This drug index provides general information about many of the drugs used to treat colorectal cancer.
Adrucil(fluorouracil, 5-FU) Adrucil is a chemotherapy drug that interferes with the growth of cancer cells. It can be used to treat many types of cancers, including cancer of the colon, rectum, breast, stomach, head, and neck.
Avastin (bevacizumab) Avastin is the brand name for bevacizumab. Avastin can be used to treat colon and kidney cancer, and is usually given with traditional chemotherapy drugs.
Camptosar (irinotecan) Simply put, Camptosar kills cancer cells. It's a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of several types of cancers, including ovarian, lung, and colorectal cancer. Camptosar can be administered by itself or with other chemotherapy drugs.
Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) Eloxatin is also a chemotherapy drug that kills cancer cells. It's used to treat colorectal cancer and can be administered by itself or with other chemotherapy drugs.
Erbitux (cetuximab) Erbitux targets a type of protein (EGFR) that's present on the surface of colorectal cancer cells. Ultimately, Erbitux interferes with the growth of these cells and causes them to die.
Vectibix (panitumumab) Vectibix acts in a similar manner to Erbitux but is made by a different company (Amgen). Vectibix targets cells that have EGFR proteins and interferes with their ability to survive.
Wellcovorin (leucovorin) Wellcovorin is a vitamin complex used to treat advanced colon cancer. By itself, Wellcovorin isn't able to fight cancer at all. Rather, it helps patients by increasing the effectiveness of another drug, fluorouracil..
Xeloda (capecitabine) Xeloda is a chemotherapy drug that decreases the size of tumors. It comes in tablet form and is used to treat breast and colorectal cancer.
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