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Oncology SupportOncology Support

This category contains active cancer treatments, not general supportive-care products. Treatment choice, dose and monitoring are determined by an oncology team.

Nolvadex

Tamoxifen

10 · 20mg

Tamoxifen 10mg and 20mg tablets, used in the management of oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer. A SERM that occupies the receptor in breast tissue.

From$0.32/ tabletView

Arimidex

Anastrozole

1mg

Anastrozole 1mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of breast cancer. A non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor that lowers circulating oestrogen.

From$2.34/ tabletView

Armotraz

Anastrozole

1mg

Anastrozole 1mg film-coated tablets for breast cancer, including adjuvant therapy. A selective aromatase inhibitor that halts androgen conversion to oestrogen.

From$3.11/ tabletView

Femara

Letrozole

2.5mg

Letrozole at a single 2.5mg film-coated strength, listed for breast cancer. Blocking aromatase stops androgens being converted into oestrogen.

From$0.51/ tabletView

Casodex

Bicalutamide

50mg

Bicalutamide 50mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of advanced prostate cancer. A non-steroidal anti-androgen that occupies the receptor.

From$5.32/ tabletView

Methotrexate Tablets

Methotrexate

2.5mg

Methotrexate 2.5mg tablets, used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease. A folic acid antagonist blocking dihydrofolate reductase.

From$0.73/ tabletView

Leukeran

Chlorambucil

2 · 5mg

Chlorambucil 2mg and 5mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

From$3.12/ tabletView

Cytoxan

Cyclophosphamide

50mg

Cyclophosphamide 50mg tablets, used in the management of malignant lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukaemia. An alkylating agent that cross-links DNA.

From$2.63/ tabletView

Hydrea

Hydroxycarbamide

500mg

Hydroxycarbamide 500mg hard capsules, used in the management of chronic myeloid leukaemia, polycythaemia vera, thrombocythaemia and sickle cell anaemia.

From$2.17/ tabletView

Alkacel

Melphalan

2mg

Melphalan 2mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer. A nitrogen mustard that cross-links DNA strands.

From$5.52/ tabletView

Capnat

Capecitabine

500mg

Capecitabine 500mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of colorectal, breast and gastric cancer. A prodrug converted to fluorouracil in the body.

From$2.98/ tabletView

Efudex

Fluorouracil

1 · 5%

Fluorouracil 1% and 5% cream, applied to the skin for actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma. An antimetabolite that blocks thymidylate synthase.

From$8.67/ tubeView

Tasigna

Nilotinib

150 · 200mg

Nilotinib 150mg and 200mg hard capsules, used in the management of chronic myeloid leukaemia. A selective inhibitor of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase.

From$12.75/ tabletView

Sprycel

Dasatinib

50mg

Dasatinib 50mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of chronic myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. A BCR-ABL and SRC kinase inhibitor.

From$144.50/ bottleView

Abiraterone Tablets

Abiraterone

250mg

Abiraterone 250mg tablets, used in the management of prostate cancer. A CYP17A1 inhibitor that blocks androgen synthesis in the adrenal glands.

From$3.15/ tabletView

Aromasin

Exemestane

25mg

Exemestane 25mg tablets, used in the management of breast cancer. A steroidal aromatase inactivator, which shuts the enzyme down rather than blocking it.

From$4.73/ tabletView

Thalix

Thalidomide

50 · 100mg

Thalix is thalidomide 50mg and 100mg hard capsules for multiple myeloma, an immunomodulator that is also anti-angiogenic.

From$1.73/ capsuleView

Nexavar

Sorafenib

200mg

Sorafenib 200mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of hepatocellular, renal cell and differentiated thyroid carcinoma. A multikinase inhibitor.

From$5.87/ tabletView

Lenalidomide Capsules

Lenalidomide

10mg

Lenalidomide 10mg hard capsules, used in the management of multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes. A thalidomide analogue and immunomodulator.

From$6.51/ capsuleView

Gleevec

Imatinib

100 · 400mg

Imatinib 100mg and 400mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of chronic myeloid leukaemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumour. A kinase inhibitor.

From$3.89/ tabletView

Afinitor

Everolimus

5 · 10mg

Everolimus 5mg and 10mg tablets, used in the management of renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer and neuroendocrine tumours. An mTOR kinase inhibitor.

From$34.00/ tabletView

Eulexin

Flutamide

250mg

Flutamide 250mg tablets, used in the management of prostate cancer. A non-steroidal anti-androgen competing with testosterone at the receptor.

From$2.02/ tabletView

Key points

  • Hormonal therapies act on hormone-sensitive cancers; chemotherapy medicines work through different cancer-specific mechanisms.
  • Medicines in this category are not interchangeable and may be used alone or as part of a wider regimen.
  • Blood tests and other monitoring are often needed to manage infection, bleeding, clotting and organ-related risks.

Listings are for comparison only; suitability and supply depend on the treating clinician, specialist prescription and pharmacy checks.

How the medicine groups differ

Hormonal therapies include anastrozole, tamoxifen and flutamide. Chemotherapy or cytotoxic medicines include cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil and hydroxycarbamide. Their uses and risk profiles differ substantially.

What these medicines are used for

Depending on the medicine and regimen, uses may include breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma and chronic myeloid leukaemia. Most are given as part of a protocol that sets the dose, the interval and the blood tests around it, so they are not interchangeable between cancers. Specialist supervision is the norm rather than the exception.

Important safety checks

Do not start, stop, substitute or change a cancer medicine without the oncology team. Monitoring may include blood counts and liver, kidney, heart or hormone-related checks. Pregnancy prevention, vaccination plans and interactions with other medicines or supplements may also need specialist review.

When to seek urgent care

Follow the oncology team’s emergency instructions. Seek urgent help for fever or signs of infection, unusual bleeding, sudden breathlessness, chest pain, one-sided leg swelling, severe vomiting or diarrhoea, confusion, or a serious allergic reaction.

Further reading