Medications for Breast Cancer

• Prochlorperazine
• Odansetron
• Granisetron
• Metoclopramide
• Cannabinoids

Anti-nausea medicines help treat or prevent nausea and vomiting. They are given in different ways such as a pill or shot.

Cannabinoids are also used to treat nausea and vomiting. Medical marijuana can be used in food, taken as a pill, or inhaled.

Some problems are:

For prochlorperazine:

• Problems seeing clearly, in color, or at night
• Fainting
• Loss of balance
• Restlessness or need to keep moving
• Shuffling when walking
• Stiffness of arms or legs
• Trembling and shaking of hands and fingers

For odansetron:

• Constipation
• Mild headache

For granisetron:

• Belly pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Feeling very tired or week

For metoclopramide:

• Diarrhea (with high doses)
• Drowsiness
• Restlessness
• Higher risk of tardive dyskinesia—a serious nervous system problem that can happen to those who take this drug longer than 3 months

For cannabinoids:

• Fast heart beat
• Lightheadedness and fainting
• Blood shot eyes
• Depression
• Seeing things that are not there
• Paranoia

Common names are:

• Dexamethasone
• Prednisone

Corticosteroids ease inflammation and pain. These may be caused by:

• Bone pain
• Fluid buildup

Some problems are:

• More hunger
• Heartburn
• Nervousness or restlessness

• Hydrocodone
• Methadone
• Oxycodone and acetaminophen

Opioids are used to ease pain. They work well, but can lead to addiction. If you take opioids, the doctor will watch you closely.

Percocet is a blend of 2 drugs. An opioid and acetaminophen are blended together. They work better than either one used alone. In some cases, lower doses of each drug are needed to ease pain.

Some problems are:

• Constipation
• Lightheadedness
• Feeling faint
• Drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting

• Filgrastim
• Epoetin

Cancer treatment ruins healthy blood cells. Filgrastim helps bone marrow make new white blood cells. This helps the body better fight infections.

Epoetin helps bone marrow make new red blood cells. This helps prevent anemia. This drug has two-week delay after the first shot. If blood cells need to be restored quickly, a blood transfusion may be done.

Some problems are:

For filgrastim:

• Headache
• Pain in arms or legs
• Pain in joints or muscles
• Pain in lower back or pelvis
• Skin rash or itching

For epoetin:

• Cough, sneezing, or sore throat
• Fever
• Swelling of face, fingers, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• Weight gain

• Denosumab
• Pamidronate
• Zoledronic acid

Cancer treatment can weaken bones. This makes the risk of a break higher. Bisphosphonates makes bones stronger.

Some problems are:

• Heartburn
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

• Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is used to ease pain. It rarely causes stomach irritation or bleeding. Some people should not take drugs with acetaminophen in them. This includes those with liver disease or who drink a lot of alcohol Talk to your doctor first if you use this drug longer than expected.

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

NSAIDs ease inflammation and pain. These may be caused by:

• Bone pain
• Fluid buildup

Some problems are:

• Stomach cramps, pain, or discomfort
• Lightheadedness or drowsiness
• Headache
• Heartburn, nausea, or vomiting