What are the medications that come under Anti-Neoplastic categories?

Based on your health condition your doctor may prescribe any of the following antineoplastic drugs

What should I know about Anti-Neoplastic agents?

Anti-Neoplastic agents or Anticancer drugs are used to treat malignancies, or cancerous growths. Anti-Neoplastic agents interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. Anti-Neoplastic drug therapy may be used alone, or in combination with other treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy.

Anti-Neoplastic agent is used to treat many types of cancer. Cancer is commonly defined as the uncontrolled growth of cells. Cancers are malignant growths. In contrast, benign growths remain encapsulated and grow within a well-defined area. Anti-neoplastic drugs can be divided into two classes: cycle specific and non-cycle specific. Cycle specific drugs act only at specific points of the cell's duplication cycle, such as anaphase or metaphase, while non-cycle specific drugs may act at any point in the cell cycle. In order to gain maximum effect, anti-neoplastic drugs are commonly used in combinations.

What precautions do I need to take for Anti-Neoplastic agents?

Avoid sun exposure. To avoid sunburn, wear sun block that has a rating of SPF 15 or higher and wear protective clothing.

Use mouth care products without alcohol (baking soda products are recommended) to prevent mouth sores from forming or becoming irritated.

What are the likely side effects of Anti-Neoplastic agents?

Early side effects include, (May occur within one week after treatment)

• Facial flushing (redness) or feeling of warmth while you are receiving the medication
• Fever and chills (during or after treatment)
• Difficulty breathing
• Itching

Late side effects include, (May occur within two weeks after treatment)

• Skin rash that looks and feels like a sunburn
• Temporary hair thinning or hair loss on scalp and body 7 to 10 daysafter receiving the medication
• Mouth sores
• Shortness of breath or coughing (after several treatments)

The above lists doesn't include all the side effects.

What are the likely drug interactions of Anti-Neoplastic agents?

Anti-cancer drugs may interact with a number of other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Tell your doctor about all other presciption and over-the-counter medication before taking antineoplastics. Also keep your physician informed about your early medications especially if you have been treated with radiation or any anticancer drugs. Before using any anti-neoplastic agents, make sure tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines.

• paclitaxel (Taxol)
• progesterone (Prometrium)
• verapamil (Calan, Calan SR, Covers-HS, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM, others)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Cytoxan Lyophilized, Neosar)
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• streptozocin (Zanosar)

You may not be able to take anti-neoplastic agents, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with anti-neoplastic agents. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with anti-neoplastic agents.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with anti-neoplastic agents. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with anti-neoplastic agents.