Arsenic trioxide (Intravenous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 26, 2022.
Differentiation Syndrome, Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities, and Encephalopathy including Wernicke'sPatients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with arsenic trioxide have experienced symptoms of differentiation syndrome, which may be life-threatening or fatal. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, immediately initiate high-dose corticosteroids and hemodynamic monitoring until resolution. Temporarily withhold arsenic trioxide.Arsenic trioxide can cause QTc interval prolongation, complete atrioventricular block and torsade de pointes, which can be fatal. Before administering arsenic trioxide, assess the QTc interval, correct electrolyte abnormalities, and consider discontinuing drugs known to prolong QTc interval. Do not administer arsenic trioxide to patients with ventricular arrhythmia or prolonged QTc interval. Withhold arsenic trioxide until resolution and resume at reduced dose for QTc prolongation.Serious encephalopathy, including Wernicke’s, has occurred with arsenic trioxide. If Wernicke’s encephalopathy is suspected, immediately interrupt arsenic trioxide and initiate parenteral thiamine. Monitor until symptoms resolve or improve and thiamine levels normalize .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Trisenox
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Uses for arsenic trioxide
Arsenic trioxide injection is used together with another medicine (eg, tretinoin) to treat newly-diagnosed low-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a type of leukemia (cancer of the blood cells). It is also used to treat APL in patients who have not responded to other medication regimens. It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.
Arsenic trioxide belongs to the general group of medicines called antineoplastics. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by arsenic trioxide, other unwanted effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor.
Before you begin treatment with arsenic trioxide injection, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits of arsenic trioxide as well as the risks of using it.
Arsenic trioxide is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Before using arsenic trioxide
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 arsenic trioxide, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to arsenic trioxide 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 label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of arsenic trioxide injection in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 4 years of age receiving arsenic ..
