Ma's cancer has spread to her skin. The symptoms: red, itchy skin on one breast only (the one that got a lumpectomy) along with tumor nodules. The treatment: An oral chemo called Xeloda. It's milder than IV chemo. The worst side effects are diarrhea and hand & foot syndrome. Hair loss and nausea, while possible, are less likely to happen.
Ma will take 3 pills (500 mg. each) in the morning and 3 pills at night every day for two weeks, take one week off, then start the cycle all over again. She'll be on it indefinitely.
Showing posts with label Drugs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drugs. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Friday, May 30, 2008
Neulasta
Because some chemo drugs can make your white blood cell count drop and affect your immune system, medication is often given to stimulate production of white blood cells. One such drug is Neulasta, given 24 hours after chemo. That's the shot Ma got yesterday.
A similar drug is Neupogen. There are two main differences between Neulasta & Neupogen:
A similar drug is Neupogen. There are two main differences between Neulasta & Neupogen:
- Number of shots required. Only one shot of Neulasta is required vs. several daily shots of Neupogen.
- Cost. Neulasta costs between $3000-7000. Neupogen is only about $300 a shot. Even with five shots required, it's still cheaper than Neulasta.
Cytoxan and Taxotere
Ma will get 4 cycles of Cytoxan and Taxotere given every 3 weeks.
Cytoxan (generic name Cyclophasphamide) is classified as an alkylating agent. It kills cells while they are in their resting phase (vs. growing or dividing phase). It is a mustard gas derivative. Clinical trials using Cytoxan began in the late '50s.
Taxotere (generic name Docetaxel) is a plant alkaloid, taxane, and antimicrotubule agent. Plant alkaloid means it's made from plants. Taxanes are made from the bark of the yew tree (taxus). The related drug Taxol was developed first using the Pacific yew tree, and clinical trials began in the mid-1980s. But large quantities of the bark are required to produce the drug. Taxotere, derived from the more-readily available European yew, was developed in response. Being antimicrotubule means it inhibits the microtubule structures of cells, the part responsible for dividing and replicating. Simply put, it kills the cells while they're dividing.
Both Cytoxan and Taxotere have a long list of side effects, among them:
Why does chemotherapy cause hair loss? Because the drugs can't distinguish between "normal" cells and cancerous cells, they end up attacking both types.
Cytoxan (generic name Cyclophasphamide) is classified as an alkylating agent. It kills cells while they are in their resting phase (vs. growing or dividing phase). It is a mustard gas derivative. Clinical trials using Cytoxan began in the late '50s.
Taxotere (generic name Docetaxel) is a plant alkaloid, taxane, and antimicrotubule agent. Plant alkaloid means it's made from plants. Taxanes are made from the bark of the yew tree (taxus). The related drug Taxol was developed first using the Pacific yew tree, and clinical trials began in the mid-1980s. But large quantities of the bark are required to produce the drug. Taxotere, derived from the more-readily available European yew, was developed in response. Being antimicrotubule means it inhibits the microtubule structures of cells, the part responsible for dividing and replicating. Simply put, it kills the cells while they're dividing.
Both Cytoxan and Taxotere have a long list of side effects, among them:
- Low blood counts (white, red and platelets)
- Hair loss
- Nausea & vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mouth sores
- Neuropathy
- Fatigue
Why does chemotherapy cause hair loss? Because the drugs can't distinguish between "normal" cells and cancerous cells, they end up attacking both types.
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