Taxotere

What is it?

A chemotherapeutic and taxoid drug available as a solution in vials with diluent, in 2 strengths containing 20mg and 80mg of docetaxel.

Medical Uses

Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (i. e. cancer which has spread) which has not responded, or is resistant to other cytotoxic therapy which included an alkylating agent or anthracycline. Metastatic or locally advanced, non-small cell cancer of the lung which is resistant to other chemotherapy.

Dosage

Breast cancer, 100mg per square metre of body area by intravenous infusion lasting 1 hour, repeated at 3 weekly intervals. If patient develops any of the following: serious peripheral nerve damage, severe neutropenia (marked decline in white blood cells called neutrophils), fever, severe skin reaction, then next dose should be reduced to 75mg per square metre and then 55mg per square metre, if symptoms do not resolve. If they still persist, treatment should be stopped. Patient should Also, be given 8mg of dexamethasone twice each day for 3 days, beginning 1 day before treatment with Taxotere.

Special Care

Liver function tests must be carried out and blood counts monitored; if severe neutropenia (decrease in neutrophils - white blood cells) occurs, subsequent doses should be lessened. Patient requires monitoring during infusion for fluid retention and hypersensitive reactions.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Erythromycin, terfenadine, troleandomycin, cyclosporin, ketoconazole.

Known Side Effects

Anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia (decline in blood platelets causing bleeding), damage to peripheral nerves, joint and muscle pains, fluid retention, skin reactions, raised liver enzymes, inflammation of mucous membranes.