Amsidil

Amsidil: an antitumor drug for the treatment of leukemia

Amsidil (international name - amsacrine) is a synthetic antitumor agent that is used for induction and maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The drug is produced in Germany by the companies Goedecke and Parke-Davis in the form of a concentrate for the preparation of intravenous solution.

The active ingredient of the drug is amsacrine. Amsidil belongs to the group of cytostatic drugs and exerts its effect by inhibiting the growth and division of tumor cells.

Contraindications to the use of Amsidil include bone marrow depression occurring during chemotherapy or radiation therapy, pregnancy and lactation.

Various side effects may occur when using Amsidil. Among the most common are bone marrow lesions, pancytopenia (leukopenia), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, esophagitis, hyperbilirubinemia, liver and kidney dysfunction (reversible), hallucinations, twitching, and rarely, epileptic seizures. Alopecia and allergic reactions, extrasystole, paroxysmal tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, fundus hemorrhage, conjunctivitis, amblyopia, mydriasis, limited visual field, local irritation and phlebitis are also possible.

There is no data on the interaction of Amsidil with other drugs, however, with simultaneous treatment with other cytostatics, careful dosage selection is necessary.

If leukopenia occurs, it is necessary to reduce the dose of Amsidil. Regular ECG and echocardiography are also recommended to monitor bone marrow and heart function.

In general, Amsidil is an effective drug for the treatment of leukemia, but its use must be carefully justified and monitored by medical specialists.