Question 1

what is the difference between taxol and taxotere (docetaxel)?

Accepted Answer

Similar drugs: Taxol is a type of chemotherapy extracted originally from the pacific yew tree- taxotere (docetaxel) is a synthetic drug that works similarly. Both are used in treatment of many cancers (breast, lung, ovary, head/neck, stomach, esophageal, prostate, etc). Both are given every 3-4 weeks but Taxol is given every week fashion too. Taxol can cause more nerve damage while taxotere (docetaxel) can affect blood counts more.

Question 2

is there a chemo alternative to docetaxel?

Accepted Answer

There may be: It depends on the type of cancer it is being used for. If it is for breast or lung cancer, yes there is a similar drug called Paclitaxel which can replace it in most cases. Discuss this option with your doctor. Another new drug is called nab-paclitaxel which is the best drug among the 3 of them.

Question 3

what is the half life of taxol & carboplastin?

Accepted Answer

Half lives: For Taxol, the half-life is dependent upon the length of the infusion. If it is a three hour infusion, the half-life is approximately 24 hours, but for a 24 hour infusion, it is about 52 hours. For carboplatin, the retention half life can be as much as 30 hours. Hope that helps.

Question 4

advice for taxotere/docetaxel?

Accepted Answer

Watch for diarrhea: Great drug for many things, but can cause diarrhea (amongst other side effects).

Question 5

what is taxol (paclitaxel) typically used for?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy: Taxol (paclitaxel) is a very effective chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of some forms of breast and ovarian cancer.

Question 6

what exactly is the drug taxol (paclitaxel) used for?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy: Taxol (paclitaxel) is a widely used  chemotherapy drug for breast, lung, head/neck, esophageal cancers.

Question 7

what are some contraindications of taxol (paclitaxel)?

Accepted Answer

Not too many: Taxol (paclitaxel) is contraindicated in patients who have a history of hypersensitivity reactions to Taxol (paclitaxel) or other drugs made in cremophor el (polyoxyethylated castor oil).

Taxol (paclitaxel) also should not be used in patients with solid tumors who have white counts of less than 1500 cells/mm3 or in patients with aids-related kaposi’s sarcoma with baseline white counts of less than 1000 cells/mm3.

Question 8

taxotere (docetaxel) side effects?

Accepted Answer

Taxotere (docetaxel): It may cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, rash weakness, nail changes, joint pains, supression to bone marrow - anemia, decreased white blood cells, low platelet, numbness, tingling, infection etc. 
Read more here : http://www.Nlm.Nih.Gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a696031.Html.

Question 9

can taxol (paclitaxel) treat pneumonitis?

Accepted Answer

No: Taxol (paclitaxel) is a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat malignant, metastatic disease.  Pneumonitis is an inflammatory process that needs antibiotics to bring the disease under control.  One of the complications of chemo like Taxol (paclitaxel) is suppressing the immune system.  As such reports appear that pneumonitis following the use of Taxol (paclitaxel) as in breast cancer  occurs following the use of this agent.

Question 10

is neulasta (pegfilgrastim) needed with weekly taxol?

Accepted Answer

Speak to : Your oncologist, will explain about your medicatio(s) Taxol like several cancer medications , kills cancer cells also effects on infection preventing WBC , reducing their count , Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) is a WBC cell  booster helps preventing infections

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Doctor answers about:

Taxol as an alternative to taxotere

A member asked:

What is the difference between taxol and taxotere (docetaxel)?

A member asked:

Is there a chemo alternative to docetaxel?

A member asked:

What is the half life of taxol & carboplastin?

A member asked:

Advice for taxotere/docetaxel?

A member asked:

What is taxol (paclitaxel) typically used for?

A member asked:

What exactly is the drug taxol (paclitaxel) used for?

A member asked:

What are some contraindications of taxol (paclitaxel)?

A member asked:

Taxotere (docetaxel) side effects?

A member asked:

Can taxol (paclitaxel) treat pneumonitis?

A member asked:

Is neulasta (pegfilgrastim) needed with weekly taxol?

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