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Taxol/Abraxane allergy question! (and more from OTBB)

Forums General Melanoma Community Taxol/Abraxane allergy question! (and more from OTBB)

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    MichaelFL
    Participant

      (I have reposted this here from the off topic in hopes of further assistance) I know this is breast cancer, but it never hurts to ask!

      From:

      7/31/2011
      9:03am

      Dear All

      (I have reposted this here from the off topic in hopes of further assistance) I know this is breast cancer, but it never hurts to ask!

      From:

      7/31/2011
      9:03am

      Dear All

      My wife has Stage IV secondary breast cancer ( http://www.clairefaulkner.co.uk )

      We have come all the way over from England as the NHS ( National Health Service ) back there have basically told her that there is nothing else they can do, to the Burzynski clinic here in Houston, Texas.

      The doctors have put together a plan that comprises of Abraxane/Avastin and Tarceva. 

      My wife is allergic to Taxol and i believe that the Abraxane is of the same family but composed differently, I would love to hear from anyone who is allergic to Taxol but has managed to have Abraxane and how they have found it.

      Also trying to put my wife's mind at ease i would love to hear of other peoples stories regarding the combination of these drugs, their success rate and side effects. 

      Many many thanks for taking the time to read this. 

      Christopher.

      (My response to the post:)

      Hello Christopher:

      I will re-post this for you on the main forum as this is the off topic forum. You will get more responses there. I also must tell you that this is not a breast cancer forum, but maybe someone will be able to assist you.

      You are correct, Taxol and Abraxane are both Taxanes, but Abraxane uses no premeds as it does not contain the chemical cremaphor, which is made from pine trees which MANY people are highly allergic to.

      A little more depth: Yes, Abraxane and Taxol are similar drugs, but Abraxane is further reacted with albumin (and a sugar molecule) so that the result is water soluble. Taxol by itself is not water soluble so it must be emulsified with Cremophor EL (which is highly refined castor oil ethoxylate). It is the Cremophor EL that people are allergic to which is why benadryl and decadron are given as premeds. Since Abraxane is self emulsifying, you do not need the premeds.

      Michael

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