pazopanib

What is the most important information I should know about pazopanib?

What is pazopanib?

Pazopanib is used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).

Pazopanib is also used to treat soft tissue sarcoma (a tumor that can develop in or around muscles, tendons, joints, organs, or blood vessels). Pazopanib is usually given after other treatments have failed.

Pazopanib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking pazopanib?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, long QT syndrome;
• high blood pressure;
• a blood clot or stroke;
• headaches, seizures, or vision problems;
• a thyroid disorder;
• kidney disease;
• a perforation (a hole or tear) in your stomach or intestines;
• a fistula (an abnormal passageway) within your stomach or intestines;
• stomach bleeding, intestinal bleeding, or if you have coughed up blood in the past 6 months; or
• a surgery (recent or planned).

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

If you are a man whose sex partner is pregnant or could become pregnant, use condoms even if you have had a vasectomy.

Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using pazopanib.

How should I take pazopanib?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Pazopanib can cause severe or life-threatening infections, liver problems, or high blood pressure. You will need frequent medical tests.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using pazopanib. You may need to stop using the medicine for at least 7 days before and 2 weeks after your surgery. Ask your doctor before restarting pazopanib after surgery.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 12 hours. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking pazopanib?

Grapefruit may interact with pazopanib and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

What are the possible side effects of pazopanib?

• severe chest pain or headache, confusion, pounding in your neck or ears;
• a seizure;
• ongoing cough or breathing problems;
• unusual bleeding or bruising;
• any wound or surgical incision that will not heal;
• heart problems --swelling, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
• heart attack symptoms --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• liver problems --nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, tiredness, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• signs of infection --fever, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, skin sores, pain or burning when you urinate;
• signs of stomach bleeding --stomach pain or swelling, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• signs of a stroke or blood clot --sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, vision problems, chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, pain or cold feeling in an arm or leg; or
• signs of tumor cell breakdown --tiredness, muscle cramps or spasms, tingling, vomiting, diarrhea, fast or slow heart rate, little or no urination.

Liver problems may be more likely in adults older than 65.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• loss of appetite, weight loss;
• trouble breathing;
• tumor pain, bone pain, muscle pain;
• headache, feeling tired;
• changes in hair or skin color; or
• changes in your sense of taste.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect pazopanib?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• an antibiotic;
• an antidepressant;
• cholesterol medicine that contains simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin, Juvisync, Simcor);
• heart rhythm medication;
• HIV or AIDS medications; or
• stomach acid reducers such as Nexium, Prilosec, Tagamet, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect pazopanib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about pazopanib.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 8.01. Revision date: 11/23/2020.