Overview Introduction Genexol PM 100mg Injection is an anti-cancer medication used for the treatment of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. It is given as an injection by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, and weakness. It may also cause serious side effects such as swelling of hands, lips, hair loss, and weight gain. To reduce these side effects your doctor may suggest some medication along with it. But, inform your doctor if you notice unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever). This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells and liver function. Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy. Uses of Genexol PM Injection Breast cancer Non-small cell lung cancer Pancreatic cancer Side effects of Genexol PM Injection Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them Common side effects of Genexol PM Nausea Vomiting Weakness Low blood platelets Rash Upper respiratory tract infection Urinary tract infection Bleeding Anemia (low number of red blood cells) Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk) Hair loss Decreased blood pressure Peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness of feet and hand) Diarrhea Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils) How to cope with side effects? The occurrence of side effects varies from person to person. The following are a few ways of dealing with some of the common side effects. However, consult your doctor if these persist. Coping with Nausea You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop from feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve. Coping with Vomiting You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve. Coping with Weakness Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Eat a well-balanced diet to keep your energy levels up. Do not drink too much alcohol. Do not drive or use tools or machinery until you feel better. Other things that can help include doing some gentle exercise every day, prioritizing and pacing your activities and having a short nap if you need to. If you are still having problems after a week, speak to your doctor, as they may want to change you to a different type of medicine. Coping with Low blood platelets You will need a blood test to find out if your blood platelet level is low. If this medicine is causing your platelet levels to drop, your doctor may suggest an alternative medicine. There are also medicines that can boost your blood platelet level. Consider asking your doctor about this. A low platelet count can put you at risk for bleeding. Try to be careful when doing activities that might cause an injury or a cut as it may take longer to stop bleeding. Coping with Rash There are many treatments for a wide range of skin problems. Avoid hot showers or baths because hot water can irritate the skin. Make sure to pat dry your skin after a bath or shower. Do not rub or scratch the affected area. Leave the skin exposed to the air as much as possible. Do not use perfumed soaps or deodorants. Water containing chlorine can make most skin problems worse, so avoid swimming. Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, tobacco smoke and caffeine as it may also make itching worse. Avoid excessive sun exposure. Always use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors. Moisturizers can be used regularly to soothe and hydrate the affected area. If it does not get better within a week, speak to a pharmacist or doctor. Coping with Urinary tract infection Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection. Most will clear up within a few days. Try some natural remedies like taking cranberry juice and probiotics for help. To ease the pain, try taking painkiller medicine. You can also try placing a hot water bottle or heat pad on your tummy or between your thighs. Rest and drink plenty of fluids (not alcohol or caffeine) to help flush the bacteria out of your body. Urinating frequently helps get rid of the bacteria as well. Coping with Bleeding Hold a gauze over the area that is bleeding and apply pressure. Holding an ice pack to bruises may make them fade more quickly. Seek emergency help if you are bleeding profusely or if the bleeding doesn’t stop within 15 minutes. If you are bleeding more easily than normal, try to be careful when doing activities that might cause an injury or a cut, as it may take longer to stop bleeding. Use a soft toothbrush and waxed dental floss to clean your teeth. See a doctor if you're worried about any bleeding. Coping with Anemia (low number of red blood cells) Making some simple lifestyle changes can raise your red blood cell count. Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, eat a well-balanced healthy diet and take regular exercise. Physical activities make your body need more oxygen and this stimulates the production of red blood cells. There are some vitamins which are important such as vitamin B-12, vitamin B-9, vitamin C and Vitamin A. Also, some minerals such as iron (especially) and copper. Aim for foods which contain higher quantities of these vitamins and minerals or ask your doctor for supplements. Make sure to consult your doctor for complete evaluation and treatment of anemia. Coping with Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk) Sip cold or iced drinks. Try cutting down on coffee, tea and alcohol. It might help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray cool water on your face. Wear layers of light clothing that you can easily take off if you overheat. Breathe deeply and try to relax. Have a lukewarm shower or bath instead of a hot one. Avoid smoking and cut down on alcohol. The flushing should go away after a few days. If it does not go away or causes problems, contact your doctor. There may be medicines that can help. Coping with Hair loss Use gentle hair products such as baby shampoo. Use a soft brush and comb gently. Avoid using hairdryers, curling tongs or hair straighteners and pat your hair dry after washing. Do not color your hair. Protect your scalp by covering your head in the sun. It is necessary to not take the stress and eat a balanced, nutritious diet as it is vital for the health of your hair. Coping with Decreased blood pressure Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position. Try to avoid changing positions suddenly even in general. Try crossing your legs when you are sitting and wearing compression stockings. Drink plenty of water and try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Although salt is not good for everyone (and bad for some people), if you have low blood pressure increasing your intake of salt (sodium) can raise your blood pressure. Cut down the amount of alcohol you drink. If your blood pressure becomes very low, you should talk to your doctor. Coping with Diarrhea Keep up your intake of fluids and electrolytes (sugars and salts) to avoid getting dehydrated. Eat less fiber (avoid raw fruits, fruit juice and vegetables). Talk to your doctor about possible medication to manage diarrhea. Ask about reducing the dosage of your drug or other suitable treatments. Coping with Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils) If you have a low level of white blood cells, you are more likely to get infections. There are several ways to reduce your chances of catching or spreading an infection. Avoid unnecessary exposure to germs when you can. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap or use a sanitiser. Avoid crowds and avoid contact with people who are ill or have infections. Use disposable tissues for coughs and sneezes. Consider using an appropriate face mask. Do not share personal items like cutlery, glasses, towels or toothbrushes with others. Get enough rest and eat a well balanced healthy diet. show more show less How to use Genexol PM Injection Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer. How Genexol PM Injection works Genexol PM 100mg Injection is an anticancer medication. It works by interfering with the microtubule structures which help the cancer cells to divide and multiply. This slows the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them. Safety Advice Alcohol UNSAFE It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Genexol PM 100mg Injection. Pregnancy CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR Genexol PM 100mg Injection is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor. Breastfeeding UNSAFE Genexol PM 100mg Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby. Driving UNSAFE Genexol PM 100mg Injection may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. As there is no reason why you cannot continue driving between courses of Genexol PM 100mg Injection but you should remember that this medicine contains some alcohol and it may be unwise to drive Kidney SAFE IF PRESCRIBED Genexol PM 100mg Injection is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Genexol PM 100mg Injection is recommended. However, talk to your doctor if you have any underlying kidney disease. Liver CAUTION Genexol PM 100mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Genexol PM 100mg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Use of Genexol PM 100mg Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
