Abraxane® is a chemotherapy agent effective against breast cancers. A doctor may prescribe this treatment if a patient does not respond to initial chemotherapy, as well as in cases of relapse where a cancer returns after initially responding to treatment. To receive Abraxane®, the patient will go to an infusion clinic so a nurse can administer the drug and provide supervision to make sure any averse reactions are identified and addressed as early as possible in treatment. Throughout the chemotherapy process, the patient will need regular checkups to see how well the medication is working.
This drug is a protein-bound chemotherapy agent, made by attaching the medication to albumin. This contrasts with chemotherapy drugs that use chemical solvents to carry the medication. One advantage to using proteins is less toxicity for the patient. Adjunct drugs intended to reduce side effects and prevent inflammation may not be needed for patients taking Abraxane®, depending on the specifics of a case and how the patient responds to the medication.
An Abraxane® infusion will take around 30 minutes. Patients may be asked to wait after the infusion ends to check for signs of an immediate allergic reaction. Patients who notice numbness or tingling around the injection site should report it to a nurse. Reactions like difficulty breathing, an altered level of consciousness, or rapid changes to the heart rate can also be a cause for concern. In patients with a history of heart, kidney, liver, or bone marrow disease, Abraxane® may not be a suitable therapy. If it is recommended in spite of a risky medical history, staff may need to monitor the patient closely during chemotherapy to identify side effects.
Patients on this medication can experience side effects like nausea, fatigue, hair loss, joint pain, and headaches. These symptoms should taper off as the patient nears the end of a chemotherapy cycle. If the side effects persist or become more intense, the patient should contact a doctor. This may be a sign of a complication, or the side effects may be manageable with other medications and tactics like adjusting the patient's diet. Feeling unwell during cancer treatment is normal, but this does not mean there is nothing to be done.
After several cycles of Abraxane®, a doctor will request a complete set of tests to determine the patient's response to the medication. The growth of the cancer should be arrested by the drug. If the cancer is still growing, the patient is not responsive to this medication and another alternative needs to be considered.
