Prophylaxis and reversal of ifosfamide encephalopathy with methylene-blue

Lancet. 1994 Mar 26;343(8900):763-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(94)91839-2.

Abstract

The antineoplastic ifosfamide produces dose-dependent signs of neurotoxicity. After ifosfamide overdose in a patient, we found excessive urinary excretion of glutaric acid and sarcosine, which is compatible with glutaric aciduria type II, a defect in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation that results from defective electron transfer to flavoproteins. We therefore used the electron-accepting drug methylene-blue as an antidote for ifosfamide encephalopathy. In one patient, ifosfamide neurotoxicity was rapidly reversed by methylene-blue 50 mg intravenously. In another patient with previous episodes of ifosfamide encephalopathy, methylene-blue was administered orally prophylactically. No symptoms of neurotoxicity were noted.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Antidotes
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Brain Diseases / chemically induced
  • Brain Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Drug Overdose
  • Female
  • Glutarates / urine
  • Humans
  • Ifosfamide / poisoning*
  • Ifosfamide / therapeutic use
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Methylene Blue / administration & dosage*
  • Osteosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Premedication
  • Sarcosine / urine

Substances

  • Antidotes
  • Glutarates
  • glutaric acid
  • Methylene Blue
  • Ifosfamide
  • Sarcosine