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Zepzelca Dosage

Generic name: LURBINECTEDIN .5mg in 1mL
Dosage form: injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution
Drug class: Alkylating agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 28, 2023.

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosage of ZEPZELCA is 3.2 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every 21 days until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Initiate treatment with ZEPZELCA only if absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is at least 1,500 cells/mm3 and platelet count is at least 100,000/mm3.

Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions

The recommended dose reductions for adverse reactions are listed in Table 1. Permanently discontinue ZEPZELCA in patients who are unable to tolerate 2 mg/m2 or require a dose delay greater than two weeks.

Table 1: Dose Reduction for ZEPZELCA for Adverse Reactions

Dose Reduction

Total Dose

First

Second

2.6 mg/m2 every 21 days

2 mg/m2 every 21 days

Dosage modifications for ZEPZELCA for adverse reactions are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Dosage Modifications for ZEPZELCA for Adverse Reactions

Adverse Reaction

Severitya

Dosage Modification

Neutropeniab

[see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

Grade 4

or

Any grade febrile neutropenia
•
Withhold ZEPZELCA until Grade ≤ 1
•
Resume ZEPZELCA at a reduced dose

Thrombocytopenia

[see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

Grade 3 with bleeding

or

Grade 4
•
Withhold ZEPZELCA until platelet ≥ 100,000/mm3
•
Resume ZEPZELCA at reduced dose

Hepatotoxicity

[see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]

Grade 2
•
Withhold ZEPZELCA until Grade ≤ 1
•
Resume ZEPZELCA at same dose

Grade ≥ 3
•
Withhold ZEPZELCA until Grade ≤ 1
•
Resume ZEPZELCA at reduced dose or permanently discontinue

Rhabdomyolysis

[see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]

Grade 2
•
Withhold ZEPZELCA until Grade ≤ 1
•
Resume ZEPZELCA at same dose

Grade ≥ 3
•
Permanently discontinue ZEPZELCA.

Other Adverse Reactions

[see Postmarketing (6.2)]

Grade 2
•
Withhold ZEPZELCA until Grade ≤ 1
•
Resume ZEPZELCA at same dose

Grade ≥ 3
•
Withhold ZEPZELCA until Grade ≤ 1
•
Resume ZEPZELCA at reduced dose or permanently discontinue
a
National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE) version 4.0
b
Patients with isolated Grade 4 neutropenia (neutrophil count less than 500 cells/mm3) may receive G-CSF prophylaxis rather than undergo lurbinectedin dose reduction.

​2.3 Dosage Modifications for Use with Strong CYP3A Inhibitors​

​Avoid coadministration of ZEPZELCA with strong CYP3A inhibitors. If coadministration of ZEPZELCA with a strong CYP3A inhibitor cannot be avoided, reduce the dose of ZEPZELCA by 50% [see Drug Interactions (7.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. After discontinuation of a strong CYP3A inhibitor for 5 half-lives of the inhibitor, increase the ZEPZELCA dose to the dose used before starting the inhibitor.

Premedication

Consider administering the following pre-infusion medications for antiemetic prophylaxis [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]:

•
Corticosteroids (dexamethasone 8 mg intravenously or equivalent)
•
Serotonin antagonists (ondansetron 8 mg intravenously or equivalent)

Preparation, Administration and Storage

ZEPZELCA is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures1.

Preparation

•
Inject 8 mL of Sterile Water for Injection USP into the vial, yielding a solution containing 0.5 mg/mL lurbinectedin. Shake the vial until complete dissolution.
•
Visually inspect the solution for particulate matter and discoloration. The reconstituted solution is a clear, colorless or slightly yellowish solution, essentially free of visible particles.
•
Calculate the required volume of reconstituted solution as follows:
volume calculation
•
For administration through a central venous line, withdraw the appropriate amount of reconstituted solution from the vial and add to an infusion container containing at least 100 mL of diluent (0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection USP or 5% Dextrose Injection USP).
•
For administration through a peripheral venous line, withdraw the appropriate amount of reconstituted solution from the vial and add to an infusion container containing at least 250 mL of diluent (0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection USP or 5% Dextrose Injection USP).

Administration

•
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. If particulate matter is observed, do not administer.
•
ZEPZELCA can be administered with or without an in-line filter. If infusion lines containing in-line filters are utilized for administration of ZEPZELCA, polyethersulfone (PES) in-line filters with pore sizes of 0.22 micron are recommended.
o
Do not use in-line nylon membrane filters when the reconstituted ZEPZELCA solution is diluted using 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. Adsorption of ZEPZELCA to the Nylon membrane filters has been observed when 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP is used as the diluent.
•
Compatibility with other intravenous administration materials and the diluted ZEPZELCA solution has been demonstrated in the following materials:
o
Polyolefin containers (polyethylene, polypropylene and mixtures).
o
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) (non-DEHP-containing), polyurethane and polyolefin infusion sets (polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutadiene).
o
Implantable venous access systems with titanium and plastic resin ports and with polyurethane or silicone intravenous catheters.
•
Do not co-administer ZEPZELCA and other intravenous drugs concurrently within the same intravenous line.

Storage of Infusion Solution

•
If not used immediately after reconstitution or dilution, the ZEPZELCA solution can be stored prior to administration for up to 24 hours following reconstitution, including infusion time, at either room temperature/ ambient light or under refrigeration at 2ºC-8ºC (36ºF-46ºF) conditions.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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