What is rabacfosadine?
Rabacfosadine (brand name Tanovea®) is an injectable antineoplastic (anticancer) drug used to treat lymphoma in dogs. It is a guanine nucleotide analogue.
It is approved for use in dogs only. Rabacfosadine is to be administered only by trained veterinarians in facilities equipped to deliver chemotherapy.
How do I give my pet rabacfosadine?
- Rabacfosadine comes in injectable forms.
- Injections are given intravenously (IV).
- Injection infusions are administered only by your veterinary team, following strict safety protocols.
- Follow your veterinarian’s directions for post-injection care.
- Rabacfosadine is considered a hazardous drug, so it is essential to avoid accidental exposure. Wear gloves if you handle the medication and do not handle it if you are pregnant or nursing. If your pet vomits after receiving this drug, wear gloves while cleaning up. Avoid contact with bodily fluids and waste for 5 days after administration. Wear chemotherapy-resistant protective gloves when cleaning urine, feces, or vomit.
This medication should start to take effect within several hours, though outward effects may not be immediately noticeable.
Are there any potential side effects?
Rabacfosadine may cause the following side effects:
- Vomiting, nausea, and/or diarrhea
- Decreased appetite, weight loss
- Lethargy
- Low blood neutrophil count (neutropenia)
- Pain at injection site
- Fur loss and other skin changes
Serious adverse reactions may occur. If any of the following signs develop, contact your veterinarian immediately:
- An allergic reaction such as irregular breathing, rash, fever, puffiness and swelling around the face
- Signs of infection/sepsis (e.g., fever, swelling, redness)
- Signs of anemia (e.g., severe lethargy, pale gum color, weakness)
Drug sensitivities can develop over time with repeated exposure. Your pet may have no reaction after the first few doses, but may develop a sensitivity later. It is important to watch for signs of an allergic reaction over the entire course of treatment.
Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian immediately. The effects of this medication may last up to several days although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.
Are there any risk factors for this medication?
DO NOT USE rabacfosadine in:
- Animals other than dogs
- Dogs that are allergic to any component
- Dogs with pulmonary (lung) disease
- Dogs with current infections
Are there any drug interactions I should be aware of?
The following medications should be used with caution when given with rabacfosadine:
- Other cytotoxic antineoplastic agents (e.g., other chemotherapy drugs, immunosuppressives, chloramphenicol)
- Radiation therapy
Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any medications (including vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies) that your pet is taking before starting any new treatment.
Is any monitoring needed with this medication?
- Tests required before treatment include baseline complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry blood panel, urinalysis, and thoracic (chest) X-rays.
- Follow your veterinarian’s directions on follow-up lab work and X-rays. Your veterinarian will let you know when and how they want to reassess your pet to ensure the medication is working and not causing side effects.
- At home, monitor for any side effects such as those noted above, particularly respiratory changes. If these occur, contact your veterinarian.
How do I store rabacfosadine?
- Your veterinarian will store this medication according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Keep medication out of reach of children and pets.
- Follow proper material safety procedures.
What should I do in case of emergency?
If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, call your veterinary office immediately. If they are not available, follow their directions in contacting an emergency facility. Be prepared to provide information about the product and your pet’s weight and symptoms.
