Definition

An antimetabolite is a drug that interferes with normal cell metabolism. These are types of chemotherapy treatments that are very similar to normal substances within the cell. When the cells incorporate these substances into the cellular metabolism, they are unable to divide. They are cell-cycle specific. They attack cells at very specific phases in the cycle

Structurally, antimetabolites look like chemicals found in the body. They can compete at receptor sites and trick the body into thinking they are chemicals the body is producing and would normally use. One use for an antimetabolite is to block a process altogether by preventing a metabolite from working. These chemicals can also alter chemical reactions to change their outcome.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF ANTIMETABOLITES

Folic acid antagonist interfere with the action of folic acid and produce the symptoms of a folic acid deficiency. Example : Methotrexate

Pyridimine Antagonist - belongs to the group of antimetabolite anti-cancer drugs and show structural resemblance with naturally occurring nucleotides. Examples: 5-Fluorouracil, Foxuridine, Cytarabine, Capecitabine, and Gemcitabine.

Purine Antagonist - stop synthesis by decreasing the production of the purine bases or may be incorporated into the DNA strands during synthesis and halt cell replication. Genetic mutation may lead to purine resistance. Example: 6-Mercaptopurine and 6Thioguanine

Uses
With cancers, antimetabolites can be turned against the body itself. These drugs can be designed to target cancer cells and block their division and reproduction, causing tumors to stop growing. This can provide an opening for other treatments to shrink the tumor. Some examples of antimetabolite drugs used in medical treatment include folic acid antagonists, pyrimidine antagonists, and purine antagonists.

These drugs can be used in a variety of ways in medical treatment, ranging from cancer therapy to treatment for bacterial infection, and pharmaceutical companies are consistently developing promising new drugs in this class. Antimetabolites work by mimicking the actions of a compound normally found in the body to participate in biochemical reactions inside a cell, thereby disrupting the cell's metabolism by blocking or changing the actions of a metabolic process

ACTION

Antimetabolites generally work in one of three ways to interrupt the metabolism of an organism: First, they may prevent the formation of nucleic acids, essential for the production of DNA in the organism. Second, they may interfere with the synthesis of proteins in the cell of a microorganism. Third, they may interfere with the synthesis of a cell wall, causing the cell to break apart and die.

INDICATION
Myelocytic leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia Cancer of the breast, colon, cervix, uterus and liver .

SIDE EFFECTS

G.I disturbance Oral and anal inflammation Bone marrow depression Alopecia Renal dysfunction Thrombocytopenia

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ANTIMETABOLITES

M onitor CBC and platelets weekly E valuate renal function T ake temperature Q 4 A septic techniques B leeding, anemia, infection and nausea O ral hygiene L ots of fluid intake I ntake and output, nutrition T he protocols in handling must be follow E mphasize protective isolation

NURSING INTERVENTIONS

Evaluate complete blood count Pre medicate with anti emetics Safety measures for dizziness Instruct to report fever, sore throat, rash and bleeding Provide small frequent feedings Sunscreens for photosensitivity When administering methotexate, prepare to administer leucovurin tp prevent toxicity

END.!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU

PREPARED BY: Dela Cruz , Fernand Cabias, Mary Grace Cleland, Julie Anne Valencia, Dennis