Medications for Colorectal Cancer
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The information provided here is meant to give you a general idea about each of the medications listed below. Only the most general side effects are included. Ask your doctor if you need to take any special precautions. Use each of these medications only as recommended by your doctor, and according to the instructions provided. If you have further questions about usage or side effects, contact your doctor.
Medications may help to either prevent or reduce side effects of treatment, or to manage certain side effects once they occur. You can develop side effects from the treatment and/or from the cancer itself. Tell your doctor when you notice a new symptom, and ask him or her if any of these medications are appropriate for you.
Prescription Medications
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
- Metoclopramide (Octamide, Metoclopramide Intensol, Reglan)
- Ondansetron (Zofran)
- Granisetron (Kytril)
- Dexamethasone (Cortastat, Dalalone, Decadrol, Decadron, Decaject, Dexacorten, Dexamethasone Intensol, Dexasone, Dexone, Hexadrol, Mymethasone, Primethasone, Solurex)
- Prednisone (Cordrol, Deltasone, Liquid Pred, Meticorten, Orasone, Prednicot, Prednisone Intensol, Pred-Pak, Sterapred)
- Hydrocodone (Dilaudid, Hydrostat)
- Methadone (Astramorph PF, Duramorph, Kadian, MS Contin, OMS Concentrate, Oramorph SR, Rescudose, RMS Uniserts, Roxanol)
- Oxycodone and Acetaminophen (Percocet)
- Filgrastim (Neupogen)
- Epoetin (Epogen, Procrit)
Over-the-Counter Medications
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Bayer Select Ibuprofen, Dolgesic, Excedrin IB, Genpril, Haltran, Ibifon, Ibren, Ibu, Ibuprin, Ibuprohm, Medipren, Midol IB, Motrin, Nuprin, Q-Profen, Rufen, Trendar)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn)
Prescription Medications
Nausea Therapies
Common names include:
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
- Metoclopramide (Octamide, Metoclopramide Intensol, Reglan)
- Ondansetron (Zofran)
- Granisetron (Kytril)
Medications for nausea, also called anti-emetics, are given to help treat nausea and vomiting that may be caused by chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery to treat cancer. Prochlorperazine can be taken by mouth, injection, or a suppository. Ondansetron and granisetron can be taken orally or as injections; metoclopramide is usually given by injection.
Possible side effects include:
For prochlorperazine:
- Blurred vision, change in color vision, or difficulty seeing at night
- Fainting
- Loss of balance control
- Restlessness or need to keep moving
- Shuffling walk
- Stiffness of arms or legs
- Trembling and shaking of hands and fingers
For metoclopramide:
- Diarrhea (with high doses)
- Drowsiness
- Restlessness
For ondansetron:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache
For granisetron:
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
Corticosteroids
Common names include:
- Dexamethasone (Cortastat, Dalalone, Decadrol, Decadron, Decaject, Dexacorten, Dexamethasone Intensol, Dexasone, Dexone, Hexadrol, Mymethasone, Primethasone, Solurex)
- Prednisone (Cordrol, Deltasone, Liquid Pred, Meticorten, Orasone, Prednicot, Prednisone Intensol, Pred-Pak, Sterapred)
Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation and relieve pain due to inflammation. You may experience pain and inflammation for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Bone pain from cancer that has spread to your bones
- Edema (fluid build up in cells) caused by tumors or treatment
Possible side effects include:
- Increased appetite
- Indigestion
- Nervousness or restlessness
Painkillers—Narcotics
Common names include:
- Hydrocodone (Dilaudid, Hydrostat)
- Methadone (Astramorph PF, Duramorph, Kadian, MS Contin, OMS Concentrate, Oramorph SR, Rescudose, RMS Uniserts, Roxanol)
- Oxycodone and acetaminophen (Percocet)
Narcotics act on the central nervous system to relieve pain. These drugs can be very effective; however, narcotics must be used with great caution because they can be mentally and/or physically addicting. If you are going to take one of these drugs for a long period of time, your doctor will closely monitor you.
Percocet is a combination medication; the narcotic analgesic and acetaminophen used together may provide better pain relief than either medicine used alone.
The most common side effects of narcotics include:
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or feeling faint
- Drowsiness
- Nausea or vomiting
Blood Stem Cell Support Drugs
Common names include:
- Filgrastim (Neupogen)
- Epoetin (Epogen, Procrit)
During cancer treatment, blood cells can be destroyed along with cancer cells. Filgrastim helps your bone marrow make new white blood cells, which help your body fight infection. Therefore, filgrastim helps to reduce your risk of infection.
Epoetin helps your bone marrow make new red blood cells. Low red blood cell levels can lead to anemia. Therefore, epoetin helps reduce your risk of anemia.
Both filgrastim and epoetin are given by injection in your doctor's office.
Possible side effects include:
For filgrastim:
- Headache
- Pain in arms or legs
- Pain in joints or muscles
- Pain in lower back or pelvis
- Skin rash or itching
For epoetin:
- Cough, sneezing, or sore throat
- Fever
- Swelling of face, fingers, ankles, feet, or lower legs
- Weight gain
Over-the-Counter Medications
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Common names include:
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Bayer Select Ibuprofen, Dolgesic, Excedrin IB, Genpril, Haltran, Ibifon, Ibren, Ibu, Ibuprin, Ibuprohm, Medipren, Midol IB, Motrin, Nuprin, Q-Profen, Rufen, Trendar)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn)
NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and inflammation. You may experience pain and inflammation for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Bone pain from cancer that has spread to your bones
- Edema (fluid build up in cells) caused by tumors or treatment
Possible side effects include:
- Stomach cramps, pain, or discomfort
- Dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Heartburn, indigestion, nausea, or vomiting
Special Considerations
Whenever you are taking a prescription medication, take the following precautions:
- Take your medication as directed. Do not change the amount or the schedule.
- Do not stop taking them without talking to your doctor.
- Do not share them.
- Know what the results and side effects. Report them to your doctor.
- Some drugs can be dangerous when mixed. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one drug. This includes over-the-counter medication and herb or dietary supplements.
- Plan ahead for refills so you don’t run out.
References:
American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp .
National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/ .
USP DI. 21st ed. Micromedex; 2001
Last reviewed February 2009 by Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.