Drugs

Megace and Megace ES

Megace has long been shown to help weight gain in cancer and AIDS. More recently, Megace ES came on the market. The advantage is in the concentrated dose that Megace ES offers. It is indicated for the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained, significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The recommended adult initial dosage of Megace ES (megestrol acetate) oral suspension is 625 mg/day

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Should Zofran be used empirically?

Ondansetron (Zofran) had been FDA approved for two decades and highly effective for nausea and vomiting. It is indicated for: Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including cisplatin ≥ 50 mg/m2. Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with radiotherapy in patients receiving

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Cymbalta for pain following oxaliplatin treatment

Oxaliplatin is a drug that can cause a fairly unique serve related pain, which can be difficult to manage. Two recent phase II studies suggested that Cymbalta (duloxetine) is effective for this pain. Both studies were in small number of patients and there weas a significant monority of patients who did not tolerate treatment. Overall benefit was modest. Both studies concluded that using this drug is feasible. This was followed by an abstract at

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Sancuso Patch

SANCUSO® (Granisetron Transdermal System) is FDA indicated for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving moderately and/or highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens of up to 5 consecutive days duration; some studies show that it is effective for up to 7 days. An example of such a regimen would be a 5 day course of cisplatin. SANCUSO has been studied in head and neck cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer and gynecological

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Provigil for Cancer Fatigue

People with cancer can be very tired, because of the cancer itself or as a side effect of cancer chemotherapy. In addition, many cancer patients suffer from depression. Appetite is often affected by advanced cancer. Medications that stimulate attention and increase endurance are often used to control these symptoms. Provigil (modafinil) is a psychostimulant that was not designed for cancer patients and it is used mainly to treat people with narcolepsy.

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