Cladribine, sold under the brand name Leustatin, among others, is a medication used to treat hairy cell leukemia (formally named leukemic reticuloendotheliosis) and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cladribine, sold under the brand name Mavenclad, is used for the treatment of adults with highly active forms of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Read the full article on WikipediaRelapsing remitting multiple sclerosis Clinical criteria: Treatment Phase: Initial treatment The condition must be diagnosed by a neurologist, AND The condition must be diagnosed as clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and/or spinal cord; OR The condition must be diagnosed as clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, with written certification provided by a radiologist that a magnetic resonance imaging scan is contraindicated because of the risk of physical (not psychological) injury to the patient, AND The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised disease modifying therapy for this condition, AND Patient must have experienced at least 2 documented attacks of neurological dysfunction, believed to be due to multiple sclerosis, in the preceding 2 years of commencing a PBS-subsidised disease modifying therapy for this condition, AND Patient must be ambulatory (without assistance or support). Treatment criteria: Must be treated by a medical practitioner; OR Must be treated by a nurse practitioner in consultation with a specialist physician. Where applicable, the date of the magnetic resonance imaging scan must be recorded in the patient's medical records. The prescriber should write authority prescriptions for the appropriate combination of packs (1, 4 or 6 tablets) to provide sufficient drug for a treatment week based on the weight of the patient in accordance with the TGA approved Product Information. Separate authority prescriptions may be required where the dose for treatment week 5 is different to the dose for treatment week 1.
“As a purine analogue, cladribine is taken up into rapidly proliferating cells, including B and T lymphocytes, to be incorporated into DNA synthesis. Chemically, it mimics nucleoside adenosine; however, unlike adenosine, cladribine has a chlorine molecule at position 2, which renders it partially resistant to breakdown by adenosine deaminase. This causes it to accumulate in cells and interfere with the targeted cell's ability to process DNA.”
“Approximately 10 hours after both intravenous infusion and subcutaneous bolus injection ranging from 5.6 to 7.6 hours and 18.4 to 19.7 hours after oral administration, indicative of different elimination phases.”
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