uses
What is paclitaxel used for?Paclitaxel is commonly used to treat certain people with the following cancers. Ovarian cancerBreast cancerNon-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)Kaposi’s sarcomaPaclitaxel may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.Paclitaxel is also available in a form that is bound to a protein. See Paclitaxel Protein-Bound for more information.How does paclitaxel work (mechanism of action)?Paclitaxel is a type of medicine known as chemotherapy. It works by stopping certain cells from dividing and multiplying. This helps to slow or stop cancer tumors from growing. How is paclitaxel supplied (dosage forms)?Brands and other namesTaxolPaclitaxel is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.How should I store paclitaxel?Paclitaxel is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.
how to use
liquid that is injected into a vein
drug interactions
Does paclitaxel interact with foods or drinks?There are no known interactions between paclitaxel and foods or drinks.It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect paclitaxel.Does paclitaxel interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using paclitaxel.Buspirone (Buspar), which is a medication used for anxietyFelodipine (Plendil), which is a medicine used to treat high blood pressureEletriptan (Relpax), which is a medicine commonly used to treat migrainesSildenafil (Viagra, Revatio, and others), which is a medicine used for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)Triazolam (Halcion), a medicine used to treat insomniaA protease inhibitor, such as atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), or ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIVClarithromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infectionsRifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosisFluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infectionsCarbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve painRepaglinide (Prandin), which is a medicine for diabetesA medicine for high cholesterol, such as fenofibrate (Tricor), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), gemfibrozil (Lopid), lovastatin, or simvastatin (Zocor)Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of paclitaxel. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with paclitaxel. Always check with your health care provider.
side effects
What are the most common side effects of paclitaxel?The most common side effects of paclitaxel are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.Blood disorders (see below)InfectionsBleedingAllergic reactions (see below)Low blood pressureSlow heartbeat Heart rhythm changes (see below)Nerve problems (see below)Muscle and joint painNausea and vomitingDiarrheaSwelling in your mouth and stomachHair lossChanges in liver function testsPain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site (where the needle went in)There may be other side effects of paclitaxel that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.What are the serious side effects of paclitaxel?While less common, the most serious side effects of paclitaxel are described below, along with what to do if they happen.Severe Allergic Reactions. Paclitaxel may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.Breathing problems or wheezingRacing heartFever or general ill feelingSwollen lymph nodesSwelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throatTrouble swallowing or throat tightnessItching or skin rashPale bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin toneNausea or vomitingDizziness, feeling lightheaded, or faintingStomach crampsJoint painBlood Disorders. Paclitaxel can cause blood disorders, such as low neutrophils (neutropenia), low red blood cell levels (anemia), low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia or neutropenia). Keep all appointments for bloodwork so your health care provider can monitor your blood cell counts. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.FeverShortness of breathPale or yellowish skinEasy bruising or bleedingFrequent infectionUnusual weakness or tirednessDizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass outHeadacheFast or abnormal heartbeatHeart Rhythm Changes. Paclitaxel may cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and fainting. In rare cases, this may cause the heart to suddenly stop beating (cardiac arrest) or require a pacemaker. Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of heart rhythm changes.Chest painShortness of breathFeeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faintingChanges in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeatNerve Problems. Nerves are the fibers that carry sensations from your body to the brain. Damage to these nerves, called peripheral neuropathy, can happen in people who are using paclitaxel. Call your health care provider if you have pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.
overdose and misseddose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much paclitaxel?If you or someone else has used too much paclitaxel, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.What should I do if I miss a dose of paclitaxel?Missing doses of paclitaxel can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses. Paclitaxel is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving paclitaxel as scheduled.If you miss an appointment to get your paclitaxel dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.Â
warnings and Precautions
Who should not use paclitaxel?Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use paclitaxel.AbraxanePaclitaxelPaclitaxel protein-boundPolyoxyl 35 castor oilTaxolAny of the ingredients in the specific product dispensedYour pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in paclitaxel.Low White Blood Cell Levels. Paclitaxel may not be safe to use if you have certain types of cancer and low levels of a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil (neutropenia). Your health care provider may check your neutrophil level to see if it is safe for you to use paclitaxel.What should I know about paclitaxel before using it?Paclitaxel is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will likely get medicine before paclitaxel to reduce your risk of an allergic reaction. These medicines often include one or all of the following.A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone An antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)An H2 blocker, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid)Your health care provider will likely monitor your body’s response to paclitaxel with blood tests. Keep all appointments so your health care provider can make sure it is safe for you to start and continue to use paclitaxel. People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk of some side effects from paclitaxel. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.What should I tell my health care provider before using paclitaxel?Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if paclitaxel is right for you.In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.Heart problemsNerve problemsLiver problemsKidney problemsPrevious injection site reactionsOther Medicines and Supplements. Paclitaxel may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using paclitaxel, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.Pregnancy. Paclitaxel may harm an unborn baby. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while using paclitaxel. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.Breastfeeding. It is not known if paclitaxel passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop paclitaxel.
about
Paclitaxel is an intravenous (IV) infusion given by a health care provider to treat cancer. Common side effects include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low blood pressure. Serious side effects are less common, but may include allergic reactions, blood disorders, nerve problems, or abnormal heart rhythms. Contact your health care provider right away if you have pain, burning, or tingling of your hands or feet, fever, trouble breathing, or chest pain.