Antineoplastic Agents



Antineoplastic Agents







TERMS



  • □ cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)


  • □ fluorouracil (Adrucil)


  • □ doxorubicin (Adriamycin)


  • □ vincristine (Oncovin)


  • □ tamoxifen (Nolvadex)



QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD

The antineoplastic agents are one of the treatment options for cancer along with surgery and radiation therapy. These drugs work in the reproductive cycle of the cell. Some are active during a particular phase of the cell cycle and are called cell cycle specific, while others act at any point in the cell cycle and are called cell cycle nonspecific. Both malignant and normal cells are affected by the antineoplastic agents. This accounts for their harmful effects on hair follicles, bone marrow, and the gastrointestinal system.

The cytoprotectant agents are a small group of drugs that assist in lessening the harsh and sometimes life-threatening adverse effects of the antineoplastic agents. Some of them work with specific anticancer drugs and others have a generalized effect on the body. This group of drugs will not be discussed in detail, but the reader should be familiar with the names of the drugs included in Table 69-1.









Table 69-1 Antineoplastic Agents
































































































































































































Prototype Drug

Related Drugs

Drug Classification


cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

busulfan (Myleran)

Alkylating agents


carboplatin (Paraplatin)

carmustine (BiCNU)

chlorambucil (Leukeran)

cisplatin (Platinol-AQ)

ifosfamide (Ifex)

lomustine (CeeNu)

mechlorethamine (Mustargen)

melphalan (Alkeran)

oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)

streptozocin (Zanosar)

thiotepa (Thioplex)


fluorouracil (Adrucil)

capecitabine (Xeloda)

Antimetabolites

cladribine (Leustatin)

clofarabine (Clolar)

cytarabine (Ara-C)

floxuridine (FUDR)

fludarabine (Fludara)

mercaptopurine (Purinethol)

methotrexate (Folex)

pemetrexed (Alimta)

pentostatin (Nipent)

tioguanine (Lanvis)


doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

bleomycin (Blenoxane)

Antibiotics

dactinomycin (Cosmegen)

daunorubicin (DaunoXome)

epirubicin (Ellence)

idarubicin (Idamycin)

mitomycin (Mutamycin)

mitoxantrone (Novantrone)

plicamycin (Mithracin)

valrubicin (Valstar)


vincristine (Oncovin)

docetaxel (Taxotere)

Plant alkaloids

etoposide (Toposar)

paclitaxel (Taxol)

teniposide (Vumon)

vinblastine (Velban)

vinorelbine (Navelbine)


tamoxifen (Nolvadex)

anastrozole (Arimidex)

Hormones and hormone modulators

bicalutamide (Casodex)

estramustine (Emcyt)

exemestane (Aromasine)

flutamide (Eulexin)

fulvestrant (Faslodex)

goserelin (Zoladex)

letrozole (Femara)

leuprolide (Lupron)

megestrol (Megace)

nilutamide (Nilandron)

testolactone (Teslac)

toremifene (Fareston)

triptorelin pamoate (Trelstar Depot)


There is no prototype drug for this classification

asparaginase (Elspar)

Miscellaneous agents


hydroxyurea (Hydrea)

procarbazine (Matulane)


There is no prototype drug for this classification

amifostine (Ethyol)

Cytoprotectant agents


dexrazoxane (Zinecard)

leucovorin (Wellcovorin)

mesna (Mesnex)

rasburicase (Elitek)




ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS CLIENT TEACHING


For All Antineoplastics



  • Do not become pregnant.


  • Do not breast-feed.


  • All health care providers need to know you are taking an antineoplastic agent.


  • If hair loss occurs, it will be temporary.


  • Use soft-bristled toothbrush.


  • Inspect mouth daily for sores.


  • Avoid crowds and those who are ill.


  • Wash hands frequently.


  • Attend all physician visits and get blood tests done as ordered.



  • Eat a nutritious diet.


  • Do not alter dosing.


  • Report all side effects.


  • No OTC drugs unless approved by physician.



image If hair loss occurs, it will be temporary.



image Inspect mouth daily for sores.



image Avoid crowds and those who are ill.


Alkylating Agents



  • Menstrual period may not return for 1 year.


  • If unable to take dose, physician must be notified.


  • Report bloody urine.



image Menstrual period may not return for 1 year.


Antimetabolites



  • Stay out of the sun.


  • Problems with balance and ambulation must be reported to physician.



image Stay out of the sun.


Antibiotics



  • If taking doxorubicin (Adriamycin), urine will be red for up to 2 days after receiving drug.



image If taking doxorubicin (Adriamycin), urine will be red for up to 2 days after receiving drug.


Plant Alkaloids



  • Prevent constipation by increasing fiber and fluids.



image Prevent constipation by increasing fiber and fluids.


Hormones and Hormone Modulators



  • Stay out of the sun.


  • Menstrual period may become irregular.



image Menstrual period may become irregular.


Miscellaneous Agents


Asparaginase (Elspar)



  • No activities requiring concentration


  • Toxic effects will be experienced.



Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)



  • Toxic effects will be experienced.


Procarbazine (Matulane)



  • No foods high in tyramines


  • No alcohol


  • No activities requiring concentration


  • Stay out of the sun.


  • Report any signs of bleeding.



image No foods high in tyramines



image No alcohol


ACTION


Alkylating Agents



  • Interfere with processes that affect DNA, causing the cell to die. They are cell cycle nonspecific.


Antimetabolites



  • Interfere with creation of DNA or help produce faulty DNA. They act in the S phase of the cell cycle.


Antibiotics



  • Attach to DNA, which impedes copying of DNA and RNA. They are cell cycle nonspecific.


Plant Alkaloids



  • Bring about cell death by preventing cell division or interfering with DNA synthesis. They are cell cycle specific.


Hormones and Hormone Modulators



  • Stop cancer growth in hormone-dependent tissues by preventing protein synthesis



Miscellaneous Agents


Asparaginase (Elspar)



  • Removes an amino acid needed in the synthesis of DNA


Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)



  • Prevents formation of DNA by hindering the presence of the nucleoside, thymidine


Procarbazine (Matulane)



  • Action is unknown. This drug acts in the S phase of cell cycle.


USE


Alkylating Agents

Tags:
Oct 21, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Antineoplastic Agents

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access