4 CYCLES OF TC VS 6 CYCLES OF TC

spring2010 · April 2010

I started my Chemo in ealry Feb 2010. I am done with 4 cycles of the treatment. Last Monday, my doctor wanted me to consider taking two more TC. I am 54 years old with bilateral mastectomy. My heart beat is fast. In the week after the chemo it reachs 120 per minute and now it is more than two weeks after the chemo infusion, my pulse is around 90-100. Need to decide if I should go for 2 more chemo on Monday. Another concern I have is I read American Cancer Society's website about the interaction of docetaxel and Ativan. I was prescibed with Ativan on my first TC treatment because of the fast heart beat and problem to sleep. I hope this is not a oversight by the doctor to prescirbe me Ativan to help with the anxiety and sleepin problem. She usually treat patient with triple negative with bi-weekly AC followed by weekly Pacitaxel. I seeked second opinion and wanted to do a mild treat which is 4 cycles of TC. She agreed to the milder treatment plan but I am afraid since she seldom treat patient with TC, the prescription of Ativan may not be right. Anyone who is treated with TC and took Ativan?

Sugar77 · April 2010

Hi, I did four cycles of Taxotere/Cytoxan and take Ativan at night to sleep and have had no problems. What is the interraction the ACS is referring to? I didn't have any problems with Ativan during chemo that I recall.

spring2010 · April 2010

Hi,

Thank you for your response.

Here is what I find in ACS website: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CDG/content/CDG_docetaxel.asp

Interactions with other drugs
Docetaxel may interact with a number of drugs and supplements, which may either raise or lower the level of docetaxel in your blood. This can worsen side effects or make the drug less effective. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

antidepressant drugs nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), fluvoxamine (Luvox), or buspirone (Buspar)
antibiotics erythromycin or clarithromycin
anti-fungal antibiotics such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
the anti-nausea drug aprepitant
blood pressure medicines such as diltiazem and verapamil
HIV drugs such as indinavir, ritonavir, amprenavir, fosamprenavir, and nelfinavir
anti-seizure drugs carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin
TB drugs rifampin and rifabutin
tranquilizers such as alprazolam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), triazolam (Halcion), and midazolam (Versed)
St. John's wort (an herbal supplement)
methadone
sildenafil (Viagra)

If you are on one of these medicines when you start taking docetaxel, talk to your doctor before you stop them. Many other medicines may also affect docetaxel, and changing any of your medicines may change the actual amount of the drug that stays in your body.

Sugar77 · April 2010

You should check with your medical onc. Mine was the one who prescribed the Ativan. I know there are many others who take Ativan, too, with TC. I took 1 mg at night. Perhaps if someone was on a higher dose, i.e., more than 1 mg and/or more than once a day, then maybe it would be a problem. Good luck!

spring2010 · April 2010

Since you and many others take Ativan with TC, I am not worried about it now. Thank you for helping me out.

123Donna · April 2010

My onc also gave me Ativan with T/C.

spring2010 · April 2010

Thank you Donna for your response. How many cycles of TC you received and if you don't mind what kind of implant you chose and any advice?

4 CYCLES OF TC VS 6 CYCLES OF TC

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