Arginine/lysine explained

Type:combo
Component1:Arginine
Class1:Amino acid
Component2:Lysine
Class2:Amino acid
Tradename:Lysakare
Routes Of Administration:Intravenous infusion
Atc Prefix:V03
Atc Suffix:AF11
Legal Uk:POM
Legal Uk Comment:[1]
Legal Eu:Rx-only
Cas Number:2447636-40-8
Kegg:D12136

Arginine/lysine, sold under the brand name Lysakare, is a fixed-dose combination medication used to protect the kidneys from radiation damage during cancer treatment with a radioactive medicine called lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide.[2] It contains L-arginine hydrochloride and L-lysine hydrochloride.

The most common side effects include nausea and vomiting. Arginine/lysine is also associated with hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium levels), but the frequency of this side effect is not known. Side effects with arginine/lysine are usually mild or moderate.

Radiation from lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide can cause damage when the medicine passes through tubules in the kidney. Arginine and lysine interfere with the passage of lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide through these kidney tubules. As a result, the radioactive medicine leaves the body in the urine and the kidneys are exposed to less radiation.

Arginine/lysine was approved for medical use in the European Union in July 2019.

Medical uses

Arginine/lysine is indicated for reduction of renal radiation exposure during peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide in adults.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lysakare Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) . (emc) . 2 May 2024 . 24 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Lysakare EPAR . European Medicines Agency (EMA) . 24 May 2019 . 22 July 2020. Text was copied from this source which is copyright European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged.