Bleomycin is one of the cancer chemotherapy drugs, used for the treatment of different types of cancer including testicular cancer, prostate cancer, non Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and cancers of the head and neck area. It slows down or stops the growth of cancer cell in your body. The Bleomycin is freely soluble in water and form a clear fluid after being dissolved in water.


Dosage : 15 units

How it is Administered

• In the form of drip (infusion) through a fine tube into the vein, usually for 20 to 30 minutes. It may also be given through a central line of which is inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone or through a PICC line, which is inserted into a vein in the crook of the arm
• By injection into a large muscle (IM), a vein, or rarely under the skin (Subcutaneously)
• Injected through a chest drain after drainage of a plural effusion. The fluid builds up between the two layers of the lung, thereby stopping plural effusion from recurring.

Side Effects
Medicine and their side effects may affect individual persons in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. If you notice or experience any of the following side effects please discuss it with your doctor or chemotherapy nurse.

• Fever and chills
• Skin changes ( Rashes or itchy skin)
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness and feeling weak
• Mouth sores and ulcers
• Taste changes
• Ridging of nails
• Hair loss
• Changes to the lung

Precautions
Must tell your doctor about your medical history and different medication that you take. Discuss your fertility and conception with your doctor before starting the treatment. Avoid pregnancy or becoming father during the course of the treatment, or at least after a month.

Carboplatin, a cancer chemotherapy drug, is commonly used for the treatment of ovarian and lung cancer, along with many other forms of prostate cancer. The chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer consists of an atom of metal platinum that has great potential of damaging cancer cells.


Carboplatin

• 50mg/5ml
• 150mg/15ml
• 450mg/45ml

Carboplatin Lyophilized

• 50mg
• 150mg
• 450mg

How it is Administered

• Carboplatin is usually given as an infusion into the vein (Intravenous, IV)
• Through a central line, which is inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone or intra-peritoneal, directly into the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen

Side Effects
Some of the side effects that a person might experience while using Carboplatin are as follows. If you experience any of the following side effect immediately contact your doctor or chemotherapy nurse.

• Lowered resistance to infection
• Bruising or bleeding
• Anemia
• Feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness and feeling weak
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• Diarrhea

Precautions

• Tell your doctor about the prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin
• Carboplatin may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. Discuss about your fertility with the doctor before starting the treatment
• Avoid pregnancy or becoming a father while taking chemotherapy treatment

Cisplatin is a platinum based chemotherapy drugs used for the treatment of various types of cancers, including testicular, bladder, lung, gullet (esophagus), stomach and ovarian cancers. The drug is used to slow down or completely stop the growth of cancer cells in the body.

Dosage : 10mg/10ml, 50mg/50ml

How it is Administered

• In the form of drip (infusion) through a fine tube into the vein, usually for 20 to 30 minutes
• Through a central line of which is inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone or through a PICC line, which is inserted into a vein in the crook of the arm

Side Effects
There are various side effect associated with Cisplatin that are predictable in terms of onset and duration. However, in case you experience any of the side effects, immediately discuss it with your doctor or chemotherapy nurse.

• Lowered resistance to infection
• Bruising or bleeding
• Anemia
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Allergic reaction

Precautions

• Inform your doctor about other medications you are take including over-the-counter, vitamins or herbal remedies
• Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin they can have serious interaction
• Advisable to discuss about any plans of having pregnancy with the doctor before starting the treatment
• Cisplatin has a potential to damage developing foetus causing serious birth defect. Hence, it is advised to use a reliable contraceptive recommended by your doctor

Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy drug, used to treat variety of cancer including lymphomas; cancers of the ovary, breast and bladder; and a type of leukemia known as chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. It stops the growth and division of cancer cells by sticking into the end of the cancer cell's DNA strands.

Dosage : 200mg, 500mg, 1000mg

How it is Administered

• Cyclophosphamide is usually directly injected into the veins ( intravenous) through a fine tube, cannula
• By drip (intravenous infusion) through a cannula or line.
• It is also available in tablet form that may be administered orally

Side Effects
The prostate cancer drugs is associated with some of the side effects that an individual may experience during the treatment. The medicine responds differently to different individual according their immune system and the type of cancer they are suffering from. If you experience any of the following side effects please contact your doctor immediately.

• Lowered resistance to infection
• Bruising or bleeding
• Anemia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Irritation of the bladder lining
• Hair loss
• Your liver may be temporarily affected
• Diarrhea
• Skin changes

Precautions

• Contact your nurse or doctor in case you experience hot flushes, dizziness, a strange taste and a feeling of having a blocked nose when the drug is being administered
• Tell your doctor about the other medicines your are using, including OTC medicines and herbal supplements
• It is important to discuss about your fertility with the doctor before starting the treatment
• It is not advisable to become pregnant or father during the course of treatment

Docetaxel is an effective chemotherapy drug used mainly for the treatment of breast cancer, prostate cancer and non-small cell lung cancer besides various other types of cancer. Docetaxel is classified as a group of prostate cancer drugs known as Taxotare; it slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body.

Dosage : 20mg/0.5ml, 40mg/1ml, 80mg/2ml, 120mg/3ml

How it is Administered
The drug is directly injected into the vein in the form of drip (infusion) through a fine needle. It can also be given through a central line (a tube inserted into a vein in the chest) or a PICC line (a tube inserted into the crook of your arm).

Side Effects
There are some side effects associated with the drug that may vary from person to person. Your experience with side effects will depend on factors like dose, schedule, and your body's response to the treatment. Immediately contact your doctor in case of any of the side effects that are listed below.

• Lowered resistance to infection
• Bruising or bleeding
• Anemia
• Feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting
• Sore mouth and ulcers
• Taste changes
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Skin changes
• Soreness and redness of the palms and soles of the feet
• Allergic reaction
• Tiredness and feeling weak
• Fluid retention

Precautions

• If you feel stinging or burning around the vein while the drug is being given, or any leakage of fluid from the cannula site, immediately report it to your doctor or the nurse
• If the area around the injection becomes red or swollen, bring it to the notice of the doctor
• Tell your doctor about your medical history and drugs you are using, including non-prescribed drugs such as complementary therapies and herbal drugs. Docetaxel can have serious drug interaction with other medicine
• Docetaxel may interfere with menstrual cycle in women or stop production of sperms in men. Discuss about your fertility with the doctor before starting the treatment
• It is advisable to avoid pregnancy or to become father during and a month after the course of the treatment