Cabazitaxel Injection

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Cabazitaxel injection may cause a serious or life-threatening decrease in the number of white blood cells (a type of blood cell that is needed to fight infection) in your blood. This increases the risk that you will develop a serious infection. Tell your doctor if you are 65 years of age or older, if you have or have ever had a low number of white blood cells along with a fever, if you have been treated with radiation therapy, and if you are unable to eat a healthy diet. Your doctor will order laboratory tests to check the number of white blood cells in your blood before and during your treatment. If you have a low number of white blood cells, your doctor may decrease your dose or stop or delay your treatment. Your doctor may also prescribe a medication to help prevent life-threatening complications if your white blood cells decrease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: sore throat, fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, burning sensation while urinating, or other signs of infection.

Cabazitaxel injection may cause severe or life-threatening allergic reactions, especially when you receive your first two infusions of cabazitaxel injection. Your doctor will give you medications to prevent an allergic reaction at least 30 minutes before you receive cabazitaxel injection. You should receive your infusion in a medical facility where you can be treated quickly if you have a reaction. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to cabazitaxel injection or polysorbate 80 (an ingredient found in some foods and medications). Ask your doctor if you are not sure if a food or medication you are allergic to contains polysorbate 80. If you experience an allergic reaction to cabazitaxel injection, it may begin within a few minutes after your infusion starts, and you may experience the following symptoms: rash, reddening of the skin, itching, dizziness, faintness, swelling of the face, trouble breathing, or tightening of the chest or throat. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you experience any of these symptoms.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body's response to cabazitaxel injection.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking cabazitaxel injection.

Uses
How to Use
Precautions
Side Effects
More Information

Why is this medicine prescribed?

Cabazitaxel injection is used along with prednisone to treat prostate cancer (cancer of a male reproductive organ) that has already been treated with other medications. Cabazitaxel injection is in a class of medications called microtubule inhibitors. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Are there other uses for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Cabazitaxel injection comes as a liquid to be given intravenously (into a vein) over 1 hour by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. It is usually given once every 3 weeks.

You will need to take prednisone every day during your treatment with cabazitaxel injection. It is important that you take prednisone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have missed doses or have not taken prednisone as prescribed.

Your doctor may need to stop or delay your treatment or decrease your dose if you experience certain severe side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving cabazitaxel injection,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cabazitaxel injection, any other medications, polysorbate 80, or any of the other ingredients in cabazitaxel injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
The following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with cabazitaxel injection: aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) or St. John's wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start receiving cabazitaxel injection. Do not start any of these medications while receiving cabazitaxel injection without discussing with your healthcare provider.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. Your doctor may probably tell you not to receive cabazitaxel injection.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells), bleeding ulcers (sores in the lining of the stomach or small intestine that are bleeding), or lung problems. Also, tell your doctor if you have ever been treated with radiation therapy to your pelvis.
you should know that cabazitaxel injection is for use only in men. If your female partner is not pregnant but could become pregnant, you and your partner must use birth control during your treatment and for 4 months after your final dose. If your partner becomes pregnant while you are receiving cabazitaxel injection, call your doctor. Cabazitaxel injection may harm the fetus.
you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving cabazitaxel injection.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

What should I do in case of overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

sore throat, cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, burning on urination, or other signs of infection
unusual bruising or bleeding
pale skin
shortness of breath
excessive tiredness or weakness
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea

What side effects can this medicine cause?

Cabazitaxel injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

heartburn
change in ability to taste food
loss of appetite
weight loss
swelling or sores in the mouth
headache
joint, back, or bone pain; pain in arms or legs; muscle pain or spasms; or bone fracture
numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
hair loss

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

nausea
diarrhea
vomiting
stomach pain
constipation
swelling of the face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
decreased urination
blood in the urine
frequent, burning, or painful urination
blood in stool
changes in stool color
dry mouth, dark urine, decreased sweating, dry skin, and other signs of dehydration
slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
chest pain
new or worsening cough
shortness of breath
pale skin
tiredness or weakness
dizziness or lightheadedness
unusual bruising or bleeding

Cabazitaxel injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What other information should I know?

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about cabazitaxel injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS ^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2023. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists ^® , 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: September 15, 2023.