Cabazitaxel injection

What is this medicine?

CABAZITAXEL (ka baz i TAX el) is a chemotherapy drug. It is used to treat prostate cancer. It targets fast dividing cells, like cancer cells, and causes these cells to die.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• blood in the urine

• breathing problems

• constipation

• dark urine

• diarrhea

• pain in the lower back or side

• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• pain when urinating

• severe abdominal pain

• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine

• signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine

• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusually weak or tired, fainting spells, lightheadedness

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• back pain

• change in taste

• hair loss

• headache

• loss of appetite

• muscle or joint pain

• nausea

• upset stomach

What may interact with this medicine?

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• clarithromycin

• medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole

• nefazodone

• telithromycin

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• history of stomach bleeding

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• recent or ongoing radiation therapy

• take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots

• an unusual or allergic reaction to cabazitaxel, polysorbate 80, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.

Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping it. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.