Uses of Paclitaxel (with albumin) Injection
Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has not improved or worsened after treatment with other medications. Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection is also used in combination with other chemotherapy medications to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The injection is used in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar) to treat cancer of the pancreas.
Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Side Effects of Paclitaxel (with albumin) Injection
- pain, redness, swelling, or sores in the place where the medication was injected
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- sores in the mouth or throat
- hair loss
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- blurred vision or vision changes
- decreased urination
- dry mouth
- thirst
- muscle pain or cramps
- joint pain
Some side effects of paclitaxel (with albumin) injection can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- numbness, burning or tingling in the hands or feet
- sudden onset of a dry cough that doesn’t go away
- shortness of breath
- rash
- hives
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, or throat
- pale skin
- excessive tiredness
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- chest pain
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- fainting
Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving paclitaxel (with albumin) injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to paclitaxel, docetaxel, any other medications, or human albumin, Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not know if a medication that you are allergic to contains human albumin.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take with paclitaxel (with albumin) injection. 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 (with albumin) injection, 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, kidney, or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to father a child. You or your partner should not become pregnant while you are receiving paclitaxel (with albumin) injection. Your doctor may perform a pregnancy test to be sure that you are not pregnant when you begin receiving the injection. If you are female, you should use birth control during your treatment with paclitaxel (with albumin) injection and for at least 6 months after your final dose. If you are male, you and your female partner should use birth control during your treatment with paclitaxel (with albumin) and continue for 3 months after you stop receiving paclitaxel (with albumin) injection. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you or your partner become pregnant while receiving paclitaxel (with albumin) injection, call your doctor. Paclitaxel may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breast-feed while you are receiving the injection and for 2 weeks after your final dose.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving paclitaxel (with albumin) injection.
Dosage
Paclitaxel (with albumin) injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid to be injected over 30 minutes intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. When paclitaxel (with albumin) injection is used to treat breast cancer, it is usually given once every 3 weeks. When this injection is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer it is usually given on days 1, 8, and 15 as part of a 3-week cycle. When paclitaxel (with albumin) injection is used to treat cancer of the pancreas, it is usually given on days 1, 8, and 15 as part of a 4-week cycle. These cycles may be repeated for as long as your doctor recommends.
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 with paclitaxel (with albumin) injection.
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 has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
