by D. Vogt

Created on: July 27, 2010

Abraxane is a new mitotic inhibitor injection which is prescribed as a treatment for breast cancer. It is part of a new class of medicines involving albumin and has been approved for use in the United States for just five years. Note that Abraxane is actually a brand name used by the Abraxis Bioscience corporation to market a drug officially known as paclitaxel.

If your doctor is considering prescribing Abraxane, you should discuss with him any previous allergic reactions to Abraxane (or paclitaxel), other albumin medications, or Cremophor EL medications like cyclosporine injections. You should also not take Abraxane if you have a history of heart or liver difficulties, or during pregnancy.

There are a number of relatively mild and common side effects of Abraxane. These include thinning or loss of hair on the scalp, the eyebrows, or in the pubic area, known as alopecia, as well as mouth sores and digestive difficulties (diarrhea and nausea). As with many medications and vaccinations taken by injection, it is not uncommon to experience soreness or pain at the site of the injection. According to the National Institutes of Health, you need only discuss these potential side effects of Abraxane with your doctor if they are particularly serious or persistent.

In addition, several potential side effects of Abraxane indicate a more serious reaction to the drug. According to the National Institutes of Health, serious side effects of Abraxane include paleness, chest pain, an abnormal heartbeat, skin peeling, and tingling or loss of sensation in the extremities. The Mayo Clinic adds that bloody stool or urine, difficulty breathing, and altered vision are also serious side effects of Abraxane. In all cases, and especially if you experience unexpected chest pain or have trouble breathing, you should always seek out medical attention immediately.

Patients who are taking Abraxane should be aware that this drug does compromise immune system strength by reducing the level of white blood cells active in the bloodstream. This condition, known as neutropenia (due to the shortage of neutrophil cells), can make people more susceptible to other infections which their immune system would normally fight off easily. People with weakened immune systems should always take basic precautions, including monitoring their health more carefully (and reporting suspect symptoms to a doctor), washing hands regularly, and avoiding people with contagious illnesses.

The information given above is based on research into publicly available sources. However, when it comes to prescription medication, there is no substitute for professional medical guidance from your doctor, which should always be followed precisely.

- Sources and More Information -

Abraxis. "Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Drug Side Effects - ABRAXANE."

Mayo Clinic. "Paclitaxel Protein-Bound (Intravenous Route)."

National Institutes of Health. "Paclitaxel Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information."

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