ARSENIC TRIOXIDE

 ARSENIC TRIOXIDE

BRAND NAME:- Trisenox injection,

ARSENIC TRIOXIDE has been a traditional poison for ages,and  is a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of refractory or relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia in patients with prior retinoid and anthracycline chemotherapy.

PHARMACOLOGICAL & MECHANISM OF ACTION:-

Arsenic has been a traditional poison for ages. Ehrlich produced oraganic arsenicals for cure of syphilis,and some organic arsenicals were used in amoebiasis till 1960s. Recently, therapeutic value of small doses of arsenic trioxide in APL has been recognized . It probably acts by enhancing reactive oxygen free radical generation in APL cells . It is primarily used in resistant/ relapsed cases of APL after tretinoin treatment. Lately ,arsenic trioxide is also being included in the 1st line therapy of APL along with tretinoin+ an anthracycline, particularly in high risk cases and in those who have initial WBC count of > 10,000/uL. With such triple therapy ~ 90% APL patients have remained in long- trem remission.

Though, arsenic trioxide is absorbed orally.

USE:-

Arsenic trioxide is used to treat a cancer of the blood and bone marrow called acute promyelocytic (pro-MYE-loe-SIT-ik) leukemia, or APL. 

Arsenic trioxide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Arsenic trioxide is sometimes given in combination with another medicine called tretinoin. 

DOSE :- it is administered as 0.15 mg/kg daily i.v. infusion till remission is induced or maximum 2 months.

FURTHER TREATMENT MAY BE GIVEN AFTER A GAP.

SIDE EFFECTS:-

common side effects are nausea, dizziness, malaise, fatigue,sensory disturbances, effusions, breathlessness, hyperglycemia, Q-T prolongation, A-V block.