Mitomycin is an antimetabolite drug that belongs to the category of medicines known as alkaloids cytotoxic agents. It was approved by the FDA in 1974 to treat some kinds of cancers.

Mitomycin is an anti-emetic agent used in the treatment as an adjunct to ab externo glaucoma surgery. It is also used to treat advanced pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and stomach cancer.

Mitomycin is a prescription drug available in injection form. This medicine will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is intended for topical application to the surgical site of glaucoma filtration surgery. It is not intended for intraocular administration. During the infusion, the patient will be closely monitored for any adverse reactions, such as allergic reactions or changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Do not self-administer this medicine. The dose of the injection will be decided by your doctor based on your disease condition and other factors. Mitomycin can be given during the surgery.

The common side effects of Mitomycin  are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, bruising, shortness of breath, and numbness. Other serious side effects include swelling of lips, severe lung disease, and kidney problems. Inform your physician if you face any of the symptoms.

Mitomycin is not recommended in patients who have hypersensitivity reactions. This medicine may cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, and a rapid heartbeat. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. Mitomycin is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant during therapy. It may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. This medicine should be avoided in patients with severe immunosuppression due to bone marrow suppression.

Mitomycin has been associated with an increased instance of postoperative hypotony (Intraocular pressure). Use of mitomycin for longer than 2 minutes may lead to unintended corneal damage. Direct contact with the corneal endothelium will result in cell death. Use in phakic(the lens is implanted into the eye without removing the eye's natural lens). patients have been correlated to a higher risk of lenticular change and cataract formation.

Mitomycin can cause harm to a developing fetus or nursing baby, so it is important to discuss contraception options and the need to avoid breastfeeding during treatment. Mitomycin can cause fatigue, so encourage the patient to take enough rest and self-care during treatment. Also, advise the patient to avoid contact with people who are sick, practice good hand hygiene, and take other steps to reduce their risk of infection. In stomach cancer, mitomycin may be used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs such as fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin. This combination therapy is often used in patients with advanced or metastatic stomach cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Mitomycin can lower your body's ability to fight infections, so it's important to take steps to avoid exposure to germs and infections. Intake immune booster foods like broccoli, ginger, spinach in your daily life.

1. Mobius Therapeutics, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Jan 2012] [ Accessed on 30th Nov 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/022572s000lbl.pdf
2. Hadeer Sinawe, Damian Casadesus; Mitomycin; NCBI Bookshelf; Updated on 29/07/2021; Accessed on 01/12/2021; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562249/
3. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 865.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.