Absorption: Rapidly and completely absorbed from the GI tract.
Distribution: Well distributed to tissues.
Protein Binding: 99%.
Half-Life: 1.5 hr.
Contraindicated in:
Pregnancy
;Use Cautiously in:
Derm: dermatitis, rash
GI: nausea, stomatitis (rare), vomiting
GU:
↓fertility
Hemat:
, LEUKOPENIA,Resp: pulmonary fibrosis
Misc: allergic reactions,
second malignancy
Drug-drug:
Drug-Natural Products:
Monitor for myelosuppression. Assess for bleeding (bleeding gums; bruising; petechiae; guaiac stools, urine, and emesis) and avoid IM injections and taking rectal temperatures if platelet count is low. Apply pressure to venipuncture sites for 10 min. Assess for signs of infection during neutropenia. Anemia may occur. Monitor for ↑ fatigue, dyspnea, and orthostatic hypotension.
Lab Test Considerations:
Monitor CBC with differential before and weekly during course of therapy. Report significant ↓ in granulocyte count. Leukopenia usually occurs around the 3rd wk of therapy and persists for 12 wk after a short course of therapy. The nadir of leukopenia occurs in 714 days after a single high dose, with recovery in 23 wk. The neutrophil count may ↓ for 10 days after last dose. Monitor platelet count throughout therapy. Thrombocytopenia usually occurs around the 3rd wk of therapy and persists for 12 wk after a short course of therapy. The nadir of thrombocytopenia occurs in 12 wk after a single dose, with recovery in 23 wk. Institute thrombocytopenia precautions if platelet count <150,000/mm3.
Instruct patient to report unusual bleeding or bruising. Advise patient of thrombocytopenia precautions (use soft toothbrush, electric razor, and avoid falls; do not drink alcoholic beverages or take medication containing aspirin or NSAIDs because they may precipitate GI bleeding).
Caution patient to avoid crowds and persons with known infections. Health care provider should be informed immediately if symptoms of infection (fever, sore throat, chills, cough, hoarseness, lower back or side pain, difficult or painful urination) or rash occurs.
May cause fetal harm. Advise patient to use reliable form of contraception during therapy. Instruct patient to inform health care provider if pregnancy is planned or suspected and to avoid breastfeeding during therapy. May ↓ fertility.
NDC Code