pentostatin (Nipent, DCF, 2'deoxycoformycin)
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Introduction
Tradename: Nipent.
Indications
- treatment of adults with alpha-interferon-refractory hairy cell leukemia
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia[3]
Dosage
- 2 mg/m2/dose
- dosage adjustment for renal insufficiency
- coadministered with mannitol
Powder for injection: 10 mg vial.
Pharmacokinetics
- distributes rapidly to body tissues (Vd 20 L/m2)
- terminal elimination 1/2life: 3-15 hours
- 50-96% recovered in the urine within 24 hours
1/2life = 3-15 hours
Adverse effects
- common (> 10%)
- headache, neurologic disorder, fever, fatigue, chills, pain, rash, nausea/vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, abnormal liver function tests, myalgia, cough, allergic reaction
- less common (> 5%)
- chest pain, arrhythmia, peripheral edema, anxiety, confusion, depression, dizziness, insomnia, lethargy, coma, seizures, malaise, dry skin, eczema, pruritus, constipation, flatulence, stomatitis, weight loss, dysuria, myelosuppression, liver dysfunction, diaphoresis, thrombophlebitis, arthralgia, paresthesia, back pain, weakness, abnormal vision, eye pain, keratoconjunctivitis, ear pain, renal failure, hematuria, bronchitis, dyspnea, lung edema, pneumonia, opportunistic infections, death
Drug interactions
- increased toxicity of vidarabine, fludarabine & allopurinol
Mechanism of action
- inhibits adenosine deaminase Mechanism of drug resistance:
- increased activity of target enzyme adenosine deaminase
More general terms
- purine antimetabolite; antimetabolite; purine analog
- antineoplastic agent (chemotherapeutic agent)
- enzyme inhibitor
Additional terms
- adenosine deaminase (adenosine aminohydrolase, ADA)
- hairy cell leukemia (leukemic reticuloendotheliosis)