Home Drug Guide Pipobroman

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Pipobroman

Brand Names Vercyte

Classification

Therapeutic: Antineoplastic agent, Used in chemotherapy for certain cancers

Pharmacological: Pyrimidine analogue, Antimetabolite

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of myeloproliferative disorders (such as polycythemia vera)

Mechanism of Action

Pipobroman is a cytotoxic agent that inhibits DNA synthesis, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in proliferating cells, particularly affecting malignant cells.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Dose based on condition and patient response; usually administered intravenously or orally under strict medical supervision.

Pediatric: Not typically used in pediatrics, consult specific guidelines.

Geriatric: Adjust dosage based on renal and hepatic function, and patient tolerability.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustment may be necessary depending on severity.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; dosage adjustments may be needed.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Variable, depends on formulation and route of administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body tissues.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver, specific pathways not well-defined.

Excretion: Excreted primarily via renal routes.

Half Life: Approximately 2-4 hours, but may vary based on individual factors and route.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to pipobroman or related compounds.
  • Bone marrow suppression.

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with impaired hepatic or renal function.
  • Monitoring blood counts regularly during therapy.
  • Pregnancy category X: contraindicated in pregnancy.
  • Lactation: not recommended during treatment.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Bone marrow suppression (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia) (Common)
  • Nausea and vomiting (Common)
  • Hair loss (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Severe bone marrow aplasia (Rare)
  • Secondary malignancies (Rare)
  • Liver toxicity (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other myelosuppressive agents, including alkylating agents and other antineoplastics.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor CBC, liver function tests, renal function, and for signs of infection or bleeding.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection related to immunosuppression.
  • Risk for bleeding related to thrombocytopenia.

Implementation: Administer medication as prescribed; monitor for adverse effects; educate patient about signs of toxicity.

Evaluation: Assess blood counts regularly; evaluate for signs of toxicity; ensure patient compliance and understanding.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report signs of infection, unusual bleeding, or severe nausea.
  • Avoid exposure to crowds or infections.
  • Adhere to follow-up and laboratory testing schedules.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potentially severe myelosuppression leading to increased risk of infection and bleeding.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic tests required, but pharmacogenomic considerations are limited.

Lab Test Interference: May suppress blood cell counts, affecting lab results.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe nausea, vomiting, bone marrow suppression, bleeding, infections.

Treatment: Supportive care including hematopoietic growth factors, infection prophylaxis, and symptomatic management; consult poison control for specific interventions.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at controlled room temperature, protect from light and moisture.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for the period specified by the manufacturer.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.