Cytotoxic Drugs.

Last updated Thursday, December 30, 2004

Dosage and warnings

Tips for taking these drugs

Taking cytotoxic drugs incorrectly can result in serious side effects. Here are some tips for taking them:

• Learn about the medicine: Find out all you can about the medicine you're taking, its risks and its benefits. Talk to your doctor about the drug and read the package insert that comes with the drug.
• Take the right amount: Take only the amount your doctor tells you to take, and take it exactly as prescribed. If you accidentally take too much, contact your doctor at once. If you vomit shortly after taking a dose or miss a dose for other reasons, check with your doctor to find out when to take another dose.
• Have regular checkups: Side effects can occur at any time during your treatment with cytotoxic drugs. To keep track of side effects, your doctor will order regular checkups and blood and urine tests--usually before, during, and for a time after treatment with the drug. Side effects are often a sign that your doctor must change the amount of medicine you're taking. Since many side effects can be detected before they become serious, be sure to keep your scheduled lab test and doctor appointments.
• Do not take any prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first checking with your doctor. Other medicines may increase the side effects or decrease the benefits of the cytotoxic drugs.
• Keep in close touch with your doctor and contact him or her at the first sign of any problem with the medicine.

Credits

The Arthritis Foundation and the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics do not endorse any brand name or generic name medication listed here. Portions of the information presented here are adapted from the USP DI copyright 1990, the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USP). Permission granted.

Some of this material may also be available in an Arthritis Foundation brochure. Contact the Washington/Alaska Chapter Helpline: (800) 542-0295. If dialing from outside of WA and AK, contact the National Helpline: (800) 283-7800.

Adapted from a pamphlet originally prepared for the Arthritis Foundation. This material is protected by copyright.

Disclaimer

This resource has been provided by the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as general information only. This information may not apply to a specific patient. Additional information may be found at http://www.orthop.washington.edu or by contacting the UW Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

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