Sclerosol (talc powder, sterile) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more

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Sections talc powder, sterile
Dosing & Uses
Adverse Effects
Warnings
Pregnancy
Pharmacology
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Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

aerosol powder

suspension reconstituted

Malignant Pleural Effusion

Indicated as a sclerosing agent to decrease malignant pleural effusion recurrence in symptomatic patients

Administered intrapleurally via chest tube after adequate drainage of the effusion

Aerosol : 4-8 g (1-2 canisters); deliver by manually pressing actuator button; distal end of the delivery tube should be pointed in several different directions, while short bursts are administered to distribute talc powder equally and extensively on all visceral and parietal pleural surfaces

Powder: 5 g as single dose dispersed in sodium chloride injection 50 to 100 mL; doses range from 2 to 10.5 g shown to be effective

Safety and efficacy not established

Frequency Not Defined

Difficult to distinguish adverse effects of talc from adverse effects of procedures associated with talc administration

Empyema

Hypoxemia

Dyspnea

Unilateral pulmonary edema

Pneumonia

ARDS

Bronchopleural fistula

Hemoptysis

Pulmonary emboli

Tachycardia

Myocardial infarction

Hypotension

Hypovolemia

Asystolic arrest

Adverse reactions due to the delivery procedure and chest tube may include pain, infection at the site of thoracostomy or thoracoscopy, localized bleeding, and subcutaneous emphysema

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Cautions

May preclude subsequent diagnostic procedures of the pleura on the treated side, in including ipsilateral lung resective surgery and pneumonectomy for transplantation purposes

No known antineoplastic activity and should not be used alone for potentially curable malignancies where systemic therapy would before appropriate; does not exhibit antineplastic therapy

May cause pulmonary complication (eg, acute pneumonitis, ARDS)

Keep Sclerosol (aerosol) away from any heat source that could cause it to explode

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category: B

Lactation: Not studied

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Mechanism of Action

Induces inflammatory reaction; this reaction promotes adherence of the visceral to the parietal pleura, thereby obliterating the pleural space and preventing reaccumulation of pleural fluid

Images

No images available for this drug.

Patient Handout

A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.

Formulary

FormularyPatient Discounts

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The above information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Individual plans may vary and formulary information changes. Contact the applicable plan provider for the most current information.

View explanations for tiers and restrictions

Tier	Description
1	This drug is available at the lowest co-pay. Most commonly, these are generic drugs.
2	This drug is available at a middle level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "preferred" (on formulary) brand drugs.
3	This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs.
4	This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
5	This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
6	This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
NC	NOT COVERED – Drugs that are not covered by the plan.

Code	Definition
PA	Prior Authorization Drugs that require prior authorization. This restriction requires that specific clinical criteria be met prior to the approval of the prescription.
QL	Quantity Limits Drugs that have quantity limits associated with each prescription. This restriction typically limits the quantity of the drug that will be covered.
ST	Step Therapy Drugs that have step therapy associated with each prescription. This restriction typically requires that certain criteria be met prior to approval for the prescription.
OR	Other Restrictions Drugs that have restrictions other than prior authorization, quantity limits, and step therapy associated with each prescription.

Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.

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Sections talc powder, sterile
Dosing & Uses
Adverse Effects
Warnings
Pregnancy
Pharmacology
Images
Patient Handout
Formulary

talc powder, sterile (Rx)