Cancer Capsules

Etoposide Capsules is a chemotherapy drug used for treatment of different types of cancers including lung, ovarian, testicular etc. It works by blocking the enzymes ( topoisomerase 2), which is important for division of the cell. By blocking these enzymes, it stops the growth of the cancerous cells in the body.


Dosage : Etoposide 50mg, Etoposide 100mg

How it is Administered
Etoposide is available in the form of pale-pink capsule that should be swallowed whole.

Side Effects
Different individuals react to the chemotherapy drugs in different ways. Many people may experience few side effects while the others may experience more. The side effects caused by these drugs are temporary and comes to an end with the treatment. Following are the few of the most common side effects:

• Bruising or bleeding
• Anaemia (low number of red blood cells)
• Hair loss
• Feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Loss of appetite
• Sore mouth and ulcers
• Taste changes
• Tiredness and feeling weak.

Precautions

• After the course of the treatment there is a rapid increase in the blood cell that has to return to its normal count before the next course of chemotherapy. Contact your doctor immediately if:
  • Your temperature rises above 38ºC (100.5ºF)
  • You suddenly feel unwell even at the room temperature
• Tell your doctor about all the medicine you use including prescription & non-prescription drugs and herbal remedies.
• Your ability to become pregnant or father of the child might be affected by the use of the drug.
• It is not advisable to become pregnant or father with the course of the treatment. The use of drug pose a major risk of damage to the developing fetus.

Hydroxycarbamide, formerly known as hydroxyurea, is a chemotherapy drug used for the treatment of various types of cancers. The drug directly affects the rapidly dividing cancerous cell. It is mostly used for the treatment of type of leukemia known as chronic myeloid leukaemia, cancer of the cervix and some pre-cancerous conditions.

Dosage : Hydroxycarbamide 500mg

How it is Administered The capsule should be swallowed whole with the water.

Side Effects
The effect of the medicine differs from person to person based on resistance power and stage of the cancer. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine:

• Bruising or bleeding
• Anaemia (low number of red blood cells)
• Raised levels of uric acid in the blood
• Lowered resistance to infection

Precautions

• Contact you doctor immediately if your body temperature rises above 1000F.
• Tell your doctor about your medical history and other prescription & non-prescription drugs that you take.
• Discuss with the doctor, if you are planning to become pregnant or father of a child
• If you fall sick after taking the medicine, inform your doctor, you may not need to take another dose.
• Take the medicine exactly as recommended by the doctor.
• If you forget to take the capsule, do not take double dose.
• Store the capsule in a cool dry place.
• Keep the capsule out of reach of the children.

Hydroxyurea capsules or Hydroxycarbamide, as it is also known, is a chemotherapy drug that is used for treating some types of cancer. The drug is commonly used for treating a type of leukaemia known as chronic myeloid leukaemia, cancer of the cervix and some other pre-cancerous conditions. The drug is also used against HIV.

Dosage :Hydroxyurea 500mg

How it is Administered
The capsule should be swallowed whole with the water.

Side Effects
The effect of the medicine differs from person to person based on resistance power and stage of the cancer. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine:

• Low blood count
• Tiredness
• Pale Skin
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Anorexia
• Hairloss

Precautions

• Inform your doctor if you are allergic to hydroxyurea, or any of the inactive ingredients in the capsules.
• The medicine should not be taken during pregnancy as it poses potent risk to the fetus
• Inform your doctor about all the prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you night be taking or plan to take.
• Inform your doctor in case you are breast-feeding as it is not recommended when the medicine is being taken.

Temozolomide is recommended as the initial chemotherapy treatment for patients with brain cancer. The medicine is most commonly used for the treatment of type of brain tumour known as a glioma. Known as alkylating agents, it is used to control the growth and multiplication of cancerous cell.

Dosage : Temozolomide 20 mg, Temozolomide 100 mg, Temozolomide 250 mg

How it is Administered

• The capsule should be swallowed whole with plenty of water.
• It should be taken timely everyday in an empty stomach.

Side Effects
Based on the resistance of the body and stage of the cancer, different people may react differently to the use of drug. Some may experience few side effects while other may experience more. We have listed below few of the common side effect associated with Temozolomide:

• Lowered resistance to infection
• Bruising or bleeding
• Anaemia
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite and temporary taste alterations
• Rashes
• Headache
• Tiredness and feeling weak

Precautions

• Tell your doctor about the other medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter drugs.
• Take care while driving or operating the machineries, since the use of the drug may cause drowsiness.
• Discuss with your doctor, if you are planning to become pregnant or father of a child
• If you feel uneasy or sick after taking the medicine immediately inform your doctor, as you may not need another one. Do not take another without the recommendation of the doctor.
• If you forget to take a capsule do not take double dose. Consult you doctor and maintain a regular dose schedule.
• Store the capsules in a cool dry place in its original packaging, away from heat and sunlight.
• Keep the capsule in safe place away from reach of the children.

Also known as Amethopterin, Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug, which is used for the treatment of cancer and auto-immune diseases. These drugs are commonly used for the treatment of different types of cancers including breast, skin, lung etc.

Dosage :Methotrexate 2.5 mg, Methotrexate 5 mg

How it is Administered

• The tablet is administered orally
• Swallow the tablet with plenty of water
• Stick to the schedule provided by your doctor

Side Effects
There may be a few side effects associated with the drug, particularly, in case of patients with poor lung function. However, patients are advised to immediately contact the doctor in case any of the symptoms given below.

• Lowered resistance to infection
• Bruising or bleeding
• Anaemia
• Sore mouth and ulcers
• Change of taste
• Diarrhoea
• Tiredness and weakness
• Kidney malfunction
• Gritty eyes due to inflammation of the cornea.

Precautions

• The high dosage of the drug or injection around the spinal cord or into the brain, can cause headaches, dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision etc. Report these effects to your doctor imediately.
• A rescue drug, Folonic acid may be given within 24 hours after Methotrexate treatment.
• Inform your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, including OTC drugs and natural remedies as these could increase the risk of Methotrexate toxicity.
• It is advisable to avoid pregnancy or becoming father during the course of treatment.
• Store in a cool dry place, away from heat or sunlight.
• Keep the tablets in the safe place, out of the reach of the children.

Tamoxifen is an orally active Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERUM ) that is extensively used for the treatment of breast cancer. The medicine is prescribed for treatment of both early and advanced stage of cancer. Developed thirty years ago, the drug has a potential to treat various other conditions including infertility.

Dosage : Tamoxifen 10 mg, Tamoxifen 20 mg

How it is Administered

• Tamoxifen should be swallowed whole with a glass of water
• It is usually prescribed as a single dose and should be taken at the same time daily
• The medicine should be taken on an empty stomach
• It is normally prescribed for five years

Side Effects
Women should carefully discuss their specific risk factors for cardiovascular and other diseases with their doctors and assess the benefits and risks of taking Tamoxifen. Though the overall occurrence of side effects is relatively low among women who take tamoxifen, the following side effects have been reported.

• Flushes and sweats
• Nausea and indigestion
• Weight gain
• Change in periods

Precautions

• Tamoxifen can increase the effect of the drug warfarin, which is used to thin the blood to prevent the clotting of the blood.
• If you have a history of blood clots or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) inform your doctor, as the medicine may not be suitable for you.
• Discuss with your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
• If you feel sick or uneasy just after taking the medicine inform your doctor.
• Store the tablet in it's original packing in a cool dry place, away from heat or sunlight.
• Keep the tablets in a safe place, out of reach of children.