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Prescription Drug Database

You can search for a drug in two ways. Enter the drug name in the box below, or select a letter to find all of the drug names beginning with that letter.

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The brand name is the name under which a specific manufacturer markets a product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the standard name of the medicine (e.g., acetaminophen). Check the label on your medicine for this information.

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Brand Name: Abraxane for Injectable Suspension

Common Name: paclitaxel

How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Paclitaxel belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medications known as antineoplastics. Paclitaxel works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body. Paclitaxel is used alone or in combination with other cancer medications to treat cancers of the ovary, breast, or lung. It may also be used to treat another form of cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor.

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What form(s) does this medication come in?

Abraxane for Injectable Suspension (paclitaxel powder for injectable suspension) (nanoparticle, albumin-bound [nab] paclitaxel) is supplied as a white-to-yellow, sterile, lyophilized cake for reconstitution with 20 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP prior to intravenous infusion. Each single use vial contains 100 mg of paclitaxel and approximately 900 mg of human albumin. Each mL of reconstituted suspension contains 5 mg paclitaxel. Abraxane does not contain solvents.

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How should I use this medication?

The recommended dose and dosing schedule of paclitaxel varies according to the specific type of cancer being treated, the response to treatment, and other medications or treatments being used. The dose given is also based on body size. Paclitaxel is usually injected into a vein (intravenously) by a qualified health care professional through a specially prepared site on your skin. It is often scheduled to be given in this manner over a 3-hour period once every 3 weeks.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Very careful handling of this medication is required. It is always given under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

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Who should NOT take this medication?

Do not use paclitaxel if you:

• are allergic to paclitaxel, polyethoxylated castor oil, or any ingredients of the medication
• have a very low level of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood

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What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• diarrhea or loose, runny stools
• discolouration the of nail beds
• numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• pain in joints or muscles which may begin 2 to 3 days after treatment
• sores in the mouth and on the lips
• temporary loss of hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair about 2 to 3 weeks after treatment
• upset stomach (or nausea) and vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abnormal heart rhythms
• blurred vision or other visual changes
• cough or hoarseness with fever or chills
• feeling faint
• fever or chills
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• flushing, fast, or irregular heartbeat, or lightheadedness occurring during your treatment
• lower back or side pain with fever or chills
• pain or redness at the site of the injection
• painful or difficult urination with fever or chills
• seizures
• shortness of breath or wheezing
• skin rash or itching or hives
• swelling in the arms or legs
• yellowing of eyes or skin

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• black or tarry stools or blood in urine
• chest pain
• facial swelling occurring during or shortly after treatment
• pinpoint-sized red spots on skin
• severe shortness of breath
• severe skin reaction
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

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Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Allergic reactions: This medication may cause an allergic reaction (flushing of the face, severe back pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath) within the first few minutes of receiving paclitaxel. You will be asked to take some medication prior to treatment with paclitaxel to reduce your chances of experiencing a reaction.

Arrhythmia: People with heart rhythm problems may experience a worsening of these problems due to this medication.

Blood clotting: This medication can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly as usual. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that do not stop bleeding.

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, this medication can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people who have a contagious infections and tell your doctor if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate studies of use of this medication by pregnant women. This medication should not be taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if paclitaxel passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

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What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between paclitaxel and any of the following:

• cimetidine
• cyclosporine
• dexamethasone
• diltiazem
• estrogens
• ketoconazole
• montelukast
• other cancer medications (e.g., cisplatin, doxorubicin, teniposide, etoposide, vincristine)
• protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, saquinavir)
• quercetin
• quinidine
• retinoic acid
• testosterone
• verapamil

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

The Prescription Drug Database contains information developed by Canadian pharmacists.

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