Steritalc (talc)
Intrapleural Sclerosing Agents Intrapleural Aerosol, Powder (Ea); Intrapleural Vial (Ea)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Talc is a sclerosing agent.
Commercially available sterile talc powder for intrapleural administration is a white or off-white to light gray, asbestos- and brucite-free grade of talc that is of controlled particle size and contains at least 95% talc as hydrated magnesium silicate. Sterile talc powder is commercially available in single-use pressurized spray canisters for intrapleural administration as an aerosol (see Intrapleural Administration as an Aerosol under Dosage and Administration: Administration). Each single-use canister contains 4 g of talc suspended in 25 g of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA-134a) aerosol propellant.
Sterile talc powder also is commercially available in single-use bottles for preparation of a talc slurry for intrapleural administration via a chest tube (see Intrapleural Administration as a Slurry under Dosage and Administration: Administration).
The mechanism of action of talc used as a sclerosing agent in the prevention of recurrent malignant pleural effusions is believed to involve induction of an inflammatory reaction that results in pleurodesis, thereby obliterating the pleural space and reducing the chance of pleural fluid reaccumulation.
The extent of systemic absorption of talc following intrapleural administration has not been fully elucidated. Systemic exposure to talc may be affected by the integrity of the pleural surface and, therefore, may be increased if the drug is administered immediately following lung resection or biopsy.
Generic name: talc
Drug class: Intrapleural Sclerosing Agents
Therapeutic class: Respiratory Therapy Agents
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Steritalc
Indications
The following indications are listed for Steritalc:
- Pleural Malignant Effusion
Also known as: Malignant Pleural Effusion.
Dosing
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Talc is administered intrapleurally as an aerosol during thoracoscopy or open thoracotomy or as a slurry via a chest tube. Talc should not be administered IV.
Prior to intrapleural administration of talc as an aerosol or slurry, effusions should be adequately drained from the pleural cavity. Success of talc pleurodesis appears to be related to completeness of the drainage of pleural fluid and full reexpansion of the lung, both of which promote symphysis of pleural surfaces.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
The manufacturer states there are no known contraindications to intrapleural talc.
- Lactation
- Pregnancy
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
The most common adverse effects reported following intrapleural administration of talc are fever and pain. Almost all reported cases of fever and over half of reported cases of pain occurred in patients who underwent diagnostic biopsies at the time of intrapleural administration of talc.
Rare or Very Rare
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Dyspnea
- Hypotension
- Hypovolemia
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary thromboembolism
Less Frequent
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Fever
- Interstitial pneumonitis
- Pain
- Pleural empyema
Rare or Very Rare
- Hemoptysis
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
Safety and efficacy of intrapleural talc have not been established in pediatric patients.
Category B. (See Users Guide.)
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies using intrapleural talc in pregnant women; the drug should not be used during pregnancy unless benefits outweigh risks.
No enhanced messaging available.
Safety and efficacy of intrapleural talc in geriatric patients have not been studied specifically to date.
The estimated mean and median ages of patients treated with talc slurry administered via a chest tube in clinical studies (single-arm or randomized studies) were 60 and 62 years, respectively. In other clinical studies, the mean and median ages of patients treated with intrapleural talc ranged between 50 and 62 years of age.
ICD codes
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pleural malignant effusion | ||
| J91.0 | ICD10CM | Malignant pleural effusion |
ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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