What class of drug is paclitaxel?

Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.

What is premedication in chemotherapy?

Premedication before chemotherapy for cancer often consists of drug regimens (usually 2 or more drugs, e.g. dexamethasone, diphenhydramine and omeprazole) given to a patient minutes to hours before the chemotherapy to avert side effects or hypersensitivity reactions (i.e. allergic reactions).

Is paclitaxel the same as Taxol?

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy drug. It is a treatment for many different types of cancer. It is also called Taxol.

What is a nursing consideration when administering paclitaxel?

Paclitaxel has been shown to be safe in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Nursing care includes the administration of the drug, the assessment and management of side effects, and psychosocial support of patients receiving the drug.

How do you avoid Taxol side effects?

Avoid contact sports or activities that could cause injury. Taxol causes little nausea. But if you should experience nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small frequent meals. Sucking on lozenges and chewing gum may also help.

What is a cycle of Taxol?

You have paclitaxel over 3 hours and carboplatin between 30 minutes and 1 hour. The whole treatment can take up to 4 hours. You have treatment once every 3 weeks. Each 3 week period is called a cycle of treatment.

When do you give premedication?

Premedication is usually given 20 minutes to three hours pre-operatively. Topical anaesthetic creams (eg, EMLA®) are often prescribed for children before cannulation.

What are the different drugs used for premedication?

The three commonly used intravenous benzodiazepines are midazolam, Ativan, and diazepam.