by EBSCO Medical Review Board

This article can give you a general idea about each of the medicines listed below. Only the most general side effects are listed. Ask your doctor if you need to take any special precautions. Use medicine as recommended by your doctor. If you have questions about use or side effects, contact your doctor.

Medications to Increase Blood Counts

Anemia is a drop in red blood cells. It can cause tiredness, lightheadedness and paleness. A drop in white blood cells can raise the risk of infection. A boost in these blood cells will help ease symptoms.

Filgrastim and Pegfilgrastim

These medicines are used to make white blood cells. This will help lower the risk of infection. It may also help with tolerating larger doses of chemotherapy.

Some problems are:

  • Hair loss
  • Rash
  • Bone pain
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Feeling tired
Epoetin

Epoetin helps the body make new red blood cells. This will ease anemia symptoms. This drug has two-week delay after the first shot. If blood cells need to be restored quickly, a blood transfusions may be done.

Possible side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Rash
  • Bone pain
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Cough

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs to seek out and kill cancer. They can be used alone or with chemotherapy. Their side effects are milder than with chemotherapy.

Imatinib

This is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It lowers the number of cancer cells in the blood and bone marrow.

Some problems are:

  • Nausea
  • Muscle cramps
  • Rash
  • Diarrhea
  • Heartburn
  • Headache
Nilotinib

This is used to treat those with CML. It is also used to treat a certain type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Some problems are:

  • Rash
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Drop in white blood cell or platelet counts
Dasatinib

This is used to treat those with CML. It is also used to treat a certain type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Some problems are:

  • Fluid buildup in the body
  • Drop in white blood cell or platelet counts
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Feeling tired
  • Problems breathing
  • Rash
  • Muscle aches

Special Considerations

When taking medicine:

  • Take your medicine as advised. Do not change the amount or schedule.
  • Be aware of the side effects of your medicine. Tell your doctor if you have any.
  • Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescription medicine.
  • Do not share your prescription medicine.
  • Medicines can be harmful when mixed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one. This includes over the counter products and supplements.
  • Plan for refills.

References

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-myeloid-leukemia-aml. April 15, 2022.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-cll-small-lymphocytic-lymphoma-sll. Accessed April 15, 2022.

Chronic myeloid leukemia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-myeloid-leukemia-cml. Accessed April 15, 2022.

Dasatinib. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/dasatinib. Accessed April 15, 2022.

Nilotinib. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/nilotinib. Accessed April 15, 2022.

Targeted cancer therapy. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/targeted-therapy.html. Accessed April 15, 2022.

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