Votrient

Generic Name: pazopanib (paz OH pa nib)
Brand Names: Votrient

What is Votrient?

Votrient is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.

Votrient is used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).

Votrient may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Votrient

Do not use Votrient if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Before you take Votrient, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, underactive thyroid, an ulcer or other stomach disorder, or a history of Long QT syndrome, blood clot, or bleeding (stomach, intestinal, or brain).

There are many other drugs that can interact with Votrient. Tell your doctor about all medications you use.

You will need regular medical tests to be sure Votrient is not causing harmful effects. Visit your doctor regularly. If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Votrient. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Stop using Votrient and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), sudden numbness or weakness, problems with speech or balance, chest pain, or vision and hearing problems.

Before taking Votrient

You should not use Votrient if you are allergic to pazopanib.

To make sure you can safely take Votrient, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;

• heart disease;

• high blood pressure;

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;

• a history of blood clot;

• underactive thyroid;

• an ulcer or other stomach disorder;

• a head injury or bleeding in your brain within the past 6 months; or

• stomach or intestinal bleeding within the past 6 months.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Votrient if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether pazopanib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Votrient without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Votrient pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Votrient?

Take Votrient exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take Votrient on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Votrient is usually taken once per day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Do not crush a Votrient tablet. Swallow the tablet whole. Crushing the tablet may cause your body to absorb too much of the drug at one time. The medicine (pazopanib) from a crushed or broken pill can be dangerous if it gets on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water and rinse thoroughly.

To be sure Votrient is not causing harmful effects, your blood and urine may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). Visit your doctor regularly. If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Votrient. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store Votrient at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Votrient dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 12 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme tiredness or high blood pressure (severe headache, hearing or vision problems, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats).

What should I avoid while taking Votrient?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Votrient side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Votrient: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Votrient and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• slow healing of a wound or surgical incision;

• dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;

• black, bloody, or tarry stools;

• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder; or

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious Votrient side effects may include:

• mild nausea or vomiting, diarrhea;

• changes in hair color;

• tired feeling; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Votrient side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Votrient?

Many drugs can interact with Votrient. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

• ADHD medications;

• an antibiotic or antifungal medication;

• an antidepressant or medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;

• anti-malaria medications;

• asthma or allergy medication;

• cholesterol-lowering drugs;

• diabetes medication you take by mouth;

• drugs to treat erectile dysfunction;

• heart or blood pressure medications, heart rhythm medication;

• HIV or AIDS medications;

• medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection;

• medicine to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting;

• migraine headache medicines, including ergot medicines or "triptans";

• other cancer medications;

• sedatives or narcotic pain medication;

• seizure medication; or

• a steroid.

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Votrient. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Votrient.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Copyright 1996-2012 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision Date: 2011-11-28, 12:38:02 PM.