Paclitaxel - Protein Bound
Abraxane® (There may be other names for this medication.)
How is it Administered?
Paclitaxel is injected (infused) into a vein (intravenously or IV), usually in your arm, wrist, hand, or chest.
Why am I Taking Abraxane®?
How Does it Work?
Cancers are diseases in which abnormal cells reproduce uncontrollably. Your chemotherapy (chemo) is based upon:
- your cancer type and how fast the cancer cells reproduce
- the phase of the cell cycle when the chemo is most effective — the resting, growing, or reproduction phases
With these factors in mind, your doctors create a chemo schedule to give each medication when it will do the most damage to the cancer cells. This is why chemotherapy is typically given in cycles.
Paclitaxel is in a class of drugs known as plant alkaloids or taxanes. Abraxane® is a combination of paclitaxel and the protein, albumin. Taxol® is paclitaxel and polyoxyethylated castor oil. Each drug works differently and one cannot be substituted for the other.
Many chemo medications, including Abraxane®, identify and attack cancer cells because they reproduce quickly. Some cells in your body normally reproduce quickly and they are likely to be damaged or destroyed by chemo. These normal cells will eventually grow back and be healthy but during treatment, you may have side effects.