Docetaxel

Fact Sheet – Everything You Should Know

In this Docetaxel fact sheet, you’ll get to know about the precautions, usage, possible side effects, and the types of cancer that you can treat with this chemo drug.

Docetaxel Fact Sheet

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Here’s the Docetaxel fact sheet to get detailed information about Docetaxel

It Is Used To Treat These Cancers
(Cancer types that you can treat with this chemo drug)

  • Breast
  • Lung
  • Gastric
  • Head and neck
  • Prostate
  • Ovarian
  • Bladder
  • Pancreas
  • Sarcoma
  • Skin

How To Take it
(What are the forms of application)

  • Intravenous (infusions take around 1 hour)

Precautions
(Things that you should avoid)

  • Avoid pregnancy
  • Don’t receive any vaccination
  • Do not take aspirin

Mechanism of Action of Docetaxel
(How does the drug affect cancer cells)

Docetaxel belongs to the mitose inhibitors (Taxane subgroup). It binds to the cells’ microtubules (a structure which gives the cells its form and structure), stabilizing them. This stability prevents the mitosis (cell division process) from happening, preventing them from dividing. A second effect is that the accumulation of these microtubules inside the cells eventually leads to cell apoptosis (programmed cell death).

Drug Interactions
(Medicine that can affect the chemo drug negatively)

  • Aspirin
  • Advair
  • Vitamin B12
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Dexamethasone
  • Nexium
  • Paracetamol
  • Levothyroxine

Reproductive Concerns
(Things that are related to your sexual health)

  • Pregnancy prevention during and until 6 months after the treatment (men and women)
  • Stop breastfeeding
  • Consider sperm freezing if willing to bear children

Possible Side Effects
(Unpleasant effects of the treatment)

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Muscle aches
  • Malaise
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hair loss
  • Fatigue
  • Motor and sensory neuropathy
  • Fluid retention
  • Low white blood cells: raise the risk of bacterial infection
  • Low red blood cells: can lead to fatigue, general lack of interest and drive to be active
  • Low platelets: can lead to bleeding (nose, gums) and in extreme cases to internal bleeding (intestinal, brain, joints)
  • Infertility

When To Call the doctor
(Emergency that needs professional support)

  • Vomiting (>4 times in 24h): can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte disbalance
  • Diarrhea (>4 episodes in 24h): can also lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte disbalance
  • Black stool: can be a sign of intestinal bleeding
  • Blood in the urine
  • Extreme fatigue: can be a sign of severe anemia (low blood cells)
  • Fever > 37,8°C