Drug Detail:Ellence (Epirubicin [ ep-i-roo-bi-sin ])
Generic Name: EPIRUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE 2mg in 1mL
Dosage Form: injection, solution
Drug Class: Antibiotics / antineoplastics
Important Administration Instructions
When possible, to reduce the risk of developing cardiotoxicity in patients receiving ELLENCE after stopping treatment with other cardiotoxic agents, especially those with long half-lives such as trastuzumab, delay ELLENCE-based therapy until the other agents have cleared from the circulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Antiemetics may reduce nausea and vomiting; consider use of antiemetics before administration of ELLENCE or when clinically indicated, particularly when given in conjunction with other emetigenic drugs [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Patients administered the 120 mg/m2 regimen of ELLENCE should receive prophylactic antibiotic therapy.
Recommended Dose
The recommended dose of ELLENCE is 100 to 120 mg/m2 administered as an intravenous bolus [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
The following regimens are recommended:
|
CEF-120: |
Cyclophosphamide |
75 mg/m2 oral on Days 1 to 14 |
|
ELLENCE |
60 mg/m2 intravenously on Days 1 and 8 |
|
|
5-Fluorouracil |
500 mg/m2 intravenously on Days 1 and 8 |
|
|
Repeat every 28 days for 6 cycles |
||
|
FEC-100: |
5-Fluorouracil |
500 mg/m2 intravenously on Day 1 |
|
ELLENCE |
100 mg/m2 intravenously on Day 1 |
|
|
Cyclophosphamide |
500 mg/m2 intravenously on Day 1 |
|
|
Repeat every 21 days for 6 cycles |
||
Administer ELLENCE in repeated 3- to 4-week cycles. The total dose of ELLENCE may be given on Day 1 of each cycle or divided equally and given on Days 1 and 8 of each cycle.
Dose Modifications
ELLENCE dosage adjustments for hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities within a cycle of treatment, is based on nadir platelet counts <50,000/mm3, absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) <250/mm3, neutropenic fever, or Grades 3/4 nonhematologic toxicity. Reduce ELLENCE Day 1 dose in subsequent cycles to 75% of the Day 1 dose given in the current cycle. Delay Day 1 chemotherapy in subsequent courses of treatment until platelet counts are ≥100,000/mm3, ANC ≥1500/mm3, and nonhematologic toxicities have recovered to ≤ Grade 1.
Cardiac Toxicity
Discontinue ELLENCE in patients who develop signs or symptoms of cardiomyopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Bone Marrow Dysfunction
Consider administering a lower starting dose (75–90 mg/m2) for heavily pretreated patients, patients with pre-existing bone marrow depression, or in the presence of neoplastic bone marrow infiltration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. For patients receiving a divided dose of ELLENCE (Day 1 and Day 8), the Day 8 dose should be 75% of Day 1 if platelet counts are 75,000–100,000/mm3 and ANC is 1000 to 1499/mm3. If Day 8 platelet counts are <75,000/mm3, ANC <1000/mm3, or Grades 3/4 nonhematologic toxicity has occurred, omit the Day 8 dose.
Hepatic Impairment
In patients with elevated serum AST or serum total bilirubin concentrations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)], reduce dosage as follows:
- •
- Bilirubin 1.2 to 3 mg/dL or AST 2 to 4 times upper limit of normal 1/2 of recommended starting dose
- •
- Bilirubin > 3 mg/dL or AST > 4 times upper limit of normal 1/4 of recommended starting dose
Preparation and Administration Precautions
Preparation
Storage of the solution for injection at refrigerated conditions can result in the formation of a gelled product. This gelled product will return to a slightly viscous to mobile solution after 2 to a maximum of 4 hours equilibration at controlled room temperature (15–25°C).
Inspect parenteral drug products visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
ELLENCE is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposable procedures1 [see References (15)].
Incompatibilities
Avoid prolonged contact with any solution of an alkaline pH as it will result in hydrolysis of the drug. Do not mix ELLENCE with heparin or fluorouracil due to chemical incompatibility that may lead to precipitation.
ELLENCE can be used in combination with other antitumor agents, but do not mix with other drugs in the same syringe.
Administration
Administer ELLENCE into the tubing of a freely flowing intravenous infusion (0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose solution). Patients receiving initial therapy at the recommended starting doses of 100–120 mg/m2 should generally have ELLENCE infused over 15–20 minutes.
For patients who require lower ELLENCE starting doses due to organ dysfunction or who require modification of ELLENCE doses during therapy, the ELLENCE infusion time may be proportionally decreased, but should not be less than 3 minutes. This technique is intended to minimize the risk of thrombosis or perivenous extravasation, which could lead to severe cellulitis, vesication, or tissue necrosis.
A direct push injection is not recommended due to the risk of extravasation, which may occur even in the presence of adequate blood return upon needle aspiration. Venous sclerosis may result from injection into small vessels or repeated injections into the same vein [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
