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Quick facts
- Drug class
- Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor [EPC], Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors [MoA]
- How it is given
- intravenous
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 603566
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Nelarabine injection is indicated for the treatment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) in adult and pediatric patients age 1 year and older whose disease has not responded to or has relapsed following treatment with at least two chemotherapy regimens. Nelarabine injection is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in adult and pediatric patients age 1 year and older whose disease has not responded to or has relapsed following treatment with at least two chemotherapy regimens. (1)
About this medicine
Nelarabine injection (nelarabine) is a prodrug of the cytotoxic deoxyguanosine analogue, 9-β- D arabinofuranosylguanine (ara-G). The chemical name for nelarabine is 2-amino-9-β- D -arabinofuranosyl-6-methoxy-9 H -purine. It has the molecular formula C 11 H 15 N 5 O 5 and a molecular weight of 297.27. Nelarabine has the following structural formula: Nelarabine is slightly soluble to soluble in water and melts with decomposition between 209°C and 217°C. Nelarabine Injection is supplied as a clear, colorless, sterile solution in glass single-dose vials. Each vial contains 250 mg of nelarabine (5 mg nelarabine per mL) and the inactive ingredient sodium chloride (4.5 mg per mL) in 50 mL Water for Injection, USP. Nelarabine injection is intended for intravenous infusion. Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide may have been used to adjust the pH. The solution pH ranges from 5.0 to 7.0. nelarabine-structure-apl
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Nelarabine is a prodrug of the deoxyguanosine analogue 9-β- D -arabinofuranosylguanine (ara-G), a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor. Nelarabine is demethylated by adenosine deaminase (ADA) to ara-G, mono-phosphorylated by deoxyguanosine kinase and deoxycytidine kinase, and subsequently converted to the active 5’-triphosphate, ara-GTP. Accumulation of ara-GTP in leukemic blasts allows for incorporation into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), leading to inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell death. Other mechanisms may contribute to the cytotoxic and systemic toxicity of nelarabine.
Warnings and cautions
Neurologic Adverse Reactions : Severe neurologic reactions have been reported. Monitor for signs and symptoms of neurologic toxicity. ( 5.1 ) Hematologic Reactions : Complete blood counts including platelets should be monitored regularly. ( 5.2 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity : Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus and to use effective contraception; and advise males to use condoms. ( 5.3 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines : Somnolence may occur. Advise patients to refrain from these activities until somnolence has resolved. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Neurologic Adverse Reactions Nervous system adverse reactions of any grade were reported for 223 (76%) adult patients across the Phase I and Phase II trials, and Grade 3 or higher (severe, life-threatening, or fatal) adverse reactions were reported for 55 (19%) patients following initiation of nelarabine injection therapy [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Based on patients with complete data, the median time to onset of first event is 5 days from start of first infusion (range: 1-166), and the median duration is 6 days (range: 1-393 days). Nervous system adverse reactions of any grade were reported for 69 (42%) pediatric patients across the Phase I and Phase II trials, and Grade 3 or higher (severe, life-threatening, or fatal) adverse reactions were reported for 25 (15%) patients following initiation of nelarabine injection therapy [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Based on patients with complete data, the median time to onset of first event is 8 days from start of first infusion (range: 1-269), and the median duration is 2 days (range: 1-82 days). Common signs and symptoms of nelarabine injection-related neurotoxicity include somnolence, headache, paresthesia and dysesthesia, dizziness, neuropathy (sensory and motor), cerebellar disturbances and tremor. Severe neurologic toxicity can manifest as coma, status epilepticus, craniospinal demyelination, or ascending neuropathy similar in presentation to Guillain-Barré syndrome. Full recovery from these adverse reactions has not always occurred with cessation of therapy with nelarabine injection. […]
Reported side effects
The following clinically-significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Neurologic [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hematologic [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Tumor Lysis Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] The most common (≥ 20%) adverse reactions were: Adult: anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, pyrexia, cough, and dyspnea ( 6.1 ) Pediatric: anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia ( 6.1 ) The most common (> 10%) neurological adverse reactions were: Adult: somnolence, dizziness, peripheral neurologic disorders, hypoesthesia, headache, and paresthesia ( 6.1 ) Pediatric: headache and peripheral neurologic disorders ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-866-210-9797 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Relapsed or Refractory T-ALL and T-LBL Nelarabine injection was studied in 459 patients in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. Adult Patient: The safety profile of nelarabine injection is based on data from 103 adult patients treated with the recommended dose and schedule in 2 studies: an adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)/T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) trial and an adult chronic lymphocytic leukemia trial. The most common adverse reactions in adults were fatigue; gastrointestinal (GI) disorders (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation); hematologic disorders (anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia); respiratory disorders (cough and dyspnea); nervous system disorders (somnolence and dizziness); and pyrexia. […]
Interactions with other medicines
Administration of nelarabine injection in combination with adenosine deaminase inhibitors, such as pentostatin, is not recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . Administration in combination with adenosine deaminase inhibitors, such as pentostatin, is not recommended. ( 7 , 12.3 )
Use in specific groups
Lactation : Advise not to breastfeed. ( 8.2 ) Renal Impairment : Closely monitor patients with moderate or severe renal impairment for toxicities. (8.6 ) Hepatic Impairment : Closely monitor patients with severe hepatic impairment for toxicities. ( 8.7 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action and findings in animal studies, nelarabine injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )] . Limited available data with nelarabine injection use in pregnant women are insufficient to determine a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the pregnant woman associated with untreated leukemia or lymphoma (see Clinical Considerations). In animal reproduction studies, intravenous administration of nelarabine to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in teratogenicity at maternal doses below the recommended human adult dose of 1500 mg/m 2 /day (see Data) . Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo-fetal Risk There are risks to the mother from untreated leukemia or lymphoma, including anemia, thrombocytopenia, and death. Data Animal Data In an embryo-fetal development study in which pregnant rabbits were administered daily doses of nelarabine during organogenesis, increased incidences of fetal malformations, anomalies, and variations were observed at doses greater than or equal to 360 mg/m 2 /day (8-hour IV infusion; approximately 25% of the recommended human adult dose compared on a mg/m 2 basis), which was the lowest dose tested. […]
If too much is taken
There is no known antidote for overdoses of nelarabine injection. It is anticipated that overdosage would result in severe neurotoxicity (possibly including paralysis, coma), myelosuppression, and potentially death. In the event of overdose, supportive care consistent with good clinical practice should be provided. At a dose of 2,200 mg/m 2 given on Days 1, 3, and 5 every 21 days, 2 patients developed a significant Grade 3 ascending sensory neuropathy. MRI evaluations of the 2 patients demonstrated findings consistent with a demyelinating process in the cervical spine.
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 7 August 2024. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.