Is Taxol worse the Adriamycin?

PDM, Here's some info on Abraxane, from Medline Plus:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a607070.html 

Looks like it's quite similar to the paclitaxel that I'm getting, except that it "is manufactured with additional ingredients to allow the medication to reach parts of the body where it is needed. One form of paclitaxel (Abraxane) is manufactured with human albumin, and the other form of paclitaxel (Taxol) is manufactured with a solvent called Cremophor EL (polyoxyethylated castor oil). There are important differences between the two forms of paclitaxel, so these products should not be substituted for each other." 

I think I'm getting the castor oil version.  

Hi there,

I did dose dense adriamycin and then was supposed to start the taxol but I couldn't handle the premeds.

When you get Taxol you have to get premedicated with benadryl and steroids because taxol is mixed with a detergent called cremaphore that is used to help the taxol get absorbed in the system.

For some weird reason I was allergic to benadryl.

I was switched to Abraxane which is Taxol in its purest form and it is wrapped in a fat bubble and there is nothing added to it. There is no need for premeds because there is nothing to get allergic to.

I had joint pains that were worse when I got out of bed or out of the car after a long ride, but once I started moving I felt better. I made sure I kept active all through treatment andmy onc believes that helps with the side effects. I lost one nail. It grew back and is fine now.

If you can get Abraxane it is really so much easier because you are only there for about 45 minutes instead of 3-4 hours. But as far as side effects, they are the same as Taxol, and I found it so much more doable and I didn't have ANY nausea with it.

Keep active and that will help.

Good luck!!

g 

Thanks G..that really helped..I can deal with joint pain but I think I was more concerned about the nausea as silly as that sounds..the A/C was so bad for me ..was sick from infusion to infusion..I had every s/e you can imagine...so if there is one you can be sure I will have it...its just the way my body reacts..

Formygirls..this is why my onc decided to not give me taxol..she said the way I reacted to a/c she didnt want me to continue to go through any more than needed..

After the ac then the neulasta i am put down for at least a week with fever and very low red and white cell counts...its to the point I am afraid to take a shower ..already passed out..I am hoping this will be easier..

Hang in there ..its a battle but we will win...

Hi Heidi

I feel for you as I have had the same s/e as you ..last week was my last ac and I understand how you feel...even with the bone pain with taxol I understand it is not as  bad as ac..abraxane is suppose to be easier than taxol that is why my onc is switching to abraxane..I don't think I could take anymore harsh chemicals..my body had been beaten up..its been 11 days since the last ac and I am still so very weak..still with dizzy spells and no energy at all...I tried to wipe down the powder room and got half way and had to stop..a tiny little room and it zapped me big time..

Go with what your body tells you and DON'T do anymore than that..its not worth it.. 

I wish you the best and please keep me posted on how you are doing 

we will get through this.. 

I am glad you asked about the abraxane. Yes, it was originally given to women who have metastatic disease. But then they started to give it to women with early stage breast cancer. There are studies out that show it is superior to Taxol. I will find the one that BCO has citing it.

I don't have metstatic disease, I was given it because I couldn't take the Taxol premeds. My doctor was happy to do it because he likes Abraxane  better. And the difference between infusions is amazing... 4 hours vs 45 minutes!

So if you can get it, fight for it.

And I was nauseous from the Adriamycin, but not the Abraxane. So that was a definite plus!

Take care,

g 

Ps. No surrender, if you have that study you mentioned (BCO?) I would love to read it. Is there a link?

Pdm & No Surrender, I just called Beth Isreal (where I got a 2nd Opinion) and I missed their call back but they left a mssg. saying they said that they only "default" to Abraxane ONLY when someone has terrible side-effects.. She said its because its SO expensive that that is also another reason they do not use it only when necessary. Can you believe this? Now, since I had terrible side-effects on AC, I wonder if this would count towards this new drug?  -  I am going to ask my Onc. next time I see her (in 2wks) or, I may even download the Abraxane pamplet and write her a note telling her what Beth Isreal said.  I am upset because this should not be a reason to deny me (it being expensive) and I hope not. Wasn't what I wanted to hear today.

Ill keep you all posted.

Thanks again so much for telling me about this drug.

Heidi

Hi All:  A/C was terrible for me.... Taxol was so much easier.  I had fatigue, but NOTHING compare to the 4 rounds of A/C...

On Taxol I also got the funky nail thing (a few turned dark and I lost a toe nail).  One thing I found helpful for the nails was Tea Tree Oil. On the plus side, my hair started growing back....good luck to all of you starting your next round of treatment....you're in my prayers for an easy journey through this....you'll get through, one treatment at a time.

I am starting taxol 5/16/08 and am really scared.

Dorothy....good luck....you'll be fine..is this your last course of treatment?

Hello everyone,

If you do the taxol and can tolerate the premeds, the benadryl and steroids, you should be FINE. I was allergic to the benadryl which is one of the weirdest things my onc has ever seen.

About the Abraxane, insurance companies give the docs a hard time for early stage patients... even some with mets... because Taxol is cheaper. Usually you have to have a reaction to the Taxol before they "allow" you to use the Abraxane. If you have a good relationship with your onc, have a frank talk with him about how you would prefer to take the Abraxane and then ask him how the two of you can make that happen.

The study I quoted from this site is comparing Taxol and Abraxane on advanced disease, but it is interesting nevertheless!

Here it is: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/recur_metast/new_research/022405.jsp

No matter which one you get, the Taxanes give us another weapon in our aresenal to kill off the Beast.  

Many women find it a relief to get to the Taxol part of the chemo because the nausea is finally over!

Good luck everyone!!

hugs,

g 

One of the reasons my onc is giving me abraxane is the pre meds..I had a bad reaction to the steroids and the a/c ..I was always getting some sort of infection after the a/c treatment..i am hoping they cleared it with my ins company..

I am due to get my first abraxane next wednesday...even knowing this will be better i am still a tad nervous about the un-known..

Hi Blue, I am ok! I finished with rads, started Femara and I was supposed to get my exchange surgery but I had an infection about a month ago and because the skin is compromised or still healing- whatever he said- my PS canceled the surgery while I was in the OR. So other than that, I am ok. I hope you are ok!

PDM, when I did the Abraxane it was really easy. No premeds, not even an anti-nausea drug. It comes in a little bag that looks like it has a pina colada in it. It takes 31 minutes to infuse. Then you are done. If you have any kind of trouble with s/e's they can give it once a week at a smaller dose and it really is easier on you.

I had aches and pains in my joints. But I also was having them because I was in chemopause and the loss of estrogen makes that worse. I never required anything stronger than a tylenol or alleve for the pain. And I am one of those people who get nauseous just thinking about it and the Abraxane was ok with me.

Good luck! 

I just came back from my last (halleluuyah!) AC today - since I have been having the worst reactions, and am anemic, they upped my arenespt from 200mg to 300mg, gave me an iron-infusion, and tomrrow they are lowering my neulasta. Hopefully this change will help me get thru this last one. The previous two have been HELL. Usually starts late Fri. night until Wed - hopefull this will have some effect toward the positive. I pray.  Taxol (or Abraxane on May 29th. ) NEXT!!!

heidi

Sue   Thank you very much hope you continue to do great. Will let you know after first treatment in am. Dorothy