Paclitaxel

Paclitaxel is an anti-cancer medication used for the treatment of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.

It is given as an injection by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, and weakness. It may also cause serious side effects such as swelling of hands, lips, hair loss, and weight gain. To reduce these side effects your doctor may suggest some medication along with it. But, inform your doctor if you notice unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever). This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells and liver function.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.

• Breast cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

Breast cancer
Paclitaxel helps to treat breast cancer and it may be used alone or in combination with other medicines or treatment modalities like chemotherapy. It relieves the symptoms of breast cancer such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from nipples or changes in the shape or texture of the breast. Paclitaxel kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. Discuss with your doctor if any of the side effects bother you.

Non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the major kinds of lung cancer and it affects both smokers as well as non-smokers. Paclitaxel helps treat non-small cell lung cancer and may be given alone or in combination with other medicines. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Pancreatic cancer
Pancreas are very essential for digestion of whatever you eat and also for metabolism of blood sugar levels as they produce the body’s natural insulin. This medicine will help to control pancreatic cancer, and will relieve the symptoms such as, lack of appetite or unexplained weight loss. Paclitaxel helps to stop the action of those chemicals that aid in pancreatic cancer growth and spread. It will help you live a longer and healthier life.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Pataxel

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Low blood platelets
• Rash
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Urinary tract infection
• Bleeding
• Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
• Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
• Hair loss
• Decreased blood pressure
• Peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness of feet and hand)
• Diarrhea
• Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Paclitaxel is an anticancer medication. It works by interfering with the microtubule structures which help the cancer cells to divide and multiply. This slows the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them.

• Paclitaxel is an anti-cancer medication used for the treatment of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer.
• It is given as an intravenous (IV) injection into your vein, usually over 1 hour and every three weeks.
• Do not take Paclitaxel if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Use reliable methods of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
• Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor your blood cells and liver function during treatment with this medicine.
• Inform your doctor if you notice unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever) or other signs of infection.
• Talk to your doctor if you have sudden weight gain or if you have swelling in your arms and legs that doesn't go away.

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