Docetaxel (Docetaxel)
Overview of Docetaxel
Docetaxel is antineoplastic agent, also known as anticancerous drug, is an alkaloid ester derived from the wastern yew and european yew. It has been approved recently for clinical use. Docetaxel is effective in the treatment of different cancers (e.g., ovarian and breast cancer) to slow or stop the growth of cancerous or abnormal cells. Docetaxel is used in combination with different anticancerous drugs to obtain best therapeutic results and reduce toxicity or side effects.
Indication of Docetaxel
Docetaxel is primarily indicated in conditions like Gastric cancer, Metastatic carcinoma of breast, Non-small cell lung carcinoma, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Squamous cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma of head, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Contraindication of Docetaxel
Docetaxel is contraindicated in conditions like Neutropenia,Severe liver impairment.
Side Effects of Docetaxel
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Docetaxel, which give rise to further complications include Hypersensitivity reactions, Neurotoxicity, Sensory neuropathy.,Docetaxel produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Neutropenia, Fluid retention syndrome. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Docetaxel therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Docetaxel include Neutropenia, Mild paresthesia, Cutaneous reactions, Asthenia.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Docetaxel are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Fatigue, Nausea, Vomiting, Alopecia, Diarrhea, Mucositis, Fever, Urticaria, Pruritus, Malaise, Weight gain, Flushing, Arthralgia, StomatitisX, Elevation of liver enzymes, Thrombocytopenia, Neutropenia, Eruptions, Erythematous rash, Cutaneous reaction, Nail discoloration, Reaction at injection site, Onycholysis.
Precautions of Docetaxel
Docetaxel should be used cautiously in patients with pre-existing edema, ascites, or effusions, in hepatic disease because the drug is hepatically metabolized. It should not be given to patients with bilirubin levels greater than the upper limit of normal (ULN) or to patients with SGOT and/or SGPT greater than 1.5 times the ULN concomitant with alkaline phosphatase > 2.5 times the ULN. Bilirubin, SGOPT or SGPT and alkaline phosphatase values should be obtained before each cycle of docetaxel. It should be used with caution in patients with a baseline neutrophil count of less than 1500 cells/cubic mm, with any pre-existing heart disease, bone marrow disorders, or a history of allergic reactions. It is classified as pregnancy category D. It is not recommended during pregnancy or lactation.