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Becaplermin
Becaplermin belongs to the class of platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) used to treat diabetic foot ulcers in people with good blood flow in the legs and feet. A diabetic foot ulcer is a common complication of diabetes. Ulcers are formed due to the breakdown of skin tissue and exposure to underneath layers. Diabetic foot ulcers commonly develop under the big toes and balls of the feet. Also, they can affect the feet down to the bones.
Becaplermin contains Becaplermin which works by stimulating the growth of cells involved in wound healing. Thereby, it helps to treat ulcers of the legs or foot in people with diabetes.
Properties and Characteristics of Becaplermin
| Drug class | Platelet-derived growth factors and Miscellaneous topical agents |
| Brand Names | Regranex |
| Synonyms | Becaplermin, PDGF-2, PDGF-BB, PDGFB,
Platelet-derived growth factor BB, recombinant, Platelet-derived growth factor beta polypeptide, Recombinant platelet-derived growth factor BB, rhPDGF-BB, rPDGF-BB, SH-POLYPEPTIDE-59 |
| Molecular Formula | C532H892N162O153S9 |
| Molecular Weight | 12294.4 Da |
| Protein Structure |  |
| Pure active ingredient | Becaplermin |
| Appearance | Clear to straw colored viscous liquid colorless gel |
| Solubility | Water soluble |
| Available as | Gel |
| Storage | Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. |
| Prescription | Doctor prescription is required before consumption |
Becaplermin therapeutic uses
- Becaplermin is majorly used to treat Wound Healing; Skin Ulcer
- This medication is used to treat certain foot/leg ulcers in people with diabetes.
- It is used along with good foot/leg care (such as keeping pressure off the wound) to help the ulcer heal completely. Becaplermin works by attracting certain natural substances to the ulcer that help wound healing.
Becaplermin topical side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- An increase in the size of the ulcer, or worsening symptoms;
- Severe itching;
- Skin redness; or
- Blistering or peeling skin.
Common side effects of becaplermin topical may include:
- Red rash; or
- Burning where the medicine was applied.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Mechanism of action
Binds to the beta platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor, a tyrosine kinase receptor. PDGF is known to exist as a dimer, and activates it signalling pathway by a ligand induced receptor dimerization and autophosphorylation. PDGF receptors also contain many auto-phosphorylation sites, which serve to mediate binding of SH2 sites and subsequently signal corresponding pathways. There are five different isoforms of PDGF that activate through two different receptors (alpha and beta).
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Cancer, any type—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.
- Poor blood flow to your lower legs and feet—Use with caution. May increase risk for more side effects.
- Skin cancer or tumor at the application site—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
- Wounds that show exposed joints, tendons, ligaments, or bone—Use of becaplermin is not recommended because it is not known if it would work for these conditions.
- Wounds that are closed manually by your doctor—Use of becaplermin is not recommended because these wounds require a sterile product.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For topical dosage form (gel):
For diabetic skin ulcers:
- Adults and children 16 years of age and older—Apply to the affected area once a day and leave it on for 12 hours. The amount applied will change each week or every other week, depending on the changing size of the skin ulcer.
- Children younger than 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Overdose
This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call emergency number. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away.
Precautions
Before using becaplermin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as parabens), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: cancer (especially in the ulcer area).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.