Paclitaxel (Taxol®) — a guide to administration

The introduction of a new chemotherapeutic agent has implications for nursing care. Paclitaxel (Taxol®) chemotherapy is now being used throughout Europe for treatment of patients with ovarian cancer who have previously failed a platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen, and in many countries to treat metastatic breast cancer. Nurses need to be equipped to care for these patients receiving Paclitaxel. This paper introduces nurses to Paclitaxel, the history of its development, its mechanism of action, potential side-effects and administration. Paclitaxel's side-effects include hypersensitivity reactions, neutropaenia, peripheral neuropathy, asymptomatic bradycardia, alopecia, malaise, myalgias and arthralgias. Administration guidelines will be discussed because Paclitaxel leaches plasticizer from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) intravenous-giving sets normally used to administer chemotherapy, hence an alternative delivery system is required.