Votrient

Generic Name: pazopanib (paz OH pa nib)

Brand Names: Votrient

What is pazopanib?

Pazopanib is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.

Pazopanib is used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).

Pazopanib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about pazopanib?

Do not use pazopanib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Before you take pazopanib, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, underactive thyroid, an ulcer or other stomach disorder, or a history of Long QT syndrome, blood clot, or bleeding (stomach, intestinal, or brain).

There are many other drugs that can interact with pazopanib. Tell your doctor about all medications you use.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using pazopanib. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Stop using pazopanib and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), sudden numbness or weakness, problems with speech or balance, chest pain, or vision and hearing problems.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking pazopanib?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it.

To make sure you can safely take pazopanib, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;


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  heart disease;

  
  


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  high blood pressure;

  
  


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  a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;

  
  


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  a history of blood clot;

  
  


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  underactive thyroid;

  
  


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  an ulcer or other stomach disorder;

  
  


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  a head injury or bleeding in your brain within the past 6 months; or

  
  


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  stomach or intestinal bleeding within the past 6 months.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use pazopanib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether pazopanib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take pazopanib?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take pazopanib on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Pazopanib is usually taken once per day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Do not crush a pazopanib tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Crushing the pill may cause your body to absorb too much of the drug at one time. The medicine from a crushed or broken pill can be dangerous if it gets on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and urine may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). Visit your doctor regularly. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using pazopanib. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 12 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme tiredness or high blood pressure (severe headache, hearing or vision problems, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats).

What should I avoid while taking pazopanib?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Pazopanib side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using pazopanib and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  slow healing of a wound or surgical incision;

  
  


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  dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;

  
  


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  black, bloody, or tarry stools;

  
  


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  coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

  
  


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  nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  
  


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  sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

  
  


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  chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder; or

  
  


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  dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  mild nausea or vomiting, diarrhea;

  
  


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  changes in hair color;

  
  


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  tired feeling; or

  
  


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  headache.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect pazopanib?

Many drugs can interact with pazopanib. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

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  ADHD medications;

  
  


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  an antibiotic or antifungal medication;

  
  


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  an antidepressant or medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;

  
  


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  anti-malaria medications;

  
  


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  asthma or allergy medication;

  
  


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  cholesterol-lowering drugs;

  
  


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  diabetes medication you take by mouth;

  
  


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  drugs to treat erectile dysfunction;

  
  


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  heart or blood pressure medications, heart rhythm medication;

  
  


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  HIV or AIDS medications;

  
  


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  medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection;

  
  


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  medicine to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting;

  
  


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  migraine headache medicines, including ergot medicines or "triptans";

  
  


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  other cancer medications;

  
  


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  sedatives or narcotic pain medication;

  
  


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  seizure medication; or

  
  


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  a steroid.

  
  

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with pazopanib. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

More Votrient resources

• Votrient Side Effects (in more detail)
• Votrient Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Votrient Drug Interactions
• Votrient Support Group
• 7 Reviews for Votrient - Add your own review/rating

• Votrient Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Votrient Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Votrient Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Votrient Consumer Overview


• Votrient MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Pazopanib Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Votrient with other medications

• Renal Cell Carcinoma

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about pazopanib.

See also: Votrient side effects (in more detail)