Abraxane

Question: Need infor, on the chemo drug ABRAXANE? side affects ?,,, does it work?

Answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraxane has all the information you need and more. From what I've read it does work, but since it is often combined with other things you will need to look up each individual type of pill to find their side effects.

Question: what does the term abraxane stands for? Is that the name combination of a chemical compound? what is the meaning of the term abraxane?

Answer: ABRAXANE uses albumin, a human protein, to deliver the chemotherapy. It does not contain chemical solvents, like Cremophor.ABRAXANE is a breast cancer treatment drug that does not contain chemical solvents, and is administered in just 30 minutes.•Abraxane is used to treat breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline chemotherapy unless clinically not appropriate.Abraxane is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. Abraxane is classified as an "plant alkaloid," a "taxane" and an "antimicrotubule agent."side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Abraxane: •Low blood counts (your white and red blood cells may temporarily decrease which can put you at increased risk for infection and/or anemia) •Hair loss •Nausea •Abnormal ECG (electrocardiogram) •Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of hands and feet) •Arthralgias and myalgias, pain in the joints and muscles (usually temporary occurring 2-3 days after Abraxane, and resolve within a few days) •Weakness and fatigue •Increases in blood tests measuring liver function (these return to normal once treatment is discontinued) The following are less common side effects for patients receiving Abraxane: •Infections •Diarrhea •Vomiting •Mouth sores •Swelling of feet or ankles •Shortness of breath •Eye problems

Question: why does abraxane is used only to treat breast cancer?

Answer: It's not. It's also used for treating ovarian cancer and I'm sure others.

Question: Has anyone been prescribed Xeloda for metastatic breast cancer? I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2002, it was invasive ductal carcinoma stage 3, one lymph node was positive. I had lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. I took tamoxifen for 5 years. I was then put on Femera. I changed oncologists who ordered a bone scan in 2008 but failed to look at the scan. I had a MRI of my spine done because of increases in pain, incontinence and an abnormal emg test. I had a severe work injury in which I tore my left rotator cuff damaged my right shoulder, avulsed my spinal nerves and developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy and bursitis of both hips, myofascial pain of my neck back legs.The cancer has now metastasized to my liver. I threw a pulmonary embolus . The pain was managed quite well on my current medications. I was receiving Abraxane and Pamidronate until I had a serious side effect to Abraxane. I have been taking Xeloda for 9 days and I have so much pain, more than I have ever had. I have taken 160 mgs of Oxycontin and 8 Percocet just to get up. I have put a call out for my oncologist. I am just asking is this normal? I'm not taking my morning dose. She started me on 2000 mg. twice day. Matador 89 I would greatly appreciate your medical opinion. I am a RN. Medications: I had never used my drug plan until 1997 so here I go Gabapentin 1500 mg BID for pain Lipidil 160 mg OD Zofran Flexaril Ditropan Effexor Clonidine Ramapril Glyburide Metformin Prandase Percocet Oxycontin Omeprazole Hydroclorathiazide Heparin 20,000 units Xeloda Pamindronate All answers thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question sorry I forgot to include that it had spread to my bones in 2008, not treated until 2009. sorry I forgot to include that it had spread to my bones in 2008, not treated until 2009.

Answer: Donna B, Briefly, YES! I shall try to explain. XELODA is usually taken together with another medicine called docetaxel for metastatic breast cancer - mBC - that has not improved after treatment with other medicines. These medicines include paclitaxel (taxol; onxol), which is classified as an antimicrotubule agent; it stops the growth of the tumour by inhibiting cell division // During mitosis, the cell uses structures called micotubules to move around the chromosomes; [in the 1990s, members of a family of drugs called the taxanes – which include docetaxel (Taxotere) and paclitaxel (Taxol) - were shown to be effective in the first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer as well as in the treatment of women who had developed resistance to the anthracyclines.] // and anthracycline-containing medicine such as doxorubicin. There is some controversy with regard to anthracycline. Studies have shown that there is only a small subpopulation of women who incrementally benefit from anthracyclines over non-anthracyclines in breast cancer. However you should be guided by your oncologist/specialist(s). I am not sure of your meaning when you state that you never used your drug plan until 1997. As you do not indicate why you had a drug plan before the date which you give for your mBC diagnosis, I must assume that your ‘severe work injury’ occurred previously to that date, and may be part of the reason, but this would not indicate why you had some diabetic meds on the list. (Unless of course, you have induced diabetes due to the cancer’s effects). Obviously anti depressants are understandable, given the circumstances. High BP can be a result of disease and medications. The omeprazole is likely for the “poly-pharmacy� and the protection of your stomach lining due to their combined effects. I have outlined, in brief, the uses for those meds on your list – about which I feel sure that as an RN, you are already aware! However, I am not sure if you are able to check adverse drug reactions. Utilising all those on your list, I note that there are some serious adverse reactions between some of those drugs. This you need to check with your prescribing doctor(s) and your pharmacist. I could list them here, but I am sure that, being quite extensive, space would not permit their inclusion. Gabapentin 1500 mg BID for pain = usually for epilepsy, diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, etc. Lipidil 160 mg OD= lipid level modifying. Zofran = prevents nausea and vomiting caused by surgery or cancer medicines. Flexaril = is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Ditropan = an anticholinergic medication used to relieve urinary and bladder difficulties. Effexor = is an antidepressant of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Clonidine = used to treat high blood pressure, ADHD and anxiety/panic disorder. Ramapril = ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor used for High BP, heart failure and prevention of heart attack and stroke. Glyburide = is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin = is an oral antidiabetic drug. Prandase = is used in non insulin dependant diabetes to lower blood glucose levels. Percocet = is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Oxycontin = is a narcotic pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain. Omeprazole = is a proton pump inhibitor. Hydroclorathiazide = for fluid retention in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disorders. Heparin = for preventing blood clots in the veins, arteries, or lungs. Xeloda = for metastatic breast and colorectal cancers. Pamindronate = used to prevent osteoporosis, and which may also be used when cancer has spread to the bone. As your last “Additional Details� specify this, that is why it is on your list. I wish you well. ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. - MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED. It is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms. The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Hope this helps matador 89