Cytotoxic Drugs.
Last updated Thursday, December 30, 2004
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Dosage and warningsWhat are some tips for taking cytotoxic drugs correctly? 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 Orthopedics 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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