AHFS Class:

10:00 Antineoplastic Agents

Amsacrine is available as a concentrate in vials containing 1.5 mL of a 50-mg/mL solution (75 mg total) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA).⁸⁴⁴ Each amsacrine vial is packaged with a vial containing 13.5 mL of L-lactic acid diluent.⁸⁴⁴

To prepare the drug for use, aseptically add 1.5 mL of the amsacrine concentrate to the vial of L-lactic acid diluent.⁸⁴⁴ The appropriate dose of the resulting solution must be further diluted in at least 500 mL of dextrose 5% for infusion; do not use saline or solutions other than dextrose 5%.⁸⁴⁴

Direct contact of amsacrine solutions with skin or mucous membranes may result in skin sensitization and should be avoided.²³⁴

Trade Name(s)

Amsidine

Amsacrine is administered by intravenous infusion over 60 to 90 minutes.⁸⁴⁴ Extravasation should be avoided.⁸⁴⁴

Intact vials should be stored at temperature not exceeding 25°C and protected from light.⁸⁴⁴ When mixed with the L-lactic acid diluent, the amsacrine solution is stated to be physically and chemically stable for 48 hours when stored at 2 to 25°C.⁸⁴⁴

Diluted solutions for infusion in dextrose 5% are stated to be physically and chemically stable for 48 hours at 2 to 25°C.⁸⁴⁴ Stability has not been demonstrated beyond a total of 48 hours from the first dilution of the concentrate.⁸⁴⁴

Light Effects

The effect of diffuse daylight and fluorescent light on amsacrine 150 mcg/mL in dextrose 5% was studied for 48 hours at 19 to 21°C; no loss due to light exposure occurred.¹³⁰⁸

Syringes

Amsacrine solution reacts with plastic syringes; therefore, glass syringes should be used in the preparation of amsacrine solutions.⁸⁴⁴ The DMA solvent may extract UV-absorbing species from plastics and rubber.⁹⁶⁷

The compatibility of amsacrine (Gödecke) concentrated solution in DMA with rubber-free plastic syringes (Injekt, B. Braun) was evaluated at 37°C and ambient temperature. Storage of the DMA diluent in the plastic syringes resulted in no visible changes to the drug or syringes and did not adversely affect the performance of the syringes. Analysis found a trace amount of oleic acid amide lubricant, about 50 mcg in the 2-mL syringe content, after storage for 24 hours at 37°C. Storage at ambient temperature resulted in substantially lower amounts of oleic acid amide. The authors concluded the rubber-free Injekt plastic syringes were acceptable alternatives to glass syringes to transfer the amsacrine concentrate. Other plastic syringes incorporating rubber components are not recommended because of the extraction of materials into the drug solution.²²⁸⁴

Sorption

Amsacrine 150 mcg/mL in dextrose 5% did not undergo sorption to cellulose propionate and methacrylate butadiene styrene burette chambers and PVC and polybutadiene tubing.¹³⁰⁸

Solution Compatibility

Additive Compatibility

Y-Site Injection Compatibility (1:1 Mixture)

For a list of references cited in the text of this monograph, search the monograph titled References.

ASHP^® Injectable Drug Information^TM. Selected Revisions September 12, 2025. © Copyright, 2025. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.