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Ancobon (Flucytosine) - Summary

 
 



WARNING

Use with extreme caution in patients with impaired renal function. Close monitoring of hematologic, renal and hepatic status of all patients is essential. These instructions should be thoroughly reviewed before administration of Ancobon.

 

ANCOBON SUMMARY

Ancobon (flucytosine), an antifungal agent, is available as 250 mg and 500 mg capsules for oral administration. Each capsule also contains corn starch, lactose and talc. Gelatin capsule shells contain parabens (butyl, methyl, propyl) and sodium propionate, with the following dye systems: 250 mg capsules — black iron oxide, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Yellow No. 6, D&C Yellow No. 10 and titanium dioxide; 500 mg capsules — black iron oxide and titanium dioxide.

Ancobon is indicated only in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible strains of Candida and/or Cryptococcus.

Candida: Septicemia, endocarditis and urinary system infections have been effectively treated with flucytosine. Limited trials in pulmonary infections justify the use of flucytosine.

Cryptococcus: Meningitis and pulmonary infections have been treated effectively. Studies in septicemias and urinary tract infections are limited, but good responses have been reported.

Ancobon should be used in combination with amphotericin B for the treatment of systemic candidiasis and cryptococcosis because of the emergence of resistance to Ancobon (See MICROBIOLOGY).


See all Ancobon indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Ancobon (Flucytosine)

Combination flucytosine and high-dose fluconazole compared with fluconazole monotherapy for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis: a randomized trial in Malawi. [2010.02.01]
BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal meningitis is a major cause of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated morbidity and mortality in Africa. Improved oral treatment regimens are needed because amphotericin B is neither available nor feasible in many centers. Fluconazole at a dosage of 1200 mg per day is more fungicidal than at a dosage of 800 mg per day, but mortality rates remain unacceptably high. Therefore, we examined the effect of adding oral flucytosine to fluconazole... CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that optimal oral treatment for cryptococcal meningitis is high-dose fluconazole with flucytosine. Efforts are needed to increase availability of flucytosine in Africa. Clinical trials registration. isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN02725351.

High-dose amphotericin B with flucytosine for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected patients: a randomized trial. [2008.07.01]
BACKGROUND: The standard therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cryptococcal meningitis of amphotericin B (AmB; 0.7 mg/kg per day) plus flucytosine frequently takes >2 weeks to sterilize the cerebral spinal fluid, and acute mortality remains high. A dosage range for AmB of 0.7-1 mg/kg per day is noted in current guidelines, but there are no data comparing 0.7 mg/kg per day with 1 mg/kg per day... CONCLUSIONS: AmB, 1 mg/kg per day, plus flucytosine is more rapidly fungicidal than is standard-dose AmB plus flucytosine. Because of its size, this study provides limited data on any difference in toxicity between the regimens, but toxicities were manageable and reversible. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN68133435 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).

Oral versus intravenous flucytosine in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated cryptococcal meningitis. [2007.03]
In a randomized controlled trial of amphotericin B-based therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cryptococcal meningitis in Thailand, we also compared the mycological efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of oral versus intravenous flucytosine at 100 mg/kg of body weight/day for the initial 2 weeks...

Oral versus intravenous flucytosine in patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. [2006.12.28]
In a randomized controlled trial of amphotericin B based therapy for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in Thailand, we also compared the mycological efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of oral versus intravenous flucytosine at 100 mg/kg/d for the initial 2 weeks... Concentrations of flucytosine with intravenous formulation at 100 mg/kg/d may be in excess of those required for maximal fungicidal activity.

Early empiric antifungal therapy of infections in neutropenic patients comparing fluconazole with amphotericin B/flucytosine. [1999]
We compared the efficacy and tolerability of fluconazole (FCA) with amphotericin B/flucytosine (ABF) in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies. Antifungal therapy started on day 4 when fever was unresponsive to antibiotics or on day 1 together with the antibiotics, if there was evidence of mycosis...

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Ancobon (Flucytosine)

A Pilot Feasibility Study of Oral 5-Fluorocytosine and Genetically-Modified Neural Stem Cells Expressing E.Coli Cytosine Deaminase for Treatment of Recurrent High Grade Gliomas [Completed]

Genetically Modified Neural Stem Cells, Flucytosine, and Leucovorin for Treating Patients With Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas [Recruiting]
This phase I trial studies the side effects and determines the best dose of genetically modified neural stem cells and flucytosine when given together with leucovorin for treating patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas. Neural stem cells can travel to sites of tumor in the brain. The neural stem cells that are being used in this study were genetically modified express the enzyme cytosine deaminase (CD), which converts the prodrug flucytosine (5-FC) into the chemotherapy agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Leucovorin may help 5-FU kill more tumor cells. The CD-expressing neural stem cells are administered directly into the brain. After giving the neural stem cells a few days to spread out and migrate to tumor cells, research participants take a 7 day course of oral 5-FC. (Depending on when a research participant enters the study, s/he may also be given leucovorin to take with the 5-FC.) When the 5-FC crosses into brain, the neural stem cells convert it into 5-FU, which diffuses out of the neural stem cells to preferentially kill rapidly dividing tumor cells while minimizing toxicity to healthy tissues. A Rickham catheter, placed at the time of surgery, will be used to administer additional doses of NSCs every two weeks, followed each time by a 7 day course of oral 5-FC (and possibly leucovorin). This neural stem cell-based anti-cancer strategy may be an effective treatment for high-grade gliomas.

Safety Study of Fluconazole in Combination With Flucytosine for the Treatment of Early Cryptococcal Infection [Terminated]
The purpose of this study is to determine if treatment with two medicines in combination (fluconazole and flucytosine) is safe as compared with one medicine alone (fluconazole) for the treatment of an early infection with a fungus called cryptococcus.

Study Evaluating Efficiency and Tolerance of High-dose Fluconazole Associated With Flucytosine as Induction Therapy for Cryptococcal Meningitis Associated With HIV in Sub-saharan Africa [Recruiting]
The aim of the trial is to demonstrate that in a sub-Saharan African setting, the association of: 1. Oral treatment : high dose of fluconazole (1600mg/d) associated with flucytosine (100 mg/kg/j) as induction therapy 2. lumbar punctures to control intracranial pressure can decrease mortality rate below 35% at 10 weeks. This is a non-randomized open label pilot study, with standardized management of cryptococcoses meningitis and follow-up in Burundi and Ivory Coast. A total of 41 patients will be enrolled.

Trial of TG4023 Combined With Flucytosine in Liver Tumors [Completed]
This trial is a phase I, open-label, dose-escalating study of the safety or percutaneous intra-tumoral injection of TG4023 (MVA-FCU1) combined with systemic administration of 5-fluorocytosine in patients with primary or secondary hepatic tumors.

more trials >>


Page last updated: 2010-10-05

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