Pharm Study Guide

 Cancer • Cancer (malignant, neoplastic) cells are characterized by unregulated growth, lack of differentiation and spread (metastasis) to other places in the body.  Anticancer Therapy: • Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals to kill cancer cells by inhibiting or preventing cell reproduction. Classes of Chemotherapy Drugs: - Alkylating Agents - Antimetabolites - Antitumor Agents - Mitotic Inhibitors - Hormonal Agents  Antimetabolites Folic Acid Antagonist - Methotrexate (Trexall) – Used to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis. INDUCES MISCARRIAGES in patients with ectopic pregnancy.  General side effects: Bone suppression leading to leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Can cause stomatitis, vomiting, alopecia, and hepatic/renal dysfunction. Patients should report any signs of bleeding and have platelet levels checked.  Alkylating Drugs Nitrogen Mustard - Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) is used to treat Hodgkin’s disease and many other types of cancer. - This drug can cause hemorrhagic cystitis as result of severe bladder inflammation - This drug should be taken with copious amounts of water and early in the day, so it does not accumulate in the bladd