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Action/Kinetics:
The mechanism, metabolism, and excretion are not known. Well absorbed from the GI tract.
Uses:
Polycythemia vera; chronic granulocytic leukemia in clients refractory to busulfan.
Additional Contraindications:
Children under 15 years of age. Lactation. Bone marrow depression due to chemotherapy or X rays.
Special Concerns:
Bone marrow depression may not occur for 4 or more weeks after therapy is started.
Side Effects:
Hematologic: Leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia.
GI: N&V;, diarrhea, abdominal cramps.
Dermatologic: Skin rashes.
Overdose Management:
Symptoms: Hematologic toxicity, especially with chronic overdosage.
Treatment: Monitor hematologic status; if necessary, begin vigorous supportive treatment.
How Supplied:
Tablet: 25 mg
Dosage
?Tablets
Polycythemia vera.
1 mg/kg/day. Up to 1.5-3 mg/kg/day may be required in clients refractory to other treatment; do not use such doses until a dose of 1 mg/kg/day has been given for at least 30 days with no improvement. When hematocrit has been reduced to 50%-55%,
maintenance dosage of 100-200 mcg/kg is instituted.
Chronic granulocytic leukemia.
Initial: 1.5-2.5 mg/kg/day;
maintenance: 7-175 mg/day, to be instituted when leukocyte count approaches 10,000/mm
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