Question

Identify each of the drugs that the patient is prescribed, and note the possible nutritional side effects of each. In general, what might you tell this patient to expect from receiving her chemotherapy? Drug Possible Nutritional Side Effect(s) Cyclophosphamide Doxorubicin Vincristine Prednisone

Answer 1

Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) is a cancer (chemotherapy) medication used to treat several types of cancer. The nutritional side effect can be due to nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain or upset, diarrhea.

Doxorubicin is the generic name for the trade name drug, Adriamycin. The nutritional side effect can be nausea and vomiting.

Vincristine, also known as leurocristine and marketed under the brandname Oncovin among others, is a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of types of cancer. Hyponatremia and constipation are the nutritional side effects.

Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that is particularly effective as an immunosuppressant drug. It is used to treat certain inflammatory diseases (such as moderate allergic reactions), some autoimmune diseases, and (at higher doses) some types of cancer. The side effect include high blood glucose levels (especially in patients with diabetes mellitus or on other medications that increase blood glucose, such as tacrolimus) and mineralocorticoid effects such as fluid retention,increase appetite and weight gain,abdominal pain and vomiting.