Antineoplastic Drugs Flashcards
Asparaginase
Chemical Classification
Escherichia coli enzyme
Asparaginase
Functional Classification
Antineoplastic
Asparaginase
Uses
Acute lymphocytic leukemia in combination with other antineoplastics
Asparaginase
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to product or E. coli protein, thromboembolic disease, infants, breastfeeding, pancreatitis
Cytarabine
Functional Classification
Antineoplastic, antimetabolite
Cytarabine
Chemical Classification
Pyrimidine nucleoside analog
Cytarabine
Mechanism of Action
Competes with physiologic substrate of DNA synthesis, thus interfering with cell replication in the S phase of the cell cycle (before mitosis)
Cytarabine
Uses
Acute myelocytic leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia; lymphomatous meningitis (intrathecal/intraventricular)
Cytarabine
Contraindications
Pregnancy (D), hypersensitivity
Cytarabine
Side Effects
CNS: neuritis, dizziness, headache, cerebellar syndrome, personality changes, ataxia, mechanical dysphagia, COMA; CHEMICAL ARACHNOIDITIS (IT)
CV: chest pain, CARDIOPATHY
CYTARABINE SYNDROME: Fever, myalgia, bone pain, chest pain, Rash, conjunctivitis, malaise (6-12 hr after administration)
EENT: sore throat, conjunctivitis
GI: Nausea, Vomiting, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Stomatitis, HEPATOTOXICITY, abdominal pain, hematemesis, GI HEMORRHAGE
GU: urinary retention, RENAL FAILURE, HYPERURICEMIA
HEMA: THROMBOPHLEBITIS, BLEEDING, THROMBOCYTOPENIA, LEUKOPENIA, MYELOSUPPRESSION, ANEMIA
INTEG: Rash, Fever, freckling, cellulitis
META: hyperuricemia
RESP: PNEUMONIA, dyspnea, PULMONARY EDEMA (high doses)
SYST: ANAPHYLAXIS
Cytarabine
Nursing Considerations
ASSESS:
- BONE MARROW SUPPRESSION: CBC (RBC, Hct, Hgb), differential, platelet count weekly; withhold product if WBC is <30ml/hr
- Monitor temp q4hr; fever may indicate beginning infection; no rectal temps
- HEPATOTOXICITY: hepatic studies before and during therapy: bilirubin, ALT. AST, alk phos, as needed or monthly; check for jaundice of skin, sclera; dark urine; clay-colored stools; pruritus; abdominal pain; fever; diarrhea
- blood uric acid therapy
- For anaphylaxis: rash, pruritus, facial swelling, dyspnea; resuscitation equipment should be nearby
- Chemical arachnoiditis (IT): headache, nausea, vomiting, fever; neck rigidity pain, meningism, CSF pleocytosis; may be decreased by dexamethasone
- Cytarabine syndrome 6-12hr after inf: fever, myalgia, bone pain, chest pain, rash, conjunctivitis, malaise; corticosteroids may be ordered
- Bleeding: hematuria, heme-positive stools, bruising or petechiae, mucosa or orifices q8hr
- Dyspnea, crackles, unproductive cough, chest pain, tachypnea, fatigue, increased pulse, pallor, lethargy; personality changes, with high doses; pulmonary edema may be fatal (rare)
- Buccal cavity q8hr for dryness, sores or ulceration, white patches, oral pain, bleeding, dysphagia
- Local irritation, pain, burning, discoloration at inj site
- GI symptoms: frequency of stools, cramping; antispasmodic may be used
- Acidosis, signs of dehydration: rapid respirations, poor skin turgor, decreased urine output, dry skin, restlessness, weakness
PERFORM/PROVIDE:
- Increased fluid intake to 2-3L/day to prevent urate deposits and calculi formation unless contraindicated
- Diet low in purines: absence of organ meats (kidney, liver), dried beans, peas to prevent increased urate deposits
- Rinsing of mouth tid-qid with water, club soda; brushing of teeth bid-tid with soft brush or cotton-tipped applicators for stomatitis; use unwaxed dental floss
Etoposide
Functional Classification
Antineoplastic-miscellaneous
Etoposide
Chemical Classification
Semisynthetic podophyllotoxin
Etoposide
Mechanism of Action
Inhibits mitotic activity through metaphase to mitosis; also inhibits cells from entering mitosis, depresses DNA/RNA synthesis, cell-cycle-specific S and G2; binds to a complex of DNA and topoisomerase II
Etoposide
Uses
Testicular cancer, small-cell carcinoma of the lung
Etoposide
Contraindications
Pregnancy (D), breastfeeding, hypersensitivity, severe renal/hepatic disease
Etoposide
Side Effects
CNS: headache, Fever, peripheral neuropathy, paresthesias, confusion, chills, fever
CV: Hypotension, MI, DYSRHYTHMIAS
GI: Nausea, Vomiting, Anorexia, HEPATOTOXICITY, dyspepsia, diarrhea, constipation
GU: NEPHROTOXICITY
HEMA: THROMBOCYTOPENIA, LEUKOPENIA, MYELOSUPPRESSION, ANEMIA
INTEG: Rash, Alopecia, phlebitis at IV site, radiation recall, STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME
RESP: BRONCHOSPASM, pleural effusion
SYST: ANAPHYLAXIS
Etoposide
Nursing Considerations
ASSESS:
- BONE MARROW DEPRESSION: CBC, differential, platelet count weekly; withhold product if WBC is <90mmHg, discontinue inf, notify prescriber
- Buccal cavity q8hr for dryness, sores or ulceration, white patches, oral pain, bleeding dysphagia
- Local irritation, pain, burning, discoloration at inj site
- SYMPTOMS INDICATING SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION: rash, pruritus, urticaria, purpuric skin lesions, itching, flushing, restlessness, coughing, difficulty breathing
- FREQUENCY OF STOOLS, CHARACTERISTICS: cramping, acidosis; SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION: rapid respirations, poor skin turgor, decreased urine output, dry skin, restlessness, weakness
- GERIATRIC PATIENTS: increased alopecia, GI effects, infection, nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression
PERFORM/PROVIDE:
-Increased fluid intake to 2-3L/day to prevent urate deposits, calculi formation
Methotrexate
Functional Classification
Antineoplastic-antimetabolite (Vesicant)
Methotrexate
Chemical Classification
Folic Acid Antagonist
Methotrexate
Mechanism of Action
Inhibits an enzyme that reduces folic acid, which is needed for nucleic acid synthesis in all cells; specific to S phase of cell cycle’ immunosuppressive