alosetron hydrochloride
alosetron hydrochloride
Pharmacologic class: Serotonin receptor antagonist
Therapeutic class: Agent for irritable bowel syndrome
Pregnancy risk category B
FDA Box Warning
• Infrequent but serious GI problems have occurred, resulting in hospitalization and, rarely, blood transfusions, surgery, and death.
• Only physicians enrolled in Glaxo-SmithKline's Prescribing Program for Lotronex should prescribe Lotronex.
• Drug is indicated only for women with severe, diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome who don't respond adequately to conventional therapy. Patient must read and sign agreement before receiving initial prescription.
• Discontinue immediately if patient develops constipation or ischemic colitis symptoms. Don't resume therapy in patients who developed ischemic colitis. Patients with resolved constipation should resume only on advice of physician.
Action
Inhibits activation of nonselective cation channels, resulting in modulation of enteric nervous system
Availability
Tablets: 0.5 mg, 1 mg
Indications and dosages
➣ Women with severe, diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who have chronic symptoms not caused by anatomic or biochemical abnormalities and who are unresponsive to conventional therapy
Adult women: Initially, 0.5 mg P.O. b.i.d. If after 4 weeks dose is well tolerated but doesn't adequately control IBS, may increase to 1 mg P.O. b.i.d.; therapy should be discontinued in patients not responding to 1 mg P.O. b.i.d. after 4 weeks.
Contraindications
• Concurrent use of fluvoxamine
• Severe hepatic impairment
• Current constipation or history of chronic or severe constipation
• History of complications related to constipation
• History of intestinal obstruction, stricture, toxic megacolon, GI perforation, or adhesion
• History of ischemic colitis, impaired intestinal circulation, thrombophlebitis, or hypercoagulable state
• Current Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, active diverticulitis, or history of these disorders
• Inability to understand or comply with patient-physician agreement for drug
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
• hepatic insufficiency
• moderate CYP/A2 inhibitors, such as quinolone antibiotics and cimetidine (avoid use)
• elderly patients
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• children.
Administration
See Before administering, know that drug is approved with the following marketing restrictions: Ensure that patient understands that drug has serious risks, patient reads and signs patient-physician agreement, and patient follows directions in accompanying medication guide.
• Know that anatomical and biochemical abnormalities of GI tract should be ruled out before drug therapy starts.
• Give with or without food.
See Don't administer drug if patient is constipated.
See Stop therapy immediately if patient develops constipation or signs or symptoms of ischemic colitis.
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Adverse reactions
CNS: anxiety, malaise
CV: increased blood pressure, extrasystoles, tachyarrhythmias, arrhythmias
GI: nausea; constipation; GI pain, discomfort, or spasms; abdominal distention; regurgitation or gastroesophageal reflux; hemorrhoids; decreased salivation; dyspepsia; ischemic colitis; GI perforation; small-bowel mesenteric ischemia
GU: urinary frequency
Hematologic: hemorrhage
Respiratory: breathing disorders
Skin: sweating, urticaria
Other: fatigue, cramps, disturbed temperature regulation
Interactions
Drug-drug. CYP450 inducers or inhibitors: altered alosetron clearance
Fluvoxamine: increased alosetron concentration and half-life
Drug-diagnostic tests. Blood glucose, calcium, phosphate: increased or decreased level
Patient monitoring
See Monitor patient closely for adverse reactions, especially such GI reactions as constipation and signs or symptoms of ischemic colitis.
Patient teaching
See Make sure patient knows about drug's marketing restrictions, which stipulate that she understands drug has serious risks, that she reads and signs patient-physician agreement, and that she follows directions in accompanying medication guide.
• Tell patient to take drug exactly as prescribed, with or without food.
See Instruct patient to contact prescriber immediately if she develops constipation or symptoms of insufficient blood flow to bowel (such as new or worsening pain in bowels or bloody bowel movements).
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs and tests mentioned above.