Paclitaxel injection must be given in a hospital or medical facility under the supervision of a doctor who is experienced in giving chemotherapy medications for cancer.
Paclitaxel injection may cause a large decrease in the number of white blood cells (a type of blood cell that is needed to fight infection) in your blood. This increases the risk that you will develop a serious infection. You should not receive paclitaxel if you already have a low number of white blood cells. Your doctor will order laboratory tests before and during your treatment to check the number of white blood cells in your blood. Your doctor will delay or interrupt your treatment if the number of white blood cells is too low. Call your doctor immediately if you develop a temperature greater than 100.4 °F; a sore throat; cough; chills; difficult, frequent, or painful urination; or other signs of infection during your treatment with paclitaxel injection.
Paclitaxel injection is manufactured with additional ingredients to allow the medication to reach parts of the body where it is needed. One form of paclitaxel injection (Abraxane) is manufactured with human albumin, and the other form of paclitaxel injection (Onxol) is manufactured with a solvent called polyoxyethylated castor oil. There are important differences between the two forms of paclitaxel, so these products should not be substituted for each other.
If you are using the form of paclitaxel injection that is manufactured with polyoxyethylated castor oil, you may experience a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction. You will receive certain medications to help prevent an allergic reaction before you receive each dose of paclitaxel. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash; hives; itching; swelling of the eyes, face, throat, lips, tongue, hands, arms, feet, or ankles; difficulty breathing or swallowing; flushing; fast heartbeat; dizziness; or fainting.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body's response to paclitaxel injection.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving paclitaxel injection.
Paclitaxel injection manufactured with human albumin is used to treat breast cancer that has not improved or that has come back after treatment with other medications. Paclitaxel injection manufactured with polyoxyethylated castor oil is used to treat ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed), breast cancer, and lung cancer. Paclitaxel injection with polyoxyethylated castor oil is also used to treat Kaposi's sarcoma (a type of cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin) in people who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Paclitaxel injection comes as a liquid to be given intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic. It is usually given once every 3 weeks. When paclitaxel injection manufactured with polyoxyethylated castor oil is used to treat Kaposi's sarcoma, it may be given once every 2 or 3 weeks.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
Paclitaxel injection is also sometimes used to treat cancer of the head and neck, esophagus (tube that connects the mouth and stomach), bladder, endometrium (lining of the uterus), and cervix (opening of the uterus). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while using this medicine.
Call your doctor right away if you are unable to keep an appointment to receive a dose of paclitaxel injection.
pain, redness, swelling, or sores in the place where the medication was injected
weakness
muscle or joint pain
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
stomach pain
sores in the mouth
hair loss
numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
pale skin
excessive tiredness
unusual bruising or bleeding
chest pain
slow or irregular heartbeat
fainting
hardening, darkening, or peeling of the skin in the area where the medication was injected
blistering or peeling skin
Paclitaxel may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
pale skin
shortness of breath
excessive tiredness
sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
unusual bruising or bleeding
numbness, burning, or tingling of the hands and feet
sores in the mouth
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about paclitaxel injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Last Revised - 02/01/2011
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.