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paclitaxel - injection, Onxol, Taxol

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GENERIC NAME: PACLITAXEL - INJECTION (pack-lih-TAX-el)

BRAND NAME(S): Onxol, Taxol

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

WARNING: Paclitaxel may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) allergic reactions. Patients who experience a severe allergic reaction with this drug must never use it again. Your doctor may prescribe other medications (e.g., antihistamines, corticosteroids) to help prevent an allergic reaction. However, severe allergic reactions may still occur in a few patients. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing, or chest pain.

This medication may often cause a serious blood disorder (decreased bone marrow function leading to a low number of white blood cells). This effect can lower your body's ability to fight an infection. Your doctor will monitor you closely and check your blood often during treatment. If your white blood cell count is too low, you should not receive this medication. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, cough, persistent sore throat, painful/difficult urination).

USES: Paclitaxel is used to treat various types of cancer. It is a cancer chemotherapy drug that works by slowing or stopping cancer cell growth.

HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist before you start using paclitaxel. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional. It is given on a schedule as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to treatment.

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section.Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, muscle/joint pain, numbness/tingling/burning of the hands/feet, flushing, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly.Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.This medication may infrequently cause changes to your blood pressure and heart rate. You should be closely monitored for these changes during the infusion of this medication. Tell your doctor promptly if you have increasing dizziness, headache, or a fast/slow/irregular heartbeat.Many people using this medication have serious side effects. However, your doctor has prescribed this drug because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of anemia (e.g., unusual tiredness, pale skin), easy bruising/bleeding, fainting, confusion, pain/redness/swelling/weakness of the arms/legs, calf pain/swelling that is warm to the touch, coughing up blood, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, vision/hearing changes, seizures.This medication may infrequently irritate the vein it is given into or leak out of the vein and irritate the area. These effects may cause redness, pain, swelling, discoloration, or unusual skin reactions at the injection site, either while the drug is given or rarely 7 to 10 days later. If this drug has leaked out of a vein and caused a skin reaction in the past, you may rarely have a skin reaction in that same area when the drug is given again, even when it is given into another area. Tell your doctor immediately of any unusual skin/injection site symptoms.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration   You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.