Pazopanib
About Pazopanib
Pazopanib belongs to the group of medicine called ‘anti-cancer’ that is primarily indicated in the treatment of kidney and soft tissue cancer. Kidney cancer also known as renal cancer is a disease in which healthy cells of the kidney become malignant (cancerous), grow in an uncontrolled manner and forms a tumor. When a group of cancer occurs in different parts of the body such as bones, muscles, deep layers of skin, and fat then it is known as soft tissue sarcomas. This type of cancer may also form in nerves, blood vessels or connective tissues that support organs of the body.
Pazopanib contains 'Pazopanib' which falls in the category of medicines known as 'kinase inhibitors'. It works by stopping the action of an abnormal protein that causes the multiplication of cancerous cells. In this way, it stops the spread of cancerous cells.
Take Pazopanib as prescribed by your doctor. You are suggested to take Pazopanib as long as your doctor has prescribed it after checking your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as itching or skin rash, acne, dry skin, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Pazopanib for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not take Pazopanib if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as Pazopanib causes serious birth defects. Pazopanib should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk and may cause possible risk to the infant. Elderly people are more sensitive to medicine so the doctor may adjust the dosage according to the condition. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Pazopanib as it could lead to increased dizziness.
Uses of Pazopanib
Medicinal Benefits
Pazopanib is a ' tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)', that stops the uncontrolled growth and spread of cancerous cells. Pazopanib is effective in treating thyroid, liver and kidney cancer. It acts by stopping the action of the abnormal protein that is responsible for the multiplication of cancerous cells. Whenever a new healthy cell is formed it undergoes a usual process of maturity. Cancerous cells form new cells more quickly so Pazopanib targets cancerous cells and blocks the action of Tyrosine kinases enzymes (responsible for causing cancer). It also decreases the blood supply to cancer tumors to slow down the growth of the tumor. In this way, Pazopanib stops the production, spread and growth of cancerous cells in the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Pazopanib
- Acne
- Dry skin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Itching or skin rash
Drug Warnings
Pazopanib may make you more susceptible to infections; consult your doctor if you develop any signs of infections such as fever, sore throat, breathlessness, jaundice, unexplained bleeding or bruising. Your doctor may advise you to undergo regular blood tests, kidney and liver tests to monitor your condition. Inform your doctor about your health condition and medicines to rule out any unpleasant side-effects. 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.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Pazopanib may have interaction with anti-cancer medicine (Sorafenib and Paclitaxel), antibiotics (Neomycin), anti-seizure medicine (carbamazepine, phenytoin), an antacid (Omeprazole).
Drug-Food Interaction: The absorption of Pazopanib gets reduced in presence of food. This is why it is suggested to take Pazopanib on an empty stomach or 1 or 2 hours after a meal. Additionally, an individual should avoid grapefruit juice as it may increase the amount of drug in the bloodstream.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Do not take Pazopanib if you have squamous cell lung cancer.
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
- Physical activity helps in strengthening muscles reduce fatigue, helps in weight loss and give strength. Gentle activities like 20-30minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.
- Performing yoga and other relaxation techniques may also help in improving physical and mental health and may reduce your stress levels.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Get adequate sleep as resting helps in improving your health, mental ability, and improves attention.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath, or listen to soothing music.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Foods containing fiber help in better digestion. These include beans, peas, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
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.
Pazopanib should be stopped in cases where a person faces serious side effect that affects the quality of life. Otherwise, you need to keep taking Pazopanib until your doctor asks you to stop it.
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.
The duration for taking Pazopanib can vary depending on your specific condition, the severity of your disease, and how well you respond to the treatment. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding the duration of treatment. Do not stop unless your doctor advises you to.
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.
