Pazopanib
About Pazopanib
Pazopanib is a prescription medicine used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, and certain advanced soft tissue sarcomas, which affect the body's supportive tissues. It belongs to a group of medicines called targeted therapies and works by interfering with signals involved in tumour growth and blood vessel formation. This medicine helps manage these serious conditions by slowing down tumour growth.
For best results, you must take Pazopanib consistently once daily. It is critical to take this medicine on an empty stomach; either at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal. Along with taking this medicine regularly, managing your blood pressure at home and eating a well-balanced diet can help support your overall health during treatment.
The duration of Pazopanib treatment varies between individuals. Treatment is often continued for as long as the cancer remains controlled and side effects are manageable. Your oncology team will reassess your response regularly using clinical reviews, blood tests, and imaging when appropriate. Do not stop treatment on your own; if Pazopanib needs to be discontinued, your doctor will guide the next steps in your cancer care.
While taking Pazopanib, you may experience some common side effects such as diarrhoea, changes in hair colour, nausea, and feeling tired. However, you must contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience serious issues like severe bleeding, chest pain, or signs of liver damage.
Talk to your doctor before starting this medication if you have high blood pressure, heart problems, liver disease, bleeding problems, or a history of abnormal heart rhythms. Pazopanib can cause serious harm to an unborn baby and should not be used during pregnancy unless your specialist determines that the potential benefit justifies the risk. If you could become pregnant, use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose. Men with partners who are pregnant or could become pregnant should use appropriate barrier contraception during treatment and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose.
This medicine can interact with several other drugs, including acid reducers and certain antifungal medicines, which can change how well it works. It is also important to avoid alcohol and smoking while taking Pazopanib as they can strain your liver and cardiovascular system. If you are breastfeeding or are an older adult, consult your doctor to ensure this treatment is safe for you.
Uses of Pazopanib
Medicinal Benefits
Pazopanib is a targeted anticancer medicine used to treat certain advanced cancers. It works by blocking signals that cancer cells and tumours use to grow and develop new blood vessels.
- Slows Cancer Progression: Helps limit the growth and multiplication of cancer cells, which may delay disease progression in certain cancers.
- Restricts Tumour Blood Supply: Blocks signals involved in the formation of new blood vessels that tumours need for oxygen and nutrients, helping restrict further tumour growth.
- Helps Control Tumour Growth: May shrink tumours or keep them stable for a period of time, depending on the type of cancer and individual response to treatment.
- Supports Long-Term Disease Management: In responsive patients, Pazopanib may help maintain disease control and delay worsening of advanced cancer.
- Offers Oral Treatment: As a tablet taken by mouth, Pazopanib can often be taken at home according to the prescribed schedule, reducing the need for administration by intravenous infusion.
Directions for Use
- Pazopanib should be taken without food, preferably on an empty stomach, at least 1-2 hours before a meal.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations on the dosage and timing of this medication to achieve optimal results.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Pazopanib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Diarrhoea
- High blood pressure
- Changes in hair colour (such as lightening or turning white)
- Nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite
- Feeling unusually tired or weak
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent nausea, or severe upper abdominal pain, which may indicate liver damage
- Unusual or severe bleeding, blood in the urine or stools, coughing or vomiting blood, or wounds that do not heal properly
- Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or sudden swelling in the legs, which may indicate a serious heart or blood vessel problem
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, or fainting, which may indicate a serious heart rhythm problem
- Sudden severe headache, confusion, seizures, or vision changes. Seek emergency medical help immediately, as these may indicate a rare but serious brain-related complication
- Severe weakness, muscle cramps, persistent nausea or vomiting, reduced urination, confusion, or an irregular heartbeat, which may indicate tumour lysis syndrome
- Hives, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing, which may indicate a severe allergic reaction
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Monitor Your Blood Pressure: Check your blood pressure as advised and keep a record for your healthcare team, as Pazopanib can cause significant increases in blood pressure.
- Keep Up With Thyroid Tests: Attend scheduled blood tests to check thyroid function. Tell your doctor if you develop persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, constipation, dry skin, or increased sensitivity to cold.
- Attend Urine Protein Checks: Keep scheduled urine tests, as Pazopanib can cause protein to leak into the urine. Tell your doctor if you notice unusually foamy urine or new swelling around the eyes, feet, or legs.
- Attend Heart Monitoring When Advised: Keep appointments for ECGs or other heart checks recommended by your doctor, particularly if you have existing heart problems or other risk factors for abnormal heart rhythms.
- Plan Ahead for Surgery: Tell your oncology team before any planned surgery or dental procedure, as Pazopanib can interfere with wound healing and may require temporary treatment adjustments.
- Check Before Starting New Products: Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new prescription medicine, over-the-counter product, vitamin, or herbal supplement, as some products can alter Pazopanib levels or increase side effects.
- Do Not Stop Treatment on Your Own: Continue Pazopanib for as long as prescribed. Your oncology team will regularly assess whether treatment should continue, be paused, adjusted, or stopped based on cancer control and side effects.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Pazopanib:
- Acid reducers (such as proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, and antacids): May decrease the absorption of Pazopanib, making it less effective.
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (like ketoconazole or clarithromycin): May increase the amount of Pazopanib in your body, raising the risk of severe side effects.
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (like rifampin or phenytoin): May decrease the levels of Pazopanib in your blood, reducing its ability to fight cancer cells.
- Medicines that affect heart rhythm: May increase the risk of serious irregular heartbeats when combined with this medication.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with Pazopanib as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness or difficulty in concentrating.
Pregnancy
unsafePazopanib is restricted to use in pregnancy. A woman needs to have a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment with this medicine. It is better to use effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine or for at least 6 months after taking the last dose of Pazopanib.
Breast Feeding
unsafePazopanib should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk and may cause possible risk to the infant.
Driving
cautionIt is not known if Pazopanib may affect your driving ability or not.
Liver
safe if prescribedPazopanib should be taken with caution in patients dealing with the liver disease. The dose may be adjusted by the doctor according to the medical condition of the patient.
Kidney
safe if prescribedPazopanib is safe to take by patients dealing with kidney cancer as prescribed by their doctor. The dose may be adjusted by the doctor according to the medical condition of the patient.
Children
unsafePazopanib is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid grapefruit: Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it can dangerously increase the levels of Pazopanib in your body.
- Monitor your blood pressure: Check your blood pressure daily at home and keep a log for your healthcare team, as this medication can cause sudden rises in blood pressure.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of clear fluids throughout the day to prevent dehydration, especially if you experience diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Plan around surgeries: Because this medicine can slow down wound healing, tell your doctor or dentist you are taking Pazopanib before scheduling any surgical or dental procedures.
- Use effective birth control: Both men and women should use reliable birth control during treatment and for several weeks after stopping, as this medication can harm a developing baby.
Special Advise
Seek medical attention immediately you have swelling in your lower legs, fast heartbeats, or trouble breathing. It may be a sign of a heart problem.
Pazopanib may cause bleeding so tell your doctor if you see blood in urine or stools.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cancer: It is a genetic change in which our cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. There are two types of cancer, namely benign (localized) and metastatic (spread to the whole body). There are more than 100 types of cancer, including blood cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, etc. Cancer growth can be prevented by chemotherapy (by strong antibiotics), radiation and stem cell therapy.
Renal cancer: Kidneys help to get rid of waste by filtering blood, regulate fluid balance, and helps in making urine. Kidney cancer occurs when cancerous cells start growing uncontrollably in the kidneys.
Soft tissue sarcoma: It is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the soft tissues of the body such as a deep layer of skin, fat, muscles and bones. This type of cancer can also form in nerves, blood vessels or tissues that support organs of the body. This type of cancer is most common in the neck, arms, legs, abdomen and legs.
FAQs
Pazopanib is used in the treatment of kidney and soft tissue cancer.
Pazopanib is safe to be taken by a diabetic person. However, take Pazopanib only after asking with a doctor as they may adjust the dosing according to the condition of the patient.
Pazopanib is restricted to use in pregnancy. A woman needs to have a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment with this medicine. It is better to use effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine or for at least 6 months after taking the last dose of Pazopanib.
Before your doctor prescribes you Pazopanib, tell them if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, bleeding issues, surgery or an electrolyte imbalance (like abnormal levels of magnesium, calcium, or potassium in the blood).
Pazopanib is restricted to use in persons who are sensitive to any of its constituents or have squamous cell lung cancer or already taking carboplatin and paclitaxel.
Pazopanib is not a chemotherapy medicine. It belongs to an anti-cancer group of medicines called protein kinase inhibitors. Pazopanib works by preventing the activity of proteins that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Take Pazopanib by orally as prescribed by your physician. Consume it whole with water. Breaking or crushing it will interfere with Pazopanib's absorption and raise the chance of adverse effects.
No, Pazopanib should not be taken with food as it increases the amount of Pazopanib absorbed into the body and may increase the risk of side effects. It is best to take it on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. However, always take Pazopanib as advised by your doctor.
It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. Regular check-ups and imaging tests will help your doctor assess the effectiveness of the treatment. However, it is important to monitor for side effects like diarrhoea, high blood pressure, and fatigue, and consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Yes, there are some food restrictions while taking Pazopanib. You are recommended to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, as it may increase the risk of side effects. If you have any concerns about foods to avoid while taking Pazopanib, please discuss with your doctor.
Some important things you should know about Pazopanib are side effects it may cause such as serious or life-threatening liver damage. If you experience any of the following symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine , extreme tiredness , nausea, vomiting , loss of appetite, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, unusual bleeding or bruising, inform your doctor. Pazopanib should be used with caution in patients with liver disease.
You must swallow Pazopanib tablets whole. Crushing, chewing, or splitting the tablets increases the speed at which the medicine is absorbed into your body, which can dangerously increase the risk of severe side effects. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Yes, a common side effect of Pazopanib is a loss of hair colour or hair lightening during treatment. This is a temporary effect and your hair colour typically returns to normal after you stop taking the medication. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about hair or skin changes.
Pazopanib can cause severe liver damage. Your doctor will perform regular blood tests to check your liver function before and during your treatment, especially in the first few months. If you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe stomach pain, contact your doctor immediately.
Pazopanib can cause high blood pressure, often within the first few weeks of starting treatment. You should monitor your blood pressure daily at home. If your blood pressure rises, your doctor may prescribe blood pressure medication or adjust your dose. Talk to your doctor if you notice high readings.
This medicine can impair your body's ability to heal wounds. If you have an upcoming surgery or dental procedure, your doctor will likely recommend stopping Pazopanib temporarily before and after the procedure to allow proper healing. Talk to your doctor before scheduling any procedures.
Acid-reducing medicines, like proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers, can lower the absorption of Pazopanib, making it less effective. If you need to manage acid reflux or heartburn, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find a safe alternative or a specific dosing schedule.
Pazopanib can sometimes cause protein to leak from the kidneys into the urine. Regular urine tests help detect this problem early. Tell your doctor if you notice unusually foamy urine, swelling around the eyes or legs, or changes in how often you urinate.
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