When you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it's normal to feel confused and even scared about the treatment. Especially when the doctor mentions a new drug, it can be difficult to know exactly what it is. That's why, today we're going to talk about the vaccine `Trabectedin`, which is used to treat cancer . In this article, we'll talk about this drug in a very simple, easy-to-understand way, what it does, what you need to be careful about when taking it, and what side effects it can cause.
What kind of medicine is Trabectedin?
Simply put, Trabectedin is a drug that controls or slows down the growth of cancer cells . It is classified as a chemotherapy treatment. Specifically, this drug is used to treat a type of cancer called ` Sarcoma `.
Now you might be wondering what `Sarcoma` is. It is a type of cancer that occurs in the connective tissues of our body. Think of our bones, muscles, fatty tissue, blood vessels ... `Sarcoma` is the cancer that occurs in places like that. So `Trabectedin` stops those cancer cells from dividing and spreading. This medicine can be found in the market under the brand name `Yondelis`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
This is very important. Before starting `Trabectedin` treatment, it is essential that your doctor is aware of your complete health history . This medicine can interact with other medical conditions you may have. Therefore, if you have any of the following, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- Heart disease : Tell us if you have had or currently have heart disease. Some cancer medications can affect heart function to some extent.
- Kidney disease:The kidneys are what filter out most of the waste products in our body. The same goes for medications. So if there is any weakness in the kidneys, it is important for the doctor to know about it.
- Liver disease: The liver is another important organ in our body. Medicines are metabolized by the liver. Therefore, any disease in the liver can affect the effectiveness of the medicine.
- Low blood cell levels: Tell us if you have ever had a low number of white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets in your blood.
- Muscle aches or weakness: If you frequently experience muscle aches or weakness, let us know.
- Allergies: This is also very important. If you have an allergic reaction, not only to Trabectedin, but also to any other medicine, food, dye, or preservative, you should definitely tell your doctor about it.
- Pregnancy or trying to get pregnant: If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or suspect you are pregnant, you should tell your doctor before starting this treatment. This medicine may harm an unborn baby.
- Breast-feeding: If you are a breastfeeding mother, you should also inform the doctor.
It is very important for your safety to talk openly with the doctor without hiding this information.
How can I give you this medicine?
`Trabectedin` is not a pill or syrup that you take at home. It is an injection into a vein. This means that this treatment is given to you in a hospital or clinic by a trained medical team.
This medicine is usually administered intravenously through a saline bottle. This process takes some time. Each time you receive treatment, you will be given a special information leaflet called a `MedGuide`. It contains a lot of important information about this medicine. It is very important to read it carefully before each treatment.
What to do if the medication dose is increased?
Since this medicine is given in a hospital setting, under the direct supervision of doctors and nurses, the risk of overdose is very low. However, if you experience any unusual symptoms, inform the medical team immediately. Otherwise, call your doctor. In an emergency, you can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a treatment session?
This treatment is given on a specific schedule. Therefore, it is very important to receive treatment exactly on the dates and times given by the doctor. Do not miss a treatment session for any reason. If for some reason you are unable to come on the scheduled date, call ahead and inform your medical team and arrange a later date.
Other things that may interact with Trabectedin
Other medicines you take can affect the way this medicine works. Also, Trabectedin can change the way other medicines work. This is what we call interactions.
So, tell your doctor about everything you use. That means:
- Prescription drugs prescribed by doctors for other diseases
- Non-prescription drugs
- Vitamins, herbal products, or other dietary supplements
- Sinhala or Ayurvedic medicines
Below are some things that may interact with `Trabectedin`.
- Antiviral drugs given for HIV or AIDS
- Some antibiotics, for example `clarithromycin` and `telithromycin`.
- Some medications given for fungal infections, for example `ketoconazole`, `itraconazole`.
- Some medications used to treat conditions such as seizures (such as carbamazepine and phenytoin)
- Grapefruit juice
- The herbal product St. John's wort
- Drugs like `Rifampin`
This list is not complete. Therefore, it is for your own safety to tell your doctor about all the medications you take, as well as if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things you should be especially careful about during treatment
Your medical team will monitor your health very closely throughout your treatment, and you should also take care of your body.
Feeling generally unwell
Chemotherapy affects both cancer cells and healthy cells in our body. So it is normal to feel tired, lethargic, and generally unwell during treatment. Even if you experience these discomforts, continue receiving treatment until your doctor tells you to stop. But be sure to inform your medical team about any side effects you experience.
Risk of infection
This medicine may weaken your body's immune system, which means you are more likely to get sick.
- You have a fever, chills, sore throat, and cough.If you experience symptoms of a cold, such as a runny nose, do not try to take medication on your own, but call your doctor immediately for advice.
- Minimize going to crowded places and socializing with sick people as much as possible.
Use of painkillers
It is very important to know if you have a fever at this time. Taking painkillers like `Aspirin`, `acetaminophen` (Panadol), `ibuprofen`, `naproxen` can suppress the body's fever and prevent an infection from occurring. Therefore, do not use any of these painkillers without consulting your doctor.
Dental health
During treatment, your gums are more likely to bleed. Infections can also occur. So be very gentle and careful when brushing and flossing your teeth. If you need to have any dental treatment, be sure to tell your dentist that you are taking Trabectedin.
Pregnancy and having children
This is a very important issue for both women and men.
- For women: You should avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine and for 2 months after your last dose. This medicine can cause serious birth defects in an unborn baby. You should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment to make sure you are not pregnant. You should also use a reliable form of birth control during this time. Talk to your doctor about this.
- For men: You should avoid fathering a child while taking this medicine and for 5 months after your last dose. It is essential to use a condom during sex during this time.
- Breastfeeding: Avoid breastfeeding completely while taking this medicine.
- Fertility: This medicine may affect fertility. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
Side effects to watch out for
Like any medicine, `Trabectedin` can cause side effects. Not everyone gets them. However, it is important to be aware of them. Let's break these side effects down into two categories.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your medical team immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. These are emergencies and require immediate treatment. |
| Capillary leak syndrome | Pain in the stomach or muscles, unusual tiredness, fainting, decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, and feet, and difficulty breathing. |
| Heart failure | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, feeling unusually tired or weak. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds, pain when urinating. |
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. |
| Muscle injury | Unusual fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, decreased urine output. |
| Unusual bleeding or bruising | Bleeding that doesn't stop even from a small wound, causing unnecessary bruising under the skin. |
| Pain at the injection site | Redness, swelling, warmth, pain, or blisters/wounds around the injection site. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome: | |
| Digestive system problems | Constipation, Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting. |
| Other common problems | Fatigue, headache, loss of appetite. |
Take-Home Message
- `Trabectedin` is a powerful drug used to treat a type of cancer called `Sarcoma.` It is given in a hospital, under medical supervision.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have, all medications you are taking (including Sinhala medications), and allergies before starting treatment.
- If you experience fever, signs of infection, unusual bleeding, or other serious side effects during treatment, seek medical advice immediately.
- It is essential for both women and men to use highly reliable birth control methods to avoid conceiving during treatment and for a period of time afterward.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions, fears, or concerns you may have about your treatment. They are always ready to help you.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment