Paclitaxel
Generic Details
Generic Name
Paclitaxel
Other Names
- Taxol
Drug Class
- Mitotic inhibitor
- Antineoplastic agent
Chemical Formula
C47H51NO14
Molecular Weight
853.906 g/mol
Mechanism of Action
- Paclitaxel promotes the assembly of microtubules and inhibits their disassembly, leading to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and ultimately cell death.
Indications
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Kaposi sarcoma
Common Dosage Forms
- Injection
- Infusion
Typical Dosage
- 135-175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for various cancers
Pediatric Dosage
- Safety and efficacy not established in children
Geriatric Dosage
- Dose adjustments may be necessary based on individual patient factors
Side Effects
- Bone marrow suppression
- Neuropathy
- Alopecia
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Nausea and vomiting
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to paclitaxel or its components
- Severe liver impairment
Pregnancy Category
- D
Lactation Safety
- Not recommended while breastfeeding
Drug Interactions
- CYP3A4 inducers/inhibitors
- Drugs that affect liver metabolism
Overdose Symptoms
- Severe bone marrow suppression
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Mucositis
Antidote for Overdose
- No specific antidote, manage symptoms and provide supportive care
Storage Conditions
- Store at room temperature (15-30°C)
- Protect from light
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption: IV administration, rapidly absorbed
- Distribution: Highly protein-bound, distributes into tissues
- Metabolism: Primarily hepatic via CYP2C8 and CYP3A4
- Excretion: Mainly biliary excretion, with some renal excretion
Precautions
- Monitor blood counts regularly during treatment
- Risk of hypersensitivity reactions
- Administer premedication to prevent hypersensitivity
Warnings
- Severe myelosuppression may occur
- Hypersensitivity reactions can be life-threatening
Others
- Paclitaxel is a cytotoxic chemotherapy drug that requires special handling and preparation procedures.