Trabectedin
Description
Trabectedin is an anticancer agent which is used in the treatment of a rare type of cancer called liposarcoma, that affects the fatty tissues in the body. It should be used only under the supervision of a qualified physician. Close monitoring of kidney function and blood cell count is necessary while receiving this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Trabectedin
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Irregular heartbeat
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Fever
- Muscle pain or stiffness
- Headache
- Itching of skin
- Nausea and vomiting
Uses of Trabectedin
What is it prescribed for?
- Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma
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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. All 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. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Trabectedin or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All 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. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Bonemarrow suppression
This medicine may cause bone marrow suppression which in turn lowers the white blood cell count (neutrophils) and platelets. Close monitoring of blood cell count is necessary. The baseline of the blood cell count should be obtained before initiation of the treatment. Do not start the treatment if the counts are less.
Injection site reactions
Intravenous infusion of this medicine may cause injection site reactions when infused through peripheral venous line. Administration through central venous line is preferred. Close monitoring of the infusion site for possible infiltration during drug administration is recommended.
Cardiac Dysfunction
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with cardiac dysfunction since it may increase the risk of cardiac failure, congestive heart failure, ejection fraction decreased, diastolic dysfunction, or right ventricular dysfunction. Report any signs or symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close clinical monitoring of cardiac function is recommended. Permanent discontinuation of treatment is recommended for symptomatic cardiomyopathy or persistent left ventricular dysfunction that does not recover to a lower limit of normal within 3 weeks.
Capillary Leak Syndrome (CLS)
Use of this medicine may cause Capillary Leak Syndrome manifested with unexplained edema with or without hypotension. Report any unusual signs or symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close clinical monitoring is recommended while receiving this medicine.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired kidney function since it may increase the risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of the kidney function tests is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function since it may increase the risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of the liver function tests is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Rhabdomyolysis
This medicine should be used with caution in patients at risk for rhabdomyolysis since it may worsen the condition. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatinine levels should be checked before initiating therapy. Appropriate dose adjustments and frequent clinical monitoring are advised.
Use in Children
This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness 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 of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. 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
Leflunomide
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Etanercept
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Deferiprone
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with cardiac disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual signs or symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of cardiac function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Permanent discontinuation of treatment is recommended for symptomatic cardiomyopathy or persistent left ventricular dysfunction that does not recover to a lower limit of normal within 3 weeks. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Regular monitoring of the liver function tests is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired kidney function due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of the kidney function tests is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Rhabdomyolysis
This medicine should be used with caution in patients who are at risk for rhabdomyolysis since it may worsen the condition. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatinine levels should be checked before initiating therapy. Appropriate dose adjustments and frequent clinical monitoring are advised. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice consumption during treatment with this medicine since it may increase the risk of side effects that affect bone marrow function, resulting in low numbers of different types of blood cells. Report any symptoms such as paleness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, unusual bleeding or bruising, fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, or other flu-like symptoms to your doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments and frequent clinical monitoring are advised in such cases.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine. It should be given in multiple cycles. It is important to receive every scheduled dose. The blood cells count and kidney function should be assessed before starting the treatment. Any signs and symptoms of kidney, heart and liver dysfunction should be reported to the doctor on priority.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Trabectedin works by interfering and disrupting with the function of DNA and cell cycle. As a result, helps in inhibiting the growth of the tumor.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, Alkylating agents
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
Trabectedin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
Treatment With YONDELIS® (trabectedin) [Internet]. YONDELIS® (trabectedin). 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. National Cancer Institute. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Feb 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.