Med Know - Immune Flashcards
What medications can cause Alopecia?
vincristine, topotecan (Hycamtin), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
What medications can cause bone marrow suppression?
topotecan (Hycamtin), paclitaxel (Taxol, Abraxane), imatinib (Gleevec), cytarabine (Cytosar-U), mercaptopurine (Purinethol), cisplatin, carmustine (BiCNU), cyclophosphamide, interferon alfa-2a (Roferon-A), interferon alfa-2b (Intron A), methotrexate (Trexall), doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
What type of drug is vincristine?
Vinca alkaloid
What does vincristine treat?
Acute leukemias, lymphomas, Wilms’ tumor and neuroblastoma in children, breast and lung cancer, soft tissue sarcomas
What are the possible adverse effects of vincristine?
Peripheral neuropathy, alopecia (in 20% of clients), tissue damage if IV infiltrates, severe constipation/upper colon impaction/possible intestinal ileus
What form(s) are available for vincristine?
Only IV administration
What are some specific administration considerations for vincristine?
Administer IV dose directly into tubing, and infuse IV over at least 1 minute.
Avoid contact of drug with eyes - can cause corneal damage; flush both eyes immediately with large amounts of water if injury occurs.
Calculate dosage by weight and decrease if liver impairment occurs.
What are some specific client instructions for vincristine?
Immediately report pain, swelling, or pallor/redness of IV site.
Report constipation, hard stools, or a decrease in bowel movements.
What type of drug is topotecan?
Topoisomerase inhibitor
What is the name brand of topotecan?
Hycamtin
What does topotecan treat?
Metastatic ovarian cancer, small-cell lung cancer, cancers that other anticancer drugs have failed to treat
What are the possible adverse effects of topotecan?
GI symptoms: N/V/D, constipation, abdominal pain, bone marrow suppression, thrombocytopenia and anemia are common, alopecia
What form(s) are available for topotecan?
Only IV administration
What are some specific administration considerations for topotecan?
Base dose on client’s weight, adjust dose for renal impairment.
Usually infused over 30 minutes for 5 consecutive days; repeat 4 times, using a 16-day rest period in between treatments.
Carefully monitor for infiltration and extravasation of IV solution.
Do not allow topotecan to get on skin: rinse thoroughly with water and soap if contamination occurs.
What are some specific client instructions for the adverse reaction of bone marrow suppression?
Report fever, sore throat, easy bruising, and unusual fatigue.
Use scrupulous hand washing techniques; restrict visitors who are ill.
Wash fresh fruits and vegetables well and cook foods properly.
Institute frequent oral care to prevent stomatitis.
Use soft toothbrush/electric razor to prevent bleeding; take measures to prevent bruising.
What type of drug is paclitaxel?
Taxane
What are the brand names of paclitaxel?
Taxol, Abraxane
What does paclitaxel treat?
Ovarian cancer, breast cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-small cell lung cancer (investigational use for many other types of cancer, such as leukemia, gastrointestinal cancers, head/neck cancers, etc.)
What are some adverse effects of paclitaxel?
Bradycardia (usually lasts only during infusion), peripheral neuropathy, bone marrow suppression, allergic reaction to Taxol form of paclitaxel: difficulty breathing, swelling of face, throat, rash, itching
What forms are available for paclitaxel?
Available for IV use
What are some specific administration considerations for paclitaxel?
Available in two forms:
Taxol: contains a solvent system and requires pretreatment with an antihistamine, corticosteroid, and a histamine2-receptor blocker 30 minutes before infusion to prevent allergic reactions; non-PVC tubing and IV bag necessary; infuse over 3 hours using an in-line IV filter.
Abraxane: no pretreatment or special equipment required; take care in dissolving drug in vial; infuse over 30 minutes without an in-line filter.
Expect to infuse paclitaxel every 2 to 3 weeks.
What are some specific client instructions for paclitaxel?
Inform client that frequent monitoring will be done.
Report palpitations or chest pain.
Immediately report swelling of mouth, throat, neck, rash, itching, and difficulty breathing.
What kind of drug is imatinib?
Targeted antineoplastic drug
What is the name brand for imatinib?
Gleevec
What is imatinib used to treat?
Initial treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, treats certain types of metastatic gastrointestinal tumors
What are some adverse effects of imatinib?
GI symptoms: N/V/D, musculoskeletal pain, muscle cramping, rash, bone marrow suppression (neutropenia and thrombocytopenia), fluid retention
What forms are available for imatinib?
Only available in oral form
What are some specific administration considerations for imatinib?
Give with at least 8 oz of water and a meal.
Dosage depends on disease being treated and phase of CML.
What are some specific client instructions for imatinib?
Report muscle and joint aches or muscle cramping. Report rash and itching. Report SOB, and edema in extremities.
What type of drug is cytarabine?
Pyrimidine analog
What is the name brand of cytarabine?
Cytosar-U
What does cytarabine treat?
Acute myelocytic and acute lymphocytic leukemias, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prevents and treats meningitis caused by leukemia (intrathecal form), maintains remission in the above cancers
What are some adverse reactions to cytarabine?
GI effects: nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, bone marrow suppression
Intrathecal form: arachnoiditis, causes nausea, vomiting, headache, and fever