Oncology drugs Flashcards
What is doxorubicin?
It is a chemotherapy medication
What are the indications for use of doxorubicin through the intravenous injection route? (5)
- Acute leukaemias
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Some solid tumours including breast cancer
- Advanced soft tissue sarcomas
What are the three common side effects of using doxorubicin?
- Red coloured urine
- Diarrhoea
- Dehydration
What is anastrazole?
It is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat breast cancer
Is anastrozole used in pre- or post- menopausal women with breast cancer?
Post-menopausal
Anastrozole only works in the breast cancer is which hormone positive?
Oestrogen-receptor-positive
What is the normal dose of anastrozole?
1mg daily
What is the unlicensed use of anastrozole?
It is used for chemoprevention of breast cancer
When is anastrozole contra-indicated?
In women who are premenopausal
What are the possible side effects of anastrozole? (7)
- Bone pain
- Allergic reactions
- Arthralgia
- Diarrhoea
- Headaches
- Hot flushes
- Vaginal bleeding/dryness
What do patients need to be monitored regularly for when taking anastrozole?
Osteoporosis
What is tamoxifen?
It is like anastrozole, as it is also a hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer
Why is tamoxifen different to anastrozole?
It can be used in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women
What is tamoxifen’s mechanism of action?
It is an anti-oestrogen which induces gonadotrophin release by occupying oestrogen receptors in the hypothalamus, thereby interfering with feedback mechanisms
