Paclitaxel 100 mg injection is an anti-cancer drug belonging to the antineoplastic or cytotoxic class of medication. It is a chemotherapy drug. This medicine is used in the treatment of primary breast cancer (cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or the lymph node under the arm) in combination with other drugs. This drug is classified as a ‘plant alkaloid’, a ‘taxane’, and an ‘antimicrotubule agent’. This drug performs its job by preventing the cancer cells from separating into 2 new cells. This blocks the growth of the cancer cells.
Usage:
- Paclitaxel 100mg injection is used to treat diseases like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, bladder, melanoma, esophageal, and non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).
- This is also used to treat Kaposi’s sarcoma (growth of patches of abnormal tissue under the skin) in people having AIDS.
- This medicine either can be used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy medications.
- Paclitaxel inhibits the microtubule structure within the cells. This structure is responsible for dividing and replicating the cell itself, so inhibiting this will lead to the death of these cells.
Dosage:
Paclitaxel 100 mg injection is prescribed to be injected intravenously by the concerned doctor or nurse in the medical facility. The dosage is usually once every 3 weeks for the treatment of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or NSCLC. When it is used to treat Kaposi’s sarcoma, it is given usually once every 2 or 3 weeks. The doctor can alter the dosage depending upon the severity of the patient, and the result of the treatment on the individual.
Side effects:
- Paclitaxel causes a large decrease in the white blood cell count in the blood, so can have many side effects; shortness of breath, chest pain, pale skin, excessive tiredness, unusual bleeding, slow heartbeat, etc.
- Serious side effects of the drug include allergic reactions like skin rashes, hives, itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, and throat, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, fast heartbeat or dizziness, or fainting.
Go and report your doctor immediately if you face any of the serious side effects and the side effects persist for a longer time than usual. Follow the prescribed medication to treat the side effects.
Precautions:
- Before starting the medication, it is necessary to tell your healthcare expert about the other medications you are taking whether prescription-based or non-prescription ones like vitamins, herbal products, other nutritional supplements, etc.
- It is advisable to avoid pregnancy during the treatment because paclitaxel can harm the fetus.
- Do tell the concerned doctor about your allergies related to the medicine.
- It is important to tell your medical history, or any liver disease you are suffering or has suffered in the past to your doctor.
- It is advisable not to breastfeed during this medication as the drug may pass on to the child through the milk.
In conclusion, Paclitaxel Injection is an important chemotherapy medication used in the treatment of various types of cancer. It works by interfering with microtubules, preventing cancer cells from dividing and growing. Paclitaxel is administered intravenously in cycles, with specific dosage and schedules determined by healthcare providers based on the type
