Taxol Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Taxol comes with the risk of multiple side effects, some of them quite serious. Adverse reactions include pain or soreness at the injection site, muscle pain, weakness, upset stomach and hair loss. Dangerous side effects include bleeding or bruising, changes in heartbeat and passing out.^[1]

Taxol for injection is a brand name for the prescription cancer medication paclitaxel. Taxol was originally developed by the drug maker Bristol Myers Squibb in 1992.^[2] In 2002, paclitaxel became available as a generic drug. Paclitaxel is now also sold as Onxol and Abraxne (from Abraxis Bioscience) as well as other brands. It is administered through intravenous injection.

Taxol is a powerful medication that interferes with and slows the growth of cancer cells, thereby slowing their spread throughout the body. Taxol treats breast cancer that has not improved or that has come back after treatment with other medications. It also treats lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.^[3]

Contents 1 Common Taxol Side Effects 2 About Drug Side Effects 3 Taxol Allergic Reactions 4 Taxol Precautions and Warnings 5 References

Common Taxol Side Effects

Commonly, Taxol patients experience pain, swelling, redness, or skin color changes where the Taxol was injected, as well as joint or muscle pain, mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss.

The more serious side effects of Taxol are slow heart rate, seizures, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the hands or feet; warmth or redness under the skin, hard skin at the injection site, and increased blood pressure. The symptoms of increased blood pressure are severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in the ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, and uneven heartbeat.^[1]

About Drug Side Effects

Taxol Allergic Reactions

Taxol can cause serious and occasional fatal allergic reactions. Patients who use a preparation made with polyoxyethylated castor oil are are increased risk. Typically, doctors will give Taxol patients medicines to reduce the risk of allergic reactions before every treatment. Signs of a reaction include itching or swelling in or near the face, arms, hands, feet or ankles; rapid heartbeat; trouble breathing or swallowing; rash; and hives.^[1]

Taxol Precautions and Warnings

Paclitaxel can often cause a serious blood disorder, decreased bone marrow function, that leads to a low number of white blood cells. This can significantly lower the body's ability to fight infections. Doctors monitor this closely and check white blood cell levels frequently during treatment. If the white blood cell count is too low, the doctor could stop the medication. Warning signs of infection include fever, chills, cough, persistent sore throat, and painful or difficult urination.^[4]

Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as well as men who may father a child, are directed not to use Taxol. It has been shown to cause birth defects if either the mother or father use it. Reliable birth control is a necessity among fertile, sexually active individuals.^[1]

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References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000419/
2. ↑ http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.DrugDetails
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ucm225965.htm
4. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4685-Taxol+IV.aspx?drugid=4685&drugname=Taxol+IV&source=1