Managing Side Effects
What should I know about the side effects of Hycamtin?
Can side effects be prevented or reduced?
Which side effects should I report right away?
How long do the side effects last?
Does my age influence the side effects?
As you’ve increased your understanding of Hycamtin and other chemotherapy treatments, you’ve learned that your body will undergo changes as it wages a battle against the cancer cells. Healthy cells will also be affected, and you may experience side effects. This section offers a look ahead at how you can adapt your lifestyle and your routines to the changes caused by your treatment.
What should I know about the side effects of Hycamtin?
Your doctor will monitor you for low white and red blood cell counts as well as a low platelet count. Your doctor may need to prescribe red blood cells or platelet transfusions to boost these counts or may prescribe medication to hasten the recovery of your white blood cell count. Antibiotics may be given if an infection develops. Infrequently, bleeding or infection may be life-threatening.
top
Can side effects be prevented or reduced?
Some other side effects reported in patients taking Hycamtin include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, and hair loss, which are characterized as mild-to-moderate in nature. Some side effects can be managed with proper treatment and many can even be prevented by taking other medications prior to treatment. As with other chemotherapeutic agents, Hycamtin may cause a feeling of weakness and fatigue. If these symptoms occur, caution should be observed when driving or operating machinery.
top
Which side effects should I report right away?
Call your doctor or nurse immediately if any extreme or unusual side effects occur during therapy with Hycamtin, such as a high fever (101°F or higher) or abnormal bleeding or bruising.
top
How long do the side effects last?
Most patients notice their side effects disappear after treatment with Hycamtin is completed. Occasionally, patients have had to stop therapy with Hycamtin because of side effects.
top
Does my age influence the side effects?
Adult patients of all ages, including those 65 years and older, have been safely treated with Hycamtin. Some older patients and patients who were heavily pretreated with other chemotherapy agents may have impaired kidney function. The dosage (or amount) of Hycamtin may therefore need to be reduced in these patients. In addition, some older individuals may be more susceptible to the complications of infection. Therefore, your doctor will need to check your blood counts before treatment with Hycamtin, and continue to monitor your blood during treatment.
Remember, no one source can answer all your questions or replace the information provided by your doctors and nurses. This Web site is not intended to replace ongoing communication between you and your health care team.
top
Important Safety Information
Use of Hycamtin
Hycamtin is used for the treatment of small cell lung cancer that returns at least 2 months after completion of your first treatment.
Reasons Not to Use Hycamtin
Do not use if you have had an allergic reaction to Hycamtin, if you are pregnant, if you are breast-feeding, or if you have low blood counts.
Side Effects
Hycamtin can interfere with your body’s ability to make white and red blood cells. Your doctor may prescribe a supportive therapy to help your body make more blood cells.
Side effects often associated with Hycamtin included nausea (64%), vomiting (45%), diarrhea (32%), hair loss (49%), fatigue (29%), and shortness of breath (22%). Most of these side effects were mild to moderate.
|
