Cardioprotective agent for intravenous administration for use in conjunction with anthracyclines to decrease the formation of oxgen free radicals.
Protects myocytes from anthracycline induced apoptosis.
Reduces the incidence and severity of cardiomyopathy associated with doxorubicin administration in women with metastatic breast cancer who have received a cumulative doxorubicin dose of 300 mg/m2 and who will continue to receive doxorubicin therapy to maintain tumor control.
Adminstered as a short IV infusion prior to doxorubicin at a dose of 10 mg per 1 mg of doxorubicin.
Efficacy as a cardioprotectant demonstrated by cardiac function tests, endomyocardial biopsies, MUGA scans, and electrocardiograms.
Has been demonstrated to preserve cardiac function with anthracycline doses to >1000 mg/m2.
Use does not effect chemotherapy response rates.
Relative risk of developing heart failure in children and adults tretaed with doxorubicin is 0.29 with use of this drug.
Can be used for anthracycline extravasation.
For extravasation should be used within 6 hours of event.
98% efficacy for biopsy proven clinical trials and prevents the need for surgical debridement, postponement of subsequent chemotherapy and avoid long term rehabilitation needs.
For extravasation administration as IV infusion daily for three days.
Adverse events include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatits, bone marrow suppression and altered liver functions.