♦Paclitaxel

(pass-leh-tax’-el)

Taxol

Pregnancy Category D

Mechanism of Action

A novel antimicrotubule cytotoxic agent that promotes mi-crotubule assembly and inhibits the microtubule reorganization that is essential for interphase and mitotic function.

Indications

Metastatic carcinoma of ovary after failure of first-line or subsequent chemotherapy; breast carcinoma after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Metabolism/Excretion

Metabolized in the liver; excreted in bile.

Dosage Range

Adult

♦ Breast carcinoma: 175 mg/m² IV over 24 hours every 3 weeks.

♦ Ovarian carcinoma: 135 mg/m² or 175 mg/m² IV over 3 hours every 3 weeks.

♦ Do not repeat the dose until the neutrophil count is ≥1500/mm³ and the platelet count is ≥100,000 cells/mm³. Patients with severe neutropenia (neutrophil count <500/mm³ for 1 week or longer) or with severe peripheral neuropathy from paclitaxel should receive a 20% dose reduction for subsequent doses.

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