Tag: Antineoplastic drugs

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), hundreds of drugs currently used in healthcare settings are considered hazardous. Understanding **what are three types of hazardous drugs** is critical for protecting healthcare workers and ensuring safe handling, as these medications pose significant health risks if not managed properly.

Originally developed as a chemical warfare agent during World War I, nitrogen mustard is also known by the generic name **mechlorethamine**. This highly toxic compound was later repurposed for medical use, pioneering the field of cancer chemotherapy after researchers observed its destructive effects on bone marrow and lymphoid tissue.

Alkylating agents were among the first effective anti-cancer drugs developed, with the first approved agent, mechlorethamine, stemming from military research in the 1940s. This broad class of chemotherapy includes numerous medications, raising the common question, “Which drug is an alkylator?”. These powerful medications function by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from replicating and leading to their death, but their use requires careful management due to potential side effects.