arsenic trioxide

What is the most important information I should know about arsenic trioxide?

Arsenic trioxide can cause a condition called differentiation syndrome, which affects blood cells and can be fatal if not treated. This condition may occur within 1 days to 2 months after you start taking this medicine.

Arsenic trioxide can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

What is arsenic trioxide?

Arsenic trioxide is used to treat a cancer of the blood and bone marrow called acute promyelocytic (pro-MYE-loe-SIT-ik) leukemia, or APL.

Arsenic trioxide is sometimes given in combination with another medicine called tretinoin.

Arsenic trioxide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving arsenic trioxide?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems, or a heart rhythm disorder;
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
• kidney disease; or
• liver disease.

• If you are a woman, do not use arsenic trioxide if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using arsenic trioxide.

It may be harder for you to get a woman pregnant while you are using this medicine. You should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because the medicine can harm an unborn baby.

How is arsenic trioxide given?

Arsenic trioxide is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

You may need frequent medical tests to be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

You must remain under the care of a doctor while you are using arsenic trioxide.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while receiving arsenic trioxide?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of arsenic trioxide?

Arsenic trioxide can cause a condition called differentiation syndrome, which affects blood cells and can be fatal if not treated. This condition may occur within 1 days to 2 months after you start taking this medicine.

• fever, cough, trouble breathing;
• dizziness;
• rash;
• decreased urination;
• rapid weight gain; or
• swelling in your arms or legs.

• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
• confusion, decreased consciousness;
• problems with vision, balance, or muscle movement;
• a seizure;
• fever, tiredness, night sweats;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
• low magnesium --dizziness, irregular heartbeats, feeling jittery, muscle cramps, muscle spasms, cough or choking feeling; or
• low potassium --leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common side effects may include:

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• cough, sore throat, trouble breathing;
• fever, chills, tiredness, headache, joint pain;
• fast or irregular heartbeats;
• numbness or tingly feeling;
• low magnesium or potassium, high blood sugar;
• itching, rash;
• swelling;
• joint or muscle pain; or
• trouble sleeping.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect arsenic trioxide?

Other drugs may affect arsenic trioxide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about arsenic trioxide.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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