Lanvis
Lanvis belongs to a class of medications known as antimetabolites. It
resembles a normal cell nutrient needed by cancer cells to grow. The cancer cells take up
Lanvis, which then interferes with their growth.
Lanvis is used to treat:
Side effects of Lanvis
Temporary reduction in the production of blood cells by the bone marrow.
This can result in anaemia, risk of bruising or bleeding and infection. The number of
blood cells in your blood may begin to reduce from about seven days after the treatment
has been given and usually reaches its lowest point at 10-14 days after the chemotherapy.
Your blood cells will then increase steadily and will have usually returned to normal
within 21-28 days.
The extent to which your blood cells are reduced depends on the dose of chemotherapy
you receive and which other chemotherapy drugs, if any, are given in combination. Your
doctor can advise you how likely it is that your blood cells will be lowered by the
chemotherapy. Your blood will be checked regularly to see how well your bone marrow is
working.
If your temperature goes above 38°C (100.5°F), or you develop any unexplained
bruising or bleeding, or you suddenly feel unwell, even with a normal temperature, contact
your doctor or the hospital straight away.
Raised levels of uric acid in the blood. A drug called allopurinol may
be given to stop this happening. If so, the dose of tioguanine must be adjusted
accordingly. It may also help to drink plenty of fluids. While you are taking tioguanine
your uric acid levels will be checked regularly by blood tests.
Tiredness and a general feeling of weakness. It is important to allow
yourself plenty of time to rest.
Less common side effects of Lanvis
Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting. This is unusual, but if it does
occur there are now very effective anti-sickness drugs to prevent or greatly reduce it. If
you do feel sick it may begin soon after the treatment is given and last for a few days.
If it is not controlled, or continues, tell your doctor. They can prescribe other
anti-sickness drugs that may be more effective.
Sore mouth and taste change. Your mouth may become sore, or you may
notice small ulcers during this treatment. Drinking plenty of fluids and cleaning your
teeth regularly and gently with a soft toothbrush can help to reduce the risk of this
happening. Tell your doctor if you do have any of these problems as they can prescribe
special mouthwashes and medicine to prevent or clear any mouth infection.
You may notice that your food tastes different. Normal taste will come back after the
treatment finishes.
Diarrhoea. This can usually be easily controlled with medicine but let
your doctor know if it is severe or continues. It is important to drink plenty of fluids
if you do have diarrhoea.
Your liver may be temporarily affected. Tioguanine may cause changes
in the way that your liver works, which return to normal when the treatment is finished.
This is unlikely to cause you any harm, but your doctor will monitor this carefully.
Samples of your blood will be taken from time to time to check your liver function |