Cancer
drug Docetaxel may cause symptoms of Alcohol intoxication after treatment
BY SHINU.C,ASST PROFESSOR
Docetaxel is a prescription chemotherapy drug
used to treat different kinds of cancer, including cancers of the breast,
prostate, stomach, head and neck cancers, and non-small-cell lung cancer. FDA
is warning that the intravenous chemotherapy drug docetaxel contains ethanol,
also known as alcohol, which may cause patients to experience intoxication or
feel drunk during and after treatment. Patients
should avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other activities that
are dangerous for one to two hours after the infusion of docetaxel.
In addition, some medications, such as pain
relievers and sleep aids, may interact with the alcohol in the docetaxel
infusion and worsen the intoxicating effects. The various products contain different
amounts of alcohol, which is used to dissolve the active ingredients, so docetaxel
can be given intravenously. Health care professionals should be aware of
the differences in formulations in order to monitor and counsel patients
appropriately.
A search of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting
System database and the medical literature identified three cases of alcohol
intoxication associated with docetaxel. There was a strong temporal
association between the docetaxel infusion and symptoms of alcohol intoxication
in the cases. Two patients experienced alcohol intoxication during the
infusion and one patient experienced it within 24 hours of drug administration.
In one case, the symptoms of alcohol intoxication were transient. In
another case, the symptoms resolved in time for the patient to finish his
treatment using a slower infusion rate. In two of the three cases, the
reporters planned to use a different docetaxel formulation with lower alcohol
content for future treatments.
Additional Information for Patients
·
Docetaxel contains alcohol, which affects the central nervous
system and can impair your ability to drive or use machinery for one to two
hours after infusion.
·
Before receiving docetaxel, tell your health care professional
if you have problems with alcohol or drinking, have liver disease or other
medical conditions that may be affected by alcohol intake.
·
Avoid driving, operating machinery or doing other activities
that are dangerous or require skill one to two hours after you receive
treatment with docetaxel.
·
Tell your health care professional about all the medicines you
are currently taking, as the alcohol in docetaxel may affect other medicines
you are using.
·
Notify your health care professional immediately if you
experience any of the following symptoms while receiving an intravenous
infusion of docetaxel and for one to two hours after treatment: symptoms of
being drunk, confusion, stumbling, or becoming very sleepy.
·
Report any side effects from docetaxel .
Additional Information for Health Care Professionals
·
Cases of intoxication have been reported with some formulations
of docetaxel due to the alcohol (ethanol) content.
·
The alcohol content in a dose of docetaxel may affect the
central nervous system and should be taken into account for patients in whom
alcohol intake should be avoided or minimized, including patients with hepatic
impairment.
·
Take into consideration the alcohol content in docetaxel on
patients’ ability to drive or use machines one to two hours after the infusion.
·
Consider a docetaxel formulation with the lowest possible
alcohol content for patients who experience adverse reactions.
·
Slowing the infusion rate during administration may help resolve
symptoms of alcohol intoxication.
·
Monitor patients for signs of alcohol intoxication during and
after treatment.
·
Counsel patients about the possible effects of the alcohol
content in docetaxel, including possible effects on the central nervous system.
·
Report adverse events involving docetaxel.
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