Drugs used in cancer:

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapy drug that commonly used to treat various types of cancer such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer etc. It is a red colour drug that is given by intravenous route to the patient.

Side effects of Doxorubicin (Adriamycin):

The side effect of Doxorubicin may be different in different person. Some patient may have some side effects and some patient may have more side effects. Every patient not shows the all side effects of doxorubicin. Some most common side effects of doxorubicin chemotherapy are as follows.

• Bone marrow suppression: Due to the bone marrow suppression decrease the production of blood cells made from bone marrow. When the production of while cells is affected, this condition is called neutropenia. It is very serious problem because while cells protect our body to infection. Other condition when white cell count is low called febrile neutropenia. In this condition patient may suffer from fever. Condition of decreasing the red blood cells is called anemia. Red cells carry oxygen from lung to other parts of body. When decrease of red material in red cells (hemoglobin) patient feel tiredness. When platelets (components of blood) decrease, patient may be at risk of bleeding.
• Hair Loss:In doxorubicin chemotherapy hair loss is a very common side effect. Hair losses start after the one month first dose of doxorubicin. Hair may losses from any parts of the body such as eyebrows and eyelashes.
• Vomiting: Sick feeling after the vomiting is called nausea. Nausea and vomiting may cause after the doxorubicin chemotherapy.
• Urine Colour: Urine colour may be red after the 24 hours of treatment with doxorubicin. In this side affect nothing to worry.
• Skin Colour: Skin colour may be dark after the doxorubicin chemotherapy. Few months after the treatment skin colour returns to normal colour.
• Mouth Ulcer: Patient may have small ulcer in mouth or inner part of cheeks or back of tongue after the doxorubicin chemotherapy. Good mouth care decreases the risk of mouth ulcer.
• Sensitive to sunlight: After receiving the doxorubicin chemotherapy patient may be more sensitive to sunlight.
• Weakness: While receiving the doxorubicin patient may feel tired.
  

Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy drug that commonly used to treat various types of cancer such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer etc. It is a while coloured powder. This drug is given through the vein. It is also available in tablet as 25 mg and 50 mg.

Side effects of Cyclophosphamide(Cytoxan):

Bone marrow suppression: Due to the bone marrow suppression decrease the production of blood cells made from bone marrow. When the production of while cells is affected, this condition is called neutropenia. It is very serious problem because while cells protect our body to infection. Other condition when white cell count is low called febrile neutropenia. In this condition patient may suffer from fever. Condition of decreasing the red blood cells is called anemia. Red cells carry oxygen from lung to other parts of body. When decrease of red material in red cells (hemoglobin) patient feel tiredness. When platelets (components of blood) decrease, patient may be at risk of bleeding.

• Hair Loss: In Cyclophosphamide(Cytoxan) chemotherapy hair loss is a very common side effect. Hair losses start after the one month first dose of doxorubicin. Hair may losses from any parts of the body such as eyebrows and eyelashes.
• Vomiting: Sick feeling after the vomiting is called nausea. Nausea and vomiting may cause after the Cyclophosphamide(Cytoxan) chemotherapy.
• Bladder toxicity: Pain or abnormality during urination may present as bladder toxicity.
• Skin Colour: Skin colour may be dark after the doxorubicin chemotherapy. Few months after the treatment skin colour returns to normal colour.

Methotrexate (Amethopterin)

Paclitaxel (Taxol)

Fluorouracil (5-FU, Adrucil)

Epirubicin (Ellence)

Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Vinorelbine (Navelbine)

Gemcitabine (Gemzar)

Capecitabine (Xeloda)

Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

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