Whelehans Health News

Chemotherapy Part 5 Side effects of anti-sickness drugs used in chemotherapy   Most chemotherapy patients who use anti-sickness drugs encounter no side effects from the anti-sicknesss, but on rare occasions side effects can occur.   Fatigue Many anti-sicknesss can cause fatigue or drowsiness, which might make the patient feel tired or sluggish. Examples of anti-sickness drugs that can cuase fatigue include ondansetron, promethazine, metoclopramide and prochlorperazine.   Headaches Some individuals may experience headaches as a side effect of anti-sickness medications. Examples of anti-sickness drugs that can cuase headaches include metoclopramide, ondansetron, prochlorperazine, promethazine and domperidone   Constipation or diarrhoea Anti-sicknesss can...

Chemotherapy Part 4   Medication prescribed to counteract nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy    5-HT3 receptor antagonists The first group of anti-emetic drugs used to counteract CINV are 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. These drugs work by blocking serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the gut that can cause nausea and vomiting. The most used 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in Ireland are ondansetron, granisetron, and palonosetron. Ondansetron is available as tablets, oral solution, and injection, while granisetron and palonosetron are available as tablets and injection. Palonosetron is the most recently developed drug in this group, and it has a longer half-life compared to the other...

Chemotherapy Part 3   How does nausea and vomiting compare between chemotherapy and radiation? Chemotherapy is associated with more nausea and vomiting than radiation therapy. This is because chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells in the body, including those in the digestive system, which can lead to gastrointestinal side effects. Radiation therapy, on the other hand, primarily targets the cancer cells within a specific area of the body. Radiation is less likely to cause severe nausea and vomiting as compared to chemotherapy. However, if radiation treatment is focused on the gastrointestinal region, it may lead to symptoms such as nausea,...

Chemotherapy Part 2 The most common types of chemotherapy used in Ireland   Alkylating agents These drugs work by interfering with the DNA inside cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and multiplying. Examples of alkylating agents include cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and carboplatin. These drugs are commonly used to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and different types of leukaemia and lymphoma.   Antimetabolites Antimetabolites work by blocking the production of DNA, preventing cancer cells from dividing, and growing. Examples of this type of chemotherapy include methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and capecitabine. These drugs are commonly used to treat breast, colorectal, and lung cancer, as...

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer, and there are different types available depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated.   The top 5 most common cancers in Ireland are: Breast cancer: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Ireland, affecting mainly women but also men. Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in Ireland and affects males only. It is also the most survivable of all cancers. Lung cancer: Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in Ireland, predominantly caused by smoking but also affecting non-smokers. Colorectal cancer:...