Drugs that cross the Blood Brain Barrier

[Barbara2]

I had this listed amoungst my favorites which I was going through...it might be helpful...

http://cpharm.vetmed.vt.edu/VM9096/handout.htm

[AlaskaAngel]

Thanks, Barbara! I wonder when this list was made.

I had an experience that I wonder about in regard to the BBB. Just after my 2nd or 3rd dose of CAF, I was sitting at the computer and felt a fluid wave move from the base of the neck up through and over the head, and for about 3 full minutes I was entirely blind. I had my eyes wide open, trying to look at the computer screen, but all I was seeing was nothing. It never happened again during the remaining CAF treatments. It was very difficult for me to go ahead with treatment because no one could explain it. I asked my providers about it and no one had any explanation for it. I will always wonder if the blindness was due to something crossing the BBB. I can see from the list that C and F do cross and A does not, and I wonder what caused the blindness. I wonder if there is a difference in my brain tissue compared to others because of that experience, and if there is any difference among patients as to which drugs cross the BBB.

AlaskaAngel

[Barbara2]

I also wondered when this list was made and I looked for the date before I posted it. But I figured that the (drug) information would not have changed, even if it the post is not real current.

In regards to the "F" in CAF, it says that it has good tissue penetration and crosses the BBB, which surprised me, as I thought my onc told me that it does not cross the BBB. If it does cross, that could be an explaination for your brief period of blindness during treatment.

[Lani]

and seems to refer to the pharmacology/study of drugs in animals

here is the website:
http://cpharm.vetmed.vt.edu/

[Barbara2]

You are right, Lani, and I just did some more checking. I had noticed the words on the website, but rationalized that all of those cancer drugs/animals didn't add up; and the website was prefaced by "clinical pharmacology of specific cancer chemotherapy" which led me in the wrong direction.

Sorry folks!

[AlaskaAngel]

Barbara, this seems like a good reference site, from Ontario, Canada. I note that one drug I found here was updated as of 9/07.

http://www.cancercare.on.ca/index_drugFormularymonographs.htm

A.A.

P.S. Seems like an appropriate topic today -- I did my first chemo on March 12, 2002.... six YEARS ago... CAF

[Joy]

i love this kind of stuff-it is like crack for the information junkie!

[Barbara2]

AlaskaAngel, that was a very good site and I bookmarked it. I checked on the Flourouracil and yes, it does cross the BBB. Good news, but I don't think that drug is used much any more.

Thanks for the assist!