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Collagenase (Monograph)

Brand name: Collagenase Santyl
Drug class: Skin and Mucous Membrane Agents, Miscellaneous
ATC class: D03BA02
VA class: DE900
CAS number: 9001-12-1

Introduction

Enzymatic debriding agent derived from Clostridium histolyticum.

Uses for Collagenase

Wound Debridement

Used to promote debridement of necrotic tissue in the treatment of severe burns and dermal ulcers including decubitus ulcers.

Collagenase Dosage and Administration

Administration

Apply ointment topically to wound.

Do not introduce ointment into major body cavities (e.g., pleural or peritoneal cavities).

Topical Administration

Apply ointment directly to the wound or to a sterile gauze pad which is then applied to the wound and properly secured.

Use caution to restrict application to the lesion; avoid applying to healthy skin. (See Local Effects under Cautions.)

Prior to each application, cleanse wound with a gauze pad saturated with 0.9% sodium chloride solution or a compatible cleansing agent to remove necrotic material and follow with a normal saline solution rinse. (See Compatibility under Stability.)

Avoid detergents, solutions containing heavy metal ions, or acidic solutions. If such materials are used, carefully cleanse site with repeated normal saline solution rinses prior to application. (See Enzyme Inactivation under Cautions and see Compatibility under Stability.)

Remove as much loosened detritus as can be done readily with forceps and scissors. If clinically indicated, cross-hatch thick eschar with a #10 scalpel blade.

If infection is present, apply a topical antibiotic powder to the lesion prior to the application of collagenase. (See Compatibility under Stability.) If infection does not respond to combined therapy, discontinue collagenase until infection has resolved.

Dosage

Adults

Wound Debridement
Topical

Apply once daily to wound.

Apply more frequently if the dressing becomes soiled (e.g., due to incontinence).

Discontinue when debridement of necrotic tissue is complete and granulation tissue is well established.

Special Populations

No special population dosage recommendations at this time.

Cautions for Collagenase

Contraindications

Warnings/Precautions

General Precautions

Enzymatic Inactivation

Collagenase is potentially irreversibly inactivated at pH <5 and reversibly inactivated at pH ≥8.5; activity can be restored by return of pH to 7.4.

Collagenase can be destroyed by other proteolytic enzymes or by exposure to temperatures >56°C.

Enzymatic activity is adversely affected by detergents, heavy metal ions (e.g., mercury or silver), and povidone iodine.

Infection Risk

Possible risk of systemic bacterial infection; closely monitor debilitated patients for evidence of systemic bacterial infection (e.g., fever, chills, tachycardia).

Local Effects

Slight erythema may develop in surrounding tissue, especially if ointment is not confined to lesion being treated.

Specific Populations

Lactation

Not known if distributed into human milk.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established.

Common Adverse Effects

Slight erythema.

Stability

Storage

Topical

Ointment

<25°C.

Compatibility

Topical

For information on interactions resulting from concomitant use, see Enzymatic Inactivation under Cautions.

Drug and Chemical Compatibility

Compatible

Bacitracin

Polymyxin B

Incompatible

Detergents

Heavy metal ions (e.g., mercury, silver)

Povidone iodine

Solution Compatibility

Compatible

Dakin’s Solution

Hydrogen peroxide

Sodium chloride 0.9%

Actions

Advice to Patients

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

Collagenase

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Topical

Ointment

250 units/g

Collagenase Santyl (in white petrolatum)

Health Point

AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2024, Selected Revisions January 1, 2008. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

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