Formulary
Glucarpidase: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Glucarpidase is a recombinant bacterial enzyme that converts methotrexate to its inactive metabolites.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Glucarpidase: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Glucarpidase is a recombinant bacterial enzyme that converts methotrexate to its inactive metabolites.
Drug action
Glucarpidase is a recombinant bacterial enzyme that converts methotrexate to its inactive metabolites.
Indications and dose
**Reduction of toxic plasma-methotrexate concentration**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Injection): 50 units/kg for 1 dose, dose to be given without delay; the optimal administration timeframe for patients with delayed methotrexate elimination is within 48-60 hours from the start of high-dose methotrexate infusion, folinic acid rescue should continue to be given at least 2 hours after glucarpidase administration-see also Interactions .
**Reduction of toxic plasma-methotrexate concentration for glucarpidase**
- **Child** (By intravenous injection): 50 units/kg for 1 dose, dose to be given without delay; the optimal administration timeframe for patients with delayed methotrexate elimination is within 48-60 hours from the start of high-dose methotrexate infusion, folinic acid rescue should continue to be given at least 2 hours after glucarpidase administration-see also Interactions.
Side effects
Feeling hot; flushing; headache; sensation abnormal Rare or very rare Abdominal pain upper; crystalluria; diarrhoea; drowsiness; fever; hypersensitivity; hypotension; nausea; pleural effusion; skin reactions; tachycardia; throat tightness; tremor; vomiting
Pregnancy
Specialist sources indicate probably compatible (no information available).
Breast feeding
Specialist sources indicate probably compatible (no information available).
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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