Paclitaxel Protein-bound (Injection)

Introduction:

Paclitaxel Protein-Bound

Treats advanced breast cancer.

Brand Name(s):

Abraxane

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to paclitaxel protein-bound, or if you have a low number of white blood cells. You should not receive this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

  • Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
  • You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

If a dose is missed:

  • This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using carbamazepine (Tegretol®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), dexamethasone (Decadron®), diazepam (Valium®), efavirenz (Sustiva®), erythromycin (Ery-Tab®), etoposide (VePesid®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), gemfibrozil (Lopid®), indinavir (Crixivan®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), nelfinavir (Viracept®), nevirapine (Viramune®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), quinidine (Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®), rifampicin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), ritonavir (Norvir®), saquinavir (Fortovase®), teniposide, verapamil (Calan®), or vincristine (Oncovin®).
  • Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • This medicine can cause birth defects if it is used by the mother while she is pregnant or by the father when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, or nerve problems.
  • Cancer medicines can cause nausea and/or vomiting in most people, sometimes even after receiving medicines to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control these side effects.
  • This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
  • Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
  • This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them. The risk of getting a virus from medicines made of human blood has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing of human donors for certain viruses, and testing during manufacture of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.
  • Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you are having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be symptoms of a condition called sensory neuropathy.
  • This medicine may cause unusual drowsiness, tiredness, or weakness. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
  • Changes in your vision.
  • Chest pain or coughing up blood.
  • Diarrhea, dark-colored urine, or black stools.
  • Extreme weakness.
  • High fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or body aches.
  • Lightheadedness or fainting.
  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
  • Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, or bluish-colored skin.
  • Slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat.
  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Cough.
  • Loss of hair.
  • Mild stomach upset.
  • Pain in your muscles or joints.
  • Pale lips or skin.
  • Rapid weight gain.
  • Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.
  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
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