Taxol

Taxol is a chemotherapy drug used commonly to treat breast cancer. It's generic name is Paclitaxel. It is also used to treat ovarian, lung, prostate, bladder, melanoma, esophageal cancer and other solid tumor cancers.Taxol is given through an IV. The health care professional must be carefully trained to give venipuncture as Taxol is an irritant and can cause tissue damage is the drug escapes the vein. There is no pill form available.If you feel any burning, swelling or pain where you received the IV, let someone know immediately.Side effects of Taxol include diarrhea. mouth sores, mild nausea and vomiting, hair loss, pain in the joints, low blood counts and numbness and tingling in hands and feet.A fever of over 100.5. This can indicate infection. Also look out for signs of an allergic reaction. Signs include shortness of breath, wheezing, hives, facial swelling, feeling as if the throat is closing or any difficulty in breathing.Not everyone will experience the side effects listed with Taxol. This is standard with most chemotherapies. Each person reacts differently to the therapy. Some people may only experience one or two side effects, while another may have a very difficult time.Taxol is normally given for about three hours every three weeks. You may take a drug the evening before to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction. The amount of medication you received depends on weight, side effects experienced, liver function and how often you receive the medication.No, and it cannot be used by males or females at time of conception either. Women are advised not to use the birth control pill, either. Discuss birth control options with a physician.Taxol is a mitotic inhibitor, meaning it stops cells growth.

• Extreme fatigue
  
  
• severe vomiting
  
  
• redness or swelling at IV site
  
  
• Unusual bruising
  
  
• Unusual bleeding
  
  
• Diarrhea 4-6 times within a 24 hour period)
  
  
• Black stools or blood in stools
  
  
• yellowing of the eyes of skin