My Chemo Drugs

Pre-meds :

1. Brand name : Benadryl; Generic name : Diphenhydramine

An antihistamine for treating rashes and itchiness (in my case)

Side effects :
dry mouth, nose, and throat, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, increased chest congestion, headache, muscle weakness, excitement (especially in children), nervousness, low blood pressure

2. Brand name : Kytril; Generic name : Granisetron

For nausea and vomitting

Side effects :
headache, weakness, stomach pain, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, pain, dizziness, drowsiness,difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, nervousness, cough, fever

Antibody
Brand name : Herceptin; Generic name : Trastuzumab

An antibody that targets cancer cells that "overexpress", or make too much of, a protein called HER–2 or erb B2, which is found on the surface of some cancer cells. Herceptin attaches to the HER–2 positive cancer cells and slows or stops the growth of the cells. Herceptin is used only to treat breast cancers that are HER–2 positive. HER–2 positive cancers overexpress the HER–2 protein or have amplification (too many copies) of the HER–2 gene.

Approximately 20 to 30 percent of breast cancers overexpress HER–2. These tumors tend to grow faster and are generally more likely to recur than tumors that do not overproduce HER–2.

Side Effects :
Heart muscle damage that can lead to heart failure; can also affect the lungs, causing severe or life-threatening breathing problems; allergic reactions like drop in blood pressure, shortness of breath, rashes, wheezing; fever, chills, pain, weakness, nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, headache and rashes.

Chemo Drugs

1. Brand name - Taxotere; Generic name - Docetaxel

Taken from a compound extracted from the needles of yew trees.

Side effects :
drop in number of white and red blood cells
allergic reactions to chemo, like itching
fluid retention
diarrhea
nausea/vomiting
hair loss
fatigue
muscle pain and bone pain
rash
nail changes
eye tearing
numbness, tingling or burning sensations in hands and feet, or weakness
infection
mouth and throat irritation
infusion site reaction like hyperpigmentation
inflammation or swelling of the vein
increase risk of serious reactions (possibly fatal) in patients with liver problems

Severe fluid retention occurred in 6.5% (6/92) of patients despite use of a 3-day dexamethasone premedication regimen. It was characterized by one or more of the following events: poorly tolerated peripheral edema, generalized edema, pleural effusion requiring urgent drainage, dyspnea at rest, cardiac tamponade, or pronounced abdominal distention (due to ascites)


2. Brand name : Paraplatin; Generic name : Carboplatin

A platinum coordination compound

Interferes with growth of cancer cells

Side effects :
Pain at place of injection
Black, tarry stools
Blood in urine or stools
Cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills
Fever or chills
Lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills
Numbness or tingling in fingers or toes
Painful or difficult urination, accompanied by fever or chills
Pinpoint red spots on skin
Skin rash or itching
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Unusual tiredness or weakness
Lower white blood cells
Lower red blood cells
Lower body's resistance to infection
Nausea/vomiting
Loss of appetite
Sore mouth and ulcers
Hair loss
Affect urination