Novantrone Disease Interactions

Because of their cytotoxic effects on rapidly proliferating tissues, antineoplastic agents frequently can, to varying extent, induce myelosuppression. The use of these drugs may be contraindicated in patients with known infectious diseases. All patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.

Mitoxantrone can cause myocardial toxicity leading to congestive heart failure (CHF). Patients with preexisting heart disease, prior irradiation, previous therapy with related compounds such as daunorubicin, idarubicin or doxorubicin, or of advanced age are at increased risk of cardiotoxicity at a lower cumulative dose. The incidence of drug-induced congestive heart failure in adults is increased when the total cumulative dose of mitoxantrone exceeds 140 mg/m2. Close clinical monitoring of cardiac function, such as determination of left ventricular ejection fraction, prior to each course of therapy is recommended.

Hepatic impairment reduces mitoxantrone clearance. Patients with severe hepatic dysfunction (bilirubin > 3.4 mg/dL) have an AUC more than three times greater than that of patients with normal hepatic function receiving the same dose. Therapy with mitoxantrone should be administered cautiously to patients with significantly compromised hepatic function.

Mitoxantrone induces myelosuppression when administered at therapeutic doses indicated for treatment of leukemia. Leukopenia is the most profound hematologic side-effect. Thrombocytopenia is rare, but can be severe and erythrocytes do not appear to be significantly affected. Therapy with mitoxantrone should be withheld in patients whose bone marrow function is severely depressed by prior irradiation or chemotherapy or whose marrow function is recovering from previous cytotoxic therapy. If the need outweighs the risk, extreme caution should be exercised in administering mitoxantrone. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting bone marrow suppression such as fever, sore throat, local infection, or bleeding. Close clinical monitory of hematopoietic function is recommended.

Treatment with mitoxantrone may cause hyperuricemia as a result of rapid lysis of tumor cells. Levels of serum uric acid should be monitored and appropriate therapy should be initiated before starting therapy.