Mithracin (Plicamycin) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Mithracin

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What is cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. The abnormal cells are termed cancer cells, malignant cells, or tumor cells. Many cancers and the abnormal cells that compose the cancer tissue are further identified by the name of the tissue that the abnormal cells originated from (for example, breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer). Cancer is not confined to humans; animals and other living organisms can get cancer. Below is a schematic that shows normal cell division and how when a cell is damaged or altered without repair to its system, the cell usually dies. Also shown is what can occur when such damaged or unrepaired cells do not die and become cancer cells and proliferate with uncontrolled growth; a mass of cancer cells develop. Frequently, cancer cells can break away from this original mass of cells, travel through the blood and lymph systems, and lodge in other organs where they can again repeat the ...

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Mithracin

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Mithracin Patient Information including How Should I Take

Who should not take plicamycin (Mithracin)?

Before taking plicamycin, tell your doctor if you have

liver disease;
kidney disease;
bone marrow problems; or
a bleeding disorder.

You may not be able to take plicamycin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Plicamycin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that plicamycin is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Plicamycin may also affect egg production in women and sperm production in men. Do not take plicamycin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with plicamycin.

It is not known whether plicamycin passes into breast milk. Do not take plicamycin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I take plicamycin (Mithracin)?

Plicamycin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with plicamycin depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with plicamycin to monitor progress and side effects.

Your healthcare provider will store cladribine as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing cladribine, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

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