Altretamine

Altretamine

Altretamine is a synthetic cytotoxic antineoplastic drug that’s used as palliative treatment for patients with ovarian cancer.

Pharmacokinetics

Altretamine is well absorbed after oral administration.

Metabolism and excretion

Altretamine is metabolized extensively in the liver and excreted by the liver and kidneys. The parent compound is poorly bound to plasma proteins.

Pharmacodynamics

The exact mechanism of action of altretamine is unknown. However, its metabolites are alkylating drugs.

Pharmacotherapeutics

Altretamine is used as palliative treatment of persistent or recurring ovarian cancer after first-line therapy with cisplatin or an alkylating drug-based combination.

Drug interactions

Altretamine has a few significant interactions with other drugs. Concomitant therapy with cimetidine may increase altretamine’s half-life, increasing the risk of altretamine toxicity.

Warning!

Adverse reactions to aldesleukin

During clinical trials, more than 15% of patients developed adverse reactions to aldesleukin. These include:

• pulmonary congestion and difficulty breathing
• anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia
• elevated bilirubin, transaminase, and alkaline phosphate levels
• hypomagnesemia and acidosis
• reduced or absent urinary output
• elevated serum creatinine level
• stomatitis
• nausea and vomiting.

Don’t mix with MAOI

Use with an MAOI may cause severe orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon rising).