Docetaxel - Medical Health Care Library Wiki


Main Article	Precautions	Side Effects	Forum

Docetaxel

	Original Author Healthocrates Staff
	Physician/Scientist No contributions yet. Be the first!
	Health Care Professional No contributions yet. Be the first!
	Contributing Member No contributions yet. Be the first!
	Add New Topic Tab

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Docetaxel can cause a decrease in the number of blood cells in your bone marrow. Docetaxel also can cause liver damage. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to docetaxel.

Allergic reactions may occur during docetaxel administration; you will receive medication before each treatment to help prevent these reactions. With these preventive medications, these allergic reactions are uncommon. Your health care provider will watch you carefully during the initial part of the infusion to treat these effects if they occur. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: shortness of breath, facial flushing, fever, chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, or skin rash.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Your doctor has ordered the drug docetaxel to help treat your illness.

This medication is used to treat:

metastatic breast cancer

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Docetaxel is in a class of drugs known as taxanes; it slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.

How should this medicine be used?

The drug is given by injection into your vein.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Brand names

Taxotere®

Notes:

[Watch page ]

EditText of this page (last edited December 6, 2009)