Health Library

carboplatin
(Paraplatin)

• usually given intravenously (IV)
• used for cancers of the ovary, head and neck, and lung

• decrease in blood cell counts
• hair loss (reversible)
• confusion
• nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (usually a short-term side effect occurring the first 24 to 72 hours following treatment)

cisplatin
(Platinol, Platinol-AQ)

• usually given intravenously (IV)
• used for cancers of the bladder, ovary, and testicles

• decrease in blood cell counts
• allergic reaction, including a rash and/or labored breathing (rare)
• nausea and vomiting that usually occurs for 24 hours or longer
• ringing in ears and hearing loss
• fluctuations in blood electrolytes
• kidney damage

cyclophosphamide
(Cytoxan) not common

• can be given intravenously (IV) or orally
• used for lymphoma, breast cancer, and ovarian carcinoma

• decrease in blood cell counts
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• decreased appetite
• hair loss (reversible)
• bladder damage
• fertility impairment
• lung or heart damage (with high doses)
• secondary malignancies (rare)

docetaxel
(Taxotere)

• given intravenously (IV)
• used for breast cancer, lung, and prostate

• decrease in blood cell counts
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• decreased appetite
• hair thinning
• rash
• numbness and tingling in hands and feet

doxorubicin
(Adriamycin)

• given intravenously (IV)
• used for breast cancer, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma

• decrease in blood cell counts
• mouth ulcers
• hair loss (reversible)
• nausea and vomiting
• heart damage

erlotinib
(Tarceva, OSI-774)

• given orally
• used for non small cell lung cancer

• rash and other skin changes
• diarrhea

etoposide
(VePesid, VP-16)

• can be given intravenously (IV) or orally
• used for cancers of the lung, testicles, leukemia, and lymphoma

• decrease in blood cell counts
• hair loss (reversible)
• nausea and vomiting
• allergic reaction (rare) 
• mouth ulcers
• low blood pressure (during administration) (rare)
• decreased appetite
• diarrhea and abdominal pain
• bronchospasm (rare)
• flu-like symptoms (rare)

fluorouracil
(5-FU)

• given intravenously (IV)
• used for cancers of the colon, breast, stomach, and head and neck

• decrease in blood cell counts
• diarrhea
• mouth ulcers
• photosensitivity
• dry skin, darkening of skin and nail beds 

gemcitabine
(Gemzar)

• given intravenously (IV)
• used for cancers of the pancreas, breast, ovary, and lung

• decrease in blood cell counts
• nausea and vomiting
• fever and flu-like symptoms
• rash

imatinib mesylate
(Gleevec, STI 571)

• given orally
• used for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)

• nausea and vomiting
• fluid retention (swelling around ankles, eyes)
• muscle cramps
• diarrhea
• gastrointestinal bleeding
• rash

irinotecan
(Camptosar, CPT-11)

• given intravenously (IV)
• used for cancers of the colon and rectum

• decrease in blood cell counts
• diarrhea
• fatigue

methotrexate
(Folex, Mexate, Amethopterin)

• may be given intravenously (IV), intrathecally (into the spinal column), or orally
• used for cancers of the breast, lung, blood, bone, and lymph system

• decrease in blood cell counts
• nausea and vomiting
• mouth ulcers
• skin rashes and photosensitivity
• dizziness, headache, or drowsiness
• kidney damage (with a high-dose therapy)
• liver damage (rare)
• hair loss (reversible)

paclitaxel
(Taxol, Abraxane)

• given intravenously (IV)
• used with cancers of the breast, ovary, and lung

• decrease in blood cell counts
• allergic reaction
• nausea and vomiting
• loss of appetite
• change in taste
• thin or brittle hair
• joint pain (short term)
• numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes

sorafinib
(Nexavar)

• given orally
• used for advanced kidney cancer

• high blood pressure (during first few weeks of treatment)
• rash, other skin changes
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• hair loss
• nausea and vomiting

sunitinib
(Sutent)

• given orally
• used for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and kidney cancer

• diarrhea
• nausea and vomiting
• mouth ulcers
• upset stomach
• skin changes, including skin discoloration and rash
• fatigue
• high blood pressure
• bleeding
• swelling
• taste disturbance

topotecan
(Hycamtin)

• given intravenously (IV)
• used for cancers of the ovary and lung

• decrease in blood cell counts
• diarrhea
• hair loss (reversible)
• nausea and vomiting

vincristine
(Oncovin)

• usually given intravenously (IV)
• used for leukemia and lymphoma

• numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
• weakness
• loss of reflexes
• jaw pain
• hair loss (reversible)
• constipation or abdominal cramping

vinblastine
(Velban)

• given intravenously (IV)
• used for lymphoma and cancers of the testis and head and neck

• decrease in blood cell counts
• hair loss (reversible)
• constipation or abdominal cramping
• jaw pain
• numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes