Antineoplastic/chemo Drugs

Question 1

MIOTIC INHIBITORS

Answer 1

All MIOTIC inhibitors end in -stine

Vinblastine and Vincristine:
May cause peripheral neuropathy, so B6 should
Be used for nervous system function.

Supplement: pyrixidine (vitamin B6)

Vitamin B6 can be found in:
Chickpeas, fruits (other than citrus), potatoes, salmon, tuna.

Question 2

PLATINUM COMPOUNDS

Answer 2

Remember… Platinum compounds=
Peripheral neuropathy. All end in -platin

Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin:
May cause peripheral neuropathy.

Supplement:
pyrixidine (vitamin B6)

Vitamin B6 can be found in:
Chickpeas, fruits (other than citrus), potatoes, salmon, tuna.

Question 3

ANTINEOPLASTIC ABX

Answer 3

All ANTINEOPLASTIC abx end in -rubicin

Doxorubicin (remember ruby red):
May cause harmless red urine.
May cause cardiac toxicity. Monitor all heart signs
and symptoms

Question 4

Thrombopoietic Growth Factor

Answer 4

Oprelvekin:
Given Subq injection
Increases platelet production
May cause fluid retention

Monitor:
Platelet count (150,000-450,000)
Fluid retention

Remember that platelets (THROMBOCYTES) cause blood clotting.

Question 5

Leukopoietic Growth Factor

Answer 5

Remember these drugs end in -stim

Filgrastim:
Given Subq injection
Stimulates WBCs
May cause bone pain

Question 6

Antiestrogen Hormone Modulator

Answer 6

Tamoxifen:
Tissue specific: breast, ovary, uterus
(because they are estrogen
sensitive). Estrogen blockers interfere with
receptors.

There is a high risk for blood clotting:
DVT, pulmonary embolism, heart attack
(myocardial infarction), CVA (stroke)

Question 7

ALKALATING AGENT

Answer 7

Remember this affects bladder… your urine should be ACIDIC, not ALKALINE

Chlorambucil:
    May cause hemorrhagic cystitis
    May cause bone marrow suppression
    May cause hepatotoxicity 
    May cause kidney damage 

Monitor:
CBC (for bone marrow)
Kidney function and creatinine levels
Liver labs

If you experience hemorrhagic cystitis, and extra 3L of fluids a day is recommended.

Question 8

ANTIMETABOLITES

Answer 8

Methotrexate:
Used for cancer and rheumatoid arthritis

Action:
Inhibits folic acid production, so you may
supplement with folic acid/folate.

Supplement:
Leucovorin (folic acid supplement)

Monitor:
Liver labs for hepatotoxicity
Folic acid labs

Folic acid is found in:
Asparagus, avocado, beans and peas, enriched grain products (bread, pasta, cereal etc), green leafy veggies, and orange juice

Question 9

Erythropoietin Growth Factor

Answer 9

Remember these drugs end in -poetin

Darbepoetin:
Given Subq injection
Stimulates RBCs

Monitor:
RBCs
Hematocrit (how much of your blood is RBC)
Serum hemoglobin (protein that transports
Oxygen in blood)

Question 10

Side effects

Answer 10

Neutropenia- low WBC, neutrophils
Leukopenia- low WBC, leukocytes 
Thrombocytopenia- low platelets 
Anemia- low RBC
Stomatitis- inflammation of mouth
Peripheral neuropathy 
Hemorrhagic cystitis- inflammation of bladder 
Anorexia 
Nausea/vomiting 
Alopecia 
Hyperuricemia- elevates uric acid in the blood 
Extravasation- IV leakage into tissue around infusion    
                           site
Diarrhea 
Reproductive toxicity