Paclitaxel mainly belongs to the group of anti-cancer medications named taxanes. These agents have potential in order to inhibit the growth of the cancer cells.
Paclitaxel Injection is used to treat:
1. Ovarian cancer:
- As first therapy (after initial surgery together with the platinum-containing medicine cisplatin).
- After the standard platinum-containing medications have been tried but did not seem effective.
2. Breast cancer:
- As initial therapy for the advanced disease or disease which has spread to other organs of the body also called metastatic disease. The drug paclitaxel is either together with an anthracycline such as doxorubicin or with a medication called trastuzumab (for such patients for whom anthracycline is not appropriate and whose cancerous cells have a protein on their surface known as HER 2).
- After first surgery following the treatment with the anthracycline and AC (cyclophosphamide) as an additional treatment.
- In the form of second-line treatment for those patients who are not able to respond to the standard treatments by using anthracyclines, or for whom such treatment should not be used.
3. Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: together with cisplatin, when surgery or radiation therapy aren’t suitable.
4. AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma: where another treatment such as liposomal anthracyclines has been considered but did not work.
Paclitaxel side effect:
Like all medicines, this medication can be responsible for causing side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Interact with your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any symptoms of the allergic reactions. These can be single or multiple of the following:
- flushing,
- skin reactions,
- itching,
- chest tightness,
- shortness or difficulty in breathing,
- swelling.
These may all be the signs of the serious side effects.
How Paclitaxel Injection is administered to you?
- In order to minimise the allergic reactions, you will be recommended other medications prior to you receive paclitaxel injection 100 mg. These medications may be given as tablets or infusion into the vein or both.
- Patients should be given the paclitaxel injection 100 mg in the form of a drip into their veins (by intravenous infusion), through the in-line filter. Paclitaxel Injection should be administered by a healthcare professional. He/she will prepare the solution for infusion prior to it given to you. The particular dose recommended for you will also depend on the results of your blood tests. On behalf of the type as well as severity of the cancer you should be recommended paclitaxel injection either alone or together with the other anticancer agent.
- Paclitaxel is always administered into one of your veins over a time period of three or 24 hours. It is usually recommended to be given every two or three weeks, unless your healthcare provider decides otherwise. Your healthcare provider will let you know about the number of courses of the Paclitaxel Injection you required to take.
What you need to know before you use Paclitaxel Injection:
This drug (paclitaxel 100 mg) should not be recommended:
- if the patient is allergic (hypersensitive) to the paclitaxel or to any of its ingredients.
- if you are breast-feeding.
- if patients have very less white blood cells (WBC) count in their blood. Their healthcare provider will take the blood samples in order to check this.
- if patients have a serious and uncontrolled infection and Paclitaxel Injection is recommended in order to treat the Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Important: If any of these are applying to you, interact with your healthcare provider prior to starting treatment with the paclitaxel chemotherapy injection.
- If you have taken excess Paclitaxel Injection than the required dose: There is no known antidote for Paclitaxel Injection overdose. Patients will be recommended for treatment of their symptoms.
- If a dose of Paclitaxel Injection has been missed: If you think a dose has been missed let your doctor or nurse know.
- A double dose should not be given if any particular dose has been missed or forgotten.
- If you stop using Paclitaxel Injection: Your doctor will decide when to stop treatment with paclitaxel 100 mg.
- If you have any further questions about how to use this product, ask your healthcare provider.
- How to store Paclitaxel Injection: Before opening, do not store above 25°C. All the vials should be kept in the outer carton in order to protect from the light.
- Freezing does not adversely affect the product.
- Paclitaxel injection price: The paclitaxel price is reasonable and decent. Any respective patient can purchase this drug at a reasonable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the brand name of Paclitaxel?
Paclitaxel (PTX), comes under the brand name Taxol.
From which family of medications Paclitaxel belongs?
Paclitaxel belongs under the taxane family of medications.
Is Paclitaxel a chemotherapy medication?
Yes, Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy medication.
What are the uses of Paclitaxel?
Paclitaxel is originated in order to be used for conditions include: esophageal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, pancreatic cancer and cervical cancer.
How should Paclitaxel be given?
Paclitaxel should be given by injection into a vein.
How does Paclitaxel act?
Paclitaxel acts by interference with the normal function of the microtubules while on cell division.
What are the commonly reported side effects of Paclitaxel?
Commonly reported side effects of Paclitaxel include bone marrow suppression, hair loss, numbness, muscle pains, diarrhea and allergic reactions.
What are the severe side effects of Paclitaxel?
Severe side effects of Paclitaxel include heart problems, lung inflammation and increased risk of infection.
What if Paclitaxel used during pregnancy?
Use of Paclitaxel during pregnancy may be responsible for causing birth defects.
Note: To know more about this product, please read out full prescribing information. Prior to initiating treatment with paclitaxel injection talk to your doctor.
