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paclitaxel
Trade Name(s):
Taxol
Category:
Chemotherapy Drug
Classification:
Paclitaxel belongs to the general group of drugs known as taxanes. It is also called a mitotic inhibitor because of its affect on the cell during mitosis (cell division). It is used to treat several types of cancer including breast and lung cancers.
Action:
Paclitaxel disrupts cell division, resulting in cell death.
How Drug Is Given:
Paclitaxel is given intravenously over one or more hours.
Remember:
You should read and understand the following information. If any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.
Before taking this drug, notify your doctor of any of the following:
Before taking this drug, notify your doctor of any of the following:
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to have children in the future, inform your doctor of this before treatment. This drug may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who are taking this drug need to use some kind of birth control. However, do not use oral contraceptives ("the pill") without checking with your doctor.
If you are thinking about having children in the future, be sure to discuss this with your doctor. Many chemotherapy drugs can cause sterility.
If you have any of the following medical problems: chickenpox or exposure to chickenpox, gout, heart disease, congestive heart failure, shingles, kidney stones, liver disease, or other forms of cancer.
If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medications, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medications may interact with other drugs, causing a harmful effect. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medication, prescription or nonprescription, without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, foods or other medications. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and may affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
Paclitaxel can cause lowering of your blood counts (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets). Your doctor will check your blood counts before each treatment, and after to see its effect on your blood counts. Your doctor or nurse will give you specific instructions for lowered blood counts.
Paclitaxel can cause a decrease in your white blood cell count, especially 7-10 days after the drug is given. This can increase your risk of getting an infection. Report fever of 100.5 F or higher, or signs of infection such as pain on passing your urine, cough, and bringing up sputum.
Paclitaxel can cause a decrease in the platelet count. This can increase your risk of bleeding. DO NOT take any aspirin or aspirin-containing medicines. Report unusual bruising, or bleeding such as nose bleeds, bleeding of gums when you brush your teeth, or black, tarry stools.
Getting a wig before starting treatment may make it easier to deal with hair loss. Talk to your nurse or doctor about this. If your insurance does not cover it, there may be other resources to help you. Hair loss is temporary, and your hair will grow back after treatment.
Rarely, you may have an allergic reaction when paclitaxel is given to you. You may receive medicines to prevent this.
While you are being treated with paclitaxel, and after you stop treatment, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's okay. Try to avoid contact with people who have recently taken the oral polio vaccine. Check with your doctor about this.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
Most of the following side effects probably do not occur. Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you. Your doctor or nurse can help you anticipate and understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More common side effects:
Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
Fatigue
Numbness and tingling in hands and/or feet related to peripheral nerve irritation or damage
Muscle and bone aches for 3 days
Hair loss
Nausea
Vomiting
Mild diarrhea
Mild stomatitis
Less common side effects:
Allergic reaction: increased heart rate, wheezing, swelling of face
Rare side effects:
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
Side effects/symptoms of this drug:
Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop burning or pain in your hands or feet.
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approved:
This drug is approved for cancer treatment.
Note: This information was reprinted from the American Cancer Society's Consumers Guide to Cancer Drugs. Copyright © 2000, Jones and Bartlett Publishers. This information may not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions, is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor who is familiar with your medical needs. For more information, contact your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. |
