Commonly used cervical cancer drugs

Cervical cancer, also known as cervical cancer, is one of the threats to women. According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, approximately 15,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Consumption of cervical cancer drugs is one of the important cervical cancer treatment steps. So, what are the drugs to help treat cervical cancer?

List of cervical cancer drugs

Drug administration in the treatment of cervical cancer cannot be arbitrary. Unlike flu and cough medicines that you can buy freely at the pharmacy, cervical cancer drugs must be given on the advice of a doctor.

Therefore, it is important for you to immediately carry out early detection, such as a pap smear or IVA examination, if you experience various symptoms of cervical cancer.

If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, your doctor can suggest various types of treatment. Conversely, if not, you can take various precautions against cervical cancer.

Medicines for cervical cancer can be in the form of oral or intravenous drugs. Its administration can be combined with cervical cancer treatment or other treatments, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy (immune therapy), or targeted therapy.

The following is a list of drugs commonly given during cervical cancer treatment:

1. Avastin

Avastin (bevacizumab) is a drug that inhibits the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

This drug works by blocking blood flow to tumors that cause cervical cancer, as well as slowing down the growth of these tumors.

Through this drug, cancer cells are expected to be difficult to develop due to the slow flow of blood that carries nutrients for the growth of cancer cells.

Doctors can give this drug through an IV so that it goes directly into the veins. The number of doses and length of time given this medication are usually based on your weight, medical condition, and your body's response to previous treatment.

The doctor will usually determine when to schedule the drug, but Avastin can usually be given every two or three weeks.

Nausea, dizziness, sweating, headache, shortness of breath, or chest pain are some of the side effects that you should inform your doctor about.

2. Cisplatin

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug that can be used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including cervical cancer. Cisplatin works by inhibiting the development and spread of cancer cells in the body.

The administration of this drug is done by injecting it directly into a vein through an IV. This drug can only be given with the help of a doctor and medical team.

Before receiving this drug, you will be given intravenous fluids first for about 8-12 hours. After successfully entering the body, cisplatin then combines with other body fluids such as urine, feces, and vomiting.

Avoid letting these body fluids come into direct contact with your hands or other surfaces, for at least 48 hours.

Although it is often used as a chemotherapy drug for cervical cancer, not everyone can get this one drug. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or have had cervical cancer drugs before.

The drug cisplatin, which is intended as a treatment for cervical cancer, is also not recommended for patients with kidney disease, spinal cord problems, and hearing loss.

3. Pembrolizumab

Almost the same as other cervical cancer drugs, pembrolizumab is also tasked with helping to slow the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

In addition, pembrolizumab can increase the body's immune response to attack cancer cells.

Citing the NIH National Cancer Institute page, this drug is usually given to cervical cancer patients whose condition gets worse during or after chemotherapy.

Pembrolizumab is generally intended for the treatment of cervical cancer that grows back after chemotherapy and recovery from cervical cancer, as well as for those that have spread to other parts of the body.

Doctors and the medical team will administer this drug into a vein through an IV. The administration of this drug will continue until the progress of the disease is considered to have improved sufficiently.

4. Topotecan

Other cervical cancer drug options that doctors can give are topotecan. Apart from cervical cancer, topotecan drugs can also help treat other types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer and lung cancer.

This drug is tasked with killing cancer cells or inhibiting their development. Topotecan is generally given by doctors after other cervical cancer drugs are deemed unsuccessful.

There are two ways of consuming topotecan drugs, namely by mouth (orally) and injected through an IV. If this medicine is in capsule form or taken directly, the rule is to drink it once a day.

Obey the rules for taking this medicine. If you accidentally vomit this drug again, do not take it again on the same day. You can only drink it the next day or on the next scheduled medication.

Meanwhile, topotecan infusion is given with the help of a doctor or medical team. During the process, this drug is injected into a vein for about 30 minutes.

5. Carboplatin

Another type of cervical cancer drug that doctors can also give is carblopatin. The function of this drug is to inhibit the development and spread of cancer cells in the body.

The doctor and medical team are given this drug, by inserting it into a vein through an intravenous injection.

Generally, treatment of cervical cancer with carboplatin is not recommended to be given more than once in a period of 4 weeks. This is because there are side effects of carboplatin drugs which can reduce blood cells in the body.

In fact, these blood cells are supposed to help the body fight infection attacks, as well as help the blood clotting process. As a result, carboplatin that is given outside the rules can make it easier for you to bleed when you have an injury.

6. Hycamtin

The next drug is hycamtin. Not only cervical cancer, hycamtin is also often used in other cancer treatments, such as ovarian cancer and lung cancer.

Usually, hycamtin is given after medications or other cervical cancer treatments have been less successful. This cervical cancer drug can be taken directly (orally), or given by a doctor into a vein through an IV.

Hycamtin (oral) is usually given in two capsules of different colors. Follow all the consumption recommendations given by your doctor, because the two capsules must be taken at the same time.

If you vomit after taking hycamtin, don't take it again. You can only take this medicine at the next drinking schedule or the next day.

The intravenous hycamtin drug will be inserted into the body with the help of a doctor or medical team. Tell your doctor or other medical team if you experience burning, pain, or swelling during the infusion.

Chances are, hycamtin can decrease the body's blood cell count. That is why you need regular blood tests. The length of time treated with hycamtin cervical cancer will be determined by the doctor.