Refador is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Refador is used to treat prostate cancer and certain types of leukemia. Refador is also used to treat the symptoms of relapsing multiple sclerosis. Refador will not cure multiple sclerosis. Refador may also be used for purposes not listed in Refador guide.
How is Refador given?
Refador is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when Refador is injected. Refador can cause serious heart damage. Your heart rate may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG before, during, and after your treatment with Refador. Refador can also lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Refador may cause your urine to turn a blue-green color. You may also notice a bluish discoloration of the whites of your eyes. This side effect should last only a few days and is not harmful. You must remain under the care of a doctor while receiving Refador. Refador can have long lasting effects on your heart. Your doctor may want to check your heart function at yearly visits even after your Refador treatment ends. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
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Refador side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Refador may cause dangerous effects on your heart. Call your doctor at once if you have chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, or rapid weight gain. Also call your doctor at once if you have:
signs of infection such as fever, night sweats, sore throat, easy bruising or bleeding, loss of appetite, weight loss, bone pain, unusual weakness;
swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing;
shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);
swelling, rapid weight gain;
pain or burning when you urinate; or
pain, burning, swelling, redness, bruising, or skin changes where the injection was given.
Common side effects may include:
nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain;
hair loss;
missed menstrual periods;
runny or stuffy nose;
feeling tired; or
blue-green colored urine or a bluish color of the whites of the eyes for a few days after each dose.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. See also: Side effects (in more detail)
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Refador dosing
Usual Adult Dose for Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia:
The benefit to risk ratio of Refador in patients previously treated with daunorubicin or doxorubicin should be considered prior to treatment due to the possible additive risk of cardiotoxicity. Patients with preexisting myelosuppression as the result of prior drug therapy should not receive this drug unless the benefit exceeds the risk of further and possibly profound myelosuppression. For induction, the initial dosage of Refador recommended for this patient with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia is 12 mg/m2 intravenously once a day on days 1 through 3 (in combination with cytosine arabinoside for 7 days). ANLL includes myelogenous, promyelocytic, monocytic, and erythroid acute leukemias. The recommended dose of Refador may depend on whether other cytotoxic agents are coadministered. Reference to specific protocols is recommended. Most complete remissions from ANLL occur during initial induction therapy. In the event of an incomplete antileukemic response, a second induction course (usually with cytosine arabinoside) may be administered. Second inductions should be withheld until severe or life-threatening nonhematologic toxicity associated with the first induction dose is cleared. Refador should be given for 2 days and cytarabine for 5 days using the same dosage levels. Consolidation therapy consists of Refador 12 mg/m2 given by intravenous infusion daily on days 1 and 2 (in combination with cytosine arabinoside for 5 days). The first course is given approximately 6 weeks after the final induction course, the second was generally administered 4 weeks after the first.
Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Sclerosis:
12 mg/m2 given as a short (approximately 5 to 15 minute) intravenous infusion every 3 months. Evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiogram or multiple gated acquisition (MUGA) scan is recommended prior to administration of the initial dose of Refador. Subsequent LVEF evaluations are recommended if signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure develop, and prior to all doses administered to patients who have received a cumulative dose of 100 mg/m2 or more. Refador should not ordinarily be administered to multiple sclerosis patients who have received a cumulative lifetime dose of 140 mg/m2 or more, or those with either an LVEF less than 50% or a clinically significant reduction in LVEF. Complete blood counts, including platelets, should be monitored prior to each course of Refador and in the event that signs or symptoms of infection develop. Refador generally should not be administered to multiple sclerosis patients with neutrophil counts less than 1500 cells/mm3. Liver function tests should also be monitored prior to each course.
Usual Adult Dose for Prostate Cancer:
12 to 14 mg/m2 given as a short intravenous infusion every 21 days in combination with corticosteroids.
Usual Adult Dose for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma:
8 to 10 mg/m2 given as an intravenous infusion every 21 to 28 days as a part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.
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Refador - Frequently asked Questions
Can Refador be stopped immediately or do I have to stop the consumption gradually to ween off?
In some cases, it always advisable to stop the intake of some medicines gradually because of the rebound effect of the medicine.
It's wise to get in touch with your doctor as a professional advice is needed in this case regarding your health, medications and further recommendation to give you a stable health condition.
Who should not take Refador?
Before you are treated with Refador, tell your doctor about all other cancer medications and treatments you have received, including radiation.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Refador.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
a history of prior treatment with Refador;
heart disease, high blood pressure;
a weak immune system (bone marrow suppression);
any type of infection;
a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
a blood cell disorder, such as anemia (low red blood cells) or low levels of platelets in blood;
liver disease; or
if you have ever been treated with daunorubicin (Cerubidine, Daunoxome) or doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Doxil).
Using Refador may increase your risk of other types of cancer, such as leukemia.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Refador if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before each injection of Refador.
Refador can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using Refador.
What other drugs will affect Refador?
Other drugs may interact with Refador, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
How should I take Refador?
Refador may cause dangerous effects on your heart. Call your doctor at once if you have chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath, swelling, or rapid weight gain.
Your heart rate may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) before, during, and after your treatment with Refador. Refador can have long lasting effects on your heart.
Refador can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, tired feeling, easy bruising or bleeding). Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when Refador is injected.
Using Refador may increase your risk of other types of cancer, such as leukemia.
Can Refador be taken or consumed while pregnant?
Please visit your doctor for a recommendation as such case requires special attention.
Can Refador be taken for nursing mothers or during breastfeeding?
Kindly explain your state and condition to your doctor and seek medical advice from an expert.
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Reviews
Following the study conducted by gmedication.com on Refador, the result is highlighted below. However, it must be clearly stated that the survey and result is based solely on the perception and impression of visitors and users of the website as well as consumers of Refador. We, therefore, urge readers not to base their medical judgment strictly on the result of this study but on test/diagnosis duly conducted by a certified medical practitioners or physician.
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