What is Docetaxel?
Docetaxel can be used to treat lung cancer, prostate carcinoma, stomach cancer, and head and neck tumors. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of docetaxel.
Side effects of Docetaxel
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention: hives; burning eyes; skin pain; a red or purple rash that is blistering and peeling If you experience stomach pain, tenderness, or fever, call your doctor immediately. During the injection, some side effects can occur. If you experience lightheadedness, breathing difficulties, or rapid or irregular heartbeats, tell your caregiver.
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Pain, burning, irritation, or changes in the skin where the injection is given
- Sudden vision problems, including blurred or lost vision,
- Redness or swelling of your arms or legs
- Skin rash, blistering, bleeding, or small white or red bumps with pus
- Numbness, burning or tingling sensation in hands or feet
- You may experience muscle weakness in the arms, legs, or feet.
- Rapid weight gain, shortness of breath
- Signs of tumor cell breakdown: weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, a fast or a slow heartbeat; tingling in your mouth.
- A feeling of drunkenness, such as confusion, stumbling, or extreme drowsiness
- Liver problems: upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine or stools, yellowing of the skin and eyes, etc.
- Low blood cell counts: fever, chills, and tiredness Mouth sores or skin sores Easy bruising. Unusual bleeding. Pale skin. Cold hands and feet. Feeling light-headed.
Older adults may experience more side effects.
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be delayed or discontinued permanently.
Docetaxel side effects may include:
- Allergic reaction
- Damage to tissues (if docetaxel leaks in tissue);
- The injection site may be accompanied by swelling, tenderness, redness, or darkening of the skin.
- Low blood cell count, infection
- Changes in taste or mouth sores;
- Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- Constipation, diarrhea;
- Feeling short of breath
- Eye redness and watery eyes
- Feeling tired or weak
- Your hands, feet or face could experience swelling.
- Muscle or joint pain
- Hair loss can be permanent.
- Changes to the fingernail and/or toenail
There may be other side effects.Call your physician if experiencing adverse side effects. For expert medical advice regarding side effects.The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Ibrance, Opdivo, Erleada, Retevmo, Keytruda, Rybrevant, and methotrexate
Warnings
Docetaxel may cause serious side effects, including death. This is especially true if the doses are high, you have liver diseases, or you have non-small-cell lung cancer. If you experience hives, a red skin rash, or difficulty breathing or swelling in your face, lips, or throat, seek emergency medical attention. If you experience stomach pain, tenderness, or fever, call your doctor immediately. The steroid will help prevent fluid accumulation. If you notice swelling in the lower legs or if your weight is increasing rapidly, tell your doctor.
Before you take this drug
Docetaxel should not be administered to you if:
- Low white blood cells (WBC);
- A history of severe allergy to polysorbate 80 or docetaxel
Inform your doctor of your entire health history, including all medications that you've taken. Docetaxel may lead to serious side effects, including death.
- If you are receiving high doses
- If you have liver disease, it is important to consult your doctor.
- If you have non-small cell cancer and have previously been treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy (cisplatine, carboplatine, or oxaliplatin),
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Tumor-lysis syndrome
- Fluid retention;
- Are You an Alcohol Drinker? If this describes you, consider seeking help immediately as overindulgence can have serious adverse health impacts and require immediate detox.
Docetaxel can increase your risk of developing other cancers (such as leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and renal cancer). This risk can continue for months or even years after receiving docetaxel. Your doctor can tell you more about the specific risks that apply to your situation.
If either the mother or father uses this medication, it can cause birth defects or harm to an unborn child.
- Docetaxel is not recommended for women who are pregnant. Before starting treatment, you may need a negative pregnancy result. Use birth control while taking this medication and for 6 months following your last dose.
- Use effective birth control if you're a man and your partner can get pregnant. Continue to use birth control at least three months after your last dose.
- Docetaxel can cause pregnancy. If you or your partner are using it, tell your doctor immediately.
You may find it harder to get pregnant while taking this medication. Use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as the medicine may harm an unborn child. After taking this medication, do not breastfeed for one week after.
How to take Docetaxel?
Infusions of docetaxel are given into the vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider. If you get Docetaxel on your skin, it can be dangerous. Wash the area immediately with soap and warm water if this occurs. Inform your caregivers immediately if you experience any pain or swelling when the docetaxel injection is administered. As part of your cancer treatment, regular medical tests should be carried out on you in order to make sure this medication does not have any serious side effects or results that might delay it. Furthermore, your vision needs to be checked. To prevent fluid retention, you will be prescribed steroid medication. Use the steroid as prescribed by your doctor.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you miss your appointment for a docetaxel or steroid injection, call your doctor to get instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how you will be affected by docetaxel. You may be unable to react. Avoid being around people who are sick. If you notice any signs of an infection, tell your doctor immediately. Avoid any activity that could increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Take extra precautions to avoid bleeding when shaving or brushing your teeth. Docetaxel is alcohol-based and can cause you to feel drunk when it's injected. Avoid drinking alcohol the day before your docetaxel treatment.
Interaction with other drug
Docetaxel contains alcohol. Other drugs that make you sleepy may worsen your feeling of drunkenness. Before taking an opioid, sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, or medicine to treat anxiety or seizures, consult your doctor. Docetaxel can be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking and those that you have started or stopped using.
