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Drug Formulary
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pazopanib

( pa-ZO-pa-nib )
Other Name(s): Votrient®
Appearance: tablet
pdf download pazopanib patient.pdf
pdf download pazopanib pour le patient.pdf

Medication Information Sheet
pazopanib (pa-ZO-pa-nib)
This document provides general information about your medication. It does not replace the advice of your health care professional. Always discuss your therapy with your health care professional and refer to the package insert for more details.

Other Name: Votrient®

Appearance:
tablet

What is this medication for?
  • For treating certain type(s) of cancer of the kidney or soft tissue
What should I do before I have this medication?
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or had:
    • heart disease or heart rhythm problems,
    • high blood pressure, bleeding or blood clots
    • problems with your thyroid or liver,
    • diabetes,
    • any recent or planned surgery,
    • or any allergies.
  • People with cancer have a higher risk of getting other cancers or developing blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a long period of time. Discuss any concerns about this medication with your health care team.
How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding?
  • The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding.
     
  • If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:
     
  • ►Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug and up to 8 weeks after treatment ends (for women) and up to 2 weeks after treatment ends (for men). Men should use condoms during sexual activity with female partners who are or may become pregnant. Discuss with your healthcare team.
     
  • Do not breastfeed while taking this medication.
     
  • This medication may affect fertility (ability to get pregnant)
How is this medication given?
  • This medication is usually taken once a day by mouth.
     
  • Do not cut, crush or chew the tablets, as this may increase side effects.
     
  • Swallow whole with a glass of water on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after food or other medications. Do not take with meals as that may increase risk of side effects.
     
  • If you miss a dose, take it only if there is more than 12 hours until the next dose.  Otherwise, skip this and take the next dose as scheduled.  Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten one.
What else do I need to know while on this medication?

  • Do not eat or drink grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges or their juices (or products that contain these) while on this treatment. They may increase side effects.

  • This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.

  • Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.

  • For mild aches and pain or fever:

    • If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever. 
       
    • You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you. 
       
    • Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
       
    • Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever.  See the Fever pamphlet for more information.

  • Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.

How should I safely store this medication?

  • Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.

  • Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.

What are the side effects of this medication?

You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.

Side effects and what to do When to contact doctor?
Common Side Effects (25-49 out of 100 people)

Diarrhea

May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment.

If you have diarrhea :

  • Take anti-diarrhea medication if your health care team prescribed it.
  • Avoid foods or drinks with artificial sweetener (e.g. chewing gum, “diet” drinks), coffee and alcohol.
  • Eat many small meals and snacks instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
  • Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day. Talk to your health care team if you can’t drink 6-8 cups of liquids each day when you have diarrhea. You may need special liquids with salt and sugar, called Oral Rehydration Therapy.

​See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.

 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

High or low blood sugar 

  • You may feel thirsty and pee more often.
  • Your doctor may check your blood sugar level. You may be advised to change your diet or take medication to treat high blood sugar.
  • Check your blood sugar regularly if you have diabetes.

 

 Contact your health care team as soon as possible

High blood pressure (may be severe)

  • Check your blood pressure regularly. Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat high blood pressure.
  • If you have a severe headache, severe dizziness, or if you faint get emergency help right away as it may be a sign your blood pressure is too high or too low.
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Hair or skin colour changes (usually lightening)

  • Usually returns to normal after treatment ends
 Talk to your health care team if this bothers you

Abnormal levels of pancreas tests (lipase, amylase)

  • Your doctor may monitor these regularly
  • If you have abdominal pain, contact your health care provider right away
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Nausea and vomiting (generally mild)

May occur in hours to days after your treatment. 

If you have nausea or vomiting:

  • Take anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed to you by your doctor. 
  • Drink clear liquids and have small meals. Get fresh air and rest.
  • Do not eat spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
  • Limit caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea) and alcohol.
  • Contact your health care team if the prescribed anti-nausea medications are not helping to control your nausea and vomiting.

 Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information.

 Contact your healthcare team if no improvement or if severe

Changes in thyroid activity

  • May happen in weeks to months after you receive your treatment.
  • Your doctor may monitor your thyroid function regularly with a blood test.

Underactive thyroid: Look for unusual weight gain with some of the following: Feeling tired or having low energy, dry skin, nails or hair that breaks easily, and sensitivity to cold.

 Contact your health care team as soon as possible

Salt imbalances

It may cause muscle twitching, severe weakness or cramping, confusion and irregular heartbeat.

 Get emergency medical help right away

 

 

Side effects and what to do When to contact doctor?
Less Common Side Effects (10-24 out of 100 people)

Headache; mild joint, muscle pain or cramps 

  • Take your pain medication as prescribed by your doctor.
  • You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets as needed for mild aches and pains. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dose for you.
  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first before taking ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin. These medication may increase bleeding risk.
  • Rest often and try light exercise as it may help.
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Low appetite

  • You may not feel like eating or you may lose weight.
  • Try to eat foods that you like and eat small meals throughout the day. 
  • You may need to take meal supplements to help keep your weight up.
  • Talk to your health care team if you have a low appetite.
  • See our Loss of appetite pamphlet for more information.
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Cough; feeling short of breath

You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose.

 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Fatigue (tiredness)

  • Be active and aim to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise (you are able to talk comfortably while exercising) on most days. Check with your health care team before starting any new exercise.
  • Pace yourself, do not rush. Put off less important activities. Rest when you need to.
  • Eat well and stay hydrated by drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other liquids every day (unless your doctor told you to drink more or less).
  • Avoid driving or using machinery if you are feeling tired

See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. 

 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Abnormal liver lab tests (may be severe)

  • You may have yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly. Talk to your health care team if this happens.
  • Your doctor may monitor your liver regularly with a blood test.
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Unusual bleeding or bruising (may be severe)

  • You may have black stools (poo), cough up blood, blood in your pee, purple or red dots on your skin, or bleeding that will not stop.
  • It may happen in days to weeks after you receive your treatment.
  • It may be due to low platelets (a type of blood cell).
  • Take care of your mouth and use a soft toothbrush.
  • Be careful not to cut or hurt yourself.
  • Check with your doctor before you have any surgeries and before going to see the dentist.
  • See the low platelets pamphlet for more information.
 Get emergency medical help right away

Pains or cramps in the belly

  • If you have constipation or diarrhea it may be causing the pain in your belly.
  • If the pain is severe, gets worse or doesn’t go away, talk to your health care team about other possible causes.
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Dizziness

  • You may feel light headed.
  • Lay down if this happens.
  • Get up and move slowly once you feel better.
  • Do not drive a motor vehicle or use machinery if you feel dizzy.
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

 

Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:

  • Pain, swelling and hardening of the vein in an arm or leg
  • Severe headache, confusion, sudden loss of vision, trouble speaking or moving your arms or legs
  • Weakness of one side of your body
  • Sudden severe pain in your upper back, that moves up your neck or down your back, when you didn’t hurt yourself
  • Chest pain, irregular heartbeat or pain in your arm
  • Difficulty breathing or coughing up blood, unusual hoarse or raspy voice
  • Unusual pulsating or throbbing feeling in your chest or belly
  • Severe belly pain and changes in your bowel movements, trouble swallowing
  • Swelling in your belly and legs, passing very little or no pee, or new unusual weight gain
  • Signs of an infection, including chills, fever (you have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is 38.3°C / 100.9°F or higher at any time OR 38.0°C / 100.4°F or higher for at least one hour)


 

Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?          

My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________

During the day I should contact:________________________________________________

Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________

 

Other Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________


July 2021 Updated rare side effects section

For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.

The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.

A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.

Funding & Reimbursement

Several payment sources exist for cancer drugs in Ontario, depending on the drug, disease indication, and how and where it is delivered.

View Funding & Reimbursement

Symptom Management

Many people living with cancer experience nausea, diarrhea and other symptoms from their treatment or disease.

View Symptom Management

Drug Safety and Administration

Find documents on drug safety and administration for healthcare providers, including calculations and recommendations.

View Drug Safety and Administration