Taxol

Brand Names

Onxol, Taxol

What is Taxol

Taxol is a cancer medication that effective in the treatment of breast cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer. In some cases, it can also be used to treat AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Taxol works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Side effects of Taxol

Possible side effects of Taxol are:

• Neutropenia
• Anemia
• Hair loss
• Muscle pain or joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Leukopenia
• Diarrhea

Indication

Taxol is used in the following ways:

• Used alone or in combination with cisplatin (Platinol) for advanced ovarian cancer (cancer that had spread or is starting to spread to other parts of the body)
• In a chemotherapy regimen containing doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) for node-positive breast cancer that has spread to a lymph node after breast cancer surgery
• To treat metastatic breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body after other chemotherapy regimens have failed
• To treat breast cancer that has returned within six months of prior chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery
• Used with cisplatin to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is not likely to be cured by surgery or radiation
• To treat AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma that has not responded to other treatments

Precautions

Stop taking Taxol if you:

• Have a history of low levels of white blood cells in the blood
• Have any infection
• Have any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes or preservatives
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding or thinking of becoming pregnant
• Are taking any other medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements

Dosage forms

Taxol dose for Cancer

Your dose of Taxol will be determined by your doctor depending on your body surface area (which is calculated using your height and weight). Your dose also depends on the type of cancer, the other chemotherapy medications you are taking and whether you develop bothersome or dangerous Taxol side effects. Your dose may also change if you have liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis.

Usually, you will need to be "premedicated" with medications before each Taxol dose in order to prevent allergic reactions. Typically, these medications include dexamethasone (Deltasone), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cimetidine (Tagamet) or similar medications.