Mitoxantrone
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 10, 2022.
MitoXANTRONE should be given slowly into a freely flowing IV infusion and must never be given subQ, IM, or intra-arterially. Not for intrathecal use; severe injury with permanent sequelae can result from intrathecal administration. Except for the treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, therapy generally should not be given to patients with baseline neutrophil counts of less than 1500 cells/mm(3). Cardiotoxicity, potentially fatal, has been associated with treatment. Presence or history of cardiovascular disease, prior or concomitant radiotherapy to the mediastinal/pericardial area, previous therapy with other anthracyclines or anthracenediones, or concomitant use of other cardiotoxic drugs may increase the risk of cardiac toxicity. Monitor cardiac function (cardiac signs/symptoms and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)) in all patients during therapy. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have a baseline LVEF below the lower limit of normal should not receive mitoXANTRONE. Monitor MS patients for cardiac function prior to each dose. Do not give additional doses if clinically significant drop in LVEF during treatment and do not administer a cumulative dose greater than 140 mg/m(2) in MS patients. When mitoXANTRONE therapy is withdrawn, late-occurring cardiotoxicity should be evaluated on an annual basis in MS patients. MitoXANTRONE therapy in MS patients and in cancer patients increases the risk of developing secondary acute myeloid leukemia .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Novantrone
- OTN Mitoxantrone
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Uses for mitoxantrone
Mitoxantrone injection is used alone or together with other medicines to treat advanced prostate cancer and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). It belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastics or cancer medicines. Mitoxantrone is also used to treat some forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Mitoxantrone will not cure MS, but it may extend the time between relapses.
Mitoxantrone interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by mitoxantrone, other unwanted effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some unwanted effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.
Before you begin treatment with mitoxantrone, you and your doctor should talk about the good mitoxantrone will do as well as the risks of using it.
Mitoxantrone is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Before using mitoxantrone
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For mitoxantrone, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to mitoxantrone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the lab..
