Drug Chart for Chemotherapy

Drug for Chemotherapy
Generic NameBrand NameUseMethod of ActionScheduleAdverse Effects
CarboplatinParaplatinmetastatic diseaseInhibits DNA synthesisIV every three weeksDecreased immunity, bruising or bleeding, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness and weakness
CapecitabineXelodaFor metastatic disease resistant to anthracyclines and TaxolConverted to 5-FU in body.Prevents DNA and RNA synthesisOral twice a day over 3 week cycles — 2 weeks on Xeloda, 1 week offNausea, diarrhea, tingling hands and feet, fatigue, anemia, reduced immunity
CyclophosphamideCytoxanPrimary therapy and metastatic diseaseInterferes with tumor cell growthIV every three weeks; oral in 3-week cycles — 2 weeks on Taxotere, 1 weekoffTemporary or permanent infertility, hair loss, cystitis, immune suppression
DocetaxelTaxotereLocally advanced or metastatic disease after failure of first treatmentInhibits cell divisionIV High dose every 3 weeks; low dose weeklyFluid retention, suppressed immunity, hair loss, loss of feeling in hands,feet
DoxorubicinAdriamycin, RubexPrimary therapy and metastatic diseaseInhibits DNA synthesisIV every 21 daysNausea, hair loss, immune suppression; may cause heart damage,increased risk of leukemia
EpirubicinEllencePrimary therapy and metastatic diseaseInhibits DNA synthesisIV every 21 daysNausea, hair loss, immune suppression; may be less toxicto heart than doxorubicin, increased risk of leukemia
EtoposideVePesidMetastatic diseaseStops cell divisionOral twice a day over 3 week cycles — 2 weeks on VePesid,1 week offImmune suppression, nausea, diarrhea
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)Primary and metastatic diseasePrevents DNA and RNA synthesisIV days 1and 8 every 21 days; with leucovorin days 1 through3 every 28 daysNausea, diarrhea,tingling hands and feet, fatigue, anemia,reduced immunity,less hairloss than other drugs
GemicitabineGemzarMetastatic Disease–
first-line treatment
in combination with
paclitaxel in women
who already had an anthracycline, unless anthracyclines were contraindicated
Stops cells from making and repairing DNAFatigue, skin rash, reduced immunity, shortness of breath, diarrhea, bruising more easily
IxabepiloneIxempraMetastatic Disease–
or locally advanced
disease resistant to
an anthracycline (such as doxorubicin or epirubicin),
a taxane (such as paclitaxel or docetaxel),
capecitabine (Xeloda). Or with capecitabine after treatment wiuh an anthracycline and a taxane.
A microtubule inhibitor, and a member of a new class of drugs called epothilones. Stops cancer cell by disrupting the formation of the microtubules, which are part of the cell’s skeleton.IV every three weeksNeuropathy, fatigue,
hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and musculoskeletal pain. Cannot be used by women with liver problems.
LapatinibTykerbUsed in combination with capecitabine (Xeloda) for women with advanced or metastatic HER2-positive tumors who have already used Herceptin, an anthracycline, and a taxaneBinds to the EGFR and HER2 receptors to inhibit tumor cell growth1,250 mg (5 tablets) given orally once daily on Days 1-21Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, unpleasant or painful feeling in the palms of the handq and the soles of the feet, and rash
MethotrexatePrimary and metastatic diseaseInterferes with DNA synthesis and repairV days 1 and 8 every 21 daysImmune suppression, nausea, gastrointestinal distress, flu-likesymptoms
MitoxantroneNovantroneMetastatic disease. May be less effective than doxorubicinand epirubicinInhibits DNA synthesisIV every 21 daysNausea, hair loss, immune suppression; may cause heart damage,increased risk of leukemia
Mitomycin CMutamycinMetastatic diseaseInhibits DNA synthesisIV once every 6 weeksNausea, hair loss, immune suppression; may cause heart damage,increased risk of leukemia
Paclitaxel protein-bound particlesAbraxaneMetastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracyline, unless clinically contraindicatedActive agent is paclitaxel, which inhibits cells divison, but uses a human protein instead of a solvent,!which allows the drug to be administered in only 30 minutesIV; doctor will determine dose and scheduleDecreased immunity, tingling in the hands and feet
PaclitaxelTaxolMetastatic disease, can also be used in the adjuvant setting.For more info, click hereInhibits cell divisionIV High dose every 3 weeks; low dose!weeklyFluid retention, suppressed immunity, hair loss, loss offeeling in hands, feet
TrastuzumabHerceptinFor primary and metastatic disease in women with HER2-positive tumorsBlocks HER2, a growth factor receptor, to inhibit tumorcell growthIV weeklyAnemia, immune suppression, flulike symptoms

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