Precautions
Before receiving docetaxel, tell your health care professional if you have problems with alcohol or drinking, have liver disease or other medical conditions that may be affected by alcohol intake.
What should I know about docetaxel before receiving it?
The taxane chemotherapeutic agent docetaxel has been utilized in the management of breast cancer in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic setting. Although well tolerated by the majority of patients, docetaxel toxicity may limit the dose which can be administered.
What is docetaxel toxicity in breast cancer?
Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth. Docetaxel contains alcohol and may cause a drunken feeling when the medicine is injected into your vein. Avoid drinking alcohol on the day of your docetaxel injection. This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit).
What should I avoid while taking docetaxel?
Neuropathies. Two of the most common long-term side effects of docetaxel chemotherapy are sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy. Fortunately, the incidence of both of these is much less than paclitaxel. Grade 3 and 4 neuropathy is only observed in less than 10% of patients receiving docetaxel therapy.
Is neuropathy a side effect of docetaxel?
What vitamins does chemotherapy deplete?
Deficiencies of vitamins B1, B2, and K and of niacin, folic acid, and thymine also may result from chemotherapy. Nutritional deficiencies are chemically correctable; however, the tumor must be eradicated to relieve cachexia.
What is the most common side effect of docetaxel?
The most common adverse reactions across all TAXOTERE indications are infections, neutropenia, anemia, febrile neutropenia, hypersensitivity, thrombocytopenia, neuropathy, dysgeusia, dyspnea, constipation, anorexia, nail disorders, fluid retention, asthenia, pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, mucositis, alopecia, skin ...
How does docetaxel affect the body?
Docetaxel belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics (cancer medicines). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by docetaxel, other unwanted effects will also occur.
What are the long term side effects of docetaxel?
The most common long-term side effects of docetaxel are two types of nerve damage called sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy. Although it is less common, patients have also reported hair loss that lasts for years and appears to be permanent. In extremely rare cases, patients have developed leukemia.
What can you eat on docetaxel?
Your oncology care team can recommend medications to relieve diarrhea. Also, try eating low-fiber, bland foods, such as white rice and boiled or baked chicken. Avoid raw fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread, cereals, and seeds. Soluble fiber is found in some foods and absorbs fluid, which can help relieve diarrhea.
How long does docetaxel extend life?
Docetaxel is normally given after hormone treatment has failed. But results, to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, will show earlier treatment can extend life expectancy from 43 to 65 months.
Does docetaxel cause kidney damage?
Bruising, bleeding. Liver damage which may cause yellowing of eyes and skin. Kidney damage which may require dialysis. Blood clot which may cause swelling, pain, shortness of breath.
How many cycles of docetaxel can you have?
In a clinical trial of docetaxel for CRPC, the frequencies of PN were 32% [1] (maximum 10 cycles) and 41% (maximum 12 cycles) [17]. Considering the results of the present study, the incidence of PN with docetaxel is higher in patients with CRPC than in those with other cancers.
Which is worse FEC or docetaxel?
The disease-free survival rate was 78.3% vs 73.2% with FEC-only (P = . 014 log-rank adjusted). There were 100 deaths in the FEC/docetaxel arm (10%), compared with 135 deaths (13.5%) in the FEC-only arm. The overall survival rate, therefore, was 90.7% vs 86.7% (P = .
Does docetaxel cause neuropathy?
Docetaxel is a potent agent in inhibiting cell replication that is also associated with both sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy (Sanofi-Aventis, 2013). Signs and symptoms begin with paresthesias, numbness in the hands and feet, loss of deep tendon reflexes, and vibration sensation.
How long is immune system compromised after chemo?
Treatment can last for anywhere from 3 to 6 months. During that time, you would be considered to be immunocompromised — not as able to fight infection. After finishing chemotherapy treatment, it can take anywhere from about 21 to 28 days for your immune system to recover.
What is the most life threatening side effect of chemotherapy?
Intense chills. Pain or soreness at the chemo injection site or catheter site. Unusual pain, including intense headaches. Shortness of breath or trouble breathing (If you're having trouble breathing call 911 first.)
When do docetaxel side effects kick in?
Painful muscles and joints. Your muscles or joints may ache or become painful two to three days after you have your treatment. This usually wears off after a few days to a week but may last a bit longer for some people.
Is docetaxel a strong chemotherapy?
Because the active ingredient, docetaxel, is a strong chemotherapy drug, it also has a long list of side effects. Most of them are typical for drugs in this class, such as nausea, vomiting and temporary alopecia (hair loss).
Is docetaxel life threatening?
Introduction. Docetaxel is an antimicrotubular taxane derivative used for treatment of a variety of solid tumors. Due to its cytotoxicity, docetaxel occasionally causes severe and life-threatening toxicities (1).
Which is worse FEC or docetaxel?
The disease-free survival rate was 78.3% vs 73.2% with FEC-only (P = . 014 log-rank adjusted). There were 100 deaths in the FEC/docetaxel arm (10%), compared with 135 deaths (13.5%) in the FEC-only arm. The overall survival rate, therefore, was 90.7% vs 86.7% (P = .
What are the side effects of docetaxel?
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking docetaxel: More common. Black, tarry stools. bleeding gums. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin. blood in the urine or stools. burning, tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs. chest pain.
Does docetaxel cause side effects?
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention. Along with its needed effects, docetaxel may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking docetaxel: More common.
How does docetaxel work?
Docetaxel works by disrupting the microtubular network in cells, which is essential for cell division and other normal cellular functions. Docetaxel interferes with the function of microtubules, resulting in inactive microtubule bundles, causing cells to die.
What is the most common side effect of cancer treatment?
Fatigue. Fatigue is very common during cancer treatment and is an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion that is not usually relieved by rest. While on cancer treatment, and for a period after, you may need to adjust your schedule to manage fatigue.
Can you give a corticosteroid before a cancer infusion?
The dosage and schedule are determined by the person's size and type of cancer. It can be given alone or with other drugs. You will be given a corticosteroid prior to the infusion to prevent severe fluid retention and allergic reactions.
Does cancer affect appetite?
Nutrition is an important part of your care. Cancer treatment can affect your appetite and, in some cases, the side effects of treatment can make eating difficult. Ask your oncology care team about nutritional counseling services at your treatment center to help with food choices.
Can docetaxel cause liver pain?
Your labs will be closely monitored prior to each dose of docetaxel and the dose may be decreased or held if your liver function is not normal. Even when carefully and correctly administered by trained personnel, this drug may cause a feeling of burning and pain.
What is docetaxel used for?
Docetaxel (Taxotere®; Sanofi-Aventis Inc., Laval, QC, Canada) is an important antimicrotubule agent used to treat a variety of solid tumors including breast cancer, where docetaxel-containing regimens improve outcomes for patients in the metastatic, adjuvant, and neoadjuvant settings.
How often is docetaxel given for breast cancer?
The original registration regimen, and the most frequent in clinical practice, is intravenous administration at 3-weekly intervals, with a starting dose of between 60 and 100 mg/m2.
Which is the most effective single agent for early breast cancer?
The taxanes, docetaxel and paclitaxel, are among the most effective single agents in early breast cancer. Clinically meaningful benefits of taxane incorporation in the adjuvant setting were affirmed in the Early Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group 2012 meta-analysis for women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.
What is sequential single agent chemotherapy?
Sequential single-agent chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for most patients with metastatic breast cancer due to a reasonable chance of response, successful symptom palliation, and improved quality of life while minimizing toxicities.
Can you get febrile neutropenia with docetaxel?
In contrast to many chemotherapeutic regimens used in breast cancer therapy, there is a high risk of developing febrile neutropenia with the various docetaxel-containing chemotherapeutic regimens.
Is docetaxel a weekly schedule?
The use of weekly docetaxel schedules is largely restricted to palliation of metastatic disease, where it has been shown to have fewer neutropenic complications than 21-day docetaxel but has somewhat lower anticancer activity and higher rates of skin toxicity and fatigue.14,29,30.
Is docetaxel a chemotherapeutic agent?
The taxane chemotherapeutic agent docetaxel has been utilized in the management of breast cancer in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic setting. Although well tolerated by the majority of patients, docetaxel toxicity may limit the dose which can be administered. Adverse events include infusion reactions, febrile neutropenia, fatigue, ...
What is docetaxel used for?
Docetaxel is a semisynthetic chemotherapy drug made from an extract of needles of the yew plant. It is used to treat people with some types of late-stage cancer.
How much wheat grass should I take for chemotherapy?
More about Thymus Extracts >. Wheat Grass. In a preliminary trial, taking wheat grass in the amount of 60 ml (about 2 ounces) per day during chemotherapy reduced the incidence of certain chemotherapy-related side effects (including anemia and a decline in white blood cell counts) in women with breast cancer.
Does thymostimulin help with chemotherapy?
A related substance, thymostimulin, decreased some side effects of chemotherapy and increased survival time compared with chemotherapy alone. A third product, thymic extract TP1, was shown to improve immune function in people treated with chemotherapy compared with effects of chemotherapy alone.
Does Docetaxel cause redness?
Vitamin B6. Docetaxel may cause a reddening, swelling, and pain in hands and feet. Two cases have been reported of people suffering these drug-induced symptoms and responding to 50 mg of vitamin B6 given three times per day. Symptoms began to resolve in 12 to 24 hours and continued to improve for several weeks.
Does 5-FU help with diarrhea?
In a preliminary trial, supplementation with a probiotic (Lactobacillus GG) reduced the frequency of severe diarrhea and the incidence of abdominal discomfort related to the use of 5-FU. The amount of Lactobacillus GG used was 10-20 billion organisms per day during the 24 weeks of chemotherapy.
Does German chamomile help with mouth sores?
A liquid preparation of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has been shown to reduce the incidence of mouth sores in people receiving radiation and systemic chemotherapy treatment in an uncontrolled study. The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Does vitamin C help with cancer?
Vitamin C appears to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in animals and with human breast cancer cells in test tube research.
How does docetaxel affect alcohol?
A search of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database and the medical literature identified three cases of alcohol intoxication associated with docetaxel. 1 There was a strong temporal association between the docetaxel infusion and symptoms of alcohol intoxication in the cases. Two patients experienced alcohol intoxication during the infusion and one patient experienced it within 24 hours of drug administration. In one case, the symptoms of alcohol intoxication were transient. In another case, the symptoms resolved in time for the patient to finish his treatment using a slower infusion rate. In two of the three cases, the reporters planned to use a different docetaxel formulation with lower alcohol content for future treatments.
What is docetaxel used for?
Docetaxel is a prescription chemotherapy drug used to treat different kinds of cancer , including cancers of the breast, prostate, stomach, head and neck cancers, and non-small-cell lung cancer.
Does docetaxel affect the central nervous system?
The alcohol content in a dose of docetaxel may affect the central nervous system and should be taken into account for patients in whom alcohol intake should be avoided or minimized, including patients with hepatic impairment.
Should you limit alcohol intake when taking docetaxel?
Health care professionals should consider the alcohol content of docetaxel when prescribing or administering the drug to patients, particularly in those whom alcohol intake should be avoided or minimized and when using it in conjunction with other medications.
Does docetaxel cause intoxication?
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that the intravenous chemotherapy drug docetaxel contains ethanol, also known as alcohol, which may cause patients to experience intoxication or feel drunk during and after treatment.
How to treat dementia from nutritional deficiencies?
By maintaining a healthy, balanced diet rich with B vitamins and sufficient hydration, you can prevent the onset of dementia from nutritional deficiencies.
What happens if you don't take enough B vitamins?
Individuals lacking in sufficient intake of B vitamins may notice: Deteriorated perception of pressure, vibration and deep touch, eventually leading to a numbed sense of touch.
What are the risk factors for dementia?
Risk Factors For Nutritional Deficiencies. If you are deficient in any one of a number of different vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, you may be at greater risk of developing dementia. Some of these nutrients include: Thiamin (otherwise known as vitamin B-1), common among those who have chronically abused alcohol.
Can dementia be treated with nutrients?
If dementia has already set in, treatments designed to restore the nutritional balance of the body, can correct the cerebral damage and restore the mind to its original state. Highly treatable, dementia caused from a lack of nutrients is one of the mildest forms of dementia.
Can low hydration cause dementia?
Chronically low levels of hydration can put you at risk for developing nutrition-oriented dementia, just as much so as the lack of B vitamins. In order to make sure you get enough B vitamins, increase the number of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
Can eating an imbalanced diet cause dementia?
Eating an imbalanced diet can lead to a plethora of health-related problems, but few realize that certain nutritional deficiencies can lead to the onset and development of dementia. Please Read This: Dementia From Toxic Substances.