Learn all about Pazopanib (Votrient) side effects and treatment for sarcoma. Pazopanib (Votrient) is a small molecule inhibitor of multiple tyrosine kinases that act as important molecular mediators of essential tumor angiogenic and oncogenic pathways.
In April 2012, pazopanib (Votrient) was approved for the treatment of patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma who have received prior chemotherapy. The efficacy of pazopanib for the treatment of patients with adipocytic soft tissue sarcoma or gastrointestinal stromal tumors has not been demonstrated. Pazopanib has a prior indication in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.
Common side effects include high blood pressure, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, low blood cell counts, and liver problems. In some patients, this drug causes abnormal results on liver function tests, but it also rarely leads to severe liver damage that can be life-threatening. Bleeding, clotting and wound healing problems can occur, as well. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with pazopanib and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking pazopanib.
Votrient is not a chemotherapy drug but one of many targeted therapies. Targeted therapy is the result of about 100 years of research dedicated to understanding the differences between cancer cells and normal cells. Pazopanib can reduce the number of platelets in your blood. Platelets are cells which help the blood to clot. It can also cause bruising or bleed which you can’t explain. This includes nosebleeds, bleeding gums, heavier than normal menstrual periods, blood in your urine or stools, blood spots or rashes on the skin.
In a study of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas that had been treated with chemotherapy, pazopanib stopped the cancers from growing for an average of about 3 months longer than the patients given a sugar pill. So far, though, this drug hasn’t been shown to help patients live longer. This drug is taken in pill form, once a day. This drug also rarely causes a problem with the heart rhythm or even a heart attack. If a person is taking pazopanib doctor will monitor the heart with EKGs as well as check blood tests to check for liver or other problems.
Pazopanib (Votrient) for Sarcoma Treatment
Pazopanib (Votrient) is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Pazopanib is a type of biological therapy called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Tyrosine kinases are proteins which act as chemical messengers (enzymes) in cells. Pazopanib blocks a number of these proteins and is called a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (multi TKI). It stops cancer cells forming blood vessels that they need in order to grow. This is called anti-angiogenesis treatment. Pazopanib is used to treat soft tissue sarcoma (a tumor that can develop in or around muscles, tendons, joints, organs, or blood vessels). Pazopanib is usually given after other cancer medications have been tried without successful treatment of soft tissue sarcoma.
Pazopanib (Votrient) Side Effects
Pazopanib side effects may include:
- stomach pain or swelling, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- slow healing of a wound or surgical incision, or any wound that will not heal
- nosebleed, bleeding gums, easy bruising
- headache, confusion, change in mental status, vision loss, seizure (convulsions)
- sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath
- signs of infection – fever, sore throat, cough, flu symptoms, body aches, skin sores
- liver problems – nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- heart attack symptoms – chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating
- signs of other heart problems – feeling short of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain, headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats
- signs of a stroke – sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance
- signs of a blood clot in the lung – chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood
- signs of a blood clot in your leg – pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs
- dangerously high blood pressure – a severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, seizure.
Pazopanib (Votrient) Dosage
The recommended starting dose of VOTRIENT is 800 mg orally once daily without food (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal). The dose of VOTRIENT should not exceed 800 mg. Dose changes should be performed in 200-mg steps based on individual tolerability.
Pazopanib (Votrient) Cost
The cost for Votrient oral tablet 200 mg is around $10,660 for a supply of 120 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Votrient is available as a brand name drug only a generic version is not yet available.
