09/26/2025
🐾Types of Chemotherapy Drugs🐾
Chemotherapy drugs are categorized into different groups based on how they work:
Alkylating Agents: and Platinum Drugs: (Such as Cyclophosphamide). These are common types that work by preventing cells from replicating.
Antimetabolites: ( Such as Fluorouracil)These drugs interfere with the production of DNA and RNA.
Anti-tumor Antibiotics: ( Such as Mitoxantrone)These prevent cancer cells from dividing by damaging their DNA.
Topoisomerase Inhibitors: (Such as Doxorubicin)and Mitotic Inhibitors: (vincristine, vinblastine) These plant-derived compounds work by interfering with the normal process of cell division.
Corticosteroids: ( Such as prednisone) These are often used to reduce swelling and other side effects.
Chemotherapy Cycles.
What is a Cycle? A chemotherapy cycle consists of a period of treatment and a subsequent rest period.
Purpose of the Rest Period: The rest allows your body time to recover from side effects and build new, healthy cells, preparing it for the next round of treatment.
Cycle Length: Cycle lengths are not fixed and can vary from a few days to several weeks (e.g., 4, 7, 14, or 28 days).
Course of Treatment: A "course" of chemotherapy consists of a series of these cycles.
Factors in Planning: The specific drugs, the stage of the cancer, your overall health, and how your body responds to treatment all influence the frequency and length of cycles.
How Chemotherapy is Given
Intravenous (IV): Delivered through a vein in the arm or hand.
Oral: As pills or capsules taken by mouth.
Injections: Given as a shot into a muscle or under the skin.
Targeted Administration: In some cases, chemotherapy may be given directly into a body cavity or the spinal fluid.
