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Paclitaxel

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Warning

Paclitaxel may rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) allergic reactions. Patients who experience a severe allergic reaction with this drug must never use it again. Your doctor may prescribe other medications (such as antihistamines, corticosteroids) to help prevent an allergic reaction. However, severe allergic reactions may still occur in a few patients. Get medical help right away if you develop any signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing, or chest pain.

This medication may often cause a serious blood disorder (decreased bone marrow function leading to a low number of white blood cells). This effect can lower your body's ability to fight an infection. Your doctor will monitor you closely and check your blood often during treatment. If your white blood cell count is too low, you should not receive this medication. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough, painful/difficult urination).

Precautions

Before using paclitaxel, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (taxane-type drugs such as docetaxel, cabazitaxel); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as polyoxyethylated castor oil), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood disorders (such as low white blood cell count), decreased bone marrow function, current infections, heart problems (such as fast/slow/irregular heartbeat), high or low blood pressure, liver disease.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Tell your health care professional that you are using paclitaxel before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

Paclitaxel can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like safety razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This product contains alcohol. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of alcohol, especially drowsiness and confusion.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially the decrease in bone marrow function and numbness/tingling/burning of the hands/feet.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using paclitaxel. Paclitaxel may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy test before you start this medication. Men and women using this medication should ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for some time afterwards. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, muscle/joint pain, numbness/tingling/burning of the hands/feet, flushing, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor promptly.

Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

This medication may rarely cause changes to your blood pressure and heart rate. You should be closely monitored for these changes during the infusion of this medication. Tell your doctor promptly if you have increasing dizziness, headache, or a fast/slow/irregular heartbeat.

People using this medication may have serious side effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, signs of anemia (such as unusual tiredness, pale skin), easy bruising/bleeding, fainting, confusion, pain/redness/swelling/weakness of the arms/legs, calf pain/swelling that is warm to the touch, coughing up blood, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, vision/hearing changes, seizures.

This medication may rarely irritate the vein it is given into or leak out of the vein and irritate the area. These effects may cause redness, pain, swelling, discoloration, or unusual skin reactions at the injection site, either while the drug is given or rarely 7 to 10 days later. If this drug has leaked out of a vein and caused a skin reaction in the past, you may rarely have a skin reaction in that same area when the drug is given again, even when it is given into another area. Tell your doctor right away of any unusual skin/injection site symptoms.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

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Information expires December 2025.