becaplermin (Topical route)

be-KAP-ler-min

Commonly used brand name(s):

In the U.S.

• Regranex

Available Dosage Forms:

• Gel/Jelly

Therapeutic Class: Wound Care Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Platelet Derived Growth Factor

Uses For becaplermin

Becaplermin is used to treat skin ulcers, usually on the lower leg, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It works by stimulating the wound to heal. It is important to use other methods for good skin ulcer care when using becaplermin.

Becaplermin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using becaplermin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For becaplermin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to becaplermin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of becaplermin in children and teenagers below 16 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of becaplermin in the elderly.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of becaplermin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cancer, any type—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

• Skin cancer or tumors at the site of the ulcer—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

• Wounds that show exposed joints, tendons, ligaments, or bone—Use of becaplermin is not recommended because it is not known if it would work for these conditions.

• Wounds that are closed manually by your doctor—Use of becaplermin is not recommended because these wounds require a sterile product.

Proper Use of becaplermin

To make using becaplermin as safe and reliable as possible, you should understand how and when to use becaplermin and what effects may be expected. becaplermin comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

It is important to prevent the tip of the tube from touching the skin ulcer or any other object. This will keep the medicine from becoming impure and a possible source of infection.

There are several important steps that will help you apply your medicine properly:

• Wash your hands before preparing your dose.
• The proper amount to measure depends on the size of the tube you are using and the size of the skin ulcer. You should expect the dose to change each week or every other week, depending on the rate your skin ulcer changes in size.
• Measure the proper amount carefully onto a clean surface (e.g., wax paper). Then, transfer the medicine to your skin ulcer by using an applicator aid (e.g., a cotton swab, tongue depressor).
• Spread the medicine on your skin ulcer as a thin (about 1/16th of an inch), even, continuous film.
• After wetting a gauze pad with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation USP, apply it on top of your medicated skin ulcer.
• After 12 hours, remove the medicine left on the skin ulcer with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation USP or water.
• Keep the ulcer from becoming too dry. When changing the dressing, the existing bandage may need to be wetted with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation USP to help remove the bandage and prevent injury to the healing ulcer.
• Wet a new gauze pad with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation USP. Apply it on top of your skin ulcer that no longer has the medicine on it and wait 12 hours before applying the medicine again. Therefore, the medicine is reapplied every 24 hours, with a change in the wound dressing in between applications.

Dosing

The dose of becaplermin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of becaplermin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For topical dosage form (gel):
  • For skin ulcers caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus:
    • Adults and children 16 years of age and over—Apply an amount of gel once a day and leave it on for twelve hours. The amount applied will change each week or every other week, depending on the changing size of the skin ulcer.
    • Children up to 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of becaplermin, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

becaplermin should not be used after the expiration date. The date can be found at the bottom of the tube.

Precautions While Using becaplermin

Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure that becaplermin does not cause unwanted effects. As your skin ulcer changes in size, your doctor may change your dose each week or every other week.

Becaplermin works best when used with other methods for good skin ulcer care, such as not bearing weight on the leg that has the skin ulcer. Your doctor will discuss these methods with you.

Discuss with your doctor whether you should continue the medicine if your skin ulcer is not reduced in size by 30% in 10 weeks or your skin ulcer does not improve after 20 weeks. If your skin ulcer does improve, your doctor may keep you on the medicine until the ulcer is completely healed.

It is important to use the proper amount and not to use more than prescribed. Using too much of becaplermin may increase your risk of having cancer. Your doctor will decide if you should continue to use becaplermin based on how well your ulcer has healed.

becaplermin Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Reddened skin near ulcer
• skin rash near ulcer

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

The information contained in the Thomson Healthcare (Micromedex) products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Healthcare products.