Chemotherapy Drug |
Possible After Effects
(Not all after effects are listed. Some of those listed may be short-term
after effects; others are long-term after effects.) |
carboplatin
(Paraplatin)
- usually given intravenously (IV)
- used for cancers of the ovary, head
and neck, and lung
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- hair loss (reversible)
- confusion
- nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
(usually a short-term side effect occurring the first 24 to 72 hours
following treatment)
|
cisplatin
(Platinol, Platinol-AQ)
- usually given intravenously (IV)
- used for cancers of the bladder,
ovary, and testicles
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- allergic reaction, including a rash
and/or labored breathing (rare)
- nausea and vomiting that usually
occurs for 24 hours or longer
- ringing in ears and hearing loss
- fluctuations in blood electrolytes
- kidney damage
|
cyclophosphamide
(Cytoxan) not common
- can be given intravenously (IV) or
orally
- used for lymphoma, breast cancer, and
ovarian carcinoma
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- decreased appetite
- hair loss (reversible)
- bladder damage
- fertility impairment
- lung or heart damage (with high doses)
- secondary malignancies (rare)
|
docetaxel
(Taxotere)
- given intravenously (IV)
- used for breast cancer, lung, and
prostate
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- decreased appetite
- hair thinning
- rash
- numbness and tingling in hands and
feet
|
doxorubicin
(Adriamycin)
- given intravenously (IV)
- used for breast cancer, lymphoma, and
multiple myeloma
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- mouth ulcers
- hair loss (reversible)
- nausea and vomiting
- heart damage
|
erlotinib
(Tarceva, OSI-774)
- given orally
- used for non small cell lung cancer
|
- rash and other skin changes
- diarrhea
|
etoposide
(VePesid, VP-16)
- can be given intravenously (IV) or
orally
- used for cancers of the lung,
testicles, leukemia, and lymphoma
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- hair loss (reversible)
- nausea and vomiting
- allergic reaction (rare)
- mouth ulcers
- low blood pressure (during
administration) (rare)
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea and abdominal pain
- bronchospasm (rare)
- flu-like symptoms (rare)
|
fluorouracil
(5-FU)
- given intravenously (IV)
- used for cancers of the colon, breast,
stomach, and head and neck
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- diarrhea
- mouth ulcers
- photosensitivity
- dry skin, darkening of skin and nail
beds
|
gemcitabine
(Gemzar)
- given intravenously (IV)
- used for cancers of the pancreas,
breast, ovary, and lung
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- nausea and vomiting
- fever and flu-like symptoms
- rash
|
imatinib mesylate
(Gleevec, STI 571)
- given orally
- used for chronic myelogenous leukemia
(CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
|
- nausea and vomiting
- fluid retention (swelling around
ankles, eyes)
- muscle cramps
- diarrhea
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- rash
|
irinotecan
(Camptosar, CPT-11)
- given intravenously (IV)
- used for cancers of the colon and
rectum
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- diarrhea
- fatigue
|
methotrexate
(Folex, Mexate, Amethopterin)
- may be given intravenously (IV),
intrathecally (into the spinal column), or orally
- used for cancers of the breast, lung,
blood, bone, and lymph system
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- nausea and vomiting
- mouth ulcers
- skin rashes and photosensitivity
- dizziness, headache, or drowsiness
- kidney damage (with a high-dose
therapy)
- liver damage (rare)
- hair loss (reversible)
|
paclitaxel
(Taxol, Abraxane)
- given intravenously (IV)
- used with cancers of the breast,
ovary, and lung
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- allergic reaction
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- change in taste
- thin or brittle hair
- joint pain (short term)
- numbness or tingling in the fingers or
toes
|
sorafinib
(Nexavar)
- given orally
- used for advanced kidney cancer
|
- high blood pressure (during first few
weeks of treatment)
- rash, other skin changes
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- hair loss
- nausea and vomiting
|
sunitinib
(Sutent)
- given orally
- used for gastrointestinal stromal
tumor (GIST) and kidney cancer
|
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
- mouth ulcers
- upset stomach
- skin changes, including skin
discoloration and rash
- fatigue
- high blood pressure
- bleeding
- swelling
- taste disturbance
|
topotecan
(Hycamtin)
- given intravenously (IV)
- used for cancers of the ovary and lung
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- diarrhea
- hair loss (reversible)
- nausea and vomiting
|
vincristine
(Oncovin)
- usually given intravenously (IV)
- used for leukemia and lymphoma
|
- numbness or tingling in the fingers or
toes
- weakness
- loss of reflexes
- jaw pain
- hair loss (reversible)
- constipation or abdominal cramping
|
vinblastine
(Velban)
- given intravenously (IV)
- used for lymphoma and cancers of the
testis and head and neck
|
- decrease in blood cell counts
- hair loss (reversible)
- constipation or abdominal cramping
- jaw pain
- numbness or tingling in the fingers or
toes
|