Drug Bank – Most Common Drugs
Drug Description Mechanism of Action
Vincristine Cell-cycle Act on microtubules to
specific – prevent cell division
mitotic (inhibit metaphase in cell
inhibitor division). Has an
(Datapharm, immunosuppressant effect.
2018) It interferes with: protein,
nucleic acid, lipid
biosynthesis, calmodulin-
dependent Ca2+ transport
ATPase activity, and
cellular respiration
(Datapharm, 2018)
Daunorubicin Cell-cycle Has antimitotic and
non-specific cytotoxic properties. This
antitumor agent is able to form
antibiotic drug, complexes with DNA
belonging to through intercalation
the drug class between base pairs – it
anthracyclines inhibits topoisomerase II
(Datapharm, activity by stabilizing the
2018) DNA-topoisomerase II
complex. Inhibition of
topoisomerase II interferes
with transcription and
replication therefore
leading to cell death
(Datapharm, 2018)
Dexamethasone Corticosteroid Glucocorticoid agonist, and
often used in binds to the glucocorticoid
oncology to
Route Therapeutic Dose Metabolism Elimination Potential Side Effect
Only intravenous Suggested dose is Hepatic via 80% of infused Most serious side effect is
– it is fatal if 1.4 to 2 mg/m2 given CYP450 dose is eliminated neurotoxicity and most
given by any other on a weekly basis isoenzymes via feces, whereas common side effect is
route – poorly with a maximum (Datapharm, 10-20% is via alopecia.
absorbed orally. weekly dose of 2 mg. 2018) urine - Adverse effects are dose
Often For children (Datapharm, 2018) related.
administered IV at weighing 10 kg or - Other adverse reactions:
weekly intervals less the starting dose sensory loss, paraesthesia,
and is infused should be 0.05 slapping gait, loss of
over 10-15 mg/kg administered deep-tendon reflexes,
minutes. as a weekly muscle atrophy,
(Datapharm, intravenous injection neutropenia, leukopenia,
2018) (Datapharm, 2018) anorexia, GI effects
(constipation, nausea,
vomiting), mucositis.
(Datapharm, 2018)
Intravenous Dosage is calculated Hepatic 25% of Bone marrow failure,
infusion only based on the body (Datapharm, administered leukopenia, anemia,
(Datapharm, surface area and 2018) Daunorubicin is neutropenia,
2018) adjusted to meet the eliminated in thrombocytopenia,
individual active form by anaphylaxis,
requirements urinary excretion, anaphylactoid reactions,
depending on and around 40% dehydration, tumor lysis
hematological status. via biliary syndrome, acute
For children over 2 excretion hyperuricaemia,
years the maximal (Datapharm, 2018) cardiomyopathy,
cumulative dose is endomyocardial fibrosis,
300 mg/m2. myocardial ischemia,
For children under 2 pericarditis,
years of age (or supraventricular
below 0.5m2 body tachycardias, shock,
surface area), the hemorrhages, tissue
maximum hypoxia, alopecia, rash,
cumulative dose is pruritis, urticaria,
10mg/kg. nephrotic syndrome, uric
(Datapharm, 2018) acid nephropathy,
amenorrhea, nausea,
vomiting, mucositis
(Datapharm, 2018)
IV, PO Dosage depends on Hepatic Mainly renal in the Moderate leukocytosis,
(Datapharm, the severity of the (Datapharm, form of lymphocytopenia,
2018) condition and 2018) hypersensitivity reactions,
 treat and receptor in the cytoplasm response of the dexamethasone severe anaphylactic,
prevent with high affinity. patient. Pediatric alcohol suppressed immune
allergic This complex is then able dosage for anti- (Datapharm, 2018) system, adrenal
reactions to bind to DNA, therefore inflammatory suppression and induction
associated with resulting in modification of effects: 0.02-0.3 of Cushing syndrome,
cytotoxic transcription which mg/kg/day in divided sodium and water
agents. Helps influences protein synthesis doses (Datapharm, retention, increased
with in order to exert its anti- 2018) potassium excretion,
inflammation, inflammatory properties weight gain, glucose
plays a role in (Chemocare; Datapharm, intolerance, diabetes
reducing 2018) mellitus,
nausea and hypercholesteremia,
vomiting. increased appetite,
(Datapharm, depression, irritability,
2018) anxiety, increased seizure
susceptibility,
hypertension, GI
ulcer/bleed, stomach
discomfort, myopathy,
muscle atrophy
(Datapharm, 2018)
L’asparaginase Asparagine is a L-asparaginase is IV,IM, For all patients the Systemic By the Hypersensitivity reactions
non-essential responsible for the Subcutaneous usual dose is 6,000 (Datapharm, reticuloendothelial including urticaria,
amino acid that metabolism of L- (Datapharm, Units/m2 body 2017) system, urine laryngeal edema,
is needed to asparagine. In cancerous 2017) surface area (200 (trace) and bile bronchospasms, and
maintain DNA, cells, L-asparaginase Units/kg of body (minimal) anaphylactic shock.
RNA, protein depletes plasma levels of weight) (Datapharm, (Datapharm, 2017) Coagulation abnormalities
synthesis, and asparagine by catalyzing L- 2017) due to impaired protein
promote cell asparagine into L-aspartic synthesis (Datapharm,
growth acid and ammonia. 2017)
(Datapharm, Asparaginase has been
2017) shown to exhibit antitumor
actions ((Datapharm, 2017)
Methotrexate Cell cycle Folate analog – it is a IV, IM, For intrathecal Hepatic and primarily renal Neurotoxicity with
specific inhibits folic acid Subcutaneous, PO administration - intracellular (80-90% in urine); intrathecal doses because
cytotoxic agent reductase, which inhibits and intrathecal dilute in small metabolism to Feces (10% it is localized to the CNS.
(anti- DNA synthesis and cellular (Datapharm, volume (5-10 mL) polyglutamated biliary) Often associated with
metabolite) replication 2018)) preservative-free NS forms which (Datapharm, 2018) headaches, dizziness,
(Datapharm, (Datapharm, 2018) to a concentration of can be tiredness, blurred vision,
2018) 1-2mg/mL; some converted back and loss of balance –
clinicians use higher to occurs for a few hours
concentrations methotrexate post administration then
12 mg IT for one by hydrolase the side effects subside
dose once or twice enzymes (Datapharm, 2018)
weekly (maximum (Datapharm,
two IT injections per 2018)
 week) (Datapharm,
2018)
Cyclophosphamide Cell cycle non- Alkylating agents – they IV, PO For daily treatment: Hepatic via Eliminated in the neutropenia, febrile
specific work by attaching an alkyl (Datapharm, 3 – 6 mg/kg body CYP450 form of neutropenia, fever,
(Datapharm, group to DNA bases, 2017) weight (= 120 – 240 isoenzymes metabolites alopecia, nausea,
2017) preventing DNA synthesis mg/m2 body surface (Datapharm, 10-20% is excreted vomiting, and diarrhea,
and RNA transcription area). For 2017); unchanged in hemorrhagic cystitis
from the alkylated DNA intermittent urine; 4% is (bladder injury)
(Datapharm, 2017) treatment: 10 – 15 excreted in bile (Datapharm, 2017).
mg/kg body weight following IV
(= 400 – 600 mg/m2 (Datapharm,
body surface area). 2017).
For high-dose-
intermittent
treatment: 20 – 40
mg/kg body weight
(= 800 – 1600
mg/m2 body surface
area) (Datapharm
2017).
Cytarabine Cell-cycle Targets cells undergoing IV, Subcutaneous *Children tend Hepatic Renal; excreted via Bone marrow suppressant,
specific, DNA synthesis (s-phase) (Datapharm, tolerate higher doses (Datapharm, urine leukopenia,
pyrimidine and under certain 2017). than adults. 2 2017). (Datapharm, thrombocytopenia,
nucleoside conditions it blocks the mg/kg/day is a 2017). nausea, vomiting,
analog progression of cells from judicious starting diarrhoea, fever, rash,
(Datapharm, the G1 phase to the S-phase dose. Administer for anorexia, oral and anal
2017). (Datapharm, 2017). 10 days. 0.5 - 1.0 inflammation or
mg/kg/day may be ulceration, and hepatic
given in an infusion dysfunction (Datapharm,
of up to 24 hours 2017).
duration
(Datapharm, 2017).
Mercaptopurine Cytotoxic Antimetabolite cytotoxic IV, PO 5 mg/kg bodyweight Hepatic Renal – 7-40% Signs and symptoms of
Drug drug with (Datapharm, per day, or 50 to 75 (Datapharm, excreted overdose may occur
(Datapharm, immunosuppressant 2018). mg/m2 body surface 2018). unchanged in urine immediately such as
2018). properties. It inhibits purine area per day, but the (Datapharm, anorexia, nausea,
metabolism, therefore dose and duration of 2018). vomiting, and diarrhea; or
interfering with nucleic administration delayed such as
acid synthesis (Datapharm, depend on the nature myelosuppression, liver
2018). and dosage of other dysfunction, and
cytotoxic agents gastroenteritis
given in conjunction (Datapharm, 2018).
with 6-
mercaptopurine.
(Datapharm, 2018).