DRUG NEWS
ELITEK
The rapid rise of plasma uric acid levels is a main feature of tumor lysis syndrome, which occurs soon after treatment of hematologic malignancies, especially in children. These patients are at risk for acute renal failure from precipitation of uric acid crystals in the kidneys.
Elitek (rasburicase) rapidly converts uric acid into a substance that the kidneys can readily excrete. A genetically engineered urate oxidase enzyme, Elitek is approved for the initial management of plasma uric acid levels in children with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor malignancies who are receiving anticancer therapy expected to result in tumor lysis.
The recommended dosage is 0.15 or 0.2 mg/kg as a single daily dose for 5 days. Each dose is administered via IN. infusion over 30 minutes.
Elitek is contraindicated in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. The drug may cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and methemoglobinemia.
Elitek is a product of SanofiSynthelabo.
Copyright Springhouse Corporation Dec 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved
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