Taxotere: Uses, indications and cautions when using

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Taxotere drug is used in the treatment of cancer such as breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, ... Taxotere works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.

1. What does Taxotere do?

Taxotere drug, also known as docetaxel, is effective in the treatment of cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer,... Taxotere works by the mechanism of slow down the growth of cancer cells.

2. How to use Taxotere

Taxotere drug is prepared in the form of a solution, a light yellow vial and is used in the form of intravenous injection. Dosage and frequency will be based on your medical condition, weight, and response to treatment. Your doctor may prescribe medication in advance such as corticosteroids (dexamethasone) to prevent side effects such as swelling, fluid retention, and allergic reactions.
These drugs are usually started 1 day before treatment with Taxotere and continued for 3 days afterwards. Please carefully follow the doctor's instructions to prepare for the course of treatment, if you forget to take your medicine before or take it on time, please inform your doctor or nurse before taking Taxotere.
Use Taxotere regularly to get the most benefit from it. Absolutely do not arbitrarily increase the dose of the drug or abuse the drug for a longer time than the treatment regimen. This does not improve the condition of the patient, but also increases the risk of unwanted effects.

3. Undesirable effects when using Taxotere

Some unwanted effects that may occur when using Taxotere include:
At the injection site: pain, swelling, heat,... Nausea or vomiting: may become more severe and some Your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. Heavy Tears Fatigue Dizziness Drowsiness Drowsiness Constipation Loss of appetite Temporary hair loss and nail changes: normal hair and nail growth will return after the treatment is over. However, hair loss can be permanent for some people. Decreased resistance to infection Taxotere is used in cancer treatment, but may also increase the risk of other cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia-AML, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This can happen months to years after treatment. Taxotere sometimes causes side effects due to the rapid destruction of cancer cells known as tumor lysis syndrome. To lower your risk, your doctor may add a medication and ask you to drink plenty of fluids. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms: low back pain (slant side pain), signs of kidney problems such as painful urination, pink urine, change in urine output. change in urine output, spasms, muscle weakness,... Other serious side effects such as swelling of the hands or feet, unexplained weight gain, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, muscle or joint pain persistent weakness or fatigue, eye pain, irregular heartbeat, stomach or abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, diarrhea with blood or mucus, severe headache, chest pain, vision changes such as blurred eyes, vision loss,... Before prescribing, doctors always weigh the benefits of Taxotere more than the risk of side effects. However, some cases when taking Taxotere can still occur unwanted effects. Therefore, when unusual signs appear, especially when an allergic reaction occurs with accompanying symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, and throat ,... In this case, the patient should immediately notify the medical staff for immediate intervention.

4. Some notes when using Taxotere

Some notes when using Taxotere include:
Report a history of allergy to Taxotere or to similar drugs (such as paclitaxel, cabazitaxel) or any other allergies. Taxotere may contain inactive drug ingredients such as polysorbate 80 and may cause allergic reactions or other serious problems. Report special medical history like liver problems, lung problems like pleural effusion, heart problems like congestive heart failure, weak immune system like leukopenia, problems blood problems such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, blood pressure problems, etc. To reduce nausea and vomiting, eat small meals, do not eat before treatment or limit activity. Taxotere may make you dizzy or drowsy, so do not work, drive, or do any other activity that requires alertness for 1 to 2 hours after receiving the injection. Limit alcoholic beverages, stimulants, ... Do not vaccinate without the consent of the doctor and avoid contact with people who have just received polio vaccine. Use caution with sharp objects such as knives, scissors or resistance physical activity to reduce the risk of bleeding and bruising. Wash your hands to prevent the spread of infections. Older adults may be more sensitive to Taxotere side effects, especially anemia, dizziness, diarrhea, infection, swelling, mouth sores, and weight loss. should not become pregnant, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as Taxotere can harm an unborn baby. You should use effective birth control during treatment and for 6 months after stopping treatment. Men taking Taxotere should use a form of birth control while taking the drug and for 3 months afterward. Breast-feeding while using Taxotere and for 1 week after stopping treatment is not recommended. Tests such as liver function tests, complete blood count, etc. should be performed periodically to monitor disease progression or check for side effects. If you forget a dose of Taxotere, ask your doctor or nurse right away for a new dosing schedule. Taxotere overdose can cause serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness,...

5. Drug interactions

Drug interactions can decrease the effectiveness of Taxotere, or increase the effect of unwanted effects. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Do not stop, start, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's consent without your doctor's consent.
Some medicinal products that may interact with Taxotere include:
Disulfiram Metronidazole Tinidazole azole antifungals: itraconazole Macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin Rifamycins: rifabutin HIV drugs: ritonavir Alcohol products Opioid analgesics or cough suppressants such as codeine, hydrocodone,... Anxiolytics or sleeping pills: alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem,... Muscle relaxants like carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine,... Antihistamines like cetirizine, diphenhydramine,...

6. How to store Taxotere

Taxotere drugs are preserved and circulated at the hospital and do not apply to preservation at home.
In short, the drug Taxotere, also known as docetaxel, is effective in the treatment of cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer,... Taxotere works according to mechanism to slow down the growth of cancer cells. However, Taxotere can cause some unwanted effects and drug interactions, so tell your doctor what medicines you are taking to reduce the risk of side effects and make the process more effective. treatment course.

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Reference source: webmd.com