[Improvement of epirubicin-induced phlebitis to switch from liquid preparation to lyophilized formulation].
Adjuvant chemotherapy containing epirubicin is commonly used to treat patients with pre- or post-operative breast cancer. It is known that the epirubicin(FarmorubicinRTU)preparation often caused phlebitis, whereas dexamethasone has been used to prevent that reaction. We examined whether the lyophilized formulation of epirubicin(Farmorubicin)can reduces the incidence of phlebitis compared with the preparation. All infusions were administered through a peripheral vein. Adverse drug reaction including phlebitis was evaluated after each infusion and at the subsequent visit to four or six cycles. Sixty-two patients were given the preparation and 35 the lyophilized formulation. Epirubicininduced phlebitis was observed in 45.7% of patients given the preparation and in 48.4% of those given the lyophilized formulation. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(p=0.41). However, the incidence of severe phlebitis requiring treatment with steroid ointment was significantly increased among patients treated with the preparation(27.4% vs 9.7%, p<0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse drug reactions other than severe phlebitis between the two groups. In this study, lyophilized formulations of epirubicin significantly reduced the incidence of severe phlebitis compared with that among patients receiving the preparation. Using lyophilized formulations of epirubicin should be considered to prevent a reduction in QOL with epirubicin-induced phlebitis in patients with breast cancer.
Suga
Yukio
Y
Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Japan.
Kumazaki
Masafumi
M
Nishigami
Jun
J
Takeda
Kazuyoshi
K
Kawagishi
Atsufumi
A
Ishizaki
Junko
J
Inokuchi
Masafumi
M
Miyamoto
Ken-Ichi
K
Arai
Kunizo
K
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004304:Dosage Forms; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors
D004304:Dosage Forms; D015251:Epirubicin; D003907:Dexamethasone