Taxol, a brand name of the chemotherapy chemical paclitaxel, belongs to the taxane group of medications which interfere with cell division in cancer cells. It is most commonly used to treat ovarian, breast and some non-small cell lung cancers. Because Taxol interferes with cell division, it can damage healthy cells, resulting in side effects that range from requiring immediate attention to the very common and non-threatening effects.
Immediate Attention
Taxol does not commonly cause the side effects of black and tarry stools, blood in the urine or stool, pinpoint red spots on the skin or unusual bleeding or bruising. However, if you do experience any of these, they require immediate attention from your doctor. In rare cases Taxol can induce shortness of breath or severe skin reactions, which also require immediate attention.
Doctor Consultation
Taxol induces some common side effects that do require the attention of a doctor. These symptoms include cough, fever, chills, flushing, lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination and itchy skin.
Taxol rarely causes pain or redness at the injection site, but if this does occur let your doctor know. If you develop sores in the mouth or on the lips, consult your doctor.
Effects to Monitor
Taxol is a systemic medication, meaning it affects cells throughout the body, including blood cells and various organs. Doctors therefore routinely monitor chemotherapy patients by taking blood samples and watching the heart and liver functions.
Taxol can cause a low platelet count in the blood, resulting in excessive bleeding because the blood is not clotting properly. It can also cause a low white blood cell count, increasing the risk of infections. The red blood cells may also be damaged, resulting in anemia.
About three percent of patients on Taxol will experience either an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or a slow heartbeat (bradycardia). Some will also have low blood pressure.
Non-Threatening
As with most chemotherapy medications, Taxol temporarily causes a loss of hair. Although emotionally disturbing to the patient, this is not medically threatening and the hair will usually begin to grow back when treatments end.
The cells that line the gastrointestinal system are rapidly dividing, making them susceptible to damage from chemotherapy medications like Taxol. This damage commonly causes the symptoms of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Taxol can induce a feeling of numbness, burning or tingling in the hands or feet. This is called peripheral neuropathy and is a result of damage to the peripheral nerves. These symptoms will usually last for months after treatments have ended and some patients report that it never fully goes away.
