Textbook and Publication Errata

Significant errors reported in recent publications

From the July, 2,1997 Issue

Error in formula for calculation of carboplatin dose

In the carboplatin monograph on page 697 of the 1997 edition of ASHP's AHFS - Drug Information, there is a misprint in the Chatelut Formula for calculation of carboplatin clearance. First, a portion of the formula (0.134 x weight) included in the numerator should not be included in the formula but as a separate calculation. Next, the factor of 0.457 in the age calculation is incorrect. The correct factor is 0.00457. Finally, the factor of 0.134 in the gender calculation is incorrect. The correct factor is 0.314.

Listed below is the correct Chatelut formula as referenced in the original work in France1 and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute²

Total dose (mg) = target area under the curve (in mg/mL/min) x carboplatin clearance (mL/min).

Carboplatin clearance (ml/min) =
[0.134 x weight] + [218 x wt x (1 - {0.00457 x age})] x [1 - (0.314 x sex)]
serum creatinine (Fmol/L)
(weight is in kg, age is in years, sex is 0 for males and 1 for females).

The formula in the 1996 AHFS was printed correctly. Please take steps to correct the 1997 monograph wherever the book is available. ASHP has been informed of the error.

Error in chemotherapy regimen.

A significant dosage error appeared in a cancer chemotherapy regimen described in the June 16, 1997, issue of Drug Topics on page 28. The article described a study by Chan et al which compared docetaxel versus doxorubicin in patients with metastatic breast cancer. As originally reported at this year's American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting in May, this phase III trial compared docetaxel (Taxotere^®) at 100 mg/m2, as a one hour IV infusion every 3 weeks, to doxorubicin 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. The Drug Topics article accidentally stated that the drugs were given three times a week, which of course, would be a lethal overdose. Relevant pharmacy staff need to be aware

References: 1. Chatelut E, Dezeuze A, Lavit M et al; Prediction of carboplatin clearance from morphological and biological patient characteristics. Bull Cancer 1995;82:946-53. 2. Chatelut E, Canal P, Brunner V et al. Prediction of carboplatin clearance from standard morphological and biological patient characteristics. J Natl Cancer Inst 1995; 87:573-80.