What is the most important information I should know about cabazitaxel?
You should not use cabazitaxel if you have severe liver disease, low white blood cell counts, or an allergy to any medicine that contains polysorbate 80.
Cabazitaxel can weaken (suppress) your immune system, and you may get an infection or bleed more easily. Cabazitaxel can also cause serious or fatal side effects on your lungs, kidneys, or stomach and intestines.
Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as: fever, cough, body aches, easy bruising or bleeding, burning when you urinate, decreased urination, swelling in your hands or feet, severe stomach pain, constipation, blood in your urine or stools, or sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
A serious allergic reaction may occur during the injection. Tell your caregivers right away if you have a rash or skin redness, chest tightness or trouble breathing, or if you feel like you might pass out.
What is cabazitaxel?
Cabazitaxel is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Cabazitaxel is used together with prednisone to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
Cabazitaxel is usually given after other cancer medicines have been tried without success.
Cabazitaxel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving cabazitaxel?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to cabazitaxel, or if you have:
- severe liver disease;
- low white blood cell counts; or
- an allergy to any medicine that contains polysorbate 80.
To make sure cabazitaxel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- radiation treatment;
- liver or kidney disease;
- breathing problems;
- stomach or intestinal bleeding; or
- a severe allergic reaction to any medication.
Although not for use by women, cabazitaxel can cause birth defects in a baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.
If you are receiving cabazitaxel and your sexual partner could become pregnant, use a condom or other form of birth control to prevent pregnancy during treatment. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose of cabazitaxel. Tell your doctor at once if a pregnancy occurs during this time.
It is not known whether cabazitaxel passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How is cabazitaxel given?
Cabazitaxel is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take about 1 hour to complete.
Cabazitaxel is usually given once every 3 weeks. You will be given other medications to prevent certain side effects.
Cabazitaxel is used together with prednisone (a steroid medicine). You will most likely take prednisone by mouth every day throughout your cabazitaxel treatment. You may also be given medications to prevent nausea and vomiting or infections. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Do not stop taking prednisone without your doctor's advice, or you could have unpleasant side effects caused by cabazitaxel. Tell your doctor if you have missed any doses or have stopped taking prednisone for any reason.
Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while receiving cabazitaxel, which can lead to a serious electrolyte imbalance.
Cabazitaxel can weaken (suppress) your immune system, and you may get an infection or bleed more easily. Your blood may need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
Your doctor may tell you to check your temperature at home throughout your treatment with cabazitaxel.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your cabazitaxel injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while receiving cabazitaxel?
Avoid taking an herbal supplement containing St. John's wort while you are being treated with cabazitaxel.
This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.
What are the possible side effects of cabazitaxel?
Cabazitaxel can cause a serious allergic reaction. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, rash or skin redness; chest tightness or trouble breathing; feeling light-headed; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Cabazitaxel can cause serious or fatal side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
- numbness, burning pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
- sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath;
- stomach pain or tenderness, severe vomiting or diarrhea, ongoing constipation;
- blood in your urine, urinating more often, pain or burning when you urinate;
-
low blood cell counts --fever, chills, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
-
signs of stomach bleeding --bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or
-
signs of a kidney problem --little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your hands or feet; feeling tired or short of breath.
Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.
Common side effects may include:
- low blood cell counts;
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
- constipation, diarrhea;
- weakness, tired feeling;
- blood in your urine;
- back pain;
- cough, shortness of breath; or
- hair loss.
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 cabazitaxel?
Many drugs can interact with cabazitaxel. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with cabazitaxel. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about cabazitaxel.
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.
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