Antiemetics

Common names include:

• Prochlorperazine
• Ondansetron
• Granisetron
• Metoclopramide

Antiemetics are given to help treat nausea and vomiting that may be caused by ovarian cancer treatments. Prochlorperazine can be taken by mouth, injection, or a suppository. Ondansetron and granisetron can be taken orally or as injections. Metoclopramide is usually given by injection.

Possible side effects of prochlorperazine include:

• Blurred vision, change in color vision, or difficulty seeing at night
• Fainting
• Loss of balance control
• Restlessness or need to keep moving
• Shuffling walk
• Stiffness of arms or legs
• Trembling and shaking of hands and fingers

Possible side effects of ondansetron include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Headache

Possible side effects of granisetron include:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Possible side effects of metoclopramide include:

• Diarrhea (with high doses)
• Drowsiness
• Restlessness
• Increased risk of tardive dyskinesia (a serious neurological condition) in those who take metoclopramide for longer than 3 months

Corticosteroids

Common names include:

• Dexamethasone
• Prednisone

Corticosteroids help to minimize inflammation and to relieve pain due to inflammation. You may experience pain and inflammation for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Bone pain from cancer that has spread to your bones
• Edema (fluid buildup in cells) caused by tumors or treatment

Possible side effects of corticosteroids include:

• Increased appetite
• Indigestion
• Nervousness or restlessness

Opioids

Common names include:

• Hydrocodone
• Morphine
• Oxycodone and acetaminophen

Opioids act on the central nervous system to relieve pain. These drugs can be very effective. However, they must be used with great caution because they can be mentally and/or physically addictive. If you are going to take one of these drugs for a long period of time, your doctor will closely monitor you.

A opioid analgesic and acetaminophen used together may provide better pain relief than either medication used alone. In some cases, it may take lower doses of each medication to achieve pain relief.

Possible side effects of opioids include:

• Lightheadedness or feeling faint
• Drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe constipation

Blood Stem Cell Support Drugs

Common names include:

• Filgrastim
• Epoetin

During cancer treatment, blood cells can be destroyed along with cancer cells. Filgrastim helps your bone marrow make new white blood cells, reducing the chances of infection. White blood cells help your body fight infection.

Epoetin helps your bone marrow to make new red blood cells. Low red blood cell levels can lead to anemia. Epoetin is quite effective, but it has a 2-week delay between the injection and when your red blood cell count really starts to come back. It is not used as a quick fix for a low red blood cell count. A blood transfusion is done to recover your red blood cell count more quickly.

Both filgrastim and epoetin are given by injection in your doctor's office.

Possible side effects of filgrastim include:

• Headache
• Pain in arms or legs
• Pain in joints or muscles
• Pain in lower back or pelvis
• Skin rash or itching

Possible side effects of epoetin include:

• Cough, sneezing, or sore throat
• Fever
• Swelling of face, fingers, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• Weight gain

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Common names include:

• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and inflammation. You may experience pain and inflammation for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Bone pain from cancer that has spread to your bones
• Edema (fluid buildup in cells) caused by tumors or treatment

Possible side effects of NSAIDs include:

• Stomach cramps, pain, or discomfort
• Drowsiness or lightheadedness
• Headache
• Heartburn, indigestion, nausea, or vomiting