Docetaxel: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Docetaxel What Medicine?

What is docetaxel for?

Docetaxel is a drug used to treat cancers (such as breast, lung, prostate, stomach, and cancers of the head / neck). Docetaxel is a taxanes drug. This drug works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells in the body.

How do I use docetaxel?

This medication is given by injection into a vein by a medical professional, generally more than 1 hour every 3 weeks or as directed by your doctor. Dosage and frequency are based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Your doctor may prescribe a pre-treatment (for example, a corticosteroid such as dexamethasone) to prevent side effects such as swelling (fluid retention / edema) and allergic reactions. Use of this drug is generally started 1 day before treatment and continued for a total of 3 days. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions for preparing your treatment. If you forget to take your medication, or don't stick with your medication schedule, tell your doctor or nurse before you receive docetaxel treatment.

How do I save docetaxel?

Docetaxel is a drug that should be stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Rules of Use Docetaxel

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for docetaxel for adults?

To treat cancer, the dosage of docetaxel is 60-75 mg / m2 intravenously for more than 1 hour every 3 weeks. Please consult a doctor for more information.

What is the dosage of docetaxel for children?

There is no provision for the dosage of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is docetaxel available?

The dosages available for docetaxel are:

Concentrate, infusion

• Taxotere: 20 mg / mL (1 mL), 80 mg / 4 ml (4 mL); 160 mg / 8 mL (8 mL); 20 mg / 05 ml (0.5 mL), 80 mg / 2 ml (2 mL)
• Generic: 20 mg / mL (1 mL), 80 mg / 4 ml (4 mL); 160 mg / 8 mL (8 mL); 20 mg / 05 ml (0.5 mL), 80 mg / 2 ml (2 mL)

Liquid medicine, infusion

• Generic: 20 mg / 2 ml (2 mL), 80 mg / 8 mL (8 mL); 160 mg / 16 ml (16 ml)

Liquid medicine solution, infusion

• Docefrez: 20 mg, 80 mg

Docetaxel dosage

What side effects can be experienced due to docetaxel?

A common side effect of using docetaxel medicine is pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Nausea or diarrhea can also occur.

Other possible side effects include:

• Weak, lethargic and powerless
• Nausea
• Gag
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle ache
• Irregular menstruation
• Hair loss
• Nail discoloration

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns regarding side effects, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Docetaxel side effects

What should be known before using docetaxel?

Some things that must be known before using docetaxel are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to docetaxel injection or any other medications.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you use or plan to use. Be sure to mention one of the following: antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); clarithromycin (Biaxin); PIs include atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (ritonavir, di Kaletra), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase); drugs containing alcohol (Nyquil, elixirs, others); medicine for pain; nefazodone; sleeping pills; and telithromycin (Ketek). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor drug use carefully for side effects. Many other medicines can also interact with docetaxel, so be sure to tell your doctor about all drugs you use, even those that do not appear on this list.
• Tell your doctor if you drink or have been drunk in large quantities.
• Call your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You are not allowed to get pregnant while using docetaxel injections. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that can be used during treatment. If you become pregnant while using docetaxel injection, call your doctor. Docetaxel injection can harm the fetus.
• Call your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You are not allowed to breastfeed while you are using docetaxel injection
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using docetaxel injections
• It's important to remember that injectable docetaxel can make you drowsy or affect your thinking or movement abilities. Do not drive or operate machinery for 1-2 hours after you use this medicine.

Is docetaxel safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the POM in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

There are no complete studies to determine the risk to the baby when the mother uses this medicine during breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Docetaxel Drug Warnings and Cautions

What medicines may interact with docetaxel?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this drug to you or will replace some of the drugs you are already taking.

• Rotavirus Vaccine, Live

Using this medication with some of the medicines below is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Live
• Aprepitant
• Atazanavir
• Bacillus Calmette from and Guerin Vaccines, Live
• Carbamazepine
• Ceritinib
• Clarithromycin
• Cobicistat
• Crizotinib
• Dabrafenib
• Dronedarone
• Eslicarbazepine Acetate
• Fluconazole
• Fosaprepitant
• Idelalisib
• indinavir
• Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
• itraconazole
• ketoconazole
• Measles Vaccine Virus, Live
• Mitotane
• Mumps Vaccine Virus, Live
• Nefazodone
• Nelfinavir
• Nilotinib
• Piperaquine
• Primidone
• Ritonavir
• Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Saquinavir
• Siltuximab
• Smallpox vaccine
• St. John's Wort
• Telitromycin
• Thalidomide
• Typhoid vaccine
• Varicella Vaccine Virus
• Voriconazole
• Yellow Fever Vaccine

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Cisplatin
• Dalfopristin
• Quinupristin
• Sorafenib

Can food or alcohol interact with docetaxel?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

Be careful consuming grapefruit juice if you are on this medication.

What health conditions may interact with docetaxel?

Some of the health conditions that may interact with the drug docetaxel are:

• Allergy to polysorbate 80
• Neutropenia (low white blood cells)
• Asthenia (muscle weakness)
• Fluid retention (edema)
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, fingers, or feet)
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
• Vision problems
• Infection
• Liver disease

Docetaxel Drug Interactions

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of a docetaxel overdose are:

• Sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
• Sores in the mouth and throat
• Skin irritation
• Body feels weak
• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the hands or feet

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.