What is Taxotere Chemotherapy?
Taxotere is a chemotherapy drug brand. It is classified as a plant alkaloid, an antimicrotubule agent, and a taxane. Its generic name is Docetaxel. It can be used to treat breast cancer, head and neck cancer, advanced stages of stomach cancer, lung cancer that is non-small cell, and metastatic prostate cancer. It is currently being researched to determine its efficacy in treating bladder cancer, small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, soft tissue sarcoma and melanomas, and ovarian cancer.Talking to Your Doctor Before Treatment
Your doctor will discuss your complete medical history with you before you start treatment. This is to determine whether or not you are at a high risk for certain side effects. You should tell your doctor if you have any health conditions. You should also talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and nutritional supplements. Some of these can have a negative reaction to the chemotherapy treatments.If you suspect that you are pregnant before or anytime during treatment, you need to talk to your doctor. You should avoid getting pregnant during treatment and, if you are male, you should avoid conceiving a child. Taxotere can be harmful to your unborn baby and complications can be avoided by taking preventative measures. You should also avoid breastfeeding during treatment.
How You Will Receive Taxotore Chemotherapy
Taxatore chemotherapy is not offered in the form of a pill. It must be given intravenously with saline fluid. Three days prior to your treatment, you will have to start taking a corticosteroid pill. This will help reduce the chances of experiencing an allergic reaction or fluid retention during your taxotore chemotherapy. The amount and frequency of your treatment will be based on a number of factors, including your height, weight, other health issues, and the severity of your condition.Possible Side Effects of Taxatore
Taxatore, just like all types of chemotherapy, has potential side effects. Side effects can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe and will vary from one patient to the next. It is unlikely that you will experience the exact same side effects as someone you know. You are also to feel any similar side effects in a different way and severity. The most important thing to know is that there are certain side effects that you should talk to your doctor about.Low blood cell count is one of the most common side effects experienced with taxatore chemotherapy. This can increase your chances of infection or cause anemia. This generally starts between the fourth and seventh day after you start treatment, peaks around five to nine days after you start treatment, and starts to diminish 21 days after you start treatment. To help avoid getting sick during low blood count times, eat a diet that is high in protein and avoid others that are ill. You may also want to avoid places that have large crowds.
Another very common side effect is changes in the nails on your toes and your feet. In extreme cases, the nail may fall off. This can be a little alarming but, once your treatment is completed, your nails should grow back.
Other common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, pain in your joints, bone pain, muscle pain, low platelet count, and increases in liver function tests. These side effects should also disappear once treatment is completed.
There are other serious symptoms can occur, like heart complications, chest pains, and liver problems. You should talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms. This can help curb any potential serious issues during your treatment.
You should also contact a health care professional immediately if you experience diarrhea that occurs more than 4 to 6 times in a 24 hour period, if you have mouth sores, if your skin or eyes turn yellow, if you experience shortness of breath, if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising, if you have nausea that prevents you from eating and cannot be resolved by anti-nausea medication, if you vomit more than 4 to 5 times in a 24 hour period, if you have any swelling in your ankles or your stomach, if you experience weight gain, if you have stools that are tarry, if you have blood in your stools, or if you have a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher. These are often signs of serious side effects that can often be treated with either medication or by stopping chemotherapy for a short time period.
