Medications to treat patients with lung cancer

1. LIST OF LUNG CANCER MEDICATIONS The uncontrollable growth of lung cells leads to lung cancer. These are basically of two types one is non-small cell lung cancer and another is small cell lung cancer. Some FDA approved medications showed a reliable treatment option for lung cancer. The medication for lung cancer are as follows: CHEMOTHERAPY- Chemotherapy can be used at various stages that means Chemotherapy before surgery is done to shrink the size of the tumor and Chemotherapy after surgery is done to ensure that no cancerous cell is left behind. There are some major side effects of Chemotherapy which include hair loss, mouth sores, diarrhea, weight changes, etc. Chemotherapy for lung cancer involved many combinations of drugs. The most commonly used drugs are cisplatin plus docetaxel, Gemcitabine (Gemzar), Paclitaxel (Taxol) and Vinorelbine. Docetaxel (Taxotere): Docetaxel is a chemotherapy medication used to treat patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. It can be used by itself or along with the other chemotherapy medication. The most common side effects include vomiting, hair loss, low blood cell counts, numbness, shortness of breath and muscle pains. Vinorelbine (Navelbine): Vinorelbine is a chemotherapy medication used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. This medication is given by injection into a vein or by mouth. The most common side effects include vomiting, bone marrow suppression, diarrhea, pain at the site of injection, feeling tired and numbness. Gemcitabine (Gemzar): Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy medication used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. Gemcitabine should be given by slow injection into a vein. The most common side effects include nausea, bone marrow suppression, fever, liver and kidney problems, rash, shortness of breath, hair loss, mouth sores, diarrhea and neuropathy. Everolimus: Everolimus is an antineoplastic chemotherapy drug. This drug is classified as the "mTOR kinase inhibitor." It is used for treating advanced renal cell carcinoma after the failure of the treatment with sunitinib or sorafenib. The most common side effects include mouth sores, mucositis, fatigue, stomatitis, infection, rash, itching or dry skin, diarrhea, swelling or edema, stomach pain or cramping, nausea, vomiting or upset stomach, fever, weakness or asthenia and headache.

2. Nintedanib: It is used together with the docetaxel as the second-line treatment for adult patients who are with non-small cell lung cancer. The common side effects reported with the use of nintedanib include nausea, anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal perforation, weight loss, diarrhea, myocardial infarction, bleeding, hypothyroidism, elevated liver enzymes, and headache. Sirolimus: Sirolimus (rapamycin), is a macrolide compound that is used to treat a rare lung disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis. The most common side effects include nausea, peripheral edema, hypercholesterolemia, abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, chest pain, stomatitis, nasopharyngitis, acne, upper respiratory tract infection, dizziness, and myalgia. TARGETED THERAPY - Targeted drug therapy works by eliminating cancerous cells or blocking the protein synthesis of cancer cells. Some targeted therapy includes: Gefitinib: Gefitinib targets the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Erlotinib: Erlotinib also inhibits (EGFR) and shows an increased survival rate in non-small cell lung cancer. Gefitinib 250 mg Tablets: Gefitinib 250 mg is a kinase inhibitor drug targeted therapy that is basically used for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gefitinib is a drug that targets the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR). The most recommended use of Gefitinib is to uptake 250mg once daily or depending on the stage of lung cancer Erlotinib 150 mg Tablets: Erlotinib 150mg tablet is the most recommended medication to the patient suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is highly used at the advanced stage of cancer. This medication is only given to the patient whose age is above 18 years. 150 mg concentration of Erlotinib is preferred orally before or after the meal. Erlotinib basically belongs to a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Erlotinib blocks the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) of cancerous cells. Some side effects of Erlotinib 150 mg tablets are diarrhea, rash, cough, hair loss, burning sensation, etc. Afatinib: Afatinib a kinase inhibitor drug recommended for use as the first-line treatment of patients with the metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have non- resistant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). It is a targeted therapy. Very common side effects include diarrhea, rash, stomatitis, paronychia, decreased appetite, nose bleed, itchiness and dry skin. Source:http://the-indian-pharma.over-blog.com/list-of-lung-cancer-medications.html