Pazopanib (By mouth)
paz-OH-pa-nib
Treats late-stage kidney cancer and advanced soft tissue sarcoma.
Drug classes
Antineoplastic Agent, Immunological Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Pazopanib is a cancer medicine that is used to treat patients with kidney cancer (advanced renal cell carcinoma). It is also used to treat advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in patients who have received other cancer treatments. Pazopanib interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body.
Before you begin treatment with pazopanib, talk to your doctor about the benefits of this medicine as well as the risks of using it.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take this medicine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine and it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip that dose and take your next dose at the normal time. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how pazopanib works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Clarithromycin, ketoconazole, rifampin, ritonavir, simvastatin Medicine for heart rhythm problems Stomach medicine (including esomeprazole)Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to pazopanib, or if you are pregnant.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including Gilbert syndrome), heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems (such as QT prolongation), lung disease, stomach or bowel problems, an underactive thyroid, or a history of heart attack or stroke. Tell your doctor if you had any bleeding problems in the last 6 months, including stomach or bowel bleeding.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Severe liver problems Changes in heart rhythm, such as QT prolongation Heart failure Bleeding problems Stomach or bowel problems (perforation, fistula) Interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) Serious infectionsTell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the way your body heals from cuts and wounds. You may need to stop using it at least 7 days before you have surgery.
Cancer medicines can cause diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting in most people, sometimes even after they receive medicine to prevent it.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. You will need to have your blood pressure measured before you start this medicine and while you are using it.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Bloody or black, tarry stools, vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, unusual sweating, faintness
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, dizziness or lightheadedness
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, pain in your lower leg, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking, confusion, seizures
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, trouble breathing, tiredness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Change in skin or hair color, hair loss
Change or loss of taste
Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Votrient
There may be other brand names for this medicine.