Cabazitaxel

Cabazitaxel is used for:

Treating prostate cancer in certain patients. It is used along with prednisone. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Cabazitaxel is an antineoplastic agent. It works by stopping the growth and reproduction of cancer cells in the body.

Do NOT use Cabazitaxel if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cabazitaxel
• you are allergic to other medicines that contain polysorbate 80
• you have severe liver problems
• you have low levels of a certain type of white blood cell (neutrophils)
• you are taking certain azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole), carbamazepine, clarithromycin, an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, atazanavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir), nefazodone, palifermin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, a rifamycin (eg, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine), St. John's wort, or telithromycin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cabazitaxel:

Some medical conditions may interact with Cabazitaxel. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of liver problems, kidney problems, stomach or bowel problems, long-term infection, or infection that keeps coming back
• if you have an infection, bone marrow problems, a weakened immune system, low white blood cell count, or you are dehydrated

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cabazitaxel. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin, clarithromycin), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir), nefazodone, nifedipine, or telithromycin because they may increase the risk of Cabazitaxel's side effects
• Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, a rifamycin (eg, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine), or St. John's wort because they may decrease Cabazitaxel's effectiveness
• Palifermin because it may increase the risk of mouth sores or inflammation

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cabazitaxel may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cabazitaxel:

Use Cabazitaxel as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Cabazitaxel. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Cabazitaxel is given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
• You will receive certain other medicines at least 30 minutes before each treatment with Cabazitaxel. This will help decrease the chance of having an allergic reaction to Cabazitaxel. Discuss any questions with your doctor.
• Cabazitaxel is used along with another medicine (prednisone). It is important to take the prednisone as recommended by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have missed a dose of prednisone or if you have not taken it as prescribed.
• If Cabazitaxel comes into contact with your skin, wash it off right away with soap and water.
• If Cabazitaxel comes into contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth, wash right away with cool water.
• If you miss a dose of Cabazitaxel, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cabazitaxel.

Important safety information:

• Cabazitaxel may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cabazitaxel with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Cabazitaxel may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Take your temperature on a regular basis. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Cabazitaxel may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop joint pain. They may be able to suggest ways to make you more comfortable.
• If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.
• Severe diarrhea and vomiting may occur with Cabazitaxel. If not treated, this may cause severe and sometimes fatal fluid and electrolyte (eg, potassium, sodium) problems. Contact your doctor if you have severe diarrhea or vomiting. You may need to take an anti-diarrhea medicine, an anti-nausea medicine, fluids, or electrolyte replacements.
• Cabazitaxel may cause severe and sometimes fatal kidney problems. Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of kidney problems (eg, decreased amount of urine produced, swelling of the face or body).
• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Cabazitaxel. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
• Women who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control while using Cabazitaxel. Discuss with your doctor any questions you may have about effective birth control.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and platelet counts, may be performed while you use Cabazitaxel. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Cabazitaxel with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low white blood cell levels, dehydration, dizziness, fatigue, fever, increased or painful urination, or weakness.
• Cabazitaxel should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Cabazitaxel may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cabazitaxel while you are pregnant. It is not known if Cabazitaxel is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Cabazitaxel.

Possible side effects of Cabazitaxel:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; fatigue; hair loss; indigestion; joint pain; loss of appetite; mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; mild weight loss; muscle spasms; nausea; numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands or feet; taste changes; stomach pain; vomiting; weakness or tiredness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in the urine; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; mouth sores or inflammation; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain; severe or persistent weakness or tiredness; severe or persistent weight loss; shortness of breath; symptoms of bleeding in the brain (eg, confusion, one-sided weakness, vision problems, slurred speech); symptoms of dehydration (eg, very dry skin, mouth, or eyes; weakness; increased thirst; fast or irregular heartbeat); symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, increased or painful urination, muscle aches, swollen lymph glands); symptoms of kidney problems (eg, decreased amount of urine produced; swelling of the face, hands, feet, ankles, or other parts of the body); unusual bruising or bleeding; wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Cabazitaxel side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fever, chills, sore throat, or cough; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; unusual bruising or bleeding.

Cabazitaxel is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Cabazitaxel at home, store Cabazitaxel as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Cabazitaxel out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Cabazitaxel, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Cabazitaxel is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cabazitaxel. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.