Abraxane

What is Abraxane?

Abraxane ( paclitaxel) is a treatment for cancer that hinders the spread and growth of cancerous cells within the body.

Abraxane is a treatment for advanced cancers in the breast, lung, or pancreas. The medicine is prescribed when cancer cannot be controlled by surgery or when other treatments have not worked.

Abraxane may be used in conjunction in conjunction with other cancer treatments.¶

Warnings

It is not recommended to treat with Abraxane in the event that you have small white blood cells.

There may be a need for regular medical examinations at the doctor’s office to ensure that paclitaxel is not causing any harm. Your treatment for cancer could be delayed based on the findings of these tests.

Abraxane may reduce your immune system’s strength. Your blood might need to be checked frequently.

The following points should be considered in mind will taking this medication:

• Sensory neuropathy can be found in a variety of patients and can need a reduction in dose or treatment discontinuation.
• Sepsis has been reported in patients who had or did not have neutropenia, who were treated with Abraxane in conjunction with gemcitabine. Interrupt Abraxane along with gemcitabine, until the sepsis is gone or, if there is neutropenia until the neutrophil count is at or above 1500 cells/mm3, and then resume treatment with lower doses.
• Pneumonitis was a result of treatment with Abraxane combination with gemcitabine. Permanently stop treatment with Abraxane and gemcitabine.
• Hypersensitivity reactions that are severe and can have fatal outcomes have been documented. Do not re-injure yourself with this medication.
• Exposition and toxicity of paclitaxel could be elevated in patients suffering from hepatic impairment Take into consideration reducing dosages and closely monitor patients suffering from an impairment in their liver.
• Abraxane has albumin from human blood. It is thought to be a risk for transmitting viruses.
• Abraxane may cause harm to the fetus. Be aware of the potential danger to a fetus, and make sure to use safe contraception.

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor

You shouldn’t be treated with Abraxane in the event that you are allergic to paclitaxel or you suffer from:

• A low white blood cell count or
• serious liver illness that causes severe liver.

To ensure that Abraxane is appropriate for you, consult your doctor if

• liver disease;
• kidney disease or
• an allergic reaction to medications such as the drug paclitaxel (such in the cabazitaxel as well as docetaxel).

Abraxane could cause harm to an unborn baby and cause birth defects when the mother or father is taking this medication.

• If you are a female don’t use Abraxane in the event that you are expecting. It is possible that you will need an unconfirmed pregnancy test prior to taking this medication. Make sure you are using efficient birth controls to stop pregnancy while using this medication, in the first six months following your last dose.
• If you’re a male and want to prevent pregnancy, you should use effective birth control in the event that your partner can be pregnant. Use birth control for at minimum three months following your last dose.
• Contact your physician immediately when you notice a pregnancy during the time that both the mother and father are taking Abraxane.

This medication can impact fertility (ability in having kids) for both men as well as women. It is, however, essential to utilize birth control to avoid pregnancy since Abraxane may cause harm to a baby who is not born.

Don’t breastfeed during the time you take this medication, and for at least two weeks following your last dose.

Abraxane is produced from donated human plasma and could contain viruses or other infectious agents. Plasma donated to the lab is examined and treated to decrease the risk of contamination but there’s the chance that it could carry diseases. Consult your physician about any potential risks.

What is Abraxane?

Abraxane is injected as an infusion to the vein. Your healthcare professional will offer you the injection.

To treat women with breast cancer the treatment is typically administered at least once every three weeks.

For lung cancer or pancreas, this medication is administered in a 21-day or a 28-day treatment cycle. The medicine will be administered only on specific days during each cycle.

Your doctor will decide the duration of treatment with this medication.

Contact your physician If you experience any burning, pain, or swelling near the needle of the IV when Abraxane is injected.

It is possible that you will require regular medical tests to make certain that Abraxane does not cause negative consequences. Treatment for cancer could be delayed based on results.

There may be other medications to help you avoid the possibility of an allergic reaction. Continue to take this medication for the duration your physician prescribes.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer:

250 mg/m2 IV in 30 minutes at least every 3 weeks

Use: To treat the treatment of metastatic cancers in the breast or after the failing chemotherapy in combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease, or the relapse occurs within six months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior treatment should include an anthracycline, unless medically prohibited.

Usual Adult Dose for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:

100 mg/m2 IV for 30 minutes on Days 1 8 and 15 of each 21-day cycle. give carboplatin on Day 1 of every 21-day cycle as soon as paclitaxel is protein-bound

Use: To treat localized advanced or Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer ( NSCLC) as a first-line treatment, in conjunction with carboplatin for patients who aren’t candidates for surgery to cure or radiation therapy.

Usual Adult Dose for Pancreatic Cancer:

The dose is 125 mg/m2 administered over 30 to 40 minutes on days 1 15, and 8 of every 28-day cycle; apply gemcitabine immediately following the paclitaxel-bound protein on the days of 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle.

Use: For metastatic cancers of the pancreas as a first-line treatment, in conjunction with gemcitabine

What if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor for advice If you do not make an appointment to receive an Abraxane injection.

If I consume too much?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact for help at the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid while taking Abraxane?

Paclitaxel may be hazardous if it enters the eyes, mouth, nose, or skin. If you get skin contact you should wash the area thoroughly using soap and water. You can also cleanse your eyes thoroughly using simple water.

Paclitaxel may be absorbed by the body fluids (urine and feces, or vomit). At least for the first 48 hours after receiving the dose, you should not allow the body fluids of yours to touch your hands or any other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves when cleaning up the body of a patient’s fluids, handling trash that is contaminated or laundry, or changing diapers. Clean hands prior to and after taking off gloves. Cleanse linens and clothing that has been soiled apart from the rest of the laundry.

Side effects of Abraxane

Contact a medical professional immediately If you notice symptoms of an allergy reaction with Abraxane( hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your throat or face) or an extreme allergic skin reaction(fever, sore throat burnt eyes, irritation, and purple or red skin eruption with peeling and blistering).

Consult your physician immediately If you are suffering from:

• Numbness sensation, tingling, pain, or the weakness of your feet or hands;
• Sudden chest discomfort or pain, and a rapid heart rate;
• dry cough, breath shortness deep and rapid breathing;
• easily bleeding, unusually red or purple spots on your skin
• Low white blood cell count – fever, lips sores, scabs, cough, sore throat difficulty breathing;
• Low red blood cells (anemia) pale skin, unusual tiredness feeling lightheaded or sick of breathing cold feet and hands;
• symptoms of dehydration: headache muscles discomfort and thirst, dry mouth dry and hot skin vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine, or being unable to urinate;
• A bleeding disorder (sepsis) with symptoms of flu, fever mouth and throat ulcers, fast heart rate, breathing shallow.

Your treatment for cancer could be delayed or completely stopped in the event of certain adverse side adverse effects.

Common Abraxane adverse effects could be:

• symptoms of fever, chills, or other symptoms of infection
• bruising, bleeding, anemia;
• hair loss, rash;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to eat;
• irregular heartbeats;
• being tired;
• joint and muscle pain;
• swelling of your feet or hands;
• An abnormal tests of liver function and
• dehydration.

This isn’t a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could be present. Consult your physician for advice on medical adverse effects. You can report symptoms to FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs can impact Abraxane?

Other drugs can be incompatible with paclitaxel, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about all your medications currently in use and any medication you begin or stop taking.

Additional details

Be sure to keep this and other medications out of reach of children. Do not let your medications be shared with anyone else and take Abraxane only as given.

Always consult your doctor to make sure the information presented on this site is appropriate to your specific situation.