Arsenic trioxide Intravenous and Vi-Atro

• Generic Name: arsenic trioxide
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Trisenox

Arsenic trioxide injection is used together with another medicine (eg, tretinoin) to treat newly-diagnosed low-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a type of leukemia (cancer of the blood cells). It is also used to treat APL in patients who have not responded to other medication regimens. It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.

Arsenic trioxide belongs to the general group of medicines called antineoplastics. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by arsenic trioxide, other unwanted effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor.

Before you begin treatment with arsenic trioxide injection, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits of arsenic trioxide as well as the risks of using it.

Arsenic trioxide is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

• Generic Name: atropine / diphenoxylate
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Lomotil, Lonox, Lomocot, Vi-Atro

Diphenoxylate and atropine combination is used along with other measures (eg, fluid and electrolyte treatment) to treat severe diarrhea. Diphenoxylate helps stop diarrhea by slowing down the movements of the intestines.

Diphenoxylate is chemically related to some narcotics and may be habit-forming if taken in doses that are larger than prescribed. If higher than normal doses of the combination are taken, the atropine will cause unpleasant effects.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.