Drugs for Chemotherapy Side Effects

Question 1

Drugs for Chemotherapy Side Effects

Answer 1

Allopurinol

PPIs / H2 blockers

Ondansetron

• metoclopramide or domperidone

Filgrastim

EPO

Oprelvekin

Dexrazoxane

N-Acetyl Cysteine and Mesna

Amifostine

Question 2

Allopurinol use in chemotherapy

Answer 2

Allopurinol - for hyperuricemia; given with 6-MP, dose should be lowered (both are metab’d by XO)

Question 3

PPIs/H2 blockers in chemotherapy

Answer 3

PPIs / H2 blockers - to decrease gastric acidity in mucositis

Question 4

Ondansetron use in chemotherapy

Answer 4

Ondansetron etc. - anti-emetics (esp. in pts on alkylating agents and -platins)

• can also give metoclopramide (D2 atg, 5HT3 atg, 5HT4 ag) or domperidone (periph. D2 atg)

Question 5

Filgrastim use in chemotherapy

Answer 5

Filgrastim - G-CSF to ↑ granulocyte levels in immunosuppressed pts

Question 6

EPO use in chemotherapy

Answer 6

EPO - for anemia from myelosuppression

Question 7

Oprelvekin use in chemotherapy

Answer 7

Oprelvekin - recombinant IL-11 → stimulates platelet synthesis

Question 8

Dexrazoxane use in chemotherapy

Answer 8

Dexrazoxane - ↓ cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines (doxorubicin, etc.)

Question 9

N-acetyl cysteine and Mesna use in chemotherapy

Answer 9

N-Acetyl Cysteine and Mesna - given with cyclophosphamide to avoid hemorrhagic cystitis (w/ hydration)

Question 10

Amifostine use in chemotherapy

Answer 10

Amifostine - given if -platins /cyclophosphamide are used; cytoprotective to ↓ nephritis / neurotoxicity etc.