Trimetrexate
Trimetrexate
Trimetrexate (pronounced: tri-meh-TREX-ate) is a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of certain types of cancer. It is a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, which means it works by blocking the action of an enzyme involved in the growth of cancer cells.
Etymology
The term "Trimetrexate" is derived from its chemical structure. The prefix "tri-" refers to the three methoxy groups in its structure, "met" is short for methyl, and "rexate" is a common suffix for drugs that inhibit dihydrofolate reductase.
Usage
Trimetrexate is used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and head and neck cancer. It is also used to treat Pneumocystis pneumonia in people with HIV/AIDS when other treatments are not effective.
Related Terms
- Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Dihydrofolate reductase: An enzyme involved in the growth of cancer cells.
- Pneumocystis pneumonia: A type of pneumonia common in people with weakened immune systems.
- HIV/AIDS: A disease that attacks the body's immune system.
Side Effects
Like all chemotherapeutic agents, Trimetrexate can cause side effects. These may include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Trimetrexate
- Wikipedia's article - Trimetrexate
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