What is arsenic trioxide used to treat?
Arsenic trioxide is approved to be used with tretinoin to treat: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in patients whose cancer has a certain type of chromosome mutation that affects the PML gene and RARA gene. It is used:
How long is the infusion time for arsenic trioxide treatment?
Estimated total infusion time for this treatment: 1 Up to 2 hours for each arsenic trioxide treatment 2 Infusion times are based on clinical studies, but may vary depending on doctor preference or patient tolerability. More ...
What is the generic name for arsenic trioxide?
In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Trisenox® when referring to the generic drug name Arsenic Trioxide. Drug type: Arsenic Trioxide is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug.
How much does Trisenox cost?
The cost for Trisenox intravenous solution (2 mg/mL) is around $10,186 for a supply of 60 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.
Can APL be completely cured?
The vast majority of patients with APL achieve a complete remission after induction therapy and molecular remission after completion of consolidation therapy.
Is arsenic trioxide a chemotherapy?
Arsenic trioxide is a chemotherapy drug and is also called Trisenox or ATO. It is a treatment for a type of acute myeloid leukaemia called acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL).
Does arsenic trioxide cause hair loss?
It does not cause hair loss and is not myelosuppressive in patients with APL. Oncology nurses can play a major role in educating patients about this new drug, explaining its clinical benefits and side effects and the precautions that are necessary for its use.
How is arsenic trioxide administered?
Arsenic trioxide comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected into a vein by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or clinic. Arsenic trioxide is usually injected over 1 to 2 hours, but it may be injected over as long as 4 hours if side effects are experienced during the infusion.
How long can you live with APL leukemia?
APL is now considered a highly curable disease, with 2-year event-free survival rates of 75–84%. Early mortality is common in APL and is frequently related to hemorrhagic complications. Prior to ATRA therapy, early death (ED) related to hemorrhage occurred in up to 26% of cases.
What is the best treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia?
The most important drugs for treating APL are non-chemo drugs called differentiating agents, like all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Other treatments might include chemotherapy (chemo) and transfusions of platelets or other blood products.
What does arsenic trioxide do to the body?
Arsenic trioxide belongs to the general group of medicines called antineoplastics. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed.
Can arsenic trioxide cause infertility?
While it is known from animal studies that high exposure to arsenic during pregnancy may cause infertility and miscarriages (Golub et al, 1998), no information is available on the effects of arsenic on human fertility for APL patients who received arsenic as front-line therapy and conceived after treatment.
Is arsenic trioxide poison?
Arsenic trioxide is readily absorbed if ingested or inhaled, but only slowly absorbed through the skin. Toxicity usually results from ingestion. Acute signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cerebral edema, tachycardia, dysrhythmias, and hypovolemic shock.
Is ATRA a chemotherapy?
ATRA is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug.
What causes APL leukemia?
APL is caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of promyelocytes, a type of immature cell from the myeloid lineage of blood cells. The hallmark of APL is genetic alterations involving the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) gene.
How do you recover from arsenic poisoning?
The currently recommended treatment is 2-3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonate (DMPS) or meso 2, 3-dimer-captosuccinic acid (DMSA). These are more water soluble than BAL, and can be administered orally with lower toxicity [Mazumder et.
How much does a free drug card save?
The free Drugs.com Discount Card works like a coupon and can save you up to 80% or more off the cost of prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs and pet prescriptions.
Is Trisenox a generic?
Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans. A generic version of Trisenox is available, see arsenic trioxide prices. This Trisenox price guide is based on using the Drugs.com discount card which is accepted at most U.S. pharmacies.
How Arsenic Trioxide Is Given
Arsenic trioxide is administered via an intravenous (IV) injection over the course of one or two hours. This may be extended up to four hours if the patient has a vasomotor reaction (lightheadedness, change in blood pressure).
Side Effects of Arsenic Trioxide
Important things to remember about the side effects of Arsenic Trioxide:
Precautions
Before starting arsenic trioxide treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including prescriptions, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.).
Self-Care Tips
Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
Monitoring and testing while taking Arsenic Trioxide
You will be checked regularly by your doctor while you are taking arsenic trioxide, to monitor effects and check your response to therapy. Periodic blood work to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) as well as the function of other organs (such as your kidneys and liver) and your blood electrolytes will also be ordered by your doctor.
How Arsenic Trioxide Works
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element widely distributed in the earth's crust. In the environment, arsenic is combined with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur to form inorganic arsenic compounds. Arsenic in animals and plants combines with carbon and hydrogen to form organic arsenic compounds.
More About Arsenic Trioxide
Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
Clinical Trials Accepting Patients
Find Clinical Trials for Arsenic Trioxide - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.
How to Take Arsenic Trioxide
Arsenic trioxide is given by intravenous (into a vein) infusion. Your specific dose will depend on your body size. Your treatment schedule will depend upon where you are in your treatment course.
Possible Side Effects
There are a number of things you can do to manage the side effects of arsenic trioxide. Talk to your care team about these recommendations. They can help you decide what will work best for you. These are some of the most common or important side effects:
