Hycamtin
Topotecan injections are more commonly referred to as hycamtin a very powerful drug used in the treatment of cancer. Because of the extensive risks involved in using hycamtin, physicians with vital monitoring, blood cell counts and other laboratory tests must closely supervise patients as necessary. Hycamtin is given intravenously five days a week in succession for thirty-minute intervals and then repeated for 3 weeks afterward.
The side effects of hycamtin are including but not limited to: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, unusual fatigue, headache, and soreness of the mouth, stomach pain, and temporary hair loss. If a patient experiences numbness, tingling, bleeding, asphyxia, unusual fever or bruising, a doctor or nurse must be notified right away. One very serious and unlikely symptom is jaundiced skin and eyes.
Precautionary measures to take before foregoing cancer treatment with hycamtin is to completely and openly discuss your family medical history with your doctor and plan on having people around to help you take care of minor chores and errands as hycamtin will make your body very weak and more susceptible to disease and infection if you overexert yourself. It is imperative that this medication does not touch your eyes, inside of the nose cavity, and skin and is washed with soap and water right away if accidentally touched. Patients using the hycamtin treatment cannot partake in any vaccinations or immunizations because of the body’s inability to fight off the parasitic disease within the vaccine especially the oral polio vaccine. Patients must take care to keep out of potentially harmful activities such as contact sports or any other recreation in which there is increased potential for injuries involving cuts and bruising as excessive bleeding may occur. Your doctor must know about any prescription and non-prescription drugs, blood cell stimulators, and other cancer drugs for potential risks.
Disclaimer: Cliff Schaffer does not personally endorse or support any of the comments made within the writings of this article. |
