Cytotoxic medicines

[shupagirl]

Hi guys,

Does anyone know where I can get information on all cytotoxic medicines (their form and strengths)? The reason I'm asking this is that I have to create a list of cytotoxic medicines (oral and IM) with their form and strength. This will be laminated and placed next to the cytotoxic and dooping area so that if we come across any returned medicines or are dispensing something which we are unsure of, we can check to see whether it is cytotoxic or not. I've already checked the recent version of the BNF which has some of them but was wondering if there were any useful websites.

I will use this for my unit 4 NVQ3 Health and Safety. Does anyone know if it will cover any other units apart from unit 7 IT? As I will be using a laminator I was thinking of making a poster stating secure loose clothing, warning that it's hot and to tie hair back.

Thanks

[crit care]

wear gloves maybe?

what is with the hot warning?

[shupagirl]

The hot warning is for the laminator. I probably didn't explain it properly. I'm just wondering if anyone knows where I can get a list of all cytotoxic medicines, their forms and strengths (apart from the BNF). I need to create a table with the cytotoxic drug name, form and strength, then will place it on the wall in the cytotoxic/dooping area. It's for health and safety purposes. It will help people in the pharmacy to know which ones are cytotoxics when and if receiving returned medicines. We don't dispense cytotoxics very often and the only one I have come across is Methotrexate.
I hope this helps

[johnep]

Oh dear, one size fits all not suitable for pharmacy. The question is designed for hospital staff. The list in the BNF will be more than adequate. Unlikely to be using vincristine in a community pharmacy.
Common ones are Methotrexate and HydroxyUrea.
johnep

[LeftArm]

I was recently asked to add a message on a system for Cytotoxics based on this list:

Anastrozole
Azathioprine
Bicalutamide
Chloramphenicol
Colchicine
Ciclosporin
Diethylstilboestrol
Hormone preparations for HRT, cycle regulation and contraception.
Exemestane
Finasteride
Goserelin
Hydroxycarbamide
Imatinib
Leflunomide
Letrozole
Leuprorelin
Megesterol
Tacrolimus
Tamoxifen

We decided to skip the HRT preps which gave the attached list of brands.
Cyotoxic2.pdf

PS I don't know why Methotrexate is not listed. I will attempt to find out. Anyhow this list is supplied as is with no warranties of accuracy of completeness.

[johnep]

People using Chloramphenical eye drops on their baby may not be amused.
johnep

[shupagirl]

Thanks guys and yes I should have mentioned that I work in a hospital pharmacy.
LeftArm, regarding the list of cytotoxics, why are there some brands like Citalopram, Chloramphenical eye drops, Optrex infected eyes and Olanzapine (Zyprexa) on it?

[johnep]

Chloramphenicol is supposedly the only natural substance with a nitro group. May account for toxicity.
johnep

[LeftArm]

I have reuploaded the file with a number of corrections (Zyprexa and Citalopram among them) so please take another look.
Chloramphenicol is listed as Cytotoxic?
Cyotoxic2.pdf
This list should contain products with drugs on the short list above in them. As before no warranties of accuracy or completeness but should be a useful start.

[crit care]

Chloramphenicol is supposedly the only natural substance with a nitro group. May account for toxicity.
johnep

so should we be counselling patients to wear gloves when administering chloramphenicol, and make sure it doesn't run down their cheek, and if so to wash well with water

i wouldn't have put it down as a cytotoxic, but even if it is potentially due to the nitro group. i woulnd't include it in lists..for starters it goes into the eye!