Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel

Brand names: Abraxane™

Drug Forms:
• Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel injection (below)
• Paclitaxel, albumin-bound Suspension for injection

Espa�ol:
• Paclitaxel unido a albúmina Suspensión para inyección

Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel injection

What is Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel injection?

NANOPARTICLE ALBUMIN-BOUND PACLITAXEL (Abraxane™) is chemotherapy agent used to treat breast cancer. Paclitaxel is made from the needles and bark of certain kinds of yew trees. Paclitaxel interferes with the growth of rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells, and eventually causes these cells to die. Generic nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel injections are not available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• blood disorders (including low white blood cells and platelets)
• heart disease, previous heart attack, or irregular heartbeat
• an active infection
• tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• previous radiation therapy
• an unusual reaction to Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel, paclitaxel, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel is for infusion into a vein. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a specially trained health care professional. You will be given an infusion once every 3 weeks depending upon your laboratory results.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Let your prescriber or health care professional know if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel?

• other chemotherapy agents may increase the side effects seen with paclitaxel.
• bosentan
• certain types of medicines used to treat heart problems or high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, or digoxin
• carbamazepine
• clarithromycin, erythromycin
• cyclosporine or other immunosuppressive drugs
• digoxin
• fluoxetine
• fluvoxamine
• medicines to treat HIV, including protease inhibitors, delavirdine, efavirenz, or nevirapine
• montelukast
• nefazodone
• phenytoin
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• some medicines used to treat fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
• vaccines

Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
• aspirin
• acetaminophen
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
• ketoprofen

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks.

Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel may make you feel generally unwell. This is because nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel affects good cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to stop.

Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel may decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.

Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®), or ketoprofen (Orudis® KT) products as these may hide a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.

Call your prescriber or health care professional if you get diarrhea. Do not treat yourself.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are receiving nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel?

Reactions can occur to any medicine, but severe allergic reactions to Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel are uncommon. Premedication, like what is used with some other chemotherapy, is not required. Tell your doctor about any allergies you may have so they can determine the best treatment. Not all of these side effects occur in all patients. Discuss any concerns or questions with your prescriber or health care professional.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
• vomiting
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing, wheezing
Common:
• low blood counts - nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.
• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black tarry stools, blood in the urine
• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
• mouth or throat sores or ulcers
• pain, redness, swelling, or irritation at the injection site
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands or feet
• irritation at the injection site

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• diarrhea
• complete hair loss
• muscle or joint aches and pains
• nausea
• fatigue and weakness
• mouth or lip sores (mucositis)
• lower back pain

Where can I keep my medicine?

This medicine is given in a hospital or clinic. You will not have to take this medicine at home.

Last updated: 12/29/2004 3:21:00 PM

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.