Plicamycin Description

Generic Name : PLICAMYCIN

Pronunciation : (plye kay mye' sin)

Trade Name(s) :

Why it is prescribed: Plicamycin slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The purpose of chemotherapy is to control your illness so that your own body can aid in your recovery. It is important to build up your body's defense system, and a balanced diet is needed to build a healthy body. Ask your doctor for advice on your diet.

When it is to be taken: Numerous dosing schedules exist and depend on disease, response and concomitant therapy. Guidelines for dosing also include consideration of white blood cell count. Dosage may be reduced or delayed in patients with bone marrow depression due to radiation therapy.

How it should be taken: Plicamycin is injected into a vein. It can be given alone or with other drugs. The dose of plicamycin will be different for different patients. The dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. Follow your doctor's orders.

Special Instruction :
1. Plicamycin is potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic. Its safe use in pregnancy and its effects on fertility have not been established. Hence, it is not recommended during pregnancy.
2. Breast feeding is not recommended due to the potential secretion into breast milk.
3. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills.
4. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising.
5. Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
6. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
7. Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
8. Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

Side Effects :
1. Decrease in the number of white blood cells is a serious adverse effect. It puts you at risk of infection.
2. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite are seen.
3. Mouth ulcers, skin ulcers, skin changes, flushing are seen.
4. Decrease in Red blood cells.
5. Muscle and abdominal cramps are less common.

Other Precautions :
1. It is very important that your doctor check your progress daily while you are receiving plicamycin to make sure that this medicine does not cause unwanted effects.
2. Your doctor may want you to follow a low-calcium, low-vitamin D diet. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
3. Do not take aspirin or large amounts of any other preparations containing aspirin, other salicylates, or acetaminophen without first checking with your doctor . These medicines may increase the effects of plicamycin.
4. While you are being treated with plicamycin, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any vaccinations without your doctor's approval.

Storage Conditions :