Generic name: Paclitaxel (Conventional) [ pac-li-TAKS-el-con-VEN-sha-nal ]
Drug class: Mitotic inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 12, 2023.

Uses of Paclitaxel:

• It is used to treat cancer.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Paclitaxel?

• If you have an allergy to paclitaxel or any other part of paclitaxel (conventional).
• If you are allergic to paclitaxel (conventional); any part of paclitaxel (conventional); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take paclitaxel (conventional).

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take paclitaxel (conventional) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Paclitaxel?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take paclitaxel (conventional). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• If you have upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or are not hungry, talk with your doctor. There may be ways to lower these side effects.
• You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with paclitaxel (conventional) may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• Some products have alcohol in them. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• Check blood pressure and heart rate as the doctor has told you.
• Change in eyesight may rarely happen. Eyesight most often gets back to normal when paclitaxel (conventional) is stopped.
• It is common to have nerve problems with paclitaxel (conventional). Nerve problems may include a numbness, tingling, or burning feeling in your hands or feet. Call your doctor if you have nerve problems that are very bad, cause problems with daily living, or do not go away.
• If you are 65 or older, use paclitaxel (conventional) with care. You could have more side effects.
• This medicine may cause harm to an unborn baby. Women must use birth control while taking paclitaxel (conventional). If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.

How is this medicine (Paclitaxel) best taken?

Use paclitaxel (conventional) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Swelling.
• Flushing.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Fast, slow, or abnormal heartbeat.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Change in eyesight.
• This medicine may cause tissue damage if the drug leaks from the vein. Tell your nurse if you have any redness, burning, pain, swelling, blisters, skin sores, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your body.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with paclitaxel (conventional). Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Paclitaxel?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Hair loss.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Diarrhea.
• Mouth sores.
• Muscle or joint pain.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Paclitaxel?

• If you need to store paclitaxel (conventional) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about paclitaxel (conventional), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• Why give Taxol (Paxel) before carboplatin?
• What is Paxel called in the USA?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer