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Overview of Chemotherapy and Nine Commonly Prescribed Chemotherapeutic Medications

Objective: To briefly review cancer treatment and describe 9 commonly prescribed chemotherapeutic agents currently approved by the FDA: anastrozole, bicalutamide, capecitabine, erlotinib, imatinib, imiquimod, lenalidomide, letrozole, and temozolomide. Data Sources: Literature retrieval was accessed through PubMed (2000-June 2010) and Ovid (2000-June 2010), using search terms of chemotherapy and chemotherapy safety. Reference citations from publications identified were reviewed. Individual drugs were researched by generic name, using drug-dosing literature as referenced. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Articles in English and relating to chemotherapeutic handling and safety were identified and evaluated for content relevant to the drugs being reviewed. Data Synthesis: Oral and topical chemotherapy agents are being prescribed more frequently for patients with cancer as part of their out-patient treatment protocols. Since many drugs are dispensed for patients to self-administer at home, it is important for health-care workers—and patients taking these drugs—to know the safest way to handle them. Pharmacy personnel should be familiar with these agents to provide proper patient counseling on how to take the drug, what adverse effects to expect, and other drugs that may need to be taken concomitantly (ie, antiemetics). Conclusions: Oral and topical chemotherapy medications are being used more frequently in chemotherapeutic protocols for patients to self-administer at home. It is important to understand how these drugs work as well as important facts that need to be relayed to patients regarding adverse effects, handling, and exposure.