Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit.
Mitomycin should be given intravenously only, using care to avoid extravasation of the compound. If extravasation occurs, cellulitis, ulceration, and slough may result.
Each vial contains either mitomycin 5 mg and mannitol 10 mg, mitomycin, 20 mg and mannitol 40 mg or mitomycin 40 mg and mannitol 80 mg. To administer, add Sterile Water for Injection, 10 mL, 40 mL or 80 mL respectively. Shake to dissolve. If product does not dissolve immediately, allow to stand at room temperature until solution is obtained.
After full hematological recovery (see guide to dosage adjustment) from any previous chemotherapy, the following dosage schedule may be used at 6 to 8 week intervals:
20 mg/m 2 intravenously as a single dose via a functioning intravenous catheter.
Because of cumulative myelosuppression, patients should be fully reevaluated after each course of mitomycin, and the dose reduced if the patient has experienced any toxicities. Doses greater than 20 mg/m 2 have not been shown to be more effective, and are more toxic than lower doses.
The following schedule is suggested as a guide to dosage adjustment:
| Nadir After Prior Dose |
| Leukocytes/mm 3 |
Platelets/mm 3 |
Percentage of
Prior Dose
To Be Given |
| >4000 |
>100,000 |
100% |
| 3000–3999 |
75,000–99,999 |
100% |
| 2000–2999 |
25,000–74,999 |
70% |
| <2000 |
<25,000 |
50% |
No repeat dosage should be given until leukocyte count has returned to 4000/mm 3 and a platelet count to 100,000/mm 3. When mitomycin is used in combination with other myelosuppressive agents, the doses should be adjusted accordingly. If the disease continues to progress after two courses of mitomycin, the drug should be stopped since chances of response are minimal.
STABILITY
- Unreconstituted mitomycin stored at room temperature is stable for the lot life indicated on the package. Avoid excessive heat (over 40°C, 104°F).
- Reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection to a concentration of 0.5 mg per mL, mitomycin is stable for 14 days refrigerated or 7 days at room temperature.
- Diluted in various I.V. fluids at room temperature, to a concentration of 20 to 40 micrograms per mL:
| I.V. Fluid |
Stability |
| 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection |
12 hours |
| Sodium Lactate Injection |
24 hours |
- The combination of mitomycin (5 mg to 15 mg) and heparin (1,000 units to 10,000 units) in 30 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection is stable for 48 hours at room temperature.
Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer drugs should be considered. Several guidelines on this subject have been published. 1-8 There is no general agreement that all of the procedures recommended in the guidelines are necessary or appropriate.
