Treats cancer of the ovaries and the breast. Also used to treat some kinds of lung cancer, and an AIDS-related cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma
Brand Names:
Taxol, Onxol, Nov-Onxol, Paclitaxel Novaplus
Contraindications:
You should not be treated with this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to paclitaxel
Uses:
Injectable
This medicine, like all medicines used to treat cancer, is very strong. Make sure you understand why you are getting it and what the risks and benefits of treatment are. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor.
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it will be given.
Your medicine will be given through a tube put in one of your veins, usually in your arm, wrist, or hand and sometimes in your chest. This is called intravenous (in-tra-VEEN-us), or IV.
A nurse or other caregiver trained to give cancer drugs will give your treatment.
If a dose is missed:
This medicine needs to be given on a regular schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or clinic where you get your treatments for instructions.
Storage:
If you get your treatments at a clinic, the staff at the clinic will keep your medicine there.
If you get your treatments at home, you may need to store your medicine. Keep the IV liquid at room temperature, away from heat and light. Do not use after the expiration date and time on the medicine label.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
If you get your treatments at home, you should be given a special container for the used needles, medicine bag or bottles, and tubes. Put it where children or pets cannot reach it.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
You should not use aspirin or products that have aspirin in it (such as some cold medicines) unless you have talked to your doctor.
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Talk to your doctor before getting any vaccines (such as flu shots).
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking ketoconazole (Nizoral®).
Warnings:
Do not breastfeed while you are being given this medicine.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have other medical problems, especially chickenpox (or recent exposure to it), herpes zoster (shingles), heart problems, or any kind of infection.
You may get infections more easily while getting this medicine. Stay away from crowds or people with colds, flu, or other infections.
This medicine can cause rashes, trouble breathing, or flushing (reddening in the face). You will get medicine before your cancer treatment to help prevent these problems.
This medicine may cause nausea and vomiting. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to keep you from feeling sick and throwing up. If the medicine does not help (you can't keep liquids down), tell your doctor.
Do not get pregnant while you or your sexual partner are being treated with paclitaxel. Use an effective method of birth control while you are getting this medicine.
If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before you start your treatments.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Blood in stools or black stools
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Fever, chills, cough, lower back or side pain, or sore throat
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Painful mouth sores that keep your from drinking liquids
Painful, bloody, or difficult urination
Swelling in the face, lips, or throat
Uncontrollable nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Wheezing, trouble breathing
Hair loss
Loss of appetite
Muscle or bone pain
Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
