Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide and Quinidine Sulfate and Pentostatin Intravenous

• Generic Name: dextromethorphan / quinidine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Nuedexta

The fixed combination of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate (dextromethorphan/quinidine; Nuedexta) is used in the treatment of PBA.

PBA occurs secondary to various otherwise unrelated neurologic conditions (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS], multiple sclerosis [MS], dementia of the Alzheimer's type [Alzheimer's disease] or other dementia, parkinsonian syndrome, stroke, traumatic brain injury) and is characterized by involuntary, sudden, uncontrollable, and frequent episodes of laughing and/or crying. PBA episodes typically occur out of proportion or incongruent to the underlying emotional state.

Studies supporting efficacy in PBA were conducted in patients with underlying ALS or MS.

Safety and efficacy in the treatment of other common types of emotional lability (e.g., those occurring in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias) not established.

• Generic Name: pentostatin
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Nipent

Pentostatin belongs to the group of medicines called antimetabolites. It is used to treat a type of cancer of the white blood cells called hairy cell leukemia. Pentostatin may be used in patients with hairy cell leukemia who have already been treated with other medicines (e.g., alpha-interferon) that did not work well.

Pentostatin interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by pentostatin, other effects may also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with pentostatin, you and your doctor should talk about the good pentostatin will do as well as the risks of using it.

Pentostatin is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.