Mitomycin is a chemotherapy drug used with other medicines to treat stomach and pancreatic cancers. It treats symptoms but does not cure the cancer.
Mitomycin is often combined with other chemotherapy drugs to slow the growth of cancer cells in advanced stomach or pancreatic cancer cases.
It is not a substitute for surgery or radiotherapy but works best alongside them or when other treatments fail.
What are the Uses of Mitomycin?
Mitomycin is primarily used to treat advanced stomach and pancreatic cancer that have spread and resisted other treatments.
It slows or stops cancer cells from multiplying, helping to control the disease and relieve symptoms.
Mitomycin is also used as a bladder cancer treatment via direct bladder infusion in some cases.
How Does Mitomycin Work (Mechanism of Action)?
Mitomycin works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing.
It acts like an antibiotic but targets cancer cells, interfering with their ability to multiply. This helps to control the spread of cancer but does not eliminate it completely.
Mitomycin Dosage Instructions
Mitomycin is available in various dosage forms tailored to specific treatment needs, including cancer therapy, eye surgery, and bladder instillation.
Dosage Form
Details
Common Use
Injection (IV powder)
2 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg vials (reconstituted before use)
For intravenous administration in cancer treatment
Topical solution (ophthalmic use)
Prepared for use during eye surgeries (e.g., glaucoma surgery)
Reduces scarring post-surgery
Intravesical solution
Prepared from injection form for bladder instillation
Used in bladder cancer therapy
How to take Mitomycin Dosage?
Mitomycin comes in powder form, which the doctor should mix with liquid and inject intravenously. The medication is usually injected once every 6 to 8 weeks.
MItramycin is an intravesical infusion used to treat superficial bladder cancer. This means the medication is given directly into the bladder through the urinary catheter.
The mitomycin solution is then injected into the catheter and removed. The medication is kept for about 2 hours, after which the patient empties the bladder, i. e., urinates.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Mitomycin?
There will be no effect on your body if you skip one or two doses of Mitomycin. A missed dose does not cause an issue.
However, some medicines will not work if you do not take the dose on time. If you miss a dose, your body can experience a chemical change.
In certain cases, if you miss a dose, the doctor will remind you to take the prescribed medication as soon as possible.
What Happens If I Overdose on Mitomycin?
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Mitomycin tablets, there is a chance of having a harmful effect on your body's functions.
Symptoms of overdose require immediate medical attention. If you suspect an overdose, contact emergency services or your doctor right away.
Get a second opinion from trusted experts and makeconfident, informed decisions.
Note: Your doctor has prescribed this medication after determining that its benefits outweigh the potential risks of side effects. Most people who take this drug do not experience serious side effects.
Mitomycin may cause your urine, tears, or sweat to appear reddish. This is a normal effect of the drug and may start within a few hours of treatment and last for a few days.
This is a harmless reaction and should not be mistaken for blood in the urine.
Precautions for Mitomycin
Before using Mitomycin, talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications.
The product may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause some serious allergic reactions or some other serious problems.
Before taking Mitomycin, talk with your doctor if you have any medical history such as Bleeding disorders, severe infections, Kidney disease, Liver disease or any radiation treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Mitomycin has not been proven to be effective in pregnant women. Animal experiments have revealed teratological changes. Mitomycin has no known effect on fertility.
Mitomycin passes into breast milk. It can cause some side effects to children who are breastfed.
These can include diarrhoea, vomiting and rash. Before taking Mitomycin while breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Using Mitomycin?
Mitomycin is generally prescribed with caution in children and elderly patients due to their increased risk of side effects.
Always follow your healthcare provider's advice regarding age-specific use and dosage adjustments.
Possible Interactions with Other Medications
Mitomycin may interact with other chemotherapy drugs or medications that affect blood clotting and immune function.
Tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements, or herbal products you are using to avoid harmful interactions.
How Should Mitomycin Be Stored?
Direct contact with heat, air, and light may damage your medicines, and exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects.
The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children's reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Mitomycin vs Gemcitabine
Mitomycin
Gemcitabine
Mitomycin is a cancer drug that is used in conjunction with other medicines to treat cancers of the stomach and pancreas.
Gemcitabine belongs to the class of medications called antimetabolites. This works by slowing and stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body.
Mitomycin is a type of antibiotic that is used only for chemotherapy for cancer. It slows or prevents cancer cell growth in the body.
Gemcitabine is used for the treatment of certain types of cancer. This is a chemotherapy drug that works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
Mitomycin is an anti-cancer chemotherapy medication ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic"). This medicine is known as an "antibiotic anti-tumour."
Mitomycin C works by interfering with the growth of a cell's genetic material, DNA. This prevents and destroys it from breaking into 2 new cells. So, it kills cells that divide rapidly, such as cancer cells.
A purple-coloured solution that can kill cells is mitomycin-C. When inserted into the bladder, it kills cancerous cells but does little harm to the normal, healthy bladder lining.
Mitomycin, which can cause permanent kidney failure, may also destroy red blood cells. If you have unexplained bruises or bleeding, pale skin, confusion, tiredness, or irritability, stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea, red or pink urine, swelling, rapid weight gain, or little or no urinating, call the doctor right away.
Mitomycin is a type of antibiotic that is used only for chemotherapy for cancer. It slows or prevents cancer cell growth in your body.
Mitomycin is a chemotherapy medication that is used to treat various cancers, including breast, bladder, stomach, pancreatic, anal, and lung cancers. This is details about mitomycin, which is injected into a vein.
The maximum dose depends on the condition, but typically it's not more than 20 mg/m² per dose. Always follow your oncologist's prescription.
No, Mitomycin is not safe during pregnancy. It may harm the baby and is generally avoided unless absolutely necessary and prescribed by a specialist.
Duration varies based on cancer type and response to treatment. It may be given in cycles. Your oncologist will decide how long you should take it.
Mitomycin is an antibiotic chemotherapy, while 5-FU is an antimetabolite. Both fight cancer but work differently and may be used together or separately.
Disclaimer: The information provided is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge. However, it should not be considered a substitute for medical advice or consultation. We do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The absence of specific warnings does not mean a medicine is safe for all users. We are not responsible for any outcomes based on this information and strongly recommend consulting a doctor for any medical concerns or questions.
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