Mitomycin
Description
Mitomycin is an antineoplastic agent which is used in combination with other medicines for the treatment of stomach and pancreatic cancer in patients who have not adequately responded to other medications, surgeries, or radiotherapy. It may also be used in combination with other medicines to treat cancers of the female breast, urinary bladder, prostate, skin, lungs, liver, head, and neck, or certain types of blood cancers.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Mitomycin
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Black or tarry stools
- Decrease in white blood cells and platelets
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness and general discomfort
- Hair loss or thinning of the hair
- Dizziness
- Decreased urination
- Cough
- Swelling of ankles or feet
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rash
Uses of Mitomycin
What is it prescribed for?
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Thrombocytopenia
The medicine is not recommended for use in patients with low platelet counts due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient’s condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to mitomycin or any other active ingredients present along with the formulation.
Coagulation disorders
The medicine is not recommended for use in patients with coagulation disorders (conditions that affect the normal blood's clotting activities) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient’s condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established. However, the doctor may prescribe this medicine in certain circumstances if the benefits outweigh the risk. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before administering this medicine.
Risk of infections
Use of this medicine may weaken the immune system and may make you more vulnerable to infections. It is advised that you avoid coming in contact with people suffering from an infection while receiving this medicine.
Liver diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Lung impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a compromised lung function due to the increased risk of lung toxicity. Close monitoring of lung function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Kidney diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may rarely cause dizziness or lack of energy in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any dizziness or lack of energy during or immediately after treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss any scheduled session, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Etanercept
Ganciclovir
Azathioprine
Clozapine
Disease interactions
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Infections
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of recurrent infections due to the increased risk of myelosuppression. Initiation of therapy with this medicine in patients with active infections is not recommended. Patients susceptible to infections should be monitored closely during treatment with this medicine. An alternative treatment option may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by stopping the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antibiotics/antineoplastics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 13 December 2018]. Available from:
Mitomycin [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 13 December 2018]. Available from:
Mitomycin-C Kyowa - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 13 December 2018]. Available from:
Mitomycin: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 13 December 2018]. Available from:
Mitomycin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 12 September 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 12 Sep 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.