Docetaxel



TaxotereŽ







Docetaxel

(doe se TAKS el)

U.S. Brand Names
TaxotereŽ
Canadian Brand Names
TaxotereŽ
Pharmacologic Category
Antineoplastic Agent, Natural Source (Plant) Derivative
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • This medicine is very strong. Allergic reactions can occur. It can prevent your bone marrow from making some of the cells that your body needs. Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver disease. If your liver has damage, this medicine may cause more side effects. Tell healthcare provider if you have swelling, weight gain, or difficulty breathing after medicine given.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to docetaxel or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have a low white blood cell count.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat a variety of cancers.
How does it work?
  • Docetaxel injures cancer cells causing their death.
How is it best taken?
  • This medicine is given into a vein constantly for a period of time.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Call healthcare provider for appointment.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
  • You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
  • Numbness and tingling of feet or hands.
  • Swelling. Your healthcare provider may start you on a medicine to prevent this.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Severe swelling.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Weight gain.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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