These are drugs known to cause harm, which may include genotoxicity (cause a change or mutation in genetic material). The drugs may cause carcinogenicity (cancer), teratogenicity (defects on fetal development), and fertility impairment.

They can be classified as antineoplastics, cytotoxic agents, biologic agents, antiviral agents, and immunosuppressive agents. Examples include the following.
• Arsenic trioxide
• Etoposide
• Bortezomib
• Fluorouracil
• Carboplatin
• Gemcitabine
• Cisplatin
• Irinotecan
• Cyclophosphamide
• Paclitaxel
• Docetaxel
• Streptozocin
• Doxorubicin
• Tamoxifen

Safe handling of hazardous drugs is crucial; it is the process in which health care workers adhere to practices designed to eliminate or significantly reduce occupational exposure. Some of these practices include the use of personal protective equipment, such as a disposable gown, gloves, masks, and using a closed-system drug transfer device. The goal is to protect the health care worker throughout the preparation, administration, and disposal of hazardous drugs. A closed-system drug transfer device is viewed as one of safest measures to prevent hazardous drug exposure in a medical working environment.

See reference for more information.

Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Internet. Accessed on January 4, 2023. Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazardous_drugs