pazopanib
Other Name: Votrient®
- For treating certain type(s) of cancer of the kidney or soft tissue
- 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.
- 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)
- 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.
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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.
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
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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.
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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.
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
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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.
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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.
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Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Diarrhea May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment. If you have diarrhea :
See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
High or low blood sugar
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Contact your health care team as soon as possible | ||||
High blood pressure (may be severe)
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Hair or skin colour changes (usually lightening)
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Talk to your health care team if this bothers you | ||||
Abnormal levels of pancreas tests (lipase, amylase)
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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:
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your healthcare team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Changes in thyroid activity
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 |
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Headache; mild joint, muscle pain or cramps
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low appetite
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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)
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)
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Unusual bleeding or bruising (may be severe)
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Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
Pains or cramps in the belly
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Dizziness
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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:______________________________________________
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Other Notes:
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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.