Taxol Side Effects

Generic name: paclitaxel

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 7, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Taxol Side Effects associated with paclitaxel. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Taxol.

Applies to paclitaxel: intravenous solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (solution)

Anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity reactions characterized by dyspnea and hypotension requiring treatment, angioedema, and generalized urticaria have occurred in clinical trials.

Fatal reactions have occurred in patients despite premedication, and all patients should be pretreated with corticosteroids, diphenhydramine, and H2 antagonists.

Patients who experience severe hypersensitivity reactions to paclitaxel should not be rechallenged with the drug.

Paclitaxel therapy should not be given to patients with solid tumors who have baseline neutrophil counts of less than 1500 cells/mm(3) and should not be given to patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma if the baseline neutrophil count is less than 1000 cells/mm(3).

Monitor peripheral blood cell counts frequently.

Serious side effects of Taxol

Along with its needed effects, paclitaxel (the active ingredient contained in Taxol) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking paclitaxel:

More common

• black or tarry stools
• blurred vision
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• confusion
• cough or hoarseness with fever or chills
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• feeling of warmth
• fever or chills
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• shortness of breath
• skin rash or itching
• sore throat
• sweating
• troubled breathing with exertion
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Less common

• blood in the urine or stools
• difficult or labored breathing
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• shortness of breath (severe)
• slow heartbeat
• tightness in the chest
• wheezing

Incidence not known

• anxiety
• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• difficult or troubled breathing
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• sudden shortness of breath

Other side effects of Taxol

Some side effects of paclitaxel may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• cracked lips
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing
• hair loss
• nausea or vomiting
• numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• pain in the joints or muscles, especially in the arms or legs
• thinning of the hair

For healthcare professionals

Applies to paclitaxel: intravenous solution.

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypotension
• Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiomyopathy, asymptomatic ventricular tachycardia, tachycardia with bigeminy, atrioventricular block and syncope, myocardial infarction, hypertension, thrombosis, thrombophlebitis
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Cardiac failure
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, shock
• Frequency not reported: Phlebitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (90%), rash
• Common (1% to 10%): Transient and mild nail and skin changes, discoloration of the nail bed
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pruritus, rash, erythema
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, urticaria, onycholysis (patients on therapy should wear sun protection on hands and feet), scleroderma-like reaction^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (52%), mucositis (31%), vomiting, diarrhea mucosal inflammation
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Peritonitis, bowel obstruction, bowel perforation, ischemic colitis, pancreatitis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pseudomembranous colitis, mesenteric thrombosis, neutropenic colitis, esophagitis, constipation, ascites^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Myelosuppression, neutropenia (90%), anemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, bleeding
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Febrile neutropenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Elevated alkaline phosphatase (22%), elevated AST (SGOT) (19%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Elevated bilirubin
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatic necrosis, hepatic encephalopathy (both with reported cases of fatal outcome)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Very common (10% or more): Minor hypersensitivity reactions (mainly flushing and rash)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Significant hypersensitivity reactions requiring therapy (e.g., hypotension, angioneurotic edema, respiratory distress, generalized urticaria, chills, back pain, chest pain, tachycardia, abdominal pain, pain in extremity, diaphoresis, hypertension)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Anaphylactic reactions
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic shock^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infections (mainly urinary tract and upper respiratory tract infections), with reported cases of fatal outcome
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Septic shock
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Sepsis, pseudomembranous colitis^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reactions (including localized edema, pain, erythema, induration, on occasion extravasation can result in cellulitis, skin fibrosis and skin necrosis)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Phlebitis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia/myalgia (44%)
• Frequency not reported: Systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Severe elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)), severe elevation in alkaline phosphatase
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Severe elevation in bilirubin
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dehydration, increased blood creatinine
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anorexia
• Frequency not reported: Tumor lysis syndrome^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Neurotoxicity (mainly peripheral neuropathy)
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Motor neuropathy (with resultant minor distal weakness)
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Autonomic neuropathy (resulting in paralytic ileus and orthostatic hypotension), optic nerve disturbance, grand mal seizures, convulsions, encephalopathy, dizziness, headache, ataxia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Optic nerve and/or visual disturbances (scintillating scotomata), particularly in patients who have received higher doses than recommended
• Frequency not reported: Macular edema, photopsia, vitreous floaters^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome^[Ref]

Other

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Asthenia, pyrexia, edema, malaise
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Ototoxicity, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Confusional state^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pneumonia, dyspnea, pleural effusion, interstitial pneumonia, lung fibrosis, pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure
• Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cough^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

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

Further information

Taxol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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