Votrient

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

What is Votrient?

Votrient (pazopanib) 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 is also used to treat soft tissue sarcoma (a tumor that can develop in or around muscles, tendons, joints, organs, or blood vessels). Votrient is usually given after other cancer medications have been tried without successful treatment of soft tissue sarcoma.

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).

Slideshow: Grapefruit and Medicines: A Possible Deadly Mix?

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

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you need 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, or if you have severe liver disease.

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

• liver disease;

• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder;

• high blood pressure;

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;

• a history of blood clot or stroke;

• a thyroid disorder;

• an ulcer or other stomach disorder;

• headaches, seizures, or vision problems;

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

• stomach or intestinal bleeding within the past 6 months; or

• if you have had surgery within the past 7 days.

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 with Votrient. It is not known whether pazopanib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Votrient.

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.

Do not crush a Votrient tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Crushing the pill may cause your body to absorb too much of the drug at one time. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked often, and you may need blood or urine tests. 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 surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Votrient. You will need to stop using the medicine at least 7 days before your surgery. Store 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?

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Votrient and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking Votrient.

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;

• fever, chills, easy bruising, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;

• feeling short of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• nosebleed, bleeding gums;

• any wound that will not heal;

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, 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;

• seizures (convulsions);

• sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood;

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

• pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs; or

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

Less serious Votrient side effects may include:

• mild nausea or vomiting, diarrhea;

• weight loss;

• changes in hair or skin color;

• joint or muscle pain;

• tumor pain, mild headache; or

• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

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, especially simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin, Juvisync);

• 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 drugs that can interact with Votrient. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Votrient.