Handling of injectable antineoplastic agents.

Handling of injectable antineoplastic agents.

Although the clinical toxicity of antineoplastic drugs has been well documented there is little or no information on the problems that may arise on the handling and mishandling of such agents. This paper attempts to highlight the importance of taking precautions to prevent adverse effects resulting from contact with cytotoxic drugs during handling and to suggest a practical guide for the handli...

Assessing workplace compliance with handling of antineoplastic agents.

Oncology nurses and ancillary support personnel who work in oncology settings are at risk for exposure to antineoplastic drugs in their workplaces. A review of the literature reveals issues of environmental contamination and personal exposure. Although the United States has no formal regulations regarding hazardous drugs, including cytotoxic agents, guidelines have been published and are readil...

Antineoplastic Agents

hematological changes in nurses handling antineoplastic drugs

a cross-sectional study to determine whether occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs can cause hematologic changes was performed. blood samples were collected from a group of 24 hematology/oncology nurses who were exposed to antineoplastic drugs during a mean preiod of 5.5 years (standard error =1.1). the control group, matched by sex, and age, consisted of 18 nurses, worked on other sect...

Antibacterial activities of antineoplastic agents.

Fourteen antineoplastic agents were examined for in vitro antibacterial activity against 101 aerobic and anaerobic bacterial isolates representing indigenous human microflora and selected opportunistic pathogens. Only 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin, and etoposide demonstrated inhibitory effects at achievable plasma concentrations, while the remaining drugs lacked appreciable antibacterial activities.