Cytotoxic Drugs.
Last updated Thursday, December 30, 2004
Dangers and side effectsWhat are serious side effects of cytotoxic drugs? Cytotoxic drugs cause different side effects in different people.
One of the most serious side effects is the suppression of certain cells:
- White blood cells, which help your body fight infections. When these are suppressed, you may get infections more easily.
- Platelets, which help your blood clot. When these are suppressed, you may bruise and/or bleed more easily.
- Red
blood cells, which carry oxygen to your tissues. When these are
suppressed, you may have anemia (extreme tiredness and fatigue).
When should a person using cytotoxic drugs contact a doctor? Contact your doctor right away if you notice these side effects:
- Signs of infection
- fever, chills, or very sore throat
- Signs of bleeding
- any unusual bleeding or bruising
- black, tarry stools, a sign of internal bleeding
- pinhead-size red spots on lower legs
- Signs of anemia
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- Lung problems caused by methotrexate
- cough or severe shortness of breath, with or without a fever
- Bladder problems caused by Cytoxan
- blood in the urine or painful urination
While these side effects don't happen very often, you should still
be aware of them. Some of them are signs of serious problems which
should be treated right away. What are less serious side effects of cytotoxic drugs? Other side effects may occur with these drugs. If you have any of
these side effects, or other problems not listed here, check with your
doctor or pharmacist:
- loss of appetite
- nausea or stomach pain
- diarrhea
- sores or ulcers in the mouth
- hair loss
- missed menstrual periods
- rash
What can be done about the side effects of cytotoxic drugs? The most important thing you can do to treat and help avoid some
side effects is to have regular checkups. Here are some other things
you can do to handle the following side effects:
- Risk of infection
- Stay away from adults and
children who have contagious illnesses, such as colds, the flu, or
chickenpox. Do NOT have any immunizations without checking with your
doctor, because they could lead to infection. Report any sign of an
infection to your doctor, right away.
- Loss of appetite
- Plan
meals when you're not feeling nauseous. Try eating small, more frequent
meals. Ask your doctor if you can take the medicine at bedtime to
reduce this side effect.
- Mouth sores
- Contact your
doctor if these develop. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use salt water
or peroxide as a mouth wash. Eat soft, non-spicy foods of medium to
cold temperature. If the pain doesn't go away, ask your doctor about
using a topical pain reliever before meals.
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- This could be a sign of serious problems, so you should contact your doctor right away.
What should a person with arthritis tell the doctor before using cytotoxic drugs? Your doctor needs to know about the following conditions in order to decide whether to recommend cytotoxic drugs:
- If you are pregnant
or if you plan to have children: cytotoxic drugs may cause birth
defects if either parent is taking them during the time of conception,
or if taken during pregnancy. These drugs may also cause short- or
long-term sterility. After treatment is stopped, women should wait at
least one menstrual cycle before trying to get pregnant. Men should
wait at least three months before trying to have children.
- If you have allergies to any medications.
- If you are breast-feeding: breast-feeding is generally not recommended while taking these medications.
- If
you are taking any other medications, vitamins, mineral supplements or
over-the-counter drugs: don't take other medications without your
doctor's approval.
- If you have any other medical problems, especially kidney or liver disease.
- If
you are often around people who have colds, the flu, or other
infections: you may have a higher risk of catching their infection.
- If you have ever been treated with X-rays or cancer medications.
- If you drink alcohol.
What are some of the different types of cytotoxic drugs for people with arthritis?
Each cytotoxic drug is different and has its own special instructions.
Azathioprine (Imuran) is usually given in pill form (2-3 tablets daily)
or by injection. The dose may be lowered after the desired response is
obtained.
- Do not take with allopurinol (Zyloprim), a drug used to treat gout. The combination of these two drugs may be toxic.
- Take the drug with or after meals, to reduce stomach upset.
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) is usually given in pill form or
intravenously, according to a prescribed schedule. It is probably the
strongest cytotoxic drug. It may cause additional side effects, such as
cystitis (inflammation of the bladder marked by blood in the urine and
painful urination), as well as bladder cancer.
- Drink extra fluids every day to help dilute toxic build-up in the bladder. Ask your doctor how much extra fluid to drink.
- Do
not take cyclophosphamide at bedtime. It will build up in your urine
and will stay in your bladder too long. Some doctors recommend emptying
your bladder in the middle of the night at least once, even if it means
setting an alarm clock to do so.
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) is usually given in pill form and sometimes
by weekly injections. This drug can cause additional side effects, such
as liver scarring (cirrhosis), and a lung problem similar to pneumonia,
which causes shortness of breath, cough, and a fever.
- If you accidentally take too much, contact your doctor right away to receive an antidote.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking this drug, because it can make any liver problems worse.
- Contact
your doctor before you take any other medicines, especially
antibiotics. Some antibiotics can make methotrexate much more toxic.
How useful was this page or article?
|
|