Docetaxel side effects

Docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil (TPF) TPF is a combination of chemotherapy drugs that includes docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil. It is a treatment for head and neck cancer. What is TPF? TPF is a combination of chemotherapy drugs that includes: • docetaxel (also known by the name Taxotere) • cisplatin • fluorouracil (5FU) It is a treatment for head and neck cancer. • How do you have TPF? You have all 3 drugs as a drip into your bloodstream (intravenously). Drugs into your bloodstream You might have treatment through a long plastic tube that goes into a large vein in your chest. The tube stays in place throughout the course of treatment. This can be a: • central line • PICC line • portacath If you don't have a central line You might have treatment through a thin short tube (a cannula) that goes into a vein in your arm. You have a new cannula each time you have treatment. • How often do you have TPF? You usually have TPF chemotherapy as cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. Each cycle is 21 days (3 weeks). You have up to 4 cycles, taking up to 12 weeks in total. This treatment is often followed by a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy). You usually have each treatment cycle in the following way: Day 6 to 21 • You have no treatment. Then you start the cycle again. You may stay in hospital (inpatient) to have TPF for 4 or 5 nights. In some hospitals you might have it as an outpatien...

WARNING: TOXIC DEATHS, HEPATOTOXICITY, NEUTROPENIA, HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS, and FLUID RETENTION Treatment-related mortality associated with Docetaxel is increased in patients with abnormal liver function, in patients receiving higher doses, and in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma and a history of prior treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy who receive Docetaxel as a single agent at a dose of 100 mg/m 2 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Avoid the use of Docetaxel Injection in patients with bilirubin > upper limit of normal (ULN), or to patients with AST and/or ALT >1.5 × ULN concomitant with alkaline phosphatase >2.5 × ULN. Patients with elevations of bilirubin or abnormalities of transaminase concurrent with alkaline phosphatase are at increased risk for the development of severe neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, infections, severe thrombocytopenia, severe stomatitis, severe skin toxicity, and toxic death. Patients with isolated elevations of transaminase >1.5 × ULN also had a higher rate of febrile neutropenia. Measure bilirubin, AST or ALT, and alkaline phosphatase prior to each cycle of Docetaxel Injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Do not administer Docetaxel Injection to patients with neutrophil counts of <1500 cells/mm 3. Monitor blood counts frequently as neutropenia may be severe and result in infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. Do not administer Docetaxel Injection to patients who have a history of severe hypersensiti...

Warning • Very bad and sometimes deadly allergic reactions have happened with docetaxel injection. Do not take docetaxel injection if you have ever had an allergic reaction to docetaxel injection or to other drugs that have polysorbate 80 in them. • The risk of death that may rarely happen with docetaxel injection is raised in people with liver problems and in people who get high doses of this drug. The risk is also raised in people with a certain type of lung cancer who have been treated with a platinum-based chemo drug in the past. This medicine must not be given to some people with high bilirubin levels, liver problems, or raised liver enzymes. If you have any of these health problems or any questions, talk with your doctor. • This medicine may cause you to swell or keep fluid in your body. Tell your doctor if you have swelling, weight gain, or trouble breathing. • This medicine may lower the ability of your bone marrow to make blood cells that your body needs. This can lead to needing a blood transfusion and very bad and sometimes deadly bleeding problems or infections. Tell your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat; any bruising or bleeding; or if you feel very tired or weak. • Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor. • If you have a low white blood cell count, talk with your doctor. This medicine must not be used in people with certain low white blood cell counts. Uses of Docetax...

What Are Dosages of Docetaxel? Adult dosage Injectable solution • 10 mg/mL (2 mL, 8 mL, 16 mL vials) • 20 mg/mL (1 mL, 4 mL vials) Alcohol-free solution for injection • 20 mg/mL • 80 mg/4mL • 160 mg/8mL Breast Cancer Adult dosage Local advanced or metastatic • Monotherapy: 60-100 mg/m2 IV over 1 hour every 3 weeks • Operable node-positive • Non- Adult dosage • 75 mg/m2 IV over 1 hour every 3 weeks Adult dosage • Day 1: 75 mg/m2 IV infusion over 1 hour, followed by • Post cisplatin: • Repeat cycle every 3 weeks Head & Neck Cancer Adult dosage Induction chemotherapy followed by • Day 1: 75 mg/m2 IV infusion over 1 hour, followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 as a 1 hour infusion • Post cisplatin: Fluorouracil 750 mg/m2 once daily given as a 24-hour continuous IV infusion for 5 days • Repeat cycle every 3 weeks 4 times Induction chemotherapy followed by • Day 1: 75 mg/m2 IV infusion over 1 hour, followed by cisplatin 100 mg/m2 as a 0.5-3 hour infusion • Post cisplatin: Fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2 once daily given as a 24-hour continuous IV infusion from day 1 to day 4 • Repeat cycle every 3 weeks for 3 cycles Adult dosage • 75 mg/m2 IV over 1 hour every 3 weeks with daily Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: • See “Dosages”. What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Docetaxel? Common side effects of Docetaxel include: • allergic reactions, • tissue damage, • injection site reactions (swelling, warmth, tenderness, redness, dryness, darkened skin), • low blood cell counts,...

Coping With the Late Effects of Chemotherapy Long-term effects and late effects of cancer treatment are common. Many people find that their "new normal" is not what they would like, and feel frustrated by the symptoms. Cancer survival is improving. It's only very recently that the term "survivorship" was coined, and the long-range physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of surviving cancer are becoming better understood. • Ask your oncologist about any late effects that you may expect from the particular chemotherapy drugs you were given. Find out when you will need to have the recommended screening tests (for example, tests for heart problems, hearing loss, or osteoporosis). • Keep a record of your chemotherapy regimen with you in case you see a healthcare provider who is unfamiliar with your medical history. • If you smoke, quit. • Make regular appointments with your dentist and eye doctor. • Engage in regular physical activity. • Limit your intake of alcohol. • Let your healthcare provider know if you experience any new symptoms or worsening of current symptoms you have.

approved in five key cancers, but its effectiveness in clinical practice can be compromised by sub-optimal side-effect management. The aim of this review was to investigate the extent of the published work on specific docetaxel-related side effects and to provide, where possible, evidence-based recommendations for their prevention and management. PubMed and the American Society of (ASCO) databases were systematically searched for articles published in English over the past 5 years and 2 years, respectively, and pertaining to six side effects identified as being common to the majority of docetaxel regimens and indications and of particular relevance to the n= 6), or , evidence/guidelines-based advice for the use of G-CSF in febrile neutropenia is provided. The evidence base with respect to the other side effects does not permit the formulation of recommendations. It is the experience of the authors, however, that the severity of symptoms experienced by Introduction Over the past decade, docetaxel (Taxotere, sanofi-aventis) has emerged as one of the most important cytotoxic agents, with proven clinical efficacy against many cancers (Table 1). Its position as a treatment of choice within its licensed indications is supported by evidence that it produces improved progression-free, disease-free and notably overall survival as well as better quality of life when compared with alternative treatments (Chan, 1997, Chan et al., 1999, Nabholtz et al., 2003, Fossella et al., 2000, She...