| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Regranex |
| AHFS/ Drugs.com | Consumer Drug Information |
| MedlinePlus | a699049 |
|
Routes of administration | Topical |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status |
|
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | |
| DrugBank | |
| ChemSpider |
|
| UNII | |
| ChEMBL | |
| CompTox Dashboard ( EPA) | |
 
(what is this?)
(verify) | |
Becaplermin (brand name Regranex) is a cicatrizant, available as a topical gel. Regranex is a human platelet-derived growth factor indicated along with good wound care for the treatment of lower extremity diabetic neuropathic ulcers. [1] It is also known as "platelet-derived growth factor BB". [1]
Medical uses
The drug is used for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. [2] Studies of becaplermin showed that when used with good wound care, complete healing significantly increased and the ulcers healed on average 6 weeks faster. [3] Pharmacoeconomic studies reinforce the cost effectiveness of becaplermin as an adjunct to good wound care. [4]
The amount of becaplermin to be applied will vary depending upon the size of the ulcer area. Becaplermin should be stored in the refrigerator. [1] Analysis of healing human wounds showed that PDGF-BB induces fibroblast proliferation and differentiation and was found to increase healing in patients with decreased healing capacity, such as people living with diabetes. [5]
Contraindications
Becaplermin must not be used at the site of a skin cancer. [6]
Adverse effects
The most common side effects in clinical studies were erythematous rashes. [6]
A boxed warning has been added to the safety label to describe an increase rate of death from cancer when three or more tubes are used. [7] Regranex should be used with caution in patients with known malignancy. [1]
References
- ^ a b c d "REGRANEX Gel Highlights of Prescribing Information" (PDF). Smith & Nephew, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2016.
- ^ Nagai MK, Embil JM (February 2002). "Becaplermin: recombinant platelet derived growth factor, a new treatment for healing diabetic foot ulcers". Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy. 2 (2): 211–8. doi: 10.1517/14712598.2.2.211. PMID 11849120. S2CID 28408255.
- ^ Wieman TJ, Smiell JM, Su Y (May 1998). "Efficacy and safety of a topical gel formulation of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (becaplermin) in patients with chronic neuropathic diabetic ulcers. A phase III randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study". Diabetes Care. 21 (5): 822–7. doi: 10.2337/diacare.21.5.822. PMID 9589248. S2CID 20595962.
- ^ Persson U, Willis M, Odegaard K, Apelqvist J (2000). "The cost-effectiveness of treating diabetic lower extremity ulcers with becaplermin (Regranex): a core model with an application using Swedish cost data". Value in Health. 3 (Suppl 1): 39–46. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4733.2000.36027.x. PMID 16464208.
- ^ Heldin CH, Westermark B. Mechanism of action and in vivo role of platelet-derived growth factor. Physiol Rev. 1999;79:1283-1316.
- ^ a b FDA Professional Drug Information for Regranex.
- ^ Waknine Y (9 June 2008). "Diabetic Ulcer Gel Gets Black Box Warning". Medscape.