Uses of Vyxeos

Vyxeos drug is a drug used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia under the direction and supervision of a doctor. Similar to other cancer drugs, besides the therapeutic effects, Vyxeos drugs also have the potential to cause many side effects for patients.

Daunorubicin Hydrochloride and Cytarabine Liposome are 2 active ingredients in Vyxeos drug, belonging to the group of anti-metabolites.
Daunorubicin is an Anthracycline that works by interrupting DNA replication, which is necessary for cancer cell growth. This causes cancer cells to die, slowing or stopping tumor growth. The anti-catabolic agent Cytarabine Liposome interferes with DNA production, stops cell growth and division, leading to slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Because cancer cells in general divide faster and with less error correction than healthy cells, cancer cells are more sensitive to the damage caused by Vyxeos. The combination of the two has been shown to kill leukemia cells better than the drugs alone. Vyxeos is indicated in the treatment of newly diagnosed therapy-associated acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) or AML with AML-MRC changes in adults and pediatric patients.

Vyxeos is administered intravenously with dosage and frequency of use determined individually for each patient and the treatment regimen being used.
Even when used carefully and correctly by medical personnel, Vyxeos can cause burning sensation and pain as the drug leaks out into the vein at the injection site, resulting in injury. serious tissue. If the area where Vyxeos was injected becomes red or swollen, tell your doctor right away.

Patients can apply a number of different measures to control the side effects of Vyxeos drugs. These measures will be guided and selected by the doctor for each specific patient. The following are some of the most common or important side effects of Vyxeos:
3.1. Low platelet count and risk of serious bleeding Vyxeos medicine can lead to fatal bleeding episodes. Platelets are part of the blood clotting process, so a low platelet count leads to a higher risk of bleeding. If you are taking Vyxeos, tell your doctor if you experience bruising or unusual bleeding (bleeding from the nose or teeth, bloody urine, etc.). Platelet transfusion is necessary if the patient's platelet count is too low while taking Vyxeos and the platelet count is monitored with blood tests.
Do not use a razor (electric razors are fine). Avoid sports that could cause injury or bleeding. Do not take aspirin (salicylic acid), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib), etc., as all can increase the risk of bleeding; Do not floss or use toothpicks and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth. 3.2. Infections, leukopenia Vyxeos can cause life-threatening infections, with or without a decrease in white blood cell counts. Leukemia cells (WBCs) are important for fighting infection. While being treated, a person's white blood cell count may drop, putting the patient at higher risk of infection. Patients should notify their doctor or nurse immediately if a fever higher than 38°C is accompanied by a sore throat or cold, difficulty breathing, cough, burning when urinating... to limit infection while taking Vyxeos:
Wash your hands often; Limit going to crowded places or contact with people showing signs of infection (people showing signs of cold, fever, cough); Do not handle pet waste while being treated with Vyxeos; Keep skin wounds or scratches clean at all times; Bathing, personal hygiene, regular dental care; Do not remove corners or trim ingrown fingernails/toenails; Talk to your oncologist before having a dental procedure while taking Vyxeos; Consult your doctor before receiving any vaccine while taking Vyxeos. 3.3. Low red blood cell count Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood to supply tissues in the body, so a low number of these cells will cause the organs in the body to be deprived of oxygen to function. , manifesting symptoms such as fatigue or lack of energy. Patients should inform their doctor if they have symptoms of anemia such as shortness of breath, fatigue or chest pain... during treatment with Vyxeos. In some cases, the red blood cell count is so low due to Vyxeos that a blood transfusion may be necessary.
3 4.4. Rash Some patients may develop a rash while taking Vyxeos, which patients correct by using an alcohol-free moisturizer on the skin and lips, and avoiding moisturizers with fragrances or fragrances. If the patient's skin cracks or bleeds, be sure to keep the area clean to prevent infection and inform the doctor of any rash that develops on the skin during treatment with Vyxeos. .
3.5. Edema Vyxeos may cause fluid retention and swelling (edema) with symptoms including: swelling in any area such as the face, feet/ankles, hands/arms, and scrotum. Rapid weight gain or difficulty breathing may be a sign of fluid retention while taking Vyxeos.
3.6. Nausea and Vomiting During Vyxeos treatment, medications can be added to help control nausea and vomiting along with dietary changes, avoiding things that can worsen vomiting symptoms, such as: eating foods that are too thick or very greasy/fat, spicy, or acidic (lemon, tomato, orange).
3.7. Diarrhea Patients should inform their physician if diarrhea begins so that appropriate interventions can be found, the oncologist can refer the patient to medications to reduce the diarrhea caused by Vyxeos . In addition, patients can apply some measures to reduce diarrhea such as limiting high-fiber foods, avoiding fresh fruits, green vegetables, nuts and grains. Soluble fiber can absorb liquid and help relieve diarrhea caused by Vyxeos effectively, they are abundant in apple sauce, ripe bananas, canned fruit, oranges, boiled potatoes, white rice, french fries ... Besides, Vyxeos users should pay attention to drink enough water, limit alcohol or caffeine to prevent dehydration due to diarrhea.
3.8. Mouth ulcers Some cancer treatments can cause sores or sores in a patient's mouth or throat. Notify the doctor when the mouth, tongue, inside of the cheeks or throat of the person taking Vyxeos becomes white, sore, or painful. Regular oral care helps prevent or control mouth sores. If mouth sores become painful, your doctor or nurse may recommend pain medication.
Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush or cotton swab 2 times a day. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes. Gargle with baking soda and/or salt with warm water (2 teaspoons of baking or 1 teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce cup of warm water) 4 times a day. If your mouth is dry, eat moist foods, drink plenty of water, and suck on sugar-free hard candies. Avoid smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and citrus juices. In addition, patients also experience other conditions such as: constipation, muscle pain, cardiovascular problems, not deep sleep, decreased appetite ... when experiencing the above conditions, patients should give advice. Talk to your doctor for appropriate health care plans.

Exposure of the fetus to Vyxeos can lead to birth defects, so patients should not become pregnant or father a child during cancer treatment with Vyxeos.
The use of effective birth control or birth control is essential, especially during treatment and for at least 6 months after Vyxeos treatment. Even if the menstrual cycle stops or the patient believes that he or she is not producing sperm, conception is still possible.
Note that patients should not breast-feed while taking Vyxeos medicine and at least 2 weeks after finishing treatment.
Above is important information about Vyxeos drug. Understanding the above issues helps the process of using drugs effectively, minimizing the impact on the patient's health.