Home Drug Guide Testolactone

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Testolactone

Brand Names Teslac

Classification

Therapeutic: Hormone inhibitor, Antineoplastic agent

Pharmacological: Lactamase inhibitor, Aromatase inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women

Mechanism of Action

Testolactone inhibits aromatase enzyme activity, resulting in decreased estrogen synthesis, which helps to slow the growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 200 mg orally twice daily, as per specific protocol and physician's guidance.

Pediatric: Not generally used in pediatric patients.

Geriatric: No specific dose adjustments solely based on age, but renal and hepatic functions should be considered.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dosage adjustment recommended without further renal function assessment.

Hepatic Impairment: Use caution; hepatic function should be evaluated before and during therapy, dose adjustments may be necessary.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid oral absorption.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body tissues, crosses the placenta.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted mainly in urine; small amount in feces.

Half Life: Approximately 2-3 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to testolactone or other components.
  • Pregnancy and lactation, due to risk of fetal harm.

Precautions

  • Monitor hepatic and renal function during therapy.
  • Use cautiously in patients with a history of liver disease.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Hot flashes (Common)
  • Nausea (Common)
  • Fatigue (Common)
  • Gynecomastia (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hepatic dysfunction/liver enzyme elevation (Serious (rare), monitor liver function.)
  • Allergic reactions (Serious (rare))
  • Blood dyscrasias (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors may alter testolactone levels.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor liver function tests, hepatic enzymes, and symptoms of hepatotoxicity.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for hepatotoxicity
  • Risk for hormonal imbalance

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, monitor for adverse effects, educate patient.

Evaluation: Assess for reduction in tumor size, monitor liver function tests, and evaluate adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Report symptoms of hepatic dysfunction (jaundice, abdominal pain).
  • Inform about potential hot flashes and other hormonal effects.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None specific for testolactone.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic considerations.

Lab Test Interference: May affect hormone levels; inform lab personnel of ongoing treatment.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, hypotension, or other adverse effects.

Treatment: Supportive care; activated charcoal if recent ingestion; no specific antidote.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Stability: Stable under normal conditions for the duration of the labeled shelf life.

🛡️ 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.