Cabazitaxel Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 19, 2025.

Applies to cabazitaxel: intravenous solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (solution)

Neutropenia. Neutropenic deaths have been reported.

Monitor for neutropenia with frequent blood cell counts.

Cabazitaxel is contraindicated in patients with neutrophil counts of less than or equal to 1500 cells/mm(3).

Primary prophylaxis with G-CSF is recommended in patients with high-risk clinical features.

Consider primary prophylaxis with G-CSF in all patients receiving a dose of 25 mg/m(2).Severe Hypersensitivity. Severe hypersensitivity reactions can occur and may include generalized rash/erythema, hypotension and bronchospasm.

Severe hypersensitivity reactions require immediate discontinuation of the cabazitaxel infusion and administration of appropriate therapy.

Patients should receive premedication.

Cabazitaxel is contraindicated in patients who have a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to cabazitaxel or to drugs formulated with polysorbate 80.

Serious side effects of cabazitaxel

Along with its needed effects, cabazitaxel 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 cabazitaxel:

More common side effects

• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• blood in the urine or stools
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• chest pain or tightness
• chills
• cough
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficult or painful urination
• fever
• lower back or side pain
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• rapid weight gain
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen glands
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Less common side effects

• blurred vision
• confusion
• decreased urination
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• lightheadedness
• rapid breathing
• sunken eyes
• sweating
• thirst
• wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• fast breathing
• frequent urination
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• indigestion
• lower abdominal cramping
• nausea
• severe constipation
• stomach pain or upset
• tenderness in the stomach area
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• vomiting

Other side effects of cabazitaxel

Some side effects of cabazitaxel 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 side effects

• belching
• change in taste
• constipation
• cracked lips
• decreased weight
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing
• hair loss
• headache
• heartburn
• indigestion
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of appetite
• stomach discomfort
• thinning of the hair
• weight loss

Less common side effects

• back pain
• difficulty with moving
• muscle pain, spasm, or stiffness
• pain in the joints
• pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

For healthcare professionals

Applies to cabazitaxel: intravenous solution.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (98%), leukopenia (96%), neutropenia (94%), thrombocytopenia (48%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Febrile neutropenia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (47%), nausea (34%), vomiting (22%), constipation (20%), abdominal pain (17%), dyspepsia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain upper, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease, rectal hemorrhage, dry mouth, abdominal distension
• Frequency not reported: Death related to diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance, GI hemorrhage and perforation, ileus, enterocolitis, neutropenic enterocolitis, colitis
• Postmarketing reports: Gastritis, intestinal obstruction^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (37%), dysgeusia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, headache, peripheral sensory neuropathy, paresthesia, lethargy, hypoesthesia, tinnitus, vertigo, sciatica
• Frequency not reported: Peripheral motor neuropathy, fatal cerebral hemorrhage^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Asthenia (20%), pyrexia (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Mucosal inflammation, pain, death due to causes other than disease progression, malaise^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (12%), cough (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Oropharyngeal pain^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, arrhythmia, hypotension, deep vein thrombosis, hypertension, tachycardia, grade 3 or higher arrhythmias, orthostatic hypotension, hot flush, flushing, atrial fibrillation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac failure, cardiac arrest, fatal ventricular fibrillation^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Grade 3 to 4 increased AST, grade 3 to 4 increased ALT, increased bilirubin
• Frequency not reported: Fatal renal failure^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Weight decreased, dehydration, edema, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Hematuria (17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria, pollakiuria, urinary retention, urinary incontinence, ureteric obstruction, pelvic pain^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): AST increased, transaminases increased
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): ALT increased, bilirubin increased^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Back pain (16%), arthralgia (10.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pain in extremity, muscle spasms, myalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, flank pain, chills^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, influenza, cystitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, cellulitis, herpes zoster, septic shock, sepsis, candidiasis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Neutropenic sepsis, neutropenic infections
• Frequency not reported: Fatal infection^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dry skin, erythema^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis, increased lacrimation^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, confusional state^[Ref]

Further information

Cabazitaxel 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.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer