This patient-friendly article is about chemotherapy drug, Raltitrexed (Tomudex) which is a chemotherapy drug used to treat bowel cancer. It is one of a group of drugs known as the anti-metabolites. These are similar to some normal body molecules, but they are slightly different in structure. They stop cells making and repairing DNA. Cancer cells need to make and repair DNA so they can grow and multiply. Anti-metabolites also stop normal cells working properly which is why they cause side effects.
Research done by the Cancer Care Ontario has shown that data on toxicity from one of the randomized controlled trials indicate lower rates of leukopenia and stomatitis for raltitrexed compared with 5 fluorouracil (5-FU), which is the more standard treatment and thus may be useful for older or frailer patients. Raltitrexed is taken intravenously
Side effects can include: fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, increased risk of infection, mouth ulcers, loss of appetite, temporary liver changes, possible loss of fertility, hair loss, constipation.
Go to: 10 ways to improve your chemotherapy success and reduce side-effects
Other articles that you may find interesting are:
- A diet for Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy overview
- A to Z Guide to Complementary Therapies
Go to: Return to the CANCERactive drug list