Breast cancer is a potentially life-threatening disease in which cancer cells rapidly grow and divide in the breast. The Mayo Clinic says that symptoms of breast cancer include a thickened breast lump, an inverted nipple, bloody nipple discharge and peeling of the nipple's skin layer. Sometimes, breast cancer can also lead to alterations in the breast's size or shape. Fortunately, chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer exist.
Epirubicin
Drugs.com says that epirubicin is a chemotherapy medication that is used to manage breast cancer. Specifically, this medication is used to stop the growth of cancer cells.
Common side effects of epirubicin include nausea, hair loss, poor appetite, menstrual irregularities, fatigue and skin-color changes. Notify a physician if epirubicin's common side effects last longer than a week.
Epirubicin's serious side effects include a fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, stomach pain, swelling of the feet or ankles and abnormal bleeding or bruising. Additional side effects include dehydration, black or bloody stools, vomiting and pain at the injection site. Contact a doctor if epirubicin causes these side effects.
Epiribucin may interact with such medications as cimetidine, cyclosporine, hydrochlorothiazide, trastuzumab and carbamazepine.
Epiribucin is available as an injection that should be received once a week or as a physician prescribes.
Paclitaxel
Paclitaxel is another chemotherapy drug taken to treat breast cancer. According to MedlinePlus, paclitaxel is made with human albumin (protein) to manage breast cancer. It belongs to a class of medications called antimicrotuble agents and it works to stop the growth of cancer cells.
Paclitaxel's common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, hair loss and pain, redness or sores at the injection site. Paclitaxel can also lead to weakness. Call a doctor if paclitaxel's common side effects last longer than five to seven days.
Paclitaxel's serious side effects include pale skin, blistering of the skin, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, abnormal bleeding or bruising and burning, tingling or numbness of the feet or hands. Paclitaxel can also lead to peeling of the skin. Contact a doctor right away if you experience these side effects.
An alteration in paclitaxel's dose may be needed when taking such medications as diazepam, diltiazem, buspirone, simvastatin, quinine or tacrolimus.
Paclitaxel is available as a liquid and is given intravenously once every three weeks.
Eloxatin
Eloxatin is another chemotherapy drug used to manage breast cancer. Drugs.com says that eloxatin is an antineoplastic medication that is used to destroy cancer cells. It can also be used to treat rectal and colon cancer.
Eloxatin's common side effects include constipation, headache, muscle pain, swelling and back pain. Its other side effects include decreased taste sensation, trouble sleeping and swelling. Phone a doctor if eloxatin's common side effects last longer than five to six days.
Eloxatin's serious side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, body aches, chest tightness, burning pain and white patches in the mouth or lips. Other serious side effects include trouble seeing, easy bleeding or bruising, decreased urination and weakness. Notify a doctor if these serious side effects develop.
A change in eloxatin's dosage may be needed when suffering from asthma, a nerve problem or a liver disorder.
Eloxatin should not be taken when pregnant as it can harm the baby. Also, this medication can pass into breast milk.
Eloxatin is available as an injection that is given through the vein for two days every two weeks.
