Uses
Pazopanib is used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC, a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the kidneys) in adults. Pazopanib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by slowing or stopping the spread of cancer cells.
Side Effects Of Pazopanib
Pazopanib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- heartburn
- change in the ability to taste food
- joint or muscle pain
- swelling of the face
- tender, red palms of the hands and soles of the feet
- hair loss
- thin, brittle fingernails or hair
- change in hair color
- lightening of an area of the skin
- rash
- weakness
- depression
- unusual discomfort in cold temperatures
- weight loss
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- pain in the arms, back, neck, or jaw
- shortness of breath
- headache
- slow or difficult speech
- dizziness or faintness
- weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
- wounds that do not heal
- stomach pain or swelling
- black and tarry stools
- red blood in stools
- bloody vomit
- vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- blood in urine
- nosebleeds
- coughing up blood
Pazopanib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking pazopanib:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pazopanib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in pazopanib tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other 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: cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the U.S.); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); dofetilide (Tikosyn); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); ketoconazole (Nizoral); certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone), digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), disopyramide (Norpace), flecainide (Tambocor), mexiletine (Mexitil), procainamide (Procanbid), propafenone (Rythmol), propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL, in Inderide), quinidine, sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); moxifloxacin (Avelox); pimozide (Orap); rifampin (Rifadin, in Rifamate, in Rifater, Rimactane); ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); sparfloxacin (Zagam) (not available in the U.S.); and thioridazine (Mellaril). 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 pazopanib, 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 coughed up blood or had bleeding in your stomach, intestines, or brain in the last 6 months or had surgery in the last 7 days. Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a tear in your stomach or intestine; an abnormal connection between two parts of your gastrointestinal tract; Gilbert’s syndrome (a genetic condition which affects the liver and may cause jaundice [yellowing of the skin or eyes]); high blood pressure; a stroke; an irregular heartbeat; a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death); a heart attack; chest pain; or heart or thyroid disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You should not become pregnant while you are taking pazopanib. If you become pregnant while taking pazopanib, call your doctor. Pazopanib may harm the fetus.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking pazopanib.
Dosage Of Pazopanib
Pazopanib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken on an empty stomach once a day, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take pazopanib at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pazopanib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor may adjust your dose of pazopanib during your treatment or may discontinue your treatment. This depends on how well the medication works for you and any side effects you may experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment. Continue to take pazopanib even if you feel well. Do not stop taking pazopanib without talking to your doctor.
Other
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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.
