Uses
Paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) is used alone or along with other chemotherapy medications to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection is also used to treat Kaposi’s sarcoma (a type of cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin) in people who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Side Effects Of Paclitaxel
Paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- pain, redness, swelling, or sores in the place where the medication was injected
- numbness, burning or tingling in the hands or feet
- muscle or joint pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- sores in the mouth or on the lips
- hair loss
Some side effects of paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- shortness of breath
- pale skin
- excessive tiredness
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- chest pain
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- Paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to paclitaxel, docetaxel, any other medications, polyoxyethylated castor oil (Cremophor EL), or medications that contain polyoxyethylated castor oil such as cyclosporine injection (Sandimmune) or teniposide (Vumon). Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not know if a medication that you are allergic to contains polyoxyethylated castor oil.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: buspirone (Buspar); carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol); certain medications used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as atazanavir (Reyataz, in Evotaz); indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra, in Viekira Pak), and saquinavir (Invirase); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); eletriptan (Relpax); felodipine; gemfibrozil (Lopid); itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox); ketoconazole (Nizoral); lovastatin (Altoprev); midazolam; nefazodone; phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); repaglinide (Prandin, in Prandimet); rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, in Rifamate, in Rifater); rosiglitazone (Avandia, in Avandaryl, in Avandamet); sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra); simvastatin (Flolipid, Zocor, in Vytorin); telithromycin (Ketek; not available in the U.S.), and triazolam (Halcion); Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with paclitaxel, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while receiving paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection, call your doctor. Paclitaxel injection may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breast-feed while you are receiving paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection.
Dosage Of Paclitaxel
Paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection comes as a liquid to be injected over 3 or 24 hours intravenously by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic. When paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) is used to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or non-small cell lung cancer it is usually given once every 3 weeks. When paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) is used to treat Kaposi’s sarcoma, it may be given once every 2 or 3 weeks.
Your doctor may need to interrupt your treatment, reduce your dose, or stop your treatment depending on your response to the medication and any side effects that you experience. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information on paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
