[05 April 2012]
Products Affected - Description
Treanda Injection, Cephalon
Reason for the Shortage
Cephalon could not provide a reason for the shortage.
Available Products
Treanda Injection, Cephalon
25 mg vial (NDC 63459-0390-08)
100 mg vial (NDC 63459-0391-20)
Estimated Resupply Dates
Cephalon had Treanda 25 mg injection on back order.1
Implications for Patient Care
Bendamustine is an alkylating antineoplastic agent. It is labeled for the treatment of adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It is also labeled for the treatment of indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab.2
Safety
- Chemotherapy agents, such as bendamustine, pose additional safety risks both for patients and for healthcare workers handling these agents.3,4
- Use additional caution when processing orders for chemotherapy drugs, especially when switching between chemotherapy agents or when processing orders for chemotherapy agents with which staff may be unfamiliar (eg, those not normally prescribed at a specific institution).3,4
Alternative Agents & Management
- The choice of an alternative agent must be patient-specific and based on renal function, liver function, and the neoplasm type and location. No single agent can be substituted for bendamustine.2-5
- Consider evaluating the health-care system’s total supply of bendamustine before beginning patients on combination chemotherapy regimens containing bendamustine. If adequate supplies are not available, select an alternative regimen.
- Consult a Hematology/Oncology specialist for patient- and neoplasm-specific recommendations.
- Refer to the ASHP Guidelines on Managing Drug Product Shortages for more guidance on developing a multidisciplinary plan when the supply must be allocated.
Related Shortages
References
- Cephalon (personal communications). February 16 and 27, and April 5, 2012.
- Treanda (bendamustine) Injection [product labeling]. Frazer, PA: Cephalon, July 2010.
- Beckwith MC, Tyler LS, eds. Cancer Chemotherapy Manual. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Health Inc. 2012.
- Antineoplastic agents. In: McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS 2010 Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists; 2010: 902-1260.
- Drug Facts and Comparisons Online. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Health Inc. February 2012.
Updated
Updated April 5, 2012 by David M. Peterson, Pharm.D., Drug Information Specialist, Drug Information Service. Created February 28, 2012 by Jane Chandramouli, Pharm.D., Drug Information Specialist. Copyright 2012, Drug Information Service, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
Disclaimer
This information is provided through the support of Novation to ASHP solely as a service to its members, which shall not use this information for their further commercial use. The content was prepared by the Drug Information Center of University of Utah. Novation, ASHP, and the University of Utah make no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, which respect to such information, and specifically disclaim all such warranties. Users of this information are advised that decisions regarding the use of drugs and drug therapies are complex medical decisions and that in using this information, each user must exercise his or her own independent professional judgment. Neither Novation, ASHP nor the University of Utah assumes any liability for persons administering or receiving drugs or other medical care in reliance upon this information, or otherwise in connection with this bulletin. Neither Novation, ASHP nor University of Utah endorses or recommends the use of any drug.
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