Nelarabine Intravenous and Palonosetron Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: nelarabine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Arranon

Nelarabine belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics. It is used to treat specific types of cancer called T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) .

Nelarabine interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by nelarabine, other effects will 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 .

Before you begin treatment with nelarabine, you and your doctor should talk about the good nelarabine will do as well as the possible risks of using it. Nelarabine is usually given to patients who have already used at least two other cancer medicines first .

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

Nelarabine is available only with your doctor's prescription .

• Generic Name: palonosetron
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Aloxi

Palonosetron is used IV for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Palonosetron also is used IV for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

For prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens (including an anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide), ASCO recommends a 3-drug antiemetic regimen consisting of an NK1 receptor antagonist (e.g., either oral aprepitant or IV fosaprepitant), a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (e.g., dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron, palonosetron), and dexamethasone. ASCO states that fixed-combination netupitant and palonosetron plus dexamethasone is an additional treatment option.

For moderately emetogenic chemotherapy regimens, ASCO recommends a 2-drug antiemetic regimen preferably consisting of palonosetron and dexamethasone. If palonosetron is not available, a first-generation 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (preferably granisetron or ondansetron) may be substituted. Limited evidence suggests that aprepitant may be added to this regimen; in such cases, use of any 5-HT3 receptor antagonist is appropriate.

For chemotherapy regimens with a low emetogenic risk, ASCO recommends administration of a single dose of dexamethasone prior to chemotherapy.

For chemotherapy regimens with minimal emetogenic risk, ASCO states that routine antiemetic administration is not necessary.

Palonosetron is used IV for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting for up to 24 hours following surgery. Efficacy of the drug beyond 24 hours not demonstrated.

Routine prophylaxis not recommended in patients in whom there is little expectation that nausea and/or vomiting will occur postoperatively.

Recommended for patients in whom nausea and/or vomiting must be avoided postoperatively, even when anticipated incidence is low.