4–8mg/day or 60micrograms/kg or 1.8mg/m2, daily. Reserve doses >4mg/day for severe cases. Reduce dose or discontinue at first sign of reduced bone marrow reserve. Discontinue before leukocyte count normalizes; see literature. Normal leukocyte counts usually achieved in 12–20 weeks. If remission <3 months, maintenance therapy of 1–3mg/day may be advisable.

Children Dosage:

Remission induction: 60micrograms/kg or 1.8mg/m2, daily. Reduce dose or discontinue at first sign of reduced bone marrow reserve. Discontinue before leukocyte count normalizes. Normal leukocyte counts usually achieved in 12–20 weeks. See literature.

MYLERAN Warnings/Precautions:

Confirm diagnosis. Monitor hepatic and bone marrow function. Obtain CBCs and differential weekly; monitor for anemia. Previously compromised bone marrow (irradiation, chemotherapy). Seizure disorder or risk. Head trauma. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat.D), nursing mothers: not recommended.

MYLERAN Classification:

Alkylating agent.

MYLERAN Interactions:

Myelosuppression increased with other myelosuppressives. Increased pulmonary toxicity with other cytotoxic drugs. Potentiated by itraconazole, cyclophosphamide (see literature). May be antagonized by phenytoin. Hepatotoxicity possible with long-term continuous thioguanine therapy. Caution with drugs that lower seizure threshold.

Adverse Reactions:

See literature. Bone marrow suppression (eg, pancytopenia, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia), pulmonary toxicity, cellular dysplasia, malignant tumors, acute leukemias, cardiac tamponade (esp. in thalassemia), hyperpigmentation, adrenal insufficiency, seizures, hepatic veno-occlusive disease, infection (eg, pneumonia, sepsis), mucositis, myasthenia gravis, gonadal suppression, rash; rare: cataracts, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (discontinue if occurs).

How Supplied:

Tabs—25