A retrospective study on incedence of adverse effects of paclitaxel in cancer patients at tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used for the effective treatment of various types of cancer. Paclitaxel was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of various cancers such as ovarian cancer, breast cancer, advanced non-small cell lung cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) – related Kaposi’s sarcoma. Now a days Paclitaxel is used both as single and combination chemotherapy. However it is generally not tolerated well as it has serious adverse drug reactions such as hyper sensitivity reactions, neuropathy, haematological toxicity, myalgia etc. To prevent the adverse drug reactions the patient must be treated with corticosteroids, antihistamines, and H2 antagonist prior to administration of Paclitaxel. Although Paclitaxel treatment is associated with several ADRs, it is still used by oncologist to treat different types of cancer because of its high efficacy. To report the adverse effects of paclitaxel and to review the management prescribed by the physician. A Retrospective study was conducted on the adverse effects of paclitaxel in cancer patients in Apollo hospital. A total number of 100 sample size was studied and their Demographic details along with relevant subjective and objective information was collected from the patient files from medical record department (MRD). Patients were followed up until complete chemotherapy cycle. Parameters collected were tabulated in MS-Excel sheet and the ADR’s along with recovery status were analysed. Total 68 ADRs were reported and 32 were not reported in which 95 were female and 5 were male where age between 51-60 are mostly effected with cancer as per our study and 260 mg of paclitaxel was most commonly used. Patients showed shortness of breath followed by nausea and vomiting majorly. 68% ADRs were reported on administration of paclitaxel drug, where vomiting and shortness of breath are majorly reported allergic reactions, back pain chest heaviness ,dyspepsia, fever, mental deposits, malignant ascites are most minorly reported. Ondansetron is most commonly used drug for vomiting whereas Hydrocortisone and Pheniramine are most commonly used drugs for shortness of breath. Adverse effects are reported mainly based on Paclitaxel drug but they are not based on dose of the drug.