Defibrotide
Defibrotide (pronunciation: de-fib-ro-tide) is a polydeoxyribonucleotide, a type of oligonucleotide, that is used as a medication. It is primarily used in the treatment of severe veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), particularly when associated with multi-organ failure following hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.
Etymology
The term "Defibrotide" is derived from its chemical structure. It is a mixture of single-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides derived from porcine mucosal DNA.
Pharmacology
Defibrotide works by protecting the endothelial cells in the body from damage, reducing the risk of clot formation, and breaking down existing clots. It is thought to achieve this through its interaction with various adenosine receptors and glycoproteins on the surface of endothelial cells.
Usage
Defibrotide is used in the treatment of severe veno-occlusive disease (VOD), a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. VOD is characterized by the blockage of small veins in the liver, leading to liver damage and potentially multi-organ failure.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Defibrotide include hypotension (low blood pressure), diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Serious side effects may include bleeding complications due to the drug's anticoagulant effects.
Related Terms
- Oligonucleotide
- Veno-occlusive disease
- Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation
- Adenosine receptors
- Glycoprotein
- Hypotension
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Defibrotide
- Wikipedia's article - Defibrotide
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski