Axitinib
Axitinib Uses
This medication is used to treat kidney cancer. Axitinib works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. It belongs to a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
How to use Axitinib Tablet
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using axitinib and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually two times daily, about 12 hours apart. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not split or crush this medication.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If you have certain side effects, your doctor may adjust your dose or stop treatment for some time.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of serious side effects will increase.
If you vomit your dose of axitinib, do not take an additional dose. Take your next dose at your regular scheduled time. Do not take two doses at the same time.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the tablets.
Axitinib Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, tiredness/weakness, weight loss, temporary hair loss, cough, headache, altered sense of taste, hoarseness, constipation, or upset stomach may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Diarrhea is a common side effect that can cause a serious loss of body water (dehydration). Drink plenty of fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration. Tell your doctor right away if you develop signs of dehydration (such as dizziness/lightheadedness, unusual dry mouth/thirst).
Axitinib may cause a rash that is usually not serious. Mild to moderate skin reactions include dry skin or a mildly red/itchy rash. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rash that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Therefore, tell your doctor right away if you develop any rash.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine, foamy urine), muscle/joint pain, swelling of ankles/feet/hands, unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, easy bruising or bleeding (such as nose/gum bleeds, pink/dark urine), burning/sores/pain in the mouth or throat, redness/blisters/swelling/pain on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, slow wound healing, signs of an abnormal thyroid (such as unusual weight gain/loss, cold/heat intolerance, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, unusual tiredness).
This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if have any signs of infection (such as fever, chills, persistent sore throat).
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Your doctor may control your blood pressure with medication.
Rarely, axitinib may cause a condition known as RPLS (reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome). Get medical help right away if you develop persistent headache, seizures, sudden vision changes, mental/mood changes (such as confusion).
This medication may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) blood clots (such as stroke/TIA, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, retinal vein/artery occlusion). You may be at increased risk for blood clots if you are severely dehydrated, or have a history of blood clots, heart/blood vessel disease, heart failure, stroke, or if you are immobile (such as on very long plane flights or being bedridden). If you use estrogen-containing products, these may also increase your risk. Before using this medication, if you have any of these conditions report them to your doctor or pharmacist. Get medical help right away if any of these side effects occur: shortness of breath/rapid breathing, chest/jaw/left arm pain, unusual sweating, confusion, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, sudden severe headaches, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: severe persistent stomach/abdominal pain, signs of bleeding (such as bloody/black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, coughing/vomiting up blood).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Axitinib Precautions
See also Side Effects section.
Before taking axitinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, bleeding/clotting problems (such as bleeding from intestinal/stomach ulcers).
Axitinib can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.
Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Axitinib should be stopped at least 2 days before planned surgery.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the tablets.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using axitinib. Axitinib may harm an unborn baby. Women of childbearing age and men should ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication and for at least 1 week after stopping treatment. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, talk to the doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this medication and for at least 2 weeks after stopping treatment. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Axitinib Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of axitinib from your body, which may affect how axitinib works. Examples include rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine), drugs to treat seizures (such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital), St. John's wort, bosentan, efavirenz, modafinil, nafcillin, etravirine, dexamethasone, among others.
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.
Axitinib View Uses, Side Effects and Medicines, cost, Axitinib price.
