Hexalen (Altretamine) - Drug Interactions, Contraindications, Overdosage

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Drug Interactions

Concurrent administration of HEXALEN^® capsules and antidepressants of the MAO inhibitor class may cause severe orthostatic hypotension (see Warnings section). Cimetidine, an inhibitor of microsomal drug metabolism, increased altretamine's half-life and toxicity in a rat model.

Data from a randomized trial of HEXALEN^® capsules and cisplatin plus or minus pyridoxine in ovarian cancer indicated that pyridoxine significantly reduced neurotoxicity; however, it adversely affected response duration suggesting that pyridoxine should not be administered with HEXALEN^® capsules and/or cisplatin (1).

OVERDOSAGE

No case of acute overdosage in humans has been described. The oral LD50 dose in rats was 1050 mg/kg and 437 mg/kg in mice.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

HEXALEN^® capsules is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to it. HEXALEN^® capsules should not be employed in patients with preexisting severe bone marrow depression or severe neurologic toxicity. HEXALEN^® capsules has been administered safely, however, to patients heavily pretreated with cisplatin and/or alkylating agents, including patients with preexisting cisplatin neuropathies. Careful monitoring of neurologic function in these patients is essential.