Dangerous Drug: Paclitaxel



Dangerous Drug: Paclitaxel





(pak leh tax’ ell)

Abraxane

PREGNANCY CATEGORY D


Drug Class

Antineoplastic


Therapeutic Actions

Inhibits the normal dynamic reorganization of the microtubule network that is essential for dividing cells; leads to cell death in rapidly dividing cells.


Indications



  • Treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the ovary as first-line therapy, in combination with cisplatin


  • Abraxane, generic: Treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination therapy or relapse within 6 mo of adjuvant therapy


  • First-line treatment of non–small-cell lung cancer, in combination with cisplatin


  • Second-line treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma


  • Adjuvant treatment sequential to doxorubicin-containing therapy for node-positive breast cancer


  • Treatment of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas as first-line treatment or in combination with gemcitabine (Abraxane)


  • Unlabeled uses: Treatment of advanced head and neck cancer, previously untreated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma of the upper GI tract, hormone-refractory prostate cancer, leukemias, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer



Available Forms

Injection—6 mg/mL; powder for injection—100 mg


Dosages

Adults



  • Ovarian cancer: In previously untreated patients, 135 mg/m2 IV over 24 hr or 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hr every 3 wk followed by 75 mg/m2 IV cisplatin. In previously treated patients, 135 mg/m2 or 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hr every 3 wk. Do not repeat the IV until the neutrophil count is at least 1,500 cells/mm3 and platelet count is at least 100,000 cells/mm3.


  • Breast cancer: 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hr every 3 wk for four courses after failure of chemotherapy; 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hr every 3 wk after initial chemotherapy failure or relapse within 6 mo; or 260 mg/m2 IV over 30 min every 3 wk (Abraxane). If neutrophil count is less than 500 cells/mm3 for a wk or longer, reduce dose to 220 mg/m2; with severe neutropenia, reduce dose to 180 mg/m2.


  • Breast cancer adjuvant treatment: 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hr every 3 wk for four courses, with doxorubicin-containing therapy.


  • AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma: 135 mg/m2 IV over 3 hr every 3 wk or 100 mg/m2 IV over 3 hr every 2 wk. Do not administer if neutrophil count is less than 1,000 cells/mm3.

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Jul 21, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Dangerous Drug: Paclitaxel

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