arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Kidney-protective amino acid infusion used with anticancer radionuclide treatment.
Licensed use
Reducing renal radiation exposure during peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy with lutetium-177 oxodotreotide in adults.
Administration
Given into a vein by a healthcare professional experienced in radionuclide therapy.
Important practical point
Nausea and vomiting are very common, so preventive anti-sickness treatment is normally given.
What is arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride used for?
The selected product is licensed in adults for kidney protection during a specific form of radionuclide treatment.
Reduction of kidney radiation exposure during peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy with lutetium-177 oxodotreotide.
How does arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride work?
The positively charged amino acids arginine and lysine compete with lutetium-177 oxodotreotide for reabsorption in the kidney tubules. More of the radioactive treatment is therefore passed into the urine, reducing the radiation absorbed by the kidneys.
How to take arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride
This treatment is administered in a specialist clinical setting as an intravenous infusion alongside lutetium-177 oxodotreotide. It is not taken by mouth or self-administered.
Preventive anti-sickness treatment is usually given before the infusion.
Follow the specialist team's hydration instructions and urinate regularly to help remove excess potassium and radioactive material.
Tell staff promptly if you feel very sick, vomit or develop symptoms suggesting high potassium.
arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Get urgent medical advice
- High blood potassium, which may cause weakness, numbness, breathing difficulty, chest pain or abnormal heart rhythm
- Severe or persistent vomiting, particularly if it interferes with hydration
arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride in pregnancy
There is no relevant use of this infusion during pregnancy because it is administered with lutetium-177 oxodotreotide, which is contraindicated when pregnancy is established, suspected or not excluded because of ionising radiation. Pregnancy and contraception must be discussed with the specialist team.
arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Although arginine and lysine occur naturally and effects from their presence in milk are considered unlikely, breastfeeding should be avoided during treatment with lutetium-177 oxodotreotide. Obtain treatment-specific advice from the specialist team.
arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. A complete medication review remains important because the infusion commonly causes a temporary rise in blood potassium.
Medicines associated with high potassium
These should be reviewed if potassium is raised because the infusion can further increase serum potassium.
Other medicines
No interaction through the medicine's kidney reabsorption mechanism is expected, but all prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products should still be disclosed.
Common questions about arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride used for?
It protects the kidneys from unnecessary radiation exposure during treatment with lutetium-177 oxodotreotide in adults.
Is arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride chemotherapy?
No. It is a kidney-protective amino acid infusion given alongside a radioactive anticancer treatment.
How does arginine hydrochloride + lysine hydrochloride protect the kidneys?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.