| Brand Name: |
Votrient |
| Generic Name: |
Pazopanib |
| Form: |
Tablets |
| Manufacturer: |
GlaxoSmithKline |
What is Votrient?
Votrient is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is an anti angiogenesis treatment that stops cancer cells forming blood vessels that they need in order to grow. It is prescribe in treatment of renal cell carcinoma or soft tissue sarcoma in patients who have already been treated with chemotherapy. The active ingredient in Votrient is called Pazopanib.
How is Votrient used?
Votrient dosages will be prescribed on an individual basis by your doctor. Follow their instructions exactly.
For both Renal Cell Carcinoma and Soft Tissue Sarcoma the starting dosage is usually 800mg. Once a loading dosage has been reached, this can then be altered under supervision of your doctor to work out a maintenance dosage.
Votrient tablets are taken orally. Swallow each tablet whole with a glass of water.Votrient should be taken on an empty stomach (at least one hour before or two hours after a meal).
Patients with hepatic conditions should may require different dosages from patients with healthy hepatic function.
Adverse effects
In some extreme cases, fatal hepatotoxicity has resulted from taking Pazopanib.
If you show any signs of a allergy to Votirent (hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat) seek medical attention right away.
Other serious side effects of Votrient include:
- slow healing of a wound or surgical incision;
- dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
- fever, chills, easy bruising, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
- feeling short of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
- bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
- nosebleed, bleeding gums;
- any wound that will not heal;
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
- seizures (convulsions);
- sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood;
- chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
- pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;
- dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).
If you notice any of the above side effects, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Less severe side effects you may notice can include:
- mild nausea or vomiting, diarrhea;
- weight loss;
- changes in hair or skin color;
- joint or muscle pain;
- tumor pain, mild headache;
- unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth
Warnings
Pazopanib has been linked with fatal hepatotoxicity. Your doctor should schedule regular blood tests to check for hepatic function and adjust the dosage or cease treatment when necessary.
Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not take Votrient unless specifically advised by their doctor and monitored very closely. There is a chance of Pazopanib harming the unborn baby and it is not known if Pazopanib is passed through breastmilk.
Votrient can interfere with wound healing. For this reason it is important that the doctors are aware that you are taking Votrient if you require surgery. This is also important if you are taking any blood thinners.
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